Sun News - September 6, 2012 by The Sun News

SATANIC FRIENDS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2450

N5,000 note: Count

govs out, says Suswam

Page 8

N150

•Man tricks childhood friend to ritual death Pages 5 & 35

FG not sincere on 2nd Niger Bridge –APGA

Page 12

Robbery kingpin’s home demolished ...Anambra govt takes over property 24 AK47 rifles, rocket launchers, machine guns grenades, ammunition seized Page 6 Gov Peter Obi, with DCP, Operations, Agyole Abeh personally supervising the demolition of two houses belonging to suspected kidnap/robbery kingpin, Olisaegbo Ifedike at Ifite, Oraifite, yesterday Diversion of power funds:

– Okonjo-Iweala

Page 3

FG lifts ban on Dana

Page 7

I am not involved

N150

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2450

...Navy rescues hijacked ship

Page 8

N5,000 note: Count govs out –Suswam

Pages 14 & 10

Terrorists burn down telecom masts, MTN office

SATANIC FRIENDS •Man tricks childhood friend to ritual death ...Lady lures best friend to kidnappers few days after victim’s dad gave the accused N500,000 gift

Pages 5 & 35

As fire guts Ogunpa Market in Ibadan... A trader, simply identified as Sarafa, who lost valuables in his shop, being consoled by colleagues at the scene of the fire incident at Ogunpa Market, Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday. Inset: One of the burnt shops. Photo: DADA OSASONA

FG lifts ban on Dana Page 7

I’m not involved – Okonjo-Iweala

Page 3

Diversion of power funds:

Ondo guber:

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2450

Page 8

N150

Page 13

Politician’s aides nabbed burying live cow N5,000 note: Count govs out –Suswam

SATANIC FRIENDS •Man tricks childhood friend to ritual death ...Lady lures best friend to kidnappers few days after victim’s dad gave the accused N500,000 gift

Pages 5 &35

‘Suspect’s grouse with her friend was that she refused to give her money when she requested and that she was greedy and tight fisted’

Page 13

60 shops burnt at Ogunpa

A trader, simply identified as Sarafa, who lost valuables in his shop, being consoled by colleagues at the scene of the fire incident at Ogunpa Market, Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday. Inset: One of the burnt shops. Photo: DADA OSASONA

...Navy rescues hijacked ship

FG lifts ban on Dana

Page 7

•Slaughter four

Pages 14 & 10

Terrorists burn down telecom masts, MTN office

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Thursday, September 6, 2012, DAILY SUN

SUNG GIRL

Power supply won’t drop after rains –Jonathan •Reconstitutes 2 committees

…Awaits Senate to okay new ministers From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reconstituted two committees in the power sector, pledging that the present stable power supply won’t drop even after the rains. This is even as the president said the Federal Government was awaiting the resumption of the Senate to clear the two new ministers for power and defence ministries. The first reconstituted panel is the Presidential Action Committee (PAC) on Power, which meets twice monthly. It is chaired by him with Vice President Namadi Sambo as deputy. President Jonathan said the resignation of power minister, Barth Nnaji, halted the meeting of PAC on Power, assuring that a new meeting date would soon be announced. “Before this time, in terms of power, we were meeting every two weeks; there were two committees on power but we stopped meeting because the former minister of power was the head of the technical team and when he moved across, we have not been able to meet but Nigerians are happy with government because power is getting steady and I don’t want us to relapse. “Definitely, immediately the National Assembly comes back, especially the Senate, we will clear the two vacancies that we have. They will get cleared and place people accordingly so that the Minister of Power will come up. But, in the interim, the Minister of State for Power is holding on to that. “But whether the Minister of Power comes or not, we want to reconstitute the two teams because Nigerians will not be happy if we relapse and I believe that as we progress from now till December, if Nigerians can go home in December and do their parties without generators and can drive to their states without gutters on our roads, stopping them, I think the rating of government will improve. So, we must work hard to get to this level,” the president said. Other members of the PAC are the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Head of Service of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, Attorney-General of the Federation, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Ministers of Finance, Labour and Productivity, Power, Petroleum Resources, National Planning, Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Personal Adviser to the President on Performance Monitoring, the Director-General (D-G) of Bureau for Public Entriprises (BPE), D.G, Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), GMD, NNPC and Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The president also reconstituted the Presidential Task Force to be chaired by Mr. Beks Dagogo-Jack while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr. Dere Awosika, will provide the secretariat. Other members are Mr. Rumundaka Wonodi, MD/CEO, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., Olusola Akinniraye, CEO, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mr. Abdulganiyu Umar, CEO, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, and Paul I. Umunna, CEO, Ughelli Power PLC. Others are Oladele Amoda, CEO, Eko Electricity Distribution Company; Mr. James Olotu, MD, NDPHC; Saidu Mohammed, MD, NGC; Adeyemi Adenuga, CEO, Geregu Power PLC. and Dr. Awosika, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Power. President Jonathan said this time, there would only be one captain in the ship as against the immediate past where Nnaji and Special Adviser on Power had power tussle. “We have done it this way because the other time when Nnaji was the Chairman, the Secretary was my SA. So, there was a lot of conflicts between the two because they say two captains cannot drive a ship. This time around, we just want one captain and others will work with him. “When we look at the team, anybody that does not fit in, we will begin to weed off. The team is working already but we are only formalising it today, so that everybody knows the leadership. “If they continue to work very hard and when the minister joins them, I believe that we will continue to improve and Nigeria will know that we will not relapse,” he said.

Diversion of power funds

I’m not involved –Okonjo–Iweala

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he Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo–Iweala, said yesterday that she knew nothing about any diversion of funds meant for the Enugu coal-fired power plant. Reacting to a story, “FG diverts power funds”, published in Daily Sun yesterday, the minister, who spoke through her Senior Special Assistant, Paul C. Nwabuiku, said in a statement that the report was inaccurate. According to the statement, the allegation that “the Minister of Finance last Friday informed the Minister of State, (Power) and the Permanent Secretary of the Power Ministry that the allocation for the feasibility studies for the coal power plant in Enugu, Benue and Kogi would be vired to other areas”, was not true. It said: “No such conversation took place. Dr Okonjo-Iweala did not make the alleged statement at any point in time. “The suggestion that the minister is working against the interest of the South-East or any other political zone for that matter is therefore totally false. The Federal Ministry of Finance under the watch of Dr Okonjo-Iweala, is focused on the best interests of the country as a whole”.

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

DAILY SUN

L-R: Member, Board of Trustees/Executive Committee, London School of Economics (LSE) Alumni Association of Nigeria, Senator Onyeaboh Obi, speaking at the LSE pre-departure Event 2012 lecture/send-forth reception for new students in Lagos, Wednesday. With him are the president, Mr. Ubadigbo Okonkwo, and the first Nigerian graduate of the school (1956), Prof Herbert Onitiri.

L-R: Managing Director, Orient Petroleum Resources Plc, Nnaemeka Nwawka; Group Managing Director/CEO, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti; and Chairman, Orient Petroleum Resources Plc, Chief Emeka Anyaoku at the inauguration of the production of oil from an inland basin by President Goodluck Jonathan at Orient Petroleum Resources’ Anambra River Production facility in Aguleri-Otu, Anambra State recently.

L-R: Former General Secretary of NUPENG, Comrade Frank Ovie-Kokori and ex-Minister of Petroleum, Prof Tam David-West, embracing each other during the third year memorial lecture for Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Wednesday.

L-R: Obi of Onitsha and Chairman, Diamond Bank PLC, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe; President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi during a courtesy call on the Igwe by the President in Onitsha recently.

Photo: WALE OLUFADE

COVER Satanic friends: Victim lured to ritual death by childhood friends From TUNDE RAHEEM Akure

etectives from Ondo State Police Command are investigating the mystery behind the bizarre act of three highly placed personalities that killed their childhood friend for ritual sacrifice. The suspects are Chief Babatunde Olumofe, who works for a bottling company based in Lagos, Mr. Sunday Akeju and another, simply identified as Eso. They were all said to be childhood friends and own their personal houses on the same street in Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos. The suspects allegedly killed thier childhood friend, Mr. Olufemi Ogunkorode, for ritual sacrifice at Erusu-Akoko, Ondo State last week. They tricked the late Mr. Ogunkorode, an indigene of Ilu Omoba-Ekiti, Ekiti State, to their home-town last week Saturday on the pretext that Olumofe was going to bury his mother. The suspects were said to have bought a new cloth for the deceased and presented it to him as their uniform for the occasion. Investigations revealed that the suspects handed over the victim to the traditionalists a few minutes after their arrival at Erusu-Akoko, who in turn killed Ogunkorode for ritual to appease the gods of the town. The suspects were said to have allegedly dumped the body of their victim along a major highway and claimed he was killed in a robbery. The victim’s friends also reported the case to the police at Erusu-Akoko post. The suspects were said to have given different reports when the case was transferred to the Oke Agbe police station. They told the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) that Ogunkorode slumped and died. Investigations also revealed that trouble started three years ago when Olumofe, who was to

•How he was tricked be honoured with a chieftaincy title, invited Ogunkorode to the installation. Olumofe and Ogunkorode who were said to be close friends from their days at the Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, allegedly carried out certain traditional rites together which were considered sacrilegious by some traditionalists in the town. The traditionalists had since then piled pressure on Olumofe to re-invite his friend for nec-

essary rites to appease certain gods in the town. When the victim was in the town in company of his friends, he was allegedly handed over to the traditionalists. He was killed instantly while some parts of his body were removed for the said ritual. The grumesome killing of the victim, it was garthered, had led to a cold war between the people of Erusu-Akoko and Ilu Omoba-Ekiti as the

latter allegedly turned back representatives of the former who were in their town to plead for forgiveness. The source said: “Delegates from ErusuAkoko, including some traditional chiefs, were in Ilu Omoba last Sunday in connection with the case. “They even promised to take care of the necessary funeral rites, but they were chased away by irate youths of Ilu Omoba.” The source added. The state the police command’s spokesman, Mr. Aremu Adeniran, confirmed the development. Aremu said police had apprehended one of the perpetrators of the act and that a case of murder had been established against him.

FG awards contract to complete Benin/Ofosu-Ore-AjebandeleShagamu road thereby bringing the total contract sum to From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja N16.235 billion.

he Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the reconstruction of outstanding sections of Benin-OfosuOre-Ajebandele-Shagamu Expressway Phase 111. Briefing State House correspondents, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, and his Works colleague, Mike Onomelemen and Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide, said the contract was awarded to Messrs RCC Nigeria Limited for N652 billion with a completion period of 36 months. Maku said the approval followed a memo brought to the Council by Mr. Onolememen. According to Maku, “the outstanding sections of the road are in disrepair, there is the need to reconstruct them to ease traffic flow along the road. “The road will not only improve the socioeconomic activities of the area, but will also reduce vehicle operating costs, travel time and accidents on the road”.

According to him, the project will generate employment as well as impact positively on the informal sector of the economy. Throwing more light on the road, Onolememen said the scope of work would include the complete reconstruction of Km 9 to Km 18 and Km 75 to Km 162 of the road. When completed, the minister said the section would have three lanes on both carriageways. He recalled that the phase I of the road which is from Benin to Ofoso, was awarded in 2006 while the second phase from Ofoso to Ajebandele was awarded in 2010. The FEC also approved the purchase of various search and rescue operation items for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as tabled by President Jonathan “The rampant increase in the spate of disasters in the country has continued to stretch the resources of NEMAon terms of equipment and logistics”, Maku said, while justifying the contract. Also, the Council approved the construction of Southern Parkway for N10.901,23 billion,

He said as part of efforts to reduce the traffic snarl in the city, the FCTA has embarked upon the construction of the Southern Parkway from the Christian Centre S8/S9 to Ring Road 1 comprising10 lanes, to complement the existing Northern Parkway. When completed, the Southern Parkway would undoubtedly ease the increasing heavy trffic situation in the Southern parts of the FCT within the corridors of already developed and fast developing districts like Central Area, Garki, Gudu and Durumi. The Council also approved N2.835 billion for phase II contract for the provision of infrastructure to Apo Estate Layout, thereby bringing the total sum of phases I and II to N5.755billion. The contract is in favour of Messrs Cat Construction Group (Nig.) Ltd. The Council also ratified the President’s anticipatory approval for the Sagbama erosion control rehabilitation works in Bayelsa State in favour of Nigerian Westminister Dredging and Marine Limited in the sum of N1.501billion, with the completion period of 12months.

6 DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

NEWS

•The two houses belonging to suspected robbery/kidnap kingpin,Olisaegbo Ifedike in Ifite,Oraifite before Governor Obi ordered their demolition yesterday.

•DCP, Operations, Agyole Abeh showing Governor Obi, the armoury where the suspect hid his weapons.

Home of robbery, kidnap kingpin demolished •Govt takes over property

From DAVID Obi, who personally superONWUCHEKWA, Nnewi vised the demolition exercise accompanied by some memome of the most want- bers of the State Executive ed criminal in Council, said the action was Anambra State, in line with the law of the Olisaegbo Ifedike, 34, who state that any property linked was arrested on Monday with to kidnap and other criminal his gang member at Ifite activities would be confiscatOraifite in Ekwusigo Local ed and demolished by the Government Area was yester- state government. day demolished while the He explained that the Anambra State Government efforts were geared towards took over ownership of the eradicating crime and flushland. ing out hoodlums from the The home, which com- state. prised a two-storey building The governor said due including a pent house, two process of the law had been bungalows, an armoury and initiated to prosecute the susmini cell where victims were pects while government was kept took Governor Peter going after all his investments Obi, Special Anti Robbery in the country as no kidnapSquad (SARS) led by Mr. per or criminal would be James Nwafor (SP) and other allowed to enjoy the proceeds members of the police force of his illegal activities. drafted from Anambra State He disclosed that hotels Police Command more than belonging to the prime sussix hours to complete the pect had already been sealed demolition exercise, which off while Abia State the governor personally Government would be consupervised. tacted to seal off his hotel in Obi, at the scene said he Umuahia with machinery in had intensified the fight to motion to arrest others flush out criminals with the involved in the crime. demolition of the two buildObi warned other criminals ings belonging to the suspect- still lurking in any part of the ed kidnap kingpin, Ifedike, state that the game was up as alias Ofe Akwu. government would not stop The demolition followed until the set objective was the arrest of the suspects and achieved. the discovery of sophisticated He reminded traditional arms and ammunition in a rulers and town union execuplastic container concealed tives of their responsibility to underground at the armoury ensure that their communities behind the bungalow careful- were not used as hiding place ly fenced off. They included for criminals. He urged 27 AK47 rifles, 12,800 live youths to take advantage of ammunition, 143 fully loaded magazines, rocket launchers, general purpose machine guns and grenades. In a small building attached to the gate wall, there was a shrine allegedly used by the father of the suspect, Mr. Patrick Ifedike, alias Ogbujingidi, who was said to be a native doctor. The buildings before their demolition were obviously torched by suspected angry mob from the community who burnt parts of the building, smashed the windows, •Cache of arms recovered from the suspect. doors and furniture.

•Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Bala Nassarawa, showing Governor Obi ammunition recovered from the home.

•Cache of ammunition recovered .

•Governor Peter Obi personally supervising the demolition of the houses .

the various economic empowerment programmes of the state government to earn decent living. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Raphael Uzoigwe, said they were able to arrest the suspects because of information gathered through their intelligence network. Uzoigwe alleged that the prime suspect was responsible for the various high profile attacks and killings in the state in recent time. The President General, Oraifite Improvement Union, Sir Raphael Nwike, who described Obi’s action as a divine intervention, lamented that the area had been held captive for a long time by activities of criminal elements. Some of the villagers who spoke to the press, Mr. Okeke Okafor, Mr. Mike Nchedo, Mrs. Elizabeth Iwobi and Mr. Godwin Anyalechi, who is based in Kano, commended the courage and political will of the governor in frontally tackling security challenges in the state. Later, while inspecting the ammunition recovered from the armed robbers, who confessed to be behind series of kidnapping in the state, including younger brother to Chief Arthur Eze, the Igwe of Ukpo, Chief Robert Eze, the state Commissioner of Police, Bala Nasarrawa, said the ammunition recovered from them were those of policemen they killed and police stations they sacked.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012, 7

NEWS

Cynthia: NTDC to drag hotel to court

rrangements have been concluded by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) to take to court the owners of the hotel where Cynthia Osokogu was murdered for operating illegally. The corporation would file former charges against the management of Cosmilla Hotel of Lake View Estate near FESTAC Town for illegal operation since it was not registered with the NTDC. The development which was confirmed by the Director General of the corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe revealed that a former query had been issued to the hotel to which it had replied. Miss Cynthia Osokogu was killed at Cosmilla Hotel, Lagos by her facebook ‘friends’ after they drugged her, raped and dispossessed her of her belongings. The director general insisted that the law would be followed to the letter but said the corporation would not interfere in the ongoing investigation by the security agencies. “We will allow them to do their job after which we will go to court.” He commended the security agencies especially the police and the SSS for a job well done on the arrest and prosecution of the suspects. The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation was empowered by law to register, classify and grade hotels, and other hospitality outfits in the country.

Demolition: Displaced residents, traders cry for help

he displaced residents and traders at Agboju/Masamasa in Lagos State have appealed to the government to provide alternative place for them to live and do their businesses. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, demolition of the houses along the Lagos/Badagry expressway had been in progress. The aim of the demolition was to create space for the 10lane road expansion. Mr. Olarotimi Ajayi, a landlord at Agboju told NAN yesterday that since his house was demolished by the government, he and his family had been taking refugee with friends and relatives. Ajayi said the affected landlords had been meeting on how to appeal to the government for assistance. “I am appealing to the government to provide us with temporary accommodation for me and family to enable me find a place to stay. “You know Lagos, even though I have the money now, it will not be easy for me to secure a comfortable place that can occupy me and family.” Similarly, Mr. Simon Okafor, a businessman, appealed to the government to provide alternative place to enable him to resume his business. Okafor said that since his shop was demolished, he was finding it difficult to feed his family because he did not have any other shop to sell his wears. “I am afraid as school is about to open; I don’t know where I will see money to pay my children’s school fees with this condition,” Okafor said. Also lamenting, Mr. Yinusa Aratuni, Vice Chairman of Plank Market at Agboju said: “We are appealing to the state government to provide us with alternative place to continue our businesses.

Army school tasks military PR managers By PHILIP NWOSU

he Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information said it has turned out over 500 officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force as specialists in information management and image making. The Commandant of the School, Colonel Rabe Abubakar made the revelation during a graduation ceremony of the young officers’ course for 2012, explaining that the course was aimed at improving the proficiency of military information officers, especially at this time of security challenges. According to the commandant, modern warfare consists of two variants, the tactical and information maneuver, with public relations officers dominating in the later, adding that, all level of military operation, including tactical, operational and strategic, require the service of information officers to succeed. He called for the training and retraining of personnel to achieve the desired objective of the military, adding that the NASPRI was primarily established to train officers and men that would handle information for the Armed Forces. He said that the ‘Young Office Course’was designed to give students, the rudiments of public relations practices, with a view to assisting their formation and unit commanders in the business of image making, propaganda, civil military relations during the Nigerian Army operation and by extension the Armed Forces.

•L–R: Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Mr. Fego M. Ahia of Brilliant Child College, Lagos winner of Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition and Bishop Mike Okonkwo during the 13th Mike Okonkwo annual lecture held at MUSON Centre, Lagos yesterday. Photo: OLUFEMI KAYODE

FG lifts DANA Airlines’ suspension T

he Federal Government yesterday lifted the suspension of the Operating Licence of Dana Airlines. This came about 93 days after the airline’s plane crashed in Iju Ishaga area of Lagos, killing 153 persons on board and 10 others on ground Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah said, the lifting of the ban on the airline followed government’s satisfaction with the air-worthiness of its aircraft after a rigorous technical, operational and financial audit. Oduah said Dana Airline was free to resume its normal commercial flight operations. She explained that government would continue to strengthen its oversight and regulatory functions to ensure that all airlines operating in the country, including Dana adhered strictly to safety procedures as required by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act and all other relevant local and international regulations that ensured and promoted sustainable air safety. The operating licence of Dana Airlines was temporarily suspended following the crash of one of its aircraft on June 3, in Lagos as a safety precaution. The lifting of the suspension came, as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), yesterday gave reasons why only 62 families had been paid the mandatory thirty thousand dollars after the crash, insisting that delay in identification of the victims, slow the pace of documentation by the relevant bodies, as well as multiple claims by the families accounts for the inability of the airline to pay the remaining 91 families, including foreigners. The Director General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren explained that the insurers, officials of the DANAAir had to be sure that all legal issues were clarified before the insur-

ance compensation was paid to the right persons, as the airline and the insurers had faced challenges of multiple claims among the families of victims. Demuren attributed the delay in the payment of the outstanding seventy thousand dollars to issues boarding on getting death certificates, letter of administrator and other legal issues, which had to be sorted out before the airline could release money to any-

body. He spoke after a meeting with insurers and the national insurance commission of Nigeria, affirming that the full insurance cover of the crashed airline and aircraft was not in doubt, even as he said the right steps have to be taken to ensure that what had to be done was done properly. Demuren explained that the money was already in place for the insurers to meet the

obligation, but had to ensure that all parties to the compensation were adequately carried along to avoid legal issues that might arise. He said some families had already sued the airline across the globe to claim damages, saying the regulator would ensure that all that had to be dome must be taken care off, before the airline resumes operations.

…Denies withdrawal of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway from Bi-Courtney From JULIANA TAIWOOBALONYE, Abuja

he Federal Government has denied report in one of the national dailies (not Daily Sun) that it has withdrawn the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway from the concessionaire, Bi-Courtney Highway Services. While assuring of government’s commitment to delivering the road on record time because of its strategic position, it stated further that work would start on the road as soon as the rain was over. Asked to clarify the status of the project, the Minister of Works, Mike Onomelemen, told State House correspondents at the end of the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), that the report was a mere rumour. He said that government has been engaging the concessionaire and that talks were still ongoing and Nigerians would be informed once a decision is taken. A national newspaper had reported on Wednesday that the Federal Government had withdrawn the road from the concessionaire, Bi-Courtney Highway Services, which had unsuccessfully battled to raise funds for the reconstruction of the road since it won the contract on May 26, 2009. It said the contract for the

road would be awarded in 2013 to bring to an end, the endless sufferings of Nigerians on that road. Quoting anonymous government sources, the newspaper said a decision had been taken to withdraw the concessioning from Bi-Courtney and that government was ready to communicate the company to withdraw from the project. It added that government had decided to take over the road and immediately deploy resources to ensure its completion. But Onomelemene said, “That report is news to me. It is a rumour making the rounds. I am oblivious of that information. “What I can say is that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works is determined to ensure full rehabilitation of that road. “It is a task that we must deliver. We are engaging the concessionaire and the engagement is still on. “I can assure you that immediately after the rain, the jobs will be done. We are committed to doing that. Once the final action plans are raised, we will let Nigerians know.” The expressway had earlier been concessioned to BiCourtney Highway Services. Several years after the concessioning however, works were yet to start on the road. The situation led to the call

by stakeholders including the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for the revocation of the concession agreement. Also debunking the publication, Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited (BHSL) in a statement signed by its spokesman, Dipo Kehinde, described the story as untrue. The statement reads in part: “We are currently engaged in talks with the Federal Government of Nigeria. “Contrary to the erroneous claim by the newspaper, the Federal authorities and BiCourtney have been doing a lot lately to clear all the hurdles on the path of this allimportant project. We have made a lot of progress. And we have been updating the Media on our activities on the road, the challenges, and government resolutions. “Notwithstanding the political intrigues, Bi-Courtney has been carrying out extensive palliative works on the road, while efforts are being made to resolve knotty issues surrounding the project. “We have worked over a stretch of 600 metres at Ibafo, along the southbound carriageway, and a total of 570 metres length has been cleared and backfilled. This work has contributed appreciably to ease traffic congestion usually experienced along the stretch.”

8 DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

NEWS Gani’s ideal form the focus of my govt –Jonathan ...Fuel subsidy, a fraud -David-West insists By AKEEB ALARAPE

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday lauded the contributions of the late Lagos lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi to nation building, saying the thrust of his administration was built on his ideals and struggle for egalitarian society. The president’s commendation was however punctured by former minister of Petroleum Resources, Prof. Tam DavidWest and human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, who accused him of inflicting avoidable pains on Nigerians for allegedly removing a non-existent fuel subsidy. Speaking at the 3rd Memorial Lecture for Fawehinmi, organized by the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation, held in Lagos yesterday, the president said Gani, like other past heroes, would never be forgotten. President Jonathan was represented on the occasion by his Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society and International Media, Mr. Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr. The event was also graced by the former president, National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers Union (NUPENG), Chief Frank Kokori, National Chairman of National Conscience Party (NCP), Alhaji Yunusa Tanko and numerous civil rights organisations from Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Edo and Ekiti states. “Whether you like it or not, Gani Fawehinmi was a defender of the poor, a defender of the rule of law, an unrepentant believer in justice, fairness and equal rights. He was a patriot and indeed a statesman who did not allow his personal preferences to cloud his struggles for justice and fair play. His love for Nigeria and the well-being of itsr people were unparalleled. “It is in that belief and struggle of Gani that this administration has tapped into to pursue vigorously the signing of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act. It is in the same shared belief with Gani that we will continue to build this administration on the foundation of rule of law, freedom of the press, freedom of association and respect for the rights of every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation,” the president stated. But in his lecture entitled: ‘Fuel Subsidy Regime: Myth or Reality and the Fuel it has Added to the Flame of Corruption in Nigeria,’ David-West said Gani would have unleashed heat on Jonathan administration if he were to be alive to witness the series of lies coming from the government quarters on the alleged subsidy regime of the Federal Government. “There is no fuel subsidy. So, you cannot remove what does not exist. Throughout the fuel subsidy protest, the government could not define what subsidy is to Nigerians.”

… As Nigerians pay tributes to him By FAITH OMORUYI

hree years after the death of late legal icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), many Nigerians defied the rain to pay him tributes during the anniversary of his death yesterday at his Nigeria Law Publications House, Alausa, Ikeja in Lagos. Among them were former senator, Olorunnimbe Mamora; Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; activist and social critic, Richard Akinnola; Gani’s former associate, Ngozi Adindu; Tell Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Nosa Igiebor; legal practitioner and activist, Fred Agbaje; activist Femi Aborishade and Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Chairman, Ayodele Adewale. Members of Gani’s family were also there. They included the matriarch of the deceased’s family, Mrs. Ganiat Fawehinmi as well as his children, Mohammed, Basirat and Saheed. The anniversary was also to launch two books: “Problems with the Federal Government of Nigeria: A Lawyer’s Subjective Perspective (2011) (Review)” by Mohammed Fawehinmi and “Gani in His Words” by Richard Akinnola. To his former law firm associate, Ngozi Adindu, Gani was a great man. He stated that Gani is still important today because “you cannot replace him, replicate him or sacrifice like he did. He would sacrifice everything for the masses. He never did anything to benefit himself. He told us that if we buried him the day he died, he would rise up to harm people. That was why he wasn’t buried immediately.” For Senator Mamora, even if one doesn’t agree with him, Gani could not be ignored. He described him as being “consistently consistent. He does not say one thing today and change his mind tomorrow if things are inconvenient. He was a man that walked the talk. He should enterre him the World’s Guiness Book of Records as the person who lived in all the prisons in Nigeria and for a good cause. While recounting his encounters with the late senior advocate during struggles and protests, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Chairman, Ayodele held that a better Nigeria would start with the students’ movement and the leaders of tomorrow should be empowered through books. He therefore gave his three months’ salary of N201, 000 for each month to the launch.

•Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (middle, front row) at the National Convention of Democratic Party of the United States where Michelle Obama spoke passionately on the American dream on Tuesday in USA.

N5,000 note: Govs in the dark –Suswam … Says I’m as confused as the man in the street •Outrage follows FG’s insistence By RASAQ BAMIDELE, TAIWO AMODU, IHEANACHO NWOSU and UBONG UKPONG Abuja

enue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam yesterday declared that the state governors were in the dark over the controversial introduction of the N5,000 notes. Speaking with newsmen when he led a delegation of Benue State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders to a meeting with the national leadership of the party, the Benue State governor revealed that the plan to introduce the new note was never discussed at any of the meeting of the National Economic Council. The 36 states governors were statutory members of the council. “Let me tell you that economically, I don’t support that. I am not an economist, I don’t know what informed that but quite frankly, it means that our naira would be devalued. I don’t know how it would address the economic issues that are confronting us by printing N5,000 notes, but like I said, I am not an economist. So, I don’t know the nuances of printing N5,000 notes. If we are saying that we would promote a cashless society and in the same vein printing N5,000 that can make it possible for somebody to carry N10 million in his pocket, I am a bit confused about that. “But I expect that this should have been addressed at the National Economic Council meeting. We have never discussed it at any point in time. I am as confused as the man in the street.” Meanwhile, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has flayed the insistence of the Governor of the

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Sanusi Lamido and the Economic Team on the introduction of N5,000 note . The group contended that such insistence was a display of lack of regard for the masses and notable Nigerians who it said were against the new naira note. This was just as the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) described the planned introduction of the note by the CBN as a bad policy from an insensitive leaders, saying that he was unconcerned about the damages that the initiative would cause to the nation’s economy and its efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015. President of the association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, told journalists at a press briefing yesterday, in Abuja, that the insistence of the CBN governor to carry on with the widely condemned policy was among several critical national issues discussed at the just concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NMA, which held at Owerri, the Imo State capital. Enabulele also told journalists that the NEC expressed great worry about the proposed introduction of the single N5,000 note, N20 and N50 coins into circulation, on account of the naira devaluation and rise in inflation, which many Nigerians and economic experts had continued to point out since the policy was first contemplated by Sanusi. The NMA president, who said Sanusi has been advised to consider their observations and review his plans to go ahead with the implementation of the policy, pointed out that despite several similar changes made in the past, no significant

improvement in the economy was witnessed. He called on Nigerians to join their voices in a continuous condemnation of such unfriendly policies from the CBN governor, which were capable of continuing to crumble the nation’s ailing economy. CNPP, in a statement by signed by the General Secretary, Willy Ezeugwu, accused Sanusi and the economic team of hiding under the new currency to further devalue the naira. Expressing regret that President Goodluck Jonathan gave his backing to the move, CNPP said the planned N5,000 denomination had all the makings of a plot to sabotage Nigeria for class interest ahead of the 2015 elections since such high denomination could serve the double purpose of using inflation to impoverish the populace while at the same time providing an easy means to move such money around. The group argued that it was now obvious that the present government had decided to further worsen an already inflationary trend as part of its strategy to keep Nigerians impoverished by issuing a denomination that would take looting of public funds to a new high. It said: “The decision of the CBN, as endorsed by the so called economic team, flies in the face of reason especially when all the explanations and analysis that these clueless officials have so far given are reminiscent of the sing song they engaged in January during the ill-conceived removal of petrol subsidy. The assurances given at that time turned out to be false as Nigerians feared because today we all know that the quality of life has worsened since the partial removal of subsidy while most of the supposed palliative

buses have vanished into the thin air.” The conference stressed that previous experiences had shown that any denomination that was issued as coins was usually rejected thereby leading to its extinction in addition to the fact that goods were no longer sold for such amount. Also, Founder and President of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, has described the insistence of the government to introduction the N5,000 notes despite people’s opposition as autocratic and insensitive. Fasehun, who made his position known yesterday during his fourth periodic roundtable parley with the media reminded that government “are there for the wish and welfare of the people and not the other way round,” pointing out that “changing lower denominations of our currency into coins will surely aide upward mobility of inflation because it is no news that Nigerians have refused to make use of coins.” The medical practitioner cum activist asserted that “introduction of higher denomination into the economy will further encourage money laundering and corruption,” regretting that “the government insistence to go ahead with it will make the fight against graft to go up in smoke.” While urging Nigerians to reject the new note, Fasehun assured that “at the appropriate time, a protest against the policy would be organised within the ambit of the law to force the government to have a rethink,” reminding that “government is in place for the people and not people in place for the government.” The OPC boss therefore wondered that while the economy was dwindling, they were making policies that would aggravate it.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012, 9

NEWS NGOs, vehicle for money laundering in Nigeria- SCUML From FRED ITUA, Abuja

ead of the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), Angela Nworgu has revealed that Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) now serve as conduit pipes through which money laundering and sponsorship of criminal activities are carried out. She made the remark at the annual seminar for Designated Non-Financial Institutions (DNFIs) with the theme “Strategic partnership Amongst DNFIs for Effective Implementation of AML/CFT Regime in Nigeria”, which held on Tuesday at the EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja. Nworgu disclosed that research by the Financial Action Task Force indicated that money launderers “who use NGOs to carry out layering of stolen wealth through several countries to disguise the actual origin of the money do not mind losing 40% of the total amount in the process, because it was money gotten from illegitimate means.” She stated that the essence of the seminar was to expose compliance officers to their obligations and responsibilities in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. The participants drawn from various DNFIs such as Bureau De Change, Hotels, Law firms, Jewellers, and others. were taken through the provisions of the Money Laundering Act 2011, Know Your Customer principles, Anatomy of CTRs/STRs, implication of the CBN circular on AML/CFT compliance, among others. One of the resource persons, Emma Igbodekwe told the participants that the newly amended money laundering prohibition Act, 2011 was more robust with strict punishment for its violation.

Future bright for HR management By DAMIETE BRAIDE

“T

he future of employment relations and human resources (HR) management in Nigeria, within the milieu of global trends is bright despite present challenges.” Prof. Sola Fajana, vice chancellor, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) made this known in Lagos at the lecture/luncheon of the Personnel Practitioners Consultative Association (PPCA), Ikeja branch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). In his lecture entitled, “National Occupational Classification in Nigeria: Prospects, Challenges and the Way Forward,” the university don said it was imperative for the adoption of national occupational classification because of the increasing role HR played in corporate governance. He further said it was the role of entrepreneurship in getting jobs for those with limited access to life-enhancing economic activities, the increased importance of the informal sector, the SME sectors and the changing importance of trade unions. He said future HR professionals must be multi-skilled, versatile and have the capacity to cope in environments of diversity, in the technological, cultural, political, economic, intellectual and otherwise. “Mastering the NOC is one competence that would be required for job success both now and in the future. Consequently, the HR students preparing for a career in this field must be effectively armed for a future of excitement and excellence,” he said.

Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command receiving the Brazilian Defence Attache, Col Marcelo Oliver and the Commanding Officer of Brazilians ship Amazons, Lt-Commander Giovani in his office yesterday.

Pastor, another jailed 5 years for fraud From PAUL Asaba

OSUYI, the sentence, held that the submissions of both sides in 517 and 419 of the Criminal

self-acclaimed pastor, Joshua Egwu and one Ekene Ilona have been sentenced to five years imprisonment each by an Asaba Chief Magistrate‘s Court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and fraud. Pastor Egwu (45) and Ilona (43), both resident in Asaba were jailed for obtaining N700,000 from one Benedict Obidinma under false pretence. They committed the offence on September 15, 2011 when they presented a proposal for the supply of “blue” gas, which they knew was false, to Obidinma with the intent to commit and obtain the said sum. Chief Magistrate Sylvester Ehikwe who handed down

prosecutor, Mrs. Dora Enweliku had proved the case against the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt. Ehikwe chided the pastor, saying: “I am not sure that you are a man of God with a call but if you are, then you are a disgrace to the church and society.” “I have considered the

the case and I am convinced that the guilt of the accused has been proven. “I, therefore, sentence them to three years imprisonment each for count one, and two years imprisonment each for count two,” Ehikwe ruled. Enweliku had told the court during the trial that the offence contravened Sections

SSS, Police assault The Guardian’s reporter in Abuja …As rain disrupts MDG projects supervision From FRED ITUA, Abuja

team of operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) and Policemen attached to the Minister of State in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide,

on Tuesday threw caution to the winds and assaulted the FCT Bureau Reporter of The Guardian Newspaper, Terhemba Daka, officially sent to cover the activities of the minister. Trouble started when a downpour which lasted for more than six hours forced

Bi-Courtney appoints new Editors confab holds in Uyo Sept 12 CEO for MMA2 (NGE), organisers of the con- including the host governor,

i-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer for the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), Lagos. He is Mr. Christophe Penninck. According to a statement by the company, Mr. Penninck, a Belgian and Polish, is joining the organisation with a wealth of experience, spanning over a decade in global aviation, including airport operations, passenger safety, as well as airline and safety management in different countries. The statement added that Penninck, a graduate of EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University (also known as the Harvard of the Sky), Daytona Beach, United States (U.S.), and multiple award winner in the global aviation industry, has a passion for aviation that has earned him several senior management positions in various airlines, such as Swissair/Sabena Belgian World Airlines, Kenya Airways, Menzies Aviation in Dakar, Senegal and Johannesburg, South Africa, Qatar Airways and and Aero Contractors, Lagos, among others. The statement quoted Penninck as saying that he intends to work with his team to sustain the sophistry MMA2 is noted for and make it one of the best airport terminals in the world. Penninck is happily married and has a daughter.

eginning from September 12, 2012, more than 250 Nigerian editors in the electronic, print and online media will converge on Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for four days to attend the 8th annual All Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC). During the event, the cream of editors, comprising men and women whose media outfits have always set the agenda for national discourse, are going to brainstorm and analyse a topical issue which had been of great concern to them and the Nigerian society in the past few years, and even more so now – The Nigerian Editor and National Security. To underscore the importance of the theme, the Nigerian Guild of Editors

Code Cap C21 Vol. 1 of Delta State, 2006. Though, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges, their counsel, Mrs. Chinenye Ofiaeli had appealed to the court to be lenient with them, stating that Ilona ignorantly entered into the business.

ference, chose the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) to deliver the keynote address, while Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, Director-General; of the State Security Service (SSS), will present a paper on the tropic, “Architecture of Terror.” Other topics slated for discussion and the eminent Nigerians to give a treatise on each of them are: The cost of insurgency, Prof. Etannibi Alemika; Understanding Antiterror laws in Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) and Reporting Right, Reporting Safe, Rufai Ibrahim, a veteran journalist. Also on the card is an executive interactive session between the editors and the governors of some states,

Obong Godswill Obot Akpabio. The event will be chaired by renowned veteran journalist and former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, while the Senate President, David Mark, is the special guest of honour. Other eminent Nigerians expected to grace the event include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, as well as the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku. The highlights of the event would be the investiture of new Fellows and the induction of new members.

the Minister of State to abruptly abort an inspection tour of a scheduled Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) FCT projects located in the Bwari Area Council of the territory. The minister, in a convoy of top officials of the FCT administration had earlier inspected 10 hectares of MDGs maize farm at Kuchibunyi, a rural settlement in the Council and was en-route a second farm project when the rains descended heavily, forcing the convoy to navigate through the labyrinth of farm ridges and bushes in the area. The convoy could not make any headway as the Toyota Land Cruiser SUV conveying the minister and other officials, as well as the bus conveying journalists on the entourage were all stuck in the mud, just as the rain came down in torrents and flooded the farm roads late on Tuesday. Efforts by the aides as well as residents of the area to assist in pulling the vehicles out of the mud did not yield any result. Some of the reporters began to take snap shots of the ensuing scenario, a development which infuriated the security agents.

10 DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

NEWS Children’s church leaders hold confab

s a way of ensuring the proper upbringing of children in the country, the Christian Children’s Ministers Association (CCMA) holds a conference tagged, National Children’s Church Leaders Conference (NCCLC) 2012 with the theme: “Ministry to Children in the 21st Century.” The NCCLC, which comes up on Saturday, October 13, at Cherith Hall, Km 45, Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, will host children’s Church leaders from across the country. The conference which would hold between 8:00a.m. and 4:00p.m. same day, would provide children’s church leaders the opportunity to listen to quality speakers throughout the conference while interacting with children’s church leaders from other ministries. The CCMA President, Pastor Philip Godstime Agbonfioror said, “the NCCLC is the premier conference that focuses exclusively on children’s ministers for the benefit of the body of Christ. The programme is designed to meet the needs of the church by training those called to serve in children’s ministry with leadership skills relevant to their unique calling.” According to him, “the challenges facing children’s ministry in the 21st Century are daunting. How do we disciple an entire generation to have a personal walk with Jesus Christ… beginning as a child and continuing into eternity?” Agbonfioror was of the view that the church needed children’s ministry leaders who were leaders of leaders and not babysitters. He opined that, “the future of our church and nation depends, to a large extent, on what we do with our children today.” Conference registration fee is N4,000 per participant. Fee covers conference materials, children ministry books plus refreshment.

Soyinka awards night: Lagbaja, other top musicians storm Lagos

s the countdown to the climax of the Glo-sponsored Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa begins, top artistes led by the masked one and Afro-calypso musician, Lagbaja, are set to storm the venue of the awards to thrill the audience. The event, which is set to recognise and reward the best of African literary talents would showcase performances by other artistes which include Nefertiti, an emerging music group with a unique performance style and the Crown Troupe, noted for its energetic dance steps. A statement from the organisers indicated that the masked one, Lagbaja, who is back in Nigeria from Canada is excited and looks forward to being part of the star-studded evening in honour of the best literary talents in Africa. “I look forward to an exciting night after a long time outside Lagos,” Lagbaja said. The event, which would hold at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday, September 8, will have in attendance as host, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, while Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State will be the special guest of honour.

ANDYFPI postpones awards By HENRY UTSALO

he Amalgamation of the Niger Delta Youths For Peace Initiative (ANDYFPI) has shifted its award ceremony to September 26 this year. The postponement followed a meeting held with the Minister of Youths Development, Alhaji Inuwa Aliyu Abdulkadir in Abuja. Speaking, the National President of ANDYFPI, Mr. Henry Nwabueze, said the Ministry of Youths Development wanted to be fully involved in the ceremony because it was a youth affair. He said the minister was, however, happy that the Nigerian youths were really coming up as they were planning to give awards to eminent Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in the society. Nwabueze was hopeful that the awards would spur the recipients to perform better than they were doing now, adding that the country would be better for it. He urged the youths to join in celebrating the leaders and not condemning them so that they could perform their duties as expected by the citizens.

•Mohammed, son of the late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) at the third anniversary of his father. On the right is Mr. Ugwuzor Adindu, a lawyer.

Navy rescues hijacked vessel By PHILIP NWOSU

he Nigerian Navy said yesterday that it had rescued the crews of the hijacked MT Abu Dhabi. Naval spokesman in Lagos, Lieutenant Commander Jerry Omodara on telephone said the force’s two vessels, NNS Zaria and Israeli made Shaldag rescued the crew of the vessel off the coast of Lagos. He said the crew of ship were rescued intact but gave no further details as per the product and the whereabout of the pirates. The Navy had said its vessels were in hot pursuit of the oil vessel alleged to have been hijacked by pirates off the Nigerian territorial waters. The vessel, MT Abu Dhabi Star was alleged to be carrying products belonging to Exxon Mobil and valued at millions of naira. Daily Sun learnt that the Nigerian Navy deployed its assets, particularly, its Augusta helicopter and its patrol vessels including the NNS Zaria and

its Israeli built vessel, The Shaldag, to sea in search of the vessel which was taken from the Nigerian waters early yesterday. Source close to the Naval Headquarters told Daily Sun that the vessel was hijacked at about 3a.m. yesterday and that since the hijack, the force had

deployed its men and materials in search of the vessel. The hijacked vessel, Daily Sun learnt, is a Singaporeowned oil tanker with 23 crew members on board. It was gathered that the tanker was seized at sea and the vessel was now about 25km (15 miles) off the coast of Lagos and the

Reps back down on Jonathan’s impeachment By REMI ADEFULU

he House of Representatives may have soft-pedalled on its threat to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan over the non-implementation of the 2012 budget. Daily Sun learnt that this folowed what the lawmakers described as endorsement of their line of argument on the total implementation of the budget by the executive. Confirming the development, House Minority Leader, Chief Femi Gbajabiamila said members

of the House were impressed by the move to implement the 2012 budget. Said he: “I think the executive has hearkened to the call of the Nigerian people. I hope to see what I call the trickle down economics where the policies and budget begin to affect the common man. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain who was the initiator of the impeachment threat on Jonathan disclosed that that was most necessary at the time the House sat on the matter. According to him, the

Amosun restates commitment to free education

gun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has restated the commitment of his administration to provide free and qualitative education to children of public primary and secondary schools in the state. The governor disclosed this yesterday in Abeokuta while receiving a delegation of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, led by its Prelate, His Eminence, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, in his office. Amosun said the free education policy of his government was on course as pupils of public primary and post-primary schools had received free textbooks and instructional materials such as exercise books, pencils, biros, file jackets and mathematical sets. While recalling that the last

crew members had been locked up in a safe room. Only recently, the newly commissioned Nigerian built patrol boat had chased another oil tanker allegedly hijacked within the country’s territorial waters and was later discovered around the Ondo State area.

time pupils in Ogun received such assistance from the government was 30 years ago, he promised to ensure that every child in Ogun had the opportunity to get the best of education and compete with their friends in top private schools. He informed the delegation that procurement of free school bags for school children had reached an advanced stage and noted that government would spend additional N600 million in the new term as a result of increase in enrolment figures occasioned by the free education policy of his administration. Amosun lamented the derelict state of infrastructure, especially the school buildings, inherited by his administration, noting that his govern-

ment had renovated blocks of classrooms in 100 schools in the first phase and targeted 200 more in the second phase. In response to the request of Makinde for the return of mission schools to their original owners, Amosun reiterated that his administration had no intention to take over the schools. “Virtually all the schools in Ogun are owned by missionaries. My life was also molded by a mission school, African Church Grammar School. We have only requested to be given time to sort out ourselves so that over 20,000 children will not roam the streets as a result of the return. In fact, our plan is to give the private schools a run for their money by the kind of schools we are building now,” he said.

objective was to alert the Federal Government about its shortcomings in the interest of all. Continuing, Gbajabiamila, who is the leader of opposition in the House stressed that it was a good development that the executive had since swung into action. “To the extent that they have reacted positively, I will commend the executive,” he declared. According to him, unlike in the recent past, the Federal Government had taken positive steps on contract awards, while monies were being released. Aside this, the opposition leader said government had also shown seriousness by making ministers to sign performance bonds. These, he said, were positive steps, which would ultimately benefit Nigerians at large. Gbajabiamila equally said the decision of government to get the 2013 appropriation bill to the National Assembly this month was in order. According to him, that initiative belonged to the House of Representatives as it was uncomfortable with the old order. Specifically, he recalled that he proposed a bill to amend that aspect of the law to put the nation’s economy on a sound footing. He reasoned that although the president was backed by law to present the budget to the House at any time, such was not in national interest.

11 DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

SOUTH SOUTH FG disburses N2bn resettlement package to Bakassi natives, says Adoke

ttorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke yesterday said that the Federal Government had disbursed more than N2 billion to communities affected by the border dispute in the Bakassi Peninsula. Adoke disclosed this in Yaounde, Cameroon, on the sideline of the 29th session of Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission. The Justice Minister said that government was working hard to ensure that the affected communities were properly resettled. “There is effort to resettle them and then there is also the UN effort at helping to resettle them effectively and that has been done; both government are working very hard. “Nigeria had given over N2 billion for resettlement of the affected population and had decided or opted to go to the Nigerian side of the Bakassi. “So the government is trying very effectively. We have the border community agency that is there to faithfully ensure that the indigenes of Bakassi are well resettled.” He advised the affected communities to continue to be law abiding and have faith in Nigeria. “The communities should realise that government is responsible enough to choose whether to abandon or not to abandon them.’’ He said both governments would continue to ensure security in Bakassi Peninsula and that the implementation of the cooperation agreement on trans-border security between the countries would enable them to quickly stamp out security threats along the 2000km expanse of the border. Adoke recalled that in 2002, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave a judgment awarding part of the peninsula to Cameroon. “It has been a lot of misunderstanding in respect of that judgment. The judgment actually decided five issues whereby Cameroon won two and Nigeria won two and both countries lost one, I mean on ground of state responsibility. “But unfortunately, due to the misrepresentation ongoing, it seems as if Nigerian has lost completely to Cameroon. That is not the situation it was a win-win situation for both countries.” He expressed the commitment of both countries to live peacefully “as brothers sharing a common destiny.” The minister said the commission had not complained about lack of funds for the resettlement of the affected communities at the moment.

...Resettle us in Dayspring, Kwa Island, Ita- Giwa, Bakassi residents plead By ZIKA BOBBY

akassi natives led by their political leader, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, on Tuesday stormed Lagos, displaying their voters’ cards at the Nigerian Television Authority’s regional office, Victoria Island pleading with the Federal Government to resettle them at Dayspring 1and 2 and Kwa Island, the unceded parts of Bakassi Peninsula. Ita-Giwa, while addressing newsmen, emphasized that rather than waste resources in appealing the ICJ judgement, government should urgently address issues relating to resettlement of Bakassi people in their place of choice, Dayspring 1 and 2 and Kwa Islands, as promised by Federal Government in 2006. She affirmed the Bakassi peoples affinity with the Efik Kingdom in Cross River State, who are original owners of the Bakassi Peninsula. Her words: “As painful as it may be, we will refrain from condemning the Federal Government’s decision not to revisit or belatedly appeal the 2002 ICJ judgement ceding the bulk of our homeland to Cameroon. If good sense had prevailed 10 years ago, we might not have found ourselves in this quagmire. As a peace, loving people, we have chosen to cut out losses and move as sacrifice for the peace and stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our fatherland. “We do not subscribe to futile efforts aimed at securing resources that were not used to develop our people in the past nor is it likely that it will be used for that purpose in the future; Bakassi has been used as a conduit for far too long. We abhor violence and reject any attempt to militarize our agitation. It is our contention that resources could be put to better use for the development of infrastructure in our chosen new abode as well as the development of vital human capacity of our industrious people. “The issue of revisiting the ICJ judgement is belated. We want to settle down for our people to be taken out of the streets. We are not interested in secession because we are all Nigerians. We are not interested in any secession or appeal for Nigeria to regain the part of Bakassi that has been ceded to Cameroon. We are interested in being settled in Dayspring where we came from and the only unceded area and with our identity intact.

•L-R: Director-General, National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Ohii, Director Programme Delivery, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Dr Tina Briel and Country Manager, GAIN, Mr Larry Umunna during the presentation of monitoring equipment of fortified foods for training staff of NAFDAC in Abuja yesterday. Photo:MUDASHIRU ATANDA

JTF intercepts arms cache in N’Delta From FEMI FOLARANMI, that a further raid on the residence of one Endurance Yenagoa Anderson Obisko a.k.a AK he Joint Military Task 47 led to the discovery of Force (JTF) Operation another unloaded 354 rounds Pulo Shield has inter- of ammunition. He said two cepted a cache of arms and suspects were arrested at the ammunition being moved crime scene including a female, identified as Obituary into the Niger Delta region. Operatives of the JTF, dur- girl friend Nwachukwu assured the ing a stop and search at Ajudaibo Community in the people of the region to be on Warri South Local alert and give useful informaGovernment Area of Delta tion to the JTF, as the security State, also arrested three per- outfit would not abdicate its sons including a middle-aged responsibility in protecting lives and property in the state. woman. Meanwhile a group, Warri Checks indicated that the operation, carried out by the Ijaw Peace Monitoring 3rd Battalion of Sector 1 Group (WIPMG) has stated Command was supervised by that the interception of the Lt. Col Ifeanyi Otu. The JTF was said to be working on the information that some arms and ammunition had been moved before the latest discovery. The media coordinator of the JTF, Lt. Col Onyema he Rivers Police Nwachukwu disclosed that Command said yesterthe operation carried out in day that two people Ajudaibo, in Warri South were killed and a policeman LGA of Delta State led to the injured by armed robbers in recovery of Five AK 47 mag- Port Harcourt, state capital. azines fully loaded with 30 Mr Ben Ugwuegbulam, rounds of ammunition each. spokesman of the command Nwachukwu explained said in Port Harcourt that the

arms and ammunition portend great danger for the Niger Delta region. The chairman, Chief Patrick Bigha, said the seizure by the Joint Military Task Force was a sign that some people did not submit their arms during the amnesty programme. He pointedly said militant youths from Itsekiri might not have submitted their arms like militant youths in Ijaw communities did. Bigha said “It means that the Itsekiris have not surrendered all their arms and ammunition during the declaration of the presidential amnesty programme in the

Niger Delta,or must have stockpilled arms and ammunition after the amnesty declaration” “It could be recalled that the Itsekiris during the arms surrendering exercise of the amnesty programme did say that they acquired arms and ammunition to defend themselves from their Ijaw neighbors. And as this operation of the military has exposed, it means that there is more to this issue than what the eyes could meet, therefore, a thorough investigation into this revelation is crucial for peace to continue to rain in the Escravos neighborhood and the Niger Delta in general.

Robbers kill 2, injure police officer in P’Harcourt

robbery took place between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. along Isaac Boro Park fly-over in the city. He said no arrest had been made but that the police were investigating the matter. According to him, the policeman was injured while responding to a distress call

Amaechi worries over using oil wells to determine boundaries

From CHRIS ANUCHA, Port the Supreme Court ruled that the two states should go back Harcourt to the Surveyor- General of overnor Chibuike the Federation and the Boundary Rotimi Amaechi, has National expressed, worry over Commission, as lawyers to the use of number of oil wells both parties agreed that there in the South-South region, as was an error in the adjustment one of the criteria for bound- process. He charged the surveyors to ary adjustment. Amaechi, who spoke on always stand on the path of Tuesday at the 2012 truth, even in the face of danCoordination and Advisory ger. He said: “If not, it will call Board on Survey Training conference, Port Harcourt, to question, your degrees and Rivers State, expressed sur- universities. Don’t follow the prise that boundaries could be directive or pressure from manipulated based on avail- government, bring to bear, your professionalism.” ability of oil wells. The Chairman of The governor cited the oil wells dispute between Rivers Governors’ Forum also and Bayelsa states, in which described the roles of survey-

ors as critical to national development, and urged them not to allow themselves to be used by some individuals for their selfish reasons. He expressed his administration’s readiness to fund research projects, adding that it would help the Ministry responsible for survey matters, in tackling modern day challenges. In his address of welcome, the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Professor Peter Nwilo, said one of the reasons for this year’s conference was to consider the Survey Coordination Act of 1962, in the face of what he called, the current challenges and developments in technology.

and attempted to foil the operation together with other policemen. Ugwuegbulam, however, said the robbers got away with their loot but promised that the police would track them down. The police spokesman said the victims were conveying an undisclosed sum of money in a commercial vehicle when they were attacked. The image maker explained that there was no country in the world that was crime-free, adding that the command was doing everything possible to protect lives and property in the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Indabawa had on August 31, told a news conference that 13 policemern were killed by robbers between April and August this year. Indabawa said the police had on its part shot dead 36 suspected armed robbers and kidnappers, and rescued 17 kidnap victims during the period.

12, DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

SOUTH EAST Residents live in fear as 2-storey building collapses in Aba From OKEY SAMPSON, Aba

esidents of houses close to a two-storey building, which collapsed yesterday in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, are now living in fear that the standing part of the building may suddenly cave in and claim lives. The building marked as No. 3, Ogeikpe Street, Off 24 Omuma Road, within the Eziukwu axis of the commercial city was said to have collapsed at about 8.45 a.m. when most people had gone out for their various businesses. However, no life was lost. Daily Sun gathered that the building which foundation was laid about 21 years ago and had remained uncompleted ever since was meant to be a two-storey building but the owners said to be living in Cameroon, exceeded that limit. Investigations by Daily Sun showed that the building collapsed through the combined forces of alleged non-compliance with approved plans and weak structures occasioned by long years of exposure to harsh weather. Speaking when Daily Sun visited the scene of the incident, the Chairman of Landlords/Tenants Association of the area, Chief Sam Olewe, said they were surprised at the development since there was no previous sign that the building was going to collapse. “When the building started to collapse because it was falling in parts, we rallied round and tried to get the owners who live in Cameroon on phone but unfortunately, none of us had their Cameroonian phone numbers. “This is the first time this type of thing is happening in the whole of Eziukwu-Aba because we do not have sandy soil nor is here a swampy area,” he said while advising people in

30,000 to participate in this year’s Christian pilgrimage By ADEWALE SANYAOLU

he Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), yesterday said about 30,000 Nigerians are to participate in this year’s holy pilgrimage to Israel and Italy respectively. The disclosure was made by the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Mr. John Kennedy Opara, at the 2012 National Christian Pre-Pilgrimage Retreat with the theme, “Pilgrimage as a Tool for Moral Transformation and Spiritual Rebirth.” Opara explained that all logistics to ensure a hitch free exercise for this year’s edition had been concluded with all relevant authorities and the respective diplomatic missions with a pledge of speedy processing. Specifically, he said the Israeli Embassy in Nigeria had promised to process all visa requests in 72 hours while the Schengen visa would take 10 working days. This, he noted, was a result of the confidence reposed in the commission. “Let me add that the level of confidence is now high as we on our part ensure that we carry out checks and due diligence on all aspiring pilgrims to reduce the incidence of abscondment. “Making sure that we select the very best intending pilgrims to the holyland is not only the job of NCPC. So it’s very important that states should do a very good job in picking the intending pilgrims they present to NCPC officials for screening,” he said. To ensure smooth and orderly airlifting of pilgrims for this year, Opara hinted that the first set of pilgrims would leave the country on October 25, in line with the calendar of activities as approved by President Goodluck Jonathan.

New Imo CP reads riot act to robbers, kidnappers By MATTHEW DIKE

he new Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bolanta Baba Adisa has vowed to chase out armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists from the state. Speaking through the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Vitalis Onugu, a deputy superintendent of police, Adisa said he would not spare any armed robber, kidnapper or cultist in Imo State. Adisa advised such criminals to leave the state or face the wrath of the law. The commissioner of police also appealed to parents and guardians to monitor their children or wards both at home and their activities outside. The police boss warned that on no account should a parent or guardian come to beg for his or her child arrested for armed robbery, kidnap or cultism. He said any suspect arrested would face the wrath of the law. He has directed anti-robbery policemen to comb the state and arrest all armed robbers, kidnappers or cultists operating in the state. Less than one week he assumed office, the policemen have arrested two suspected armed robbers. He gave their names as Chinonso (other names withheld) and Okuku.

• L-R: Prof. Nkadi Onyegegbu, Director, Institute of Education, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Prof Attahiru Jega, chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and I. U. Asuzu, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, UNN after the keynote speech by INEC chairman at the annual conference of the Institue of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

2nd Niger Bridge: FG not sincere –APGA …Warns Igbo against endorsing any candidate for 2015 presidency From PETRUS OBI, Enugu

he All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has condemned plans by the Federal Government to finance the second Niger Bridge and erosion project through concessional agreement and loans respectively, insisting that President Jonathan was not being sincere with the people of the zone. National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, who spoke to journalists in Enugu, expressed regrets for President Jonathan’s pronouncements during his last visit to Anambra State, arguing that with such arrangement, Jonathan could not claim to have redeemed his campaign pledge to Ndigbo as the people would indirectly pay for the construction through toll fees. APGA said it was of the opinion that President Jonathan, by planning to construct the Onitsha Bridge through concession arrangement, meant that the government had not made any financial commitment in the project, more so when the concessionaire was expected to recover the money invested in the project through toll gates that would be erected at entry points of the Onitsha and Asaba cities. Umeh also recalled a similar statement by the Minister for Finance, Ngozi OkonjoIweala that the Federal Government would remedy the different erosion sites in the zone through a secured $450 million loan and wondered who would be responsible for paying back the loan. He said it would be disas-

trous if the states in the Southeast were made to pay back the loan in a long term since the zone was financially bankrupt. Umeh also cautioned political leaders in the South-east to be careful how they made pronouncements relating to endorsing any aspirant for 2015 general elections, saying the quest for Igbo presidency was a long time agitation dear to the hearts of Ndigbo who were tired of being spectators on the Nigeria political scene. Said he: “It is cheering news that construction work at the second Niger Bridge will commence in March 2013 but I was very worried that the second Niger Bridge will be concessioned to an international development

consultant that will construct it and be expected to recover its funds. “What that means is that the Federal Government is not part of the financing plan for the construction and that is why I am worried. It means that after the construction, tollgates will be mounted in Onitsha-Asaba, OnitshaOwerri roads and maybe Ontisha-Enugu Road ends and our people will be paying for it. “I also see a twin issue where the minister for finance was quoted to have said that about $450 million loan has been negotiated for fighting erosion in the South-east.” She said it would have a 10year moratorium when there would be retirement, it would be interest free, then the loan

would be repaid under 40 years. “What this means is that Federal Government will bring the money for the South-east to fight erosion but what is not clear is if it is the Federal Government that will pay back this money or the states in the South-east. “If the states in the Southeast will pay this loan, I am afraid to say that these two issues are very worrisome. If our people will pay the cost of these services, it means we have not got anything from the Federal Government. One would have expected to get a clear commitment from the Federal Government to undertake this second Niger Bridge and finance it by itself. “We don’t have money in the South-east because of the paltry money we get from the

ACN faults Orji’s planned demolition of houses From CHUKS ONUOHA, causing hardship on the residents. Umuahia “For five years now the he Action Congress of government of Governor T. Nigeria (ACN) has said A. Orji has not thought about that the plan by the Abia massive development in Aba, State Government to demol- is it now that he wants to ish 1,800 houses in Aba is a wake up from his sleep?” He said further that Abians plot by the governor to spite designated persons in Aba were against this plot and who did not vote for him in advised the governor to look the 2011 governorship elec- for how to improve the standard of living of those he tion. The Publicity Secretary of claimed to be governing. According to him, the govthe party, Offor Okorie, stated this in a press statement he ernor should be thinking made available to Daily Sun about construction of new in Umuahia. He said the dem- roads, maintaining the existolition of people’s houses was ing ones as well as paying not the solution to the prob- workers salary as at when lem of the people of Aba, due. The ACN, last weekend, adding that flood in Aba could still be tackled without conducted congress in Abia

in readiness to 2015 election in what they termed preparations to take over power from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The congress attracted thousands of members of the party and observers from all over the state and beyond as well as security operatives and representatives of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It produced a state chairman, a former secretary of PDP in the person of Chief Egwuatu Onyeukwu Egbulefu, deputy chairman and about 23 other state officers. The party leadership said it was a step towards taking over power from PDP.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012, 13

SOUTH WEST Oyo NULGE condemns sack of LG workers

he Oyo State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) has condemned various reasons for the mass sack of its members by the state government describing the decision as ridiculous, unwarranted and ill-timed. The state Secretary of the union, Joseph Adetola Oguntimehin and President, Bashiru Olanrewaju in a communiqué signed at the end of an emergency state executive council meeting said the mass sack was fraught with irregularities and, therefore, appealed for a comprehensive review of the exercise. While lamenting on the inability of the state government to inform the union ahead of the mass purge, it described the sack of the workers on the ground of stagnation as untenable, saying in line with the local government service commission’s circular C237V8126 of May 3, reserved the right to make available to the council areas approved training opportunities and request council areas to submit nominations. It further explained that some of the officers sacked had already undergone various categories of training and had already applied to the commissioner for conversion while some of the sacked workers had voluntarily retired and were already earning their monthly pensions.

I was against N18.38bn loan taken by Oyinlola –Ex-HoS From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo

former Head of Service (HoS) in Osun State, Mr. Segun Akinwusi, has told the Panel of Inquiry investigating the N18.38 billion controversial loan obtained by the Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration that he opposed the loan by the past administration. Akinwusi, who served Oyinlola’s administration as HoS told the Prof. Femi Odekunle panel investigating the loan and other abandoned projects in the state that his opposition to the loan by the Oyinlola administration fell on the deaf ear of the government. He said he had always opposed taking loan to execute social projects, adding that if any loan should be taken at all, it should be on physical project that would be able to pay itself in future. Akinwusi, who retired from service few weeks ago, also apologized for the mistakes his senior officials might have committed while the loan was being negotiated and disbursed, adding that political expediency often override professionalism in service. He said: “I as a person do not believe that loans should be taken to finance social projects but if you must take loan at all, it should be the one that should be able to pay itself. “I was never carried along when the loan was being negotiated and distributed. I only got to know of it after it has been obtained. I did not also know the terms of the loan agreements,” he added. According to him, the former governor dealt directly with the Ministry of Finance on anything that had to do with the finances of the state, saying that he could not oppose the loan at the state executive meetings when the state House of Assembly had already approved it.

Ekiti to partner Japan on tourism, education, agriculture

kiti State Government yesterday said it was ready to open up doors of opportunities in tourism, education and agriculture to the government of Japan, corporate organisations as well as individuals from the Asian country who may be willing to partner with the government to realise its determination to foster sustainable development. Speaking during a visit to her office in Ado Ekiti, the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka told the visiting Japanese Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Ryuichi Shoji that Ekiti was one of the most peaceful states in the country, which provided an environment for businesses to flourish with abundance of inexpensive skilled and unskilled reliabl manpower.. Describing the people as hospitable, accommodating and warm hearted lovers of foreigners, Olayinka added that the Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led administration was determined to harness all human and natural resources for overall development of the state and consider Japan as one of the countries it could partner to achieve the Ekiti recovery roadmap christened the Eight-Point Agenda. Tracing the diplomatic ties at ambassadorial levels between Nigeria and Japan to 1964, she lauded the tremendous growth in bilateral cooperation between the two nations and commended the various contributions Japan had made towards developing Nigeria especially in the educational and technical fields as well as rural electrification and agricultural projects.

•L–R: Retd Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Bola Babalakin, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, President, Ogunsheye Foundation, Professor (Mrs.) Adetowun Ogunsheye and former chairman of the defunct Peoples Bank, Professor Akin Mabogunje at a book launch on the late Ayo Ogunsheye in Ibadan yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Ondo guber: Ritualists nabbed burying live cow From TUNDE RAHEEM Akure

here was a pandemonium yesterday in Irun Akoko, Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State following the arrest of some men suspected to be ritualists who attempted to bury a live cow for sacrifice in the community. It was gathered that the cow, which allegedly had the acronyms of two prominent opposition parties, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) boldly written on it was about to be buried alive when some youths questioned the suspected ritualists and when they could not give a definite answer they were arrested and consequently dragged to the palace of the regent of Onirun. Jide Babalola, an eyewitness, said the regent ordered that the cow be seized and burnt in the presence of security agents in the community. “We were at the executive council meeting this after-

noon when one of our men hinted us about a strange white cow, on getting there, we saw a cow with an inscription of ACN on one side and PDP on the other side about to be slaughtered by the LP, so we rushed to the regent of the town and informed her of

what was happening. “The cow was dragged to Onirun’s palace, the SSS and the police were invited to the palace to see the cow. The monarch thereafter ordered that the cow should not be slaughtered but rather be burnt.”

60 shops, 4 houses burnt at Ogunpa market From GBENGA ADESUYI, Ibadan

or the businessmen and women at the popular Labaowo market around Ogunpa area in Ibadan North West Local Government Area of Oyo State, it was lamentation galore fire gutted the market yesterday, destroying property worth millions of naira. The fire Daily Sun gathered started about 9:00a.m 60 shops and four houses were destroyed.. The chemicals section of the market as well as section of those selling keys, pad-

locks and paints were badly affected by the fire. Daily Sun learnt that the fire started when a woman was trying to open the gum in her shop and another one was cooking.The fire from the woman cooking, it was gathered sparked and suddenly fire exploded from the shop of the chemical seller and the whole shops went up in flame. Although, no life was lost but some of the traders, who sustained injuries were treated at an undisclosed hospital. Before the arrival of the men of the state fire service sympathisers as well as

Be vigilant, protect your votes, Mimiko urges electorate

ndo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko yesterday urged the electorate in the state to be vigilant and protect their votes on election day from being hijacked by political thugs from the opposition parties. Mimiko, who spoke in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state during the continuation of his re-election campaign, warned the people to also refrain from selling their voters’ cards, saying that desperate politicians were on the prowl to deprive them of their rights to choose their political leaders by offering money for the cards. Mimiko, who pleaded with

He said the suspects were later handed over to the police for interrogation. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Adeniran Aremu (DSP), said his office had not been briefed.

the people not to mortgage their future by selling their voters cards, said it was one of the ploys being used by some politicians to deprive the electorate from choosing their leader. He, however, assured the people that the desperadoes would fail in their plans to thwart the people’s wish. Addressing the party supporters at Imorun-Lege Community, Mimiko said his administration had since inception been working to alleviate the sufferings of the people by executing various developmental projects in over 400 communities in the last three and a half years.

Mimiko, who assured the people of the community that government would soon start work on the construction of Imorun-Lege/Kajola Road, which would link the OreLagos Expressway as soon as the dry season sets in, said the road project, when completed, would add value to the economic lives of the people and also boost the economy of the state. Reacting to the agitation of the people for a health centre, Governor Mimiko assured them that a comprehensive health centre would be constructed in the community before the October 20 election.

traders in the market who had besieged the place tried in vain to put off the fire. The fire service men who came few hours later battled for hours before they could put off the fire.. They were said to have complained of shortage of water when they eventually arrived the scene and were said to be fetching water from Ogunpa River to put off the fire. According to eyewitnesses, the fire service men came in with four fire tankers and tried at ensuring that the fire do not spread to other sections of the market. Two of the traders, who suffered loss in the fire, Mrs Olaurewaju Tanimola and Mr. Dayo Adedapo, said they were inside their shops when they suddenly heard people shouting of fire and within few minutes the whole place went up in flame. Both Tanimola and Adedapo shops were burnt into ashes. They also confirmed that the late arrival of the fire service men caused more havoc. Daily Sun observed the presence of combined team of the police force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the ‘YES’ O cadets at the scene trying to help traders in the rescue operation. The Iyaloja of Ibadan land, Mrs Labake Lawal, who was also at the scene, sympathised with the affected traders.

14 DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

AREWA Flood ravages 145 communities in Niger From AKIN ALOFETEKUN, Minna

o fewer than 145 communities in Niger State were affected by the recent downpour and discharge of excess water from neighbouring Republics of Cameroon and Benin and Nigeria’s Jebba, Shiroro and Kainji dams leaving a total of five people dead, farmland and property worth N500 million destroyed. Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NISEMA), Alhaji Mohammed Shaba, who stated this at a media parley in Minna, said the flood cut across 10 local government areas of the state. He said the worst affected local government areas where deaths were reported included Wushishi, Chanchaga and Bosso, saying “unfortunately, we recorded loss of lives, two at Zungeru in Wushishi, two in Minna, Chanchaga and one at Sabon Daga in Bosso.” The director-general, who expressed sadness at the development, noted that over 42 communities were affected in Mokwa Local Government Area alone, namely Zdagu Kpashafu, Ketso, Gbogifu, Lenfakuso, Egbagi, Muregi, among others. Similarly at Lavun, 18 communities were devastated by flood, while in Edati Local Government Area four communities were affected namely Wuya Knati, Dokokpan, Tama and Emimam. In the state capital (Chanchaga local government) a total of seven areas were flooded, while in Borgu and Shiroro which houses the Kanji and Shiroro dams respectively a total of 42 communities were affected.

Bomb explosion injures one in Bauchi Fromm PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi

he fragile security in Bauchi State was yet shattered on Tuesday night when a bomb exploded in Bauchi town near the popular Gombe gate in the state capital. One person was injured in the blast targeted at a telecommunications outfit mast sending fear across minds of residents Panic was heightened when another bomb was discovered near another telecommunication mast in the Federal Low-cost Housing area in the state capital, but it was defused by the police anti- bomb squad in Bauchi Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Hassan Mohammed Auyo, confirmed the incident. A top security source in Bauchi told newsmen that it was a failed attempt. No group had claimed responsibility for the latest bomb explosion. Daily Sun gathered that residents were yet to recover from the suicide attack on the Living Faith Church in June which claimed many lives. Security officials claimed that Tuesday’s incident was foiled following information about plan to attack some places. Soldiers and policemen had been deployed to guard every identified flashpoints in the city to forestall attacks. It was further learnt that everything inside the mast was intact except the metal door that slightly injured the security guard who had been treated and discharged.

Crisis engulfs Plateau LP as Atu emerges candidate for bye-election From MARIAM ALESHINLOYE ABGOOLA, Jos

risis has engulfed the Labour Party in Plateau State following the emergence of a former sole administrator of Jos North Local Government Area, Dr. Danladi Atu as the party’s candidate for the Plateau North Senatorial seat, which became vacant after the death of Senator Gyang Dantong. The crisis, which was more of the clash of that of the Titians was due to the inability of the party leadership to agree on a candidate as the senator representing Plateau Central, as former governor of the state, Joshua Dariye, two former deputy governors, Pauline Tallen and Michael Botmang all had their candidates. It was alleged that some of the party members were asked to report in Abuja for a reconciliatory meeting on Tuesday only for the party primary to be held in their absence, leading to the emergence of Atu, the candidate of one of the big wigs. While some parties said the election was fairly conducted in the presence of the representative of the Independent National Electoral Commission, others said it was not because most of the actors were not present at the primaries. It was said that out of the 400 persons accredited for voting only 104 votes were declared. The votes, according to reports were recorded for Danladi Atu, while nothing was recorded for Lumumba Dah Adeh, a former House of Representatives member and adviser to former president Obasanjo on Legislative Matters and Mr. Stephen Pam by the returning officer, Yusuf Majau.

•L-R Executive Secretary, Nonny Ugboma, Director, Wale Goodluck both of MTN Foundation, (MTNF), Danbaba Suntai, Governor, Taraba State and Istifanus Gbana, Speaker, Taraba House of Assemby at the presentation of Security Patrol Vehicles by MTNF to Taraba State at Government House, Jalingo yesterday.

Terrorists burn down telecom masts, MTN office in Borno, Kano …Slaughter 4 From TIMOTHY OLA, Maiduguri

our men were on Tuesday night killed in Maiduguri by assailants believed to be Boko Haram men. The incident occurred barely a day after a university lecturer and his friend, secretary of a local government in the state, were killed in a strange manner. Residents said the four people were killed in a residence at Layi Yorubawa (Yoruba line) Gwange, Maiduguri on Tuesday night. “Nobody heard about the killing until this morning (Wednesday) when the corpses were evacuated from their houses,” a resident of the area said. Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jubril, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) confirmed the story, but said no arrest had been made as at press time. Also in the early hours of yesterday, unknown arsonists wrecked havoc in the restive state capital as no fewer than five GSM masts belonging to some major telecommunication companies were vandalised. The state office of the MTN within the metropolis was also razed down with its mast. Daily Sun observed that masts at Dala Lawanti around Mai Deribe Mosque, Polo Waya Biyu Adam Kolo, Gwange III Primary School, Bulabulin Nganaram, all belonging to MTN, had either been vandalised or burnt down. Sources said some unknown men stormed the MTN office at West End Roundabout in Maiduguri at about 2a.m yesterday and set the building ablaze while the mast was vandalised. When Daily Sun visited the

area in the early hours of yesterday residents expressed shock about the incident, wondering how the arsonists could perpetrate the act during curfew time with the presence of the Joint Task Force troops in every parts of the city. “This is really disturbing because it beats my imagination that people could still come out in the midnight to commit such act in the centre of the city, even with security operatives everywhere. What were the security forces doing and how did they succeed in burning the place without anybody’s prompting?” a resident and school teacher queried. The attackers were believed to be Boko Haram men. The Boko Haram sect had early this year issued a threat to launch coordinated attacks on telecommunication companies in the state and the office of the National Communication Commission (NBC). Abu Qaqa, who had been speaking for the sect alleged early February that the GSM service providers had been assisting the security operatives to track down their members, warning that the sect would treat the service providers as it was doing to the security agencies in the state. Curiously, the Joint Task

Force (JTF) said it recovered large arm cache with 54 assorted SIM cards from the residence of a suspected commander of the sect in the early hours of Monday within the metropolis. Meanwhile, the JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa when contacted promised to furnish journalists with the task force reaction, but he did not as at the time of filing the report. However, Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Yuguda, confirmed the incident even as he maintained that he was yet to be given details by his Divisional Police Officers (DPOs). Also, Kano State yesterday had its own share of attacks on telecom masts by gunmen, believed to be members of Boko Haram. Some of those attacked were MTN mast and Airtel installations located in Sharada and Hotoro areas of the metropolis. As a result, security operatives immediately deployed their men to the affected area. At the time of this report, security had been beefed up in and around the facilities spread across the city. Daily Sun gathered that the attacks were carried out by men on motor-bikes, who stormed the two locations in

the early hours of yesterday. Police sources said that the damages on the installations were minimal, adding that armed security personnel had been deployed to all installations of service providers in the state to beef up security in and around their facilities. The State Security Services SSS held closed-door meeting yesterday at their Giginyu headquarters with operators, apparently on the development and on how best to tackle the problem. It was gathered from sources that the terror gang had threatened to attack service providers over their alleged collaboration in the successful attack on their members by security agents, When contacted, acting Police Public Relations officer, ASP Magaji Musa Majia declined comment on the development, stressing that the Commissioner of Police,Ibrahim Idris was the only officer competent to comment on the issue. He denied knowledge of the attack, but a senior officer said they are yet to be furnished with details of the incident. He however disclosed that security has been beefed up in and around installations of service providers in the state.

Stakeholders condemn Boko Haram bombing of 25 base stations By BISI OLALEYE

takeholders in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector have condemned the bombing of 25 base stations belonging to different telecommunications companies by suspected terrorists in some parts of northern Nigeria. They said it was unfair for such a thing to have happened in the telecoms sector noting

that telecoms infrastructure should be declared as a critical. Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, confirmed the development in a chat yesterday. “We were told that some sites were bombed and they belong to different operators which means the act cut across many networks.” MTN Corporate Services Executive, MTN, Mr.

Akinwale Goodluck, also confirmed the development yesterday. According to him, “it is true because we received reports today (yesterday) that telecommunications towers of major telecoms operators were being bombed. However, I cannot tell you, for now, how many of our base stations or other telecoms infrastructure were affected because information available to us is still scanty.”

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012,

Foreign Affairs

• US President Barack Obama (left) and his daughters, Malia (left) and Sasha watch on television in the Treaty Room of the White House on Tuesday night as First Lady Michelle Obama (right) delivers her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Severe weather forecasts yesterday forced Obama’s nomination party to move his planned acceptance speech from a 74,000-seat outdoor football stadium to the approximately 20,000-seat Time Warner Cable Arena. Photo:AFP

Mauritania hands over Gadhafi’s ex-spy chief to Libya

uammar Gadhafi’s former spy chief Abdullah alSenussi was taken into Libyan government custody yesterday after being extradited by Mauritania to face charges of crimes against humanity, officials said. Senussi, among the most feared members of Gadhafi’s regime before rebels toppled it last year, was captured in the West African state in March, triggering a tug of war between Libya, France and the International Criminal Court for his extradition. “The office of the prosecutor general has received Senussi and he will undergo a number of medical tests. Soon he will also undergo interrogation for the cases he has been charged with,” prosecutor general spokesman Taha Ba’ra told Reuters. A heavily bearded Senussi, recognizable from his characteristic tightly curled hair, was shown in a press photograph getting out of a helicopter in Libya. Smiling slightly, a soldier stood behind him steadying him on the steps. His extradition came after a high-level Libyan delegation, including the justice minister and army chief of staff, visited Mauritania on Tuesday and, a Mauritanian government source told Reuters, gave guarantees concerning Senussi. It was not clear if there was a court decision sanctioning the extradition and the source declined to specify the nature of the guarantees. Senussi was arrested six months ago after arriving with a falsified Malian passport on a flight into the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott from Morocco. Mauritania’s original plan was to put him on trial for illegal entry, a move that threatened to delay efforts to have him face international justice.

Security cabinet leak jolts Israeli PM

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abandoned a meeting of top security officials after details were leaked to the media. Mr Netanyahu described the leak as very serious, and said those responsible had violated “the most basic trust”. One minister said the security cabinet should face lie-detector tests. Earlier, a newspaper said there had been a dispute between Israel’s intelligence chiefs over how successful a military strike on Iran might be. “There is currently a disagreement about the point at which Israel’s ability to damage the Iranian nuclear programme loses its effectiveness,” Yedioth Ahronoth said. The security cabinet was also briefed by the heads of the Mossad intelligence agency and Shin Bet internal security service about sanctions which had “yet to be used on the Iranians, such as a trade embargo and a flight ban, which in Israel’s opinion could lead to a change”. Mr Netanyahu did not mention Iran or the Yedioth article

in the statement he issued announcing the meeting, which began on Tuesday and was set to continue on Wednesday, had been cut short. “I have no complaint against the media; they are doing their job,” he said. “I do have a complaint against whoever violated the most basic trust needed to hold security cabinet discussions on matters about Israel’s security.”

Obama still the same man I fell in love with –Michelle • Seeks to reignite flame for president

s Michelle Obama took the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night, she faced a similar task as Ann Romney of presenting her husband as a father and family man, above his public persona in the political spotlight. “When people ask me whether being in the White House has changed my husband, I can honestly say that when it comes to his character, and his convictions, and his heart, Barack Obama is still the same man I fell in love with all those years ago,” Mrs. Obama said. The first lady spoke on the convention’s opening night, exactly one week after Ann Romney delivered what one CNN analyst called “political velvet,” an address at the GOP convention in Tampa that took her sometimes robotic businessman husband, Mitt Romney, and turned him into a charismatic candidate who will be a champion of working-class Americans. Michelle Obama has an easier job ahead of her in convincing voters of the president’s likability; his favorability in this area ranks far above that of his GOP oppo-

nent. But she still worked to counter a perception that Obama is a cool and sometimes distant president who has been slow to build relationships outside the White House. She also weighed in on what drives Obama’s decision-making process, noting letters that he reads at night with “concern in his eyes” from struggling Americans. “As president, you can get all kinds of advice from all kinds of people. But at the end of the day, when it comes time to make that decision, as president, all you have to guide you are your values, and your vision, and the life experi-

of India’s fireworks. It took fire fighters about five hours to bring the fire under control, the BBC’s Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says. It broke out in one of Sivakasi’s largest fireworks factories, spreading through packed warehouses and setting off explosions. At one point the heat from the blaze was so intense that rescue workers found it difficult to get into the facility. More than 250 workers were said to be inside at the time of the incident. Najmul Hoda, superintendent of police for

for her to highlight the president’s personal experience and serve as a “character witness” for her husband. She stuck to the planned themes. “I have seen firsthand that being president doesn’t change who you are, it reveals who you are,” Mrs. Obama said. She further touched on her own story, growing up on the south side of Chicago, and shared stories about the values handed down by her parents. “We learned about gratitude and humility, that so many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our school clean, and we were taught to value everyone’s contribution.

Zulu King wants govt to build $700,000 palace for 6th wife Funding for the accommoda-

this year. Opposition parties have previously accused the king, his wives and more than 25 children of lavish spending. King Zwelithini, as leader of South Africa’s largest ethnic group, is an extremely influential traditional leader in the country. Royal household department chief financial officer, Mduduzi Mthembu, told a parliamentary committee that a further $700,000 was needed to build Queen Mafu’s palace. The department also wantVirudhunagar district where ed $1.4m to upgrade Queen Sivakasi town is located, told MaMchiza’s palace, he said. the BBC that the number of dead had risen to 34. He said some of the victims were factory workers, but most were local villagers. “People had walked to the factory after the fire and many of the bystanders were then caught in the explosions,” he said. Mr Hoda said the factory’s licence had been suspended on Tuesday for violating safety rules and “no work should have been happening there today”. •King Goodwill Zwelithini

outh Africa’s Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini wants the government to spend $700,000 (£450,000) on a palace for his sixth wife, officials said. Queen Zola Mafu, who is his youngest wife, is sharing a palace. The KwaZulu Natal government, one of nine provincial administrations, has already budgeted about $6.9m for the royal family

34 killed in India factory fire t least 34 people have been killed and 30 others injured in a massive blaze at a fireworks factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, police said. The fire at the Om Shakti factory triggered off several explosions of firecrackers with thick black smoke rising into the sky. The blaze took place in the town of Sivakasi, the hub of India’s firecracker industry. The town has hundreds of factories and produces 90%

ences that make you who you are,” she said. Both Obamas have talked openly about the importance of the family dinner and spending time with their two daughters, 11-year-old Sasha and 14-year-old Malia, outside of the demands of the White House. Campaign officials said Michelle Obama’s focus would be to help augment the campaign’s strategy to use the convention as a way to show “what drives (the president) every day.” A senior campaign official was more specific in the hours leading up to the speech. Describing the first lady as “the most popular political figure in America,” the official said the aim was

tion would be spread over three years, Mr Mthembu. MPs on the committee said they would consider the request later this month. Queen Mafu made headlines in 2004 when, as a 14-yearold, she first appeared in public with King Zwelithini. In 2008, opposition parties criticised King Zwelithini’s wives for spending about $24,000 on linen, designer clothes and costly holidays. The royal palaces are in different parts of Nongoma, a rural area about 300km (185 miles) north of Durban, the main city in KwaZulu Natal.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

NewsPlus By DICKSON OKAFOR

At last, water flows in Imo communities

cross many rural communities in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, the people are exultant. They have rolled out the drums and put on their dancing shoes. Their joy stems from the recent donation of several boreholes to the communities by a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), Uzotex Foundation. The communities include Agbala Umuma Isiaku, Ishkogwu-Ugwu and Umuoshi Mgee. It wasn’t the first time the foundation would be spreading happiness in the area. It had, before the present gesture, donated seven boreholes to various communities in Ideato South to alleviate the perennial problems of potable water, facing the people. Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, said during the commissioning that Uzotex Foundation had shown love and care for the downtrodden folks in the rural communities, who had, before now, yearned for democracy dividends. Okorocha informed the guests that many lives had been lost to water-borne diseases in the past since the communities had no access to clean water. He praised the president of Uzotex Foundation, Mr. Festus Uzoma Mbisiogu, for assisting the people. The governor, who was represented by his Commissioner for Utility, Prof. Chuma Iwuchukwu, commended the foundation for complementing the efforts of the government to providing infrastructure in the rural areas. He stressed the need for private participation in the development and transformation of the state, which, he emphasized, Mbisiogu had displayed. “The state government has found you a worthy partner in the rescue mission. Thank you, my brother, for coming home to help build Imo. On behalf of the people, I thank you for putting smiles on the faces of the people of Ideator South.” Okorocha promised that the state government, through the Ministry of Utility, would assist the communities to fix the boreholes when there is need for major repairs. He advised the community leaders, however, to set up committees that would ensure the maintenance of the facilities as well as guarantee that they were never vandalized. “I call on community leaders in whose domains the boreholes are sunk to set up L-R: Mbisiogu, Hon. Emelu, Prof.Iwuchukwu and HRH Eze Achusim at the commissioning committees to monitor and maintain them,” the governor said. borehole project.” den. In his welcome address, the traditional those around him happy. Mbisiogu pleaded with the beneficiaries to Tracing the history of the ten communities Responding, Mr. Mbisiogu, CEO ruler of Ishiogwu-Ugwu, Umuma Isiaku Autonomous Community, Eze Gerald that make up Umuma Ebemmano, the Shanghai Industries, said his experience ensure that the water was given adequate Achusim, on behalf of other traditional monarch stated that the only source of water while he was growing up informed his deci- protection, adding that his joy would be complete only if the boreholes continued to rulers, commended Okorocha for his vision- for the villages was the Orashi River which, sion to touch lives positively. According the donor, as a child, he woke function. He also advised beneficiaries to ary leadership and commitment to the well- he noted, was not hygienic for human conup as early as 6 am and trekked up to two or always reach out to the foundation whenever being of the citizenry. The monarch empha- sumption. According to him, it was a thing of joy three kilometres to fetch water from the they faced difficulties beyond their control. sized that it was Governor Okorocha’s comTo ensure that the boreholes kept functionmitment to rural and infrastructural develop- when Mbisiogu came to the people’s aid by Orashi River before going to school. The Blue Diamond boss recalled how stressful it ing without interruption, the donor also proment that prompted Uzotex Foundation to providing potable water for them. He blamed the ill health suffered by the was to go to the stream every morning before vided each community with a generating set partner with the state government. Eze Achusim thanked the governor for people on unhygienic water, noting that going to school, noting that he has since as back up. Mbisiogu denied having any political giving his clan more than one commissioner water-borne diseases would start to flee from vowed to put an end to such trauma so that ambition but said he was privileged to serve the communities now that potable water had children in Ideator South and beyond would slot. “I am Oliver Twist, your Excellency. humanity in this capacity. not experience such ugly situation. We appeal to you to look into the roads lead- been provided. He revealed that before now, the founda“Mbisiogu, since you decided to share Mr. Mbisiogu stated that in China where he ing to our farms as they are in bad condiyour God-given wealth with your people resides, every home has access to potable tion had put in place several initiatives for the tion,” he said. The traditional ruler said the governor was and you started by providing potable water water and this he vowed to bring about in less privileged and orphans without making them a media issue. He said the communities already aware of the bad state of roads in for us, I pray that as the sea never dries, your Ideator and beyond. He praised the administration of Owelle demanded publicity for the boreholes since Ideator South because Okorocha was from source of wealth will never dry in Jesus the area. “He knows what he ought to do to name,” the monarch prayed, even as a Rochas Okorocha and promised to continue they were projects that could be seen and improve the living standard of the people. resounding amen reverberated throughout to partner with the government in areas such touched physically. Dignitaries at the occasion included as education and health. Said he: “As Uzotex This he has started doing already,” said the the area. The royal father called on wealthy sons Foundation strives to end water problem in Kenneth Emelu, Commisioner for Youths royal father. While commending the president of and daughters of Ideator South to emulate Ideator South, may I remind you that I was and Sports, Chief S. O Chukwu, Permanent Uzotex Foundation, Mr. Festus Mbisiogu for Mbisiogu by giving back to the society. prompted to alleviate the sufferings of rural Secretary, Ministry of Utility, Traditional showing love to the people of Ideator South, According to the traditional ruler, even dwellers in my community and beyond ruler of Ntueke Autonomous Community, Eze Achusim described him as a man with though Mbisiogu had no political ambition, because of the commitment of this adminis- Eze K. U Chinedu, and Eze B.C Duru, the the heart of gold whose desire was to make and he was not the richest man in Ideator, yet tration towards improving the standard of traditional ruler of Umulewe autonomous he constantly gave succour to the downtrod- living of the people. This is the reason for the community, among others.

… As group sinks boreholes for rural dwellers

Thursday, September 6, 2012

DAILY SUN

NewsPlus As court discharges traditional ruler over DPO’s murder From PETRUS OBI, Enugu

ommunity leaders in Egwu Achi, OjiRiver Local Government Area of Enugu State, have washed their hands off the recent murder charges brought against their traditional ruler, Igwe Victor Meniru. The traditional ruler, who was docked for the murder of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oji-River alongside six of his subjects, was recently discharged by an Enugu Chief Magistrate Court for lack of sufficient evidence. Superintendent of Police, Okey Ofoedu, was killed by unknown persons at Ojinator, along Awka/Oji River Old Road, by Roi Filling Station, on April 28, while he was returning from an engagement. In an interview with our reporter after he was discharged by the court, the traditional ruler, whose stool is being contested in court by some of his subjects, had alleged that some members of his community connived with the police to rope him into the matter. But in his reaction, the Egwu Achi Town Union President, Comrade Okechuwku Onwuka, who spoke on behalf of the community, described such allegations as unfounded. Said he: “I want to put the records straight over recent information published by Igwe Victor Meniru, which I feel is misleading to the public. Firstly, he said we are not the authentic town union. We have argued this in court and we were able to prove to the court that we are the authentic town union and that is why our case against him went on in court. “On the issue of the murdered DPO, he has kept on misinforming the public that the community connived with the police to rope him into murder. I want to say that no such thing happened. Nobody from the community went to the police and reported anything because nobody was there when the DPO was murdered. At the same time, he forgot to tell the public that before his death, the DPO reported severally to the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, accusing the Igwe of threatening him through text messages. “To crown it all, he wrote a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that I, Okechukwu Onwuka, and the late DPO were planning to unleash mayhem on the good people of Egwu Achi community, which was unfounded. Sequel to that petition, the IG directed the Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter. He was invited by the police. We were also invited by the police and we made statements. It was about one week after we made those statements that the DPO was murdered. And rather than tell the public the truth of how he got involved in the murder case, he decided to accuse innocent people of framing him up. “His disagreement with the DPO started when the later arrested some boys, who were allegedly involved in an attack on a member of the town union. It was in an attempt to charge the boys to court that the DPO claimed that the traditional ruler started calling and threatening him. The DPO further alleged that at a stage, the Igwe came to the Oji-River Police Station and was openly threatening fire and brimstone over the matter. These are pieces of information that the police had and they decided to arrest him when the DPO was murdered. “Murder is a serious matter and if, for instance, we went to give the police wrong information, at the end of the day when they found out the truth, they would arrest us. So, we know the degree of such offence and we have no hand in it. “Even while the murder case was going on, he called me on one occasion, telling me that he never killed the DPO; that what happened was that he just called him on phone and threatened him. So, I was surprised to read him in the papers, saying an entirely different thing.

We have no hand in your travails, community tells monarch

•Onwuka

•Igwe Meniru “The town union is going ahead, holding the normal meetings because we are law-abiding citizens. We feel that the way and manner he was imposed on the good people of Egwu Achi was wrong and we went to court. We are not fighting anybody; we are not killing anybody. We went to court. Let him go to court to follow up the case. If he wins, so be it. If he doesn’t, then he will wait. The issue of threatening to drive people out of Egwu Achi is uncalled for. “The other time, he claimed that he called for a peace meeting for us to settle our matter but that is a lie; he never called anybody. If he had ever called for peace, what happened to the report of the Federated Achi Town Union (FATU)? These are the people, who had called for settlement. They invited both parties; me and my executives as well as himself and his followers. We went and after deliberations, they wrote a report that they had found out that we are truly the authentic town union executives. When they advised him to allow us to work, he refused to sign a memo to that effect. “Recently, he called me on phone again, boasting that we could not dethrone him. He said even though we went to court and I led a protest to the Government House, he had been fully recognised by the government. He said he was organising an election to elect a new town union executive and that he had already

got the approval of the commissioner. He said he would use the election to push me out and bring someone that would work with him. “I went to the Commissioner for Human Development and asked him to formally inaugurate the town union executive but to my surprise, the commissioner informed me that the traditional ruler had collected the certificate. “We petitioned the then Commissioner of Police, who invited both parties, alongside the murdered DPO. At the meeting, Victor Meniru told the CP that he was the town union president. The Commissioner of Police then asked him: ‘How can you be the traditional ruler and the town union president?’ But he couldn’t answer the question. The local government chairman, Hon. Gab Onuzuruike, explained that we were the recognised town union. He said the traditional ruler was claiming that he had his own faction but that to the best of his knowledge, that was not in existence. “If he is organising some group of people to conduct election, they are just putting more trouble in that community. The right thing to do is, if you say somebody’s tenure has expired, you write to him to conduct an election that will bring another president general. “So, I am using this opportunity to call on all the arms of government and security agents to please ensure that the right thing is

done. Egwu Achi community is a law-abiding one. We don’t like trouble. If there is anything that we don’t like, we go to court. We don’t fight, we don’t cause trouble and we wouldn’t want anybody to cause trouble in our community. Anybody that is parading himself as the town union president of Egwu Achi is just causing trouble. “They are talking of election in an attempt to cover up the anomalies they got involved in. He knows that our constitution has laid down rules for the election of a traditional ruler. He boycotted those rules with his connections and government machinery to ascend the throne. And that’s why we went to court. He knows very well that soon, the courts will interpret that same constitution and that it will affect him. That is why he is making sure that by fire, by force, he gets me out of the way for somebody, who will dance to his tune and who can go to the court and say we have settled the problem. “But the same constitution said if a traditional ruler did not pass through the normal process, that any individual in that community has the right to go to court. That if any Igwe is imposed on the community, that any single individual has the right to go to court and that is exactly what is happening. “I appreciate the Government of Enugu State for elevating the status of traditional rulers in the state and making sure that they live well, giving them more jobs to do. It is a good development but the problem is that some persons that have ascended that throne are not supposed to be called traditional rulers. These are the people who are making the whole process look as though government doesn’t know what it is doing. Some of these people, who say they are traditional rulers tell lies to the people and harbour thugs with which they cause trouble in the communities. “I remember that in those days, the traditional stool was revered. It was a serious issue and those, who ascended the throne were peace makers. Even when his subjects had problems, they would come to your palace and settle it but the reverse is the case now. Today, in some of their palaces, they have thugs. When they come and bundle you, they take you to the palace and you are flogged. They have their cells where people are detained. These are not the things for which the government created this institution.”

DAILY SUN Thursday September 6, 2012

Before Sovereign Wealth Fund takes off

he Federal Government recently appointed key officials into the Board and Management of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). This is the body that will manage the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). The fund is set up as an investment vault to help steer Nigeria’s oil revenues into longer-term investments that will secure a stable economic future for the country and make Nigeria attractive for investors. The appointments were made in spite of unresolved issues regarding the constitutionality and legality of the fund. Also, the funding modality of the SWF is still mired in controversy, largely because state governors, under the umbrella of the Nigerian Governors’Forum, are opposed to the scrapping of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) which the SWF seeks to replace. Currently, money domiciled in the ECA is periodically shared among the three tiers of government – Federal, State and Local governments. Named as chairman of the seven-member SWF board is Alhaji Mahey Rasheed who until his appointment was Director of First Bank Plc and former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). To head the fund’s management is Mr Uche Orji. A seasoned banker, Mr. Orji was formerly the Managing Director of American–based JP Morgan Securities. Currently, he is the Global co-coordinator and Head of United States Semi-conductor Research and co-Head of U.S – based technical research group. Other members of the Board announced by the Co-coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, are Mrs Stella Ojekwe – Onyejeli as Risk officer of the Fund, Mrs Bili Awosika and Messrs Anorld Ekpe and Hassan Usman as members. Undoubtedly, the appointees deserve their place on the Board, considering their credentials and work experience. However, we had expected government to address all the contentious areas that may hamper the smooth operation of the fund, when it takes off in October before appointing members of the board. We are aware that the confusion that trails the setting up of the SWF has not been cleared.

Things have not crystallized yet on the modalities for managing the fund. What government has done by naming officials who will manage the scheme amounts to putting the cart before the horse. It does not look tidy. It appears that government is working hard to get the fund running by all means. This is regardless of the provisions of section 162 (1) of the constitution which states that all monies in the Federation Account should be shared among the three- tiers of government. Ordinarily, the reasoning behind the establishment of the fund is sound. Any mechanism that will mitigate shocks in public finance administration, and save for ‘rainy day’ from the excess proceeds from crude oil, rather than the present sharing arrangement, is welcome. But the way the Federal Government is going about it amounts to act of impunity. Both the Federal Government and states need to speak with voice so that the SWF can take off without hitches. At present, there are discordant tunes from both sides. Even among the governors, there are cohesion and unanimity of purpose on the matter. We maintain that SWF is a laudable initiative and a good option for countries such as ours that often experience volatility in oil revenue, given our over-dependence on this mono product. There is no doubt that having SWF will make it easier to forecast revenue availability over a period of time and make budgets based on revenue projections a lot easier whenever there is a shortfall in actual revenue. Government has done well by assembling experts to manage the seed money of $1 billion set aside for its take off. All the same, government can do even better by ensuring that all impediments for the success of the fund are dismantled. But less than a month to the official take off of the fund, the legality of the scheme is yet unresolved despite the fact that the President has given his assent to the bill setting up the fund. Ultimately, we advise the fund managers to ensure that the fund becomes a solid saving base for the infrastructural development of the country.

COMMENT

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

LETTER Jonathan and his critics dark days of military dictatorship. “Patriotism CRITICISM, according to late British Prime Minister and author, Sir Winston Churchill, is necessary because “like a pain in human body, it calls our attention to an unhealthy state”. In other words, the sole purpose of criticism is to enable the person that is being criticized to make amends where necessary. But in a situation where the object of criticism is helpless because his accusers are not only to be blamed for the status quo, but are also motivated by less than altruistic reasons, criticism loses its raison deter. We make bold to say most of those accusing President Jonathan of incompetence are doing so in bad faith. Any discerning mind will agree with this writer that they did n't meant well for our beloved country, Nigeria. Our reasons for taking this position are not far to seek. We do believe it should be the collective duty and the desire of all patriotic Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation to support President Goodluck Jonathan to succeed in a manner that will foreclose any thought of going back to the

means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official” says Theodore Roosevelt. It is the view of this writer that unless we hold up new departures for emulation, we forfeit the moral high ground to criticize errant and irrelevant steps on the part of our leaders. Too often, many of us behave like the automatic critic that criticizes any steps taken by those in authority whether good or bad for selfish motives. Opposition or criticism is of course often constructive and creative especially in a system such as ours with a pronounced moral deficit. What is far less edifying is oppositionalism, which makes a carrier out of constant criticism often voiced in ignorance or deliberate mischief. One of the telltale signs of a system in moral disrepair is that it suffers a surfeit of criticism not based on sincere examination of issues. In such a system, criticism lacks integrity because it is only a game played so that the critic can gain political relevance or alterna-

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tively reflects a nay-saying mindset in which the critic would rather bring the entire roof down. I do not subscribe to the demonology of the Obasanjo years in which the former president is presented as an ostentatious failure or an evil scheming tyrant with no redeeming features. The jury is still out on the balance sheet of those years but a careful appraisal will grant some achievements, even though there are several policy failures. When the doctrine of necessity was invoked by the National Assembly to give acting President Goodluck Jonathan the nod to assume full control of the presidency, many cried blue murder that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was back in power. As far as they are concerned, Jonathan's presidency translates to the continuation of Obasanjo's rule. Jonathan, they argued, is Obasanjo's puppet since the former president is his political benefactor. Neutral observers of political events in Nigeria will agree with this writer that Jonathan has sufficiently demonstrated he is going to be his own man. Since he assumed full presidential powers, Jonathan has left no one in doubt he is now in charge. The first strong message he sent that he is going to be his own man is the appointment of a sworn enemy of Obasanjo, Danjuma as the Chairman of Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) immediately he was sworn in as acting president. We judge the performance of any government,

either positively or negatively by what that government has been able to achieve. I think it is a piece of ignorance when one refuses to acknowledge anything good one's enemy has done well. The future of Nigeria cannot be great unless she can reward her sons and daughters who are doing well with thanks. It is the height of mischief for any rational mind to say Jonathan administration has no record of achievement to showcase since he came on board over a year ago. The best form of propaganda is performance. Even though one year is too short to assess any administration, there is no iota of doubt that President Jonathan-led administration is laying a solid, irreversible foundation for the transformation, if not greatness of Nigeria. The greatest achievement of Jonathan led administration is its effort to institute a strict culture of respect for the rule of law, which is a sin qua non to good governance and the survival of democracy. Record of his modest achievements are there: It is on record that inspite of the pressure put on him by members of his party, President Jonathan refused to interfere with the Tribunal rulings involving members of his party, especially Ekiti and Osun governorship election debacle. Olamide Olayiwola Lagos. CMYK

DAILY SUN

Thursday September 6, 2012

Is WIC Convention substantive?(1) hough most people were basking in deep and wide baskets of platitudes expressed with effusive emotions by the attendees and speakers at the 18th annual World Igbo Convention in Orlando, Florida on August 29-September 3, 2012, yet some people were still leery of this convention being similar to the past ones. Also the three-year hiatus that left the apex organization teetering to the edge of extinction may have amplified the apprehension of those who were worried about the shadows and fangs of the old affecting the new. Thus, the caption ominously looms larger. The issue now is whether this event will be the usual din—vacuous cliché that is analogous to the previous outings, or will this convention achieve substantive programs that will be ongoing until the next gathering. Cognizant of the fact that past WIC conventions have been marred with lack of substance, in moderating the leadership session, Prof. Michael Echeruo reminded the audience that substance should be the mantra of this event. Echeruo said, “World Igbo Congress is at crossroads; we will not regard this convention as another jamboree. Let’s be focused so that our products will be valuable.” This set the stage for the rest of the intellectual discourse that was emblematic of the 2012 World Igbo Congress convention. During the session it was a consensus that Ndi-Igbo in general lack a central leadership, a strong and viable organization that will be the people’s mouthpiece, and most importantly, the absence of unity and shared vision. In light of leadership vacuum for Ndi-Igbo, World Igbo Congress resolved to have Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo serve as the regional power for Southeast geopolitical zone and be funded by the people of the zone. In support of this action, Prof. Pat Utomi emphasized the urgency of recreating a strong Ohaneze NdiIgbo like we had in the famous Igbo Union. He also charged everyone to be responsible for building a strong Ohaneze with clear vision and purpose; an organization every Igbo man will fund and cherish. In articulating the role and position of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo during the session, Ambassador Raph Uwechue, President General of Ohaneze, explained that the organ-

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Acho Orabuchi a_orabuchi@yahoo.com ization is for all Igbo indigenes and it works for the Igbo cause. Ambassador Uwechue said, “Ohaneze is an all embracing organization for the Igbo-speaking people. Anything concerning Ndi-Igbo, Ohaneze speaks for Ndi-Igbo.” In supporting the resolution of WIC, Ambassador Uwechue informed the attendees that Ohaneze lacks the resources to function effectively. As a result, some of its activities are limited due to paucity of funds. Uwechue said, “Ohaneze does not have enough material support to advance the cause and project Ndi-Igbo as it should.” He continued, “Ohaneze needs support to carry out its responsibilities.” Uwechue proceeded to educate the audience on the positions the apex organization has taken on behalf of Ndi-Igbo in the current constitutional review exercise. He explained, “Ohaneze is asking for a true federalism as agreed in the constitution. It is asking for more autonomy to various regions as constituted in the present six geopolitical zones; the presidency should be rotational among the six geopolitical zones; a single term of six years for the president and if the president from a region dies unexpectedly, the term must be completed by someone from that region.” Uwechue further stated that the six regions should form the federating units (six geopolitical zones). He informed the people that the Ohaneze’s positions are no longer in the incubationg stage. “We have gone beyond making the statement for Ndi-Igbo, we have consulted other groups to that effect such as Afenifere and the South-south. So, three groups, Ohaneze, Afenifere, and South-south all agree with the concept,” Uwechue intimated. He

didate,” a fact that will always elude Ndi-Igbo in PDP when it comes to the nomination of a presidential candidate. “This fact is often overlooked by many people and by the time reality dawns on them, it might have become too late to effect any change’, he continued. Dr. Onu warned, “For the Igbos to do well in politics, they should not put their eggs in one basket. What we have today is that most of the Igbo elite are in the ruling party. They believe that the ruling party is where the action is. This has its advantages, but it certainly has many disadvantages.” Onu advised, “It is very important to always consider what happens in a such a case if, for one reason or the order, the ruling party is unable to make available its platform. In that case every effort made, then comes to nothing.” He asked, “Should this be allowed to be so?” Dr. Onu carefully articulated his argument to appeal the emotions and consciousness of Ndi-Igbo everywhere to focus on the collective interest of the Igbos. He insightfully said, “The Igbos in politics should look beyond the ruling party. We should study the political terrain very carefully and take decisions which are in our own very best interest. We should always remember what our ancestors taught us, that when answering the call of nature, we should go with two pieces of sticks. If one falls by the wayside unnoticed, the other can still be relied upon to perform its duty when the need arises.” Dr. Onu proceeded, “The Igbos need an alternative political party that has a national reach and is not perceived by the general public as a regionally based party. The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) is that political party which the Igbos should embrace so that they can always make a viable choice. The Igbos need to diversify, as an insurance against the unknown and the unseen.” On the other hand, Chuks Iloegbunam strongly suggested that instead of looking elsewhere for redemption, recorgnizing and strengthening APGA. He indicated that by making APGA stronger, Ndi-Igbo will benefit politically. Dr. Onu retorted that APGA is a regional party that lacks national appeal.

advised WIC to accept the Ohaneze’s positions and push for them. “We should accept it and push it,” he advised. In a veiled, but blistering criticism of governance in the Southeast geopolitical zone, Uwechue alarmed at the nonchalant attitude of the governors not coordinating their efforts for the common good. Uwechue said, “Governance of the Southeast is not at the peak of coordinated effort to advance Igbo cause. The Southeast governors should go beyond party consideration and work together and with other zones to achieve our goal.” During the discourse, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the National Chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party and the first elected governor of Old Abia State, roused the World Igbo Congress conventioneers to a substantive debate on the status of Ndi-Igbo in the Nigerian body polity. In Orlando, Florida where the WIC convention held, Dr. Onu contended that for too long and too often, Ndi-Igbo have offered themselves as sacrificial lambs to the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party. As a result, PDP has used and abused Ndi-Igbo to the detriment of social, economic and political development in both the region in particular and Nigeria in general. In his speech, Onu admonished and beckoned Ndi-Igbo to reflect on how the ruling party has been treating Igbo ethnic in Nigerian political terrain. Also, he tried to make the people realize that for Ndi-Igbo to achieve political parity in Nigeria, PDP should not be always thought of as the vehicle. Onu said, “The first important step in running for election is to contest and win the primaries of a political party and become its can- To be continued…

Problems, prospects of Imo’s fourth tier government (1) BY EMMANUEL ENYIOMA ANYAWNU he government of Imo State recently introduced another tier of government at the automous community level.This so called fourth tier government is expected to assist in the performance of government functions at the grassroots rural community levels of the state. It is perhaps for this reason that it is also known as the Community Government Council (CGC). Participation of citizens is one of the underlying precepts of democracy. CGC is therefore expected to serve as incubator for budding grassroot politicians,thus offering them political training opportunities. However, such political decentralization which involves transfer of decision-making powers to communities can only be complete with concomittant decentralization of administrative and fiscal decision-making powers. Nigeria’s federalism is a constitutional arrangement with three tiers of government: Federal, State and Local governments These tiers of government have functions which are ,to some extent, independent and clearly specified in the constitution. However, the constitution does not prohibit the state government, through the House of Assembly, from establishing or laying out a structure or system for the third tier local government or town union administration. Perhaps, this provided the basis for the intention to establish the fourth tier government which is also called Community Government Council. The concept of fourth tier government may be easily understood, in its simplest form, as a sub- arm of government that brings dividends of democracy of the government in power to the grass roots through the use of a community governing council. Under this arrangement, traditional ruler, town union executives of the autonomous community, other appointed and elected indigenes are to

be empowered as the CGC to participate in governance. Some civil servants in both the state and local governments will be drafted to their various local communities to implement the policy. The civil servants would facilitate the establishment of the fourth-tier governance (on transfer to their communities of origin in line with the state civil service deployment policy) and eventually hand over the reins of administration to the permanent staff after few years of tutelage. In proposing this policy, the governor during the sensitization tour of all the local government areas declared his desire of bringing development to the rural areas through the use of this system of government. Working in concert with the state government, CGC becomes both the overseer and conveyor of development of their communities. The Community Council is composed of a town union president-general, community speaker, women leader, and youth leader. According to the Imo State Government, the new CGC will be headed by the traditional ruler of the autonomous community. The women leader, youth leader and PresidentGeneral will play advisory roles while the actual implementation of government policy, disbursement of monetary allocations and execution of government activities will be undertaken by civil servants drawn from both the state and local governmentsSince this policy was introduced, it has generated a lot of controversy bordering on its constitutionality, workability and prospects of its life beyond the present administration. As a citizen of this state, it is expedient for me to contribute to discussions on this burning issue of the moment by examining the problems and prospects of application of this policy to the socio-economic and political development of Imo State. The stipulation of a political role for traditional rulers as head of the fourth tier govern-

ment is worthy of consideration. The obvious implication is the politicization of our traditional institution,thereby reducing our royal fathers to errand fathers of any government in power. Undoubtedly this will conflict with their traditional functions. Generally they are the custodians of culture, norm and traditions of their people.Infact, they are expected to operate as the standard bearers of their autonomous community’s value system. However, there is also no gainsaying that some of our traditional rulers have integrity/credibility problems arising from their past still haunting them and yet others, through their unwholesome emergence, are even the arrowhead of the unending conflicts in their communities. It is therefore counter productive to not only add political roles to them but also make them political leaders of their communities. Besides, Nigeria is a Republic and to that extent, citizens must be consulted through a referendum on the role of their royal fathers in a republican political space. It should not be smuggled through the back door. It is doubtful if an appointed autonomous community head of government can be held accountable by the people and possibly be removed for non-performance through the ballot box. This is the crux of the matter with royal father as appointed head of government. The liaison officer is also not elected but requires confirmation by the state legislature to serve. Only the secretary, women and youth leaders are expected to recieve their mandate from the community through election. The implication here is that the elected and appointment members of the government will have mutual suspicion and mistrust between them in the process of carrying out their assignments and functions. Their mode of

emergence dictates that each group deployed significantly varying degrees of efforts and resources to be in the government. Following the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic, the three tiers of government have the rights to generate income and spend same in the process of undertaking their assignments and functions. The implication of this is that, since autonomous community is a sub-set of the local government(the third tier), it cannot raise income and spend same without interfering with the jurisdiction of the latter. Accordingly the resource base for maintenance and execution of the duties of fourth tier government MUST come from the state government. The state government also illegally controls their funding and deliberately inadequately funding them as well. Fiscal autonomy and capacity are very crucial in effective administration of expenditure responsibilities of any government. The extant laws must be amended to enable the CGC exercise substantial control of their local affairs including the powers to impose taxes, mobilize local resources and execute policies relating to agriculture,cottage industries, infrastructural development, etc. Government must be free from the asphyxiating strangle hold (even if remotely) of its political, administrative and fisCal responsibilities. This is the plight of our Local governments since the current democratic dispensation. Since the same actors are still on stage, the fourth tier government is speculated to have similar fate awaiting it. The continuity of the fourth tier government after the state government in power that introduced it is also a veritable source of concern. Is there any in-built mechanism at this early stage to guarantee continuity? A positive answer is imperative if the lessons of our experiences are taken into consideration. To be continued Prof. Anyanwu writes from Owerri. CMYK

DAILY SUN

Thursday September 6, 2012

Marketing Jonathan

BY TOLA ADENIYI

r Goodluck Ebelechukwu Azikiwe Jonathan, Nigeria ’s first PhD holder President must be worried stiff that his image as the weakest and most ineffective Head of State Nigeria ever had continues to go worse by the day. He must be worried that his selfproclaimed dream of becoming the father of modern Nigeria like his godfather once dreamt may actually make not materialize. It was not surprising to hear him lament last week that he is the most criticised President in the world. Of course he is; simply because he is the most confused and least performing President there is in the world. He made his case the more pathetic when he tried lamely to argue that he did not create the problems Nigerians want him to fix. This pronouncement from a ‘leader’ shows the shallowness of a President’s understanding of his job. Leaders are made leaders by their people so that such leaders could solve existing problems. People are elected into office to solve problems on ground. The core essence of leadership is the ability of a leader to solve the problems he did not create! We did not have electricity because people hitherto entrusted with the task of providing power chose to put currency notes in their mouth. They simply ate the money meant to provide infrastructure.

Now Dr Jonathan is in a dilemma. He is worried about his image. He tried the most expensive perfume made in France ; it did not seem to have worked. The more doses of Giorgio Armani from Italy , he splashed on his body, the worse the smell of his Resource Control Suit. Our President’s handlers are now more worried and are having sleepless nights. They have a product on their laps. A very bad product. How does any one make orogbo sweet? What quantity of honey can an orogbo be laced with that will obliterate the bitter taste of orogbo or Kola nitida or kola accuninata? We have reached a stage that even if the presidency gathers the combined strengths of Moses Ihonde, Prince Saka Aleshinloye, Alex Nwokedi, Duro Onabule and Mrs Remi Oyo and link them up with the public relations wizardry of Alex Akinyele, the sum total will still be zero! Every elementary student of Marketing knows that the first principle in marketing is the product. The product must be good, appealing and credible. And in Public Relations, the brand to be laundered must be properly packaged, appealing and trustworthy. If you have a product that is not credible or you have a brand that is not packageable, no amount of marketing or public relations gimmicks can make such a product or brand fly. The problem with the image of our amiable President has nothing to do with

his dress sense, or the use or misuse of language, or his occasional rushing to conclusions without proper evaluation of events, or his obvious reduction of the presidency to local government level, it is more with his style and the obvious lack of being in charge. Mr President allows too many people to be posing as his face. The obvious result of that is that the real or true face of the president is no longer recognizable. As things stand today, Nigerians are not sure whether it is Okonjo-Iweala who is running this country, or it is Dezeani with her frightening lights behind her glasses, or the imperial Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who sees the Central Bank, nay the national treasury as an extension of the palace he is said to be eyeing. Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi behaves as if he is greater than the President of the Federal Republic . And nobody can blame him. If I happen to be working for a President that does not seem to understand my portfolio, I will assume his functions and make a dwarf of him. Or worse still, if I work with a National Assembly that can be pocketed with tonnes of currency I will surely ride them roughshod. It is very difficult to market President Jonathan. The reason as stated earlier is very simple. You simply don’t know what to market! Or put bluntly, you do not have something to market. No properly articulated policy. No properly executed project. No convincing performance. And the character of those who surround our

President does not lend itself to any human relations. We have a country where over 90 percent are groaning under the weight of crushing poverty, we have a country where most of the stories we read daily are of rape, kidnapping, murder, armed robbery and large scale looting of the treasury, and yet you see people who are supposed to be leaders swimming in odious opulence and lavish display of stolen wealth. But the situation is not irredeemable. It is still possible for President Jonathan to recover some of his lost honeymoon with the Nigerian people. Dr Ebele Jonathan is a good person. He is humble. He is simple. He is a decent human being. There is also no denying the fact that the unprecedented billions of Naira lavished on propaganda and brain-wash did secure the admiration of certain segments of the Nigerian masses for likeable personality prior to the elections in 2011. Then the mask fell off! Performance, the lack of it, had taken propaganda to the court of public opinion and propaganda has been sent to life imprisonment. What President Jonathan needs to get a good rating and improved reckoning is political. There are deft political moves that he must immediately embark upon to restore confidence both in himself and in the polity. Adeniyi writes from Lagos

Better Obasanjo denies Lamido and Amaechi BY ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE verywhere in this country of ours are distractors and distractions. Some persons want selfish sacrifice even when they need the people's support. They want to use the sensibility of the general people and hardly remember where several people have ended due to their rapacious selves and their inner political sickness. They exhibit tribal-prejudice and part-taking, which are very detrimental to Nigeria's growth. Even when they know nothing about politics, they would want to make noise, upon the fact that they are senile or intellectually dead of objective contributions. They have warped mind but pretend with wise mind. They plainly think they have possession of Nigeria and Nigerians, when they have very retrogressive ideas. They make us discriminate in criticism and share ethnicity together. The news speculating that Governors of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, were anointed by exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo to run for the 2015 elections was shallow. Lamido was contemplated to be the presidential aspirant, while Amaechi, his running mate. But Obasanjo through his Media Adviser, Mr. Garba Muhammad, freshly said that he was not exclusively in support of, or against any Nigerian, who had an ambition to run for the 2015 elections. Hear the statement: “Former President Obasanjo wishes to state that these media reports are not true. Far from thinking or planning for the 2015 elections, the former President is deeply concerned with more pressing national issues. However, the former President does recognise the rights and privileges of any Nigerian to vie for any elective office of his or her choice.” While Obasanjo was right to exonerate himself, the wrong thing is, why must any right-thinking Nigerian be talking about anointing any candidate for the 2015 elections when we are yet facing perilous times in 2012 in the name of democracy? It seems that somebody was afraid of Obasanajo, and as a result, his irredeemable image is always in the news to make him look much relevant, by saying that he anointed Lamido and Amaechi. It is also evident that someone was trying to make Amaechi lock horns in enmity with his “brother”

President Goodluck Jonathan since both of them come from the same political zone, by asserting that Amaechi was interested in contesting the 2015 elections, when he had not made such public. This is corruption of opinion! It is better that he had denied anointing our Amaechi and Lamido, because Nigerians who know his history would not have taken the duos with a pinch of the salt, if the story of their 2015 elections ambition was true. The squabble of Obasanjo or his government setting up the anticorruption agencies does not hold water. Did he not use the agencies as his rot whalers? Under Obasanjo's presidency, Nigerians regretted having an arrogant and visionless administration that witch-hunted perceived political enemy in guise that it was fighting corruption but rather ended up in glorifying corruption. Whitewash administration! Obasanjo had the rarest fate to lead Nigeria but he preferred to use guerrillas' tactics in a democracy instead of being a democrat Nigerians direfully needed at the time. It was ignorant of anybody to say that Obasanjo still anoints people for elective positions in this country. What happened to the Lagos-Ibadan road contract? Why has it been awarded and re-awarded many times? Your guess is as good as mine. Without mincing word, it would be important to point that Obasanjo was part of Nigeria's problem; he is supposed to retire to his farm but he is yet making some political posturing indirectly. Like it is in the military, it was under his civilian rule that we saw governors promoted to the senate, likewise the ministers and ambassadors, and kangaroo elections held. It was recycling galore under Obasanjo, and those who perhaps did not support him were frustrated to drop. It was under Obasanjo, because of his military background he used on the politicians that made politicians to be very wicked to this country, as we can see. Hardly are any of them thinking about any developmental projects. Has Obasanjo not caused a lot of perceived political skirmishes in this country? Is it not a sad commentary from anyone that Obasanjo is still talking in this country without minding how terribly bad we have fared as a country he headed once as military personnel and

later as a civilian? But some myopic and ignorant people would say that he tried when the cracks on the political wall show him as a man who wasted our collective future. There is a crisis of significance between the new generation and the continued presence of the old generation. Amaechi is one of the 'fresh brains' we wanted in politics, but it happens that his body language suggests that he knows everything in the world. They said that he studied English Language and Literature in the university but his aura posits that he knows even Economics more than a major in Economics. Most skeptics would say that most Nigerian politicians cannot achieve what Obasanjo achieved between 1976-1979. Nonetheless, there is no ruling out the fact that Obasanjo is a man of honour among his cronies, but he made Nigeria look foolish when he held sway as a civilian president with importation of shenanigan democracy laced with the introduction of “do or die” politics. Some politicians 'did', and some 'died'! So, why would anybody still see Obasanjo as one of Nigerian strategic and visionary leaders, when his mates have chased and mortgaged the youths “out” of Nigeria to be a people that have found solace on Tweeter, Yahoo, Gmail, 2Go and Facebook? Just name them. It is pertinent to say that Obasanjo wants to be in the news, or those whom he is still their hero, want him in the news all the time. But they should know that his era of “carry go” politics is over. The peoples' votes now count. Obasanjo will be very far from the political arena watching the people as they decide who they want in 2015 to be president. Nigerians are not animals that must be reared by all means. Obasanjo's anointing will never again serve any relevance because those that go to equity must go with clean hands. Does Obasanjo know that George W Bush rarely attend any political meetings since he left the White House, talk less of anointing anybody to run for office? The same is with Jimmy Carter; he has been writing books to make a living and to sustain his charity work. Onwumere writes from Rivers State

Maiduguri and its fading beauty BY VICTOR IZEKOR ccording to legend, the story of Maiduguri is an epic of a great movement in search for peace, stability, value and permanence. It is the story of an epochal movement of a human race possessed of an indomitable spirit and inflexible will. The Kanuri are said to have left Yemen about a millennium ago. They drifted southward to the original Kanem Empire which was centred on a town called Kauwar, some 640kilometers north of Lake Chad. By about 800A.D. the nomad Kanuri known then as the Sef had expelled the Fezzan kings and had gradually mixed with the population of the Borno plains together conquering the Treble Tribes of the north. At this time the capital was Njimi. As a result of wars, conquests, defeats and convenience, the capital of Kanuri empire moved from one place to another. From Njimi to Birni Ngazargamu then to Kukawa thereafter briefly at Dikwa and finally Maiduguri. The lot finally fell on Maiduguri due to Kukawa commercial inaccessibility, climatic disadvtange and the unlikelihood of the erstwhile capital (Kukawa) ever to regain its past glory following its sack by invading Rabeh army. On January 9, 1907, Shehu Bukar Garbai moved with his court to Maiduguri, the new capital. A telegraphy office was opened in July and plans were made for the

development of Shehuri, the two royal quarters. Each Ajia was directed to build a mud house as far as possible on the lines of their Kukawa compounds so as to form the nucleus of the new town springing up around the original hamlet of Kalwa. The capital was christened Yerwa said to be derived from the Arabic exclamation of grateful pleasure but which to the Kanuri means a thing of value or usefulness. At the same time as the Shehu moved to his new capital of Yerwa, the civil administration took up permanent quarters in Maiduguri, erecting in 1908 the first residency of sun dried bricks, with wooden ceiling and doors. Three of the principal features of the capital were the wide roads and drainage, the magnificent shade trees, cleanliness and orderliness. The forest of neem trees makes Maiduguri today the best shaded town in Africa. In fact, until recently, Maiduguri was regarded as the most clean and orderly state capital in Nigeria. Though the capital’s valid name is Yerwa, but the name Maiduguri is more common in political and commercial circles outside Borno. History is replete to the fact that the capital of Borno or Kanuri Empire at any point in time always has the touch or ingredients of a well planned city with Maiduguri not exception. To this a commentator writes, “……what visitor to Maiduguri whose vitality is so apparent at every turn can ever forget its charm, its grandeur, its exot-

ic appeal? What visitor can be indifferent to the stately sweep of the Dandal; the magnificence of the Shehu’s palace, the imposing grandeur of the state secretariat; the enchanting landscape of the lake Chad Hotel, the glamour of the imposing Maiduguri International Hotel; the fascinating architecture of the celebrated Du Putron houses; the romantic Kyarimi Park, the formidable verdant personality of a clan of one million neems; Borno’s fantastic durbar fanfares, the exotic scene of Shuwa Arabs riding their oxen to the Monday market…..the catalogue is endless!” Indeed, the movement to Maiduguri was a search for peace, stability and value. That value remains to the people a permanent ideality to spur them toward greater achievements and higher attainments. Consequent upon this, Maiduguri has experienced meteoric rise to eminence over the years. In politics and diplomacy, the city has earned recognition. In commerce and industry it has made a mark and in education, it forges ahead. As a result of peaceful disposition of the natives and accommodation, Maiduguri and indeed Borno State got the appellation of “Home of Peace and Hospitality”. However, inspite of the noble achievements of the capital, recent events have set it on the path of diminishing returns resulting into its fading beauty in most ramifications. The

already known security challenges in the state especially in the capital have robbed it for now, the appellation of “Home of Peace and Hospitality”. On cleanliness and orderliness, both the authorities and the people have defaulted. For example, inconsistency in various state government policies with regards to sanitation and urban planning have created more distortions than sanity. While some administrations in the state embarked on building of government quarters or houses for rentage or on owner occupier basis for workers, some administrations in the same state on coming to power embarked on sub division of any available space of the same quarters or estates already occupied to interested individuals for building purpose thereby reducing such quarters or estates to almost ghetto in addition to creating environmental insanity which countered the already established norms of decency, orderliness and cleanliness of the capital. Most of the Government Reservation Areas (GRA) in the state capital experienced this unhealthy balkanization. It came to a point where the Tenants Association of the State Low-Cost Housing Estate in Maiduguri took the State government to court for sub dividing their estate thereby violating the urban development rules and regulations. accommodation. This is my goal and dream”. Izekor writes from Maiduguri

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

Philip Nwosu

Memories

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Today in History Governor survives air mishap Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, on this day in September 2004, survived a near air mishap when the plane he boarded at Eket Airstrip of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, skidded off the runway as it was about to take off. It was gathered that the accident happened about 7am in the morning immediately after the governor boarded the 16-seater Beechcraft 1900D, with registration number FNPIL. Ten people were believed to be on board. The pilot was said to have taxied unto the wet runway and immediately attempted takeoff, instead of waiting and building enough power to enable a smooth and proper takeoff. This was said to have led to a brief loss of control, with the plane overshooting the runway by over a thousand feet, and eventually missing the airstrip perimeter fence by some meters before coming to a stop. The plane, owned by Wings Aviation, a private airline, was chartered by the Delta state government to bring Attah to a seminar on ethnic conflict in Niger Delta organised by the Delta State Government in Effurun. Attah, said to be in good condition, was driven back to Uyo after he got out of the plane. He was accompanied on the trip by his chief detail, chief press secretary, ADC and body guards. Ise Akpaso, Attah’s spokesman said that there was no cause for alarm as the governor was doing fine and in high spirits, though the journey to Delta had to be aborted. He confirmed that Attah was on his way to Delta in a plane provided by the Delta state government.

2004

•Pioneer cadets from the Nigerian Defence Academy’s first Regular Combatant Course –1964.

Akiga, ex-Minister dies this day in September 2004 On 2004, former sports minister, Mr. Steven Akiga, died of an undisclosed illness at Zankli Medical Centre, Abuja. He had been hospitalised at the centre for about three days before giving up the ghost that fateful night. Family sources who confirmed the death of the two-time minister, also confirmed that his corpse was yesterday deposited at the National Hospital mortuary, in Abuja. The late Akiga, who was earlier Police Affairs minister under the Obasanjo regime, was seconded to the Sports ministry after the death of Mr. Ishaya Mark Aku in the EAS Airline crash at the Kano Airport in May 2002.

The late minister had been out of public glare after he was dropped from President Obasanjo’s second term cabinet. He however, played an active role in preparations leading up to the 8th AllAfrica Games tagged Abuja 2003 where he featured prominently among the “eminent personalities” to host the games. Among his major national assignments

was leading the Nigerian contingent to the last World Cup, Korea/Japan 2002 as leader of delegation. The late Akiga, a keen sportsman and exfootballer, he was very close to Super Eagles players during his tenure. Some of them may remember his words to them just before the World Cup when he declared:

Dozens die in air show tragedy At least, 27 people were killed and 63 injured on this day in September 1952, after a jet fighter disintegrated and fell into the crowd at the Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire.

1952

The De Havilland 110 fighter had just broken the sound barrier when it broke up over the spectators, showering them with debris. Among the dead were the pilot, John Derry, and the flight test observer, Anthony Richards. Mr. Derry was the first British pilot to exceed the speed of sound in this country four years ago today - on 6 September 1948 in in a DH 108 research aircraft. The two airmen had completed one flypast in which they amazed 130, 000 spectators by breaking the sound barrier to produce a sonic boom. But during the second low-level fly-past when the plane was travelling at about 500 miles an hour (804kph) over the aerodrome, its nose lifted and the whole plane disintegrated. The two engines broke lose and one plunged into a dense crowd watching on a hillside. The other engine fell on open ground but other membrs of the public were injured by parts of the cockpit. Fire engines and ambulances arrived within minutes and after a short break the air display continued.

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

How we subdued kidnappers, robbers, cultists – Omire, Bayelsa CP By NGOZI UWUJARE

he Bayelsa State Police Command has in the last two months arrested over 70 suspected armed robbers, cultists and kidnappers, and rescued some of their victims. It also recovered arms and ammunition from the criminals. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kings Omire, told Daily Sun that when the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar told him to rout out cultists, kidnappers and armed robbers from the state, “I was determined and confident to achieve results. “I have a strong breakthrough when we arrested 40 cultists in Yenagoa the state capital. We also arrested armed robbers and kidnappers and my men were able to rescue the victims alive. We raided all the black spots of kidnappers, cultists and armed robbers in the state. “Men of the Anti-Vice/Cultism Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), arrested cultists who carried out murder at Obelle-Yenagoa and they confessed that they belong to Clansman and Greeenlanders cult groups.” The same section also rounded up four female suspects who confessed to belonging to Highlanders cult group. He said they were arrested at Azikoro village off Yenagoa and that they were arrested during initiation proceedings. Omire explained that the policemen under the DPO for Azikoro, Rita Green (SP), and with the help of Azikoro village vigilante group arrested the gang leader (name witheld), Michael for conspiracy, unlawful assembly and cultism. Four suspected sea pirates were equally arrested for unlawful possession of firearms. The arms include three AK 47 magazines, 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and a battery suspected to be a dynamite detonator.

the support of the good spirited individuals of Igbedi community arrested two suspects. They were arrested during a festival in Kolokumal Oppkuma Kaiama community. One locally made pistol and substance suspected to be dynamite were recovered from them: “The men of SARS arrested another two suspects for armed robbery opposite Vinvent Fast Food, Ekeki, Yenagoa, and recovered from them arms and ammunition. At Mr. Omire Opolo-Yenagoa, two He added that men of the Special suspects were also arrested for Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), with

dealing in cocaine business. They have since confessed to committing the crime.” Omire said another achievement was at Okugbene community where he said the community had known no peace as they were troubled by a gang of armed robbers. He said his men recovered 175 horse power Yamaha speed boat engine, two locally-made revolvers, 10 rounds of 9.mm ammunition and various handsets. He disclosed that there was a shootout with some notorious armed robbers at Amaratu. Two suspects were arrested and one Australian-made baretta pistol with six live ammunition were recovered from them. He appealed to Bayelsans to cooperate and assist the police by providing useful information on criminals and crime. He commended the IGP for providing the state command with five marine boats saying the state government has also promised to assist the command with sea boats to enable it fight crime.

Grace and Joshua bow out of MTN PFWA

igeria’s Grace Mark a n d Ghanaian Joshua Effriye have been evicted from the MTN Project Fame West Africa held at Ultima Studios, Lekki, Lagos State. The nine remaining contestants performed various traditional African songs to the delight of their fans. Ella who was on probation was voted into the academy from the Youtube wild-card entries. In the keenly contest that required the judges’ verdict, Ella shed tears when she was announced as the popular choice. Meanwhile, the show has shifted to the performances of the five contestants who were on probation. They are Joshua, D i d i , Grace, Chinyere a n d Adetoun. After each performed the previous week’s songs, it

Joshua and Grace was time for elimination. The judges saved Chinyere, while the Faculty opted for Adetoun. From the remaining three, the majority of the other contestants voted for Didi. Consequently, Joshua and Grace were evicted from the academy. From the E-Center, Commercial Avenue, Sabo, Yaba, where the remaining 11 contestants in the Academy met their fans in a ‘meet and greet’session, to the Ultima Studios in Lekki for the eviction show and performances, there was no basis for comparison as the show beat the imagination of the viewers across West Africa. However, at the eviction show held on Saturday, September 1, 2012, inside the Ultima Studios, beat the remaining four wild card entrants to gain an unusual admittance into the academy. The attention of viewers across West Africa shifted to the performance show dubbed ‘African Week’, which was held a day after the eviction show; music enthusiats were thrilled to traditional performances, props and grooves that speak volumes of the rich content of African culture. There was hardly a better place to be than the show; witnessing the magical wands of

Adetoun performing legendary Salawa Abeni ‘Fuji Waka’ and Marvellous singing Duncan Mighty’s ‘Obianuju’ besides other graceful performances by the other contestants. The MTN Project Fame West Africa has become a reference point for reality TV shows in Africa. It is a platform that unravels the vast talents resident in African youths through music. The Academy which runs for a minimum of 10 weeks provides contestants with all the tools necessary for musical success on the global stage. Little wonder, discoveries like Iyanya and Chidimma are doing so well.

LASAA reorganizes for effectiveness

n an effort to evolve a more efficient way of discharging its regulatory function, the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has restructured its operations along product management lines similar to best practices by multinational corporations and fast moving consumer product marketing companies. Speaking on the exercise, the Managing Director of the Agency, Mr. George Noah noted that “the initiative is to apply staff to their areas of strength and is geared towards evolving a more efficient way of conducting the Agency’s regulatory function”. Mr. Noah stated that the product group teams are spread across four main categories of outdoor media including billboards, street furniture, transit and alternative. Mr. Gbolahan Dixon takes charge of Mobile Advertisement which includes corporate vehicles, Lagbus, LAMATA, trucks and taxis. Noah further disclosed that Tessy Adeboye will oversee billboards and LASAA’s specification over them. The small formats will be managed by Omorinola Lawal while Anthony Babaniji will handle street furniture which comprises bus stop shelters, lamp poles etc. He concluded that “the last category which is temporary and alternative advertisement including water, night projections, aerial signs, sky signs, water tanks, boat branding and fast track applications to be headed by Bolade Ojaide. He also used the opportunity to introduce fines and penalties as a separate product to be managed by Adewale Aganano, market branding by Bayo Aluko and Building branding to be handled by Yinka Adegboyega. It is expected that this new direction (the first of its kind in a government agency) will accelerate LASAA’s growth and position it for better service delivery.

Health writer wins cancer award By ONYEKACHI JET

yneacologic Oncologist and Professor of Obstetrics and Gyneacology at the University of Lagos and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Professor Anoluo has called on government to make more funds available to adequately subsidize the cost of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. She said that vaccination is the hope for cervical cancer prevention and eradication in Africa, and adequate funding would drastically reduce the cost of the vaccine, make it more available and accessible. If this is done, it would help reduce incidences of cervical cancer, she maintained, noting that despite the level of awareness and screening going on, no remarkable success has been achieved in preventing or reducing cervical cancer. She made these facts known during a cervical cancer workshop for media professionals, organized by Sebeccly Cancer Care & Support Centre, recently. The event was to mark the 2012 World Cervical Cancer Day. Speaking, Anoluo gave the assurance that the vaccine does not affect fertility of vaccinated girls. “It’s not going to have any effect on the girls’ fertility in future. There are the HPV 16 and HPV 18 for older women. The

vaccine could prevent them from getting the HPV 18”. The event also witnessed the presentation of awards by Sebeccly Cancer Care & Support Centre, a nongovernmental organization (NGO), to recipients for their contributions towards cancer control in Nigeria. Assistant Health Editor, the Nigerian Compass, Appolonia Adeyemi became the first to receive the N100, 000 Breast Cancer Awareness Award for 2012. Others include Mrs. Clementina Adetoro Adeyelure, Mrs. C. Etete, and Mrs. Florence Ojomo, The executive director of Sebeccly Dr. Omolola Salako disclosed that, “Nigeria has the highest cancer index, with 60 to 75 per cent of those affected reside in the rural area, citing lack of awareness as the major reason for the high index recorded in the country. She urged every journalist to emulate Adeyemi in reporting the danger of cancer and the need for Nigerians to come out for screening in order to prevent the debilitating health condition. Also speaking, President of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Dr. Dumebi Owa identified lack of care and concern and political will on the part of government and health administrators to take pragmatic actions that would produce result in the fight against cancer and a host of other diseases and disorders.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

The problem with our break-up

ince we fought that senseless war, never a time has there been a real threat to our fragile existence than now. We took up arms against one another in a bloody conflict. That lasted 30 months of maiming and killing. That was between May 1967 and January 1970. We thought that would be the darkest period of our history. We thought that moment would be forever confined to the dustbin. We thought we had learnt our bitter lesson. In fact, we believed we had overcome. But we seriously goffed. The exact opposite is our case. Thanks to the selfish, shameless, crude and cruel leadership all along. When we look back now. we earnestly wish they never led us. We painfully regret the very day(s) these leaders imposed themselves on us. We wish our paths never crossed. We have watched helplessly. How these leaders, one after the other, played on our naïve intelligence. They greedily exploited our innocence. They were never honest with us. They highlighted and emphasized our weaknesses. They pretended to be completely blind to our numerous strengths and strong points. That was why they led us to a needless war in the first instance. And we came out brutally bruised, severely and forever wounded. And they are leading us to another disaster. The threat is becoming more glaring, alarming and dreaded everyday. Yet, this same leadership cares less. This time around, we are almost hopeless. The threat is all over. We feel it in every aspect, facet of our lives. It abounds everywhere. No pretensions. It is real. Our dangling existence conceived and midwifed by a young colonial couple is on the brink presently. The Lord Lugards were just playing on words in 1914. The word just slipped into Lady Lugard’s mouth. And it was a big skid. We first appeared to her as “Niger area.” They probably laughed it over. Later at dinner, her husband gave it a re-think. Then from the blues, almost unconsciously, he shouted “Nigeria!” And it clicked. His wife bought into it. Just like that, we were made, not born as a nation. But then, they called it the amalgamation of the South and the North. That was the genesis of our problem. Our crisis started that very day they

efore the last Sallah, I knew nothing about Dubar. In my days as a youth corp member in the now dreaded Maiduguri, I had no opportunity of seeing the colourful event. But for the flies and the ever-increasing temperature, the town knew no violence. We took adventurous liberties to visit such far-flung places as Dikwa, Biu and some desert-prone towns in the state. We planted trees on several kilometers stretch to help push back the desert. The easiest way to truncate anybody’s service year today is to send the person to Borno or some surrounding states. To the chagrin of many a governor, violence in many parts of the North, leading to blood-letting, especially in the North-east and Nort-west, has reduced the thriving zones to a shadow. The airports, market places and several other sectors now reel under the unwanted weight of violence. Patronage for various businesses has nose-dived. People are scared. A call to come and see Durbar in Dutse, Jigawa State, did not scare me. But for a missed attempt on a police station in Dutse, no security infraction has reared its ugly head in the state. I relayed an earlier visit in this newspaper. My confidence in Jigawa as a safe ground was buoyed by that trip when former president Olusegun Obasanjo visited to deliver a democracy day lecture hosted by Governor Sule Lamido, better known by ordinary people as ‘Talakawa Governor’, derived from his affinity to the ordinary people. Every market woman or motor mechanic in town knows his telephone number. The Durbar was an experience. The site of under ten kids, displaying dexterity in horse riding and the Emir, riding on his horse in a blaze of glory after the Eid prayer to his palace, was an indication to me that cultural affiliations in that clime were rather strong. Barrister Solomon Dalung, a teacher at University of Jos and a former aide to Solomon Lar, erstwhile governor of old Plateau State, guided us to the cultural

•Jonathan called us Nigeria. Reason: Nobody negotiated our existence. It was strictly a family affair of the Lugards. We were never discussed. We were never planned. We were simply assembled, not constituted. For 46 years (1914 to 1960), the colonianists maintained that “union.” At our great expense, of course. They played us against one another. They strenously tried to hold two parts down for a part. But they failed woefully. And that is part of the threat that is starring us in the face today. That is our cross. These British colonianists were finally forced to leave in 1960. But they made matters worse for us. They made things messier for us. They planted landmines. And our leaders carelessly ran into them earlier than anticipated. They built impediments against our unity. And those obstacles are working wonders up till today. We remain an assemly not a country. We are a gathering of many nations. Since 1960, we had many golden opportunities to make ammends. But we fumbled and wobbled. We are still stumbling. We threw away the great chances on a platter of gold. That was what led us to our civil war when we were just seven years old. Even at that tender age, we were cruel and wicked to ourselves. We killed, maimed and raped with impunity. Imagine, a seven-year-old raping his sister! That is exactly what we did to ourselves for 30 months. We are callous. We are our brothers’ killers. We learnt nothing from that war. Our 30-month

war exploits had come to naught. A sheer waste! We did not pick any useful lesson from that huge loss. We are lost to the benefits of that encounter. Sad. We came out of that experience, evermore divided and bitter. The slogan “No Victor, No Vanguard,” remained a mere political statement. The policy of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction was another gimick. Our leaders were constistently derailing. Almost all of them. We nearly did not notice any exception. They continued to forge on reckelessly. They were unmindful of our feelings. They were potently dead to our aspirations. They had no vision and/or mission for us. That is why they persistently missed it. Thrice, we made attempts at ruling ourselves through the ballot box. And thrice, we ended in the potbelly of the military. As we moved (backwards) since 1960, the threat became more obvious and glaring. Yet, we feigned to be working hard on it. Our leaders were always and still on top of the situation. Now, we have reached the boiling point. And our leaders are still pretending. Instead of taking the bull by the horns, they are selfishly passing the buck. Big shame to you all. We do not care a hoot! They can curse themselves if they like. We see them as a bunch of unserious old and frustrated species. What do they want to make out of this blame game? Will that heal the wounds they had intentionally inflicted on us? They can as well go to blazes! They are not addressing the issues. Why do we opt to negotiate in bits? Why can’t we do it once and shame the devil? And the options before us: Let us sit down now like real gentlemen we pretended we are. And then negotiate our existence or extinction. Call it by whatever name. We have to look at one another at the face. And tell ourselves whether we can still live together as a nation. Not as an amalgamation of 1914. That amalgamation will be 100 years in 2014. That is obsolete, archaic and antiquated. It is too old and fragile to sustain us. That has been our bitter experience these past 98 years. Let us renew our existence. It can only be done through discourse. That is one option . And it is bloodless and free from acrimony, pain and agony. We will even drink tea and coffee over it.

Alvan Ewuzie

alvanatsun@yahoo.com 07082020392

the place, who, in the days of yore, was at the apex of political leadership. It was colourful and exciting. Every title-holder came with his entourage of horse riders. They came as advance party for the Emir, who was at the rear. They came according to their ranks. Solomon said what we saw was like the Emir’s army in times of war. “You have to get at all these people first to get at the Emir. All these people are his Army. They come to pay homage to the man after successful completion of fasting. And the horse riding is a demonstration of their prowess.” Governor Lamido also came to pay hom-

•Lamido

Femi Adeoti femotadeoti@yahoo.com 08186847248 OR. We watch carelessly. And wait patiently for our situation to deteriorate and degenerate. Then the United Nations (aka USA& Co) will come in with their soldiers and force us to negotiate. It happened that way in the old Yugoslavia. That will not be pleasant or palatable. OR. We go straight for the kill. We go all out and adopt the now popular Arab Springs. It can conveniently happen here, if we allow it. The choice is ours. The ball is equally in our court. It appears our leaders, past and present, are in love with this option. Their actions and inactions point to this alternative. They are pushing for people’s revolt as it happened in Egypt, Libya and ongoing in Syria. They are underrating Nigerians. They are tactlessly taking them for granted. That is why they chose regional negotiation. That started with MEND (aka militants) in the Niger Delta. And they secured amnesty with generous conditions. That encouraged Boko Haram (Islamist sect) to come on board. They are more determined, resolute, decisive and violent. They hit targets with precision and accuracy. They have better spread than the militants. They fear no death. In fact, they love it with passion. Now, the Federal Government is practically begging them to negotiate. Government is thirsty for dialogue by whatever means. And Boko Haram is emboldened the more. Don’t forget, the same circumstances virtually threw up the militants and Boko Haram. One after the other. And the circumstances are still there. That is why MASSOB, OPC, etc, are eagerly on the waiting list. They are watching and strategising. That is where the greatest danger lies. We have to do something fast. Let us use the on-going constitution review to trash out our knotty issues. Those who are aggrieved should make maximum use of the review. It is a good platform to state their case(s). We need to reexamine these options and pick one. And the time to do it is even now. •This piece ought to have been published last week.

SNAP Shots

Dubar in Dutse nuances of what we saw. As we watched the prayers, he told us about the slight different positions of people at the praying ground, which would go unnoticed by the ignorant, were slight variations in worship modes but it did not preclude the people from praying together. About ten minutes later, the prayer was over. Some adherents began exiting the prayer ground. Others stayed back, including the governor. I was curious. Solomon said the Imam was on the verge of giving his sermon and it was not compulsory for every one to stay for it; some people left, some stayed back. When the sermon came to an end, the next port of call was the Emir’s palace. Something struck me as abnormal as we stayed a shouting distance from the prayer ground. A battery of armed soldiers and police men were strategically positioned at the place. Their guns were as alert as the men. Prayers have become violent too. How do we pray under such circumstance? I remembered Prophet Nehemiah in the Bible, who battled even as he rebuilt the broken walls. How would people commune with their creator, watching guns, a sad reminder of the sorry pass that has become of the nation. We moved to the Emir’s palace in Dutse where horse riding elders and title holders came to pay homage to the spiritual leader of

DAILY SUN

age. There was pin drop silence when the Emir addressed the people. He said by his people-friendly government, Sule Lamido had reduced his burden and saved him from a long speech that would have been riddled with requests. He told the people to take advantage of the free-girl-child education in the state, free school for the talented and free school of nursing and midwifery and send their children to school. He urged them to remain vigilant and nip security infractions in the bud. In a perfect meeting of culture and power the Emir reciprocated the governor’s visit. As the table turned the next day and the Emir came to pay homage to the governor, one newspaper reported that Governor Sule Lamido had been slated to vie for the Presidency in 2015. The man said he was taken aback by the ‘conjecture’. His close aides said it was a move to bequeath the governor with former president Obasanjo’s political foes, given that the former president is reportedly rooting for Lamido. Obasanjo has issued a disclaimer to the story. But when former President Ibrahim Babangida came to the state recently to commission projects and mark the 21st anniversary of the state, he endorsed Lamido, based on performance and pledged his support should the governor throw his hat in the fray in 2015. What will happen? Only time will tell. NB: This piece would have been published last week.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

ArewaReport T

Kwara economy can’t support state police –Gov Ahmed

he Kwara State Governor, AbdulFatah Ahmed, recently spoke on the contentious issue of the state urbanisation law, delay in payment of local government workers’ salaries and the rumoured rift between him and Senator Bukola Saraki. He also opined that the state’s economy could not support the establishment of a state police. LAYI OLANREWAJU was there. on urbanization law Excerpts: which was passed in 2009 and which has also State police signed and My view is not the view of any other been governor except my own. I will continue to remained effective. First, look at governance from the perception of as a government, we marching vision with pragmatism. State have to recognize the police is desirable to the extent of advanced fact that we have the society, especially when you look at responsibility of deliverNigeria that has population of over 150 ing service to the people. million people. When you look at the cur- Having had the opporturent level of policing as we have it today, nity of running the vis-à-vis the level of crime, level of chal- Ministry of Finance for lenges of insecurity and other areas but at over seven and a half the same time, the current political situation years, I am quite converwe have found ourselves, the current finan- sant with the fact that the cial solution and current social situation resources of the state will require to be put into serious cogni- require to be augmented. augmentation sance before taking that big step of moving And allows us to look at toward creating different levels of police. My own biggest grouse, on the issue of largely IGR. That takes the police, is that I am looking at the angle us to options available to of the current inability of the Federal drive revenue. The first option is the Government to fund police adequatel; to the extent that state police is desirable but issue of ensuring proper process. how do we fund it? States are currently collection Second is the issue of under sincere pressure of not being able to meet up with their various expenditure areas that had not been needs. So, you can imagine if we are to cre- touched in IGR and we ate a new expenditure line to join the cur- went ahead on level of enumeration to see how rent expenditure pressure. No matter the desirability, it is not finan- to improve on direct cially feasible, the way I am looking at it. assessment and collec•Gov. Ahmed What we require to do today is to come out tion of taxes. It is out of the need to with a platform, and I’m happy the Federal Government is responsive on this. On the drive revenue that we platform to see how to create strong looked into the issue of land. Government Nigeria police, properly funded to meet up must be a little bit proactive in the use of with the challenges as being seen in our land because you cannot drive revenue by taxing people, thus we looked at the options various security levels. Nigeria Police require to be completely of land. It was on this basis that the restructured. They need to be transformed. Urbanization Law was put together in 2009. The process requires change and a new The law simply gives the state government technology must be developed to drive the power to use land in parts of some local Nigeria Police process. It requires proper governments for the purpose of public use. However, this has been misconstrued in funding on continuous basis. The man who is putting his life down to protect you, your some few quarters. And the areas that had goods and property must be adequately been of concern had been isolated. Before supported. We require strong funding win- now, a good interpretation of the law was dow to support Nigeria Police after then, not made and lots of insinuations were we can begin to look at additional need if made. Some people said government was there is, to create other levels of police. We collecting all the lands in Kwara state. That have not given required funding to protect we had gone ahead to collect all the lands the people. When we get to that level, we including Yidi (EID praying ground Ilorin) will look at the gap that will be existing in Emir’s Palace, Taiwo Road, everywhere. need for policing and then we will see the People said a lot of things. I want to use this opportunity to let peoneed to create other levels of police. ple know that all what they said is not corUproar over the state’s land policy Issues had been raised for quite awhile rect. Government is only taking some por-

tions of land in some areas so that it can put it into optimal use for public and to see how we can generate revenue for public use. Don’t forget the fact that whatever revenue we generate is going to go back to the public. Rumoured rift with Saraki This is purely a political gimmick by opponents. They are not happy that we are happy, because they failed to understand that what we have in Kwara State is Godordained. They forgot the fact that by choice of providence, I was not only part of policy formulation in the last administration, I was part of implementation. It was only normal for me to continue to leverage on the goodies of the last administration. There is no way I can do that and go to next level without taking cognizance of the last administration. We have a very cordial relationship and it is spanning beyond what people are seeing because we both have a true sense of purpose to move Kwara forward. That spirit

that saw Kwara state being moved to a prominent state in agriculture, aviation, and a public private driven partnership had seen us in creating a very strong platform between me, the leader and the members of the cabinet. We have a very robust relationship that will continue to blossom because we have the same goal to ensure that we give the best to Kwara. It is a self-chosen sacrifice which we both agreed that we will continue to do. Delay in payment of local government workers’ salaries We have seen the drop in the allocation from March, April, but we began to feel the impact in May till date. This drop has been affecting not only the volume of what that is supposed to come into federal, state or local government, but it has also been delayed. I remember when I was Commissioner for Finance, allocation meetings were usually held between 13 and 14 of the month. It gives ample time for Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which is in charge of allocating the funds through the Ministry of Finance to do that. But lately, you find out that allocation meetings are usually held much later, and the later the meetings are held, the later the distribution and allocation of money. And before it gets to the state, the state has its own process of ensuring distribution and allocation. That is the first leg in the delay. Second leg is in the shortfall. Shortfalls were recorded in May, June and July. And this short fall had not been very helpful in meeting both the recurrent and the capital expenditure of not only the local government but also the state government. The only difference is that at the state level, we have exhibited a very strong sense of financial management which allowed us to put our resources together and look at other funding windows that could support our funding gaps. Local governments have limited funding windows from which they can source fund unlike state government. Of course, they too have been charged with the responsibility of looking inwardly at their IGR. But most importantly they should control their expenditure and because in any system of cost management, there is a very basic ground rules that if you cannot increase your revenue, you must cut your cost. It is Continued on page 25

North-based Yoruba group drums support for Mimiko From NAFISAT Kaduna

BELLO, and secretary, Professor Olayiwola Olaniyi, Chief Afolabi Abidola and Dr. Ahmed Aluko respectively, in Kaduna, YPC N o r t h e r n - b a s e d described Mimiko as “champion of good Yoruba group, Yoruba governance.” It added that the governor has Progressive Council worked hard enough to earn him a re-elec(YPC), has thrown its weight tion in Ondo State, considering his giant behind re-election bid of the strides in the areas of infrastructural and Ondo State Governor, human capital development: Olusegun Mimiko, saying, “We organized a special prayer for the “one term is not enough for governor’s victory during the last Ramadan Mimiko.” The council is also fasting in Kaduna where we also called on set to honour him as “The all eligible sons and daughters of Ondo Best Governor on State, who have reached voting age and Infrastructure and Good who also registered in Ondo State, to go Governance.” back home, to re-elect Mimiko in the In a statement jointly signed October 2012 gubernatorial election. by its president, vice-president “Our resolve to support the governor is

•Mimiko

not personal, but informed by his commitment to develop Ondo State. He has built many mega schools, turned around the health institutions, and constructed many roads and housing estates among others. “We are inviting people to go to Ondo State and see things for themselves. The council is also ready to sponsor any eligible Ondo indigene, who is a registered voter back home, to the state, to cast their vote for the committed Mimiko to enable him take the state to the promised land.” Meanwhile, the council is set to honour the governor, on September 22, 2012. The occasion, holding in Ondo, is expected to be graced by prominent Yoruba leaders and traditional rulers, including prominent emirs from the North.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

DAILY SUN

Arewa Report I’ve got kidney but I still need N6m to live again, Zariabased artisan cries out From ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna

unday Agu, 39, is a Zaria-based artisan from Ebonyi State. He was, until December 2011, a hard working electrician. The ever smiling and easy-going Agu is now wrestling with death, after he was diagnosed for “End State Renal Failure,” known commonly as kidney failure. Although, he has since gotten a kidney donor, the sum of N6 million is still an impediment to bringing him back to normal life. When Daily Sun was at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Zaria, recently, Agu was sighted on his wheelchair, begging the attendants at the corridor of Dialysis Department of the hospital to allow him access to his consultant for another round of kidney dialysis. What struck the attention of the Daily Sun’s reporter was the response of the attendants, who told Agu that kidney dialysis could not be done on him until after 48 hours of the previous one. Then a brief chat with Agu: “Yes, it is true I went through dialysis yesterday but I am not feeling well. I want to do it today again but they are saying I have to wait till tomorrow. However, I am not feeling well; that is why I am back here again today.” The patient has been in and out of admission in the hospital and has been on dialysis,

at the cost of N80,000 weekly since he was diagnosed of the disease last year. He said his friends, family, church members and wellwishers have been assisting him financially to manage the ailment. According to Agu who was brought to the hospital by his helpless wife: “What I am going through now is called maintenance dialysis to keep me alive for a while. They said I need kidney transplant. I have already gotten a kidney donor, what I need now is the money to do the transplanting operation, which doctors put at N6million. “I have been appealing for fund in churches and among my family and friends, but what we have been getting has been going for dialysis. I am appealing to the government and the good people of Nigeria to assist me.” The consultant managing was not on duty at the time of the visit. But, a letter obtained from Agu’s wife. “To Whom it May Concern” from the Department of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University and signed by Dr. Ahmed M.S, confirmed that Agu was being managed for ‘End Stage Renal Failure’ and was on ‘Maintenance Haemodialysis: “Agu is required to undergo three sessions •Agu on wheel chiair of dialysis weekly in order to ensure adequate response. The breakdown of the financial cost Drugs/Week- N10, 000; Miscellaneous- N10, of dialysis, drugs and transfusion is as fol- 000; Total- N80, 000.” The letter, dated 26th March, 2012, also lows: Weekly Dialysis- N60, 000;

noted that Agu would eventually require renal transplant abroad or in Lagos State at an estimated cost of N6million.

UNN alumni meet in Benue, frown at varsity’s localisation Oil in Anambra: From DESMOND MGBOH, Kano

he quality of minds that converged on Makurdi, Benue State, during the 80th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) alumni, was distinctive and impressive. The same thing goes for the deliberations and outcomes of the brainstorming sessions that characterised the annual event. Tagged: Agricultural Transformation for Economic Development and Political Stability in Nigeria, the theme of the NEC meeting of “the great Lions and Lionesses” could not have been more apt in a nation, groping for enhanced agricultural development and at a time the Nigerian project is tortured by political, social and economic challenges. The meeting went well and its communiqué said it all. It was resolved to encourage the Nigerization of the UNN in line with the dreams of its founding father. The resolution frowned at the current localisation of the admission policy of the university, lamenting

that the policy is shrinking the national status and heterogeneity of the university. The communiqué urged all eligible Nigerians seeking admission from educationally disadvantaged states and those of the catchment area of UNN to apply to fill in their quota and help retain the national representation of the university. The communiqué, signed by the national president, Dr. Nwanne Chioke, national secretary, Chief Emeka Nwanevu and chairman, Communiqué Committee, Mr. Sam Amaramino Pepple, was made available to Daily Sun in Kano. The NEC expressed dismay that after 50 years of the existence of the university, no alumnus had attained the post of the Vice Chancellor of the university, despite the fact that many of them had distinguished themselves in different spheres of life, both at home and abroad. It urged its members to join the current efforts in respect of the appointment of a deserving alumnus as the next Vice Chancellor. At the national level, the NEC decried the abysmal state of security of life and property in the country and urged Nigerians of all

faiths and positive inclinations to be part of the solutions by joining forces with the government in addressing the challenge, through the provision of relevant information and community networking. It also decried the growing rate of unemployment in the country and called on all levels of government –local, state, and federal- to provide structures that could engender the entrepreneurial spirit in the Nigerian youth even as they tasked the governments to make agriculture an employment generating enterprise by a way of improving rural infrastructures such as roads, electricity, health and education to save the country from its over dependence on petroleum. The NEC lamented the deplorable rate of corruption pervading the entire Nigeria society and urged Nigerians not to celebrate criminals especially those who steal public funds even as the NEC advised that civic education should be taken more seriously in schools. It observed that the bane of the Nigerian society was character failure and disregard for age long values while stressing the need for self reform and the enthronement of the rule of law.

‘Re-run in Offa LG, not new’ Continued from page 24 that simple. Local governments have been saddled with a very huge recurrent cost and that was what prompted the need for us to demand a biometric exercise for them where we wanted to see the true number of workers we have. It was all designed to help them bring down the number of workers to the real number so that they can manage their overhead and personnel cost and most importantly to create a platform for future planning. We have been looking at how we can be supportive of the local governments by ensuring that the crude oil subsidy part of their money are not used for recurrent expenditure except it becomes absolutely necessary. We want to ensure that they do capital projects with them. For us at the state, we have no business

with local governments’ money. We have enough money we have been using because we’ve been able to cut our coat according to our size. At any point in time, the state has been able to manage its own finance. The only thing that joins us with the local governments is the joint project account. Till date, close to N800 million has been channeled into rural road construction and this is mainly to support the N2.5billion that the state government is expending on same projects. The local governments should be very happy with what we are doing. We are helping them to execute some capital projects which ordinarily they would not have been able to do. Re-run of Offa Local Government chairmanship seat It is not a new thing. It is a judicial matter. In the governorship election result, we were taken to court by the ACN and the

process went up to the Supreme Court. What is happening in Offa is a normal thing. The stakeholders of Offa PDP saw the need to challenge the result of the election done at appropriate court of law, which looked at the issues and nullified the election. We are expecting there would be either an appeal or we look at the constitutional provisions to move on from there. For us in PDP, we are seeing it as a very welcome development. We always say Kwara is a strong PDP state, and committed to the values and ideals of PDP exemplified by projects and environment. We have been able to create to ensure there’s growth, peace and development. Incursion of ACN to Kwara is seen as an aberration. This has been proven by the just annulled election. We will continue to consolidate on the gains and leave no stone unturned to let people enjoy dividends of democracy.

Kogi communities allege foul play From EMMANUEL ADEYEMI, Lokoja

ome communities in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State where oil was recently discovered in commercial quantity have cried out that they have been sidelined in the environmental impact assessment report carried out in the area. Secretary General of Uchuchu Descendants Union, Chief Lawrence Oji, said in Lokoja; “The assessment carried out by Fugro Nig. Ltd. on OPL915 project area did not reflect the realities on ground as the real land owners were deliberately sidelined.” He stressed that the two Uchuchu communities of Uchuchu Anocha and Uchuchu Arapiti, who are the owners of OPL915 oil well 4 location were not mentioned in the said environmental impact assessment report, saying it was a fatal error: “In its socio-economic and health study, the focal point was Omabo community, we seriously frown at this report, which ascribed the ownership of the oil 4 location to Omabo. We want the whole world to know that Uchuchu Anocha and Uchuchu Anapiti are the real owners of the oil well and we call on the firm concerned to stop fanning embers of disunity among the communities. “We wonder whether the report was just written in the comfort of the hotel without the team, visiting the areas concerned. Any environmental impact assessment report, which does not make any reference to other communities and the two Uchuchu communities in particular, should be seen as an exercise in futility. “We cannot concede our God-given land to usurpers as we urge the oil company to desist from falsehood and get the true picture from the real people.”

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity Despite the political trauma and disappointment he had following a protracted crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) which he founded, Chief Chekwas Okorie has bounced back to party politics with the registration of the United Progressive Party (UPP) where the astute politician said he had transplanted the spirit and soul of the APGA. Chief Okorie said with all assurance that the UPP would claim the entire South East in 2015 with the Anambra 2014 showpiece. He spoke with DAVID ONWUCHEKWA about what transpired amongst him, Chief Victor Umeh, Governor Peter Obi and the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Excerpts:

UPP ’ll actualize Igbo presidential dream, says Chekwas Okorie

Igbo for presidential ell, I have always believed in the very high prospect of an Igbo man becoming the President of Nigeria in a free and fair democratic presidential contest. My optimism is based on the fact that the Igbo people of Nigeria constitute the highest single ethnic group in Nigeria. It does not matter what the structural lopsidedness that tries to present. I say it does not matter because there is no State in Nigeria that you will not have the Igbo constitute the second largest population after the indigenous population of that State. I’m not saying this out of guess work. It is something I have understudied for over thirty years. I have been involved in Igbo man’s crusade for a very long time. So, I know what I’m talking about. I have gone round this country sixteen times, minimum. There is hardly any major city in this country, I’m not only talking about the State capitals that I have not been to for at least sixteen times. And most of the times, I travel to visit Igbo where they are settled. What Ndigbo need more than anything else is a trusted leader or trusted leadership that can galvanize the enormous potentialities for political empowerment. Having said that, the major constraints facing the Igbo is the lopsidedness of Nigerian structure which makes it difficult for an Igbo man to become a presidential candidate of any major political party. In a situation where the congress, the presidential primary will be based on delegates drawn from local governments of Nigeria on equal basis and that means for the Igbo delegates will be coming from only 95 local governments as against 188 local governments coming from North West zone, another geo-political zone that should be considered on equal terms with the South East zone. So you can go on and on and see now how the lopsided structure has made it impossible for the Igbo to become a candidate. And if you are not a candidate how can you then become a president. You have to be a candidate to stand an election. So, it is after understanding all of these that had prompted me to begin to look for a political party that will be favourably disposed to an Igbo presidential candidate. Igbo people have tried in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ANPP and all the other major political parties without the slightest chance, any iota of opportunity to become presidential candidates. People have also forgotten that the late Odumegwu Ojukwu was in most of these parties and I followed him from NPN to NRC, SDP, and APP. Every inch on the way with him and the highest position he ever occupied was member Board of Trustees of APP/ANPP. Of course, Nigerians and Igbo people know the ordeals and travails of Dr Alex Ekwueme in the PDP and the ordeals and travails of the likes of the late Ume-Ezoke, Dr Chuba Okadigbo and the other Igbo people who wanted to contest for president on the platform of the ANPP and contributed their N10 million nomination fee each, about five Igbo people, contributing to a party a whooping N50 million and at the end of the day General Buhari became the candidate when it was not on record that he even paid the nomination fee of

N10 million. So, it was this that prompted me to insist on founding a political party that will now take care of the structural imbalance and give an Igbo man a chance to contest and test his opportunity in Nigeria. I made three attempts in 1996, 1998 and 2002. It was the 2002 effort that yielded the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The other two efforts failed. Some people thought I just wrote a love letter to the INEC and got a party. Many didn’t know that this was a painstaking effort that took me seven good years to actualize. And when it was actualized, that was how Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu was able to fly a presidential flag in this country and we thought we were going to consolidate on that and make a better show of it by 2007. Behold, less than two years after the party emerged there was a crisis of leadership. There was a coup de’tat. The crisis came up in 2004 out of greed, out of no justifiable reason. Nothing in two years would have warranted what had happened. And here we are. We lost control until the new party God has used me to float again to give an Igbo presidential candidate a chance of even contesting. When we contest, the chance of winning exists. We cannot of course, win all by ourselves without others. So the primary thing is actually to have a candidate and the second one is to win. And I can assure you that if the candidate is there, victory is possible. Name of the party The new party is the United Progressives Party (UPP) and the symbol is the head of tiger. There are over 52 political parties already in •Okorie existence in Nigeria and some of these parties But that one position that does not control have been swallowed up by the mega parties thinking more for a bigger picture and also thought about being a man (Ojukwu) that any budget that does not control any real like the PDP and others. How are you sure symbolized the struggle of our people that it power per se became the target of those who that yours will not be easily swallowed? About swallowing, that one is totally out of was the jinx that needed to be broken because were brought into the party, the major benefithe question. I know there is a challenge but I the first time he aspired to be president, some- ciaries of my sweat. That was what brought cannot take it as a child’s play. We know there one, a military head of State, who aspired to be about the crisis. And all manner of allegations is a work to be done. Having said that, one democratically elected head of State locked that can never be substantiated up till today thing that is genuine about our party our sell- him (Ojukwu) up for ten months. Nigerians were used to destroy that party and taking the ing point is that it is the only political party that have forgotten that Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu people many years backward. is not being controlled by any cabal. It was was detained for ten months for doing nothPromises of the new party also the selling point of the APGA, unfortu- ing, just that he wanted to run for presidency For the new party on board, because of the and after ten months he (the military aspirant) nately when it took off what happened was goodwill, because of the dues I have paid, hijack. But at the onset there was no money – opened the gate of detention without apology because of the leadership I believe many can and without charging him for any offence. bag and it became party of the masses. trust, we are going to hit the ground running. So because I know all of this, I said that that What we have floated now is not a mere If we enter the election and fail to deliver, political party; it is a movement, a movement jinx must be broken and he must run for the we will return the certificate to the INEC the highest office in the country where he was that represents more than mere contesting an way I returned that of the APGA. We need not election. It is a platform for national reconcil- given unconditional pardon. I did that and I to be told to do so because I don’t see how a was not looking at myself. People have foriation, a platform for national re-integration, a non-performing party will continue to exist. gotten that sacrifice that I made. platform for negotiation or dialogue. This is to tell you how prepared we are and our And I made the party available for people So it is a movement. Without also being people should wait for the miracle of 2015 who wanted to contest for anything so that immodest I have paid my dues among Igbo even beginning with Anambra 2014. That is people of Nigeria. I can claim without any nobody would say that it was my personal not too much of an ambition. Our starting ambition that was a stumbling block to actualcontradiction to be the most consistent politipoint is to sweep the entire South Eastern cian in this part of the world. For the number izing his. All I needed was to be the chairman States. 2014 is already taken. Anambra State of the party and nurture the party for posterity of years I have been in politics, I have not been jumping from one place to another and I have because I was looking at a party that will out- is already a sure State for UPP. If anybody is challenging that, let him come forward. never gone for where it is soft. I have mission live all of us. and vision. I could have been the presidential candidate of the APGA without any difficulty “We lost control until the new party God has used at all and late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu would me to float again to give an Igbo presidential can not have received the political rehabilitation didate a chance of even contesting. When we contest, the chance of winthat he received through APGA. But I was ning exists. We cannot of course, win all by ourselves without others.”

Thursday, September 6, 2012 DAILY SUN

POLITICS...&Polity A foundation member of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Transition Committee Chairman of Njikoka council area, Hon Onyeibe Dazza Udeozo has diagnosed the problem of the party and concluded that it was nothing short of absence of internal democracy, insisting that the only remedy will be restructuring. He spoke on other issues of national importance with DAVID ONWUCHEKWA. Excerpts: Original vision of APGA hen we founded APGA, under the leadership of Chief Chekwas Okorie and guidance of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, our vision was to found an all-embracing Igbo party that would go beyond Igbo land and accommodate people from all parts of the country. Today, due to selfishness of some of the members, from the highest quarters, the party is not growing as it should. This informs the universal call for the restructuring of the party, which I support. It is not good for the party to revolve around one person. How can one person be the Chairman, the spokesperson, the publicity Secretary, everything? Our Board of Trustees is supposed to be made up of 24 members, but right now it has only one member. Who are the members of the National Working Committee and what is their pedigree. For us to be a strong party, we must have quality Igbos in the party to make it attractive to others from other parts of the country. This is what we mean by restructuring. It is aimed at making the party responsive to the needs of the time and not cocooned in the body of one person. Roles in APGA and different claims So many people contributed. Even myself, I contributed in my own little way. But the story of APGA will not be complete without Dim-Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Chief Chekwas Okorie and Governor Peter Obi. These are the tripod of APGA and cannot be changed by sophistry. How they contributed Ojukwu was easily the moving spirit behind it; Chekwas Okorie was an engine Ojukwu drove, while Peter Obi could be likened to the fuel, because he was the sole sponsor of APGA till a few disgruntled elements started to rebel against him for reasons that easily border on selfishness. Chief Victor Umeh’s role Yes, Chief Umeh was a foundation member, but not part of the inner caucus that took decisions. Just as I said that I contributed to the formation of APGA, he contributed too. He used to be in the PDP. He became prominent when Mr Peter Obi insisted he should become the Chairman after the initial problems with Chekwas. So, actually, it was the Governor that made him the Chairman. Obi’s part Yes, Ojukwu drove the engine that was Chekwas. Without fuel, no matter how experienced a driver is, the vehicle will not move. Obi provided the funding that made APGA to take off. One example is the fact that he paid for the office of APGA in Anambra State and provided other logistics. He provided his House at Abuja for use as Abuja office. He did so many things for APGA. In fact, in 2002, he paid for the overseas trip of APGA officials, including Chief Victor Umeh, to attend World Igbo Congress Convention at Houston, Texas, which was actually the first overseas trip by most of them. I remembered I missed the trip because we were not considered among the first 11 at that time. Your view about Umeh’s and Obi’s position in APGA I will be more comfortable speaking on APGA and politics generally rather than concentrating on personalities. Problem in APGA revolving around personalities (Cuts in) I can assure you that 99% of what Victor Umeh says today are falsehood and he himself knows that. Two people that made Obi in APGA are Chief Chekwas Okorie and Maxim Okwu. At that time Umeh was just a

Inside story of the APGA crisis, by Udeozo struggling man fresh from his work as a Personal Assistant to Chief Joseph Okonkwo (Ofiadulu), a popular politician and Treasurer of the PDP as Afiadulu’s candidate. The claim by Umeh that he introduced Peter Obi to APGA is a ruse. We are insiders, we knew what happened. That he was part of the meeting where certain things were done is not enough to claim I did this or I did that as he presently does. The problem with some people is that they easily forget where they are coming from and the lesson for all of us in this is that sudden wealth and power corrupts and make us to see ourselves as tin gods. As an insider, I can tell you that Obi did not know Victor Umeh from Adam, their paths did not cross until Mr. Alfred Nwosu, a refined gentleman, introduced him to Obi. In turn, Obi introduced him to his wealthy friends. Today, laughable though, he even claims he was the one who introduced Obi to them, people like Okey Ezeibe and Emma Bishop Okonkwo. Chief Umeh as one who made Obi I also heard him say that on a popular television station. Well, that is another episode in the understanding of human nature. As at the time Obi came to contest the governorship election, Victor Umeh was the Personal Assistant to Chief Joseph Okonkwo (Ofiadulu). At that time, Obi was already a Director/Chairman of many companies, including either three or four Banks. At that time he had houses even in London. Was it not after he became the Chairman of APGA that he moved from the flat paid for him by Offiadulu at Anam Street to one of the best mansions in the East? Was it not the same Offidulu that bought his first car for him and subsequently the Governor bought the second one. If he wants to tell lies, he should tell believable ones. Those of us in APGA are forced to remember all these because of the man’s total lack of respect for the Governor. Even if not for politics, Obi is far in a different class from Chief Victor Umeh. He must be told now that we are no longer ready to tolerate his lack of respect for the office of the Governor of Anambra State. In all circumstances, there is still minimum standard of decency we must not go beyond.

•Udeozo

To tell you what Victor was in 2003, he was one of those, including myself, recruited and paid by Chief Nwobu Alor, Obi’s Campaign Manager as Obi’s agent in 2003 election. We cannot sustain APGA through deliberate campaign of calumny against Obi because somebody is jealous of his rising political profile. There are certain things among us that are difficult to understand. Today Obi is celebrated in Nigeria and even internationally, all what some of his people do is to try and belittle him. This is tragic and unfortunate. In saner places, APGA will continue to hold him up as our face. How can Victor Umeh substantiate most of his claims in the light of the truth? How can he brag that he introduced Obi to the Church, when Obi’s immediate elder sister is a Rev. Sister and immediate younger brother a Rev. Father? I have heard him say “I did this, I did that”; this is a sign of acute ego problem. If there are people who should talk in such a manner, it is Chekwas Okorie, Dim Chukwuemka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Maxi Okwu. Chekwas set the committee that chose Peter Obi as APGA candidate, while Maxi Okwu headed the committee. I recall when he was reading his report he said Obi was chosen because of his financial capacity and his rich pedigree and history of uncommon integrity and humility. Chief Umeh’s losses because of Obi I laughed when he said he rejected being appointed as a Commissioner because he was fighting for Obi. Who offered him that? It is easy to claim anything. Why did he not make it public to us during the struggle? If Obi says he was offered a Ministerial post or the money he spent in election to be given back to him for him to stop his tribunal case against Ngige, one will easily believe him because he told us when all those offers were made and why he rejected them all. For somebody to now start telling us offers he alone was privy to is suspect. Let me take this opportunity to say it is an insult for Umeh to remind us that we have not benefitted from Obi. When he was building his mansion and acquiring property everywhere, both within and outside the country,

“Ojukwu was easily the moving spirit behind it; Chekwas Okorie was an engine Ojukwu drove, while Peter Obi could be likened to

the fuel, because he was the sole sponsor of APGA till a few disgruntled elements started to rebel against him for reasons that easily border on selfishness.”

why did he not remind us then? What he is doing is like an oval shaped man, with cheeks as plump as that of bulldog, teaching us the virtues of mortification. His claim on Obi’s coming back to power I would prefer other questions to this Umeh this, Umeh that. If you listened to him closely and study what he did during the impeachment, you will conclude that he cannot be entirely removed former from it. We were all there. I was close to the Deputy Governor Dame Virgy Etiaba. Within two months of Etiaba as Governor, he gave Prado Jeep and huge sums of money to Chief Victor Umeh and awarded some contracts Umeh knew about. Because of this, Umeh told everybody that Obi’s 6 months was a disaster, because of what he gained from Etiaba in one month were bigger than what he gained from Obi in 6 months. I am talking of personal gain. It is not enough to say he brought Obi back from impeachment, let him tell us how many times he visited him during the impeachment if he sympathized with him. He confided in some of those that visited him during the impeachment, that time was up for Obi, simply because of a jeep, some cash and contracts he was aware of. He was every inch against Obi but when Obi came back, he started dancing at the centre stage, pretending to have single handedly resolved the impeachment. If Obi were like others, he would long have distanced himself from people like him. In fact, I read his tribute to Ojukwu and saw how he claimed that he was instrumental to Obi coming to Government House on the day he won impeachment case to take over. This was far from the truth. As soon as victory was secured, Umeh advised Obi’s supporters to stay in Enugu and wait for him and Ojukwu, who were at the House of late Clement Akpangbo on condolence. It was Ojukwu who, when told of the tribunal’s ruling said Obi should take over immediately, urged him to come straight to Government House, but Umeh would always want to ascribe all noble deeds to himself and himself alone. Umeh championing Obi’s second tenure Let me be frank with you. Governor Obi is not a conventional politician, he would not use state’s money to settle politicians. All of us, including Victor and I were against him. Nobody, but only Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu wanted him for a second tenure. After everything, mostly falsehoods people would tell Ojukwu against him, he would always keep saying that Peter should be supported for being an uncommon politician. Ojukwu was about the only person that wanted him because he was truly serving the people, others did not want him because he was not serving them. Clearly, Umeh was against Obi coming back for a second tenure. It was only through Obi’s personal intervention through the then President, Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua that saved the situation. Prof. Maurice Iwu is still alive today, he can attest to that. In fact Obi’s nomination form was signed by Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu.

28, DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity Bitrus Kaze is the member representing Jos South/East Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives. In this eye-revealing interview with FRED ITUA, he takes an indepth journey into the origin of the endemic crisis rocking Jos. For Bitrus, the solution to the Jos crisis rests solely with the Federal Government. He also refuted the claims that Governor Jonah Jang is responsible for the crisis rocking the state. Excerpts: Origin of the Jos crisis have maintained that there are two sides to the Jos crisis issue. There is the remote and there is the immediate cause. The remote cause is historic and religious. Even before the colonial masters came, Jos and the Plateau area were subjected to jihadist wars. Wars by people who wanted to expand the Islamic territory. In the days of old, our parents never fell to it. I have always repeated loudly and clear that late Ahmedu Bello stated in his record that among the kingdoms that didn’t fall under Usman Danfodio era is the Kingdoms of the peoples of Plateau and Borno. That is the remote part. But of the immediate part is because of the pressure and freedom of movements, people came to Jos. It has the first airport in West Africa. So, Jos became a hub of interaction between people. Before you know it, people started agitating that they founded Jos. They said they wanted to have a rival traditional chief for Jos. That became a very hot debated matter. In the New Nigeria Newspaper of 1987, a prominent Hausa-Fulani man, Alhaji Sale Alhassan, addressed a youth gathering in Jos and told them that Jos belonged to the HausaFulani. He told them to rise up, fight and take over Jos. According to a panel report of 1994, that inflammatory statement was the seed of discord sown in Jos. I tell you every other crisis that has followed, is because of that seed of discord. Religious or political crisis I don’t agree when people pretend that religion is not a key player in the Jos crisis. In fact, religion is in the forefront. What drives the passion of the war? Its religion. Like I told you, jihadis are Islamic expansionist wars. It is purely religious. Just to force people to become Muslims. From that background, it is purely religious. I quoted Alhaji Sale Alhassan who made a statement that the youths must rise up and fight. Based on that statement, you would hear repeatedly the Hausas-Fulanis saying because they are Muslims, they are not wanted by the majority who are Christians in Jos. That is just whapped sentiments largely by Muslims from the far north. When people talk about indigeneship and non-indigeneship dichotomy that means we are just playing games with the matter. Religion is at the centre. Eviction notice of Fulanis in part of Jos by the JTF There was a time when strange Fulanis were noticed in Wase, Jos. The Plateau State government asked that they be moved out. Fulanis walk on foot with their cows. But these Fulanis came with trailers from God knows where. It generated a security alarm in Wase and government had to move them out. There was a huge cry especially by Muslims from the far north that Governor Jonah Jang didn’t want the Fulanis. That is one instance. In Niger State, there was an Islamic Sect. Governor Muazu noticed were becoming a security threat. He asked for the support of the Federal Government and moved them out. I can’t recall that anybody complained. There was yet another sect in Niger State and the state governor asked them out. Nobody complained. There was crisis in Benue State and a large number of Fulanis moved to Cross River State to the extent the communities where they moved to came out and cried. The governor ordered that the Fulanis be taken back to wherever they came from. Nobody complained. In Yobe State, there was a strange movement of Fulanis. I think

Jos crisis is religious –Rep I don’t agree when people pretend that religion is not a key player in the Jos crisis. In fact, religion is

in the forefront. What drives the passion of the war? Its religion. Like I told you, jihadists are Islamic expansionist wars. the deceased governor of the state asked that they be moved out and nobody complained. In this case, this was not the governor. This is a military commander who came out and said the Fulanis are terrorists. The Fulani settlers refused to move and before you knew it, the entire north said there was something about it. Why didn’t they complain in the case of Niger, Benue, Cross River and Yobe States? Some of these issues that you hear are largely people who cash in on the situation to make their political gains. General Jerry Useni (Rted) accusation of Governor Jang being responsible for some of the crisis in Jos. First, you need to sympathise with General Useni. I am sorry to use the word ‘old man’ who wanted to reinvent his political will to my come back to the scheme of things in Abuja as a Senator. He was defeated in the polls. General Useni holds a serious grudge against Governor Jang believing that he assisted Senator Victor Lar in defeating him. Victor Lar and Governor Jang belong to the PDP and have to work together. He came from the background of an aggrieved person. Apart from that, if Governor Jang is the prob-

lem, was he not around when Alhaji Sale made that statement in 1987? The first recent crisis in the state occurred in 1994. Was Jang the governor then? The one that happened three days before the September 11, 2001 attack in the United States of America, was Jang the governor then? Another happened in 2004, was he the governor then? The way they are blaming Governor Jang, they also blamed Dariye too when he was there. This issue of referring to Governor Jang as the person behind the problem is the maximum hatred and grudge manifesting itself in a frustrated politician. The federal and state government efforts to put an end to this bloodshed I have repeatedly said it that the Federal Government has been a woeful disappointment and I have explained why. The Federal Government has tried all it can to force itself even against the laid down rules and procedures. I can show you some examples. When a crisis happened sometimes ago in 2008, government came out and set up a commission to look at the immediate and remote causes of it. The Plateau Government went to court and the court ruled that the Federal

•Kaze Government cannot. Sensing that the Plateau State Government will win, the Federal Government immediately changed terms of reference. The question arises on why the Federal Government is interested in investigating a local crisis. Secondly, during that same crisis, the wife of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and the then Chief of Army Staff came to Jos, went to certain northern Muslims communities and didn’t even care to visit non-Muslim communities. They didn’t even visit the Plateau Government House. Thirdly, anytime there is a crisis and arrest in Jos, the Federal Government claims that the state cannot prosecute terrorists. They take over the criminals, bring them to Abuja and free them eventually.

Kogi not terrorists’ haven –Hon Aduojo, PDP chieftain Condemnation has continued to trail the spate of killings and destructions in the northern part of the country, especially the recent shooting of worshippers in Otite area of Okene Kogi state, by the Boko Haram sect which left no less than 20 persons dead Agi Jerome Aduojo, president Ojone foundation and Chieftain of the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Omala Local Government Area, while condemning the attack, stated that the People of Kogi State are not terrorists as some people are insinuating. He admitted that some Okene youths have continually unleashed violence in the area which has given a bad image to the state. According to him, the law enforcement agencies should intensify efforts to combat this lingering instability. He speaks on other issues to DICKSON OKAFOR

•Aduojo

Excerpts: Solution to recurring communal clashes ogi State has been engulfed in endless communal clashes. I blame Okene people for believing that the best way to address issues is through violence. All the violent clashes in the state are mostly instigated by the Igbira against their neighbours, but that does not mean that they are responsible for serial attacks on churches and prisons in the state. Bombing of Christian Worship Centres is not peculiar to Kogi State. The entire North is engulfed in the menace. It’s very unfortunate that most of these miscreants are not from Kogi State. But the fact remains that few misguided Igbira people are the ones tarnishing the image of the good people of Kogi State. That is why violence within the Okene axis is rampant. They encroach into the Yoruba -speaking area and very often you see them coming to my side, Igala speaking area, even to Anpka. I am calling on the Igbira leaders and the state government to find lasting solution to restiveness in the area. killings and destruction have been going on in Okene. There was a time some Igbira youths blocked the highway and killed innocent people, which led to banning of Igbira cultural activities by the state government. Just few of them are giving the good people of the state a bad name. I pray their elders find a lasting solution to this inhuman act. Sometime ago bomb manufacturing factories were uncovered in Christian and Muslim Worship centres. Attack on Deeper Life Bible Church That is not what I mean. What I am saying is that restiveness in Okene axis might have given the Boko Haram sect a leeway to

invade the state. The insurgence of Boko Haram started in Borno State following the extra-judicial killing of its founder Mohammed Yusuf, in police custody. Since then, killings and destructions have spread to other parts of the North as peace initiative by former president Olusegun Obasanjo suffered a set back leading to the killing of Babakura Fugu. Thus, the only opening for dialogue with Boko Haram, was blocked. I strongly disagree that Kogi state is terrorists haven simply because there was a jail break and the recent attack on the Deeper Life Church. Insecurity is a national problem The process of finding a lasting peace must continue. Innocent souls have been lost. It is more worrisome because the sect targets churches with the intention to create religious war. My take is that Boko Haram sect took advantage of continued communal clashes in the state to unleash terror. The state government is on top of the situation as some arrests have been made. Options for Mr President I consider that a mere threat amounts to nothing. The pronouncement should spur the security agencies to track down the sect because it is an insult on the Nigerian people for the sect to ask Mr. President to deny his faith or resign. That is arrant nonsense. To me, Boko Haram has just declared war against peace by asking Mr. President to be converted, or resign.

I strongly disagree that Kogi state is terrorists haven simply because there was a jail break and the recent

attack on the Deeper Life Church.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012 By KAYODE AKINMADE

he Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, will today in Naples, Italy, be decorated by the United Nations as the winner of its 2012 Habitat Scroll of Honour award during the 6th edition of the World Urban Forum, in recognition of his contributions to sustainable human settlement development in Ondo State. The awards are organised by the UN-Habitat, the government of Italy, the Campania Region and City of Naples and the winners were, in the tradition of the UN, selected from across the world by an international jury of development experts on human settlements and urban development. In selecting the 2012 winners of the award, the jury looked for achievements and best practices in innovation, impact and sustainability in key human settlement development areas related to this year’s theme for the World Habitat Day which is Changing Cities, Building Opportunities. Themed “The Urban Future”, the 2012 event is unique, with over 5,000 participants from 114 countries already registered for the premier conference on cities and urban issues. In the context of the fact that the Abiye health programme of the Ondo State government has already been adopted by the World Bank as the benchmark for mother and child health in Africa, the new award reinforces the fact of the Mimiko administration being a global brand, setting benchmarks for the African continent in different sectors of the economy. In the letter announcing Dr Mimiko as the winner of the award, the coordinator of the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour, Ana B Moreno, said the choice of the governor was the unanimous decision of an international jury. In her words: “ Dr Mimiko was selected among many nominees for the most coveted award in the human settlement sector. The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour is the most prestigious human settlement award in the world which aims to acknowledge initiatives which have made outstanding contributions in various fields such as shelter provision, leadership in developing and improving the human settlements and general enhancement in overall quality of urban life. “As part of guidelines for submission of nominations for the award, a maximum of five wining initiatives were selected from all over the world. The World Urban Forum is a bi-annual conference of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in partnership with national, regional and city governments to examine critical issues facing the world today in the areas of urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies.’’ Because of the stringent criteria around which the awards are woven, there are only two winners, this year, on the entire African continent, namely the Mayor of Harare and Dr Mimiko .The World Urban Forum is a bi-annual conference of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in partnership with national, regional and city governments to examine critical issues facing the world today in the areas of urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies. The conference is usually an assemblage of governments, global experts in urban development, professionals in the built environment, development partners, stakeholders and critical interest groups. The 5th edition of the global conference was held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 2010. More than 10,000 participants attended the event including heads of governments. In Dr Mimiko’s overall conceptualisation of environmental recreation, the environment targets the ambi-

As UN honours Mimiko today... tious goal of redesigning the mind so that what the government calls the three geometries –the humans, the plants and the non-living environment—-will form a balance. In building world class motor parks with greenery for members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW),a population hitherto considered a park of touts fit only for the ghetto life, the government conceptualises the plants as indoctrinating the people on how to re-culture, redesign and reposition themselves and, of course, the human beings now are taking to the dictates of the environment. This greenery inhabits a space where the much maligned motor park population now become transport executives sitting in comfortable offices equipped with state-of-the-art furniture, communication gadgets and digital television services. Thus, at the ultramodern motor park in the state, you find an arrival/departure lounge recalling the airport experience, a ticketing office, modern lock-up shops and, of course, the energising green area. Coming to such an environment, then, necessarily predisposes that you will be forced to re-culture and reposition yourself, almost as a matter of self image and prestige, as you would want to be a valuable human addition to the majestic environment rather than a mere destroyer. Indeed, given the total, holistic coverage of environmental/governmental issues as projected by the Ondo State government, the current award is only the gateway to greater recognition in the foreseeable future. Noted for creating ultramodern neighbourhood markets out of slums, the Ondo State government also has the distinction of being the only government in the

•Mimiko world with a zero-cost philosophy. How does this project operate? The government builds a world class environment for the hitherto marginalised populace at no cost to them except a token that is required to maintain the facilities, managed by the representatives that they themselves have democratically elected, in partnership with the state government. Thus, in the neighbourhood markets which the state government has vowed that it will not stop building in the face of the relentless calumny by criminal-minded elements who aim to arrest the social revaluation and elevation of the downtrodden, commercialise the

application. Although the Mimiko government has won countless awards in the health sector, it is in the education sector that the message of revolutionary governance really lies, and it is here that the government is, happily, hoping to make the largest impact. Straight from their street, school children are being taken to school in luxury buses. The bus stop, masterfully designed and painted in the state’s orange colours, teach valuable lesson in cleanliness and orderliness, lessons which the children are supposed to imbibe naturally.One can, of course, not fail to mention the government’s impact on the agricultural sector. The Mimiko government set up three agro-business districts in the state, at Ore, Auga and Epe. In another unique conceptualisation, the farmers are drawn from the unemployed graduates population and given ultramodern equipment to work with, in a realistic attempt to encourage urbanrural migration and develop the hinterland. Dr Mimiko’s list of awards is intimidating. He has been honoured by the National Association of Nigerian Students, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists as Governor of the Year. He was the Nigerian Tribune’s Governor of the Year in 2012; while also clinching the Zik Prize for leadership and good governance. Last November, Mimiko won the Best Governor of the Year Award, courtesy of Ben TV, based in London. The Iroko was decorated, in the same month, as a Honourary Fellow of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. President of the society, Dr. Tinuola Abiola-Oshodi, told the governor: “Our society counts you worthy of this prestigious award as a result of your valuable contributions to safe motherhood in Nigeria.” Still in November, Radio Nigeria, Ibadan honoured the Ondo State governor with the “Achiever of Our Time” award.The list is endless and there is more to come. Obviously.

facilities and share the proceeds to fund a corrupt lifestyle, you will find crèches, fire stations, police stations, modern restroom facilities, and a fully equipped office for the manager who, despite her lower status as probably an uneducated trader, is enjoying a taste of the good life. As has been noted by many eminent writers, the N50 per week fee paid by the market women is only for the maintenance of the facility to ensure sustainability. Another unique contribution of the Mimiko administration is the conceptualisation of education as a tool not only for urban renewal but also for social leveraging, for class revolution and as a compulsory, free and world standard facility. The ongoing mega schools project, which is without a parallel anywhere in the world, fits classically into this design. Equipped with worldclass facilities, the schools are open to all, including the children of the bricklayer and the plumber; the market woman and the university professor, so that the credo that all human beings •Akinmade is Commissioner of are created equal is given a practical Information in Ondo State

Celebrating Wahab Kunle Shittu at 50 By BUSAYO ADEBIYI

n September 6, 1962, in far away Ghana, a Nigerian family from Offa in present Kwara State gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. Pa Arojobe Olaiya Shittu and his wife, Rafatu Ebeloku Asunke, named this heavenly blessing AbdulWahab Adekunle. With the father an unlettered vulcanizer and the mother a petty trader, the early days were not so smooth, especially with the loss of his caring mother at age 10 in 1972, but the young Wahab weathered the storm. He was raised in an atmosphere of openness and was also given right to express himself unfettered by his parents. According to him, “I was also taught by them to appreciate issues and events around me as they affect humanity. So, all what I am doing now; my concern for humanity, my desire to fight for others, my abhorrence for cheating in all forms and corruption practices, as well as my desire to contribute my welfare to others, are all elements that emanated from the training and background I received from my parents.” In 1969 Wahab and his parents relocated back to Nigeria. Although Wahab’s father being an Islamic cleric himself wanted the young boy to tread his path of Islamic scholarship, fate had other plans for him. He started Arabic education alright, but that did not stop him from going to formal school for western education. In 1970 after returning

from Ghana, he was taken to Kano by his elder brother who enrolled him at Ansar-ud-Deen Primary School, Sabon-Geri, Kano. At primary school, he was always on top. In those days when you had to finish primary school in class seven, Wahab sat for common entrance examination in primary five and passed. He finished primary school at age 13 in 1975 and proceeded to Ansar ud Deen College, in his native Offa, finishing in 1981, with Grade One Distinction in his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams. He spent two years at the then Kwara State College of Technology before moving on to the prestigious University of Lagos, where he bagged law degree in 1986, finishing with second class honours (Upper Class). Between 1995-1996, Wahab was at the University of Lagos for his LL.M programme, finishing with distinction and emerging best postgraduate student. Not done, he enrolled for Master in Public Administration and International Affairs (MPIA) at the Faculty of Social Science of the University of Lagos, finishing in 2010, again passing with distinction. He is presently pursuing his doctorate degree in Law. Aside his calling as a lawyer and teacher, Shittu established a name for himself as a respected public commentator in Nigeria today. He is one of the leading analysts consulted by many media houses, both print and electronic. He also regularly writes opinion articles, which are published in many leading national newspapers.

He is the pioneer Editor Weekly Report of Nigeria (A collection of courts judgments), member Editorial Board of “The Nigerian Tax Journal” and Weekly Columnist on Legal Matters in the Compass Newspaper. Although Shittu won’t describe himself as a hardcore activist, he is nonetheless well known as one. Atanda Musa is probably Nigeria’s best known table tennis player of all time, but what many people will find shocking is that Wahab was once in the same team with the legendary Musa, Sunday Egbo and Gbenga Omotosho, the current editor of The Nation Newspaper; all in the national team. That shows Shittu’s class in the game of ping-pong. For over 20 years, he was actively involved in Table Tennis game and indeed the allowances he was making from the game were helpful in augmenting his income in his schooling days. One man Wahab will never fail to forget is that legal luminary and Nigeria’s great political activist, the late Chief AbdulGaniyu Oyesola Fawehimni. Gani was very instrumental to Wahab’s success and he never fails to express his admiration and gratitude to the Ondo born legal wizard. Like a father to his son, Gani mentored the young Wahab and he has not disappointed in following the footsteps of the legal icon. The late activist’s widow, Mrs Ganiyat Fawehinmi, describes him as a humble, hardworking and a man of sound integrity.

•Shittu Like the popular cliché goes, behind every successful man there is a woman. Behind the energetic and brilliant Shittu is one beautiful and lovely woman that played an important role in his life. Khadijat-Kuburah Ajoke Shittu has been the driving force in the success of this lawyer. With four boys and one girl, Wahab is a model for how to combine successful career with happy family. He is also very close to his extended family members and motivates a lot of them. As Wahab Kunle Shittu clocks 50, one can only pray for God’s continued favour. •Adebiyi writes from Ajah, Lagos

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

he Federal Government has concluded arrangements to provide another 3.5 million jobs through technical trainings even as it condemned the nation’s polythenics for the low industrial base of the country. The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, made the disclosure at the launching of the Timothy Adeola Odutola Foundation (TAOF), Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. He said the new jobs would be created through the one product initiative (OLOP) whose primary

FG to generate 3.5m jobs objective is to provide policy aimed at revitalizing rural communities through the development of local businesses based on comparative and competitive advantages. Aganga who was represented by a director in the ministry, Dr. Moses Adejumo, averred that pilot projects towards realizing the objectives had been completed in Kano and Niger states. He maintained that the inability of the nation’s polytechnics and technical

colleges to produce well skilled technical manpower has continued to be an albatross to the industrial growth of the country: “The polytechnics whose primary aim is to focus on engineering and applied science courses have not lived up to expectations in providing technical expertise, thus, increasing the level of umeployment and worsening the rate of capital flight.” He disclosed that due to the

gross inability of the polytechnics, oil and gas companies engage the services of foreign nationals mostly, Filipinos, to execute technical jobs such as welding. To stem the tide, Aganga said government would redesign the nation’s educational system to give priority to develop occupational skills. The minister praised the late Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola for his foresight and doggedness while describing

the foundation as the right step in the right direction. Executive director of the foundation and former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Oluwafemi Bamiro, said the foundation would provide vocational and technical trainings in all fields with the sole purpose of improving technical and vocational education in the country: “This idea would help in reducing unemployment in our country and provide self

DAILY SUN

employed personel aside from boosting the technical needs in our technological sectors.” The event was graced by i the president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu, former group managing director of Odua Investments, Sir Remi Omotoso, Chief Subomi Balogun, Professor Francis Egbokhare, chairman, Consolidate Breweries, Professor Oyinade Otudola Olurin, Mrs. Oyeyimika Adebaye, Professor Akin Mabogunje and others from the industrial world.

New Oyo CP vows to run aground criminals From NGOZI NWUJARE, results at the end. I have warned all my officers espeIbadan cially the rank and file to shun he new Commissioner of corruption. I have started the Police, Oyo State, Mr. crusade and I told them my Mbu Joseph Mbu, has stand that corruption must be declared war against armed fought.” Mbu added that the black robbers in the state, vowing to free the state of criminals: spots on the Lagos/Ibadan Ibadan/Ife “I am calling all the good Expressway, people of Oyo State to be Expressway, Ibadan/Iwo Road ready to co-operate with us and those of other highways and provide us with good that have boundary the state information to enable us will be adequately patrolled: achieve our aims and objec“We are ready to have a 24tives. hour patrol to enable us “I have called all my DPOs, checkmate criminals in the area commanders and all rank state. I have ordered my men and file to wake up and be to embark on stop-and-search ready to fight criminals in the to enable us secure the state. I state. I have ordered my men have told my men to apply to be ready to face the chal- professionalism in their job. I lenges. We are ready to have a do not want any illegal duty by constant raiding of all the any police officer. I am totally black spots and will rout all against it. What I am expecting the criminals in the state. What from them is how to have matters most is to have good community policing and main-

tain good relationship with the public. I want the public to have confidence in police. “I have re-positioned my officers and I am expecting excellent performance from them. What I need from them is to prove themselves and ready to work. Discipline is very important in this job. I warned my officers that they should be well disciplined in the job. Everybody must be disciplined in this job. A discipline police officer is ready to work hard and prove himself that he can deliver on the job. The CP appealed to members of the public to co-operate with the police and give his men useful information that can assist them to fight criminals in the state: “I am sending a strong signal to the public to be careful with fraudsters. What we need from the public, when they see a strange face,

they should always alert the police and they should not put laws into their hands.” He said his men will soon start arresting owners of cars with tinted glasses, promising that those who does not have necessary paper permit will face the law: “I want to warn politicians and thugs that they should not put law into their hands rather, they should respect the law. My office is open and I am ready to listen to all complaints and give everybody freedom to express himself without molestation. “I am here to serve you and you should be ready to cooperate with me. I am calling on all the elders, statesman, market women, students and institutions to work together with us to achieve success in this state.” Mbu was once the Compol of Mobile Force at the Force headquarters, Abuja.

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

DAILY SUN

ARTS By DAMIETE BRAIDE

“W

hen we continue to allow the Yoruba language to die, the values and ideologies that we need to nurture our existence as descendants of Oduduwa will die as well.” Otunba Gani Adams, leader of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) made this known at the grand finale of the 2012 Osun/Osogbo Festival held in Osogbo, Osun State capital. According to the chief promoter of Yoruba culture: “No language is superior to another. I will be different on this to say that no language is superior in anything that is related to me. This is the same way I want Yoruba people to uphold the language irrespective of the language they have learnt to use,” he said. Adams also lamented the decline in the use of indigenous languages because culture holds the streams of all moral values in the society. “Language is one of the values that culture holds and my fear is that when a language becomes weak and unused, the ideas and philosophy of the culture also become weak and unused, thereby making the ideas and philosophy of that culture to disappear.” He adds that a language transmits the ideas of a culture just as the Osun Osogbo festival is the expression of an ideology that belongs to the Yoruba culture. “ The Yoruba language is very important in our lives because there are expressions we need to use. For example, we need the language to correct the behavioural patterns of our children, and this will be meaningless to the children if they don’t understand the language. In the end, we blame our children that they are not tutored but tutoring our children in our language is one of the best ways of correcting their misbehaviour in the society. In the same vein, the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori, represented and read Governor Rauf Arergbesola’s speech entitled Exploring the Benefits of Cultural

We won’t let Yoruba language die, say Osun devotees Tourism. “ The lack of cultural synergy had made it impossible for the nation to form national cultural symbols to which all the peoples of the country proudly and voluntarily subscribe. Said Laoye-Tomori, who affirmed that the aggressive promotion of tourism on a national scale can go a long way to mitigate this problem and help forge a pan-Nigerian cultural consensus upon which a national identity can then emerge. Aregbesola stated that it is against this background that government places a high premium on tourism, because government of the State of Osun believes that culture is the soul of a people as it brings them together, builds character, and encourages communal harmony and peace. While reiterating Osun Government’s plan to make the state a huge cauldron of tourism in the world through the promotion of festivals and culture of its people, the governor disclosed that since its inception, the state government has been working assiduously to ensure that the people’s cultural festivals are packaged and promoted in such a way as to put them on the world’s tourism map. “As a government, our vision is to develop a cultural tourism in the area where the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and the World Heritage Site are located. During the festival, a number of cultural troupes performed to the delight of the audience and got loud ovation from the crowd and received the blessings of HRM Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II, the Ataoja of

Arugba Osogbalnd. As usual, it was a forum for cultural promotion and brisk business as indigenes hawked various items ranging from fabrics and souvenors such as shirts, hats, beads, as well as jerry cans with which people fetched water from the Osun River. It is the belief of many devotees that the water has potency to free them from their troubles. Some of the guests from the Diaspora who dressed in traditional outfits also danced and

mingled with the indigenes. Women in white costumes with white chalks on their bodies prayed for people who went to meet them for prayers. The drummers also praised played the guests while others chanted the use of Oriki, thereby making visitors to part with money for the drummers. It was a Herculean task for security operatives because of the large turnout of people in ensuring that the festival was peaceful and orderly.

Borntroway…Showcasing talents for development the child grows up, he becomes By JIMOH RASAKI and UGOCHI When a problem to the community. But in EZENNADI the process, the hidden talents of the child are thrown away on the streets. ulture was again celebrated The initiator of “Born Troway”, Mr recently, as performing artistes Ade Bantu, also a member of the stormed the streets of Oshodi MTN Project Fame, said: “No man is in Lagos to showcase their talents. It an Island. God has put a potential into was an opportunity to remind resi- everyone but the only way for it to dents that everyone was born with a materialise, you need someone to golden talent and that every man develop it. So, investing in humans is must display these talents before not a wasted effort.” they are recognised in the society. “So, the project goes to as far as The event, which featured contem- communities that are marginalised and porary Nigerian music and dance, was considered waste communities, to also seen as a way of building a better bring up these children, who have talfuture for the younger generation of ents to make the country a better place Nigerians. in the future.” The event, which was entitled Meanwhile, the youths who were BornTroway, provided an African set- clothed in white shirts with black jeans ting where a child is sent out of the introduced the event with a mime home and not given proper education showcasing the early morning activi-

Artistes displaying at Oshodi By NKECHI CHIMA-ONYELE

t was a great outing for Ifeanyi Chukwu, a young writer, who recently launched a book on HIV/AIDS, titled The Pathfinder. Chukwu is a motivational speaker, researcher, evangelist and teacher of the word of God. Speaking at the launch, chairperson of the event, Joyce Oduah, commended Chukwu for his inspiring work. She said by the effort, he had demonstrated that he was a young, aspiring man of vision. She said: “The book is written to bring out the best in our youths. It is hoped that it will take the author to the highest level in life. By this effort, in fact, I am looking forward to the day he (Chukwu) will be addressing our Nigerian youths at the National Stadium because he has shown that he has not just knowledge but a gift.” She, therefore, recommended it to all and sundry, stating that “it is particularly a must read for our Nigerian youths. As you go through the book, God will make you a pathfinder in every aspect of your life.” The book reviewer was Rev.F.O.

New book on marriage, HIV/AIDS Olowosilewho, who doubled as the representative of the vicar of All Saints Anglican Church, Ikosi, Lagos, Ven. S.O. Feyemisin. He said the book presents the value of sexual purity and the dangers of HIV/AIDS, warning the youths to avoid being victims of the pandemic. He enjoined them to abstain from premarital sex so as to avoid contracting the disease. He reminded young women to flee from premarital sex so as avoid unwanted pregnancy. Chukwu is his comments at the event, advised the youths to preserve themselves until they were set to marry and harvest the fruits of a blissful marriage. He described the youthful age as a period of investment in the life of young person and therefore urged them to make haste so as to full realise their potentials rather than engage in immoral acts that might lead them to eternal regret. He also discouraged polygamy in the society stating that it could be a dangerous practice.

Chukwu noted that marriage is a partnership which if well entered into, could remove the burden of loneliness just as it is capable of turning the youths away from sinful acts. He added that “when we marry like the Bible says, we obtain favour from God.” While commenting on the subject of the book, he asked: “Is sex evil? You can find out after reading this book. When you have sex, you are exchanging and depositing something in the body of your partner; sex is for a purpose and must not be abused by the youths.” He said failure to heed the warning would make the youths face the penalty and advised parents to stop luring their children into sex because the virginity of a woman is a priceless gift. He condemned illicit sex before and after marriage and called on childless couples not to indulge in sex outside marriage but offer themselves to God in prayers for the fruit of the womb rather engage in sinful acts.

ties in Lagos. The sweeping was done by the female girls with brooms thus checking the chaotic traffic situation in Lagos. This was immediately followed by a rap about the Oshodi scenery with its hustle and bustle phenomenon in a song titled, I am not what you see the performance saw a synchronization of voices, followed by a drama presentation, in which Blessing Ochoa narrated her love story with a guy she met in her university days (Femi) but who left her when she was pregnant for him. In the play, Femi who came from a wealthy family background was introduced to a cult member called Scorpion an d this marked the bringing of his misfortune, as the young talented boy missed the opportunity to develop himself and his country through good education During the show, the need to keep to healthy life was showcased by youths who started the early morning sanitation, with the aim of cleaning the dirty environment and mosquitoes infested areas which would be the best way to keep Oshodi clean. They also swept the environment and made use of the mosquitoes net. The event was also coordinated in Igbo, Yoruba and English language, BornTroway is a creative art training initiative that is aimed at providing individual self- confidence, selfexpression, teamwork and integration of youths from the age of 15- 25. William Steven, who is also a trainee of the borntroway project sees the project as a platform that brought out creativity in him. He was not aware he possessed any potential that can motivate younger people who are growing up.

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

ARTS

Author seeks end to women’s travails By WOLE BALOGUN

neamaka Mojekwu-Chikezie’s insightful book, African Women Sentenced by Tradition, x-rays certain aspects of African traditions and cultural practices that subject women to the vices of oppression, discrimination and inequality. It also lists solutions to the challenges posed by such vices aside from advocating African women’s total liberation through reforms in legal systems, politics, and gender-friendly social ethics and behaviours. The author’s ideas formed the kernel of extensive discourse by eminent Nigerians during the recent launch of the book at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos. The ceremony, which was well attended by Nigerians, equally marked a turning point for the author in her agitation for women’s rights. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was represented by Otunba (Mrs.) Yetunde Arobieke of the Lagos Island LGA, described the book as a valuable contribution to the cause of liberating African women. She explained: ‘Collectively, women can make a lot of things work. For so long, tradition has placed women at the same level with men but men changed it. We can rise to say that we are not created to be subjugated. God created women because of the inadequacies of men. The innovation and capacity of women have to parley with men’s in doing things. Women should think beyond money and look at the future. We need to mentally work towards the gender empowerment that is being canvassed all over the world.” While reviewing the book, Ada Agina-Ude said: “Over all, Nneamaka’s primary message in African Women Sentenced by Tradition is that gender equality requires redistribution of power and resources because equity and justice must go beyond equality of opportunity. It is for the author, a platform to call for change of attitude and total reform of the governance and social structures for gender equality. She asserts that policies and practices must take cognizance of the fact that women and men have different needs, different preferences and interests, and that to achieve equality of outcome in development may necessitate different treatments for men and women.” Also Sir Earnest Elochukwu, guest speaker at the occasion and a cousin of the author, hinted that Mojekwu-Chikezie’s book is a great contribution to the cause of empowering and liberating the African women folk from the shackles of harmful traditional practices. He believes the book is exceptional in highlighting the subjugation of women which is a global phenomenon. He stressed further that African situation has been aggravated by illiteracy and general backwardness., adding ‘We therefore proffer increased awareness and mentoring of women on their rights, special attention to girl child education as well as change in attitude of women towards themselves in areas of politics, economy among others as solutions to women problems.”

Chief launcher of the book, Chief Chris Ayankora who was represented by Chief Goodnews Ugochi, also noted that the book gives honour to the Africa women, hence it (the book) should be renamed Africa women Honoured by Tradition. Accord to himing, the launching ceremony marked a special day for women and a great honour for the womenfolk, as through the book, ‘The womenfolk have been blessed. Whoever does not bless them is living in the past.’ Chief Sylvia. O. Ebikwe, who chaired the occasion, also said the book would make women become conscious of their power, while Hon. Adetoun Adediran who represented the author’s women association in Lagos, praised the book as a valuable contribution to knowledge. She said the book is truly an eyeopener to the Africa women on the need for them to develop attitudes that would make them relevant in the scheme of things. Her words “Women need to rise up to the challenge posed by traditions, challenges of discrimination, inequalities and oppression in all spheres. For, instance, they should be economically, politically empowered to be come relevant.” Adediran said. Others who also presented the book with generous donations include Nnewi people, Chief Oliver Akubueze president Ohaneze, Lagos, Sir Earnest Elochukwu, Engr. Savage, Dr. (Mrs). Amala, National secretary, Young Women Christian

Nollywood opens lecture series for Nigerian varsities

Association, Police Community Relations Committee, Alhaji A.Y Adesanya Mr. Joseph Okonkwo and representatives of Nnewi-chi Women family meeting, Lagos. Ozi bosco, the five-year old up and coming artiste performed to the delight of those present.

Harvest of books at Ibadan scholar, playwright, newspaper columnist and former Head of Department of Theatre Arts, Dr. Matthew Umukoro, at the University of Ibadan, on Friday, August 31, launched four books to the public. The books: The State of the Nation; The Performing Artist in the Academia; The Art of Scholarship and the Scholarship of Art and Obi and Clara (a play), cover the author’s literary and scholarly careers. The first book, The State of the Nation, is a compilation of Umukoro’s 40 insightful articles in The Guardian and Daily Sun between 2006 and 2011, while the second and third books respectively reflect his robust knowledge of the theatre profession. The last book is one of his many creative works and an adaptation of Professor Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, No Longer at Ease, to which Achebe himself has written a letter of commendation. All the books will be launched at the Pope John Paul II Centre (Opposite the UI Bookshop) beginning from 2.30 pm on Friday, August 31 under •Umukoro

Brief

the distinguished chairmanship of Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan. Expected as chief launchers and special guests at the occasion are Governors Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Ashiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State. Other prominent Nigerians to grace the launch are Lagos lawyer, Barrister Femi Falana, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Otunba Gani Adams and Mr Yinka Odumakin. The ceremony would have Professor Kola OluOwolabi, Dean of Arts as Chief Host while Dr Chukwuma Okoye, Head of Theatre Arts Department will be host. Umukoro is a widely published literary artist in the three genres of prose, poetry and drama.He teaches in the department of Theatre Arts of Nigeria’s premier university, University of Ibadan. He was one time, visiting Professor at the Igbinedion University, Okada, Nigeria’s premier private university located in Edo State of Nigeria. His other literary works include Nana Olomu (a historical play) and Dross of Gold (a poetry volume).

s a way of boosting the knowledge of theatre studies, a group of professionals in Nollywood recently came up with lecture series for Nigerian tertiary institutions. Tagged, Nollywood Lecture Series For Nigerian Universities, the project is a training intervention that has been designed to aid students in the various departments of theatre, performing and creative arts in the different schools to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Nigerian movie industry. In the past couple of years, Nollywood has provided opportunities for employment to majority of young stars and others, who have become very successful in the environment. The training programme is thus a timely intervention to checkmate gradual decline in the fortunes of Nollywood across the world. These series aim to birth a new more vibrant and creative industry. According to the initiators, the intervention will cover key areas as Introduction to Nollywood, Ethics of the Profession, Business of Film in Nigeria, Networking for Success in Nollywood and Getting Started. Also, the series has been designed as a full day program where different facilitators will be brought in to share in these areas and also serve as an opportunity to mentor the students. The lectures are scheduled to start in the different schools from the first week of September. Organized by Frankochei Prodcutions company in collaboration with The Scriptfactory , the Nollwood Lecture series is managed by two prominent Nollywood practitioners ,Francis Onwochei, an established Actor, Producer and director, who has facilitated courses and delivered compelling papers on Nollywood matters in Nigeria,South Africa,UK,Germany and USA. He is currently CEO of Frankochei Productions The other manager is Reginald Ebere, Writer, Producer, Director, Blogger, Media entrepreneur who has facilitated training courses across Nigerian universities and with over a hundred movie credits to his name. He is currently the CEO of The Scriptfactory, an internationally acclaimed screen writing training facility.

•Onwuchei

Forty Nigerians, others, now citizen ambassadors

new book has named 19 individuals, nine organisations and 12 firms as Nigeria’s credible envoys for their efforts at projecting the image of the country beyond its shores against the odds of waning national confidence and international perception. The 85-page book, Citizen Ambassadors of Nigeria, written by the Group Foreign/Diplomatic Editor of Thisday, Mr. Paul Ohia, with foreword written by Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, tries to further advance the definition of citizen diplomacy, proffered by former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, by men-

tioning names of people, firms and organisations in this grouping. “Apart from the usual government shuttles to bring in foreign investors and partners from various countries, there is another level of diplomacy that has hitherto gone unnoticed which is being promoted by the ordinary citizen” the author wrote in his introduction. He mentioned Diaspora-based Nigerians who have shown a lot of concern for issues at home, which he sees as a progression from the past when they were apathetic. “Today, they demonstrate their zeal to contribute to their homeland even as they break new grounds in their endeavours abroad.” he stated adding that in same manner, certain categories of Nigerians at home complement gov-

ernment’s efforts by contributing their quota to promote the image of the country overseas. The author said that the 34th President of United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, coined the name citizen diplomacy when the image of the country was on the downside, hence the need to encourage Nigeria’s citizen ambassadors now that the country has image problem. Ohia said the book, published by UPP limited, will be launched in November in Lagos while the editions would be updated yearly. He devoted eight pages for special mention to Maduekwe, Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, Dabiri-Erewa and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for their efforts in this regard.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

DAILY SUN

WATCH

CRIME EDITED BY OLA AGBAJE E-mail: olapen4ever@yahoo.com

BETRAYAL

Why the police charged Cynthia’s killers to magistrate court By CHRISTOPHER OJI

resh facts have emerged on why the police quickly charged the killers of Cynthia Osokogu to a magistrate court on holding charges. A highly dependable Senior Police officer at the State Command, Ikeja, Lagos who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Crimewatch that the police High Command in Abuja was becoming worried about the negative outburst by the members of the public who were suspecting that the police were trying to cover up the suspect. The senior police officer said even though that some victims of the accused persons were still coming out to identify them, and the police still squeezing out more information from them, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, was not comfortable with the public outburst and therefore, ordered the state Commissioner of Police (CP) Umar Manko, to charge them to court on holding charges. He said that now that the suspects have been charged and remanded in the prison custody, the public would know that the police had no skeleton in their cupboard. He said the force was still gathering more evidence to nail the accused but it was unfortunate that the members of the public misunderstood them. According to him, rather than the public encourage the force on unmasking the suspects quickly, they were busy condemning the good work of the police. He said people were trying to create confusion by saying that the whereabouts of the suspects were not known when they were in the maximum security of the force and that the police covered their faces during parade. He said that while the suspects were being tried on holding charges, and the court waiting for the Directorate of Public Prosecution, (DPP), for advice, the police would still be compiling other evidences. He revealed that the evidence gathered so far were enough to nail the accused, but that the force was gathering more information on how many victims that have suffered in their hands and the hotels they have committed the dastardly act. He said “we decided to charge them to court to avoid insinuations and controversy.” According to him, some owners and the management of some hotels they alleged that they used for similar acts would soon face prosecution for hiding such vital information.

•Suspect From NGOZI UWUJARE, Ibadan

•For being stingy

...After victim’s father gave her N.5m gift

t was a shocking moment recently in Onitsha, Anambra State as a lady was arrested for allegedly organizing the kidnapping of her childhood friend. The suspect, Ekwy Okadigbo, Crimewatch gathered, lured her friend who is a legal practitioner, Mimiy Onyekweli to a restaurant where she invited her to abduct her. The victim was, however, fortunate as investigation revealed that her car that they wanted to use to take her to their den just refused to work when Onyekweli was blindfolded inside. And in the confusion, the victim escaped from her abductors and alerted the police. Okadigbo’s grouse with her friend, according to her, was that she refused to give her money when she requested. “She was said to have informed the suspected gang leader, Chinedu of the bad habit of her childhood friend who was said to be greedy and tight fisted,” a police source revealed. Interestingly, two days before Okadigbo allegedly lured her friend into the hand of the suspected gang, Onyekweli’s father saw the friends together and happily gave Okadigbo N500.000. Following a tip-off from the victim’s relation, the state Police Command, Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), led by James Nwafo, a Superintendent, mobilized his men to arrest members of the gang. Two days after, Onyekweli was said to be eating at a restaurant and called Ekwy to join her there as she was eating. As they were eating that Ekwy allegedly called her gang and they stormed the restaurant around 6.30pm and kidnapped Onyekweli and put her inside her car. When the kidnappers entered the car, it refused to start, a quarrel ensued among them and this led the victim to escape and reported the case at SARS Office in Awka. The officer in charge of SARS, Supol Jame Nwafor (SP), who along with his team and arrested Okadigbo. The state Commissioner of Police, Ballah Nasarawa, told Crimewatch that Okadigbo

was the one that allegedly masterminded the kidnapping of Onyekweli so that they could collect ransom. He said that the police arrested Okadigbo while the other members escaped . He explained that the victim after her escape, informed the SARS in Awka. Okadigbo confessing her role, said: “The victim, Barrister Onyekweli and I were childhood friends. It was one of my friends who reported Onyekweli that she is very greedy and that she does not give out money. I told my friend I would take the issue up. I have to inform my gang leader, Chinedu, who told me that wherever I see her, I should let him know by calling him on phone. “Two days later, Onyekweli’s father saw me and gave me N500,000.00. The victim came to my house and picked me and we went to a restaurant together and while we were eating, I called the gang and they stormed the restaurant within 20 minutes. They told us to lie down and there, they kidnapped the victim and pushed her into her car. Suddenly, the victim managed to escape because her car refused to move and there was a confusion . My gang started shooting into the air and from there, we all escaped. It was from my house that the men of SARS came to arrest me. Okadigbo, who hails from Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State, said that she is seeking admission into higher institution. It was my friend who pushed me into the act . I am very close to Barrister Onyekweli. I thought if we successfully kidnapped her, I would get money that way. That was why I planned the kidnapping. I want the police to pardon me and I promised I won’t do such thing again,” she pleaded. The victim, Onyekweli, said that it was divine intervention. “I saw my friend, Ekwy Okadigbo making a call when we were eating at the restaurant, then the kidnappers came and

brought out pistols , AK 47 and dragged me on the floor. They asked for my car keys, but the car didn’t start. During the process my brother escaped from the scene. They search for my brother they didn’t see him. They threatened me and told me to start the car. Suddenly, they stared quarrelling among themselves. “I got out of the car and escaped . I jumped the fence and got a bruise and a dislocation in my ankle and toe. I quickly reported the incident at the SARS office in Awka. It was my brother’s girlfriend who took me to the hospital for treatment,” she said. Onyekweli said: “I was shocked that it was my childhood friend, Okadigbo who was given N500,000 two days earlier by my father that was the one who arranged with her gang of kidnappers to abduct me. I don’t believe,” she said. The Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa explained that another five-man gang who specialized mostly in kidnapping bigwigs in Awka were nabbed by his men. He said they have kidnapped 15 eminent dignitaries before they were arrested by SARS. He said they carried out an operation at Awka in October 2011 and two of them were arrested in April 2012. The two suspected kidnappers are Chinedu Okafor, and Ikechukwu Onnwuakbaoke. One of the suspect, Okafor told Crimewatch that they had kidnapped over 15 bigwigs in Awka. Another suspect, Ikechukwu Onwuakbaoke said that his major role is that he always used his motorcycle to carry the gang anywhere they went and usually go on errand. He said his own share usually in an operation was N70,000. CP Nasarawa said that the policemen especially the men from SARS are still searching for the other gang members .

Thursday, September 6, 2012

CRIME

Man arrested for defiling 4-yr-old girl

My job is to keep arms, ammunition, Indian hemp –Vulcaniser •Denies being robber By CHRISTOPHER OJI

wo suspects described as notorious armed robbers by the police have denied the allegation, claiming they were mere armourers. The two men, Taofik Ogunsi and Wasiu Oloye, were arrested recently by the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery (SARS) Ikeja, Lagos in their hideouts near Mowe, Ogun State. The two suspects who spoke with Crimewatch outrightly denied the allegation that they were the owners of the assorted arms, ammunition and Indian hemp exhibits. Absolving himself of wrongdoing, Ogunsi said: “I swear to God that I serve, I only keep things for people. I am a vulcanizer and when people meet me and say, Taofik, please, help me keep one thing or the other. I don’t object because life is give and take.” He said the arms and ammunition belonged to one Joel and Omobaba. They are my friends somehow because they used to mend their vehicle tyres in my shop. So, as my customers, I did not bother to check the bags they asked me to keep for them. As for the Indian hemp, it belonged to one Oloye, but I won’t claim I did not know it was Indian hemp. I knew but I just decided to assist him. When he was asked about the whereabouts of the owners, he said: “I don’t know where they are because, I don’t know their residential addresses. They always meet me in my workshop.

When he was asked whether he owns a workshop in the bush or not, he claimed the place the exhibits were recovered was his store where he kept his tools. Oloye, who corroborated Ogunsi’s tales claimed the arms and ammunition belonged to Joel and Omobaba, but contradicted himself when he owned up that the Indian hemp was given to him and Ogunsi to pass on to a woman simply identified as Iya Bose. He said: “As for the arms and ammunition, they belonged to Joel and Omobaba, but the hemp was given to us to deliver to one Iya Bose who was supposed to have come from Lagos. However, a police detective told Crimewatch that the suspects were telling lies. “They were just telling stories to confuse people. They belonged to a notorious gang of armed robbers who have been terrorising motorists and residents of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states. He said the police have been on their trail for over a period of time. He said luck ran out of them when plainclothes detectives trailed them to their hideouts without their knowledge. He revealed that the suspects were arrested after a fierce gun duel. The Commissioner of Police (CP) Umar Manko said the force would soon pick up other members of the gang who were on the run. He warned criminals, especially, armed robbers, to repent or leave the state, as the force would not give them the opportunity of escaping from the arms of the law.

WATCH

36 DAILY SUN

From NGOZI I saw sperm. “I asked my daughter who did it and she said UWUJARE, it was Femi. This was around 7.30pm and I Ibadan quickly reported the case to my parents. I also o l i c e challenged Femi, who denied having sex with o p e r a - my daughter. “I took my daughter to Adeoyo Hospital, tives in Agugu Police Yemetu, Ibadan and the doctor confirmed that D i v i s i o n , she was actually defiled. Later, my neighbours Ibadan, Oyo went to Agugu Police station and reported the •Suspect State, have case to the police and Femi was arrested,” she arrested a 25- said. The victim told Crimewatch that it was Femi year-old man for allegedly defiling a who brought out his penis and put it in her prifour-year-old girl. The suspect who is being quizzed was vate part in his room and later gave her money alleged to have lured the innocent little girl to buy biscuit. The Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), with money. The victim (names withheld) suffered Mrs Olabisi Ilobuafor, described the case as an ugly incident and that the doctor’s report consevere injury in her private part. Narrating how the incident happened, firmed that the suspect defiled the little girl. She said the case had been transferred to the mother of the little girl, Madam Babalola, told Crimewatch that the incident occurred State CID Iyaganku, Ibadan for further investion July 29, 2012 when she came out of her gation. In his defence, Femi told Crimewatch that they room and discovered that all the children were playing in front of the house. “I did- are neighbours. “But all the children in the comn’t see my little girl, Marvelous(not real pound usually come to my room to watch televiname). I started searching for her until I sion. I went to charge my phone at the business saw her and she was looking dull. I start- centre and suddenly I saw her mother came to ed questioning her and took her to my me and alleged that I raped her daughter . “ I told her that when the children came to room. She told me that she was in Femi’s watch television in my room I didn’t see her room and that she was feeling pains in her private part. I checked her private part and daughter with them and I didn’t do anything to her daughter,” he explained.

KIDN

Police suspects From NGOZI UWUJARE, Ibadan

•Suspects

AFTERMATH OF FACEBOOK MURDER

Banks get matching order on CCTV camera By CHRISTOPHER OJI

he Lagos State police command has threatened to sanction any bank, which failed to comply with its directives to install CCTV cameras on their premises. The warning came following the discovery from the footage recording in the CCTV camera that was installed where facebook murder victim, Cynthia Osokogu, took place. The Commissioner of Police (CP) Umar Manko said the footage recording from the CCTV camera in the hotel aided the police in unmasking the suspected killers of Cynthia. Following the discovery, Manko has advised financial institutions especially banks to take the issue of security seriously by installing CCTV camera and other security devices that would assist the force in cracking down criminals. Manko, who was angry that banks were not serious on the issue of security threatened to take the matter up to relevant authority if

there was any crime committed in the banking premises and there was no recording from CCTV camera to aid the police in their investigation. He said even though the unmasking of the alleged killers of Cynthia was a hard one, the CCTV recording assisted in the tracking them down. He said he and his subordinates have met severally with banks and other financial institutions for them to sit up in the area of security. He said if the banks comply with his directives to beef up their security network, especially in the area of installing CCTV camera, it would help the force in the investigation and arrest of criminals. Manko charged the members of the public to also be security conscious by giving the police information on any suspicious movement. He said that the criminals were not living in the moon but stay in the same apartment with the members of the public.

he Anambra State police command has discovered two buildings where kidnappers used as their den. The two uncompleted structures were the place kidnappers allegedly used in keeping their victims and negotiate ransom with their relations. The Commissioner of Police (CP), Ballah Nasarawa told Crimewatch that the places were discovered at Agukwu-Nri in Aniocha Local Government Area. One of the buildings was under construction at Uruoji village while the other, a bungalow, is in Obeagu village. Peter Obi and the government officials led the police to the sealing off of the two buildings. Governor Obi said that the shut down was in line with the policy of the state that any building used for kidnapping or any form of criminality, would be sealed off and confiscated by the state government. CP Nasarawa explained that the men of state Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have arrested several suspected kidnappers in the Nri community, adding that sometimes, the kidnappers were arrested while some escaped with bullet wounds He said: “ We have been able to arrest over 35 kidnappers within Agukwu-Nri in Anaocha Local Government Area and discovered that some people are habouring

them and sharing the ransom collected from their victims. “We have posted our men to be patrolling all the kidnappers’ hideouts especially the buildings which Governor Obi has sealed off. “What we need is the co-operation of the community, especially the elders, Igwes, they should join us in flushing out the kidnappers from buildings which they used as hideouts and where they used to keep the victims and collection of ransom from vicitims’ families,” he said. The traditional ruler of Nri community, Royal Majesty, Eze Onyesoh however, told Crimewatch that he was not aware that Governor Obi came to his community to seal off the uncompleted buildings allegedly being used as kidnappers’ den. “ This incident had happened two years ago when the whole community chased the kidnappers away from Nri community and we arrested some of them and handed them over to the police,” he said. He noted that the owner of the sealed building is in Lagos . “When he heard that Governor Obi has sealed off the building, he fainted and is now receiving treatment in the hospital. “We had earlier chased the kidnappers away from Nri community but we didn’t know that they have resurfaced again and were back to business,” he said. Crimewatch gathered that the police Division in Nri has beefed up security at the building as well as its environs.

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

WATCH

CRIME Greed lured me into robbery –Clearing and forwarding agent

By CHRISTOPHER OJI

ust like the popular biblical saying that the love of money is the root of all evil, a suspected armed robber said the biblical saying was referring to him. Joshua Ene and his accomplice, Luke Okogo and Peter Achi, were being interrogated at the Special State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Ikeja, Lagos for various offences ranging from kidnapping, car snatching and armed robbery. Ene told Crimewatch told how the love of money and greed pushed him into crime. He said: “I was a good boy from an average family. My parents tried in their own way to make me and my siblings live up to expectation. At least, I finished my secondary school with good grade and I even passed my JAMB.” He said his journey into crime started four years ago when he met a clearing and forwarding agent, Marcus. He said Marcus was spending money with recklessly which made him in to develop interest in the clearing job. “He started teaching me and he was giving me enough money to take care of myself but when I got home on a Christmas day, and I saw how my mates were spending money like no man’s business.

“I became unsatisfied with my little income and wanted to be like them.” He said one day, his master asked him to clear some imported wines for a man who was about to wed. “The man wanted to do his wedding and he imported a container of wines. As I cleared the consignment and the man did not come on time, I decided to sell it. “After selling the wines, I ran away to Abuja where I squandered the money on women. You know, once you have tasted money, it is not easy to go back to the street a poor man. Moreover, I love money with passion,” he explained. He said after squandering the money, he met one Martins who hails from Delta State at a drinking joint in Abuja who now introduced him into car theft. “From car theft, we started armed robbery. We used to remove cars from parks but we

later started car snatching,” he confessed. According to him, it was Martins who procured the arms and ammunition they were using for robbery operations. He said that Martins was killed during a shoot-out with the police on Lagos Ibadan Expressway. “My brother, I should have left armed robbery since, but the love of money kept me going. I was greedy too because I was making enough money in my clearing and forwarding business but greed and love of money. He begged the police and his family members to forgive him and give him a second chance, as he would be a better person. Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko said there is no hiding place for criminals in the state.

APPINGS

arrest 35

in one village ...Owner collapses as Obi seals off building used as hide-out

•Gov. Peter Obi

•Suspected kidnappers’ den

CP Nasarawa said that the police nies of the community to arrest any investigation into the matter of the uncompleted buildings being used as have been were very vigilant and suspected kidnapper. were monitoring nooks and cran- “The command is doing a serious kidnappers’ hideouts, ” he said.

•Suspects

Pastor, our nemesis –Robbery suspects ...Arms, ammunition recovered By CHRISTOPHER OJI

wo armed robbery suspects recently arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Lagos State Police command, have traced their woes on a mistake they made by robbing a man of God. The two suspects simply identified as Wasiu (a.k.a Stone) and Gbenga, are being investigated for their roles in many robberies on Lagos/Benin Ore Expressway. Stone blamed his colleague for their predicament “We have been successful in our trade. We have been doing our robbery business without wahala. We have been successful until one day that we met one man, I think he should be a pastor. “When we saw the man, he was a carrying Bible and dressed like a pastor, Gbenga said we should attack him. I objected that we should leave the man of God alone but he insisted that we are also created by God and that everybody is a man of God.” He said after collecting about N25,000 from him, the man started muttering something like “may God judge you,” “I told Gbenga that we should return the money to the man but he shared the money.” He revealed that since the attack, his life had not been the same. “I kept on dreaming of the man but I did not know where to find him, I should have gone to plead with him,” he regretted. He said the next day that they struck was the robbery that brought them to the police cell. Stone who claimed that he is a member of a fast growing church in Lagos said he believed in God, heaven and hell but blamed the bad economy of Nigeria for his woes. “If I had a job, I would have been serving my God. I am a trained welder but no electricity to work, hence I came down to Lagos, it was in the process of trying to smoke out my sorrow in a smoking joint that I met Gbenga who introduced me to his gang.” He said his gang was roving one. “We were not base in a particular area, we go round the cities, towns and highways. On his own, Gbenga, who corroborated Stone’s story, said his partner in crime, was equally guilty “when I told him that everybody is a man of God, he should have convinced me that he knew the implication of robbing a man of God.” He denied introducing Stone to armed robbery “when I met him, I was into pick-pocketing, it was Stone who showed me a gun. I had not seen a gun until I met him.” He begged that the police should let him off the hook, as he would go back to his clearing and forwarding business. The state Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, warned criminals to repent or leave the state as the police were seriously after them. A detective who does not want his name in print, said assorted arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspect. He said the suspects belonged to a syndicate that specialised in robbing motorists and passengers on Lagos/Benin Ore Expressway. He said the suspects had been on the wanted list of the police for various offences ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping and burglary. He said the force has, however, declared manhunt for other members of the gang.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

Maurice Archibong 3-time winner, travel & tourism reporter of the year actsreview@yahoo.com 08056180050

Travels

Installation of Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana: Two captains, one ship

Count us out –Igbo Elders’ Forum A

row has broken out among members of Igbo community in Ghana over planned installation of an Eze Ndi Igbo in the former Gold Coast. Interestingly, two dates; September 9 and September 15, have been slated for the coronation of two rival aspirants. And these contestants’ lore is a thriller, brimming with intrigue, complacency, obduracy, dynamism and antagonism; all rolled into one. Seeking to be crowned as Eze Ndi Igbo in Ghana on September 9, is Chief Geoffrey Nmuokwougwo alias Ichie Gburugburu, immediate-past president of Igbo Community in Ghana. On the other hand, arrangements have also been concluded for the coronation of Chief Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu as Eze Ndi Igbo in Ghana on September 15. Billed to take place at Efua Sutherland Park, Ihenetu’s coronation is an elaborate four-day affair interspersed with a lecture, New Yam Festival, display of Igbo cuisine, Igbo traditional dances and costumes as well as a pageant to pick Ada-Igbo Beauty Queen, among others. Speaking with Travels in Accra, Chief Ihenetu enthusiastically declared that numerous social and political heavyweights, both Ghanaians and Nigerians, have accepted his invitation to grace the occasion with their presence. This should not come as a surprise, for Ihenetu said he is Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ghana Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and also the founder of Ambassadors’ Club of Nigeria in Ghana. However, where both coronation ceremonies take place, Igbo people in Ghana would have two kings, which naturally prompts the question: Can a ship have two captains? Interestingly, even as the issue of whether any of the two known aspirants is actually qualified was still being considered, more and more Igbos in Ghana were also warming up to be crowned Eze Igbo there. If allowed to continue, the situation could snowball into one with “More Chiefs than Indians” and this, probably, informed the decision by some respectable Igbo elders to wade in, to avert confusion. This group of Nigerian elders and technocrats, living in Ghana for decades, is anxious to alert the world that they have no hands in what one septuagenarian described as “an attempt to create confusion”. But, before Travels eventually encountered 11 of these established community leaders at a roundtable inside Paloma Hotel, Accra; we were treated to a primer inside a suite at Golden Oyster Hotel located in the Caprice neighbourhood of Kokomlemle in the Ghanaian capital. Apart from the 11 elders and leaders, who described themselves as Patrons; Travels also engaged Chief Hyacinth Nwoke, Chairman of Igbo Community in Tamale in a telephone conversation on the issue. Speaking during the preamble, before we set out for Paloma Hotel, venue of the roundtable proper; Hon. Joseph Obi, who is Asante Region President-elect of All Nigerians Community Union and 2nd Vice Chairman of Nigerian Union of Traders in Ghana (NUTAG); was keen to emphasise that the issue of a king for Igbo community in Ghana “is not our priority, now”. Chief Nwoke, Igbo Leader in Tamale, expressed similar sentiment. Also at the roundtable, aside Hon Obi, a former President of Nigerian Youth Association (NYA); were: Chief Onyema Ndaraku, incumbent President, Igbo Community in Ghana; Sir Raphael Nwosu, an alumnus of University of Ibadan who has been living in Ghana since

‘…There’s no going back’

•Igbo patrons and elders in Ghana

•Chief and Lolo Ihenetu (middle) with KK (first right) 1967; Sir Festus Onyeaghala; Dim Ikenna Molokwu, an ex-President of NYAand currently, NYA Patron for Asante Region; Chief John Chukwu Okorie, President of Igbo Community in Kumasi; Chief Felix Egbochukwu, NYA Life Patron; Chief Edwin O. Odumodu; Prince Emmanuel Okeson; Mr. Benson Chika Okorie; and, Chief Francis Okoro. At these elders’and leaders’forum, everyone seemed to agree that; though the primary concern of all Igbo living in Ghana was their economic interest, it might not be a bad idea to have an Igbo king as a rallying point for the preservation of Igbo culture. However, the forum was unanimous that the current timing for coronation of an Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana was wrong. Hear Mr. Okorie, a medical equipment merchant resident in Ghana since 1978: “We deserve to have a traditional leader, but; whoever wants to mount the saddle must meet certain criteria. Such a person must be law-abiding, and an active member of Igbo community in Ghana. The aspirant must be a personality known to all Igbos in Ghana. But, as of now;

we don’t have enough information on any aspirant. So, I’m against coronation of anyone as Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana; for now”. Echoing similar reservation; Prince Okeson, resident in Ghana since 1985; declared: “I think Igbos should have a king in Ghana; after all, Hausa and Yoruba have their king here. However, I am against any coronation now because the timing is simply not right”. In the same vein, Chief Odumodu said: “For now, we don’t need any eze because there are other more-pressing matters to address”. On his part, Sir Onyeaghala opined: “I don’t think kingship is our problem here. For now, there are more important causes to address. If, in the future; our people want an Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana, then they could have one. For now, however, an Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana is the least of our needs”. Further buttressing this position, Sir Raphael submitted: “With my 45-years’ experience living in Ghana, I will not back any Eze ndi Igbo throne here, for now”. But, when asked what time the installation of an Igbo king in Ghana could be considered auspicious in their opinion, none of these leaders

was forthcoming with any future date, year or decade, even. And, this lacuna would be seized upon by Chief Ihenetu and his protagonists. Hear the quip of Mr. Kelechukwu Ike, fondly called KK: “Even if these elders have all the time in the world; they may never come up with any king”. Those who hold this view were quick to point out that for over half a century, opponents of any coronation never thought it necessary to have an Eze; therefore, even if “they (elders and patrons) are given another millennium, we will still not have an eze”; rued KK, who is author of a book on Nigeria, entitled, Where do we go from 50. In any case, the elders were keen to emphasise that they are not against any of the aspirants. In this regard, elders reminded that Igbos living in Ghana had other priorities. Perhaps, most pressing of all the challenges they face is the issue of registration of their businesses, over which the shops of countless Igbo merchants had been shut across Ghana in the last three years. Another matter that Igbo people resident in Ghana believe calls for urgent resolution is the reconciliation of all ndi Igbo in that country. It could be recalled that Igbos in Ghana found their umbrella body suddenly fragmented over dispute arising from change of name from Igbo Community to Ohaneze ndi Igbo in Ghana. Travels was told that Chief Nmuokwougwo (Ichie Gburugburu) had, while still President of Igbo Community in Ghana sought to adopt Ohaneze ndi Igbo in Ghana as new epithet for Igbo Community Union in the former Gold Coast, but; while such a change of appellation was being considered, Nmuokwougwo’s tenure as Igbo leader had come to an end. And, voila! Instead of waiting for his successor to preside over the name-change or otherwise, a body known as Ohaneze ndi Igbo in Ghana was allegedly registered surreptitiously. We were told that for his inexplicable motive and haste in rushing to register Ohaneze in Ghana, Chief Nmuokwougwo was consequently sacked from the body of Patrons of Igbo Community Union in that country. Critics of Ichie Gburugburu claim the immediate-past leader of Igbo people in Ghana did what he did because of his alleged intention to emerge as Eze ndi Igbo through the back door. These cynics pointed out that the decision to include installation of Ichie Gburugburu as Eze, Ohaneze ndi Igbo in Ghana among events of the planned inauguration of Ohaneze ndi Igbo in Ghana on September 9 is proof of the man’s alleged scheme to have himself crowned. It is, however, worth noting that some members at the leaders’ and patrons’ forum revealed that; whereas, Ihenetu formally made his aspiration known to some eminent Igbo personalities through homages he paid; Ichie Gburugburu never did so. Albeit, they also argued that Igbo people in Ghana must have a hand in selecting anybody that would be their traditional leader. Their position is based on the fact that “any Eze ndi Igbo as leader of Igbos in Ghana must be chosen by the community such a king would lead” and not foisted upon them by “someone or some people in Lagos”, as they put it. Moreover, they also submitted that there are procedures that must be followed before any aspirant was accepted as Eze-designate. “We, the elders, must vet the character of any candidate. As our potential traditional leader, we must ensure that the Eze is someone without blemish, in terms of character. We must know where the person is coming from; his source of

•Continued on Page 39

DAILY SUN Thursday, Semptember 6, 2012

TRAVELS

Select traditional rulers from Igboland at the event •Continued from Page 38

P•Head of Ga Traditional Council performing Libation on the occasion

Leadership crisis engulfs Ndigbo in Ghana

income, qualifications and whether or not the aspirant is truly conversant with Igbo culture”, explained one of the elders. Indeed, one antagonist of Chief Ihenetu’s old”. In his contribution, another Ihenetu fan; a aspiration was keen to remind: “Charity begins at home”. This was a veiled allusion to Chief well-educated technocrat, who asked not to be Ihenetu’s wife’s nationality and this critic named; declared: “To say that a man would be would soon tip his hand, when he added: “If disqualified because his wife is Ghanaian Ihenetu loves Igbo culture so much, why did he amounts to discrimination. If we find Ghana not marry an Igbo lady? He is married to a good enough for us to live in, we should also Ghanaian. Now, if he becomes Eze; we will consider their people as equal, when it comes to have a Lolo that cannot speak Igbo. So, how choosing a partner”. However, it is worth pointmany years will this Lolo spend before coming ing out that this speaker is; like Ihenetu, an Igbo man with a Ghanaian spouse. to grips with Igbo tradition and way of life?” Apparently, to avoid the matter becoming Interestingly, even before this last speaker was through; another leader had interjected: twisted, one elder had jumped in to explain: “Apart from all these, with Ghana’s presidential “No one is saying that there is anything wrong election around the corner; you would agree with marrying a Ghanaian. In fact, countless with us that the issue of coronation should be Igbo men and women are married to Ghanaians. But, the throne is a traditional thing. suspended for now”. Reminiscent of the riddle of the hen and the An eze, as custodian of Igbo tradition, must egg: Which came first? Igbo elders hold the have a Lolo that can communicate in the same view that, a chief should be installed in each of language of the womenfolk, for whom she is Ghana’s 10 regions first of all. Thereafter, a queen”. Ihenetu again: “For over 50 years, we have central authority could emerge in the person of Eze ndi Igbo of Ghana through a selection from been struggling like sheep without shepherd. For how long shall we continue like this? Our this conclave of chiefs. On the other hand, Ihenetu’s camp argues youth have suffered enough. Now, we; the that with an Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana on ground, younger ones and, for too long, victims of some the process of mobilising the various communi- conservatives’ complacency; have decided to ties in Ghana’s 10 regions would be easier. move on”. With eyes filled with sorrow, Chief “Why are they just coming up with this grass- Ihenetu queried: “My brother, why are our peoroots thing, now? They have been here for over ple like this?” He was however quick to recov50 years without an Eze but seeing that some er from that fleeting betrayal by emotion. On numerous instances, he was keen to people have made up their minds to install a traditional leader for us, these so-called elders remind that the dream to be crowned Eze ndi want to put a spanner in the works”, charged Igbo in Ghana was not really his own. “For over 10 years, every Igbo youth has been one pro-Ihenetu element. In 1995, after living in Lagos for some years, addressing me as such. It was the youth’s deciIhenetu relocated to Ghana in search of the sion that I should formalise this title and I startproverbial greener pastures. Today, he is wide- ed the plan for my formal installation many ly regarded as a wealthy entrepreneur with fin- months ago, after due consultation with many gers in different pies. However, the scoff of one elders and patrons”. When asked if he was worried that his Igbo elder resident in Ghana was: “He is still a small boy. He can be rich but money cannot chances of becoming Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana could be dimmed because his wife is non-Igbo; make you Eze”. Responding to the conclusion reached by 11 patrons and leaders of Igbo community in Ghana after the roundtable at Paloma Hotel, Chief Ihenetu said there was “no going back”. He stressed that his planned coronation had reached a point of no return. Hear Ihenetu: “If they had expressed any opposition to my installation from the beginning, I would not have pursued this ceremony. Curiously, many of the same people now seeking to dissociate themselves from my planned coronation, had collected traditional homage, including choice drinks, from me and pledged their support, when I went to make my intention known to them several months ago”. Hear Mr. Kalu Chukwuma, apparently a staunch supporter of Ihenetu: “These people you call patrons…who are they patronising? I have been in this country for over 10 years but I’ve never felt their presence”. Speaking further, Chukwuma, who introduced himself as a 28-year-old barber charged: “Do these elders and patrons know how many Igbo boys are languishing in prison in this country? People that will never stick out their neck to rescue a distraught Igbo youth are calling themselves my elders. When Igbo youth have problems, they go to people that can help them: This is why we want Chief Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu as our Eze because he has proven over the years that he is •Chief (Sir) Oliver Akubueze, President caring. He cares for every Igbo, both young and General Eze Igbo in Diaspora

this is what Ihenetu had to say: “I am happily married to Mrs. Liberty Ihenetu. My wife is a Ghanaian and we are blessed with three lovely children. I am proud of my Igbo heritage and also proud of my cross-cultural family and my host country. I think those that say I am not qualified to be Eze because my wife is Ghanaian are misguided. Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana is a throne in the Diaspora, so; being married to Ghanaian, for me; is an asset, really”. Interjecting, KK thundered; “My brother, I’m surprised that some of our people think this way, sometimes. To me, Chief Ihenetu already has an advantage here because his Ghanaianborn Lolo would serve as a link between Igbo women and Ghanaian womenfolk easily. I am shocked that some of our people want to turn a man’s advantage into a disadvantage”. Travels could not meet Ichie Gburugburu because the Ohaneze leader in Ghana said he was very busy. When we called his number in the morning of Monday, August 27, Ichie Gburugburu said he was attending to some very urgent matter in connection with his forthcoming coronation. In the afternoon of the same day, the chief said he was at a meeting and that he would call us as soon as the meeting was over. When we called again, some two hours later, Chief Gburugburu asked us where we were: “I’m at Tudu Motor park, but; if you could squeeze out 10 minutes to speak with us, I’ll suspend my journey out of Accra to come and have a chat with you, Chief”, we had said. Chief Gburugburu: “O, my dear; I’m very sorry that we cannot meet today because you are leaving town. I am very far away from Accra right now. But, I’ll be in Lagos on Wednesday and will call you, so that we can meet”. Travels again: “Sir, is it true that you have an event coming up on September 9th?” “Yes. We are having inauguration of Ohaneze ndi Igbo in Ghana on September 9 and I will be crowned Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana on that day”, Chief Gburugburu affirmed. When asked about the venue and time of the event, the chief promised to send us all the details, “including my picture”; if we sent him our email address. The e-mail address was subsequently sent to him, but by Wednesday morning, no mail from the chief could be found in my Inbox. Later, an email sent from one Paul Nwachukwu Emmanuel’s box, but signed by Comrade PE Irechukwu, who introduced himself as Secretary of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ghana asked Travels to get in touch with him for “authentic information of this issue”. Days later, after numerous attempts to speak with Mr. Irechukwu on phone; he finally took our call. Irechukwu explained he had been very busy with preparations for the formal inauguration of Ohaneze ndi Igbo, Ghana Chapter. When asked, if Ichie Gburugburu’s photo and CV had been mailed to us; this is what Irechukwu had to say: “If you want any picture or information on any aspirant, please speak to the individual directly. I am Secretary of Ohaneze in Ghana and not secretary to any person”. As things stand, Travels was informed that Igbo community patrons in Ghana got a court injunction restraining Ohaneze in Ghana from carrying out any activity that could lead to the

coronation of Ichie Gburugburu as Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana. But, Ohaneze’s scribe in Ghana, Mr. Irechukwu, told Travels the body’s inauguration would still hold on September 15th. When asked if Ohaneze had any event coming up on September 9 in Ghana, Irechukwu replied: “If you want to know, if our inauguration will come up on the 9th, I can confirm that this event will take place”. Concluding, he said: “For details, I will scan and send an invitation card to you via e-mail. I want you to see this as official invitation to come to Accra and cover the event. In the process, as a witness, you will get the true picture of the situation”. It would seem that the choice of September 9, for the coronation of Ichie Gburugburu is seen as a false start. Igbo elders in Ghana expressed surprise that after Chief Ihenetu had slated his coronation for September 15, another coronation was billed for an earlier date, September 9; where Ichie Gburugburu would be crowned Eze ndi Igbo. Recall the adage, cunning man die, cunnying man bury am? And the imbroglio eventually waxed into a picture where it wasn’t just enough that one aspirant’s installation date came earlier: The one that was first to breast the tape was likely to carry the day. So, Pronto! Chief Ihenetu was installed Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana on August 30th. Apparently crying foul! Mr. Irechukwu told Travels that “Ohaneze is the only association with authority to crown anyone Eze ndi Igbo in Diaspora”. Also seeking to play down the significance of Chief Ihenetu’s installation, a supporter of Ichie Gburugburu scoffed: “Those that came to crown him are not very important chiefs”. But, such criticism must be taken with a pinch of salt; for, the President General of Eze ndi Igbo in Diaspora, Chief (Sir) Oliver Akubueze, led the delegation of Igbo chiefs that performed Ihenetu’s monumental rite of passage in Ghana, according to KK. Additionally, the symbolism thrown up by the presence of the Ga (aborigines of Accra) Traditional Council members and the fact that a Ga chief actually performed the Libation-pouring Ceremony at Ihenetu’s enthronement could not be lost to those steep in such matters. In spite of all these, it must be borne in mind that, the position of Igbo elders, patrons and leaders in Ghana cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand. As the dispute unfolded, amid conflicting and misleading information filtering in from Ghana, Travels had to make three shuttles to Ghana within the same number of weeks. Our motive? Certainly not to fuel the fire, for we subscribe whole-heartedly to the notion of the patrons, who during the roundtable at Paloma Hotel emphasised the importance of reconciliation of all factions of the Igbo community. So, where do we go from here? If Chief Ihenetu’s public presentation as Eze ndi Igbo in Ghana goes ahead and he is eventually generally accepted by all Igbos in the old Gold Coast, he would do well to heed the counsel of patrons of Igbo community there to toe the path of reconciliation. Indeed, this chief alluded to this, when he mused: “At the end of everything, no king can rule alone. Successful kings generally thrive on the advice of wise ones in the community. So, everyone, young and old, will have a role to play at Ama Obi ndi Igbo in Ghana”.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

Radiant Digest “...The letter killeth but the spirit gives life.” II Cor 3:6

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21st Century English grammar and usage (57)

s the old saying goes, “everyone has their price”, and while the price varies with different individuals, if it is really great enough, including almighty dollar, pound sterling or Euro, we know that many people, like Honourable Farouk Lawan, would yield. Yes, each person is willing to agree to something as long as the inducement is sufficient. Ask our friend, Mr. Integrity himself! Indeed, every man has his price! I repeat, the idiom is used to say that you can persuade people to do anything if you give them what want. Advocate for dollar or advocate dollar oil proceeds? As regards appropriate fiscal and monetary procedures, The Guardian on November 3-4, 2011 published an article by this writer “titled” (entitled) “Economy: Undo Jonathan’s sealed Failure”. It (the article) “advocated for” (advocated) the dollar oil proceeds to be correctly allocated to FA beneficiaries in dollars as earned (but by using dollar certificates or FA beneficiaries’ domiciliary dollar accounts so as to forestall possible abuse). –THE GUARDIAN’S Opinion Page, June 26, 2012. Special notes on grammar & usage: Advocate, advocate for: Advocate (as a noun, this word means “one who pleads a case in a court of justice”. It is a technical title in Courts retaining Roman Law, for example: France and Scotland; but it is not generally used in ordinary English law courts, the exceptions being Admiralty courts and special tribunals. “Barrister” is the term in general use. You can advocate for something or for somebody. E.g. Mr. Thomas is an advocate for hospital workers. Mr Falana is a staunch advocate of free speech and human rights. And as a verb, “advocate” means “praise or recommend” often publicly”. It is followed by a noun clause, that is “He advocated the use of force” rather than “He advocated that they should use force”. Another note: A word that behaves like “advocate” is “demand”. “Demand” (a noun), “demand for something/that “is a very firm request for something; something that somebody needs, e.g. There is a demand for higher pay everywhere in the country. (The) demands that the law on gun ownership should be changed; firms attempting to meet/ satisfy their customers’ demands means to give them what they are asking for. “Demand” (as a verb) means to ask for something very firmly, as in demand something, e.g. She demanded an immediate explanation; “demand that” e.g. “The United Nations (UN) has demanded that all troops be withdrawn in Syria”. “They are demanding that all troops should be withdrawn” is correct. Another note: “Titled”, meaning “having a title such as Lord, LADY, Chief, etc”, an adjective, while “title” is a noun and “entitled or entitle” is its corresponding verb. “Titled” as a verb is only allowed in American English (AE). Many a member have or many a member has? For over one year now, “many a corps member have lost their lives” (many a corps member has lost his/her life or many corps members have lost their lives) in volatile states of the North. The police have not been able to protect “itself” (themselves). Let alone protect Nigerians. Life in Borno, Yobe and some other Northern states “have” (has) become nasty, brutish and short. Ostrich or emu? But even now that the NYSC has decided to play the “ostrich” (emu that buries its head in the sand), someone needs to remind it that we are talking about the lives of young Nigerians here. Sending defenceless young Nigerians to places where they can be bombed or “gunned down” (shot) for no just cause is inhuman.-from DAILY SUN, July 5, 2012. Special notes on grammar and usage: “Many a”, “Many an” is used with a singular

noun; rather literary, it is usually replaced by “many” and the plural noun in ordinary style. For example: “Many a man” would welcome the opportunity. “Many men” would welcome the opportunity. “Many a man” welcomes the opportunity. I have been here “many a time” means I have been here many times. Many a daily newspaper reporter has reached the top of his profession by first working as a local junior reporter, or, Many daily newspaper reporters have reached the top of their profession by first working as local junior reporters. Many a great idea has been quenched by wrong words.-John Mason. Many a time I invite him for lunch. Today, many a Nigerian graduate is a functional illiterate. Many a person has experienced nostalgia to return, in fact or in fiction, to an earlier time in their time. Many a baby has stopped crying the moment I have taken hold. Many an American calls himself a Democrat or Republican although he/she frequently votes for men, women, measures as well as policies and programmes of the other party. Another note: Many a man; many an hour, etc means many men, many hours, etc. many is the time, many is the day, etc means that there have been many times, there have been many days, etc.e.g. Many is the time I’ve wondered what Boko Haram fanatics want. Many is the time something/somebody that who——it/he has often – Many a Nigerian calls himself a progressive but votes for the programme of the conservative. “The police”. Like the trousers, the dramatics, the dead, the living, the rich, the poor, the physically challenged, the disabled, the under privileged, the remains, etc, is followed by plural verb and pronoun.e.g. The police are looking for Farouk Lawan. The trousers are in the cupboard. The dramatics of the performance were interesting. Do the dead ever return. His remains lie in the churchyard. The disabled need our help. “Life” (singular) has the plural “lives”. Besides, “life” is both countable and uncountable like “property” hence “life” and property, “lives and properties”. E.g. The police must protect the life and property if the citizens or, The police have to secure the lives and properties of the citizens. Note that it is the “emu” (plural “emus”), a family member of the ostrich species, that buries its head in the sand. It is not the ostrich! In current British English (BE) “shoot” is preferred to “gun down”, which is American English (AE). The likes of or the like of? The “likes” (like or ilk) of Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir (the Minister of Youth Development) in government do not even recognize that they are there to make policies and take decisions and actions that will serve the public good. I had thought that in twenty-first century Nigeria, we have got to the level where ministers of the Federal Republic will not be operating at the level of “motor park” (bus station or railway station) touts. You are welcomed or you are welcome? You are “welcomed” (welcome) to our palace. We have watched what you have done, “like” (as) the press is saying that your “handiwork” (performance) is going to campaign for you. You have taught us lessons that we will keep throughout our “lifetime” (life or time).-From DAILY SUN, July 19, 2012. Adultery or adulthood? I have enjoyed infancy and I am looking forward to “adultery” (adulthood). Note well: This is Mrs Malaprop (aka malapropism) at her best! Artefacts or artifacts? Commission deployes donation of stolen “artefacts” (artifacts) to U.S. Museum. Instead of being returned, “artefacts” (artifacts) stolen from the old Benin Empire in 1897 are being donated to charity.-THE NATION’S Midweek Magazine page, July 18, 2012.

Evang. Femi Olaoluwa 080561568736, 08022556887,

Power of internal revolution By Dr SAMSON MAKINWA

was invited to a book launch on about 100 select individuals that have successfully distinguished themselves in their respective chosen fields against all odds. If the selected individuals that were written about in the book, with little or virtually no background at all, could become greatly successful in Nigeria, it then shows that sky is just the beginning for anybody that truly desires success. Incidentally, I’m one the select individuals from Lagos, Nigeria, but now a proven mentor to several people on success, wealth, finance and entrepreneurship. The answer to when successful people experienced a mind shift that paved way to their breakthrough is simply called internal revolution and that is what we need as individuals for us to make meaningful impact in life. The gorilla in us must rise up to fight the mindset that has been tying us down. Every change that we see today started from the mind. If you are going to experience an unforgettable encounter, you must fight internally with yourself and prevail. (Luke 15:14-19). You must spark internal revolt against yourself to discover yourself just like the biblical prodigal son did before he rediscovered himself or regained his senses. According to the scripture, the prodigal son came back to himself when things went from bad to worse for him. If you don’t revolt against yourself, you will believe that life can continue anyhow. But

•Makinwa when there is sudden mindshift, then, you tell yourself that ‘things cannot continue like this. I must make something meaningful with my life. I was created to affect my generation positively. At this juncture, there will be no rest within you. You will begin to experience a volcanic eruption or revolution within you. An internal eruption will take place within you, and you will emphatically say, “NO! I can’t just continue like this. Things must change for me irrespective of what the situation might be’. Every decision that is taken today or that was taken in the past and still making waves till today emanated from the mind of the people that had the mindshift experience. Do you know that the mind can stay quietly for a long period of time without achieving anything and one will continue to live in and enjoy poverty? But the moment you sit down and consider that this is an error that you can’t continue with, then you will be ready to battle the mindset that ties you down to the situation. •Dr. Samsom Makinwa (08037126544) is the Presiding Pastor of The Kingdom Light Ministries, Idimu, Lagos. E- info@samsonmakinwa.com

Christian film, tract outreaches:

Evangelism made easy accept a tract. Many people have been saved ignificance of Christian tracts: Many through reading (and rereading) a tract in pripeople never go to church or read the vacy. Bible. A tract may be the only clear Effectiveness of Christian movies presentation of the gospel they will ever Christian movies are receive. spiritual ministrations A tract can go anyand not just entertainwhere inexpensively. You ment because of deep can carry it in your pockspiritual revelations. et or purse, place it in a It encourages watchrack, or send it through ers to constantly check the mail. their walk with God and A tract will reinforce draw closer to Him. your personal witness. Have great investment Even if you can’t follow into your children’s up, the reader can write to future - deepen your chilthe address on the back dren’s understanding of for further help. our heritage, language Some people will not and culture in a godly listen to you but will and safe environment.

Divine Restoration estoration is the and bow down to us. What a glorious restoraact of putting or tion! You and I therefore don’t need to despair but bringing something or someone back hope in God, for He will not fail or disappoint to a former state or us. He said those who hope in me would not be disappointed position. Have you lost joy and interest in your marThe loss of a highly riage and tempted you said it is over; you can’t paid job or business is unpalatable, for one who make it again. God is saying to you today, there was in an exalted posi- shall be a glorious restoration in double fold tion before but now and you will burst into singing. Just have faith •Ojoka demoted or downtrod- in God and put your hope in Him. Ps. 40: 13) den; it is a shame. But the good news is the Shalom •Rev Godwin Ojoka is the head pastor of promise of God to restore His children us back to our position of honour in double fold and to Christian Pentecostal Mission Int’l, anoint us afresh to a giant leap. The word of (Winners’ Centre) Ojota Branch, and Lagos. God in Isaiah 49:22-23b says, that the gentiles For prayer and counseling, call on will bear our sons and daughters on their arms 08033062447, 08033514193. E-Mail: and shoulders and kings and queens will attend enjons@yahoo.com •Call or send SMS to Evang Femi Olaoluwa (08056158736) for publication of your Christian message or testimony in The Sun.

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

MONEY

Entrepreneur, Property & Investment guide

By OMODELE ADIGUN

neasy lies the paths of tax collectors, for their ways are strewn with thorns. This seems to be the view of the Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Alhaji Kabir Mashi, recently, at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja. According to him: “We have a duty to convince the government that we are better positioned than any agency or organisation in the country to deliver on our mandate. The task of colleting taxes is an enormous responsibility.” Mashi, at the forum to sensitize taxpayers and other stakeholders on some of the major steps taken towards ensuring that the organisation provides taxpayers with the desired services, said this showed “our commitment to a resolve we made, to take our programmes and initiatives to all the stakeholders, irrespective of where they are located, and to regularly educate the increasing number of taxpayers on the ease and benefits of paying their taxes.” Excerpts: Tax payment convenience bout a decade ago, our offices were organised, according to tax lines. During that era, we had the Value Added Tax (VAT) Offices, the Withholding Tax Offices, the Companies Income Tax Offices, the Petroleum and Pioneer Office, and even the Armed Forces/Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) Offices spread across the country. About the same time, when we had not attained the level of payment automation that we have today, each of these offices had designated banks where you, as the taxpayers, can effect your payments. By implication, a taxpayer may had to move across the metropolis to fulfil his tax obligations. And often, it does not end there; he also had the added responsibility to locate the various tax offices to drop the evidence of his payments, be it VAT or Income Tax. Clearly, during those periods, we undermined a very simple tenet of a good tax system...‘convenience’. Not only must it be convenient for the taxpayer to pay the taxes from his available resources, it must also be convenient to locate the tax office and the bank where such obligations are to be carried out. So, when we started the whole idea of reform, we had some basic underlining principles as drivers for our strategic directions and flanks. One of such is holding on to the tenets of a good tax system. And another is to respect the taxpayers, seeing him as the goose that produces the golden egg. For this, we adopted a philosophy... ‘the taxpayer is king’, as a constant reminder of your importance; the taxpayers. When we moved into the modernisation phase of the reform, one of the noble ideas we introduced was the taxpayers’ segmentation. It started with the integration of all taxes into a one-stop-shop arrangement, where a single tax office will cater for all the needs of a taxpayer, irrespective of the tax type. We went a step further by establishing the Large Tax Offices in major cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja for certain categories of taxpayers, and the Integrated Tax Office for the others we categorised as the Small and Medium Taxpayers. The criteria for such segmentation include the turnover threshold, and the nature of businesses carried out. However, for the ease of administration, companies engaged in banking and other financial services, as well as those in the Oil and Gas operations were moved to the Large Tax Department. All companies with turnover above N1 billion were moved to the Large Tax Offices, while the ones below that threshold were moved to the Small and Medium Tax Offices. The successes recorded by that arrangement informed our decision to further segregate the taxpayers with turnovers between N200 million and N1 billion to the Medium Tax

ter”. Also at another forum, the Regional Management Meeting of the Field Operations Group, in Lagos,the FIRS boss spoke about: Training ne particular issue I have been inundated with is the capacity of our upcoming inspectors to perform optimally. We have trained well over 90 per cent of the newly recruited tax officers through the preliminary inspector of taxes programme and we have reviewed the curriculum for completeness, ensuring that we provide the basic knowledge for our tax officers to operate. Performance y intention is to confront everyone with the reality of our collection to date so that collectively we can develop a road map for improved performance. And if need be, borrow a leaf from the offices that are doing well about how and what they are getting right. Every group within the Service as presently constituted is important to the attainment of the FIRS mandate, but of particular importance is the role of the Field Operations Group. I have pointed out on several occasions that the FIRS is a target driven organisation. We have a duty to convince the government (the Executive and the Legislature), that we are better positioned than any agency or organisation in the country to deliver on our mandate. At this juncture, I like to do a quick review of our collection performance and also look into performance in Lagos in particular. Currently we have three regional offices in Lagos and this was informed by the need to have proper coordination with smaller manageable units, especially with the creation of additional Micro and Small Tax Offices (MSTOs) in this region and Abuja. Our total collection as at May, 2012 amounted to N1.886trillion as against the government target for the same period of N1.515trillion. This translates to 125% of the set target with a positive variance of N371billion. However, when compared with the FIRS target, we recorded a shortfall of N232.6billion which is roughly 11%. The Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) contributed about 70per cent of the total collection while Companies Income Tax (CIT) and the Value Added Tax (VAT) contributions were 12% and 16% respectively. Other tax types contributed the residue of 2 per cent which is a cause for concern. This trend is in sharp contrast with our set objective to grow the non-oil collection significantly in the year. Even with its 70 per cent contribution, the PPT dropped in the month of May by about N66billion against April collection. While cumulative collection for Companies Income Tax as at May stood at N233billion against government set target of N345billion, which is a whopping N112billion shortfall, for the Value Added Tax, the situation was not different. To date, VAT collection amounted N296billion against government target of N335billion. In other words, the overall positive contribution recorded during this period resulted from the PPT collection. The low performance on these non-oil taxes has equally affected our cost of collection for the period. Perhaps it may interest you to note that we relaxed PPT target for the year, 2012 from N1.93trillion in 2011 to N1.86 trillion to enable us focus on the non-oil taxes. And perhaps you may also wish to be reminded that our funding is on a percentage of the non-oil tax collection. My review of taxes collected by the different segments against FIRS target revealed that for the period under consideration, the Service set a target of N2.12 trillion and so far we have collectively delivered N1.52 trillion as earlier indicated. This translates to about 72 per cent of the target we set for ourselves as an organisation and we are in deficit of about 28 per cent. Of this amount, the Large Tax Office (Oil and Gas) recorded N1.22 trillion as against the target set

• Mashi

Collecting taxes is huge responsibility – Mashi, FIRS boss Department from the old Small and Medium Department, while others below that threshold are now in the Micro and Small Tax Department. This noble idea of the Board and Management of the Service is being championed by the Field Operations Group of the FIRS under the leadership of the Coordinating Director. Self Assessment Scheme ther initiatives of the Service includes our re-emphasis on the Self Assessment Scheme which is now guided by the newly gazetted Tax Administration (Self Assessment) Regulations, 2011; the taxation of pioneer companies which is guided by the Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) Act, Cap I 7, LFN, 2004; and the taxation of NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs). Some people operate under the illusion that NGOs are not taxable. That is to the extent of their involvement in non-profit making ventures which does not preclude them from filing returns of their operations neither does it preclude the employees of these organisations from paying taxes on their incomes. Confidence-building e want to have confidence in the taxpayers as our major stakeholder to freely carry out their tax obligations and we equally want the taxpayers to have confidence in us to deliver quality services that we can both be proud of.Over the years, we have introduced in every tax office, a unit called the Taxpayers’ Services Unit, and also distributed leaflets on the operations of this unit and how they can be of assistance to both the existing and new tax-

payers. Ease of doing business ust as we have obligations to the taxpayers, on one hand, we also have obligations to the government of the federation on the other hand. The task of colleting taxes is an enormous responsibility. We live in the same society and we are also confronted daily with the challenges of doing business in the society. This, however, is not peculiar to our country. The crises affecting the economies of the world have had its fair share on our economy in this country. Hence we are developing strategies on the way forward and at every opportunity, we emphasise to all concerned, the benefits of having a good and enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Nigeria. My review of the recent indices on ‘the ease of doing business in Nigeria’revealed that there has been considerable improvement in the area of taxation and the ease of paying taxes in the country. There is no doubt about the positive impact this has had on our improved tax collection performance over the years. But all thanks to the taxpaying public for having the confidence and believe in us and in the system. Recently, the President launched the National Tax Policy document to guide the practice of taxation in the country; to shape the direction of tax administration and legislation and to chart the course for a good tax system. I directed that copies of this Tax Policy document be made available to taxpayers at this(Abuja) forum. Let me assure you that, at this stage in the life of the FIRS in the quality of services we intend to provide and in our drive to be the foremost modern tax authority, “things can only get bet-

Continued on page 42

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

MONEY Entrepreneur

Setting up of beverages (fruit juice) production and packaging plant for export

• Mashi

‘Things can only get better at FIRS’ Continued from page 41 of N1.58 trillion or about 77 per cent performance level. The Large Tax Office (Non-Oil) contributed a total of N239 billion of the N273 billion set for the period, a fairly decent 88 per cent of the target. The Medium Tax Offices appear to be struggling across the country. Apart from Abuja that contributed about 68 per cent to date, others seem not to have taken off. In total, the Medium Tax Department produced 20 per cent of the set target as at May, 2012. The revenue expected for the period was N35 billion and only N7 billion had been generated to date. By implication, the Micro and Small Tax Offices are apparently doing better than the Medium Taxpayers. While we are yet to feel the impact of the Individual and Enterprise Income Offices, I want to encourage the team handling this group of taxpayers to really put in a lot more otherwise it would not make economic sense to have these offices funded without commensurate revenue for the government. At the Micro and Small Taxpayers Department, the expected revenue for the FCT Region to date stands at N9.296 billion while actual collection was N6.99 billion. The South South Region collected a total of N24 billion against the expected target of N28.74 billion. While the North Central Region was able to produce 98 per cent of its revenue target having collected N7.2 billion as against N7.33 billion for the period. North West Region collected N7.27 billion as at May, 2012 against the target of N8.1 billion. North East Region with its attendant security challenges was able to produce 107 per cent performance level. The region contributed N7.97 billion against the target of N7.44 billion. Eastern Region collected N5.08 billion against set target of N7.37billon which is 69 per cent while the Western Region produced 98 per cent, that is N9 billion in total of the expected target of N9.24 billion. Lagos now has three regions which we expected to generate a little over N41 billion between January and May, 2012. However, the total collection for the period amounted to N24 billion. Lagos Island Region collected N10.06 billion against set target of N25.87 billion which is about 39 per cent, while Lagos Mainland (West) collected N2.81 billion against N5.77 billion. Lagos Mainland (East) performance was outstanding for the period under consideration. The Region collected N11.3 billion between January and May against set target of N9.41 billion. And I like to single out Ikeja and Ilupeju Offices for their outstanding performance over this period.

tudies we carried out in the Nigeria fruit juice market today reveals that the number of imported brands of fruit juice has drastically reduced in number. Today, there are many local industries producing fruit juices and all of them are doing very well. The study revealed that the Federal Government is very serious in the enforcement of this policy on banning of imported fruit juice in Nigeria. Few of the imported brands fruit juice/drinks seen in the market today came into this country through illegal means, since Nigerian ports have not experienced any fruit juice imported through official way. Therefore, there is need for government to tighten up the Nigerian borders to avoid smuggling of these products into the country. “We should give kudos to former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who stopped the influx of foreign produced & packaged fruit juices. Without that particular action, all the local fruit juice producing companies in Nigeria would have died. Pure, natural fruit juice extracted from fruits such as oranges, pine-apples, mangoes, paw-paw, guava and cashew fruits etc. contain a lot of Vitamin C, otherwise known as Ascorbic Acid, and can be preserved and packaged without losing the nutritional values. Generally, deficiency in ascorbic acid causes scurvy, body malfunctioning and malnutrition. Nigeria grows a lot of fruits in large quantities. About 40 per cent of the fruits are wasted annually due to lack of preservatives. Realizing that Nigeria has abundant fruits and what it takes to run fruit juice-producing plant, the government banned importation of foreign packaged fruit drinks and juices. This policy has created investment opportunities for Nigerians too. The plant and machinery needed for the setting up of this project are locally available. However, prospective investors that are in need of foreign machines will be given detailed information on some good foreign companies that are into production of foreign machines and equipment at very competitive prices. These machines and equipment include Sorting tables, Washing machines, Extractors, Homogenizer, Pasteurizer, Corking/Bottling/Canning machines (complete packaging system). The prospective investors has the option of bottling, canning and spectra packing of the envisage product. Detailed information will be provided to prospective investors in Nigeria and abroad on how to effectively and efficiently set-up and manage the project profitably in any part of Nigeria. The entire machines can be sourced locally. The

UBA Godwin ubagodwin@yahoo.com 08034494437, 08023664368

imported ones are available also in the country. If the promoters should want the machines from Europe, South Africa, America and Asian countries, the writer will conveniently link them to these foreign companies. The advantage in setting up this plant is that the promoter would be able to be in production throughout the year using different types of fruits in the season for production. The promoter is therefore sure of applying any type of fruit throughout the whole year. Since these fruits grow at different times of the year, the plant will be busy for a substantial part of the year. With availability of raw-fruits, the plant can produce over 2,880,000 litres of pure and quality fresh fruit juice/drinks per annum working for about average of 240 days in a year. The quantity of production may be increased or even doubled as the year of operation progresses. The project can also use fruit concentrates or pulps for production of quality fruit juices. The most important thing to put into consideration when setting up this project is the quality of the products and packaging. The packaging must be very attractive and can either be done in the form of bottling, canning and tetra packing. All these methods would be clearly discussed in the comprehensive and bankable feasibility studies available to prospective investors. The major raw materials for this project are fresh fruits and concentrates. The concentrates will serve as a substitute to fresh fruits when the need arises. Most of Nigerian fruit juice /drinks producers usually use concentrate as raw materials. These fruits are abundant in this country. There are lots of fruits all over the country; therefore the project can be sited in any part of the country. Concentrates are imported from South Africa and other parts of the world. Details of those companies that produce concentrates will be given to prospective investors. The production processes of fruit juices/ drinks involves the sorting of the ripe and fresh fruits received from suppliers, washing, peeling, feeding them into the installed machinery to extract the juice. This is then pasteurized, bottled or canned or tetra packed depending on the method of packaging adopted by the promoters.

Preservatives are normally added to prolong the shelf life of the juice. The space requirement is about 400 square metres. The plant outlay will be presented in the feasibility studies. The establishment of this factory will encourage farmers who will be assured of steady demand for their fruits at reasonable stable prices to grow more, create employment opportunities for farm helps, and stem the tide of rural-urban migration. The spill-over effects are many. From preliminary investment analysis, a realistic estimated cost of establishing the project will be determined after conducting bankable and comprehensive feasibility studies, depending on the location, the capacity of what the promoters want, the type of machines required and other factors. The cost may increase if the capacity is increased. It also depends on the type of packaging system adopted by the prospective investors. Canning and tetra packing methods command higher costs of establishment. Details will be shown in the comprehensive and bankable feasibility studies. The project is seen as a very feasible and viable one, especially now that Government has banned the massive importation of fruit juice/ drinks from oversea. The raw materials are 99% locally available, both the process equipment and spare parts are locally available and technology involved are relatively simple, while the labour requirement is abundantly available. It will contribute significantly to the Gross National Product and guarantee good Returns on Investment for any prospective investor. The payback period of the project is short and encouraging. Financial projections Rented Accommodation (varies) N1,000,000 Plant & Machinery & Equipments N3,580,000 Preliminary Expenses/feasibility studies N350,000 Working Capital (Take off) N2,600,000 Utilities N1,500,000 Office Furniture & Equipments N250,000 Contingencies N720,000 Total N10,000,000 For detailed information on setting up and management of the proposed venture, comprehensive and bankable feasibility studies, investment advisory services in the area of industrial/ manufacturing projects, procurement & installations of the machines, sourcing of the required funds, please contact the writer.

Alum processing plant Edwin Agbaike krisedbrilliant@yahoo.com 08098525122, 08023381900

lum is a versatile product utilized in various manufacturing and service operations. Moreover, alum, a common name for aluminium sulphate, is widely known for its powerful effect in the purification of water. In the rural areas where pond water of various colorations is abundant, alum is used extensively to produce very clear water for at least laundry purpose. Alum is also used in dying of fabrics, tanning of leather and in the paper industry. Apart from household consumers, industrial consumption of alum in the country creates a continuous demand market that can only be satisfied with the establishment of small cottage industries in different parts of the country. The main raw materials for alum manufacturing are bauxite and sulphuric acid, which can be sourced locally. Bauxite deposits occur in commercial quantities in Ondo, Cross River and Yobe States. The equipment required for alum production

include the following – Sulphuric Acid Tank, Acid Pump, Jaw crusher, Evaporating tank, Setting Tank and Digester. Production process for alum takes the following stages: • Raw bauxite is fed into the crusher to reduce it to powder form. The powdered bauxite is mixed with sulphuric acid for a considerable length of time up to four hours. • The solution is then released in a large settling tank and glue is added to enhance the coagulation of all suspended particles. The solution is then filtered into a concentrator for further concentration. • Finally, the end product is poured into moulds for solidification as it cools. Quality is then tested and certified for the market. • Site location must have water, electricity and good access road, which is the basic infrastructure necessary for the smooth running of the plant. A three bedroom flat or an existing warehouse in a plot of land will be ideal for take-off. A small scale Alum project may cost about N350,000 to N1.2 million. This amount can be scaled down or increased depending on the financial strength of the promoter. Potential investors in need of capital for implementation of this or any of our listed Small Scale Project

may get in touch for assistance. Investors can market the products through wholesale dealers on industrial chemical raw material dealers. Direct contact can also be made with industries that utilize the product extensively such as textile industries and independent small-scale fabric dyeing industries tanneries, manufacturers of baking powder and the paper industry. The plant capacity under consideration is estimated at 4,500 metric tones per annum. On a capacity utilization of 40 per cent, the plant first year revenue at wholesale price of N2,500 per metric tone will be N4,500,000. Since cost of raw materials is minimal, a profit after tax of 35 per cent is expected. The return in investment is high with a short payback period. The project is capable of providing employment for at least seven personnel. This project stands a good chance of attracting finance from the banks, where individuals or corporate bodies are assisted with funds ranging from N500,000 to well over N50 million. A well-packaged feasibility report is a prerequisite to securing finance for the project. For details on how to implement this project or any other, please contact us. We are willing to assist potential investors on any aspect of the project. Prospective investors may get in touch with us.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

Property MONEY ARM unveils 1,400 home Lakowe Lakes at Ibeju-Lekki

• Lancelot mega plaza in Lagos

Lancelot Mega Plaza opens on Lagos-Ibadan expressway Stories by MADUKA NWEKE revealed. The plaza which has the 1,982 meters Lancelot Punch Newspapers, Multitrex Mega Plaza has been Nigeria Plc factory, Petrol opened on the busy Service Stations, Garden Parks Lagos-Ibadan expressway & Hotels, Coleman Wire & to help mitigate the prob- Cable, MFM’s Mountain Top lems of accommodation to University, and Leventis Plc people of the area. The factory as immediate neighproperty, developed and bours, is expected to be delivpromoted by Lancelot ered to the property market Ventures, a property devel- within 12 calendar months. With its strategic, visible and opment and Investment Company to settle the prob- accessible location, the plaza lem of the middle class settle- promises .uninterrupted power ment, was unveiled in Ogun and water supply, and air-tight security with all shops unsuitState. The Managing Director and ed. It also promises central Chief Executive Officer, Lancelot Ventures, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, said the plaza has a total of 3,000 he Lagos State square metres let-able and sellCommissioner for Works able spaces inclusive of a pent and Infrastructure, Kadri house. He explained to the press Obafemi Hamzat, has said that his company’s decision to that with the state infrastrucdevelop the plaza was a ture upgrade machine response to rising sophistica- moved for the rehabilitation tion and changing shopping and expansion of KetuRoad, motorists and culture of the Nigerian middle Ikorodu commuters on that road will class who hunger for modern soon heave a sigh of relief. shops away from the traditionHamzat said Lagos State al open markets that they are government has set aside N29 so familiar with, adding that billion for the reconstruction the company also wants to tap and expansion of the narrow into the limitless investment winding road to six lanes. opportunities that shopping Lagos state, aware that traffic malls and plazas offer. gridlock on this road is legAdeleke noted that the plaza, endary and on daily basis, which is located at the main decided to come to the rescue entrance of Arepo, a fast grow- of the road users, especially ing and predominantly middle motorists who spend hours on class town at kilometre 30 end commuting to their offices along Lagos-Ibadan and businesses, losing manExpressway, is also aimed to hours and business appointcater to the needs of this town ments. that has a growing population The commissioner, who disof about 350,000 people with closed government’s intending over 70 percent elite class. action in Ikorodu where he led He said: “We are out to other members of the State achieve a robust complex with Executive Council to represent retail and commercial rentals the state governor at the Lagos as well as a blend of merchan- East Senatorial District presendise and office environment. tation of government’s scoreThis complex has a manage- card after 1,900 days in office, able number of owners/occu- also revealed that the road will piers for effective administra- have an integrated median tion in terms of decent envi- demarcation for the BRT ronment, safety and security; it buses. has an ample car park – about Mr. Hamzat further revealed 100 parking lots”, Adeleke that the state government was

waste management controlsystem; ample parking space (over 100 cars); central advertising board and a ready market from an elite population with disposable income. Adeleke hinted that there are investment opportunities for private equity investors in the plaza, explaining that while his company would finance the project up to 20 percent of the required 250 million, 1500 square metres of the project will be offered to potential investors/financiers at 85,000:00 per square metres to realise 127.5 million.

“This offer price holds promise for a considerable return on investment to wouldbe investors/financiers on project completion”, he assured, adding that in order to further raise part of the construction fund, 30 percent of the plaza will be offered for sale as construction progresses. He said that on completion, the plaza would for a conservative price of N220,000:per square metre comparing it to Trinity Mall on Obafemi Awolowo Way in Ikeja which currently sells at N650,000:00 per square metre.

Lagos budgets N29bn for Ketu-Ikorodu Road

committed to a partnership agreement between it and Ogun State government to rehabilitate three federal roads linking the two states including Ikorodu–Sagamu Road, Akute-Ojodu/Berger Road and Epe –Ijebu Ode Road. He also informed that the state government was determined to create alternative road for Ikorodu given its traffic count and increasing number of residents, adding that the project, based on the initial survey, would see the road cross from Ojodu/Berger to Isawo. “The initial estimated cost of this project was N60 billion with a compensation component of N5 billion. This is because the route is fully built up and there is the need to do bridges over water areas”, he explained. He also announced the state government’s commitment to good quality and affordable housing delivery for the residents of the state which is why the administration has embarked on low cost housing, and is encouraging home ownership financing through mortgage. He notedd that government has put in place policies that would enhance conducive environment required for public private partnership (PPP) in

the delivery process. According to him, within the Lagos East Senatorial District, the state government has completed and commissioned some housing estates including the Michael Otedola Housing Estate which has 336 housing units comprising room & parlour as well as one and two-bedroom bungalows. He also announced that government has initiated a mortgage scheme called the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) which is a Rent-to Own policy on mortgage financing and also Assisted Home Equity aimed at making affordable housing an attainable goal. On agriculture, the commissioner said that “the state government is in the process of finding a private sector partner for the 20,000 tonnes capacity Rice Processing Mill located at Imota area of Lagos”, adding that the capacity represent only 5 percent of the current demand of the state. He disclosed that the state government has signed an MOU with Songhai Regional Centre of Benin Republic to provide an Integrated Agriculture Development model, which reduces bio waste and generate its own independent energy from wastes.

multi-billion naira golf course and country estate, Lakowe Lakes that promises 1,400 homes for Nigerian families unveiled by Assets and Resources Management (ARM) will help to reduced Nigeria’s ever widening housing demand-supply gap. The Lakowe Lakes, located at Ibeju-Lekki, 35 kilometres from the Lagos city centre, also promises to add to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by creating employment for the youth as well as developers. The company intends by that single action to help people move out of central Lagos into the IbejuLekki axis to live, work and play. The project also consists of numerous lakes with an imposing 55-hectare lake as its master piece, adding to the beauty of the estate. A tour of the site by a group of journalists showed there was an 18hole golf course that sits on 308 hectares, with some natural beauty surrounding it. There is a residential estate around the course which, when completed, will deliver 1400 homes made up of different flats, bungalows, terrace homes, individual detached homes etc. Wale Odutola, managing directo of the real estate, while speaking to the press, hinted that the project is totally a new way of living as it is the first of

the number of projects it intends doing along the LekkiEpe axis. According to him, “What we believe golf course does is to provide a focal point and attractive location for people that want to stay in such a crystal location; somewhere that takes them away from the hustle and bustle of Lagos; a place where they can have a different lifestyle to live”. He said that the massive project which will be completed in the next five years is being developed in phases, adding that the first phase will be to finish the golf course which is at the last stage which will be completed by October. Mr. Odutola who said the company has sold about 38 percent of 201 units of the different types of homes noted that the second phase of the project will be residential homes. “There is a huge disparity between home ownership in Nigeria and demand for homes. We are also adding in our little way to that stock of property that people can buy or rent and also reduce the pressure when it comes to home ownership or usage in Nigeria”. He stated that Lakowe Lakes Golf club offers its members special place where family and friends can relax and have fun in a warm, casual atmosphere. The many amenities offer a wide variety of options for members and guests to spend

Professional group provides quarters for CHC staff at Otan Ayegbaju

public-spirited group of professionals have decided to build a modern medical staff quarters for doctors and nurses at Otan Ayegbaju Comprehensive Health Centre in Boluwaduro local government of Osun State to provide them accommodation. The group, worried by the absence of medical personnel to address the plight of the indigenes, especially at nights and weekends, due to lack of medical personnel, opted to attracting them in the vicinity through the provision of accommodation. Speaking through its president, Bisi Popoola, the group known as Pacesetters’ Club revealed that it started the project about six years ago and completed it last year. It, therefore, appealed to the state government to upgrade the health centre to a general hospital in order to serve the people of Otan Ayegbaju and its neighbouring communities better. These medical personnel who had been commuting daily to Otan Ayegbaju from places like Osogbo, the state capital, and Ikirun had attributed their inability to stay overnight and during the weekends in the community to the absence of good accommodation. The staff quarters comprises five bedrooms with en-suite

conveniences, a living room and three kitchens, all furnished for the use of doctors and nurses. The Rauf Aregbesola, the state governor, commended the club, urged other associations to emulate the club’s commitment to raising the standard of living of the town’s residents and said its efforts were well appreciated by the state government. The governor appealed to the residents to live a clean and healthy lifestyle by planting flowers and nurturing the green vegetation that defined the entire landscape, as well as embracing habits that would promote good health and reduce illness. He emphasised the need for the people to eat balanced diets and engage in physical exercise, noting that hospital attendance in the state had reduced by about 50 per cent since his administration introduced the O’Clean sanitation exercise. The Chairman of the Project Handing Over Committee, Segun Aina, also appealed to the Osun State Health Management Board and other relevant government agencies to install and put into use the medical equipment donated by sons and daughters of the community resident in Canada, which had been locked up in the health centre for many years.

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS NEPZA gets new acting CEO From DENNIS MERNYI, Abuja

new Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive has been appointed for the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA). He is Engineer David T. Nongo. His appointment in the acting capacity as the new boss of the Nigeria’s export zones agency followed the retirement of the former chief executive officer Mr. Shina Agboluaje, who vacated the office last month. Before assuming duty as the acting chief executive officer of NEPZA, Nongo who is currently the most senior officer in the hierarchy at the authority was the General Manager in charge of Corporate Strategy and Planning. He joined the authority as the head of Engineering Services Department. His taking over at NEPZA in the acting capacity has eventually settled speculation over plans to appoint someone outside the authority as head in contravention of the government’s recent circular on appointment of chief executives of government agencies of 21st June, 2012. The federal government had recently issued directives that appointments into the vacant

positions of the chief executives and top echelon of staff of parastatals, government owned companies, agencies and institutions must be done without prejudice to eligible serving officers competing for those positions with strict adherence to the principle of justice, equity and fair-play. There has been tension and anxiety at the headquarters of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) in Abuja over who would succeed the former managing director. The circular reads in parts, “this administration has laid emphasis on the need for openness, justice, equity and fair-play as guiding principles in the conduct of government businesses, including appointment of competent persons into government post. “In furtherance of all these principles, the President of the Federation has directed that all supervising ministers and principal officers of ministries, departments and agencies should be further reminded of the following extant guidelines: “All appointments into the vacant positions of chief executives and top echelon of staff of parastatals, government owned companies, agencies and institutions must be guided by the various laws establishing them.”

N5000 note: Sanusi insensitive to its economic implication – NMA From UBONG UKPONG, Abuja

he Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has described the planned introduction of N5000 note by the Central Bank of

Nigeria (CBN) as a bad policy from an insensitive leader, stressing that he was unconcerned about the damages that the initiative would cause to the nation’s economy and its efforts to attain the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015. President of the Association, Dr Osahon Enabulele, told journalists at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, that the insistence of the CBN Governor to carry on with the

IFC invest $4bn in Nigeria, others By BLAISE UDUNZE

he International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, recorded $4 billion as investments in Nigeria and entire subSaharan Africa during the 2012 fiscal year. The amount from both IFC’s advisory services projects and investments supported infrastructure, health, education, and agribusiness projects in the region, and strengthened smaller businesses and Africa’s capital markets. In a statement, the IFC said it’s investment clients benefited from $1.2 billion mobilized from other investors, and are expected to generate power for 1.54 million new customers, support 23,000 farmers, improve health services for 50,000 patients, and reach 10,000 students. The corporation’s advisory

services also helped create 25,500 jobs and worked with partner financial institutions to provide more than $1 billion in loans to African entrepreneurs in the 2011 calendar year. The advisory services were active in 35 countries, with 123 projects, valued at $204 million, it stated, “Projects spanned a range of activities, such as increasing finance for farmers and entrepreneurs, improving health and education services, finding renewable energy solutions, building public private partnerships in infrastructure and supporting investment climate reforms. Public and private development partners provided $57.8 million in additional funding to support these programs,” the release said. According to Yolande Duhem, the IFC Director for West and Central Africa, despite a weak global economy, sub-Saharan Africa is

experiencing strong economic growth and the IFC is “proud to contribute to that growth. “We have increased our support for Africa’s entrepreneurs and large companies, and helped governments improve the business environment. Our investments and advisory work have improved infrastructure and boosted financing to small enterprises. IFC remains positive on Africa’s future,” Duhem said. Commenting, the corporation’s East and Southern Africa head, Jean Philippe Prosper, said the IFC strives to promote open and competitive markets in Africa, as reflected in the development impact and highest-ever investment figures. “IFC’s financial and advisory projects support businesses in Africa, create jobs, and deliver essential services to the underserved,” Prosper said.

widely condemned policy was among several critical national issues discussed at the just concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NMA, which held at Owerri, the Imo state capital. Enabulele also told journalists that the NEC expressed great worry about the proposed introduction of the single N5000 note, twenty and fifty naira coins into circulation, on account of the naira devaluation and rise in inflation, which many Nigerians and economic experts had continued to point out since the policy was first contemplated by Sanusi. The NMA President, who said that Sanusi has been advised to consider their observations and review his plans to go ahead with the implementation of the policy, pointed out that despite several similar changes made in the past, no significant improvement in the economy was witnessed. “Increased inflation rate have more often than not been the lot of similar policies in the past. We therefore advise that rather than waste the country’s resources in such an unprofitable venture, such should be channeled into viable poverty reduction schemes.

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS Daily Domestic Flight Schedule

ARIK AIR Lag-Abj: 07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50, 18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun). Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40,10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun) Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri) 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 (Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 (Sun) PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (Mon-Fri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) Abv-Beni:08.00, 12.10 (Mon-Fri/Sat) 08.56, 12.10(Sun) Benin-Abj:09.55,13.30, (Mon-Fri/Sat) 10.50, 13.30(Sun)

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (PMA) TENOR

AMOUNT

RATES% ISSUE DATE

91 Day

30,647.81

14.00

23 Aug. 2012

182 Day 20,000.00

15.30

23 Aug. 2012

1 Year

15.38

23 Aug. 2012

90,000.00

MAJOR EXCHANGE RATES – PARALLEL MKT (AIRPORT AS AT 5/09/12) CURRENCY

BUYING (N)

USD 158 EURO 206 POUND ST. 250 Source: FMDA

SELLING(N) 161 212 259

Uncertainty swirls over Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke’s health

inister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, was reported sick on Wednesday. A top official of the Petroleum Ministry confirmed to Daily Sun that the minister was “outside the country in London, resting” but declined further questions on what would keep the minister ‘resting in London’ nor would he agree to use the word ‘sick’ to describe the minister’s situation. Several calls made to the mobile phone of the spokesman to the Petroleum Ministry, Mr. Kingsley Agha, were not answered, and an SMS sent to find out the minister’s health condition was equally not replied. “Anybody can be sick,” said the official who volunteered to speak on the condition of anonymity. “We saw her last on Friday, before she traveled to London and she did not appear as someone that was suffering any form of ailment.” Alison-Madueke was last seen in public

accompanying President Goodluck Jonathan to a state visit in Anambra State, where Orient Petroleum launched Anambra as the 10th crude oil producing state in Nigeria. Sources at the Petroleum Ministry told Daily Sun that after that event Alison-Madueke returned to Abuja to rest before her travel to London. But online media Nairaline Forum quoted the minister as denying she was sick and hospitalised in London with “a potentially serious” condition. On a Facebook post at 3.37p.m, Nigerian time, the minister said, “Contrary to recently published articles concerning my health, I haven’t been hospitalised in London. Both my family and I are well.” She did not, however, give her current location. But another online medium, Saharareporters on Wednesday quoted an unnamed medical source as saying that “the minister’s diagnosis was for a condition related to abnormal cell development in her body.

Los-Abv: 09.55, 13.30(Mon-Fri/Sat) 10.50, 13.30(Sun) Lag-Enugu: 07.10, 13.45, 18.30(Mon-Fri) 07.10, 14.00(Sat) 10.20, 13.45, 18.30(Sun) Enugu-Lag: 08.30, 12.00, 18.25 (Mon-Fri) 08.30, 12.00, 15.40(Sat) 12,00, 18.25(Sun) Abj-Enugu: 08.30, 12.00, 18.25, (Mon-Fri) 08.30, 12.00, 15.40 (Sat)12.00, 18.25 (Sun) Abj-Enugu: 10.30, 17.05(Mon-Fri) 10.30(Sat) 17.05(Sun) Enugu-Abj: 08.50, 15.25 (Mon-Fri) 08.50 (Sat) 15.25(Sun) AERO CONTRACTORS Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (MonFri/Sat/Sun), 12.30(Sun) 16.45(Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/-Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun) CHANCHANGI AIRLINES Los-Abj: 7.15, 10.00, 13.30, 15.30, 17.30 Abj-Lag: 08.00, 11.45, 13.40, 15.30, 17.30 Lag-Kad: 10.45 (on Fri), 17.00 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) Kad-Lag: 7.30 (Mon-Fri), 08.00 (Sat/Sun IRS AIRLINES Lag-Abj: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45 (Mon-Fri), 9.30, 12.45 (Sat & Sun) Lag-Kano: 6.15 (Mon-Fri), 16.30 Sat&Sun Kano-Lag: 07.30 (Mon-Fri), 10.30 (Sat & Sun) OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS LOS - ILR Mon - Fri 0715hrs LOS - MNA Mon, Wed & Fri 0715hrs LOS - IBA Mon - Fri 0715hrs

IBADAN IBA - ABV Mon - Fri IBA - LOS Mon - Fri

0800hrs 1700hrs

ILORIN ILR - ABV Mon - Fri 0900hrs ILR - LOS Mon - Fri 1630hrs ILR - MNA Mon, Wed & Fri 0900hrs MINNA MNA - ABV Mon, Wed & Fri MNA - ILR Mon, Wed & Fri MNA - LOS Mon, Wed & Fri ABUJA ABV - ILR Mon - Fri ABV - IBA Mon - Fri

0920hrs 1520hrs 1520hrs

1500hrs 1500hrs

• L–R: Director, Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel Nig., Mr Emeka Oparah; CEO, Nigeria Airtel, Rajan Swaroop; Director General, Lagos State Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mr Ayo Gbeleyi; Head, Customer Service Delivery, Lagos Region, Mr Wale Alao, and Director of Customer Service, Mr Ajay Bakshir, during the commissioning of Airtel Ultra-Modern Showroom at Ikeja Mall, in Lagos. Photo: FESTUS ODOFIN

National ID Card: French court convicts SAFRAN for N99.6m bribe By CHIMA TITUS NWOKOJI

he scandal ridden Nigeria ID Card project resonated in far away France yesterday, when French electronics firm, Safran, was fined 500,000 euros ($630,000) for bribing Nigerian officials to win a multi-million euro National Identity Card contract. A Paris court found SAGAM, a company that merged with SNECMA to form SAFRAN in 2005, paid bribes to Nigerian officials from 2000 and 2003 to secure a 171 million euro contract. The case came to light in 2005, when former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, said SAGEM executives in 2001 paid Nigerian officials’ bribes ranging from $30,000 to $500,000 (24,000 to 40,000 euros) to win the $214 million identity card contract. He also alleged they presented gifts, including Rolex wrist watches.

It is rare for firms to be fined in France for corruption in a foreign country, just as Nigerian government rarely convicts its corrupt officers. Apart from the fact that till date, substantial number of Nigerians were unable to get the ID cards, the old cards issued failed to meet the requirement for electronic identity verification for which it was intended. The court condemned the company for endorsing the payments, but dropped charges against two former SAGAM executives: Jean-Pierre Delarue, then a sales manager in Nigeria, and François Perrachon, the former director for identification systems. The prosecution alleged Sagem sent millions of dollars to high-ranking Nigerian officials including the former Minister of Internal Affairs, Sunday Afolabi, a chieftain of the people’s Democratic Party who died in detention over the

same bribery scandal. Investigating magistrates found that the N99,665,998.08 bribes had helped SAFRAN win the contract to make more than 70 million identity cards, Reuters reports. Safran, which is 30 per cent state-owned, said it would appeal, adding: “SAFRAN would like to point out that it is deeply attached to the strict respect of anti-corruption rules.” A report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that was leaked in July said French authorities lacked the resources to fight possible corruption in big export contracts. Similarly, former Halliburton Co. executive Albert ‘Jack’ Stanley was also sentenced to 2? years in prison, three years after he pleaded guilty to orchestrating $180 million in bribes to Nigerian officials between 1995 and 2004.

Cheat, go to jail: IGP warns stock market fraudsters While inaugurating the 18-man team that From KELECHI MGBOJI, ISAAC ANUMIHE and were deployed to prosecute all criminal cases MOLLY KILETE, Abuja involving the capital market activities, he he days of stock market fraud seems to charged them to be good ambassador of the have come to an end as the Inspector police by ensuring that every culprit found General of Police( IGP), Mohammed J. wanting are dealt with in accordance with the Abubakar, yesterday, announced the deploy- Investment and Securities Act and regulation. ment of 18 senior police officers to the Securities The 18-man team is headed by Chief and Exchange Commission (SEC), saying: “This Superintendent of Police (CIP), Babakura administration will not allow criminals at the Mohammed, 8 inspectors and others in the rank market to go without being punished. The police boss who was full of commendations and file. The IGP, said: “It is my solemn desire to for the SEC Director General, Ms. Arunma Oteh make Nigeria safer for the growth and economfor her desire to make the capital market free of malpractices, noted that “No nation can develop ic development of the nation. Life and properwith increase in crime and corruption,” warning ty which include tangible and intangible assets that from henceforth there will be no hiding place must be protected.” Continuing, he said: “The inter agency colfor fraudsters and criminals in the capital market.

laboration is in the right direction as both Nigeria Police, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and SEC are committed to deliver their mandate of protecting life and property of the people. “There have been several discussions between myself and the DG of SEC on the issue of having a police desk in the commission, so the deployment of these men will help SEC to discharge their responsibilities. “We can no longer allow criminal to do any act that is criminal and the criminals should know that their time is over and should stop and leave such practice. This administration will deal with anybody found defrauding the people in the capital market,” he added.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS

DAILY SUN Monday, August 1, 2011

NAME OF CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL CFA 0.2779 0.2879 DANISH KRONER 26.1504 26.2349 EURO 194.8932 195.5227 POUNDS STERLING 246.5654 247.3618 RIYAL 41.2756 41.4089 SDR 235.5437 236.3045 SWISS FRANC 162.1452 162.6689 US DOLLAR 154.8 155.3 WAUA 235.0291 235.7883 YEN 1.9735 1.9799 YUAN/RENMINBI 24.3774 24.4566 Official exchange rates as at 5/09/2012

SELLING 0.2979 26.3193 196.1522 248.1582 41.5422 237.0653 163.1926 155.8 236.5474 1.9862 24.5358

NIBOR TENOR RATE Call 11.7083 7 Day 12.0417 30 Day 12.8750 60 Day 13.1667 90 Day 13.5417 Source: FMDA

CHANGE 0.71 0.21 0.88 2.08 2.21

DATE 05 Sep, 05 Sep, 05 Sep, 05 Sep, 05 Sep,

2012 2012 2012 2012 2012

Why accountants should learn new skills – Minister From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

ederal Government, yesterday, advised accountants in its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to equip themselves with technical skills so that they will not find it difficult to adapt to the new International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the International Financial Reporting Standards in the country. Speaking at a two-day Sensitisation Workshop organised by the FAAC SubCommittee on the Roadmap for adoption of the IPSAS in the country in Abuja, Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Ngama, told key officers in the accounting departments of both Federal and States’ MDAs, including Commissioners of Finance and Economic Development in the North-Central geo-political zones, of the need to have a Standardised Uniform

Chart of Accounts, Budget and General Purpose Financial Statements saying that this is necessary in order for Nigeria’s MDAs to meet international best practices as required by IPSAS. Describing the adoption of the IPSAS as one of the strong platforms to drive the ongoing transformation agenda for a better Nigeria, the minister urged the participants to consider the workshop as an interactive avenue for experience sharing and contributions that would fast-track the IPSAS implementation process at all tiers of government. “The Sub-Committee ha successfully held similar sensitisation workshops in Kaduna for the North-West, Enugu for South-East, Port-Harcourt for SouthSouth, Ibadan for South-West and Bauchi for the North-East zone as part of the strategies to achieve the implementation process.

International Flight Schedule

CROSS RATES

47 49

Ethiopian Airlines Lagos-Addis Ababa (daily) Departure time: 12:15 pm, Arrival time: 1:15 pm Contact no: 014611869/029

AFRIQIYAH AIRWAYS Lagos-Tripoli Tue, Wed, Thur and Sat Departure time: 01:30am, Arrival time: 22:25 pm Contact no: 012711506 BRITISH AIRWAYS Lagos-London Heathrow (daily) Departure time: 11 pm, Arrival time: 5: 50 pm Contact no: 012792690 0r 014615870-5 TURKISH AIRLINES Lagos-Istanbul Mon, Tue, Thur Sat Departure time: 10: 10 pm, Arrival time: 8: 10 pm Customer care no: Not available DELTA AIR Lagos-Atlanta (daily) Departure time: Btw 3pm and 5pm, Arrival time: 10:30 am Contact no: 014483111 EMIRATES Lagos-Dubai Daily (2 flights) Departure time: 3pm, 8.50pm, Arrival time:1pm, 6pm Contact no :01-2717600 LUFTHANSA Lagos-Frankfurt (daily) Departure time: 10:05 pm, Arrival time: 19:08 Contact no: 014612222, 0414480963 AIR FRANCE Lagos-Paris (daily) Departure time: 11 pm, Arrival time: 14:14 pm Customer care no: 01-4610777, 012617959 SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS Lagos-Johannesburg (daily) Departure time: 10:30 pm, Arrival time: 8 or 9 am Customer care no: 2702681-5

• L–R: The Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunma Oteh, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, during the inauguration of the Police Unit of SEC by the IGP, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, yesterday.

FCT administration provides N250m revolving loan to farmers From FRED ITUA, Abuja

he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has provided about N250 million community empowerment agriculture revolving loan for 385 poor communities across the six area councils of the FCT. The Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, disclosed this on Wednesday during an inspection tour of farms in Kuchibuyi and Guita communities of Bwari Area Councils. The Community Empowerment Agriculture Initiative is the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Project Support of the FCTA under the Department of Economic Planning, Research and Statistics (EPRS). The minister was accompanied on the tour by the Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Peter

Ushafa; Director of EPRS in FCTA, Alhaji Ari Isa Mohammed; Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat in the FCT. She explained that the Community Empowerment Agriculture Initiative was aimed at empowering women and youths in 385 poor communities identified by the FCT MDGs baseline survey conducted in 2008. She disclosed that the sum of N60 million was provided in 2010 in the community empowerment agriculture loan scheme, N120 million in 2011 and N60 million in 2012. Of the N250 million available for farmers, including women and youths, the sum of N120 million has been accessed by the beneficiary communities through four microfinance banks (MFBs), including EWT Microfinance Bank, Fims Microfinance Bank, Hasan Microfinance Bank and Credit Link Microfinance Bank.

“We are supporting the poor and rural communities through capacity building in modern farming techniques and agric-businesses to address the issues of poverty, unemployment and gender equality among the rural populace, thereby improving their income and quality of life. “This initiative started with 60 communities across the six area councils in 2010 and by 2011, the initiative was scaled up to 180 communities with FCT UNDAF II supporting 60 communities. Presently, the scheme is in 236 communities across the six area councils and the remaining communities will be covered before the end of 2013,” said Akinjide, who supervises the FCT MDGs Project Support of the FCTA. The EPRS Director, Ari Mohammed, said the scheme was designed to boost agricultural production, create employment and reduce poverty in the FCT.

Ex-CBN governor, Ola Vincent, goes home tomorrow By VERA WISDOM-BASSEY

…As Sanusi, Fasehun, others condole with family

Fasehun described the death of Pa Ola Vincent as a blow to Nigeria at this time when there is killings and wanton destruction of properties in the country. While fielding questions from journalists, he described Vincent as a man who happens to be an icon and a role model to reckon with, “this is the time Nigeria needs elder statesmen like him. For death to take him out of our national life is a colossal lose. We wish him well,” said the OPC chieftain. Fasehun maintained that the octogenarian will be remembered for his self discipline, honesty, impeccable character and integrity, which is lacking among “leaders of our days,” stressing that Nigerian leaders should take a cue from him. The former Deputy Governor of CBN Mr.

ate former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Ola Vincent, will be laid to rest tomorrow, at Ikoyi Cemetery. This is even as the former governor of CBN, Chief Joseph Sanusi, among other eminent Nigerians, paid condolences to the family. According to the family of the deceased, lying in state takes place today, September 6, 2012 at his residence by 9:00 am -10: 00. The reception of guests shall be at the Haviliah House of events, Chief Yesufu Abiodun Way by City of David Church, Off Ligali Ayorinde Victoria Island. Among dignitaries who paid condolence visit to the family are the founder and Leader of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) Dr Fredrick Fashun, former minister of industry, Chief Mrs. Bisi Akande.

Victor Odozi, also described late Ola Vincent as a devout Christian; a great role model and an outstanding man, while thanking the Almighty God for blessing Nigeria with a man of his kind. Former Minister for Industry Chief Mrs. Bisi Akande, described the late Central Bank of Nigeria, Governor Papa Ola Vincent as a virtuous man to behold. “He was a very patriotic man, kind hearted and a good leader as well as a man of integrity.” Elder Ola Vincent, as he was known in the Christian circles was a deacon of the African Church of Bethel Agagbo Tarqwa Bay. He passed on the early hours of Monday September 3. Mrs. Juliet Madubueze Past President Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mrs. Debola Osibogun Chairman Board of Fellow, 1st Vice President CIBN.

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.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS Stocks hit new high on prospects of market making take off

By KELECHI MGBOJI

rofitable trading in equities witnessed at the Nigerian Stock Exchange in the past two weeks increased in momentum yesterday, following announcement that market making programme on the exchange would commence September 18. As a result value of stocks represented by market capitalization rose sharply by over N110.15 billion to close at N7.75 trillion as against appreciation by N47.27 billion recorded on Tuesday session to close at N7.64 trillion. Similarly, the NSE benchmark All-Share Index appreciated by 1.44 percent to close at 24,358.62 as against 0.48 percent upbeat in previous session to close at 24,012.57. This is

the highest performance ever recorded in the market this year. The banking and NSE 30-index recorded significant gains of 1.94 per cent and 1.45 per cent to close at 380.15 points and 1,141.10 points respectively, supporting the All Share Index to return 1.44 per cent, its 4-month highest. Lotus Islamic index rose by 1.76 per cent to close at 1,435.41 points, while consumer goods index appreciated by 0.81 per cent to close at 2,060.58 points. But the oil and gas index dropped 0.10 per cent to close at 165.70 points. According to analysts at Meristem Securities Limited, a research firm, the market breadth

WAPCO Plc rose by N2.20 or 4.99 per cent to close at N46.31 per share. Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc appreciated by N2.88 or 4.99 per cent to close at N60.65 per share. On the flip side, Arbico Plc dropped 57 kobo or 4.96 per cent to close at N10.93 per share, while Longman Plc dipped by 10 kobo or 4.93 per cent to close at N1.93 per share. DN Meyer Plc shed four kobo or 4.71 per cent to close at 81 kobo per share, while Eterna Oil Plc lost 11 kobo or 4.56 per cent to close at N2.30 per share. UTC Plc declined by three kobo or 4.35 per cent to close at 66 kobo per share. A total of 254.3 million shares worth N2.20bn were exchanged in 4,292 deals.

widened relative to the preceding day, indicating investors’ optimism in valued counters. The value of 37 stocks increased, while 14 declined. The analysts pointed out that major market metrics are trading at their respective year high, as the local benchmark which closed at 24,358.62 points on Wednesday has returned 17.5 per cent year-to-date. NAHCO Plc led the gainers’ table with 28 kobo or five per cent to close at N5.88 per share, followed by Union Bank of Nigeria Plc with 28 kobo or 4.99 per cent to close at N5.89 per share. Dangote Sugar Plc gained 22 kobo or 4.99 per cent to close at N4.63 per share, while

THE DAILY STOCK SUMMARY AS AT 5/09/2012 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector Company name

No of Deals Quotation(N)

Main Board AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Sub Sector Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIG. PLC U A C N PLC. Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. Sub Sector Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. Sub Sector Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Sub Sector Totals Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Sub Sector Totals Beverages—Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Sub Sector Totals Beverages—Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Sub Sector Totals

Sector Company name

Main Board FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services MANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. Sub Sector Totals Micro-Finance Banks

Value of Shares(N)

1 24 14 39

0.50 34.99 15.00

1,000 532,848 47,740 581,588

500.00 18,630,086.32 717,535.74 19,348,000

12 12 51

1.33

357,884 357,884 939,472

476,697.72 477,000 19,824,819.78

7 2 121 52 182 182

1.23 5.81 0.84 36.01

53,000 660 15,089,168 427,273 15,570,101 15,570,101

65,841.60 3,643.20 12,678,402.55 15,422,969.12 28,171,000 28,170,856.47

8 8

10.93

128,942 128,942

1,409,336.06 1,409,000

35 1 36

29.80 7.64

954,940 1,500 956,440

28,200,910.00 12,030.00 28,213,000

15 15

9.70

748,447 748,447

7,262,292.10 7,262,000

3 3 62

100.00

2,500 2,500 1,836,329

250,000.00 250,000 37,134,568.16

1 1

0.50

211,673 211,673

105,836.50 106,000

1 73 22 155 251

3.28 255.00 9.70 123.00

7,500 226,895 5,131,065 553,448 5,918,908

23,400.00 57,744,727.66 49,770,667.00 70,019,872.76 177,559,000

16 16

40.00

42,105 42,105

1,644,864.10 1,645,000

No of Deals Quotation(N)

Main Board CONSUMER GOODS Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 76 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 63 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 74 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 15 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 4 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 47 U T C NIG. PLC. 4 Sub Sector Totals 283 Food Products—Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 82 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 57 Sub Sector Totals 139 Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 39 Sub Sector Totals 39 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 85 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 94 Sub Sector Totals 179 Sector Totals 908 FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 202 DIAMOND BANK PLC 121 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED 50 FIDELITY BANK PLC 84 FIRST BANK OF NIG. PLC 491 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. 69 GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 386 SKYE BANK PLC 135 STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC 83 STERLING BANK PLC. 76 U B A PLC 268 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 95 WEMA BANK PLC. 4 ZENITH BANK PLC 252 Sub Sector Totals 2,316 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 11 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 5 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 21 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. 1 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 4 GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC 1 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 8 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COY PLC 3 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. 1

Sector Company name

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

6.44 4.63 60.65 1.85 21.48 4.90 0.66

782,565 2,217,833 716,116 108,170 7,644 1,585,410 129,520 5,547,258

4,978,142.19 10,226,765.36 43,380,505.18 200,278.00 156,014.04 7,656,937.58 85,583.20 66,684,000

20.65 550.00

1,865,437 211,572 2,077,009

38,200,493.85 122,085,434.13 160,286,000

3.01

3,250,525 3,250,525

9,791,594.39 9,792,000

23.50 36.20

3,950,907 5,641,636 9,592,543 26,640,021

89,224,564.45 198,127,647.87 287,352,000 703,423,328.26

7.88 2.79 10.90 1.41 13.80 3.00 18.72 2.82 6.85 1.10 4.60 5.89 0.50 15.79

7,863,265 24,471,008 1,283,020 5,251,340 32,630,029 5,062,066 10,192,442 12,580,557 11,302,322 21,475,762 32,891,300 2,030,356 20,000 9,250,525 176,303,992

61,385,345.59 68,954,204.12 13,917,431.74 7,404,328.50 443,854,985.49 15,229,439.17 190,569,023.21 34,897,110.74 78,037,494.20 23,323,706.41 151,537,400.72 11,728,615.08 10,000.00 145,572,795.18 1,246,422,000

0.50 0.62 1.15 0.50 0.51 0.50 0.58 0.50 0.50

786,489 483,577 13,158,000 10,550 169,694 1,000 202,260 21,159 100,000

393,244.50 299,512.68 15,625,630.00 5,275.00 86,143.94 500.00 116,496.80 10,579.50 50,000.00

No of Deals Quotation(N)

4 1 1 5 66

Quantity Traded

1.65 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded

26,000 100,000 6,600 97,500 15,162,829

Value of Shares(N)

43,170.00 50,000.00 3,300.00 48,750.00 16,733,000

Sector Company name

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded

NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Sub Sector Totals Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC Sub Sector Totals Other Financial Institutions CRUSADER ( NIG) PLC. DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARM. PLC Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Sub Sector Totals IT Services NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Sub Sector Totals Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC IPWA PLC

Sector Company name

1.10

1,622,822 1,622,822

1,770,104.20 1,770,000

3 3

0.50

200,000 200,000

100,000.00 100,000

1 1 6 8 2,399

0.50 2.02 0.50

55,000 500 285,336 340,836 193,630,479

27,500.00 1,010.00 142,668.00 171,000 1,265,195,764.77

5 17 15 24 6 67 67

1.05 0.85 30.80 1.52 0.79

48,943 519,200 32,185 1,062,068 346,750 2,009,146 2,009,146

48,943.00 441,477.00 998,214.17 1,614,343.36 273,912.50 3,377,000 3,376,890.03

1 1

0.50

3,000 3,000

1,500.00 2,000

2 2

13.12

1,700 1,700

23,031.00 23,000

1 1 4

0.50

100,000 100,000 104,700

50,000.00 50,000 74,531.00

35 4 16 15 37 10 1 1

10.70 7.63 29.15 4.32 116.99 0.81 0.50 0.70

509,894 14,142 79,495 347,569 585,928 618,000 25,000 50,000

5,434,684.27 112,506.30 2,278,744.00 1,499,468.73 67,548,083.40 500,580.00 12,500.00 35,000.00

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

No of Deals Quotation(N)

Main Board INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC Sub Sector Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Sub Sector Totals Packaging/Containers NIGERIAN BAGS MANUFACTURING COY PLC Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals NATURAL RESOURCES Non-Metallic Mineral Mining MULTIVERSE PLC Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sub Sector Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Sub Sector Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Sub Sector Totals Sector Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Sub Sector Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sub Sector Totals Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Sub Sector Totals Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sub Sector Totals Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC

Value of Shares(N)

6 6

32 1 152

46.31 3.31

370,138 273 2,600,439

16,859,961.98 903.63 94,282,000

4 4

1.37

210,000 210,000

287,700.00 288,000

48 48 204

1.64

2,041,411 2,041,411 4,851,850

3,342,391.64 3,342,000 97,912,523.95

2 2 2

0.50

514,500 514,500 514,500

257,250.00 257,000 257,250.00

61 61

0.62

2,309,937 2,309,937

1,443,600.98 1,444,000

123 123

13.70

1,657,965 1,657,965

23,024,438.87 23,024,000

3 26 21 22 19 18 109 293

0.50 19.75 2.30 11.40 114.50 128.01

4,500 201,430 641,131 266,522 23,628 18,997 1,156,208 5,124,110

2,250.00 4,063,093.89 1,480,897.28 2,888,631.68 2,792,058.26 2,431,293.43 13,658,000 38,126,264.39

16 16

1.82

667,181 667,181

1,192,378.72 1,192,000

10 10

2.58

571,200 571,200

1,517,396.00 1,517,000

1 1

0.50

1,000 1,000

500.00 1,000

5 5

1.12

186,400 186,400

210,118.00 210,000

5 2

1.64 1.93

11,200 212,479

18,368.00 410,341.60

No of Deals Quotation(N)

Main Board SERVICES Printing/Publishing UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 9 Sub Sector Totals 16 Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLC 2 Sub Sector Totals 2 Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 7 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC 63 Sub Sector Totals 70 Sector Totals 120 Type Totals 4,292 Grand Totals 4,292

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

4.17

129,788 353,467

516,023.36 945,000

0.50

217,695 217,695

108,847.50 109,000

1.88 5.88

91,300 1,034,206 1,125,506 3,122,449 254,343,157 254,343,157

174,036.00 6,042,359.67 6,216,000 10,190,368.85 2,203,687,165.66 2,203,687,165.66

Thursday, September 6, 2012 DAILY SUN 49 NEWS

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

Liberia beats Malawi to warn Eagles

iberia beat a balanced Malawian side in Liberia on Tuesday night revealing a tough team awaiting Nigeria. Reports indicate that Malawi succumbed to the hosts late in the game in Monrovia, giving coach Phiri a severe headache as he prepares to face Ghana this Saturday in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier's first leg. Home-based players dominated the squad but the coach's concerns were on the foreign legion. Liberia can now use this as a means to compare themselves against Nigeria who for the record blended both home and away players against the Flames.

Gabriel Reuben faces late fitness test

ano Pillars’ star, Gabriel Reuben, will face a late fitness test ahead of Saturday's AFCON clash in Liberia, officials said. Reuben's groin injury relapsed during Tuesday evening training and coach Stephen Keshi said he would have 48 hours after which he would decide whether the defensive midfielder will be on the plane to Monrovia. “Reuben is our only injury worry. I will take a decision on him in the next 48 hours,” said Keshi after Tuesday evening training in Abuja. The 22-year-old Reuben has become one of the key players in the national team since Keshi took charge in November. Likely replacement for the injured Reuben would be Akwa United’s star, Solomon Jabason, who shone on his Eagles debut against Niger in Niamey recently. Pillars defender, Papa Idris, has already been cut for the Liberia game on account of injury. It was a full house as expected for Tuesday training and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was due yesterday after he was granted a special permission to do so. The team flies out tomorrow morning to Liberia on a chartered flight. They are due back in Abuja immediately after the match on Saturday. Kick-off is 7pm Nigerian time.

Keshi happy with Eagles' dazzling form in training

igeria’s Coach, Stephen Keshi, was a happy man on Tuesday evening as his invited foreign-based players exhibited dazzling form and fitness to the admiration of the coaching crew at the Abuja National Stadium training pitch. The squad is getting into full gear ahead of Saturday's final 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying first leg match against the Lone Star. The arrival of 10 of the invited players led by team captain, Joseph Yobo, brought smiles to the face of the coach. Keshi led the team to the pitch at exactly 4.10pm and drilled the team for close to three hours before they finally left the stadium at around 6.45pm. “Psychologically, this team is raring to go,” a happy Keshi told Goal.com after the workout. “They are simply good. I am seeing good things coming up and I am happy with what I have seen so far most especially in (Tuesday) evening training. “We really need to focus and concentrate and this is what I am beginning to see. They have given me what I wanted to see this evening, their concentration and focus in the training was good. I think it is going to come out right.” According to him, there will not be enough time to train more than twice before the team's departure for the game as he had planned training sessions for Wednesday evening and yesterday before the team's departure tomorrow morning. “We will train [on Wednesday] and Thursday evenings before we travel to Monrovia on Friday.” The team expected to receive first choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama yesterday morning in Abuja as the trainer confirmed that the Israel-based goalkeeper would be available for yesterday evening training session. “Vincent would be in Abuja [on Wednesday] by the grace of God and will train with us in the evening,” Keshi

Sibi Gwar targets NPL top scorer's award

fter missing out on a contract with an Iraseli club, Nigeria Premier League current highest goals scorer, Sibi Gwar, has said that he had set his sights on winning the top scorer's award with more goals in Niger Tornadoes' last game against Jigawa Golden Stars in Minna. Before his trip to Israel, Gwar had scored 16 goals and with ABS' Abdulrahman Bashir on his trail with a goal less, the Benueborn striker revealed that increasing his goals tally was what was on his mind as they welcome Golden Stars tomorrow to the Bako Kotangora Stadium, Minna. "I have my sights set on winning the highest goals scorer's award. I am not happy that I will not be able to break the record of 20 goals set by Jude Aneke last season, but you can never rule out anything in football," Gwar said. "I will be contented with ending the season as top scorer in the NPL this season and it will be a fitting consolation to a season in which I have seen both ups and downs.

From Left: Super Eagles’ Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi; Eagles’ Captain, Joseph Yobo and Team Co-ordinator, Mr Emmanuel Attah, during Eagles’ interactive session with the media in Abuja on Wednesday

Nations Cup qualifier

We cannot afford to lose against Liberia – Yobo N

igeria’s Captain, Joseph Yobo, has said that the Super Eagles cannot afford to lose Saturday's crucial 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Liberia in Monrovia. The Eagles will face a massive game against the Liberians as they seek to put to rest the ghost of their failure to qualify for Gabon-Equatorial Guinea 2012 in the match to be played at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium. “I would plead on behalf of the team that our fans should support us in Monrovia. It is not going to be easy playing against Liberia on her home soil. It is going to be one of the most difficult games away from home,” Yobo said in Abuja during the team's media parley yesterday. “Away from home has never been easy since I have been around and we know this. Now, we have another opportunity to put things right.

“So, if we don't lose this game, it is good and if we draw it, it's not bad because we have them at home to play. But the most important thing is whatever happens, we cannot lose this game.” Yobo, who has just returned to the squad after a lengthy period of injury, said that the Eagles will not be deterred by the antics of

the home crowd. “I think we are used to (getting booed). The players playing in Nigeria are used to not being cheered by host team’s fans. “We, the foreign based players, are also used to this. When you play away from home in Europe, the host fans rain curses on you, they jeer at you, throw stones at

...Raises alarm over bad pitch By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

uper Eagles’ Captain, Joseph Yobo, has expressed disappointment over the state of the training pitch they are using to prepare for the crucial game against the Lone Star of Liberia, arguing that Nigerians are unfair to write off the team even when there is no facility to train. The Turkish-based defender,

speaking with the media at the Eagles camp, said that he was happy with the building process by the team's head coach, Stephen Keshi, stressing that it was becoming impossible to differentiate between the home and foreign-based players. There is good team spirit now that we eat together, relate closely, stay together and accept those who know our faces, it is becoming difficult to differentiate who is who. We keep getting better because I know it is not

Brown Ideye: I'm ready to destroy Liberia By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

kraine-based Nigerian striker, Brown Ideye, has assured Nigerians that he was in the right frame of mind to ensure that the Super Eagles have an emphatic victory over the Lone Star of Liberia, promising that he would do everything to score. Celebrating his return to the Eagles fold, the former French league attacker argued that he returned to the Eagles, stressing that he never lost confidence since he was doing very well in

you and all sorts of threats. “This is our career and this is what we are used to. So, we are not pressured if the Liberian fans employ the tactics against us come Saturday. “We just need our home people to support us and be behind us in the match,” said the Fenerbahce defender.

his club. “It is great to return to the Super Eagles fold and I'm very happy about the invitation. I was not, however, surprise that I was invited because I have been at my best in my clubside. Banking on the confidence that the head coach promised he would invite players on merit, I did not allow my exclusion to bother me so much. The summary is that I merit the invitation given to me now,” he said. On whether he was entertaining fears over the array of strikers in Eagles line-up, Ideye, replied: “They are all good players and they are capable of stak-

ing a claim on the Eagles line. But, my resolution is to do my best if the technical crew eventually considers me ahead of others. I'm ready to ensure that we pick something in Liberia. “As for whether I'm the right person to lead the Eagles’attack, I will rather leave it for the coaches to decide. I suppose he knows the right person to lead the attack and who should be on the bench. If he settles for me, I would do my best not to disappoint the confidence he reposed on me. “Every player in the camp knows how crucial and important this match is to the country.

going to happen overnight. We are in a stage where we need to qualify. “I don't know how to describe the pitch we are training on. It is really bad and I feel they should do something about it. it is obvious we don't have the facilities, yet Nigerians expect us to win all our matches,” he said. The returnee skipper further assured that the Eagles must secure, at least, a draw in Monrovia during Saturday's crucial AFCON 2013 qualifying game against the Monrovia side, stressing the Super Eagles cannot afford to lose the game. “I would plead on behalf of the team that our fans should support us in Monrovia. It is not going to be easy playing against Liberia on her home soil. It is going to be one of the most difficult games away from home. The Fener of Turkey defender promised Nigerians that the antics of the home crowd in Monrovia will not put pressure on his teammates, stressing: “I think we are used to getting booed. The players playing in Nigeria are used to not being cheered by host team’s fans.

Thursday, September 6, 2012 DAILY SUN 50 NEWS

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

Usain Bolt set for Man Utd debut

Flamingoes get ambassadorial welcome in Portugal

sain Bolt's dream of playing for Manchester United is set to come true according to a story published in the magazine, Inside United. The 100 and 200 metre world record holder and Olympic champion is set to make his debut for the Red Devils in a friendly against the Real Madrid legends next year, Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed. "Usain is a character and a big United’s fan but it's interesting he says he'd like to play in a charity game. It could be brilliant, and next year there could be opportunities to bring him up and see how he does," Fergie told the magazine. The fastest man on the planet urged fans to help persuade Sir Alex to sign him up for United when he was a guest of honour during a 3-2 victory against Fulham in the League earlier in the season.

Prizefighter Africa makes debut in Nigeria

he Prizefighter series, a knockout boxing tournament, featuring eight different boxers in a sort of last man standing competition, will soon make its debut in Nigeria.

Za Entertainment International in conjunction with Global Sports Promotion, are bringing to Nigeria the London's version of Prizefighter organised by the Matchroom Boxing owned by sporting events promoter, Barry Hearn. Speaking about the new innovation aimed at resuscitating and developing boxing in the country, CEO of Za Entertainment International, Azania Omo-Agege, said that the Prizefighter series is a knockout boxing tournament to promote professional boxers in the heavyweight down to the lightweight division where eight boxers are grouped to compete in four quarter finals of three minutes each followed by two semi finals and one final all in the same night. He said that the prize money for the winner of the tournament would be $25,000 (about N3.6million), while all the other participating boxers would have prizes to take home. “Za Entertainment International and Global Sports Promotion have secured the franchise from the London based's Matchroom Boxing to promote the series to be known as Prizefighter Africa on the continent. The franchise was facilitated by Mike Williams of Based Africa. The maiden edition, which we plan to organise in Lagos and every three months across the federation as well as in other African countries, will be explosive, as boxers from Ghana, South Africa and some other countries in Africa are ready to slug it out with their Nigerian counterparts in the heavyweight category. The aim of this is to go back to the basics and bring a new life into boxing in Nigeria and Africa as a whole where our boxers will earn handsome prizes in dollars,” Omo-Agege said. He disclosed that the Prizefighter Africa had received the backing and full cooperation of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, NBB of C and is reaching out to corporate Nigerians to embrace this new innovation in boxing promotion with sponsorship and partnership.

Del Piero confirms move to Australia

talian World Cup winner, Alessandro Del Piero, will play next season for Sydney FC, the striker said yesterday in a major boost for Australia's seven-year-old A-League.

The 37-year-old was released at the end of last season after 19 years at Juventus and had been linked with moves to various clubs, including English Premier League side, Southampton and Scotland's Celtic. "There's no better choice for me than Sydney," Del Piero told reporters in Turin, Italy, adding that he had received offers from teams on several continents. "I'll do this with enthusiasm of someone who is doing some thing new and who wants to do it well," said Del Piero, who added that he would "live fully" his time in Australia and not "as a long vacation" from Italy. Del Piero, who won six Serie A titles and the Champions league with Juventus, has signed a contract Australian media have reported is worth A$2 million ($2.05 million) - making him the best paid player in any football code in the country. Del Piero will play with the same Number 10 he donned at Juventus, Tony Pignata, Sydney's general manager, said in Turin.

President Goodluck Jonathan addressing the Super Eagles’ players and their officials after their training on Wednesday. Photo: State House

igeria's Ambassador to Portugal, Her Excellency (Mrs.) I.E.C Bristol, was in the team camp of National Under-17 side, the Flamingoes, yesterday morning to formally welcome the team to Portugal. The team, which had a long 14-hour flight, had left Nigeria aboard a Turkish airline on Monday night to Istanbul before connecting its flight to Lisbon, Portugal. Head of Chancery at the Nigerian Embassy, Portugal, Mr Pascal Onwordi, along side the staff of Browns Sports and leisure club had earlier welcomed the team at the Lisbon Airport. “I am happy to formally welcome you girls to Portugal on your training tour. I see you all as ambassadors, representing our great country, Nigeria and I enjoin you girls to behave like worthy ambassadors and make sure you represent our country well”. “Playing in a World Cup is an important thing for every player, and to be picked to represent your country is an honour which no player should play with”

Jonathan orders Eagles to beat Liberia By ROMANU Abuja

UGWU,

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday underscored the importance of Super Eagles Nations Cup match against the Lone Star of

Keshi, Yobo assure of victory Liberia when he stormed the team's training and charged them to beat their opponents. As early as 3.00p.m, the nooks and crannies of the stadium was flooded with

Nigeria remains 58th in FIFA rankings … Spain No. 1

igeria was unmoved in the 58th position in the latest world ranking released by FIFA yesterday. She also occupies the 10th position in Africa. South Africa slipped seven places and now sit in 74th position in the list. Ivory Coast remains the highest-ranked African side at number 16 - and the Elephants are the only team from the continent to be in the top 20. South Africa will, however, get plenty of opportunity to improve her ranking over the next six months, with a packed programme of pre-Africa Cup of Nations matches, the tournament itself and then 2014 World Cup qualifiers in March. Algeria have taken over from Ghana as the second-highest ranked African team, with Libya and Mali completing the top five, followed by Egypt, Tunisia, Gabon, Zambia and Sierra Leone. Spain remains top of the FIFA ranking following her 2-1 international friendly win over Puerto Rico back in August. Germany is still ranked second, while England remains in third position. The top 10 has seen only one change, with Portugal climbing to fourth position at the expense of Uruguay, who is now sitting fifth. Meanwhile, Mexico (21st,

down three) have fallen below 20th for the first time since March, whereas Ecuador (17th, up three) have become one of the top 20 teams in her continued climb from the previous month by moving up a further three places. Slovenia (up nine), Belgium (up 13) and Austria (up 11) are among the biggest climbers in the top 50.

stern-looking securitymen, but the President did not arrive until 6 04. Speaking to the players in the company of the Vice President Namadi Sambo, Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi, presidential spokesmen, Dr Reuben Abati and Dr. Doyin Okupe, Dr. Jonathan said: You must be good ambassadors of Nigeria by beating Liberia on her home soil to prove that we are the giants of Africa. I am committed to the development of the youths of this great country, so we will continue to give them all yje necessary support. He expressed disappointment on the poor state of the

pitch and said a committee headed by the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, had been set up to refurbish the stadium. In his response, Coach Stephen Keshi thanked the President for breaking more than 30 years jinx by visiting the team. He assured him that the team would not let the country down. Also speaking, Captain Joseph Yobo declared: We would not disappoint the country as we know the importance of the game. We are going to make the country proud by winning on Saturday. He said the President’s visit was a greater tonic than any monetary reward that may be given to them. On his part, Governor Amaechi said he wished the team well.

Falconets urged to go for bronze

he NFF has charged the country's team to, at least, win third place at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup against host, Japan, on Saturday. Chairman of the NFF media and publicity committee, Emeka Inyama, urged the team not to be dispirited by the semi-final loss to United States of America on Tuesday as they were not in any way disgraced. “Of course, the team was not disgraced. The players put up good fighting spirit and gave it their all, but it was not their day. They created more chances than the Americans, had greater ball possession and had more actual playing time than their opponents,” said Inyama. “We want them to go all out for the bronze medal on Saturday

in order to console fans and the generality of Nigerians who have supported the team ever since. It is something they can do against the Japanese by being wellorganised and disciplined.” Inyama said that the performance of the Falconets in Japan means there is hope that they could form the nucleus of the new Super Falcons. He said: “The age grade competitions are strictly developmental, and to that extent, the Falconets have done fairly enough to be considered for the next level.” Nigeria take on the tournament host inside the 60,000capacity Tokyo National Stadium on Saturday in the third place match of the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup. On Tuesday, the Falconets

gave their all but failed to get beyond the Americans, and a goal each half against the run of play condemned the Nigerians to the third place match. Final statistics showed that Nigeria had 32 minutes actual playing time to America's 23, had 58% of possession, had 10 shots on goal and seven corner kicks to the Americans' six. Back at their Hilton Tokyo Hotel, leader of delegation, Effiong Johnson, told the Falconets to take heart and rather look ahead to their thirdplace match against Japan, saying they were not disgraced and gave everything against the Americans. The girls took yesterday off to go and see the town and will train today and tomorrow for the confrontation with Japan on Saturday.

Thursday, September 6, 2012 DAILY SUN 51 NEWS

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

Golden Eaglets adopt new name

he Nigerian Under-17 players are bullish about their prospect of writing their names in gold in the history of Nigerian football and have sensationally requested to be known as the New Nigeria Golden Eaglets. This is a team that has not yet win a competitive international match let alone a trophy but the lads have enthused that it is just a matter of time before Nigerians would appreciate their sterling qualities. “ Though we are playing our first game in the qualifier against Niger in Niamey, our performances in our last two international friendly matches against Rwanda have given us some confidence, “said Wilfred Ndidi, the Golden Eaglets' vice-captain and towering defender, who makes the art of playing as a libero as free and easy.“ We have been training for months now and we have not lost a game. Those matches have helped our coaches to see our lapses and areas where we need to make adjustments. Bearing all of these in mind, Nigerians should bank on us to bring smiles to their faces.” Ndidi admitted that he was aware of the smart talk currently going in Calabar that the Golden Eaglets are the best hope for Nigerian football, stating that they would do everything not to let the country down.

Keshi giving instruction to Oboabona at a recent outing

Trip to Monrovia

NFF allays fears over flight By ROMANU UGWU, Abuja

ollowing the apprehension over the technical conditions of the aircraft to airlift the Nigerian contingent to Monrovia for the

…As apprehension trails worthiness of aircraft crucial South Africa 2013 Nations Cup qualifier this weekend, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has

assured that the aircraft would make a successful journey to the Liberian capital. Sources close to Daily Sunsports had raised alarm over

the state of the aircraft for the trip, expressing fears that the aircraft lacks the technical quality to undertake the journey, warning that the federation would not have gone for such substandard aircraft. Further investigations by Daily Sunsports among operators in the industry gave the same warning, questioning the rationale in the federation risking the lives of players and officials in opting for such airline. Pretending to be travelling to Monrovia to cover the Eagles' game, Daily Sunsports’ inquiry from a travelling agent on the available flight got the shocking reply that since it was not only the airline available, it is not advisable to go for such trip with the flight. “ I won't advise you to travel to Monrovia through that airline. I'm not just comfortable with that airline because their aircraft are not always in the best flying conditions. Instead of going with the airline, you had better reconsider your trip because safety should be our first concern,” our source warned. Earlier, another source had while questioning the rationale behind the federation's choice of the aircraft, lamented: “Of all airlines, why should the federation go for the fleet in that airline. I'm not comfortable with the idea of risking the lives of the players and officials.” However, when Daily Sunsports expressed such apprehension in a chat with the General Secretary of the federation, Barrister Musa Amadu, asking him why the airline, he tactically dismissed it, quipping; “You are asking me why that airline? It is because the airline has plane.” It could be recalled that almost the same travelling arrangement resulted in the rift between players and the then coach, Samson Siasia-led team, which ultimately denied Nigeria participation in the last edition of the African Nations Cup in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea.

I ’ll wreck Lone Stars with brace – Emenike By ROMANU UGWU, Abuja

uper Eagles returnee, Emmanuel Emenike, has promised to wreck the Lone Star of Liberia, when the Stephen Keshi-led side take on the Liberia side this weekend in the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup, boasting that he would score brace. Emenike, who spoke to Daily Sunsports during the weekly media parley with the players' at the team's camp in Abuja, dismissed impression that he was under any form of pressure to score, begging Nigerians to be patient with him. He specifically maintained that though he has respect for the arrays of strikers in the Super Eagles line-up, he would not disappoint if the technical crew opted for him to lead the attack in Monrovia. Asked the goal target he set for himself against Liberia before leaving his Russia-base, Emenike replied: “Before leaving Rassia, I actually had in mind that I will score two goals against Liberia. I want to promise Nigerians that it is going to be an outright victory against Liberia. We cannot afford to miss this ticket especially after our painful absence in the last edition last year.” Asked if he is under any form of pressure to deliver, Emenike, replied: “It is wrong to think that I'm under pressure to score. It is unfortunate that I have not really taken the opportunity to prove myself with goals. However, I will really make up for the disappointments Nigerians may have felt about me. I want to promise that if the technical crew gives me chance against Liberia, I would make Nigerians proud,” he promised.

Imoke charges Eaglets to conquer Niger

olden Eaglets' foremost fan, His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke, the Governor of Cross River State, has made a clarion call to the National Under-17 team to open its 2013 African Under-17 Youth Championship account with a win against Niger in Niamey this weekend. Mr. Patrick Ugbe, the state's Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, said Governor Imoke as well as people of the state and Nigerians in general, were expecting nothing less than a victory from the team on Saturday. Ugbe, who was away in Vallecamonica in Italy to ensure that Cross River State is granted the right to play host to the 30th edition of the World Mountain Running Championships in 2014, said he was excited when he heard about the Golden Eaglets' victory over Junior Wasps of Rwanda last weekend. “I have been following the activities of the team, though I was far away,” Ugbe told an official of the team in a telephone conversation late Tuesday's night. “His Excellency, the Governor is happy about the victories recorded by the team against Rwanda and this has shown that the decision to bring the team to Calabar to prepare ahead of the African Under-17 qualifiers was a good one.” He further said that Nigerians were looking forward to the team's success in this weekend's fixture against Niger in Niamey, charging the players not to rest on their oars. Said he: “His Excellency is following all what you have been doing here and he is impressed with your performances. The players have to show the same winning streak when they play Niger in Niamey as they did in previous friendly matches “There is nothing like we are playing an away match; you don't let down your guards. You must go to Niger and conquer. The Governor and our people are behind you,” Ugbe added.

NEWS NEWS

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 6, 2012

SUN SPORTS

Officials, games masters go to school for Mobil Schools Sports

P Injured Aligekwe counts his losses T eam Nigeria's Obioma Aligekwe, who was held down by injury, has sensationally said that he entered for the Men -100kg powerlifting event at the ExCel Centre just to register his presence in London 2012 Paralympic Games. Aligekwe, who said he's been injured for months said that he was happy to have registered a lift of 225kg on his first attempt, which made him the fifth best at the games. He said that the convinction that he could make it, made him enter for the event. He said: "I have been injured for months, but it’s good that I was able to registered a lift here and I must thank God that I was able to do it. I’m the type that does not give up easily and the fighting spirit inspired me to be here. My coach was worried but I assured him I could do it." The powerlifter said he did 245kg at the last Games in Beijing and recently attempted 255 kg but was sad that he could not lift his best at this Games. He added that he would try to get better and put up decent performances in future. Aligekwe said that he felt bad personally but was happy that the Nigerian team was doing wonders despite the hostilities against it at the Games. "I have not done well and that makes me sad but I am happy that the entire team has done well. for me, I will have to get better and concentrate on my game." Meanmwhile, Egypt's Eldib Mohammed was the star at the ExCeL Centre as he set a new World and Paralympic record with 249kg lift to win gold. He tried to go higher with a fourth attempt outside the competition, but failed to lift 252kg. China's Dong Ql finished second with a lift of 242kg after faling to lift 250 in his third attempt. The bronze medal went to Iran's Ali Sadeghzadehsalmani, who lifted 235kg in his third attempt.

lans have reached an advanced stage for the hosting of a one-day track and field seminar for officials and games masters that will officiate in the forthcoming 12th NNPC/MPN Athletics Championships for Schools and Colleges in Akwa Ibom State. With “Roles of technical officials in result oriented championship” as theme, the clinic is scheduled for the Uyo Stadium on Tuesday September 11. Organised under the auspices of National Athletics Technical Officials ((NAATO) Akwa Ibom Chapter, more than 200 participants are expected to benefit from the course to be addressed by Professor Lucas Ogunjimi, an IAAF certified instructor. Other resource persons lined up include: Professor Ignatius Uduk and Associate Professor Ini Jonah, both of the Univerity of Uyo and Prince David Ekefre the State Director of Secondary Schools Sports Board. NAATO’s Chairperson, Mrs Utit Ofon Nkantah, said in Uyo that her association had been challenged by the sponsors on the need for proper timing and documentation and this was to form the basis for the seminar this year. “ You are aware that we do this every year to refresh our members and those games masters that will officiate in the championship. This year appears unique, given the background of our Olympic disaster and the emphasis on schools sports and grassroots development of our sports” Mrs Nkantah, a former African 100 metres record holder, said if results were not properly verified and documentation was improper, a faulty foundation would have been laid that would make none sense of the future of the young athletes in question, that is why all is being done to master the situation, come December. The state Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Pastor Ita Umoh Udoh, is expected to declare open the seminar that will witness the attendance of top management staff of Mobil Producing Nigeria.

Mo Farah

Azarenka sends Stosur packing to reach US Open semis

T Gracious moment for Grace ...As Team Nigeria picks the last gold in powerlifting event

race Anozie put up a spectacular performance in yesterday's +82.50kg event to earn Nigeria its sixth gold but failed to erace her existing records in the Paralympic Games. The Nigerian, after fumbling in her first attempt of 162.0, made the best of the second chance with a good lift which later fetched her the gold. The 35-year-old lifter tried all she could to create new Paralympics mark of 160 and 168 world record but her best was not enough during the enterprising showing at the Excel centre of the Paralympic Games. Egypt's Heba Ahmed, who needed a review of her opening 140kg to claim the silver, withdrew from a third lift after failing with her second at 145kg. World champion, Perla Barcenas, from Mexico collected the bronze medal with her second attempt of 135kg, but missed out on second place when she failed with her third lift at 141kg. In Athens Paralympic Games, Anozie won bronze, four years later, she bounced back to pick the silver medal at the Beijing Paralympics before crowning her efforts with gold at the London event. “I feel great and I thank God for given me the grace to win my first gold in London. What you have just witnessed was the result of dedication and hard word. She was, however, not so excited despite winning the gold. She said London weather has been unfriendly to her.

Magic Mo-ment with Motots: Olympic hero, Farah, shows off twin girls

lympics hero, Mo Farah, proudly showed off the twin girls who inspired him to win two gold medals. Posing with the gongs he dedicated to Aisha and Amani, born two weeks after his 5,000m win, Mo spoke of his victories. “I dreamt of becoming an Olympic champion and to do it twice in your country with a stadium of 80,000 people shouting your name, it doesn't get better,” he said. “Then, for my wife to have two healthy little girls, well there's no way to describe it.” Mo, 29, who cut the umbilical cords, said after his 10,000m win

he was driven on in the 5,000m, so the twins would each have a gold medal. He and Tania, 26, also have a seven-year-old daughter Rihanna, who famously joined in

Mo's trackside celebrations. Both joined Somalia-born Mo at his Night of Champions ball in London in aid of his African charity on Saturday.

Japanese hammer thrower awaits IOC’s election ruling

he top court in international sports expects to take about four months to rule on the Japanese hammer thrower, Koji Murofushi's, bid to become an International Olympic Committee member. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said Murofushi and the

Japanese Olympic Committee were challenging the I.O.C.'s decision to annul his election as an athletes' representative during the London Games. The I.O.C. board barred Murofushi and the taekwondo fighter, Chu Mu-yen of Taiwan, from accepting their posts for breaking election rules.

op seed, Victoria Azarenka, beat defending champion Sam Stosur, 61 4-6 7-6 (7-5) to reach the semi-finals of the US Open for the first time. The Belarusian took the first set in 30 minutes before Stosur started firing winners at will to level the match. Stosur overcame two breaks of serve to take the third set into a tie-break but was unable to recover from 4-0 down and lost in two hours and 23 minutes. Azarenka is to play either Maria Sharapova or Marion Bartoli next. Eleventh seed, Bartoli, led 2006 champion, Sharapova, 4-0 in the first set when the match was postponed because of rain. In the remaining quarter-finals, Serena Williams faces Ana Ivanovic and Sara Errani meets Roberta Vinci. Azarenka is already through to her first New York semi-final and will stay as world number one at the end of the tournament. "I'm really looking forward to playing the tough battles I have still in the tournament," said the 23-year-old. "Being in the semi-finals for the first time is an incredible feeling for me. I definitely don't want it to stop. I really want it bad." The Belarusian had dropped only 10 games on her way to the last eight and was facing a player she had not conceded a set against in six previous meetings. Stosur made a poor start and was 3-0 down when a heavy rain shower forced the players off court for more than an hour. After the resumption she continued to make too many unforced errors and an errant backhand handed the first set to Azarenka. Stosur broke serve for the first time early in the second and another break in the seventh game was enough to force a deciding set. Having recovered from two breaks of serve, the Australian had a break point at 5-5 only for her rival to come up with an ace. Azarenka saw a 5-0 lead in the tie-break become 5-5, but a drop shot and forehand on to the line closed out the match.

Come, kiss our cup, Heartland tells fans By GEORGE ALUO

t promises to be party time at the Dan Anyiam Stadium tomorrw as Heartland plays host to Akwa United in its last game of the NPL league season. The club which last week won the Federation Cup back to back has resolved to throw the stadium gates open to her fans, urging them to come and have a feel of the trophy which would be displayed at the VIP box. Club Media Officer, Cajetan Nkwopara, said yesterday that it would be a carnival of some sort when Akwa comes calling. “We are using the league match to celebrate our Federation Cup victory. We are throwing the gates open for the fans as a way of saying thank you to them for their support. That we won the cup back to back was courtesy of their support and prayers. The cup will be displayed at the VIP box and the fans can not only kiss it, but take photographs. Prominent Imolites will also lift the trophy and pose with it,” Nkwopara said. On the match proper, he said Heartland would play to win since it would not want to end the season on a bad note, despite not being in contention for the league crown. “We are playing in front of our fans and it will be a taboo losing the last game at home. We are going for the maximum points as that would be the right way to end the season,” he said. Nkwopara said the club highly appreciated the support it received from all Imolites especially, the Executive Governor of Imo state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the Sport Commissioner, Kenneth Emelu and other members of cabinet in ensuring that Heartland FC finish the season on a high._He stressed that kudos must be given to the Chief of Staff at the Imo State Government House, Prince Eze Madumere, for making sure that Heartland FC was able to access fund to prosecute her matches.

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 6, 2012

DAILY SUN 55

Nigeria’s greatest citizen is...? L

et us characterize the typical Nigerian as he is with this real life story. Your correspondent once witnessed the following; the German Government and her Nigerian counterpart set up a training school in the Onitsha area. All senior personnel of the training school, were quartered in a housing estate by the bridge head. So also were the German. And the buildings were all of one standard specification. And it so happened that anytime the Germans were given their housing allocation, they almost to the last individual, will start with the beautification of the premises, the planting of flowers, repainting of the house etc. In fact suddenly there was a mini boom in the flower and decoration business in Onitsha, just to supply the Oyibos. However these Oyibos were contract staff and served for say four years, and were recalled by their home government. Rarely did it happen that any expat stayed a second term of four years. But they made their homes look like paradise for the span they would be there. I still recall the suddenly made over palace of Dr and Dr [Mrs] Wentzel with whom we shared good and elegantly served coffee as we talked German and African literatures besides other bits of comparative studies. But beyond the Wentzels what happened was that when Nigerians packed into their allocated houses, they left things to stand as they met them; bare. But any time a German expat vacated his apartment, to return home, there erupted a scramble amongst the Nigerian senior staff. Every single top dog wanted to move turf; that is abandon his extant housing allocation, in which he lived as bare and undecorated as he met it and move into the ones, beautified by the now departed Germans. The Nigerian, who wins the scramble, will now abandon his old house to the next Nigerian on the queue, and move on to the German made over mansion. In fact it latter developed, that when a new set of Germans left, rather than a scramble you have an open war amongst the Nigerian senior staffers. And those who had earlier moved into German remade homes, now despoiled, and left largely un-tenantable, will scheme to move to the next German vacated/remade home. It was, I can recall particularly so when the Wentzels, who were the German director left. What is at play is not attitude. It is a philosophy of life and operating systems. We may quickly recall that one Chief Oliver Akanite, popularly known as Oliver the Coque, had a musical hit amongst the Oru na Igbo. The gist of his song goes; that whoever is a tenant, and plants flowers is a laughable character, if not a fool. This is because whoever does so will have his effort inherited by incoming strangers-tenants and finally the landlord. Of course those senior staff Nigerians, as the rest of us, believed in it and left their quarters as bare as burning deserts, and sometimes even worse. Of course this is in keeping with our cultural philosophies, stated or otherwise. Nothing may be said to be quite wrong yet. But why quit the hell you have preferred in your leisure, for the paradise that has been built by another’s sacrifice? And we may ask why do the Germans, who are temporary staff, on missionary work as it were, be so given to creating a paradise out of the African sun, however short their stay? And later giving and abandoning everything to indigenes of the lower Niger, my apologies to Chinua Achebe, when they leave? And they would not as much as bother for, nor charge anybody a kobo or Euro for it? The answer is culture and not leadership as wrongly canvassed. The answer is in the unsurpassed German intellectual high culture, and artistic tradition that has been evangelized all through the Rhine and Deutschland. With the possible exception of modern America, no other modern nation has endowed the world with cultural products of the first rank, as the Germans. From E=MC2 to the good old protestant ethic, the Germans are truly the Greeks of modern Europe and indeed the world. Now the protestant ethic by Max Weber, asserts that development [aspects of which is fictionalized by Thomas Mann in

The Turf Game Jimanze Ego-Alowes alowesjimanze@yahoo.com

08033009539

•Mimiko Buddenbrooks] is a product of a self sacrificing community, who gives up today’s consumption to feed and make sustainable tomorrow’s prosperity. With this, there is also as a throw away, the self sacrificing anonymity of doing good works. And one passes off those, to a future humanity, just like the anonymous writers of the Psalms did for us, in the name of David. So in the protestant ethic, it does not any longer matter, if you do not take the whole benefit of your labours. In fact the ideal is not to take, but to be self sacrificial in giving, as it is more blessed to give than to receive. This long and we have not spoken a word about this greatest Nigerian citizen. And he is actually a Briton-Nigerian, Chief Guy Garguilo. I met him in Punch of 06.02.10 and knew immediately he is the greatest Nigerian alive. Asked by Punch how he left metropolitan Lagos, for Oke-Agbe, now in Ondo State, in the sixties, when no Nigerian was willing to, he answered; some people came to Lagos from this area to ask me to work in their school because the government wanted to close down the only secondary in the area, because they could not find any teacher to work in a place where there was no access road, no water, no electricity. I thought that would interest me, so I accepted the offer as a challenge. When I got here, I discovered that it was just a block of classrooms. The students were very good because I set very high stan-

•Garguilo dard for them. I made them to do a lot of work. I made them to build a dam and I trained them in swimming. They have won medals and laurels for Ondo State and Nigeria in various swimming competitions they participated in within and outside the country. The State Governor, Dr. Segun Mimiko was here recently and he was impressed with our swimming pool, which the students constructed themselves. Before any leadership enthusiast, will think the man made a difference because of leadership, it is not. It is just how the Oyibo have educated their people, to love the pioneering spirit, to help found and build the new, or the renewed. They have been so educated about it, it comes as second nature. And for those interested in American emergence as a superpower, attention may be drawn Frederick Turner’s The frontier in American history, which was further given dramatic impetus, by Eugene O’Neil, America’s greatest playwright, in Desire under the elms. Perhaps as no other monograph, it accounts for the epic opening of the Wild West, unto the Silicon Valley, a journey that has now landed America on the moon; and this, on a never ending (frontiers’) race. The base is in education, in high culture, as founded ironically by the now comatose Greeks. It makes of every good European, a leader wherever he is. Why, because there will never be a shortage of fron-

tiers, or Oke-Agbes. This is how the West was built. It was built by men, who were first re-created by their scholars. So the Western, the European mind, is a new man, as remade by her scholars. We and dem no dey di same category. They achieved this by first teaching citizens about the ethics, and those things that will endure unto the end and not economics. 1 Corinthians 13:13. It is this ethics, as a branch of the philosophical science of being, that flowers a follow up science of economics, of markets, that may lead to a great New Jerusalem. And if you got the great and grand philosophical questions right, the economy will grow and boom as a matter of course. In fact, strictly speaking, economics is a superfluous science. And history, whether in China or England bears us out. The primary sciences are the things that are really going on, and not the peripherals, one of which is economic science and entrepreneurship, in practice and or in theory. The problem with Nigerian industry is that there are too many barbarians who refuse to civilize, or be civilized. Just check your neighbourhood, are there any Chief Guy Garguilos around? Then how can you develop or be developed? The modern nation founded by Europeans, is built and designed to be run by the civilized, and not by those who live on the philosophy of Oliver the Coque or 7Up, no matter how sinfully rich they are. A great society, which Aristotle warned us never to confound with a populous one, is one that knows and cherishes the difference between the men who are much, the Oru, and not the men who own much, the Igbo, metaphorically speaking. Only the men who are much may be great. Men who acquire much are only rich. And fools can so be. And for this golden example, that development is the construction of an educated mind, in the Attic sense of the word; Chief Guy Garguilo is our greatest Nigerian citizen alive. Congrats. Ahiazuwa. Stop press! The last we read about this great Nigerian, the greatest amongst us, all he wanted was to be made a citizen of his beloved country, Nigeria. Is that too much, for a man who has beneficiated us so much by his example? Who is stopping him? Nigerians should rise up and demand that he be given express citizenship. Apologies please for the poor picture used. We had only an old newspaper to scan from.

This is how the West was built. It was built by men, who were first recreated by their scholars.

So the Western, the European mind, is a new man, as remade by her scholars. We and dem no dey di same category.

Is Sanusi or Nigeria confused? 2Face

uface, the popular musician asked the question when Entertainment Express, 31-8-12, sought his views on the 5000 note. We did want to offer an answer. And the answer we guess is; yes, we are all confused. Despite the certificates, it is just that we Nigerians don’t understand our reality; we are strangers to our own being. Unrelieved ignorance, leading to confusion, rules in the CBN and over Nigeria. And ignorant and confused, Nigerians want redemption, development delivered by just doing, just copying others and refusing to think things out themselves. That is why we have successfully and irredeemably outsourced thinking to the Europeans and whites. That is the source of the phrase; international best practice, which the CBN, confused, also mouths. What it means, is that for them thinking is

best done abroad, imported and copied, to be practiced at home. One of the greatest things that can happen to Nigerians is for them to come to knowledge, that development, which is a sub set of human civilization, is a very, very difficult proposition. No leadership or leaders can do development, however patriotic or honest. Development is a deep-think and not a dothing procedure. If you are an empty suit, you and your people cannot develop or be developed, whatever it is you do. To develop you have to sweat your brains, not your biceps. Suits are on hire, but nearly always never brains. I am told no foreign coach ever won a world cup. And dear reader •2Face do you know otherwise? Thoughts are superimatter what your pastor tells. To think is the or doings, or things, if you insist. Think and it will be well with you, little first uncaused cause and not to do. Ahiazuwa.

N150 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2012 VOL.7 NO. 2450

Rhythms of dichotomy (1) C

ontentious issues which divide the north and south of this country are resonating by the day. It has become customary that one must, at every point in time, rear its ugly head. In recent weeks, we have had a surfeit of them. This Column will, in the weeks to come, isolate them one from the other, for purposes of elucidation and ease of reference. We begin today with the onshore/offshore oil dichotomy debate. The ghost of this issue was resurrected a few weeks ago by some agitators from the north led by Junaid Mohammed. The immediate prop to the renewed debate is the vexed issue of poverty in the north. The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, threw up the issue when he argued recently that the Boko Haram insurgency in the north was partly traceable to the crippling poverty in the region. His position as flawed as it was, was amplified by Jonnie Carson, the United States Assistant Secretary of State. Carson, in more ways than one, supported the poverty theory enunciated by Sanusi. He even went a step further by asking the government of Nigeria to set up a Ministry for Northern Affairs to address the poverty in the region. Analysts and commentators have since punctured the arguments put up by Sanusi and Carson. The weakest point of their submission lies in the fact that poverty in Nigeria is not peculiar to the north. Besides, there is nothing that suggests that the insurgents are driven by poverty since they have access to expensive technology with which they carry out their deadly activities. However, regardless of the looseness of their reasoning, the fact remains that it was their interjection that gave rise to the renewed angst about revenue sharing in Nigeria. While the popular perception in the north is that the south, especially the oil-producing states, have too much money at their disposal, the oil states of the south are not satisfied with what they are getting. They want a larger chunk of the oil revenue derived from their region. This divide has led to a situation where the north is demanding for a review of the revenue allocation formula. We shall return to this in subsequent series. What is of immediate concern to us here is the return of the debate on onshore/offshore oil dichotomy. The acrimony arising from this issue is becoming age-old. It was in the bid to bury its ghost that the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida, through Decree 106 of 1992, abolished the onshore/offshore dichotomy. With that, littoral states of the federation did not have to lose sleep over oil in their territory located offshore. But as a demonstration that the issue is a cat with nine lives, it erupted again 10 years later. Thus, in 2002, the federal government of Olusegun Obasanjo went to court with the aim of determining the seaward boundary of the littoral states within the federation for the purpose of revenue allocation. However, to the consternation of many, especially the littoral states, the judgment of the Supreme Court on the issue effectively reintroduced the onshore/offshore dichotomy in revenue allocation. Akwa Ibom, whose oil wells lie mostly offshore, was the hardest hit. There was palpable disquiet in the state. It was so serious that the then Governor of the State, Obong Victor Attah, had to convene what he called a General

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• Godswill Akpabio Assembly of the people of the state at which the Supreme Court judgment was discussed. But the General Assembly did not help the people of Akwa Ibom. Nothing concrete came out of it beyond the condemnation of the then president, Olusegun Obasanjo. The situation lingered for a reasonable length of time and Akwa Ibom lost a huge chunk of the revenue that would have accrued to it. However, a certain masterstroke was achieved two years later. Through some kind of political engineering and maneuvering, Obasanjo got the National Assembly in 2004 to enact a law abolishing the onshore/offshore dichotomy. That was how the dichotomy ghost was laid to rest. Ever since, Akwa Ibom State has been feasting. The enormous oil revenue of the state has become a major source of development, especially under the present government of Godswill Akpabio. As it is now, Akwa Ibom has become a reference point on how best oil wealth can be creatively deployed for the good of the people. If the arrangement is reversed, Akwa Ibom will become the biggest loser since it has more oil wells offshore. I am sure the people of the state will not like to contemplate this possibility. But it appears that the bones of the ghost have refused to be interned. Eight years after, the ghost we thought was buried has ripped through its grave and is standing menacingly before a bewildered crowd of mourners. But everybody is not a mourner in this matter.

There are those who are beating the gong for the ghost and are goading it on to go berserk. The issue is one in which one part of the country is pitted against the other. Elements from the north who want the dichotomy abolished are propelled by the fact that its abolition will mean accrual of more revenue to the federal government. For instance, if the littoral states are divested of the oil wells that lie offshore, the federal government’s share of oil revenue will increase. This will in turn mean that the states of the Federation will have more oil revenue to share. Under this condition, the lion’s share may not necessarily go to the littoral states which benefit from the revenue that is derived both onshore and offshore through the 13 percent derivation principle. For the north which believes that the oil wealth of the nation is skewed against it, the abolition of the dichotomy will help to redress the situation to some extent. But those at the opposite end of the spectrum do not share the sentiments of the north. Copious references are being made by them to support their argument that even offshore oil belongs to the state within which the territorial water lies. For instance, Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982, provides that the continental shelf of a region shall be deemed to be part of that region. Apart from the United Nations convention, the 1960 and 1963 constitutions of Nigeria made similar provisions. However, these provisions have either been expunged or revised to convey a different meaning and interpretation. The issue therefore remains unsettled despite the reliance by some on the authorities in this matter. But beyond the legal and constitutional niceties that the parties have been flaunting lies the mutual mistrust afflicting the north and south of the country. Even though the likes of Junaid Mohammed are insisting that the matter be revisited, the federal government of President Goodluck Jonathan does not appear disposed to doing that. Only last week, the Presidency warned those heating up the polity through the dichotomy debate to desist from doing so. Besides, Jonathan, whose state is a littoral one, may not be the right person to look up to to deal with the matter. However, there are other options that can be explored by those interested in a revisit of the issue. The National Assembly which enacted the law in 2004 may be approached to repeal it. But this is the crux of the matter. Should the matter be brought before the National Assembly, there are chances that it will be hotly and fiercely contested by both sides of the divide. The reverberations that will issue forth will likely widen the gulf of mistrust that separates the north and the south. However, no matter what we do now or refuse to do, the fact remains that this issue will be with us for a long time to come. If the status quo remains, the north will ever remain restless over its implementation or application. If it is reversed in favour of what the north wants, then we should expect an uproar from the affected part of the south that the rest of the country will be ill at ease with. Indeed, we really have the head of a hydra in our hands. 08055001949 (SMS only)

Pillars emerge league champions •Profits from Ocean Boys’ ouster By GEORGE ALUO

ano Pillars have emerged the nation’s league champions for the 2012 season even before the last round of matches are decided tomorrow. As Pillars are warming up to celebrate, Federation Cup champion, Heartland, must avoid a home defeat in the game against Akwa United to remain in the elite division. Pillars profited from the decision of the Chief Rumson Baribote-led Nigeria Premier League (NPL) board to expel Ocean Boys after the Bayelsa side failed to honour four consecutive league games. Following the expulsion, all Ocean Boys points were deducted, a situation that made Pillars to top of the table, while Heartland is now in the bottom bracket with 48 points. The NPLboard had at a meeting in Abuja yesterday ruled that Ocean Boys had no genuine reasons not to have honoured their games and as such face automatic relegation. Pillars are entering their last league game against Sunshine on 61 points, while second placed Rangers are having 54 points. So win or lose in Akure, Pillars will smile home with the trophy. Rangers and Lobi will battle for the second position that comes with a lucrative CAF champions league ticket. While Rangers are home to Sharks at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Lobi will face Kaduna United away in a game that Kaduna is condemned to win to remain in the elite class. Sharks with 52 points equally stand an outside chance of finishing third and picking a CAF Confederation Cup ticket should they beat Rangers in Enugu. NPL has vowed to keep a close tab on all the matches to ensure there are no sell outs as the league comes to a dramatic end.

Nigerians in London panic over Air Nigeria By GBOLAHAN DADA in London

igerians, including journalists covering the Paralympic Games in London, are panicky over the decision of Air Nigeria to suspend its flights to London from September 10. The news of the suspension flitered into London yesterday and passengers beseiged the Gatwick Airport to see officials of the airline, who were no where insight. The last flight is scheduled to be in Gatwick today and many were at the airport to see if they could get a seat on the the last flight. Some were left to rue their fate and were afraid of being stranded if they missed the all important last flight to Nigeria. They were more worried that there might not be an alternative plan to get them to Nigeria if they do not fly before 10th. Others said it was cruel on the part of Air Nigeria to take such a decision without considering their passengers. "What kind of decision is this? I hope they have alternative plan to take people to Nigeria. What it means is that the airline would alter our plans even if we get a seat on the last flight. This is cruel," one of the journalists lamented.

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