Sun News - September 18, 2012

Boko Haram leader killed •Two field commanders arrested TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2458

Kalu convenes Igbo unity platform

Page 8

N150

...13 sect members also shot dead in Borno gun duel

...9 senior citizens gunned down while playing draught Page 6

EVIL BANKER •Female cashier sends robbers after customer

•Gang snatches N5m from victim

...Phone call exposes her in manager’s office Page 7

National honours: Dep Gov dropped We ‘ll withdraw more awards, Jonathan warns Page 5 Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. receiving his certificate of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) from President Goodluck Jonathan during his investiture in Abuja yesterday.

Photo: BAYO OBISESAN (More photos on pages 58 & 59)

Strike: Varsity damns ASUU •Conducts exams without lecturers Page 7

Boko Haram leader killed •Two field commanders arrested N150

...13 sect members also shot dead in Borno gun duel TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2458

Page 6

EVIL BANKER •Female cashier sends robbers after customer

•Gang snatches N5m from victim

...Phone call exposes her in manager’s office Page 7

National honours: Dep Gov dropped We ‘ll withdraw more awards, Jonathan warns Page 5

Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. receiving his certificate of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) from President Goodluck Jonathan during his investiture in Photo: BAYO OBISESAN (More photos on pages 58 & 59) Abuja yesterday.

WASTED! •9 senior citizens shot dead while Page 6 playing draught

Boko Haram leader killed •Two field commanders arrested N150

...13 sect members also shot dead in Borno gun duel TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2458

Page 6

EVIL BANKER •Female cashier sends robbers after customer

•Gang snatches N5m from victim

...Phone call exposes her in manager’s office Page 7

National honours: Dep Gov dropped We ‘ll withdraw more awards, Jonathan warns Page 5

Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. receiving his certificate of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) from President Goodluck Jonathan during his investiture in Photo: BAYO OBISESAN (More photos on pages 58 & 59) Abuja yesterday.

WASTED! •9 senior citizens shot dead while Page 6 playing draught

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2458

Page 8

9 senior citizens shot dead while playing draught

Page 6

N150

UI Prof slumps, dies

EVIL BANKER •Female cashier sends robbers after customer

•Gang snatches N5m from victim

...Phone call exposes her in manager’s office Page 7

National honours: Dep Gov dropped We ‘ll withdraw more awards, Jonathan warns Page 5 Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. receiving his certificate of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) from President Goodluck Jonathan during his investiture in Abuja yesterday.

Photo: BAYO OBISESAN (More photos on pages 58 & 59)

Boko Haram leader killed •Two field commanders arrested Page 6

2 DAILY SUN Tuesday , September 18, 2012

Tuesday, September 18, 2012, DAILY SUN

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SUNG GIRL

Errors flood Senate website as lawmakers resume from summer recess •Late Senator Dantong still listed From ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja

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he website of the Senate is full of errors even as the Upper House resumes plenary from its summer recess tomorrow. For instance, the late Senator Gyang Dalyop Dantong (PDP, Plateau North) is still listed as a member of the Seventh Senate on its website.

Interestingly, the word, ‘deceased”, was not even affixed to his profile.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, a third-term senator from Enugu State, has been given a new constituency on the website; he now represents Ekiti State.

Dantong died on July 8, 2012 and was buried with full parliamentary honours shortly before the Senate went on recess on July 17.

Investigations, which spanned the entire summer recess between July and this month, shows that the Senate website is error-ridden.

Some senators, including Ekweremadu, were either given new identities or some did not even have their photographs placed beside their profiles.

Instead of the traditional passport photograph, the Senate logo was used.

For instance, Chairman of the Works Committee, Senator Ayogu Eze (CON), was given a new identity as Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, representing Ekiti State on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Eze, a two-term senator, is from Enugu State. He represents Enugu North.

For Ekweremadu, besides being properly listed elsewhere on the website as representing Enugu State, he was equally listed as Senator Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti, ACN).

Both Adetunmbi and Ojudu’s photographs are conspicuously missing from the Senate website, which can be accessed via http://www.nassnig.org.

Also, Senator Atai Aidoko Ali Usman, representing Kogi East for the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), had no picture, identifying him on the website.

Instead of his photograph, the Senate logo was used. Other senators in this category include Ajibola Simeon (PDP, Kwara); Babajide Christopher Omoworare (ACN, Osun) and Solomon Ewuga (CPC, Nasarawa).

On resumption of plenary tomorrow, Senate is expected to, among other pending national issues, begin work on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

Also listed for consideration would be amendments to the Money Laundering Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act. A source told Daily Sun that the presentation and modalities for consideration of the 2013 budget would also take centre-stage. “Already, we have lost valuable days with respect to the 2013 budget because we have promised Nigerians that the 2013 budget would be passed this year so that the financial year can revert to what it once was - from January to December.”

“Beginning from 2013, the National Assembly doesn’t want to continue the system whereby an old budget is rolled over to the next financial year. All these issues we hope to tackle before December 2012,” he said.

Kwara committed to rule of law, says Gov Ahmed

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he Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, has again restated his commitment to the rule of law.

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Governor Ahmed made the pledge yesterday, while swearing-in Justice Ayinla Olatunji Bamgbola as the Acting Chief Judge.

He said no society developed in a lawless environment, especially where leaders, who were supposed to promote, protect and defend the sanctity of the law flouted the same institution that produced them.

“As a beneficiary of the rule of law, I shall not do anything inimical to the constitution,” Ahmed said.

The governor, who noted that the judiciary must at all times stay above board, commended the state judiciary for “remaining a shining example of judicial efficiency in the country”.

He charged the new Acting Chief Judge to see public office as a public trust by bringing his wealth of experience, impeccable character and sterling qualities to bear on the dispensation of justice in the state.

In his post-oath taking speech, Justice Bamgbola described his appointment as another opportunity to serve the state.

He called on all arms of government to play their roles effectively for quick dispensation of •Gov. Ahmed justice.

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DAILY SUN Tuesday , September 18, 2012

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 18, 2012

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Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN,(arrowed) with Justice Kazeem Alogba (right), Justice Oyekan-Abdullahi (3rd right) and other judges of the High Court of Lagos State during a special prayer service to open the Legal Year 2012/2013 at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island, Monday

L-R: National Chairman, National Conscience Party (NCP), Mr. Yinusa Tanko, Nobel Laureate/Guest Speaker, Prof Wole Soyinka and Dr. Tunji Braithwaite at the commemorative lecture for the latter to mark his 79th birthday in Lagos, Monday.

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan during the commissioning of the Federal High Court Complex, Uyo, Monday, receiving a souvenir on behalf of the President from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta

Photo: AYODELE OJO

COVER National honours: Deputy gov. dropped From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Abuja decorated Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr as Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) and 148 other eminent persons who bagged other awards.

The President said that the Federal Government will withdraw national honours bestowed on individuals who had been convicted or facing criminal charges.

Highlights of the event include the dropping of the name of the embattled Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Sani Abubakar Danladi, who is facing impeachment process. Also, retired justices of the Supreme Court, Kayode Eso and Andrews Obaseki as well as Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi were absent. The latter was represented by his wife.

President Jonathan said during the ceremony at the National Honours Award Investiture 2012 held at the International Conference Center (ICC), that this will ensure that holders of the awards are truly worthy representations of our national values and honour.

President Jonathan had last month asked the Secretary to the Governmant of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, to compile the names of the individuals and forward them to him. Among those who might have their awards withdrawn are the former InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP) Tafa Balogun, former PDP chieftain, Bode George, former bank CEOs, Cecilia Ibru and Erastus Akingbola and convicted ex-Delta State governor, James Ibori.

The six paralympics gold medalists and the designer of world’s first electrical car, Mr. Jelani Aliyu, stole the show at the presentation

•We’ll withdraw more awards – Jonathan …Defends Adenuga’s GCON of the award which was in its 30th year.

Aliyu designed “Chevy-Volt”, the first world’s electric car, which had been described as an American Revolution and hottest concept in design line. The car was test driven by United States President Barack Obama.

Also, President Jonathan commended Muhammad Tahir Zakari, a level 10 officer in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, who showed “remarkable honesty in returning an error payment to him of over N6 million in November 2011. This is a commendable behaviour that should be emulated”, the President said.

He noted that the second highest honour, GCON, conferred on Dr. Adenuga Jnr was for his contributions to the growth and development of the nation’s economy over the years, adding that his remarkable feat both nationally and internationally, must be celebrated to encourage other Nigerians to emulate him.

Jonathan lauded the six athletes that won gold medals at the recently-concluded 2012 Paralympics Games in London.

According to him, “your achievement is a clear demonstration that hard work, determination, tenacity and resilience are building blocks for greatness”.

On the withdrawal of the national honours from those with questionable character, the President said: “I have directed that the National Honours Committee compile a list of persons conferred with national honours but that their current credibility is questionable. If they are found wanting, our prestigious hon-

ours will be withdrawn.

“This is essential in ensuring that holders of national honours are truly worthy representations of our national values and honour, and especially are patriotic Nigerians or real friends of Nigeria”, he said.

On Adenuga’s GCON, President Jonathan said, “Mike Adenuga Jnr has contributed immensely as a business and entrepreneur, to the growth and development of our economy.

He worked hard to establish Globacom as an international communications company which provides means of livelihoods to over 100,000 Nigerians.

“Today, across Ghana and Benin Republic, he has built a formidable brand, and is expanding footholds in Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal. We will continue to honour our businessmen who do us proud in the world of international business, while creating jobs at home”.

While congratulating the honourees, the President noted that a national award was among the greatest honours a country can bestow on her citizens, calling on the holders to see such honours as “a privilege and not a right.

“While the honour recognises your unique contributions to Nigeria, let me state that it is also a call for greater commitment and sacrifice for the furtherance of the development of our dear country.

“I urge you to be beacons of hope and inspiration for Nigerians. You must continue to exemplify a distinct sense of responsibility and a commitment to the community that makes for a great nation”.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Justice Mary Odili thanked the committee for finding them worthy of being honoured by “a grateful nation. She promised that rather than relenting, they would work harder in their various fields of endeavour.

“Mr. President, words are inadequate to capture this moment. We are grateful for what has happened today. We appreciate what you have done. We are indeed grateful and cannot forget this moment”, she said.

Earlier, Anyim had in his welcome address, noted that the National Honours Award was informed by the need to recognise success, achievement , gallantry, honesty, and exemplary character in the life of every nation.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the 2012 National Award Committee, Justice Alfa Belgore, said the event was to honour 155 Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, noting that a total of 4,424 had so far been recognised and honoured since inception in 1963.

The former CJN expressed optimism that the new standards now put in place will be sustained for years to come. While congratulating the honourees for “your individual achievements”, Justice Belgore, urged them to see the honours as a call to higher dedication to the nation.

The initial 149 list was increased to 155 by the six paralympics gold medalists in the justconcluded London 2012 paralympics where the country won a total of 13 medals out of which six were gold.

Meanwhile, security was tight in Abuja and around the ICC as no one was allowed to enter the venue of the ceremony.

All the awardees and two members of each family were conveyed in an airconditioned bus from Eagles Square to the venue.

6 DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 18, 2012

NEWS 9 senior citizens shot dead while playing draught From PAUL ORUDE, Bauchi

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unmen opened fire on some elderly citizens playing Dara draught) under a sycamore tree in the Zango Area of Bauchi Metropolis on Sunday, killing nine and injuring five others.

The incident, which happened at about 7:00p.m came after three people were killed and seven others injured in a bus attack in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area last week.

Those killed were Ayuba Shehu, Freeman Lumi, Godiya Rimi, Ishaku Samson, Joseph Komo, Inna Zamba, Samuel Mutashi, Ishaya Jauro and Haruna Ayuba, while the survivors are Ajiya Kimsa,Yakubu Galibi, Ma’aji Sarauta, Balam Ishaku, and Joshua Hassan.

The injured are receiving treatment at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, (ATBUTH) and some private hospitals The victims, in their 60s, were of Sayawa extraction. Some of them were retired civil servants and community leaders who often relax under the sycamore tree called Durumi in Hausa in front of Joseph’s house.

One of those who narrowly escaped from the attack was Caleb Yarima, a neighbour to Joseph who said three men riding on a motorcycle and a tricycle called Keke NAPEP suddenly opened fire on them as they were playing Dara.

Caleb, who said he left for Men’s Fellowship few minutes before the shooting, said: “I left not up to 10 minutes when I heard gunshots. I just lay where I was near my house. I was frozen to death.”

Caleb said it was shocking that his friends with whom he shared memorable times for almost 20 years were killed brutally.

When Daily Sun visited the scene, families of the deceased were weeping while sympathisers shook their heads.

Simon Ibrahim said he heard gunshots at about 6:33 pm as he was coming out of his house with his wife but were forced to ran back.

He said when later he came out, he saw the old men lying on the ground.

Another eyewitness, Samaila Bukar said he saw people running helter-skelter during the shooting.

He said when he arrived the scene after the gunmen had left, he saw 13 bodies lying on the ground. He said he went to the Federal Low Cost Police station nearby to report the incident but did not meet any policeman on duty.

“When I came back the youths wanted to react but I appealed to them to maintain their calm. Three policemen later came to the scene, but without a vehicle to convey the dead and injured. Later the DPO brought a Hilux vehicle that took them to the hospital. Five of the men died on the spot. Two died in the hospital that night and two others, yesterday morning.”

Collapsed Port Harcourt bridge to remain closed for 3 weeks –Commissioner From CHRIS ANUCHA, Port Harcourt

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he Rivers State Government said the popular Airforce junction bridge, along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, which collapsed Sunday evening, would remain closed for three weeks.

This was disclosed in Port Harcourt yesterday, by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Seminatari during at a joint press conference with the Commissioner for Works, Chief Victor Giadom and his Transport counterpart, Hon. George Tolofari.

Seminatari said the closure was necessary for engineers to carry out repairs work on the collapsed bridge.

She said the bridge, which links Stadium Road with Godspower Ake Road, was constructed by the administration of Dr. Peter Odili, the Special Projects Unit and was commissioned in 2006, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to her, being a special project, the bridge was awarded to an indigenous construction firm, Bulletin, but was not supervised by the State Ministry of Works, as it was not aware of the award of the contract.

However, the commissioner said any contract awarded by the Amaechi-led government passes through the due process, to avoid holding the present administration accountable for any road, bridge or other projects collapse in the state.

She said; “We are committed to delivering roads that are of standards and roads that will last for many years, to the people of Rivers State. Before we award any contract, we pass through due process and other rigorous processes, to ensure that our projects are of standard. We are not delivering sub-standard projects.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Chief Victor Giadom said it was part of the bridge that caved in, pointing out that it was not a total collapse as people were made to believe.

•Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips (middle), joined by other judges, cutting the cake to commemorate the start of the 2012/2013 legal year in Lagos yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Soldiers kill top Boko Haram leader ...2 field commanders arrested •13 sect members die in Borno gun battle From DESMOND MGBOH, Kano and TIMOTHY OLA, Maiduguri with agency reports

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he Joint Security Task Force (JTF) in Kano, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of two suspected field commanders of the Boko Haram as well as the death of a leader of the sect in an early morning raid in Kano.

Spokesman of the JTF, Lt Ikediche Iweaha told journalists that while one of them was killed in the raid, the remaining two, believed to be high profile commanders, were arrested and had been taken into custody in one of their facilities.

The operation, he explained, started at about 6 :00 am at the Hotoro General Area of the state capital. He said that the raid was purely a gun duel.

Lt. Iweaha explained that the arrested suspects and their dead colleague were linked to cases of insurgency recorded in the quarters and in the state. The most recent of the incidents was the killing of a security officer attached to the National Security and Defense Corps (NSDC) and his entire family on Sunday.

The raid at dawn, it was gathered, was the aftermath of weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance indicative of the presence of some of the suspects in the said enclave.

Residents of the Hotoro quarters were shocked by the sounds of gunshots as they woke up to the operation as well as the siege of security personnel in their area.

Iweaha declined to provide

information regarding the identities of the suspects, but explained that investigation into the arrest was ongong, as he assured the public to go about their normal businesses. Normal activities and traffic were recorded in the quarters soon afterwards.

A credible security source confirmed that, as usual, there were members of the suspects families, including women and children, within range, but added that careful efforts were made to ensure their safety. He said there was no civilian casualty in the operation that actively involved soldiers, police and SSS operatives.

Also, 13 suspected Boko Haram militants and one soldier died in a duel between members of the sect and security forces in Maiduguri following a bomb explosion which rocked the city on Sunday. Sources said some bombers suspected to be members of the sect had thrown explosive devices at the JTF troops around the Gwange area on Sunday.

‘A soldier was killed by the explosion while three others were wounded’, a dependable military source hinted.

However, the men of the Joint Task Force were said to have responded with a man-hunt for the suspected bombers, a development which led to the gun battle with the militants. ‘I can confirm to you that 13 members of the sect were killed’, the military source who did not want his name in print disclosed.

JTF spokesman, Lt-Col Sagir Musa could not be reached as at press time because of the general breakdown of the telephone network in the city.

A mortuary attendant at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, however, said 14 corpses were deposited at the morgue by two military vehicles.

Meanwhile, there are an indications that another terrorist group has emerged in Kano State.

A top security source in Kano informed online agency, SaharaReporters that a group, claiming to be an affiliate of Jama’atu Ahlis sunna Lida’awati wal ihad (popularly called Boko

Haram) has threatened to bomb Cool FM 96.9, a radio station based in Kano, the capital of Kano State.

The sect, which identified itself as Jama’atul Qatlul Kafir fi Sabilillahi, reportedly accused the station of being pro-Christian and anti-Islam.

SaharaReporters learnt that the sect dispatched a letter to the broadcaster accusing it of blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.

The source, who is an official of the State Security Service (SSS), said his agency as well as other security agencies had started investigating the authenticity of the sect as well as the background of spokesman, Jaid Qariq Usman. Mr. Usman signed the letter that was sent to the station.

“We are working to establish if the sect truly exists so as to avoid a repeat of the January, 2012 attacks in which hundreds of people were killed in Kano,” said the source. He added that the agencies were working hard and had taken the threat letter seriously. “I cannot say much more in order not to jeopardize our investigations.”

FAAN shuts out freight forwarders at cargo terminal

By UCHE USIM

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or four days running, the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has denied clearing agents and freight forwarders access to their offices at the cargo section of the Lagos airport in its effort to sanitize the operations there.

According to the Spokesman of FAAN, Akin Olukunle, the agency, has for a long time, frowned at the ever-

rowdy nature of the cargo terminal and informed the clearing agents of its intention to relocate them to another place pending when it completes the remodeling of the place.

He added that rather than cooperate, the agents resisted the move, leaving FAAN with no option than to shut them out of the place.

“We told them severally that the operations there does not befit an international airport and wanted to sanitize it. We gave them another place but

they initially rejected it. Since we issued our last warning, they stopped remiting what is due us. We had to shut them out. They think they’re untouchable. But a meeting is going on now to resolve the matter. Outcome of it will determine what happens next”, he said.

The development forced the agents to carry out a mass protest. This in turn caused a long traffic snarl around the airport, disrupting activities.

DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 18, 2012, 7

NEWS

Okogie carpets Jonathan on national honours From AIDOGHIE PAULINUS, Abuja

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rchbishop emeritus of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, has criticised President Goodluck Jonathan over yesterday’s conferment of national honours award on some Nigerians.

The president, yesterday, conferred national honours award on 155 Nigerians.

Reacting to the honours in an interview with Daily Sun, Okogie said when things were getting too common, they became useless and lost value.

“As far as Anthony Olubunmi Okogie is concerned, when things are getting too common, they become useless and lose value.

“National honours like they do elsewhere in other civilized nations are once in a blue moon. But every Tom, Dick and Harry is now given national honors.

“Some of us who have it are even afraid to use it. It is not that we are not proud of our nation, but we don’t want to be classified among people who we don’t know how they got their honours whether it was through bomb, bribery or political. It is becoming common,” Okogie bemoaned.

Similarly, Okogie frowned at the conferment of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on people who do not merit it, asking: “Are they going to turn every Tom, Dick and Harry to SAN?

New legal year: Fashola tasks judiciary … Solicits support for new traffic law

By AKEEB ALARAPE and FAITH OMORUYI

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agos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday tasked the judiciary to rise to the socio and economic challenges facing the country by dispensing justice timely and justly.

Besides, the governor charged various elected public officers to strive hard to leave behind good legacies that future generation would continue to remember them for.

Governor Fashola spoke at the prayer session held at the Lagos Central Mosque as part of activities marking 2012/2013legal year for the state judiciary.

Fashola said the role of the judiciary among the three arms of government could not be over emphasized, saying judges were social and economic engineers.

“Our nation is at a great crossroad. Our nation faces enormous challenges; challenges that put to test our resolve for selfgovernance because our democracy is young. “Perhaps no arm is called upon to restore the faith than the arm that will manage the administration of justice, the judicial arm of our system of government, whether at the national level or indeed at the various state levels.

“We have issue of national security, at the base of which are the two pillars of law and order. National security is as much an issue to the judicial arm of government as it is to the executive and the legislature,” he said.

On the recently passed traffic law of the state, the governor solicited the support of the judiciary in its implementation as he described the law as ‘a life-changing law.’

IGP evokes emotion over late wife at honours reception From MOLLY KILETE, Abuja

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or the first time since he lost his wife, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, yesterday let emotions overcome him at a public event as he lamented that he wished his wife was alive to witness the honour he bagged.

Abubakar was decorated with the honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The event was at a reception organized for him by officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force, held at the Force Headquarters.

An emotional laden Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, who initially talked tough on his determination to move the police to greater heights and rid it of bad eggs as well as ensure that the era of bribe taking by police officer ended under his leadership, suddenly broke down when he said “Some of us never believed we will get to where we are but by the power of God, we are where we are today.

“How I wish my late wife was here today, but everybody has his time, we were not born together, we were not born the same day but she worked very hard to get me to where I am today with all her support and love otherwise it would have been difficult for me to be here today,” the IGP said.

•Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) and weapons uncovered by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Biu, Borno on display in Maiduguri yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Female banker sends robbers after customer From ALOYSIUS ATTAH, Onitsha

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female cashier working in a new generation bank along New Market Road, Onitsha, Anambra State has landed in trouble for sending robbers after a customer just after he withdrew N5 million from the bank.

It was gathered that the customer was attacked by the armed bandits who operated on two motorcycles while waiting to board a vehicle to his destination.

After being dispossessed of the money, Daily Sun gathered that the victim became suspicious of the role played by the female cashier as no other person knew about the withdrawal and he hurried back to the bank in anger and threatened to expose the cashier if the stolen money was not returned immediately to him.

According to a reliable source, the bank manager, whose office was situated close to the banking hall, overheard their argument and invited them into his office.

While interviewing both parties, the female cashier consistently denied involvement

in the crime and vowed to deal with the victim if his allegation was eventually proved to be false.

However, the cat was let out of the bag during hot exchange of words when the mobile phone of the cashier rang persistently and she refused to answer the call.

While she was fidgeting, the bank manager suspected foul play and ordered the cashier to answer her call, using the

amplified speaker.

When she finally picked the call after much reluctance, it was the voice of the excited robber from the other end telling the cashier that the operation was successful. He told the cashier to meet him at the designated location to collect her share after the close of work. The cashier became speechless after the call as tears of shame and guilt streamed down her face.

Rivers varsity dares ASUU, conducts second semester exam From TONY JOHN and CANICE UZOUKWU, Port Harcourt

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he Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu, Port Harcourt, yesterday went ahead to conduct second semester examination for its students, notwithstanding strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the institution.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the institution, Mr. Des Wosu, said students who did not report to school for the examination, did so at their own detriment.

Addressing journalists in his office, Wosu, who is also the deputy registrar, stated that examination took place in all departments, particularly on ‘service courses’ done by all students, which were conducted by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

He stated that announcement for the second semester examination scheduled to commence on September 17, was widely publicized in the media, saying that there was no reason for any student to be absent.

“Any student, who stayed away did so at his or her peril.”

Fielding questions from

Anambra kidnap saga: Court grants hotelier bail From DOM EKPUNOBI, Onitsha

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n Idemili High Court presided over by Justice Onochie Anyachebelu has granted bail to the proprietor of Arthur Garden Hotels Limited, Nkpor, near Onitsha, Prince Christopher Udo who has been standing trial for kidnap.

In his ruling shortly after hearing the leading counsel to the applicant, Frank Molokwu, with M. C. Ilondu, S. O. Chukwukelu and Uche Darlington Okeke, Justice

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state, Mr. Ralph Uzoigwe, said he had not received any complaint from the bank and promised to reach the reporter as soon as information got to him.

It was learnt that the bank was handling the incident internally to avoid a dent to its image.

Anyachebelu noted that after studying all the documents relating to the charges against the applicant, including the police case file and the statement of the first accused, one Chinedu, he discovered that Udoh was not linked anywhere in the kidnap allegation.

The judge said the allegation that the kidnappers were found in his hotel was yet to be proved.

Justice Onochie who further stated that from the pool of evidence filed before the court, including the counter-affidavit from the state counsel oppos-

ing the bail application, he could not find anything to deny the applicant bail.

He, therefore, granted the accuse person bail in the sum of N5 million with three sureties in the like sum.

He ordered that each of the sureties must produce their statement of account in the bank, two passport photographs, affidavit of means and proper means of self identification, which would be either national ID card, driver’s licence or international passport.

journalists, the RSUST imagemaker said the school Senate fixed the date for the examination, saying there was nothing anyone could do about it.

He, however, appealed to the striking lecturers to sheathe their swords in the interest of the students, saying that dialogue should be the best option.

Some of the students, who spoke with Daily Sun, confirmed the claims made by the RSUST spokesman.

They said, though lecturers were on strike, they prepared for the examination because they were tired of staying at home.

Though, many students were in school, checks by Daily Sun showed that most lecturers’ offices were locked.

One of the lecturers (seen probably inside his secretary’s office), who did not want his name in print, told reporters that he was not part of the examination, adding that he was in the school to observe what was happening.

The ASUU members of the institution had been in a faceoff with the state government following the reappointment of Prof. Barineme Fakae, as the acting vice chancellor in July Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

8 DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 18, 2012

NEWS APGA: Court refuses to vacate injunction against Umeh From PETRUS OBI, Enugu

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n Enugu State High Court yesterday refused to rule on application filed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh seeking to vacate an interim order of the court barring him from convening meetings of the party.

Presiding Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, who is also the Chief Judge of the state, said the APGA chairman had already appealed on the matter and thus he had to wait for the superior interpretation of the matter.

Umezulike, who had fixed ruling on the preliminary objection raised by Umeh against the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case for yesterday, said he would rather wait for the outcome of the appeal challenging the validity of the prolonged interim order made by the court, which the defendant contended should not have lasted more than two weeks.

In his ruling, the chief judge said since the defendant had approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the interim order given by his court, saying it would be wrong for him to do anything further on the order “so I have decided to wait for the outcome of the appeal.”

He said even though the interim injunction ought not to have lasted beyond July 31 when both parties appeared before the court and made vital submissions in support of their case, the notice of appeal served his court made it imperative for him to step down further action on the order until the appellate court decided the appeal.

“I am bound to wait for the decision of the Court of Appeal as to whether the interim order was right or wrong. I should not be seen to be locking horns with the Appeal Court in this matter. I have, therefore, decided to remand my ruling on the interim order,” the chief judge said.

On the preliminary objection, Justice Umezulike held that it would not be in the interest of justice to determine it without hearing the substantive motion brought by the plaintiff, Mr. Jude Okuli, which centered on his “wrongful expulsion from APGA for alleged anti-party activities.”

Bakassi Peninsula: The people deserve a say –Soyinka

By NDUBUISI ORJI and LAWRENCE ENYOGHASU

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s the 2002 ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to Cameroon continues to generate concern, Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka has said that the people of the area deserve to have a say on what becomes of the area.

He said it was for the people to decide whether they wanted to remain in Nigeria, Cameroon or even be on their own.

Soyinka, who stated this in Lagos yesterday, during a commemorative lecture organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Women Arise, to mark the 79th Birthday of rights activist, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, in Lagos, lamented that the views of the Bakassi people were not taken into consideration before the area was ceded.

The Nobel laureate, who was guest speaker at the event contended that the deficit of views and wishes of Bakassi natives before the decision by the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo to cede the area out raised questions about the rights of the minorities.

“Were the representatives of the indigent members of the community invited to Hague before the government accepted the ruling, the answer is no,” he said.

Soyinka added that, “the wishes of the people in Bakassi were never considered and that put to the fore the issue about the rights of the minorities.” He urged the Federal Government to revisit the ICJ ruling on Bakassi and appeal the verdict that gave the land to the Republic of Cameroon.

The window period for the appeal would elapse early next month.

Speaking on the theme, “Corporate Gains and Human Deficit,” he averred that the waves of violence in the country, especially in the North, could be attributed to large scale unemployment which could be traced to death of industries like the cotton sector in the North which made youths unemployed thereby making them available tools in the hands of insurgent groups.

Anglican Communion Ibadan holds awards

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he Ibadan Diocese of the Anglican Communion will on Sunday, September 30, confer Diamond Jubilee Awards on deserving members of the diocese at a special service at Saint Annes Church, Molete, Ibadan at 10a.m.

Among the awardees are Chief Folu Olamiti, Head of Media (ICPC) and National Co- ordinator, National Anticorruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC), Justice I. B. Delano; former chief judge, Ogun State, Prof. Dele Osinusi; Chief Medical Director (CMD) LASUTH, AIG I. A. Boladuro (retd) and Segun Abolarinwa, special adviser, Oyo State.

• Collapsed portion of the overhead bridge on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway near Airforce Base in Port Harcourt yesterday. Photo: NAN

UI Prof slumps, dies

By GABRIEL DIKE

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ragedy struck at the nation’s premier university, University of Ibadan (UI) as the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Professor Kolawole Aderemi OluOwolabi slumped and died at Mokola area of Ibadan Oyo State capital on Sunday.

Daily Sun gathered that the late Prof Olu-Owolabi slumped and died in his car while on his way to the market to purchase school items for one of his sons who was to resume school next Monday.

Director of Public Communications, UI, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo and the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU-UI branch, Dr. Segun Owolabi Ajigboye, both confirmed the sad incident to Daily Sun. The source said after he slumped, the car coming behind hooted for him to move on. It was discovered that the don who was on the steering was dead. On arrival at the scene, a police officer used Prof. Olu-

Owolabi’s phone to contact the last person he spoke to, who in turn got across to the UI. In a text message sent to Daily Sun correspondent, Oladejo, said UI and the academic community in Nigeria lost a distinguished member yesterday even as he described the deceased as a strong supporter of the local ASSU branch.

The imagemaker said that the late professor was in the Department of Philosophy of the institution. He held LL.B and LL.M degrees.

According to him, he was aged 51 and hailed from Igbogila, Yewa North Local Government in Ogun State and was survived by a wife and two children.

The ASUU-UI chairman,

said the police officer used Prof Olu-Owolabi’s phone to call Dr. Deji Madubi of the Department of African and Asian Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG), the last person he spoke to, to inform him about the death at Mokola area.

Ajigboye, on his part, described the late prof as a committed unionist, noting, “he was always there for the union. He was with us in January during the fuel subsidy protest, attended the last congress of ASUU on August 13 and that he believed and died supporting ASUU. He explained that ASUU would miss his support, encouragement and service to members as well as the

Orji Kalu convenes Igbo unity platform

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n furtherance of serving as a non-partisan bridge for the unification of the Igbo race of Nigeria which he stressed during an interview he granted last week, former Abia State governor,

Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, convened a meeting of intellectuals at his Aso Villa mansion, Abuja that lasted till the late hours of Sunday.

The aims of the group called Njiko Igbo include harmonization of different

Presidential poll: PPA vows to go it alone

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he National Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chief Sam Nkire, has said that PPA will never again lend its support to anybody who is not a member of the party in any future presidential election.

Speaking at the end of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja, Nkire said PPA was full of regret for endorsing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the last

university community, noting that the union would participate in his burial.

The late dean submitted his final year essay entitled “Revolution, Solution to Political Problems in Max’s Philosophy” to the Department of Philosophy, UNILAG, in June 1983 and his Ph.D Thesis defended at UNILAG, May 1989 was entitled “Trancedental Subjectivity as the Foundation of Knowledge: A critique of Edmund Husserl’s Epistemological Foundationalism.”

He had written and coauthored over 40 books, two forthcoming ones, has produced nine Ph.D students, several First degrees and Master graduates and joined UI in 2002.

presidential election, having realised that PDP was a party that strongly believed in “winner takes all.”

The PPA national chairman said the party’s greatest concern was the poor state of roads in the country especially in the South-East zone as well as the spate of insecurity in the land.

According to Nkire, PPA would rather go it alone in the future than support a party that would turn out to be

insensitive to the plight of the masses.

On the party’s plan towards 2015, Nkire said PPA would soon be reactivated in all the 774 local governments in the country where the party had formidable structures before some of its governors, legislators and patrons left the party. He was of the hope that many of the members who left the PPA, including governors and members of the National Assembly would soon return.

interests in the South-East zone of Nigeria, facilitation of a common South-East position on national issues, rekindling the spirit of political participation among the citizens at the grassroots across the zone as well as channeling such enthusiasm to positive national goals.

Other aims of the meeting include building bridges across political tendencies in the zone and extending such bridges to other geopolitical zones for the full re-integration of the zone among others.

The meeting was attended by high profile businessmen, professionals and politicians including national chairmen of some political parties.

DAILY SUN, Tuesday, September 18, 2012

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Foreign Affairs

• A Pakistani activist from Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba, a student wing of the hard line Sunni party Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), throws a tear gas shell towards the police near the US consulate during a protest against an anti-Islam movie in Karachi yesterday. Photo:AFP

Togo militia stops protest against president

Japanese firms in China shutdown A ahead of angry protests • Newly-appointed Chinese ambassador dies

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ome major Japanese brandname firms announced factory shutdowns in China yesterday and urged expatriates to stay indoors ahead of what could be more angry protests over a territorial dispute between Asia’s two biggest economies.

China’s worst outbreak of anti-Japan sentiment in decades led to weekend demonstrations and violent attacks on well-known Japanese businesses such as car makers Toyota and Honda, forcing frightened Japanese into hiding and prompting Chinese state media to warn that trade relations could now be in jeopardy.

Another outbreak of antiJapan sentiment is expected across China today, the anniversary of Japan’s 1931 occupation of parts of mainland China. “I’m not going out today and I’ve asked my Chinese boyfriend to be with me all day tomorrow,” said Sayo Morimoto, a 29-yearold Japanese graduate student at a university in Shenzhen.

Meanwhile, The newly appointed Japanese ambassador to China has died after taking ill and collapsing in Tokyo late last week. In a brief statement, the Japanese

Foreign Ministry confirmed Shinichi Nishimiya, 60, died on Sunday after spending the weekend in hospital because of his “health condition.” He collapsed just two days after being appointed to the job.

The ministry did not disclose any further details about what had happened.

Previously a deputy minister for foreign affairs, Nishimiya

was due to replace the current Japanese envoy in Beijing, 72-year-old Uichiro Niwa, in the coming weeks amid heightened tensions between Japan and China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the government would protect Japanese firms and citizens and called for protesters to obey the law. “The gravely destructive consequences of Japan’s illegal purchase of the

Diaoyu Islands are steadily emerging, and the responsibility for this should be born

by Japan,” he told a daily news briefing. The islands,

• Shinichi Nishimiya

Germany seeks protection for embassies

• To support UN in combating illegal arms

From AIDOGHIE PAULINUS, sive protection. “Diplomats Abuja need to be able to carry out their work without fear. he German Foreign “We understand the indigMinister, Guido nation which many faithful Westerwelle, has Muslims feel towards the antiexpressed grave concern at the Islamic film, which has been violent unrest which has tar- circulating. “We share that geted the German embassy in indignation at this abhorrent Khartoum and diplomatic online material. However, we missions in Egypt, Libya, are convinced that not even Yemen and a number of other this horrible video, which realcountries in the Muslim world. ly is devoid of all good taste In a statement issued by the can be used to justify violence, German Embassy in Abuja, not to mention murders such Westerwelle appealed to the as we have just seen. We concerned nations to provide unequivocally distance ourthe German diplomatic mis- selves from this kind of sions with comprehensive defamation of the Prophet and protection. of Islam,” Westerwelle said.

“We appeal to the governMeanwhile, the governments of these countries to menthas said it would support provide the diplomatic mis- the United Nations (UN) in sions there with comprehen- the fight against illegal small

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arms with 500,000 euros.

Germany made the pledge during the Review Conference on the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light.

Weapons recently, where the UN member states confirmed their commitment to fight illegal arms trading and to protect children in armed conflict.

militia of some 500 men loyal to President Faure Gnassingbe prevented a march by opposition groups over the weekend.

Bare-chested militia men armed with batons, clubs , cutlasses and hoes blocked the path of civil rights groups and opposition political parties allies known as ‘Let’s Save Togo,’ preventing them from demonstrating against recent electoral reforms announced by the government.

Tension was rife when the

militia men blocked the streets of Lome’s Adewui neighborhood where thousands of opposition marchers had planned to start their demonstration.

• Faure Gnassingbe

We’d forces as advisers in Syria – Iranian Commander

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ran has had forces in Syria as “advisers,” the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Sunday, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry said the country has no such personnel in Syria now.

The Quds Force, the elite special operations unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has long had activities in Syria and Lebanon, the commander of the corps said Sunday.

Asked at a news conference whether Iran has a presence in Syria, Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari said Iran has not taken military action in the country but has provided guidance and “advisers,” Fars reported.

…New protests erupt in Afghanistan, Indonesia

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rotesters in Afghanistan and Indonesia burnt United States flags and chanted “Death to America” yesterday in renewed demonstrations over a film mocking the Prophet Mohammad that has unleashed a wave of antiWestern sentiment in the Muslim and Arab world.

Indonesian police fired tear-

gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who massed outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, capital of the most populous Muslim nation. In Kabul, thousands of protesters took to the streets, setting fire to cars and shops and throwing stones at police.

“We will defend our prophet until we have blood

across our bodies. We will not let anyone insult him,” said one protester in the Afghan capital. “Americans will pay for their dishonor.” The demonstrations were the latest across the world provoked by a short film made with private funds in the United States that depicted the Prophet Mohammad as a fool and womanizer.

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DAILY SUN Tuesday, September 18, 2012

NewsPlus Eight-year-old girl begs Jonathan, says

Please, tell the Army to return my daddy’s house From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

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he lingering land crisis between the Nigerian Army, occupants of the 2, Amphibious Brigade, Bori Camp and the Rumuomoi community in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is far from over. No fewer than 96 families affected in the crisis are alleging that soldiers have ejected them from their houses and taken over the properties. The area in contention is the Rumuomoi New Layout.

An eight-year-old girl, Nmesooma Obiora, said the building, belonging to her father, Mr. Kingsley Obiorah, was among those affected. She’s crying out to President Goodluck Jonathan to order the Army to release her father’s building.

The girl, a Basic 5 pupil of St. Francis Nursery and Primary School, Rumuokwuta in the state capital, said she did not know why some soldiers sent them away from their house.

Little Obiora told Daily Sun in an interview that she no longer played with her siblings because the house where they now squat isn’t theirs.

“I am just staying here because the Army people sent us out of our house. They did not tell us why and I don’t know the reason. I want the Army to give my daddy’s building back to him. I want the Army to leave my daddy’s house alone.

“They came before and told us to go out. My daddy was not around.

I just want to tell the government to tell the Army not to disturb anybody and allow us to go back to our house. I cannot play with my brother and sister because my daddy and mummy will not allow us to play outside because here is not our house. I want President Goodluck Jonathan to allow us to go back to our house.”

Her mother, Mrs. Obioma Obiora, is still traumatized. She told Daily Sun that Nmesooma’s reactions and questions, at times, reminded her of her horrible experience in the hands of soldiers. The mother of three (two girls and a boy) said the problem had affected her health negatively. She begged the government to intervene in the matter.

“You have seen our condition yourself. It has not been easy. I cannot believe this. I want to go back to my house. It is painful that you spend all you have to secure or build a house, only for somebody to come and force you out of your property.

“Government has the authority to direct the Army to allow us go back to our home. Government has not said anything since then.”

It was gathered that the problem started in May 2011. According to one of the displaced landlords, on Friday, May 13, last year, the residents woke up to see soldiers build-

Nmesooma

Soldiers removing furniture from one of the buildings

Seized: Obiora’s house taken over by the soldiers

ing a fence on the access road leading to the area. When they inquired, a senior officer told them that it was an order from “above.”

Consequently, the residents said they filed a petition at the High Court, Port Harcourt in Suit No. PHC/1051/2011.

The respondents were Chief of Army Staff, Brigadier-Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Brigade Commander), and Lt. Col Nura Mukta (Garrison Commander, 2 Brigade, Bori Camp). The High Court ruled in favour of the community, restricting the Nigerian Army from encroachment and harassment of anybody. The court also ordered that the fence should be demolished. The Army complied and the landlords went home, believing that the battle was over.

They thought the matter had been settled. But recently, the soldiers struck again.

According to Mr. Kingsley Obiora, the soldiers came back in July 2012, begging the landlords to allow them to live in the area.

Obiora said the officer told them

that due to the demolition of the mammy market, most of the families of the soldiers did not have any shelter. He said they saw the request as strange, wondering how soldiers and civilians could live together peacefully.

“But, on July 13, this year, the soldiers started grading the road.

We told our lawyer that they (Army) had started grading the road and he said they couldn’t do that.

“On July 14, early in the morning, around 6am, we saw soldiers around our neighbourhood. They were over 30 soldiers. One of the officers said it was an order from above to eject everybody from his or her house. He said they were giving everybody 10 minutes to pack and relocate.

“Before we knew what was happening, they started packing our loads outside. Shortly, it started raining and our belongings were destroyed. The most annoying thing was that one of the soldiers was pushing my wife as if she was not a human being, or she commit-

ted an offence. At gunpoint, we left the area. Children were crying.

Adults too were crying. It is unbelievable.”

Mr. Obiora, who hails from Awgu Local Government area of Enugu State, said he was yet to recover from the shock. He said it was unbelievable that his storey building of four flats, which took him over five years to build, would be forcefully taken over by the Army.

“It has been terrible, horrible.

Often, you see me outside because I don’t know or have a place to lay my head. The Army has separated me and my family. Life has been very difficult in a town without a house. It has distracted me, especially when I realize that my wife has been having health challenges because of this problem.”

The father of three children said he never imagined that such a thing could happen to them in a democratic government. He said that since they were forcefully thrown out, he had not gone back to his house because of heavy presence of soldiers.

He lamented that he purchased the land legally from the Rumuomoi community and his building plan was duly approved by the state government. The distraught man, who is currently homeless, has appealed to the Federal Government and National Assembly to intervene in the matter to save the lives of innocent and harmless civilians.

“Our appeal is that the Federal Government should come to our aid. All of us that are involved in this problem, we acquired the land legally and our building plans were approved by the Rivers State Government. We should be protected by the security and not maltreated. We are calling on all governments and the National Assembly to come to our help. The distance

between the place we purchased the land is far from “Bori Camp”.

According to him, the wife of one of the landlords, Pastor Orji Isaac, lost a six-month pregnancy.

He said a woman fainted from 9am to 6pm before she could be revived on the fateful day.

Meanwhile, a constitutional and Human Rights lawyer, Angus Obinna Chukwuka, who is handling the matter for the 96 embattled families, has written letters to the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Abuja, the Presidency and Chief of Army Staff on the issue.

In his letter to the Chief of Army Staff, and dated August 17, 2012, Chukwuka referred him to an advertorial published in one of the daily newspapers on March 16, 2011on page 59, where the Rumuomoi community decried the forceful dispossession of their communal land by the Nigerian Army.

“On the 14th July, 2012, military officers from the said Bori Camp forcefully ejected all occupants of the buildings in the area belonging to the Rumuomoi community not being acquired for Barracks development. The said houses were arbitrarily re-allocated to soldiers. Not satisfied with unlawfully taking over of poor, innocent citizens’ lands and houses, the soldiers from the same Bori Camp, on 4th August, 2012, recklessly, demolished houses developed in the area in question by helpless civilians.

More than five houses were completely demolished on the said date,” the letter stated.

He appealed to President Jonathan to save the lives of his clients “and the entire Rumuomoi community from inhuman and illegal activities of the Nigerian Army.”

When the Army Public Relations Officer, Major Michael Etete, was contacted for comments, he said the occupants of the layout were not ejected from their houses as they claimed.

He told the reporter that the residents were given enough time to vacate the land, adding that Army has the Certificate of Occupancy of the land. He said since the matter was already in court, he would want the court to do its work.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

DAILY SUN

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SOUTH-SOUTH Report LG commissions new market in Rivers From TONY JOHN & CANICE UZOUKWU, Port Harcourt

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ecently, a galaxy of personalities gathered in Rukpokwu Obio/Akpor Local Government Council of Rivers State to witness the official commissioning of a N2 billiion-international market built by the council chairman, Hon. Timothy Nsirim.

The edifices in the serene market are indeed a beauty to behold. The space, spanning over 450 plots of land, was acquired from the indigenes of Rukpokwu by Nsirim’s administration.

Many structures or projects at the market made the place quite unique and exceptional to infrastructural development witnessed in any government, especially at the local government level.

In the market are 400 open stores, 400 lock-up stores, 1, 000 motor carriage parks, 10-bed clinic, a standard police station and residential quarters for 11 police officers, a fire service station with a modern fire truck, a crèche/nursery school and internal link roads. Others are three standard canteens, electrification and provision of 500KVA transformer and six modern toilet buildings with standard facilities.

The council chairman, in his address, stated that his administration had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Turkish firm “to build, operate and transfer” (BOT) an automated abattoir, first of its kind in the state. He said when the market is fully completed, it is expected that an automated waste disposal system, banks, supermarkets, warehouses and cold-rooms, would be established.

“One striking advantage of the market is that it is accessible through land, air and sea, as it is close to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Nigeria Ports Authority and various link roads.

“Our neighbouring states and local government will have no problem accessing the market. We, therefore, call on investors within and outside Nigeria to take advantage of the facilities provided in the market and invest in. Our desire is to have a better local government area where all will enjoy and have access to the dividends of democracy.”

Hon. Nsirim told the crowd at the event that the amount used for the project was realized from the prudent management of the Federal Government allocations and the little the council get from internally generated revenue (IGR).

“There was no loan or financial assistance from any institution or organization within or outside the country. From the inception of the market, all contracts were based on the results from the Tender Committee of the local governments. This made the contracts competitive and awards subject to real market prices.”

He expressed gratitude to the State governor, Chibuike Amaechi, for approving to have the international market located in the area, providing for the development of the Greater Port Harcourt City, and awarding contract for the dualization of the road leading to the market.

The council boss appealed to the state governor to support them financially to complete the second phase of the market because of its strategic development of Greater Port Harcourt City.

Nsirim also commended his predecessor and Minister of State, Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his support and encouragement towards the completion of the market, which was their modest achievement. He said the project was a “promise made not a written promise,” commending the council leadership and staffers for their sacrifice.

Speaking in the same vein, his deputy, Hon. Solomon Eke, said when the chairman conveyed the idea of building a world-class market, the council did not have loud for project. But, through the determined spirit of his boss to have a legacy people would not forget, efforts were intensified on how to realize the dream. He told Daily Sun that they depended on internally generated revenue.

One of the buildings According to him, the council was standing on solid political ground since 1999. Hon. Eke expressed optimism that the project would be sustained after their tenure, as every new administration would like to imitate its predecessor.

Impressed by what he saw, the state Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, who represented the governor, stated that Rivers State had set a new record of resource management.

He confessed that Obio/Akpor LGA was the first council in the country to embark on over N2billion project with visible evidence and charged other states’ councils across the country to be prudent in fund usage.

The deputy governor stated that the project commissioned was a transparent dividend of good governance, which showed that, when the right people were in power, members of the pub-

lic would rejoice. He added that the project showed that the third tier of government could be useful to the grassroots in prudent and transparent management of public funds.

“The local government is not about wastage of resources. It has proved that when the right people are in power, the people are happy.

This is the first local government in the country to embark on such a project. It has shown that the third tier of government can be useful when the right people are in power.”

He promised that the state government would partner with the council to ensure actualization of people-oriented projects. The state deputy governor urged other local government areas in the country to emulate Obio/Akpor council by executing projects that would impact positively on the people.

The commissioning of first phase of the project was performed by wife of the governor, Dame Judith Amaechi and other government dignitaries.

She also laid foundation of phase two of the project. Side attractions were entertainment by standby musical artistes, comedians and cultural displays.

Mrs Imoke, USAID take fight against VVF to C’River communities

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n recent times, Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) disease has become the greatest silent killer of women.

Experts have described Obstetric fistula as a condition where urine freely leak from disrupted women private parts, following childbirth.

Research by USAID has revealed that there is high prevalence of fistula in Nigeria, as 150, 000 women live with the condition and about 12, 000 new cases are reported every year while WHO estimates that more than two million women are living with the condition in the world. 50 out of every 100 of such women are usually divorced by their families.

However, Cross River State is not an exception, especially with the establishment of 25-bed Vesico Vaginal Fistula, VVF, Centre at the Ogoja General Hospital and the treatment of over 100 clients (women with fistula) is an indication of the rising cases of fistula.

The centre, which is the ninth in the country, is expected to contribute to the treatment of about 4, 000 fistula cases handled by specially trained medical practitioners through the help of It is in the light of this that the wife of Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel-Imoke, has concluded arrangements to collaborate with various communities, health professionals, government agencies, donors and the mass media in the fight against VVF in order not to hinder the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

Mrs. Imoke insisted that time had come when the issue of VVF should be tackled headlong to save our women from undue sufferings and deprivations.

Speaking in Calabar at opening of a two-day training and advocacy workshop organised for wives of 18 local government chairmen in the state and other stakeholders in the health sector across rural communities, she said fistula had been identified as a major contributory factor to high maternal morbidity and mortality in the

Madam Mary country.

The workshop, which has the theme: “Reducing maternal mortality at the grassroots level in Cross River State, a focus on fistula prevention and care,” was organised by the Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realisation, POWER, with support from the USAID Fistula Care Project in Nigeria.

She said: “The rising case of fistula is a clog in the wheels for achieving MDGs Nigeria. It is known to have the highest prevalence of VVF or Rector Vagina Fistula in the world with about 400, 000 to 800, 000 women living with the problem and about 20, 000 new cases occurring with 90 per cent untreated.

“With these colossal psycho-social and economic consequences of fistula on women, strong efforts and collective action are therefore needed to reverse this negative trend. And after this workshop, women are expected to move into their communities and assist in their little way to providing health care services to women and identify those with fistula for immediate repairs” She said in complementing the efforts of the Governor Liyel Imoke-led administration in the health sector, POWER had in recent times focused on the packaging of flagship projects that

promotes crosscutting concerns and synergy in maternal and child welfare as well as sexual reproductive health.

Earlier in his remarks, the Country Manager, Fistula Care Project of USAID, Chief Iyeme Efem, said that there are 150, 000 backlog of Fistula cases in Nigeria, with 12, 000 cases emanating yearly.

He advocated that one of the ways of addressing the backlog was to carry out massive campaign, especially at the grassroots levels, that will stop further cases of the scourge, while efforts aimed aCt treating the already existing were stepped up.

Iyeme explained that the newly set up fistula centre in Ogoja General Hospital is meant to repair fistula clients in Cross River State and beyond.

He stressed, “Let us stop women from getting fistula while we take repairs for those who already have it.”

Equally speaking, the Special Assistant on Public Health/NGO and Special Projects, Dr. Mrs. Regina Ejemot-Nwadiaro, said the meeting was to create awareness and encourage women to utilise the opportunity of the Fistula Care Centre in Ogoja (Northern Senatorial District of the State) to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in the country.

Dr. Ejemot-Nwadiaro, the workshop coordinator, said the programme was aimed at empowering those who are closer to the policy makers at the grassroots level and expressed hope that at the end of the programme, participants would have been inspired to take the campaign on fistula prevention to rural areas.

She commended USAID and Engender Health for raising the stakes in the intervention against fistula which exemplified their commitment in promoting high quality maternal health for overall development of women.

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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Bookseller urges FG to invest in education, health to check social vices

By GABRIEL DIKE

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he Managing Director of Friendship Investment Enterprises Limited, Mr. Chijioke Iroetugo, has made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to invest heavily in the education sector, health as a means to check social vices associated with the youths.

Speaking to Daily Sun ahead of his firm’s 30th anniversary celebration in Lagos, Mr. Iroetugo, also demanded that government create jobs opportunities which would engage the youths and keep the away from social vices such as kidnapping, robbery, insecurity, corruption, cultism and prostitutions.

Iroetugo disclosed that after his secondary education, he travelled to Onitsha to learn how to market books and at the end of his apprenticeship, he move to Lagos to start his own business, Friendship Investment Enterprises Limited Ltd at Ikorodu.

According to him, Friendship Investment Enterprises Ltd journey to success was faced with challenges and tribulation but due to hard work and loyalty to customers’ needs, he was able to surmount some of the problems.

Said he: “ In the beginning, the business was faced with the issues of financial constraints, unethical behaviours of publishers, selling direct to schools whereas they are suppose to sell

through book shops owners as it is done in Ghana and other countries. The banks also did not help matters due to their strict conditions for granting loans.

“As a way of giving back to the society, Friendship Investment Enterprises Limited will be giving out a special anniversary package to students beginning from September 1 to November 30, for bulk purchases on all textbooks. Friendship Investment Enterprises Limited will be celebrating her 30 years anniversary in 2014”.

He further explained that he has integrated sporting equipments into his book business which he started with one man, but now with a workforce of

over 30 staff adding “we are not done, with God all things are possible. We intend to diversify into other businesses”.

Iroetugo, who is from Okposi Ohaozara Local Governament Area of Ebonyi State, was appointed the Secretary of Igbo community during the inauguration of the electoral committee that is charged with the responsibility to conduct a credible election for the body.

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DAILY SUN Tuesday September 18, 2012

The NEMA flood alert

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he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) recently alerted the nation to the need to urgently evacuate people living along the River Niger plains. The states most at risk in the event of the flooding of the river are Anambra, Delta, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara and Niger States. The warning, which was conveyed in a statement by NEMA Head of Public Relations, Mr Yushau Shuaib, said the warning became imperative, because the dams have already attained their highest water levels in 29 years. This, NEMA added, is unprecedented in the history of Jebba and Kainji power dams. The consequences could be disastrous.

The agency advised residents of communities on the River Niger plains, to move to higher grounds for their own safety. It further claimed to have notified the affected states to take necessary precautionary measures and comply with the evacuation order to avert imminent loss of lives and property.

This is not the first time Nigerians are being warned of the imminence of heavy flooding.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) issued a similar alert on expected heavy downpour in sixteen states across the geo-political zones of the country not long ago. That prediction has come to pass with heavy downpour in many coastal areas such as Lagos, Rivers, Imo, Anambra, Cross River, Ondo and Delta.

We, therefore, urge all the states and communities covered by the NEMA alert to heed the warning without any delay. The most recent flooding in Adamawa State, which claimed no fewer than 43 lives and massive destruction of property, could possibly have been averted if necessary precautionary measures had been taken. The number of deaths from the deluge, which spread to over eleven local councils of the state, was said to be the result of release of water from Lagdo Dam on the Cameroun side of River Benue. Many people in the affected areas are still missing, while the survivors are counting their losses.

The same fate has befallen northern and central parts of Taraba State, where communities on the banks of River Benue have been ravaged by floods.

At least 8,000 people were reportedly displaced, with many of them currently taking refuge in

churches, mosques and school buildings.

If the affected states had heeded earlier warnings and taken adequate precautionary measures against flooding occasioned by the rains, many lives and property would have been saved.

Since the affected states have been availed this NEMA warning, efforts should be made to get the affected communities out of the danger zone. The authorities should also seek a long-term solution to the predicted flooding. Environmental and water engineering experts should be engaged to design channels to direct the flow of water to places where it will not endanger the lives of the people. This is critical. A technical approach should be adopted to stop the incessant flooding and drowning of persons during every raining season in the country.

Victims of the recent floods should be rehabilitated to avoid outbreak of epidemics, such as cholera.

Now that the NEMA alert is out, the affected communities should not be caught napping.

Since it may be difficult for the residents to move on their own, government should assist with proper arrangements to move them and also cushion the effects of their displacement. Ensuring the welfare and security of citizens is one of the primary responsibilities of government. Everything should be done to avert any tragedy on account of failure to heed this warning.

NEMA, also, should go beyond issuance of alerts. It should be proactive, recommend preemptive stategies and be actively involved in activities designed to avert emergencies of this nature. It must also rev up its machinery to provide real succour to persons in emergency situations. Also, governments in flood-prone states should come up with comprehensive de-flooding arrangements such as good drainage channels, landscaping, massive clearing and dredging system, and other antiflooding measures. Overall, the massive floods that have already ravaged many states should be a wake-up call to government at all levels to come up with a comprehensive master plan on how to tackle environmental degradation such as erosion control. To be forewarned, as the saying goes, is to be forearmed. This is the time to heed warnings against dangers in our environment.

COMMENT

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

LETTER If God does not react MANY born again Christians today not only deliberately commit sin but even freely live in it because they have been taught that being born again is all that is needed to make it to heaven. There are pastors and preachers who have been deceived by the devil into believing that no matter how sinful a person is, as long as he/she has confessed Jesus as personal Lord and Savior he/she can never go to hell.

Unfortunately these erring handlers of the Word are feeding their listeners with the same doctrine from hell. To some people the fact that Romans 5:20 says that where sin increased, God's grace increased even more is a confirmation that a born again Christian can go on living in sin because there is more than enough grace to cover his/her sin. Some others Christians, on the other hand, believe that God will punish sin whether the sinner is born again or not, but then they keep on sinning. Some even preach

against sin but still live in it, deceiving others.

For instance, there are many born again Christians including church-ordained pastors, deacons, elders and other church workers who are married but also have concubines.

Now, it is one thing for a Christian to fall into sin in an unguarded moment - react in anger, bow to pressure and do something that he/she knows to be wrong and would normally not do, etc. When he/she is caught off-guard like that, a Christian who does not like to sin against God feels very bad, repents and asks God for forgiveness. Some even shed tears because they feel that they have disappointed the Lord. It is another thing, though, for a born again Christian to deliberately live in sin continually for any of the reasons discussed earlier. And one thing that makes people comfortable in sin is recorded in Ecclesiastes 8:11, “Sometimes the sentence for a crime isn't carried out quickly. So people make

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

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

plans to commit even more crimes” (NIRV).

That means that when some people commit a sin and God does not immediately hit them with the consequence of their sin, they are encouraged to do it again and even add other sins as well. For instance, the Lord says in Ezekiel 18:4 that the soul that sins shall die. A Christian may willfully sin and then take a look at himself and see that he is still alive physically. Then he discovers that he is still able to speak in tongues. He goes for evangelism and one or two people surrender their lives to Jesus. He sees that he still has his beautiful voice which means that he can still sing in the choir. He cannot really see anything that has died in him. He receives courage (from the devil of course) to continue sinning until he becomes comfortable in it. The devil probably manages to convince some Christians that somehow they will succeed in escaping God's judgment. Otherwise, why would somebody who knows that God hates sin keep walking into it over and over again with his eyes wide open?

If you are one of those that are “enjoying” sin and believing that you will never get punished, here is a lesson for you. Speaking about Babylon, Revelation 18:5-8 says, “Her sins are piled up to heaven. God has remembered her crimes. Do to her as she has done to others. Pay

her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double dose of what she has mixed for others.

Give her as much pain and suffering as the glory and wealth she gave herself. She brags to herself, 'I rule like a queen. I am not a widow. I will never be sad.' But she will be plagued by death, sadness and hunger. In a single day they will all catch up with her. She will be burned up by fire.

The Lord God who judges her is mighty.” Learn from this scripture that even sins that seem to go unpunished are being piled up against the day that God will judge them. Do not let the devil or any of his co-workers (including false preachers and teachers) give you a false belief that you are getting away with the sins you are committing.

Remember 1st Timothy 5:24, “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.”

Is there anything you are doing wrong and God does not seem to be reacting? Is God mercifully blessing you even though you are willfully sinning against Him? Do not see that as a license to keep on sinning but rather see it as God giving you an opportunity to realize how much He loves you. Repent and begin to do only His will (Romans 2:4).

Noyo Edem Lagos.

CMYK

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Good Health NHIS introduces voluntary contributors programme N

Neimeth takes free healthcare to Oregun Community

By OGE OKONKWO

By AZOMA CHIKWE

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eveloping countries have tried to address their health financing challenge through full reliance on general taxation and of recent,through social health insurance.

This in many of tne developing countries has led to mandatory public financing in form of subsidies to the poor or valuable groups.

In Nigeria,about 66 percent of total expenditure on health is through out –of-pocket expenditure,consequently,health financing in Nigeria is currently inequitable and access to health by the poor is at very low level.

Therefore,Voluntary Contributions Social Health Insurance Programme[VCSHIP] under the National Health Insurance Scheme becomes a credible policy option for financing health care especially at low income levels.

A step in this direction,according to Dr Abdulrahman Sambo,Acting Excutive Director,National Health Insurance Scheme [NHIS] is the recent introduction of a premium of N15,000 per annum to access health care through the NHIS by the informal sector.

According to him,the amount covers one individual,so a customer can buy the product for himself and his family.”It is a step in the long march towards improved financial protection against the cost of illness.

“The product is also a means of ensuring expanded coverage,especially for the self-

Prof Chukwu employed and those working in organizations with staff less than ten with no formal health services provision for staff and dependents.

On target group,he said membership shall be for the following categories,”willing individuals,employers on behalf of their employees in organization with less than ten staff,political office holders,retirees not covered by other NHIS programmes and foreigners to Nigeria or persons with temporary resi-

dency status.Contribution is payable once annually.”

The VCSHIP can be registered for online.Steps for online registration of VCSHIP begins with a customer purchasing a Voluntary Contributors’ voucher from a participating Health Maintenance Organisation [HMO].

“Go to NHIS website,fill the online form with all the details requested.You will also provide a user name and password which you use for all transactions related to your registration as a Voluntary Contributor.

“You can choose your preferred healthcare facility ,input your payment voucher number and pin and send. A message to say your registration is successful will be displayed with your registration details.This may be printed.

“Having successfully registered online,you will go to the office of your HMO or a designated Voluntary Contributor registration centre for the capture of your biometricface,thumbprint and signature.Once your biometrics is captured,your registration is complete.

“An acknowledgement slip and/or your VCSHIP identity card will be printed and given to you.You may commence access to healthcare at your chosen facility 30 days from when your registration is completed.

“In order to continue enjoying the benefits,you will have to renew your registration a month before your current one expires,” a source at NHIS SAID.

Pax Herbals laments Nigeria’s poor healthcare delivery

By JOB OSAZUWA

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ev. Father Anselm Adodo lamented that the current healthcare system in operation in Nigeria has not fully met the health needs of the people.

He expressed hope that government will be ready and willing to explore and embrace alternative medicine.

He therefore charged the federal government to get the right advice concerning healthcare and how to improve it Adodo, who is the director of Pax Herbals, a Catholic center for the development and promotion of African Medicine is convinced that the healthcare model of the developed and industrialized countries of Europe and America is not suitable or practicable in Africa. “Has importation of sophisticated machines into our hospitals translated into more efficient healthcare and treatment?, Does bigger spending really translate into better health services?, In villages where there are no roads, no electricity, no hospital, what forms of healthcare should government put in place?”, he asks.

Speaking at the 6th Pax Herbal National Congress which took place in Benin, Edo State, recently, with the theme “African Herbal Medicine: Bringing Health Closer To The People” Fr. Adodo, observed that medicine, whether western or traditional, has the same goal of providing quality healthcare to the people.

“Traditional medicine in some countries; including Nigeria has stagnated because we are not exploiting the rapid discoveries of science and technology for its own development.

“ It has kept slow pace of change in comparison with medicine as practiced in the industrialized countries, which keep abreast of scientific and technological innovations to the extent that it is often referred to as modern medicine,”he said.

The guest speaker at the occasion, an Associate Professor of Oncology at the Howard University, Washington D.C., Gladys Onojobi wondered why the orthodox look forward to only between 30 percent to 35 percent success rate for the efficacy of drugs and they celebrate it, yet they expect a 100 percent efficacy success rate for traditional medicine.

She revealed that 40 percent of patients who take ginger while undergoing chemotherapy in a recent study in the United States have less side effects of symtoms associated with taking chemotherapy. She also disclosed that taking lime in water or licking it after meals is good for flatulence and constipation. She advised the management of PAX to keep records of all the data of treatment so that outsiders can learn from it.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof.

Aaron Ojule, the Chief Medical Director, University of Port-Harcourt Teaching hospital, expressed his pleasant surprise when he visited the Pax herbals in Ewu, where the Pax products are manufactured.

He commended Pax for her pioneering effort in making way for a modern and scientific manufacturing model for herbal medicines in Nigeria.

He emphasized the need for collaboration, “Orthodox has to learn from herbal medicine and vice versa he said”.

He urged government to develop African traditional medicine, so that ethics will be observed,

•Rev. Adodo thereby ensuring that the society is not in danger.

He lauded Pax efforts at ensuring that its product line adheres to good manufacturing practice, he also praised the organization for ongoing research to determine the efficacy of its products.

Present at the event were, the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board Chairman, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, who represented the executive council of Lagos State, the Lagos state commissioner for Rural Development sent representatives. Traditional Chiefs represented the Oba of Benin, the Catholic Archbishop of Benin, Most Rev. Dr Augustine Akubeze also sent representatives.

eimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility held a Free Health Care Intervention Programme for the Oregun Community, Onigbogbo Louncil Council Development Authority [LCDA].

The Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Neimeth, Pharm. Emmanuel Ekunno, represented by Engr. Olaniyi Obafemi informed the community that the intervention was aimed at reducing child mortality, improved maternal health, combat malaria scourge and ensure sustainable hygiene habit.

“We are committed to touching every home in our host community and ensure that every body remains healthy”.

The management team had earlier paid a courtesy call on His Royal Highness Oba Lamidi Olorunfunmi (Olabisi I), the Oba of Oregun, to seek royal blessing towards Neimeth’s Health Enlightenment Campaign.

The Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Chief Michael Adegoke who represented the Oba of Oregun thanked Neimeth for the gesture and prayed for prosperity of the company.

The event attracted traditional rulers, market women, children, artisans, Local Government Officials and Politicians etc.

The Chairman Onigbogbo Local Council Development Area who was represent by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Dotun Olakanle flagged off the programme and commended Neimeth’s Health Intervention Initiative and requested that it should be extended to other health centres across the Local Government.

“This is one practical way Neimeth’s manifested real care for her host community and is determined to consolidate genuine good will through an enduring legacy of caring for Oregun people,”a source at Neimeth said.

Indulge brings Wellness picnic for families

By JOAN IKEKHIDE

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n continuation of the wellness events to mark its 10 years of healthy living advocacy, Indulge Nigeria, with its over20 partners including the Lagos State ministry of health will be holding the “Feel Good Festival”, on Saturday, 20th October at the Jhalobia Gardens, Lagos.

The event is designed to enable families relax and picnic all day in a peaceful environment while also providing the opportunity for them to undergo medical checks.

Families who have always wanted but kept putting off due to lack of time, resources and other compelling issues may have to grab the offer as it is free.

Participants have a lot to benefit from the varieties of programmes lined-up for the day, such as different brands to sample and buy, trials of healthy and tasty food, cooking demonstrations, free eye test, free dental checks, advice on natural ways to treat your skin and hair, and a chance to reduce the pressure on that stiff neck and shoulder with a pampering massage.

Experts are expected to offer tips on exercise and injury prevention, information on healthy eating and healthy weight loss, and stress management techniques.

Children are not left out in funfair as there will be plenty of activities to keep them occupied while parents are free to browse, participate and enjoy the wide variety of activities such as zumba-Latino hip hop dance, aerobics, and latest DJ music in a leisurely manner.

Those who may decide to bring thier own picnic food pack also stand a chance to win a Nokia or Samsung mobile phone, for the healthiest combination of brunch. The Indulge “Feel Good” Festival is a destination for a holistic lifestyle experience for the entire family, and admission is free.

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DAILY SUN

Bisi Olaleye

SUN Tech SAP set to accelerate business performances

08057104995 b.olaleye@sunnewsonline Best ICT reporter of the year

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wing to complexity in today’s business trend, SAP, a business management solution provider, is poised to addres various needs. It is also a means of moving business to one level to the other.

According to Oryx Computer Systems West Africa (sole SAP partner and ICT solution provider firm), every company that hopes to have an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERT), business owners need solution that will handle all things from procurement to accounting, sales among others.

Speaking at the weekend to several Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of multinationals and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos on the need to buy into the SAP solution, Oryx Managing Director, Tayo Adegbola disclosed that Oryx had 360 degree solutions to everything, stressing that SAP had gone mobile and that people didn’t need to stay at just one particular position to get all they needed. He noted that SAP had also eradicated corruption and errors made by human beings.

On the impact on the economy, Adegbola explained: “If we can encourage SME, it will grow. The owners of the business don’t have to be physically there. They could do more productive things that will expand their businesses. It will really help the country to move forward and our SMEs will be more estab-

lished.”

He hinted that the advantage for businesses is reduction in their losses, inventory and everything, no losses in terms of people who are not trust worthy.

“The business will save cost in terms of time and material, reduce the number of employees, you can have less people working on the system.

Companies can deploy their staff to where humans are needed and they will be optimated. If people did not invest in this solution with the smallest amount of money in a year

some companies lose N60 million to people who are not trustworthy.

Oryx Business Development Manager, Kelechi Onuiri also reiterated that application failure doesn’t happen most often because the firm has been there writing solutions for years .

“We decided to bring a lot of solutions together, go through them and choose a particular solution that will capture everything. With the condition in Lagos and traffic situation we should be able to do things differently.”

Also speaking Mrs. Lydia Oladokun, Manager , SAP business one web West Africa enthused that they have more than a 100 small and mid size enterprises running SAP business one and they rate like two index to 100 . ”Relatively, I won’t say our patronage is slow compared to the other competitors I have worked with. SAP has the best SME stage. It has the best features, high performance and addictive technology with all these, SAP will be the cutting edge that small companies will benefit from.

“Our rate of acceleration major launch so that we will will be more than double by have close to 50 per cent of the end of this year .By next registered SMEs in Nigeria.” year we will have close to 500 SMEs on the platform.

When we are talking of SAP business one and two which is going to be launched at the end of this month that is where you don’t need to have a server but an in -house infrastructure and people can subscribe to the internet, the SID . By the end of next year, we will have 1000 SMEs because we have about 40,000 registered SMEs. After that we would do a

L-R: Kelechi Onuiri, Business Development Manager, Oryx Computer Systems West Africa; Lydia Oladokun, Head SAP Business One West Africa and Tayo Adegbola, MD, Oryx Computer Systems West Africa at the Oryx SAP Business One Marketing seminar held recently in Lagos.

Huawei partners Visafone over Ascend C8655 A

n information and communications technology solutions provider, Huawei, has debuted a new mobile phone handset, Ascend C8655 CDMA smart phone, into the Nigerian market recently.

Leveraging on Visafone Communications Ltd. platform, the company has promised to make it the toast of mobile users very soon through innovations.

President, Huawei Technologies Nigeria, Mr. David Pan, said the entry of the Huawei Ascend C8655 CDMA smart phone into the Nigerian Market would present consumers with an excellent device and an unforgettable experience.

According to him, the company held a significant share of the wireless market and is advantageously positioned in the ALL-IP convergence era (Mobile, Fixed and Software Solutions), aimed to enrich life through communication, by focusing on challenges and needs faced by customers. It is also poised to provide excellent ICT solutions and services to create maximum value for its customers.

Visafone’s chairman , Mr. Jim Ovia, who co-hosted the launch, noted that the company is in Nigeria to support the local economy and empower the populace as there will be business chains

that will generate employment for the teeming populace.

He described Nigeria’s market as very significant, saying “the company is here to impact positively on the lives of the populace by providing them affordable and reliable products”.

Famous for their affordability and wide array of features, Huawei Ascend C8655 CDMA smart phones fulfill the promise of a sleek phone with creative components, a smooth user-interface, fast functions and simple interactions.

During the product demonstration, Huawei President hinted that Ascend C8655 was designed to be a phone with a heart.

“With the tag-line: designed to follow your steps, it almost has a soul, as it melds uniquely with your desired carrier to give you a flawless encounter that definitely astounds any user, considering the simplicity of the operations and the dynamism in the experience, backed by the DTS Professional Voice Effect technology, an ultraslim and stylish design, and a 3.5” IPS display screen.

He noted that the smart phone is powered by Genius, an operating system of the Android family. it sports an Android 2.3.Gingerbread, which impeccably integrates with a 3D graphics accelerator with 800MHz CPU,

offering a smooth 3D gaming experience.

“The ‘Hard-Screen’ provides visibility for up to 178° viewing angle when tilted, thereby expounding on the real-time response, which is especially designed for moving images.

Additionally, it serves a smooth screen without extrusion deformation, protecting your eyes.

“Consequently, it boots in 5 seconds flat, giving you a ready-togo device that even when it’s depleted, can be revived with a

full charge in 90 minutes. It has an easy setup for Social Network Systems (SNS) and group contacts, powers fluidly on the HUAWEI Emotion UI, and engages the High-speed EVDO network in an arrangement of fast and well-coordinated functions.When used for entertainment purposes, the Ascend C8655 doesn’t disappoint at all, housing a Dual microphone noise reduction technology, protecting ears while amplifying musical affair. It has the option for loud and stereo speaker, an IPS screen display, plus support for XHTML and WLAN for a robust online encounter.”

ACCA publishes first integrated report on global findings

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ssociation of Chartered Certified Accountants, (ACCA ) has produced its 2011/12 annual report for the first time as an integrated report, following the initial approach set out by IIRC (International Integrated Reporting Council).

ACCA is a member of IIRC’s pilot programme for organisations, seeking to move to integrated reporting.

According to Helen Brand, ACCA’s chief executive, “our first integrated report aims to present a clear and coherent picture of our strategic performance and our future prospects as a global organisation. It is important for us as a professional body to explain how we create value for our stakeholders, especially our members and the place we occupy in society.”

ACCA’s report lists key achievements

for ACCA throughout the strategic year 2011 / 12 and discloses more performance measures than ever before. The report gives a fuller explanation around ACCA’s strategic performance in the interests of greater transparency and accountability.

ACCA’s President, Dean Westcott stressed that “This is a step forward in how we report our annual performance.

ACCA has been involved in the work of the IIRC since its inception, and we welcomed their proposals to strengthen the relevance of corporate reporting to investors and other stakeholders. That is the point ofthis report, which alongside ACCA’s Corporate and Social Responsibility statement and our financial accounts mean we are sharing with our stakeholders fuller and more relevant information on the progress ACCA is making towards its strategic goals.

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BUSINESS NEWS Fuel scarcity bites harder as marketers run out of stock consumers with jerricans and those with vehicles battled hard etroleum products mar- to gain entry and be served.

Korodo Tokumbo, who heads keters in Nigeria say they have exhausted the Western Zone of NUPENG, available stocks in their depots said: “Marketers had run out of and retail outlets to dispense to stock and there is nothing anyconsumers, and they hinge the body can do about it, except the on-going scarcity of petrol in Petroleum minister releases the reserves she boasted the nation the country on this fact.

Most importers and marketers had to fill the demand and suphad backed out of the importa- ply gap, which has created the tion business, following the cri- scarcity.”

Tokumbo said the number of sis over fuel subsidy repayment by the Federal Government, thus tanks loading product at the leaving the Nigerian National depot had also been cut down by Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) more than 80 per cent. “Very few as the sole importer, and the trucks are loading if you line up firm, it appears, is finding it dif- 100 trucks about 20 will load.”

Another CEO of one of the ficult meeting the huge demand major importing firms confor the product.

Over the weekend, Lagos, firmed the backout of some marwhich had been insulated for keters saying, “We have over a month, got a fair share of resolved not to import until all the rough deal as most retail out- outstanding debts are settled. We lets were forced to shut down are businessmen and that stance due to unavailability of products. should be appreciated by the Major filling stations along the government.”

But Taofik Lawal, spokesperOshodi-Apapa and OshodiAgege roads, Ibafon, Akute, and son for Nipco Plc., an independVictoria Island visited by Daily ent marketer said the firm had Sun had no fuel to sale, and in landed a vessel, which disthe few that had chaos reigned as charged over the weekend.

By LOUIS IBA

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Hankook to introduce superior quality tyres

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• R–L: Chairman, annual national workshop, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Albert Okumagba; Chairman, Technical Sub-committee, Bisi Oni, and workshop committee member, Seye Adetumbi, during a media briefing on the first CIS Annual National Workshop, in Lagos.

MAN targets 18% contribution to GDP

By ADEWALE SANYAOLU

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fforts by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to return the sector to the good old days when it was one of the largest employers of labour was matched with action last week, as the association disclosed plans to increase its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current four per cent to 18 per cent.

The projected increase, aimed at achieving the 18 per cent GDP contribution, was contained in an action plan tagged:

‘Blueprint for the Accelerated Development of the Manufacturing Sector in Nigeria’, which was unveiled by the President of MAN, Mr. Kola Jamodu, at the official presentation of the document to the media.

The target, according to Jamodu, is to be achieved within the next five years, if the recommendations in the blueprint are considered and implemented. He added that though part of it had already been given the nod by government, especially as it relates to ports reform.

The blueprint, which was developed over a year ago and

first unveiled at the 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of MAN in June, this year, is a document put together by the membership of MAN with contributions from the Organized Private Sector (OPS).

The document, which aims at transforming the manufacturing sector into a dynamic and virile sector of the Nigerian economy, is a central part of the strategy of the vision 20:2020 which envisages a long term intensification process and a movement towards a knowledge-based economy.

Giving an insight into the thrust of the blueprint, Jamodu

explained that MAN recognizes the bold vision for the manufacturing sector as contained in Vision 20:2020 and has therefore articulated a blueprint for the accelerated development of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria to compliment the vision of government.

To further achieve its dream of accelerating development of the real sector, MAN equally urged the Federal Government to grant Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption for raw materials used in the production of nonVAT able finished products as contained in the blueprint.

“VAT exemption should be granted for raw materials used in producing non-VAT-able finished products such as pharmaceutical, milk, sanitary towels and others,” MAN argued.

Jamodu admitted that though the association was aware that taxation remained a veritable instrument for generating revenue for government.

He added that the real sector should not be overburdened with excessive taxes and affronted with multiplicity of levies and taxes.

Also, he said VAT on overhead costs relating to manufacturing should be allowed as a set off against output VAT-electricity, water, among others.

ankook Tyre Co. Limited, a Korean renowned tyre manufacturers, has said the Nigerian tyre market is huge and it is positioning itself to benefit from it.

Harry Song, the general manager, Johannesburg Office, said Hankook Tyre in the coming years would take a chunk of the largely import dependent Nigeria tyre market.

According to him, Hankook Tyre is one of the world's largest and fastest growing tyre manufacturers for innovative, high-quality and high-performance radials for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, RVs, trucks and buses, as well as motorsports (circuit racing/rallies).

Song said this in Lagos, last week, that the company was coming into the Nigerian market with superior quality tyres and at the right price.

"The tyre market in Nigeria is dominated by China. They have good price and good supply. First, we would have to strive to match supply and the price," he said.

He said Hankook would build stronger tyres specifically for Nigerian roads because of the poor roads condition. …Former Interior minister alleges plot to cripple his business "The roads are tough, compared to other countries. We will try later released him same day Commanding Officer of NNS to mark stronger tyres at good price for Nigeria,” he added.

By ALEX AKAO after several hours of interro- Beecroft was signed on On building a factory in Nigeria or any part of Africa, he said: August 28, DPR clearance to "In the future, we would consider setting up a factory in Nigeria merging facts from the gation.

Investigation, however, discharge was issued on but not now."

MT Grace saga, the ship that was allegedly used revealed that Integrated Oil August 29, 2012, while the to move 3,000 metric tons of actually accepted the cargo of NIMASA clearance for the Banking community extol Adeosun’s virtues Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), the ship after it produced ship to sail, signed by the Director of

By AMECHI OGBONNA otherwise known as diesel, proof of the statutory clear- agency’s ance from the agencies.

Operations and Shipping he death of former managing director of FirstBank of has indicated that due clearThe NN clearance issued to Development was dated Nigeria Plc., Chief Oluwole Adeosun, has been described ance was obtained from the MT Grace signed by the August 31, 2012. relevant government agenas a big loss to the Nigerian financial sector.

Commenting on the contributions of the former minister of cies to effect the shipment.

The fresh revelations are NEITI orders oil and gas firms to explain 2009-2011 Transport, an investment analyst and member of the United Nations Financial Reform Committee, Prince Lekan Fadina, coming, even as Chairman of accounts receipts described the late former bank chief as a committed person, with an Integrated Oil, the company Over 30 oil and gas compa- process are also expected to idea of what the financial sector should look like. being fingered in the deal, From DENNIS MERNYI, nies including Shell, Mobil, return outstanding templates He said that Adeosun was a atypical grassroots person, who basi- Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, Abuja cally understood the industry he was called to served and that such insists that the whole issue Chevron, Conoil, Addax are completed with required approach brought him close with people of diverse inclinations. was an orchestrated plot to tarhe Nigerian Extraction part of the audit. The govern- information and data to Prince Fadina stated that the late banker was as man of many nish his image and cripple his Industries Transparency ment agencies include NNPC, NEITI Auditors. parts, who worked hard as an intelligent and very personable business.

Department of The independent Audit of Initiative (NEITI) has CBN, Nigerian, stressing that he was a strong believer in the concept of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Oil and Gas industry by Daily Sun can authoritativedirected all government youth development, considering that most of today’s successful Federal Inland Revenue bankers, including Mr Atedo Peterside and Chief Olu Odejimi, ly report that Nigerian Navy agencies, oil and gas com- Service (FIRS), Office of the Nigeria Extraction Industries Transparency Initiative (NN), the Department of panies participating in the trained under him at NAL Merchant Bank.

Accountant General of the (NEITI), which commenced Petroleum Resources (DPR), NEITI Audit process to He described Adeosun’s death as a big lesson for the living to Federation (OAGF) amongst Nigerian Maritime appear before NEITI others are required to partici- earlier in the year has reached provide service to humanity whenever they had the opportunity and the that it was imperative for everybody to understand the purpose of Administration and Safety Auditors to validate all pay- pate in the exercise which is advanced stage. The Audit is investigating all payments Agency (NIMASA) and the ments made by companies, statutory and obligatory.

God for our life on earth.

He, however, regretted that Nigeria happens to be a place where Nigerian Ports Authority against the receipts The reconciliation and vali- streams made by oil compapeople with sound ideas on financial/economic management and (NPA) issued formal clear- declared by relevant gov- dation exercise includes veri- nies against receipts by govhuman capacity development are never given a platform to share ance to the actual owner of the ernment agencies for the fication of system documenta- ernment agencies into the their vision with the living in the interest of the nation’s develop- cargo before the product was period 2009-2011, as part tion on crude production and Federation account from 2009 ment. discharged at at the tank farm of the on-going audit financial flows with regards to to 2011.

Chief Oluwole Adeosun, the chairman of the National Pensions owned by Integrated Oil & process.

The audit will examine the payments and receipts of such Commission and former Secretary for Transport, Aviation and Gas Limited.

The process, which begins flows by relevant government basis for computation and calCommunications, during the Transitional Government of Chief Captain Ihenacho was, last from September 19 and ends agencies on behalf of the fed- culation of those payments, Ernest Shonekan, died last week in India, at the age 74.

Friday, arrested at his Apapa on 28, this year, will involve eration during the period. fees, taxes, royalties owed by He also served as the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NEITI in a statement in companies and what governFirstBank from 1987 to 1990 and served on the Presidential office by a team of heavily reconciliation of payments Monitoring Committee during Nigeria’s bid to host the Under-23 armed officials of the made by companies with raw Abuja Sunday said all compa- ment receives, the process of World Cup in I985. He was the president of Nigerian- American Maritime Guard Command data collected by NEITI nies and government agencies remittance into the federation (MGC) of NIMASA, who Independent Auditors. involved in the NEITI Audit account.

Chambers of Commerce in 1993.

‘Stolen’ products got clearance from NIMASA, DPR, NPA, Navy – Iheanacho

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Nigeria records 6.28% GDP growth From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

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ational Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday announced that Nigeria’s Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown by 6.28 per cent on an aggregate basis in the second quarter of 2012, despite the depressive performances of major economies in Europe, Asian and America in the recent past.

The report, which was published on its website, also said that the growth rate is slower than the 7.61 per cent in the corresponding quarter of 2011, while on the overall performance of the economy in the quarter under review indicated that the nominal Gross Domestic Product for the three months period ended June, this year, which was estimated at N9.84 trillion, was still higher than the N9.17 trillion recorded during the corresponding period of last year.

Giving a breakdown of the contributions to the growth rate, the bureau indicated that the non-oil sector was growing faster with activities in the building & construction sector, while the oil sector’s contributions shrank during the period under review.

However, the overall output from crude oil production dipped during the review period comparative to what was the output in Q2, 2011.

Also, the report said that the oil sector with a total of 2.38 million barrels of oil production per day recorded a real terms growth rate of -0.73 per cent as against the 2.45 million barrels per day, representing 0.98 per cent growth, in the corresponding period of last year.

However, it admitted that the oil sector remains a major driver of the economy over the past year while the non-oil sector also experienced a slower growth rate in Q2, 2012 with a growth rate of 7.50 per cent in real terms compared with 8.85 per cent in the corresponding period of last year.

The report also attributed the slower growth rate to a decline in activities in the Wholesale & Retail Trade, Telecommunications and Agricultural sectors, disclosing that the agricultural sector, which is the largest contributor to the GDP growth, also showed significant decline in performance as in terms of output, real agricultural GDP growth in Q2, 2012 dropped to 3.97 per cent as against 5.95 per cent in the Q2, 2011.

According to NBS, the decline in the sector’s output is largely to persisting constraints including hindered movement of farm inputs and produce in major agricultural producing states especially in the northern part of the country as well as high rainfall intensity during the quarter, which resulted in flooding and invariably, output levels in some parts of the country.

The bureau gave an apprais-

al of the performance of other sectors in terms of their contributions to the real GDP saying that the manufacturing sector fared well with an increase in growth rate from 7.34 per cent in the second quarter of 2011 to 7.45 percent in the review period in 2012.

Also, the telecommunication sector recorded a real GDP growth of 29.77 per cent in the review period compared to

33.70 per cent recorded in Q1, 2011 whereas the wholesale and retail trade sector grew by 8.61 per cent in Q1, 2012, representing a decline of 2.86 per cent over the 11.47 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of last year compared with the real sector growth rate which stood at 10.87 per cent in Q2, 2012 compared with 10.48 per cent in corresponding period of last year.

Currency restructuring: CBN to introduce coin dispensing ATMs

By BLAISE UDUNZE

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o forestall hitches in the use of the proposed N5,000 note into the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that it would facilitate the introduction of coin dispensing Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to encourage Nigerians imbibe the culture of spending them.

Head of Shared Services at CBN, Mr Chidi Umeano, who dropped the hint said, on Monday in Lagos, that this plan was in tune with the currency restructuring exercise.

He said that the coins dispensing ATMs would hasten the acceptance of coins by Nigerians and change misconceptions about their use.

“Umeano stated that what was needed “to achieve this plan was to facilitate the inclusion of a process called ‘Addon’ to the ATMs, stressing that existing ATMs have the ‘addon’ feature that will easily make them adapt to coins dispensing,” he said.

He said that the apex bank would ensure that newly deployed ATMs had the ‘addon’ features, among others.

“It is very possible to achieve Automated Teller Machines that will dispense coins and this ‘add-on’ feature can be activated on the ATMs at any time by the CBN and this is not new because it is being practiced in advanced countries. This proposal is in consonance with our cash-less policy and also in line with the CBN’s effort to encourage Nigerians to appreciate coins,” he said.

Commenting on the intro-

duction, the Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates, Mr. Ayodele Teriba, said that the move by the CBN to convert some banknotes into coins will facilitate retail transactions in the country.

He pointed out that while the proposal to coin the N5, N10, and N20 banknotes is in the right direction, “it is equally arbitrary, as it lacks correspondence with current values of retail items, and is also bound to fail.”

Thus, he suggested that if the apex bank “stamps N500 or N1,000 as the maximum value on the same coins today, everyone will hold them, as in other countries where the coinage relate to retail prices.”

Under the currency restructuring exercise termed Project Cure, which has continued to generate lots of debate, 12new-currency structure is expected to emerge at the end of the exercise. That is: 50K, N1, N2, N5, N10 and N20 in the coin category, while N50, N100, N200, N500, N1,000 and N5,000 printed as banknotes.

But Teriba queried: “How many pieces of the Sanusi Lamido Sanusi coins will a school child need to hold just for a school run and refreshment at break time? It will require too many pieces to make sense for school children, much less adults.

“A robust coinage must be adequate for retail payment needs of all children and adults.

Naira coins that would make sense today will fall in the range of N1, N2, N5, N10, N20, N50, N100, N200, N500, and N1, 000,” he added.

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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

2012 National Honours

R-L: Dr. Adenuga Jnr, Tony Elumelu and Justice Alfa Belgore

L-R: David Mark, VP Namadi Sambo, President Jonathan, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and Justice Belgore

Justice Mary Odili

Gov. Gabriel Suswam Brig. Gen. Mobolaji Johnson

DG BPP Emeka Eze

IGP MD Abubakar

Chief Gabriel Igbinedion

Hajia Ciroma

Agric Minister, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina

Elumelu

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

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decoration ceremony

FCT Minister Sen. Bala Mohammed Cosmas Maduka

Sen. Mike Ajaegbo

Gov. Martin Elechi

Sen. Ndoma-Egba

Paralympian Yakubu Adesokan

Hon. Mulikat Akande

Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan NAFDAC boss Paul Orhii

Dep Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Tambuwal, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and his wife, Omolara

R-L: Govs Amosun, Fayemi, Wada and others

Alex Iziyon (SAN), Uduaghan and Olanipekun More photographs tomorrow

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NEWS

Tuesday, September 18, 2012 DAILY SUN

SUN SPORTS

NEWS

Eagles/Lone Star Nations Cup qualifier

MTN's 2012 Katsina Polo Tourney gallops-off in style

I’ll field only committed players –Keshi P

By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

mbattled Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has disclosed that his immediate concern is not the possibility of blending home and foreign-based players in his squad, as he was committed to inviting only players with the zeal to help the country pick the Nations Cup and World Cup tickets.

The Eagles’ gaffer, who made the disclosure recently while dismissing the impression that his invitation of players was tilting towards balancing the number of home and foreign-based players, insisted that he was looking beyond where the players ply their

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trade.

“The challeges we are now facing have gone beyond balancing the the ratio of home and foreign-based players in a 50:50 setting or achieving equilibrium in the team. We are concerned about the structure and form of players to give us what we want. We are looking beyond where the players are based. We will invite Nigerian players ready to give everything they have regardless of where they are,” Keshi explained.

Keshi, reiterating the effect of training on a wrong pitch, said: “I don't like it especially as nobody is doing anything about the situation. That was why we tilt towards the home-based players because they can conveniently play on them. But, it

is not the same thing with the professionals. They have hard times using the pitches.

“If the artificial turfs were even grade one like the organic element they use in Russia, we would have managed them, but what they have here is grade

four synthetic turfs. Honestly, it is not good for the players because it is injurious for the knee, ankle, and lower back.

“It is only in Nigeria we can see all the stadia with artificial turfs. I went to Kogi State and saw beautiful stadium, but did I

see, the same turf. It is the same thing with the former good pitch in Enugu, where we use to play in our days, but today, it is now the same artificial turf. The Lagos pitch is equally the same,” he said.

UEFA Champions League Yaya Toure: Manchester City 'll beat Real Madrid anchester City’s midfielder, Yaya Toure, has insisted he does not need the advice of his former team-mates in Barcelona in order to help his side beat Real Madrid in the Champions League group stages.

The champions of Spain and England meet at the Santiago Bernabeu today, with Jose Mourinho's side having endured a difficult start to its La Liga campaign.

Los Blancos are already eight points behind Barcelona in the race for the title, but the Ivorian has maintained that he would not contact his old club to seek guidance on how to win.

"I maintain contact with some ex-companions at Barca but I do not need their advice over Real," he told reporters.

"The City staff have prepared for the match in great detail and that is enough information for us. Our last campaign was a disaster and we want to change all that.

"To win in the Bernabeu is a unique experience, enough to put you on the front pages. We shall put in our maximum to achieve that. So we shall be concentrating hard from the very first second.

"For me, the key to the result means winning the midfield battles with Xabi Alonso, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira. This is the key for the match."

Unlike their opponents, City has begun the season in encouraging form and is yet to be beaten in the Premier League.

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Arsenal's Szczesny out of trip to Montpellier oalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will miss Arsenal's opening Champions League Group B tie at Montpellier today because of an ankle injury.

The Polish international is to be replaced by Italian Vito Mannone against the Ligue 1 champions, the Premier League club said on its website (www.arsenal.com) yesterday.

Manager Arsene Wenger said Szczesny was still his first choice despite making a handling error that led to a goal in Saturday's 6-1 thrashing of Southampton in the Premier League.

"Wojciech is number one unless I change my mind," said Frenchman Wenger.

"You cannot change a goalkeeper every time he makes a simple mistake because then you have three bad keepers. The confidence is needed."

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Fergie warns United he won't accept Euro flop again ir Alex Ferguson is adamant his side will avoid the embarrassment of an early Champions League exit the club suffered last season.

The three-time champions of Europe limped out at the group stage a year ago despite what appeared on paper to be a straightforward placing alongside Basel, Benfica and Otelul Galati.

This time round, United that won the tournament in 2008, is grouped with Galatasaray, Braga and Cluj, and Ferguson won't tolerate another below-par showing.

'We've had opportunities in the competition,' he said.

'We've lost two finals to Barcelona and won two in the last decade or so, but we want to do better.

'Certainly, we'll do better than last year’s - no question about that.

'The European Cup is incredible. There's an atmosphere in the build-up to a European final and great charisma about it.

Also, without question, it elevates your status within the game like the Real Madrids and AC Milans.

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•Keshi, dishing out instructions to Oboabona, during one of the recent qualifyingmatches

Ahead of the 2012 African Women's Championship

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uper Falcons' camp was on Sunday officially opened in preparation for the 2012 African Women's Championship (AWC).

Head coach of the team, Kadiri Ikhana (MON), invited 27 players and 23 players arrived on Sunday.

Ikhana informed the players that full training programmes would commence today with the tournament just five weeks away. _ “We do not get much time as we would have wished, so we have to start our programmes immediately.

“The tournament is just five weeks away, so we have a short time to train and choose the best players to represent the country in Equatorial Guinea.”

The coach invited nine players who featured for the National Under-20 side, the Falconets, at the just concluded FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup held in Japan, and made sure to congratulate them for their performances at the tournament which saw them finish 4th behind USA, Germany, and host, Japan.

“The Falconets did the country proud at the Under-20 World Cup and I would like to congratulate them.

“I watched the team and I was impressed by some of the

Falcons regroup players I saw, which is why I have invited nine of them to join us.” Said Ikhana.

“Those players have already proved themselves at the Under-20 level and I hope they would measure up to the standards we require at the Super Falcons.”

Ikhana said that he expected 100 per cent commitment from players during training in the camp, expressing hopes that the players would make it difficult for him to choose his 18-player squad for the tournament.

“We want to retain the AWC title, so nothing short of 100 per cent commitment is needed

“I hope the players will make it difficult for me to choose my final team for the tournament” He also said that he was looking out for players who show “commitment, discipline, skill and the ability to play according to instructions.”

Players in camp include Falconets Josephine Chukwunonye, Ngozi Okobi, Cecilia Nku, Ugo Njoku, Asisat Oshoala, Esther Sunday, and Gloria Ofoegbu.

Also in camp are: Defenders Eberechi Maraihe, Gladys Akpa, Evelyn Nwabuoku, Ngozi Ebere, Ulumma Jerome, Joy Jegede.

Sunshine Stars 'll upset Al Ahly –Idoko unshine Stars are facing the task of overwhelming Egyptian giants, Al Ahly, if they are to qualify for the final of the 2012 CAF Champions League.

The Nigerian side will face Ahly over two legs in the semifinals of Africa's premier club competition for a chance to face either Esperance or TP Mazembe in the showpiece game.

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Executive Director, Ondo State Football Agency, Mike Idoko, says Sunshine Stars are the underdogs against the Egyptians but insists an upset could be on the cards.

"Nobody expects to win because they are a great side but this is football and anything is possible. They will be the side playing with great pressure because it will be no news if they beat us, so that could work in our favour," Idoko said.

Kanu joins Keshi, Amokachi for Akpabio Cup uper Eagles’ former captain has confirmed entry into this year's Akpabio Cup Tourney, organisers have announced.

The local organising committee (LOC) for the competition in a statement yesterday said the former Ajax and Arsenal talisman would jet into Uyo this weekend to inspire youths participating in the competition.

The event LOC chairman,

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restigious MTN International Polo Tournament that dominated media headlines for weeks now, finally took off to a flying start in the ancient kingdom of Katsina on Saturday with 32 top polo teams vying for honours.

The event attracted a capacity crowd to the Sir Usman Nagogo Venue, and took off with fanfare after an impressive opening ceremony conducted by top officials of the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) with the MTN Regional Manager, Alhaji Aliyu Musa, leading other top dignitaries at the event._ In his speech before he bowled the first of the tournament, NPF’s President, Francis Ogboro, thanked the communications giant for its unalloyed support for the king of games, Polo, urging all participants to always play by the rules. Ogboro, who described MTN relationship with Nigerian Polo as an enduring one, assured the cheering crowd of a most memorable time in Katsina as MTN was solidly on hand to change everyone's life for the better with its top class services._ General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Kola Oyeyemi, said the game of polo “requires purpose, focus and consistency; attributes which are symbolic of MTN's distinctive approach to enriching lives and improving the quality of life in our communities”.

With teams arriving from far communities such as Port Harcourt, Yola, Bauchi, Kaduna, Zaria, Minna, among others, the MTN polo showdown was accorded the royal blessing of the Emir of Katsina and Life Chairman Nigerian Polo, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman and the state government.

Uko Akpabio, said :”I'm delighted to inform Nigerians that Kanu Nwankwo and his younger brother, Ogbonna, have graciously agreed to be part of this year’s championship in addition to earlier confirmation of Super Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi, and his assistant, Daniel Amokachi.

The initiator of the competition, Hon. John Ekpeyong, while celebrating Kanu's

acceptance to attend asked teams that are competing for the gigantic trophy to play by the rules as scouts from Europe and other parts of Africa were already in Uyo for the weeklong tourney.

It would be recalled that Super Eagles’ former coach, Samson Siasia, led the likes of Victor Ikpeba, Etim Esin and Nduka Ugbade to last year’s event

The club chief also took the time to go down memory lane and recalled how another Nigerian club, Lobi Stars, shocked Ahly in the same competition 12 years ago.

"I still recall vividly my time at Lobi Stars in the year 2000.

We met Al Ahly and everyone expected them to knock us out.

They thrashed us 3-1 in Cairo but we shocked them 4-0 in Makurdi and progressed to the next round.

"We were eventually beaten

by Ghanaian club, Accra Hearts of Oak that went on to win the trophy that year.

"The odds are against us, but as I said, this is football and anything is possible," he stressed.

Apart from a $1.5 million first prize, the teams are chasing a place in the FIFA Club World Cup to be hosted by Japan in December with the line-up that includes Chelsea of England and Corinthians of Brazil.

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N150 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 *VOL.7 NO. 2458

Grand Commander of Business DIMGBA IGWE

SIDEVIEW

08055001932 dimgbaigwe2011@gmail.com

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igerians hardly cheer when the list of National Awards recipients are released. For one, Nigerians are eternal skeptics, who hardly trust their leaders and their motives. Their skepticism is mainly because most of the time, the recipients are unworthy of the honours in the judgement of the people.

Even if the government sees them as heroes, the people see them often as villains.

As some people asked me, what happens to those awards conferred on political gladiators of recent, who ended up in jail? Would they be stripped of such awards to preserve the dignity of the national honours ? More importantly, isn’t that a testament to the defective process that produced such recipients in the first place?

A lot of the recipients are men and women of questionable characters, some rogues, jailbirds; some public servants who had mostly served their own pockets rather than the national good, men who had betrayed the trust of the people in public office, judges who had dispensed injustice when it mattered most to the people; failed contractors who had amassed public fund but delivered no service, leaving the people with decayed infrastructure; power merchants, election riggers, scammers and scoundrels dressed in apparels of power and opulence; covenant breakers whose words are not their bonds, traitors and charlatans of diverse shapes and colours who give a lie to the noble definition of heroism.

On the obverse side of this pantheon of infamy is the list of true and genuine patriots and heroes who are mostly neglected in the selection of honours recipients. It appears that in many instances, rather than use the national honours to set the bar for true heroism and service, the political authorities have turned it into another spoils of office used to dispense honour to the dishonorable, to confer respectability to the disrespectable and reputation to the disreputable.

It was reported that as the head of state, General Sani Abacha, once shuddered at the quality of people nominated for him to confer national honours upon. He growled that half of them were crooks who should be in jail rather than receiving national honours.

In the end, he opted to cancel the national honours for that year altogether and became even more circumspect in the award of honours in his subsequent years in power.

Coming from a man of Abacha’s moral

depravity is not only outstanding indictment; it is certainly a measure of how far the national honours have degenerated in the hands of reckless political leaders. It is also probably Abacha’s way of saying that there should be a modicum of honour even among rogues. In a world of moral relativism, one rogue, it seems, is better than others! At least, Abacha believed so.

But since it was announced that corporate mogul, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr., was given the nation’s second highest honour, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, so much encomiums have been poured forth from all quarters. If national honours are given in recognition of merits and achievements, then the GCON seems a perfect fit for Adenuga as a Grand Commander of Business.

Like his compatriot, Aliko Dangote, who was conferred with similar honour last year, Adenuga has done so much not only to deserve the honour, but even to raise the bar for what it takes for men to qualify for the nation’s second highest honour.

Sired by a middle-class parentage, Adenuga went to America to acquire the proverbial Golden Fleece. There, he met not a bed of roses, but more often a bed of thorns.

Like other Nigerian students, he struggled, combining schooling with lowly jobs in the streets of New York, working as a cab driver, waiter and even a morgue attendant. In other words, if in Nigeria he had silver spoon, in America, the spoon came in brass.

Back home in the mid-70s with his degrees, the bushy-haired young man shunned employment and instead, plunged into entrepreneurship, kicking off as a commodity trader with a modest seed capital from his businesswise mum, importing household items: sawmill equipment, beer, car radios, tomato paste, lace, canned foods, wines; combining these with distributorship of consumer products from Coca-Cola, Cadbury, Guinness, Nigeria Breweries, Continental Breweries as

•Adenuga

well as dealership for Peugeot. His business philosophy was to go “into anything that gives me profit.”

And the profit did come aplenty turning him into a millionaire at 26, spurring the young Adenuga into government contracts, building military barracks, supplying military and police hardware and then crude oil merchandising. These sundry businesses spurned wealth, the type that would have lured many into idle and easy self-indulgence. But Adenuga’s appetite for great success was insatiable. His corporate vision was global at a time such a notion would have been incomprehensible to many of his peers with similar opportunities, many of whom settled for lesser heights, becoming cottage emperors of tiny ponds rather than sharks in the global ocean of vast opportunities. Well, Adenuga clearly opted for the latter.

On his 40th birthday on April 29, 1993, Adenuga penned a classic corporate philosophy he titled “ON ACHIEVING” which turned out to be a seminal drive of his global corporate ambition. The seven-point visionary agenda, ON ACHIEVING, encapsulates the seven secret keys that drive Adenuga’s business philosophy, ethics and legacy issues including his deep humanism.

In our book, MIKE ADENUGA: Africa’s Business Guru, a 682-page international biography to be released April next year, we had noted in the last chapter titled, PATH TO GURU, “At the time Adenuga crafted the above credo, he had not struck oil, he had not even dreamt about a money-minting telecoms machine called Globacom. He had only just started his banking group. So for him, it was not a case of prophesying after the fact; it was a case of speaking forth the things that be not as though they were and then striving to see them come into being. Is that faith? Hope? Or gravity-defying dynamism that shatters all barriers to take over the portals of greatness?”

Business scholars seeking to unravel the great Mike Adenuga mystique, the secret of his becoming the first Nigerian to strike crude oil and the first person in the world to singlehandedly float and own a mass-consumer market telecoms business like Globacom, would find to their amazement that these feats had been well-articulated in his visionary credo long before they came into being. In the spiritual realm, it would have qualified as a work of miracle but in corporate terms, Adenuga’s ON ACHIEVING must remain one of the world’s most powerful corporate credos ever visualized before they came to pass.

Given the insurmountable obstacles strewn on his way by a hostile President Olusegun Obasanjo regime, it would have been impossible for many to survive the political and security onslaughts unleashed on him for years. But thanks to his unbreakable spirit, a bullish drive to win against all odds, and not to discount, the dispassionate benevolence of President Shehu Yar’Adua now

consolidated in Jonathan, Adenuga’s Globacom has survived to wax stronger by the day. It is not only the second national career and second biggest telecoms network in Nigeria, it has spread its tentacles to West African countries, from there to drive a PanAfrican corporate vision. These and others are themes explored in our forthcoming book, MIKE ADENUGA: Africa’s Business Guru.

If nothing else, millions of telecoms consumers have Adenuga to thank for introducing per-second billings as one of his market penetration strategies, thereby liberating consumers from the exploitative ploy that the per-second billing technology is too sophisticated for the Nigerian market! On per -second billing as in several other innovative products, Adenuga’s Globacom is the pathfinder. Above all things, in creating jobs for tens of thousands of Nigerians employed by his group, Adenuga has probably provided livelihood for hundreds of thousands of Nigerians who feed from the tables of his workforce.

At a time like this, Nigeria needs a dozen more Adenugas in our clime to turn around the nation’s private sector into a key driver of our national economic growth. In that respect, President Jonathan’s award of the GCON to Adenuga should serve as a pointer to the way Nigerians should go—growth through the engine of private enterprise.

Congratulations not only to the president for a wise choice, but also to The Bull—the new Grand Commander of Business!

“Sired by a middle-

class parentage, Adenuga went to America to acquire the proverbial Golden Fleece. There, he met not a bed of roses, but more often a bed of thorns. Like other Nigerian students, he struggled,

combining schooling with lowly jobs in the streets of New York, working as a cab driver, waiter and even a morgue attendant. In other words, if in Nigeria he had silver spoon, in America, the spoon came in brass.”

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Website: www.sunnewsonline.com •Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Aba & Abuja EDITOR: STEVE NWOSU