Sun News - September 20, 2012

Tax racket in Anambra

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N150

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Igbo Wing Commander dies in detention Family of five dies in Delta auto crash Page 9

FROM

LAW TO LAWLESSNESS

Lawyer leads robbery gang Page 37

•Specialises in snatching SUVs

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (left) and Ms. Evelyn Oputu, CEO of the Bank of Industry (right) exchanging their signed memorandum of understanding (for a N5 billion industrial intervention fund in Akwa Ibom State) in a ceremony at Government House, Uyo

L-R: Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma at the donation of security patrol vehicles by MTN Foundation to Anambra State at governor’s office

Oil spill: Oil coys now to pay N15bn fine ...For clean up

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•Meets N’Assembly leadership

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Jonathan may halt N5,000 note

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2460

Opposition antics don’t bother me – Chime

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Obi shuts down Internal Revenue Board, redeploys all staff

Jonathan may halt N5,000 note •Meets N’Assembly leadership N150

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Fuel subsidy stays till 2015 ...As Jonathan proposes N4.36 trn budget for 2013

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Wing Commander dies in detention

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Accord Party moves to stop Ondo guber poll

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2460

FROM

...Lawmakers’ motion, not binding – Minister Page 7

LAW TO LAWLESSNESS

Lawyer leads robbery gang Page 37

•Specialises in snatching SUVs

Widowed by Boko Haram... Some of the wives of the nine men killed by gunmen in Zongo sit in front of their husbands’ caskets during the funeral service for the slain senior citizens in Bauchi yesterday.

Photo: NAN

N150

•Meets N’Assembly leadership

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Jonathan may halt N5,000 note

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Wing Commander dies in detention Family of five killed in Delta auto crash Page 9

You can’t arrest me, Tokyo dares Oyo CP Page 11

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 VOL. 7 NO. 2460

FROM

LAW TO LAWLESSNESS

Lawyer leads robbery gang Page 37

•Specialises in snatching SUVs Accord Party wants court to stop Ondo guber poll

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The Owage of Oke-Agbe Akoko, Oba Alex Jimoh, presenting a gift to Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, during the governor’s visit to the monarch’s palace before a campaign rally in Oke-Agbe, Akoko North-West Local Government Area, on Tuesday.

Groom-to-be, Muslim leader’s daughter among victims of Ijebu Ode accident Fuel subsidy stays till 2015, as FG proposes N4.36 trn budget for 2013

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DAILY SUN Thursday September 20, 2012

SUNG GIRL

Thursday, September 20, 2012, DAILY SUN

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2015: Why PDP must reconcile factions –Tukur From TAIWO AMODU, Abuja

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ational Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has restated his resolve to reconcile warring factions ahead of 2015 election.

Tukur disclosed this yesterday while receiving the report of the peace committee that reconciled factions in the Benue State chapter.

Former national vice chairman, PDP South-West, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, chaired the committee.

Tukur said that the PDP could not win elections as a divided house because it was polarised into factions across the country.

He assured party members that he would ensure that all factions were reconciled before the next general elections.

“We will continue to reconcile warring factions within the party nation-wide because we need to be united before we can win elections and deliver the goods to the electorate.

“There will be problems but we need to listen to the grievances of aggrieved members for us to build a strong party. We need to be united to build a strong government and to build a strong nation”, Tukur said.

Presenting the committee’s report, Alhaji Oyedokun lamented that there were five failed attempts to conduct party congresses in some local governments in Benue State as a result of disagreements.

He identified attempts by certain chieftains in the local chapters to exclude perceived enemies from the party, as the cause of the cri•Tukur sis.

Senate seeks national carrier status for Arik Air From ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja

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he Senate Committee on Aviation has recommended that Arik Air be considered as Nigeria’s flag carrier. It also called for the sack of a top director in the Ministry of Aviation for granting waiver to Lufthansa Air without approval from President Goodluck Jonathan.

These recommendations were contained in the committee’s report on the violation of aviation laws and practice by foreign airlines and lapses in the operations of regulatory agencies.

In its findings and recommendations, the Senator Hope Uzodinma-led committee spoke on the need for a new national carrier and also called for a review of the NCAA Act to check price fixing by foreign airlines.

“The Senate proactively engaged the Ministry of Aviation in view of its plan to float a new national flag carrier, Arik Air, the only airline currently on international flight operations...with a view to offer the needed competition to foreign airlines.”

Justifying its choice of Arik Air, the committee noted in its recommendations that, “Arik, with about 23 new generation aircraft and having participated in Nigeria’s quest for FAA CAT 1, should be considered for the status of a national flag carrier with attendant privileges, responsibilities and adaptations “The Director of Air Transport in the Federal Ministry of Aviation who allegedly single-handedly and without evidence of authority from the Presidency or Ministry of Aviation wrote Lufthansa purporting to waive royalty payments which constitute Federal Government revenue should be dismissed for taking such action which is inimical to the interest of Nigeria and, doing so without lawful authority.

“Government officials and indeed corporate and private citizens travelling on Business Class should use carriers like Arik, Air France, KLM and Lufthansa whose rates are usually $2000 cheaper than British Airways and Virgin.

“The NCAA Act be urgently reviewed to allow new stringent provisions on exploitative dominance, price fixing and predatory practices of foreign airlines.

“All current BASA negotiations be put on hold until new guidelines emerge in order to avoid the current disadvantages to Nigeria.

We make particular mention of the BASA with the Federal Republic of Germany and the unacceptable waiver of payment of $14 million royalty due Nigeria by Lufthansa based on an MoU and agreed records of meetings in which terms were inconclusive.

“The Ministry of Aviation or any public officer whatsoever should desist from negotiating commercial agreements with foreign airlines as they have no iota of competence on such issues. It should be left for Nigerian airlines on international routes and NCAA as it is the practice in other countries,” it said.

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DAILY SUN Thursday September 20, 2012

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

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L-R: Minister of Labour, Chukwemeka Wogu, his Niger Delta Affairs counterpart, Elder Peter Orubebe and Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe,during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, Wednesday Photo: BAYO OBISESAN

L-R: Head e-Business, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Chuma Ezirim, Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, and Chief of Staff, Fundamo (a VISA Company), Mr. Adriaan Tromp at the launch of “FirstMonie”, the bank’s mobile money platform in Lagos, Wednesday.

From ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja

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ith the provision for fuel subsidy in the 2013 Appropriation Bill, Nigerians have cause to smile in the New Year.

However, the subsidy regime is expected to continue in 2014 at a reduced scale.

The palliative gulped N888 billion this year, according to the 2013 budget details released in Abuja yesterday.

President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to present the estimates of N4. 361 trillion budget to the National Assembly before the end of this month, it was learnt.

In the 2013-2015 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (M-TEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), a copy of which was obtained by Daily Sun, the Federal Government said that its share of subsidy for 2013 will be N409, 772 billion For the next two years spanning 2014-2015, the government said that it would spend N274, 269 billion and N211, 108 billion respectively.

Revenue projection (net of subsidy) for 2013 will be N3.891 trillion, but government expenditure is expected to rise in 2014 to N4.257 trillion and NN4.5 trillion in 2015.

An estimated N261 billion was returned to the treasury as unspent funds while the 2013 budget of the National Assembly, incorporating the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and the National Assembly administration remains unchanged at N150 billion.

The National Assembly budget equally remains unchanged for the 2014 and 2015 fiscal years.

Capital expenditure for 2013, based on projections in the M-TEF and FSP is N1.524 trillion while recurrent expenditure is N2.411 trillion. The balance is made up of statutory transfers including allocations to the National Judicial Commission (NJC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Universal Basic Education (UBE), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Assembly (NASS) and the National Human Rights Commission.

L-R: Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Archbishop John Onaiyekan, Sen. Tunde Ogbeha and Senate President David Mark, at a reception after the requiem mass for Rev. Jerome Bello in Abuja, Tuesday.

Photo: NAN

COVER Fuel subsidy stays till 2015 •As FG proposes N4.36trn for 2013

Jonathan Of the recurrent expenditure for 2013, personnel costs for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will gulp N1.741 trillion while overheads are estimated at N230.305 billion. Other service votes will gulp N272.820 billion.

Explaining the details, the government said: “In the light of the contemporary global uncertainty and in line with the goal of ensuring macro-economic stability which is encapsulated in the Transformation Agenda, government will sustain its strategy of fiscal consolidation with growth by which efforts to correct the structure of the expenditure profile will be fostered.

“Indeed, recurrent expenditure is expected to maintain its decreasing trend, by increasing

Mark the fiscal space for capital expenditure.

“In line with the Transformation Agenda and in furtherance of the policy objectives of the 2012 budget over the 2013-2015 period, key sectors of the economy will remain the focus of this administration.

“These include security, power, agriculture, water resources, health, education, works, transport, aviation, Federal Capital Territory and Niger Delta.

“By investing in these sectors, government intends to reduce the infrastructural gap, thereby energizing the economy so as to create employment and ensure that we have inclusive growth.”

The M-TEF and FSP stated that “although aggregate expenditure is increasing in

absolute terms,” government’s goal is that its expenditure as a share of the Gross Domestic (GDP) in the Nigerian economy is to reduce in the medium to long term.

“This is in line with the desire to promote the private sector. The reduction in the size of government will be achieved through stricter rationalization of available resources including sustaining the reduction of overhead votes.

“The figure for overhead decreased from N536 billion in 2010 to N266 billion in 2012.

It is expected to further decrease in 2013 to N230 billion or 4.67 percent of total expenditure.”

On the domestic debt, the document details that as at June 2012, “total external debt stock stood at $6 billion. The Federal Government’s share of this was $3.8 billion (63.3%), while the 36 states and FCT accounted for the balance of $2.2 billion (36.7%).

“Similarly, domestic debt for the same period stood at N6.15 trillion, bringing the total debt to N7.11 trillion which is 17.8% of the GDP.” In a covering letter addressed to Senate President David Mark, President Jonathan expressed “gratitude for the enduring partnership between the legislative and executive arms of government in discharging our shared responsibility for nation-building.

“I note with thanks, the patriotism, commitment and support that distinguished Senators have consistently demonstrated. Pursuant to sections 13, 12 and 11 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, the preparation towards submission of the 2013 budget to the National Assembly has since commenced with activities leading to the preparation of the 2013-2015 M-TEF and FSP.” The President urged the National Assembly to consider and approve the document in its usual expeditious manner.

6 DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

NEWS Oil spillage: New law sets N15bn fine for clean up •As Nigeria lost 13bn barrels to oil spills From ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja

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rring oil companies operating in the Niger Delta and other oil-producing communities will pay a fine of N15 billion if their companies are involved in onshore spills.

The bill, which would compel oil companies to pay the fine, scaled the crucial second reading in the Senate yesterday.

Any offshore spill will attract a fine of not less than N5 billion, as contained in an amendment of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act. The bill also stipulated the cost per barrel of oil spilled, depending on the vessels, facilities and places where the spills occurred.

For a tank vessel, it would attract not more than N50, 000 per barrel of oil spilled; for a less than 3000 gross tons vessel, it would be N100, 000 per barrel; for a 3000 gross tons vessel, it would be N150, 000 per barrel and for any other vessel, it would be N250, 000 per barrel.

These penalties were contained in four new Sections (8,9,10 and 11) inserted as amendments in the principal Act. Leading the debate on the bill yesterday, Chairman of the Environment and Ecology Committee, Senator Bukola Saraki said the amendment of the NOSDRA Act of 2006 would “strengthen the institution and regulatory capacity of the agency to proactively manage oil spill in a much more robust and effective manner.”

“Oil spillage is not an oil business, it is an environmental problem. Oil spill is not necessary consequence of oil exploration. It is an irresponsible environmental behaviour. The fact that it is as a result of oil exploration does not detract from the impact on the environment.”

Dana crash: Imo govt urges Ajuonuma children to follow father’s footsteps

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he Imo State Government has advised the children of the late Levi Ajuonuma to maintain the legacies their father left for them.

This was contained in the condolence message delivered by the Imo State Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso on behalf of the state government during the burial of the late NNPC boss who died in the ill-fated Dana plane crash in Lagos.

Consoling the bereaved family during the funeral, which took place at the deceased hometown Awala in Ideato South of Imo State, the deputy governor decried the demise of the former media guru whom he said contributed to the development of the nation especially in the broadcast industry.

The deputy governor also recalled that the Imo State Government had earlier mapped out huge sum of money for the families of victims of the plane crash who were Imo natives and urged the Awala people and the immediate family to bear the loss with courage.

Fake doctor nabbed at general hospital ...Steals ATM cards from UNILAG student

By MATTHEW DIKE

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agos State Police Command has arrested a fake doctor with stethoscope at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idiaraba, Lagos deceiving unsuspecting patients.

The suspect, Udssi, was said to have dressed in the white jacket worn by doctors to dispossess patients and their relations of mobile phones.

Udssi was alleged to have stolen different ATM cards belonging to students of University of Lagos (UNILAG).

On interrogation, Udssi claimed he stole the white jackets on September 10 from a female doctor.

The suspect also said he had been stealing mobile phones from people at the hospital, saying he would tell them to bring their phones so that he could call the doctor on duty.

He said he would pretend to be making call and stylishly he would leave the owner in the ward and walk away with the phone.

Daily Sun gathered that the suspect was arrested on Monday at LUTH. Many victims had complained to the police about how a fake doctor had dispossessed them of their belongings.

Confirming the story to Daily Sun, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozichukwu Braide, said the fake doctor was a wanted man until luck ran out on him.

Braide said the suspect had been stealing phones from both patients and their relatives.

The police spokesperson said the suspect was nabbed with many handsets and several ATM cards bearing the names of students of UNILAG.

•L–R: Director Brand and Communication, Etisalat Nigeria, Enitan Denroye, Chief Executive Officer, Optima Media Group (OMG), Rotimi Pedro, Marketing Manager, Pepsi Patricial Iletogun and Chief Communication Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Wael Amnah during the unveiling of Nigerian Idol Season III in Ikeja, Lagos yesterday. Photo: MOSHOOD RAJI

Wing commander dies in detention From DAVID MOLOMO, Yola

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he 75 Strike Group of the Nigerian Air Force has been in a mourning mood, following the death of one Wing Commander, C. L. Nwaogu in detention.

It was gathered that Nwaogu, who had been in detention for over four months, was absent from duty without official leave (AWOL). This, it was also gathered, made him to be Court Marshalled by a committee.

Efforts made by Daily Sun to get the version of the commanding officer of the 75 Strike Group proved abortive as the issue of the death of Nwaogu was said to be a military affair, that never required the attention of a civilian.

Sources from the strike group told Daily Sun that the deceased’s defence counsel died in an auto crash on Bauchi-Gombe Road while on his way to Yola to defend Nwaogu.

The late Wing Commander was said to have been detained within the premises of the 75 Strike Group because he presented a resignation letter to the group after he had been absent from duty without permission of the leadership of the strike group.

Feelers from the strike group and the barrack indicated that the death of the Wing Commander was received with shock, given the fact that Nwaogu was an amiable individual, and well known in the barrack as a jovial man and humorous individual. The death of

Nwaogu had generated speculations from the rank and file of the barrack, as there had not been an official position as to the cause of his death.

When contacted, the Nigerian Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, confirmed the death of the officer, but added that a Board of Adjustment had been constituted by the commander of 75 Strike Group to investigate the cause of death.

Anas said the officer was being tried for Absent

Tambuwal averts removal From CHUKS AKUNNA and IHEANACHO NWOSU, Abuja

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peaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday blocked moves by some aggrieved lawmakers to unseat him over the cash crunch that has hit the legisla-

tive body.

The aggrieved members had reportedly spent the better part of the just concluded twomonth recess, fine-tuning how to unseat their principal officer.

The lawmakers were said to have been particularly unhappy that their senior colleagues in the Senate have

FG approves 10-yr sugar master plan for self-sufficiency •Considers report on varsities deplorable state From JULIANA TAIWOOBALONYE, Abuja

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he Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved a 10-year National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) aimed at ensuring Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in sugar production and to save the nation about $350 million in import costs.

As at today, Nigeria had only been able to produce three per cent for its consumption while the rest was being imported at the cost of over N100 billion.

The plan, if implemented

Without official Leave (AWOL) and that before any officer was put on trial, the court president would ask if the officer was fit medically to stand trial. For him to be facing a court martial means he was medically certified okay to face court martial.”

The NAF spokesman said the Nigerian Air Force could not have been negligent in the health situation of the officer, “because he was our officer and a senior officer for that matter, but death is what will come when it will come.”

as envisioned, would also create 107, 000 direct jobs at the initial stage, derive annual production of 1.79 million tonnes of sugar, 161.2 million litres of ethanol, 400 mw of electricity, 1.6 million tonnes of animal feeds, 37, 378 permanent jobs, $65.8 million savings in FOREX on fuel imports annually and $350 million savings in FOREX on sugar imports annually.

Addressing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku,

and Minister of Trade Investments, Olusegun Aganga, said the master plan spelt out the sugar and ethanol projections required to achieve self-sufficiency and indicated the number of factories and hectares of sugarcane, as well as number of skilled and unskilled staff required to reverse the decline in the sub-sector.

According to Maku: “The implementation of the NSMP as conceived would entail many projects which would cover all geo-political zones of the country since suitable sites for cane production do exist across the ecological zones.”

been faring better, and blamed their plight on Tambuwal’s tough stance on the presidency.

Tambuwal, who emerged Speaker in June 2011 over President Goodluck Jonathan’s favourite, Mulikat Akande, spent hours at a closed-door session attempting to douse the anger of colleagues seeking his removal.

The alleged arrowheads of the plot include chairman, committee on Finance, Abdulmumini Jibrin, as well as Aliyu Gebi, Ahmed Patigi and Mohammed Kalgo.

The speaker’s frosty relationship with the presidency apart, the lawmakers were reportedly dissatisfied with their quarterly allowances from the House leadership.

At yesterday’s session, which some say was a masterstroke from the Speaker, he reportedly opened up to his colleagues on the state of affairs, requesting all aggrieved to speak out.

Some of the members reportedly expressed reservations with the handling of committees by those colleagues close to the speaker.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012, 7

NEWS Health workers say no going back on nationwide strike

By AZOMA CHIKWE and JOB OSAZUWA

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ctivities in all Federal Government owned- health institutions were yesterday paralysed following an indefinite nationwide strike embarked upon by federal health workers under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

The workers also vowed to continue the strike until the contentious Federal Government’s circular against the skipping of levels in the Consolidated Health Salary Scale, CONHESS 10, is withdrawn.

When Daily Sun visited some of the hospitals in Lagos, only skeletal services were being offered. The situation was the same at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi and Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta among others . At LUTH, what appeared like partial compliance was observed. Some workers dressed in green uniforms were sighted at the laboratory department attending to patients. Daily Sun gathered that most of the workers at their duty posts were locum workers, (casual workers). Many of the patients who spoke to Daily Sun on the condition of anonymity, hinted that only a few patients were being attended to.

However, further investigation by Daily Sun showed that all hospitals complied with the directive.

Reacting on the development, the Chairman of Health Workers Union, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Ibe Stephen Nwokenta said there was no going back on the strike until the union’s demands were met.

Ibe disclosed that the union had already formed a monitoring group that would ensure that all the hospitals were shut down until what he described as ‘obnoxious circular’ was

Scrapping of Senate: PPA chairman backs Tinubu

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he National Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chief Sam Nkire has lent his support to the call by the ACN leader, Bola Tinubu for scrapping of the Senate as one of the cost saving measures that would help improve the lives of the masses.

Speaking in Abuja, Nkire said the PDP controlled Federal Governmentt would be deceiving Nigerians if it says it had difficulty knowing how and where to cut the cost of running government.

The PPA boss said government must have the will to reduce costs not only from the legislature but also from both the executive and judiciary, to be able to provide the poor with the basic things of life such as security, food and shelter.

Nkire said people in government should not wait for more Nigerians to die of hunger or be killed or displaced before realising the need to cut down on their excesses.

He said it was also time to take a second look at the size and structure of government not only at the federal level but at the state and local government levels in order to reduce wastages by officials of government which prevent the majority of Nigerians from being protected and taken care of by government institutions such as the police and hospitals due to lack of funds to buy equipment and medicine.

Sunshine Foundation celebrates womanhood Oct 1

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wo Lagos-based Non Governmental Organization (NGOs), Sunshine Foundation (for senior citizens) and the Committee for Concerned Women, have joined efforts to celebrate womanhood on Independence Day, October 1, in commemoration of the United Nations International Day for Older Persons.

It promises to be a double celebration as the event coincides with our Independence Day celebration.

Statistics indicate that more women fall within the vulnerable group of the indigent aged. This addresses the need to highlight the importance of the endowment given to women as a special specie, to enable them explore that potential for the all round uplifting of the society.

To this end, a seminar: “Woman! Recognize Your Strength and How to Use It to Uplift Yourself and the Society,” is being organized to take place at 2nd Avenue, 208 Road, C. Close, House 3 in Festac town, Lagos.

Last year, the Sunshine Foundation partnered with the Lagos State Government to celebrate the seniors under the auspices of the Ministry of Health. The focus was on agerelated ailments peculiar to the elderly. Other non-governmental organizations that participated in the event were Development Support International – DSI, Senior Citizens Care Foundation and Jo Ron Health Care Services.

This year’s event promises to be exciting as all hands are on the plough to make it so, according to Sunshine Foundation spokesman, Eppi Fanio of the Farofa Ensemble fame.

•L-R:Tax Officer, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Apapa Tax Office, Mr Ibiloye Moses; National President, Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents, Prince Olayiwola Shittu and Assistant Comptroller, Nigerian Customs, Mr Dara Nnadi at a stakeholders’ meeting on the new Importers Tax Identification Number in Lagos yesterday.

Jonathan may halt N5000 note •N’Assembly resolution not binding –Minister

the National Assembly was totally binding on the Federal Government.

“The National Assembly has oversight functions and the executive takes resolutions of the National Assembly seriously but resolutions are not Acts of Parliament.

“We can discuss, debate resolutions, take them seriously and factor them but they are not Act of National Assembly.”

Speaking on the clamour for the Federal Government to return to the International Court of Justice, ICJ, over Bakassi peninsula which was ceded to Cameroun by the court, Maku equally foreclosed further discussions over the Bakassi impasse.

“Nigeria does not have a new position. Nigeria’s position is in conformity with the judgement of the International Court of Justice.”

Maku also used the NUJ Peoples Forum to throw light on the proposed tour of project sites nationwide by select journalist tagged National Good Governance Tour, even as he submitted that it was too early to judge the performance of the administration of President Jonathan less than two years into his four year tenure.

“A lot of projects are going on today but they are highly under reported by the media. Rather, personality clashes take dominance on front pages.”

He further enunciated the

From TAIWO AMODU, Parliament.

Maku dismissed all the Abuja several counter opinions resident Goodluck being expressed about introJonathan has agreed to put duction of N5000 notes as on hold the plan to intro- unnecessary and needless, as the CBN was entrusted by duce the 5000 naira note.

The President met with the law to manage the country’s leadership of the National monetary policies.

“I believe we should allow Assembly after the sessions of the Senate and House of CBN to have leadership on Representatives on Tuesday this issue. This is not an opinand the vexed issue of N5000, ion poll debate but a technical which the Central Bank of matter and the heated debate Nigeria (CBN) intended to will not help in the manageunveil next year was one of the ment of our economy.”

Maku, however, disclosed top issues on the agenda.

Sources said that Jonathan that the Federal Government told the lawmakers that had not foreclosed avenues approval given on the N5000 for dialogue with the federal note could be reversed if it was lawmakers but it should not be misconstrued that the resothe wish of the people.

However, it was not imme- lution of the two chambers of diately known if the President had directed the CBN to suspend action on the currency restructuring.

It remains unclear whether •Tasks Presidency, Judiciary to work with faith, commitment the president has issued a From ADETUTU leagues disperse in late July. to lead the campaign for a directive to that effect.

You can imagine how solution and for national Meanwhile, Information FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja relieved I am to welcome you rebirth.

Minister, Labaran Maku has “Distinguished colleagues, enate President, David all back to this hallowed said that the National Mark took stock of the chamber, hale and hearty. We that expectation is not misAssembly resolution, which state of the nation yes- return from our recess to placed. Legislators are the urged the president to stop the CBN Governor, Sanusi terday and urged the meet a nation sorely in need gatekeepers to the realm of Lamido Sanusi from going Presidency and the Judiciary of healing, a nation previous- the public good. We are the with the currency restructuring to demonstrate faith and ly free from strife and vanguards of democratic was not binding on the execu- commitment in discharging anomie, but now convulsing norms and we carry the aspifrom a genre of violence that rations, hopes, and expectatheir duties. tives.

Senator Mark said this in a we all thought was alien to tions of the people and even Speaking with journalists their fears. on Tuesday during a forum speech on the commence- our shores.

“The legislative tradition of “A new but formidable evil ment of resumption of the organised by the Nigerian Union of Journalists,( NUJ) Senate from its annual recess. has now combined with old recess sharpens the synergy He also described the and familiar perils to present between the legislator and his Peoples Forum, Maku declared that the Federal activities of the dreaded Boko our nation with perhaps the constituents, because it affords Government might not ask Haram sect as a “formidable greatest challenge to its cor- the lawmaker an opportunity to porate existence since the feel the pulse of the people and the Governor of Central Bank evil.” by extension that of the nation.

His words: “The activities civil war. of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido “In the course of interac- The emerging feedback, distinSanusi to halt the process on of the Boko Haram sect were the introduction of N5000 at its peak when we dispersed tions and consultations with guished colleagues, is not too for our recess to the far flung your constituents during the encouraging.” notes.

Mark noted that while the Maku submitted that the districts of our nation still recess, you would have Legislature had faithfully disnoticed the fear and anxiety resolutions of the National under the grips of sectarian in their eyes. You would have charged its duties to the citizenry, Assembly did not carry violence.

“It was, therefore, with also noticed that almost he equally urged the Presidency weight as they were merely advisory and not Act of bated breath and anxiety that everyone expects the Senate, and the Judiciary to toe the same I watched distinguished col- nay the National Assembly, path.

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Boko Haram, a formidable evil, says Mark

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8 DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

NEWS

Lawyer kicks against introduction of N5,000 note

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Lagos-based lawyer, Olorogun Benson Ndakara, has condemned the move by the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to introduce the N5,000 note.

Ndakara said the arguments being canvassed by the apex bank’s chief was not convincing, adding that its disadvantages were more than its advantages.

Justifying his submission, Ndakara, said the introduction of the N5, 000 note was unnecessary.

“It does not make any sense to spend N40 billion printing a new denomination. Printing N5,000 note is not our major problem, such money could be used to do other valuable things. It has no value to add.”

Ndakara also condemned the former petroleum minister, Professor Tam David West for criticizing the national honour given to the wife of the former governor of Rivers State, Justice Mary Odili.

“The woman deserves it. I think the position of David West is personal. On what grounds is he saying that the award should not to have been given to her?

“Justice Odili is eminently qualified, a lawyer, a judge and now a Supreme Court judge, she deserves it even more. All those given the award, are they better than her? “If you say a Supreme Court judge should not be given an award, who deserves an award, an artist?” he asked.

Speaking on the controversial $15 million allegedly given to the former chairman of the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu by former governor, James Ibori, to escape prosecution, Ndakara said the whole controversy over the money was a shame.

He commended the efforts of the Federal Government and the EFCC for questioning the characters of those who were now laying claims to the money.

“It is also unfortunate that the Delta State Government is also laying claim to the money.”

He, however, insisted that the money should not be given to Delta State Government because, according to him, “there is no different between the state government and the depositor of the money (Ibori).

NIM woos soldiers, police for management training

By SAM OTTI

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he Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) has commenced discussions with the Nigerian Defence Academy, the Police, Immigration and Customs for professional management training.

The President of the institute, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, disclosed this in Lagos, while briefing journalists of the forthcoming National Management Conference of the institute, slated for Sunday, September 23 to 25, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

He said the institute had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji for a five-year professional management training to enhance their performance, where the first set of the beneficiaries were trained and inducted into the membership of the institute.

He expressed optimism that the training would propel the security agents to the height of ethical standard required of their profession and as well inculcate in them the requisite management principles.

As part of its public advocacy for a better Nigeria, OlawaleCole said President Goodluck Jonathan would declare this year’s conference open and unveil the logo of the institute’s latest campaign platform, Nigeria: Arise and Shine.

Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema and Dr. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State would lead discussions on the theme of the three-day conference, Moving Nigeria Forward through Strategic Transformation.

According to him, Shema would dissect the topic, Moving Nigeria Forward through Transformation, while Yuguda would speak on Peace and Stability: Recipe for Sustainable Change.

To deepen discussions on the main theme, the president said Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi and Bashorun J. K. Randle were chosen to discuss the sub-themes at the conference.

He further explained that the Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, the President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Goodie Ibru and the Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, Prof. Aize Obayan, would further enrich the discourse at the conference.

“The institute is poised more than ever before to do more in the coming years towards the advancement of the management profession and the betterment of the Nigerian project.

“As our journey into the future, we will neither relent in our quest to bequeath a well trained and productive work force to the nation nor will we be tired until corruption and other social vices, which have hampered Nigeria’s development, are completely exterminated from our body polity.”

•L–R: Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, Director of Finance and Admin, Mrs. Elizabeth Agom, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mrs. Afolake St. Matthew Daniel and an Aviation Consultant, Captain Dele Sasegbon during a service of songs in memory of the late Mr. Mecha Eke, DGM/Technical Assistant to NAMA Managing Director, who died in the Dana plane crash in June in Lagos. Photo: WALE OLUFADE

Task Force arrests soldier, driver for traffic offences

By OLUWOLE FAROTIMI

ly called ‘Agbero’. We arrested and prosecuted more than he Lagos State Task Force 60 touts in the last two weeks.

“We are also concentrating on Environment and Special Offences on the state bridges to arrest Enforcement Unit has arrested a soldier and driver on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The soldier, Umaru Usman a Lance Corporal and the driv- From ROSE EJEMBI, er, Sagir Abubakar, were Makurdi arrested between 1pm and ormer Lagos State police 3pm for driving a truck against commissioner, Alhaji traffic on the Third Mainland Abubakar Tsav, has Bridge on Tuesday.

Speaking on their arrests, described as ridiculous the the task force Chairman, Mr. threat by President Goodluck Bayo Sulaiman, a Jonathan to withdraw national Superintendent of Police, yes- honours awards from undeterday told newsmen that the served recipients.

The anti-corruption crusadaction was contrary to the new er, who stated this in a teletraffic law.

Sulaiman said the truck, phone chat with Daily Sun, with the registration number, wondered why someone who YOBE XB 323 FKA, had was not qualified for national been impounded by the task honour should be recommendforce.

According to him, “the truck was carrying bags of rice, bags of cement and boxes By OLUWOLE FAROTIMI of sugar when it was impounded. atients suffering from “The truck has been forfeitheart and kidney related ed to the state while the lance diseases in the country corporal, who acted as a pilot may not have to travel outto the truck, has been handed side the country, as the over to the military authorities Lagos State Government has because we found out that he established a cardiac and had no pass and was piloting renal centre to cater for their the vehicle for monetary treatment locally. gains.

Daily Sun findings “Of course, the driver will showed that the construction be charged to court for violat- and facilities at the centre ing the state traffic law.” located in Gbagada General He said the enforcement of Hospital billed to be the traffic law had com- unveiled before the end of menced since the day the law the year had so far cost the was signed by Governor state government N7 billion.

Babatunde Fashola.

The Lagos State He added that law enforce- Commissioner for Health, ment agencies were enforcing Dr. Jide Idris, said the centre the law gradually to allow the was the first comprehensive people to adjust. renal and cardiac facility by He said: “For instance, we any state government in the are concentrating more on rid- country that had the capabilding the state of touts, popular- ity to diagnose and treat

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commercial motorcyclists who would want to flout the restriction order on their operations.”

He also disclosed that the

task force would soon move from bridges to Ikeja and Alausa to enforce the restriction on commercial motorcycles.

Threat to withdraw national honours award ridiculous –Tsav

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ed and screened for the award in the first place.

Why regretted what he described as winner-takes-itall of the president, adding that some patriotic Nigerians who had served the country meritoriously were not considered for the national honours.

“I think President Jonathan is confused and is playing politics of winner-takes-it-all. We have some patriotic Nigerians in the opposition and we expected some of them to make the national nonours award list. We also expected

poor men who have served this country honestly and meritoriously especially policemen, soldiers and other paramilitary men/women to make the list.”

He said the situation was a mockery of rewarding excellence. Tsav posited that the national honours should be given to only those who truly deserved it so that it would not lose its value.

“I think the situation as it is now is ‘baboon dey work Monkey dey chop am’. It is a mockery of rewarding excellence.”

Lagos spends N7bn on cardiac, renal centre

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heart and kidney diseases, which reports had said to be on the increase in the country.

“What this means is that Nigerians suffering from these diseases may no longer need to travel outside the country for treatment,” he said.

Idris, attributed prevalence of the disease now claiming many lives in the country to lifestyle, eating habits, lack of exercising, overweight, sugar level in the body and hypertension, among others.

The commissioner, who noted that many of the patients do not get to know about the ailment until it reached critical stage, said the situation informed the state government’s decision to conduct free test for the residents before establishing

a centre to tackle the scourge.

He said the state government would also partner with experts to operate the facilities, saying the centre would also act as training ground for professionals, especially for those within the state healthcare sector.

Idris elated about the feat assured that with the facilities available in the state many Nigerian specialists would be attracted home to share their skills and pass on their experiences to their colleagues.

According to him, the money the government and individuals spent annually to sponsor the treatment of less privileged persons suffering from related diseases could be utilized for other developmental project the country required.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012, 9

SOUTH SOUTH Investors to benefit from N5bn soft loan in A’Ibom

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kwa Ibom State Government and Bank of Industry have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a N5 billion soft loan for entrepreneurs and training of small-scale business people in the state.

The state Governor, Chief Godswill O. Akpabio signed the MoU on behalf of the state government while the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Ms. Evelyn Oputu signed for the bank.

Briefing the press, the Special Adviser on Industrialisation and Akwa Ibom Industrial and Investment Promotion Council (AKIIPOC), Mr. Senas Ukpanah said the effort was in line with Governor Akpabio’s electioneering promise to promote industrialization policy in the state.

Ukpanah hinted that the Federal Government would support the loan scheme with N2.5 billion, while the state government would put N2.5 billion for lending to investors.

Meanwhile, Governor Akpabio had pledged to partner the bank to create entrepreneurship and capacity development in the agro-allied sector.

Akpabio, who stated this yesterday when the Managing Director of the bank, Ms. Oputu paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Uyo, further pledged to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the bank.

He again stated that his administration would lend to interested investors, as well as has budgeted N20 billion soft loan this year to partner the private sector in establishing industries in the state.

Earlier, the managing director of the bank had congratulated the governor on the provision of quality infrastructure in the state.

We’ll down tools if NNPC fails to renew our contract –OFLSC boss

By WOLE BALOGUN

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eneral Manager, Oil Facility Surveillance Company (OFLSC) in Delta State, Mr. Pondi Ebimobowei Kestin, has said his men would soon down tools and allow oil pipeline vandals and operators of illegal refineries have a field day if the NNPC fails to renew the one-year contract it signed with the company.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Warri recently, Pondi said: “The OFSCL came to be after the acceptance of the Federal Government to start the amnesty programme by president Yar’Adua-led administration in 2005. Its aims and objectives are primarily to protect oil facilities in the oil producing communities in the Niger Delta. Our targets are the creeks. We have been able to burst over 100 illegal refineries in the creeks and caught hundreds of the vandals. We have burnt over 50 local speedboats being used to carry out the illegal trade.”

Strike: NLC wades into teachers, govt face-off in Delta From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba

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s the strike by primary and secondary school teachers in Delta State entered its third day, the state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday appealed to the Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to intervene in the impasse between the teachers and the state Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

The teachers under the umbrella of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) are locked in battle with the Education Ministry over alleged refusal by the latter to restore the implementation of the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance (TPA).

Public schools had resumed for a new academic session on Monday, but full academic activities could not commence, as the NUT leadership had directed its members to stay at home over the non-restoration of the TPA and other issues bothering on promotion.

Commissioner for Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare had earlier noted that implementation of the TPA was put on hold, as the ministry was carrying out verification exercise to ascertain authentic teachers in the state employment.

In a letter addressed to the state governor and signed by the state Chairman of the NLC, Williams Akporeha appealed to Governor Uduaghan to quickly intervene to resolve the issues at stake, recalling that the issues had lingered on for long and deserve his immediate intervention, to ensure continued peaceful industrial climate in the state.

Akporeha also drew the attention of the governor to the inadequate classrooms for displaced students from schools recently handed over to the mission, pointing out that the situation was capable of causing another round of crisis, as it negates the policy of Education For All (EFA).

•Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom (middle) chatting with the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta (right) during the annual all Judges conference of the Federal High Court which began in Uyo yesterday. While Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere (left) watches with interest.

Family of 5 dies in Delta auto accident From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba

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ive persons believed to be members of the same family yesterday died in an auto crash that occurred at Ubulu-Okiti Junction, near Asaba, on Benin-Onitsha Expressway.

The victims were said to be travelling from Ekiti State and heading towards Awka in Anambra State when the Toyota Hilux vehicle they were travelling in lost one of its tyres.

An eyewitness said the vehicle skidded-off the road and somersaulted severally in the process, resulting in the death of five of the occupants, while two survived.

Among the survivors was an octogenarian believed to be the matriarch of the family.

The other survivor, said to be one of the daughters of the deceased couple, was receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC), Asaba as at the time of this report.

But the husband who was said to be driving the vehicle, his pregnant wife, two of their

children (male and female) and a steward perished in the unfortunate incident.

The bodies of the dead victims were evacuated by officials of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and deposited at the FMC in

Asaba.

However, the FRSC officials declined comments when approached by our correspondent and referred the newspaper to the Sector Commander’s office in Asaba.

Gunmen kill 2 cops in P’Harcourt From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

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wo policemen, yesterday morning, met their untimely death, when armed bandits opened fire on them.

The incident occurred along Afikpo Street, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at

about 06:15hours.

It was gathered that the victims, whose identities were not known as at the time of filing this report were on foot patrol when they were attacked and their arms taken away.

A police source disclosed that the gunmen operated in a white bus.

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The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Benjamin Ugwuegbulam (DSP), confirmed the attack and death of the policemen, describing the attack as annoying.

The police spokesman vowed that the fleeing hoodlums would be apprehended.

Oyerinde: Ugolor asks police to prosecute suspects arrested by SSS From OLALEKAN BADMOS, Benin

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everend David Ugolor who was recently released on bail by a Benin High Court over alleged involvement in the murder of Olaitan Oyerinde, has challenged the Nigerian Police to

charge to court, the six persons paraded by the Department of the State Security Services (SSS), as killers of the principal private secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Ugolor described his frameup and detention in prison as a threat to democracy and a move to criminalize civil soci-

MDG: Delta commits N1bn annually elta State Government has been committing the sum of N1 billion to fund Millennium Development Goals (MDG) projects every year since 2008, the state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has announced.

Uduaghan, who was represented by his Deputy, Professor Amos Utuama, SAN, while declaring open the Nutrition Society of Nigeria Scientific Conference in Asaba yesterday, assured that the goals of the MDGs could be realised.

“We have completed 53 micro-water projects of high

But Public Relations Officer of the commission, Mr. Bassey said he was yet to be briefed on the accident and promised to contact Daily Sun as soon as he get details, which he never did as at the time of filing this report.

standard and specifications in several rural communities dotted across the length and breadth of the state.

“Since 2008, this administration has consistently set aside, the sum of N1 billion annually as our contribution to (its partnership with the Federal Government).

“We have done so in furtherance to our human development agenda, within which the MDGs are adequately accommodated,” noting that the projects had impacted on the various communities.

Uduaghan declared that the MDGs were achievable, adding that the state govern-

ment had gone further to institute free maternal healthcare programme that afforded pregnant women, access to qualitative maternal care.

“I feel satisfied that there is now a renewed assurance of producing healthy Delta children, whose future would not be marred by the misery of avoidable congenial conditions.

“The Free Rural Health Scheme has also continued to give hope to many Deltans.

Furthermore, many women in the informal sector have benefited from our microcredit scheme and are now into sustainable livelihood.

ety organisations in Nigeria.

He expressed gratitude to the human rights groups and the media for rallying against his detention, adding that the six accused persons deserved to be prosecuted, noting that there was no justifiable reason why the police should continue to keep them in detention.

Environmental activist gave this charge in Benin yesterday during his first public appearance after his release on bail from six-weeks detention by the Nigerian Police.

According to him, it would have been a terrible blow for civil society organizations, his church, which ordained him a minister of the gospel 15 years ago, his wife, children and the media’s assessment of his person, if the police had run away with the trumped up charge preferred against him.

His release followed an order of a High Court in Benin City, which also awarded him N5 million as general damage costs after the detention on allegations of being a suspect in the gruesome murder of Oyerinde.

10 DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

SOUTH EAST Community protests against monarch over land deals, says he is greedy From GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka

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eople of Amenye Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, yesterday, took to the streets protesting what they called greed and high handedness of the traditional ruler, Igwe Patrick Mbamalu.

The placard carrying protesters who included old men and women, middle aged, youths and children accused their monarch of not only selling their lands without due process but unlawfully detaining their people in liaison with the police.

Marching round the streets of the community and chanting anti-Igwe Mbamalu’s songs, the protesters called the monarch unprintable names accusing him also of high handedness. But in a swift reaction, Mbamalu described the protesters as miscreants, stressing that their only aim was to humiliate him.

Debunking their allegations, the monarch said, “I have not sold anybody’s land since I was born in this community. My father had enough land but miscreants in Amenye village want to instigate crisis in the town. The SSS came and said they needed a land for their quarters, I went with the local government chairman and showed them where they will build their quarters.

“We wrote Amenye village before going there but they insisted that I must come which I see as an insult on my personality. Two of their brothers are also in my cabinet that were there when the discussion took place.”

Addressing the protesters earlier, the patron of the village, Mr. Paul Anunobi and another elder, Isaiah Okeakpu, said the monarch wanted to sell the land because of monetary interest and selfishness, noting that the land in question had already been mapped out for community development by the people of the area.

AASDU concludes election

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he Association of Anambra State Development Unions (AASDU) in Lagos State concluded its elections into the nullified positions on Sunday, September 9 at Unubi Town Hall, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.

Consequent upon the misgiving by some members of the union on the conduct of the previous election last year, the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the association declared null and void any of the positions that had more than one candidate in the previous election. Consequently, the posts of the 1st vice president, 2nd vice president, general secretary, assistant general secretary, treasurer, publicity secretary, assistant financial secretary, director of socials, provost one and the positions of five ex-officio members automatically became vacant by that pronouncement.

In a keenly contested election conducted by a patron of the association and supervised by some members of the BOT led

by High Chief C. C. Ifeanyi, the following officers were finally elected in a process not only free and fair but devoid of rancour and acrimony: 1st Vice President, Sir Onuorah Orji; 2nd Vice President, Mr. Ben Chukwukelu (unopposed); General Secretary, Mr. Emeka Nwosu; 2nd Assistant Secretary, Mr. Emeka Onwujiobi (unopposed); Treasurer, Mr. Iyke Okwuma Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ejike Metu; Assistant Financial Secretary, Mr. Sam Okpanduka; Director of Socials, Evangelist C. C. Iwegbune; Assistant Director of Socials, Mr. Ezenwile; Legal Adviser, Mr. Emeka Odikpo (unopposed); Provost, Uche Dikenafayi.

NUF to Jonathan: Make provision for 2nd Niger Bridge in 2013

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n Igbo group, the Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that provision is made to begin construction of the second Niger Bridge in the 2013 appropriation bill.

President of the group, Mr. Augustine Chukwudum and Secretary, Mr. Chinedu Onyebuchi, in a statement, said it had become imperative for the Federal Government to take the step to redress the purported marginalisation of the Southeast in the federal allocation of funds since 2009.

The group also appealed to the government to start the rehabilitation of all federal roads that are in deplorable states in the South East. The roads include: Aba-Ikot Ekpene Highway, Enugu-Onitsha Federal Highway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway, Umuekai-Ossioma Highway, Urata-Port Harcourt Highway and Oba Nnewi Unubi Okigwe Highway.

According to the statement, the government should make grants available for farmers to boost agricultural activities in the region, upgrade the Akanu Nbiam Airport in Enugu State to an international standard and build at least one low cost federal housing estate in every major city in the region.

“Looking at the allocation of fund among the six geopolitical zones since the dawn of the Fourth Republic, it can easily be seen that the South East zone has been the most cheated zone.”

• L-R: Chairman, Beer Sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr Nicholas Vervelde, Chairman, APCON, Mr Lola Akinwunmi, and Managing Director, World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), Mr Stephan Loerke, at a summit on Alcohol Marketing and Communcation in Lagos on Tuesday

MASSOB warns Army to leave its members alone From EMMANUEL UZOR, Regional Administrator, Onitsha Chief Arinze Igbani was receiving treatment after auto he Movement for the accident that broke his leg Actualisation of the and confined him in a place Sovereign State of for more that five months Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday now and whisked him away issued a warning to soldiers after beating him up and attached to the 302 Artillery breaking the already healed Regiment, Onitsha, to desist leg. We wish to say that the from attacking its members attack was against God and even as it threatened to sue humanity since there was no them over brutality meted on reason for such attack.” its leader in Onitsha.

The group further called on Addressing journalists yes- the Nigeria Army to take full terday, the Onitsha Region 4 responsibility for the treatDirector of Information and ment of the victim abroad, Secretary, Chima Agu and adding, “they broke the leg Linus Madunago respectively that had already healed and said the group decided to sound the warning against unwarranted brutality meted on their members by the soldiers in the commercial city.

The group also alleged that soldiers from the area From CHIDI NNADI, Enugu stormed a hospital where the Regional Administrator, overnor Sullivan Onitsha Region 4, Chief Chime of Enugu State Arinze Igbani, was receiving yesterday said he was treatment after an auto acci- not disturbed in anyway by dent, beat him up and the barrage of attacks from whisked him away to their opposition parties in the state. base.

The nine opposition parties “We are raising this alarm in the state under the aegis of and sounding the last warning the Conference of Nigerian to the soldiers who stormed Political Parties (CNPP) had the hospital where our risen in sharp opposition to

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now, the leg is fast decaying and the army should sponsor the treatment of Chief Igbani abroad to receive proper medical care.

“The soldiers, after arresting and forcibly taking Igbani away from the hospital, subjected him to severe torture and in the process of the torture, gave him serious injuries in his eyes and he cannot see again.

“They also broke his leg and now, the poor Igbani’s leg is fast decaying,” they said.

Chima and Madunago also expressed dissatisfaction with the stringent condition given

by the presiding magistrate over the bail of Igbani whom he said was dumped in the prison despite his health condition by the soldiers.

“The court saw the condition of Igbani who was brought to the court almost dead, still the magistrate did not look at the health implication of what he did and went ahead to give him stringent bail condition without proper trial.

“We wish to call on President Goodluck Jonathan and other human rights organisations to come to our aid.”

Enugu: I’m not disturbed by your attacks, Chime tells opposition parties

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the resolve of the governor to rebuild the state secretariat at the cost of N13 billion.

Chime who spoke through statements from two of his aides said he was unperturbed over the sudden spate of attacks coming from the camp of the opposition parties. His Senior Special Assistant on Inter-party Affairs, Evangelist Chris Asadu and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Chukwudi

Anambra shuts BIR over non-performance From GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka

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nambra State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) was yesterday closed indefinitely by the state government over what it called “non-performance.”

Announcing government’s decision at a press briefing, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Joe Martins Uzodike, said the decision was taken at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting.

He said government had also decided to redeploy all

qualified staff in the board to other government establishments.

Uzodike further disclosed that but for the intervention of the governor, all staff of the BIR would have been sacked.

He said, “they have not been collecting taxes for the state and there is no need keeping them there. The head of service would deploy them and make an ad-hoc arrangement for those to be collecting revenue for government pending the employment of new set of staff for the board.”

Government had constant-

ly complained of low revenue when it believed the state had the potential to generate enough revenue that could sustain it.

The commissioner noted that the government had never come near its revenue target over the years and could not continue with the lack of seriousness of the BIR. In various fora, government had said the state had the potential to generate nothing less than N2 billion monthly through its IGR but unfortunately, it had been hovering around N500 million.

Achife, said the governor was not bothered because “those behind the attacks were yet to disclose any reasonable substance in their criticisms.”

Asadu, who was a former CNPP chieftain, said Chime should not lose sleep over the opposition’s threat to form a coalition against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in 2015 nor by the dust it was trying to raise over plans to build new workers’ secretariat.

He pointed out that only a splinter group of nine out the over 37 parties that formed the opposition in the state were behind the attacks, saying they seemed to be merely exercising their right to freedom of expression to seek relevance rather than pursuing any discernible cause.

Asadu wondered why anyone would kick against the building of a new secretariat for workers and did not protest when the same governor announced his plan to build workers’ estate, as well as lift the embargo on employment that had been in place for many years before he came into office.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012, 11

SOUTH WEST Kalu delivers OAU lecture today From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo

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ormer Governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu will today deliver a public lecture to mark the 25th anniversary of the Equity Chambers of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun state.

Kalu who was Governor of Abia State between 1999 and 2007 is expected to speak on the topic “Leadership: Key factor to a better Nigeria.”

The lecture will be delivered at the Ogunbanjo hall of the university by 11.00 am and dignitaries including the Osun state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Tomori and the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Tale Omole are expected to grace the occasion.

The choice of the former governor, according to the organizers of the lecture, was predicated on his wide experience, political exposure and his intelligence, coupled with his status as a detribalized Nigerian.

A special luncheon will also be held after the lecture to mark the 25th anniversary of the chambers.

Law students of the university and those of other universities in the country alongside legal practitioners are also expected at the event.

Guests are however expected to be seated by 10.30 am.

‘Oyo trained 8,040 workers in 16 months’

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o fewer than 8,040 public servants have been trained by the Oyo State Government in the last 16 months, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has disclosed.

The governor, who stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan yesterday through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said that this was unprecedented in the history of the state civil service.

He said that the trainings, which were both local and foreign, included seminars, workshops, conferences, adding that they cut across all categories of workers in both civil and public service in the state.

Breaking the figure down to specifics, Ajimobi said a total number of 3,172 civil servants and 4,868 public servants, which included teachers, were trained during the period under consideration.

The training, he said, cost the state government the sum of N498,343,130, a feat he said had never been achieved by any administration in the state.

For instance, Ajimobi said that a total of 127 permanent secretaries, directors and accounts staff recently underwent a six-week course in Basic and Advanced Computer Programmes.

Besides, he stated that about 250 other personnel, including heads of departments, senior executive officers, auditors, engineers, architects and surveyors were trained in areas related to their careers.

Aside the periodic workshops and seminars, he also explained that 93 workers were sponsored for National Diploma (ND) programmes in Public Administration, Business Administration and Accountancy between May 2011 and February 2012, in order to ensure their career progression in the civil service.

MAPOLY proscribes students’ union govt, expels 14 students From MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta

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he authorities of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State has proscribed the Students Union Government, (SUG) and expelled 14 students from the institution.

The proscription of the SUG activities indefinitely, and expulsion of students came on the heel of the crisis that rocked the SUG election.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO), MAPOLY, Sulaimon Adebiyi, told journalists that the management took the decision which he said was imperative following the disruption of the election.

However, he said that academic activities within the polytechnic would continue without hindrance and warned trouble makers among the students to desist from fomenting trouble within or around the campus.

His words: “The Management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta has proscribed the Students’ Union of the polytechnic.

“This development became imperative following the disruption of the Students’ Union Election held on Tuesday, 18th September, 2012 on the campus of the Polytechnic, which led to the cancellation of the election by the Students’ Union Electoral Commission (SUELECO) which was endorsed by the management.

“While assuring parents and students of peace on campus, Management hereby affirms that the 2nd semester examination shall commence as scheduled on Monday, 24th September, 2012,” the statement read in part.

• Construction workers doing the asphaltic overlay of newly-constructed Elebu, Oluyole Estate Extension Road in Iddo Local Government Area of Oyo State, which had been neglected for the past 20 years yesterday.

Groom-to-be, Islamic leader’s daughter among victims of Ijebu Ode accident From ADE ADEYEMI, Ijebu referred to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ode Teaching Hospital, Sagamu 21-year-old daughter and the University Teaching of a prominent hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Ogunsanya said six others Islamic leader in Ijebu-Ode was among the comprising four males and victims of the last Tuesday’s two females were still on fatal accident that left many admission at the Ijebu Ode dead and others seriously General Hospital.

The buses involved in the injured.

The accident, which accident were Toyota Mazda occurred at the Ejinrin Road, bus and Toyota Hiace bus Mobalufon Junction along with registration number the Ijebu Ode-Ore-Benin KTP11 XA and XW 530 highway left over 66 people GGE. They were said to be coming from Ondo and injured.

The Islamic leader’s Benin.

According to eyewitnessdaughter was said to have just alighted from a bus com- es, the police were trailing the ing from the Tai Solarin driver of the blue lorry with University of Education registration number Edo (TASUED) and got crushed RRU 33 XA coming from Odogbolu axis. to death in the accident.

“In an attempt to beat the Another victim simply identified as Tunji was said to police, the driver swerved to be preparing for his wedding other lane of those coming ceremony, which had been from the Benin axis crushing two fully loaded passengers fixed for later this month.

Both the Islamic leader’s daughter and Tunji were among the victim of the accident that reportedly claimed From TOYESE OLADEJO, about 30 lives.

Daily Sun investigations at Ibadan the Ijebu Ode mortuary ormer chairman of the revealed that seven corpses Oyo State chapter of the were deposited at the morgue.

National Union of Road Several other victims Workers whose bodies were dismem- Transport bered were parked into waste (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, aka Tokyo, has baskets.

It was also gathered that urged the Inspector-General other victims were receiving of Police, Alhaji Abubakar treatment at the state general Mohammed, to stop the hospital, Ijebu-Ode and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Roona Private Clinic in the Joseph Mbu, to order. town.

Mr Mbu, he said should Chief Medical Director also desist from dragging the (CMD) of the state hospital, police image into the mud by Dr. Wellington Ogunsanya, declaring him wanted despite told Daily Sun that 17 were a subsisting court judgement. rushed to the hospital at about The Federal High Court 5.00p.m. on Tuesday and sitting in Ibadan and presided later discharged. over by Justice J. E Shakarho, The CMD further said five had in a judgement delivered others who were in critical in December 2011, ruled that conditions were immediately neither the police nor any of

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buses,” the eyewitness told Daily Sun. Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command had denied being responsible for the fatal auto mishap.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, who was reacting to the allegation that the accident was caused by the police also revealed the trailer driver who was allegedly responsible for the fatal accident had been arrested.

Giving the driver’s name as Adeboye Adebayo, Adejobi said the driver caused the accident by entering the expressway from the Ikorodu axis of the road on top seed.

Adejobi said it was in a bid by the driver to beat a bullion van who was also on top speed along the expressway that he rammed into oncoming vehicles.

“Putting the record straight, it was the bullion van (painted blue) and not the police team that caused that accident,’’Adejobi said.

He added that Adebayo had been arrested and already making statement to the police on the incident.

Meanwhile, contrary to Daily Sun earlier report, the Ogun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Abayomi Omiyale did not confirm that 20 people died in the crash.

When contacted on phone, Omiyale had confirmed that the FRSC participated in the rescue operation, but declined to give casualty figure.

“We were involved in the rescue operation but I cannot tell you how many people died. Some were injured and rushed to the hospital, I cannot confirm the figure of dead people,” he said.

You can’t arrest me, Tokyo dares Oyo CP

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the agents of the state should harass, intimidate or arrest Tokyo. He described the harrassment as an infringement on his personal liberty and freedom of movement as enshrined in sections 35 and 41 of the Constitution of Nigeria.

In a chat with Daily Sun in Ibadan, Tokyo lamented that the new police boss had failed in his duty to check in details, the handing over notes given to him by his predecessor.

According to him, a competent court of law had ruled that he was a free man and wondered why the police commissioner was only playing to the gallery.

Tokyo stressed that he was a man of peace and an illustrious son of Ibadanland, who would not engage in any act

capable of causing crisis in the state.

He maintained that the Federal High Court in suit number FCH/IB/CS/95/2011 had ruled in his favour, positing that Mbu’s predecessor in office had sworn to an affidavit not to tamper with the subsisting court order: “My greatest surprise is that as a top police officer, the state commissioner should check files and ask from those on ground about sensitive matters instead of engaging in unnecessary grandstanding.”

Tokyo called on the IGP to call the new state police boss to order, stressing that he should not through unguarded statement overheat the polity.

12 DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

ONDO GUBER POLL COUNTDOWN

AP wants court to stop Ondo election From TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure

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n less than a month to the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, the Accord Party (AP) in the state, yesterday, filed a suit at a Federal High Court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting the poll for failure of the commission to register the party for the election.

The party complained that its governorship candidate, Olawale Ojo James and his running mate, Olajenyo Ataunoko’s names were not published among other 13 governorship candidates accredited for the election.

Also, the party prayed the court to compel INEC to pay the AP, a sum of N3 million for delaying its candidate to embark on his campaign tour.

The counsel to the party, I. A. A. Aluko, in a Suit No: FHC/AK/29/2012 he filed on behalf of the party said, his client was validly nominated as the governorship standard bearer of the party.

Aluko said AP was a registered party with INEC, and was duly recognised and loved by Nigerians, adding that the candidate and his running mate were card-carrying members of the party.

According to him: “The party congress was conducted by the party national leadership and witnessed by INEC representatives, including S. A. Junaid (OPS), C. O. Beckley (PRO) and O. Fasusi (PPI).

“Acopy of the memo for the holding of the primaries, nominating the 2nd plaintiff as the governorship candidate in the October 20, is hereby pleaded and marked as “Exhibit A,” which same was received by Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC office, Alagbaka, Akure.

ACN leader raises alarm over security threats From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo

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chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, Mr. Bola Ilori, has raised the alarm that the forthcoming governorship election in the state is under security threat, following attempts by some politicians to use security personnel to manipulate the election.

Ilori who is the special adviser to Osun State Governor on Environment noted that the spate of political violence in Ondo State was threatening the preparation for peaceful conduct of free and fair election come October 20.

Ilori, in a statement issued in Osogbo yesterday, said: “If the political unrest in Ondo State continues, victims of violence might resort to self defence, thereby aggravating tension in the state.”

The ACN chieftain said the warning became necessary following the incessant attacks on members of the party by suspected political thugs. He also accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the leadership of the Labour Party (LP) of intimidation and harassment of the opposition members.

Describing the recent attack on ACN leaders in Ondo-east Local Government Area as gruesome, Ilori called on all security agencies in the state and at the federal level to prevent further political violence in the interest of peace.

Ilori also accused Mimiko of aiding the transfer of the divisional police officer of the local government, for refusing to compromise and grant LP’s wishes of punishing opposition members unjustly.

Ondo guber poll: Police combat ready -CP Danladi

By NGOZI UWUJARE

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he Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, Mr. Mshebwalla Danladi, said the command is ready and well prepared for the October 20 governorship election in the state. He said strong signals have been sent to all political parties: “We won’t tolerate any crisis in the state. We have been monitoring the campaign rallies of the various political parties and so far, we have not recorded any crisis.

We have been reminding the leaders of the political parties that we will appreciate their cooperation and peaceful conduct.”

He also warned politicians not to drag the name of the police into their acts of trading words: “We will remain neutral and we will not take side with any individual or group.

Whoever breaks the law will be punished as law is no respecter of anybody.

“Politicians should warn their thugs not to destroy government property. They should be calm and peaceful at their rallies. We don’t want political parties to engage the police in illegal duties.”

Danladi warned all the divisional police officers (DPOs) and the area commanders to supervise the junior ranks so that politicians would not used them for illegal duties. He said all logistics were on ground to ensure good monitoring of the election.

•Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko addressing a large crowd at a campaign rally in Oke-Agbe, Akoko, Akoko North-West Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.

Mimiko alerts Jega to plans by ACN, INEC officials to rig election From TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure

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he Mimiko Campaign Organisation (MCO) yesterday raised the alarm that some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are conniving with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), to rig the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The MCO called on the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, to monitor the activities of the commission’s officials alleged to have aligned with the ACN to compromise on the election day.

In a release issued by its Director of Publicity and Media Relations, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, the MCO said since it had dawned on the opposition that they would fail in a free and fair election, they had resorted to the underhand tactics of compromising some INEC officials.

It also disclosed that officials of the commission recently met with some leaders of the ACN in Lagos, to strategise on the rigging plans for the Ondo governorship election.

“A meeting recently held in the home of an ACN leader in Lagos with some INEC officials, where modalities were mapped out on the rigging plans in favour of the ACN candidate in the October 20 election.

“As a follow up to this, a meeting is to be held later this week in Dubai, in the Middle East, where a South-west governor who is most vociferous in the unbridled ambition of his party in annexing Ondo State is already waiting to receive them as a corollary to the Lagos meeting.

“We want to commend the efforts of the Jega-led umpire in conducting credible election and we salute INEC for the Edo State election and we are optimistic that the governorship election in Ondo State on October 20 would also be free and fair.

“But in order not to fritter away the gains by INEC in its duties and in accordance with its stance that there must be free, fair and credible elections in the nation, Jega must take more than a cursory interest in what is happening in Ondo State, by beaming his searchlight on the activities of some of his officials,” the statement read.

The MCO also warned the opposition not to attempt to subvert the popular wish of

the people, saying it would be better for them to throw in the towel now and not turn the state into a cauldron of violence.

“In a free and fair election, there is no vacancy in Ondo State and they know it; that is why they want to rig at all cost. For those who, for six years, which the people of Ondo State have termed ‘the six years of the locusts,’ they wasted our money on jaunts and hard partying, rather than on meaningful projects, until the people show them the way out; they can never fool our people again. And for those who are not only aliens in the state but are hell-bent on annexing us to a dying oligarchic empire; those who desecrate our land with their

darned symbol of filth, they will all lose their deposits on October 20. But to attempt to rig is to court trouble in Ondo State, as the people will not allow it,” the MCO stated.

“Never again, will we allow gunpoint democracy in Ondo State; October 20 election will be on the basis of one-man, one-vote and it is the people that will determine who their governor will be and not a godfather and their district officers. As a proud inheritor of the true Omoluabi heritage, as freeborn, opposed to slaves, we say away with slave masters! Away with emperors! The era of such is gone and Ondo State people will not worship a foreign god.”

…No you’re hallucinating, ACN replies Mimiko From TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure

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he Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO), has described the statement credited to the Mimiko Campaign Organisation (MCO), that the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has met with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on how to rig the forthcoming elections in Ondo Sate, as not only baseless and untrue, but as a product of hallucination.

ACO said: “Is it the same Bola Tinubu who joined hands with Mimiko to successfully prosecute the legal battle for retrieving his stolen mandate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007 that Mimiko is now accusing of trying to win election in Ondo State through rigging? Bola Tinubu who is a democrat and

a veteran in the struggle against anti-democratic forces in Nigeria, with international repute, would now turn around like Mimiko to work against his avowed principles.

“Indeed, it is very clear that Mimiko and his amorphous Labour Party (LP) have been rejected by the people of Ondo State. This explains why they have been spreading lies, cheap propaganda and promoting violent attacks against the opposition in a desperate move to hold on to power.

“We in the ACN do not need to meet with INEC officials to win elections in Ondo State. The question Mimiko should answer is whether we met with INEC officials before we won in Oyo, Ogun and Edo. We will win the October 20 election because the people of Ondo State have been able to see through the charade and cosmetic projects that Mimiko has been parading as his achievements for the

past three and half years.

“This is Mimiko who is powering a fountain with generator in Akure, where there is no pipe borne water, who has a litany of abandoned projects everywhere like the N1.5 billion doom-dome, Akure Township Stadium, N273 million Ile-Oluji Township Stadium, Ondo-Akure Road, Owo-Akure Road, among others.

“For us in ACO, we have called the national chairman of INEC on several occasions to investigate the activities of Mimiko as regards INEC in Ondo State. We have blown the whistle on his so-called biometric registration scam, which was actually intended to compromise the INEC database. Now that it is clear that they cannot carry out their nefarious activity, they are now trying to taint the ACN. It’s a case of the kettle calling the pot black.”

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012, 13

AREWA PDP senatorial primary: Jang’s former aide defeats ex-deputy Senate president From MARIAM ALESHINLOYE AGBOOLA, Jos

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eoples Democratic Party in Plateau State has conducted its primary election to fill in candidate for the October 6 senatorial bye-election to be held in the state with the former chief of staff to governor Jang emerging as a the flag bearer.

He defeated a former deputy Senate president, Senator John Wash Pam at the primary election held at Treasure Inn along Rayfied Road under tight security.

The former chief of staff Gyang N. S. Pwajok scored 305 votes while the former deputy speaker had two votes.

Two persons abstained from voting while two other did not turn up for the exercise; summing up the 309 delegates expected for the exercise.

Before the commencement of the exercise, which was witnessed by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Jonah Jang had announced that it was a brotherly affair within the PDP family, saying there would be no victor no vanquished; adding that the most important thing was for the party to win during the bye-election.

He said he had no preferred candidate as it had been portrayed in different quarters and that anyone that emerged victorious would be given the support to win during the election; pointing out the PDP was a democratic party and would allow the view of the majority to have their way.

According to him, already some of their opponents had began playing politics of deceit to discredit the party and therefore urged all the party members to go into the nooks and crannies of the state to campaign to ensure that the party won the election.

NIS to repatriate 150 illegal aliens

•L-R: Chairman, National Executive Council of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Aliko Muhammed; former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie and Secretary-General, Arewa Consultative Forum, Col. Musa Shehu (retd) at the council’s meeting in Kaduna yesterday.

9 senior citizens killed by gunmen buried •Journalists attacked at funeral ORUDE, bural when the angry youths pounced on them.

It was the quick intervenngry youths yesterday tion of security agents from chased away journal- the State Security Service ists who were at the (SSS), Nigerian Army and Christian burial ground in the Police that saved the Yelwa, Bauchi State to cover newsmen from being lynched the burial of the nine senior by them.

“They killed our people, citizens killed on Sunday in now you are here to take our Zango.

The elderly men were pictures and go and show killed at about 7.30 p.m. them so that they would laugh while playing draught in front at us,” the youths shouted at of a house in Zango, a suburb the journalists.

There were stern looking of Bauchi, the state capital.

Correspondents of The armed security personnel at Moment, Galaxy Television, Church of Christ in all NTA, BATV and FRCN, were Nigeria (COCIN) where the waiting to interview the funeral service was held.

The CAN Chairman, Revd Bauchi State CAN Chairman, Revd Lawi Pokti during the Lawi Pokti urged Christians

From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin

From PAUL Bauchi

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he Nigeria Immigration Service, Kwara State Command said that it had concluded plans to repatriate about 150 illegal aliens to their countries of origin.

The affected immigrants were nabbed in some areas within the Ilorin metropolis as part of measures to stem the precarious security situation across the country.

The Comptroller, Kwara State Command, Mr. Temilola Esan, who made this known during a press briefing in Ilorin said the command was putting machinery in place to curtail illegal border movement.

Esan told reporters that the agency had embarked on series of measures to ascertain the identity of aliens residing in the state, saying that the command would repatriate any alien that failed to register with the appropriate authorities. “ From time to time, we carry out operations on illegal immigrants. We try as much as possible to move out the nonNigerians who are not properly registered. “ Sometime ago the Federal Government launched a new policy that will enable citizens under ECOWAS sub-region and others to register their documents, which was code named as ECOWAS biometric card. It was through this policy that we were able to capture the data of many of them. “ I must also say that among the arrested aliens, we have thieves and escapees. We are going to conduct screening on them and after that, we will hand over criminals among them to the police for further action. “ Last year July, we moved out about 700 illegal immigrants on this same exercise. These people are so many among us. We are not angry about people coming here to work, when you come to a place you respect the laws of that place; because when you have a farm and allow it overgrow, you are not helping yourself,” he stated.

Kwara central to get 70 boreholes

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n a bid to make potable water more accessible to the people of Kwara Central Senatorial District, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki has facilitated the sinking of 70 boreholes in the area.

Saraki, who is the immediate past governor of Kwara State represents the senatorial district in the National Assembly.

A statement signed by his Communication and Strategy Adviser, Akintoba Fatigun indicates that the decision to sink the boreholes was a fallout of a recent consultation the senator held in the senatorial district.

According to the statement, the list of the areas that benefited would soon be updated on www.abubakarbukolasaraki.com It added that “if anyone believes that a particular area with an immediate need for a borehole is not included on the list , should kindly submit a written request through the website or visit the constituency office at the mandate building,Western Reservoir Road, Adewole area, Ilorin.”

in the state to be courageous, expressing dissatisfaction that government had done nothing to take pro-active measures on the prevailing insecurity challenges in the state, especially Tafawa-Balewa, Bogoro and areas dominated

by Christians in the state.

He urged Christians to be law abiding, adding that the attack was a rude shock to the entire Christian families in the state.

Pokti charged Governor Isa Yuguda to explore all means to ensure that lives and property were protected as a demonstration and commitment of the administration towards peace and unity in the state.

Also speaking, National President, Za’ar

Slain ex-prison comptroller-general laid to rest From PAUL Bauchi

ORUDE, everyone to be honest and to do the right thing at all times and to be truthful and honest retired Deputy with one another.” He Inspector General of described the death of Jarma Police (DIG), Alhaji as a great loss and prayed to Muhammadu Danmadami God to grant his soul eternal has called for honesty in tack- rest. In the same vein, the forling the insecurity bedeviling mer Head of Service of the Federation, Mahmud Yayale the country.

Danmadami gave the said the experience of losing a advice in an interview with prominent person as the forjournalists yesterday in Azare while reacting to the killing of the former Comptroller General of Prisons, Alhaji he Action Congress of Ibrahim Jarma by gunmen in Nigeria(ACN) has his house at Azare. The expressed grave conadvice was coming just as Jarma was being buried in cern and anxiety over what it Azare at about 4p.m. amidst considers a deliberate ploy to tears as sympathisers paid deny it right to justice and glowing tribute to the former frustrate its right of appeal in the Adamawa Governorship comptroller of prisons.

The retired DIG, who was Election Tribunal by the among sympathizers who Court of Appeal.

In a statement issued in thronged the house of the former DIG in Azare, said: Abuja yesterday by its “What is happening is very National Publicity Secretary, unfortunate and virtually Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the everybody knows what is party described as curious happening. The solution to it and worrisome, the fact that in my earnest opinion is for as of today, a mere three days

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mer comptroller as painful and bitter as it is was an experience from Allah.

Yayale said: “It is destined that some of us who are surviving before a short time before our death are destined that we should go through this trauma and it has been very pathetic, tragic and overwhelming to all of us. May his soul rest in peace.

Development Association (ZDA), Dr James Luka blamed Yuguda for handling security issues with levity, regretting that non of the government officials paid condolence visit to the families of the victims.

He lamented that Yuguda was aware of the recurrent road attacks on Sayawa ethnic nationals by Fulani herdsmen yet, government had failed to address the problems, pointing out that the attacks clearly justifies ethnic cleansing.

According to Luka , government had not done anything to stop the recurrent killings in the state, a development he added, make people to be living in fear.

Meanwhile, the state government, through one Pastor Kennedy, Masa’u a Director General in the administration, has given an undisclosed amount of money to the deceased’s families.

Kennedy, who said that the money was not meant to be as compensation, urged the citizens to disappear as the government was doing all it could to address the current security challenge.

He prayed that God would grant the souls of the victims peace and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Adamawa election petition: ACN seeks NJC’s intervention

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before the appeal becomes statute barred, the Court of Appeal had neither constituted a panel nor fixed a date for the hearing of the appeal Mindful of section 285(7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which says that an appeal from a decision of an election tribunal or court shall be heard and disposed of within 60 days from the date of the delivery of the judgement of the Tribunal, the party filed and served all processes within the time stipulated by law and by the

5th of September 2012, that is 15 days ago, the Appeal was ripe for hearing.

Concerned by the silence from the Court of Appeal despite this, two separate letters of reminder were addressed to the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, all to no avail, the party explained.

In the opinion of the party, the only logical conclusion for this bizarre conduct of the Court of Appeal in this matter is that it deliberately wants to deny the party and its candidate the right to be heard.

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DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012,

Foreign Affairs

A picture released by the Committee for Research and Independent Information on Genetic Engineering (CRIIGEN) shows a combination image of three pictures featuring rats with tumors after they were fed a diet of genetically modified (GM) maize produced by US chemical giant Monsanto. CRIIGEN researchers examined a two-year study, that shows the long-term toxicity of GMOs and chemical weed killer “Round-up”, establishing “alarming” results according to professor Gilles-Eric Seralini. Photo:AFP

Senegal abolishes Senate to pay for floods 26 killed in Mexico’s gas plant blast

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enegalese MPs have voted to abolish the senate as part of moves to help the victims of recent deadly floods.

President Macky Sall has said the money reserved for the upper house about $15m

(£9.5m) will also go towards preventing further flooding.

But critics say the aim is to weaken the opposition as most of the senators were supporters of the ex-president.

The 100 senators had fought to be retained, but lost

the vote in the joint session of parliament. The Congress also abolished the post of vice-president although noone has held the position since it was created in 2009 by then-President Abdoulaye Wade.

Low-lying suburbs of

Senegal’s capital, Dakar, flood during most rainy seasons, but this year has seen exceptionally high rainfall across West Africa. Thirteen people died in Senegal and it is estimated that thousands of people have been left homeless.

Japan’s decision to buy disputed islands, a farce – China •Demonstrators damage US ambassador’s car

Panetta, according to Xinhua news agency.

Meanwhile, a car carrying the United States ambassador to China was mildly damaged after becoming the target of

China’s sovereignty and terrihinese leader-in-waittorial integrity,” Xi said in a ing Xi Jinping meeting with visiting U.S. denounced Japan’s Defence Secretary Leon decision to buy disputed islands as a farce yesterday and said Tokyo should “rein in its behaviour” as China moved to snuff out anti-Japan protests.

•Raises questions about his foreign policy credential Relations between Asia’s get a little fissile material two biggest economies have etails of a secret film- let’s to Hezbollah, have them faltered badly, hitting their ing of United States carry it to Chicago, and then Republican presiden- if anything goes wrong, lowest point in decades on or Tuesday when China marked tial candidate Mitt Romney America starts acting up, the highly charged anniver- emerged yesterday, Romney we’ll just say, ‘Guess what? sary of the start of Japan’s appearing to declare how he Unless you stand down, why, occupation of its giant neigh- would carry out a terrorist we’re going to let off a dirty attack on America if he was bomb’. bour in 1931.

Tension had run high on leader of Iran.

“I mean this is where we It comes after footage of land and at sea, with four where America could the Republican secretly being have, days of major protests in filmed telling donors his job be held up and blackmailed cities across China and was “not to worry” about the by Iran, by the mullahs, by Japanese and Chinese boats 47% of American voters who crazy people. So we don’t stalking each other in waters back President Obama have any option but to keep around a group of East China because they pay no income Iran from having a nuclear Sea islands, known by Japan tax and depend on the state weapon.” The remarks made as the Senkaku and by China for healthcare, food and hous- pundits raise further questions about his foreign policy as the Diaoyu. ing.

At the same donors meet- credentials.

“Japan should rein in its New films, posted on the behaviour and stop any words ing, held in Florida in May, internet by left-leaning magaand acts that undermine Mr Romney said: “If I were zine Mother Jones, also Iran, a crazed fanatic, I’d say

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boisterous anti-Japan demonstrators who were expressing outrage over a territorial dispute and marking the 81st anniversary of Japan’s invasion of China.

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n explosion followed by a fire at a gas plant in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas has killed 26 people.

Mexico’s state oil company, Pemex, said the fire broke out at around lunchtime at its gas facility outside the city of Reynosa, near the border with the United States. Pemex said 26 workers had died, 22 contractors and four company employees.

The cause of the blaze has not be established, but the company says the fire has

now been extinguished. The plant is located by a road linking the cities of Reynosa and Monterrey.

After the explosion, which occurred around 11:00 (16:00 GMT), the road was closed for hours as ambulances and firefighters rushed to the facility to try to control the situation and rescue the wounded.

Mexican troops have also been called in to help. A similar accident occurred last week at a nearby plant owned

by Pemex, injuring four workers.

Romney’s secret film: How I’d bomb America

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showed Mr Romney seemingly dismiss Middle East peace talks. He said: “I look at the Palestinians not wanting to see peace anyway, for political purposes, committed to the destruction and elimination of Israel, and these thorny issues, and I say there’s just no way.

“You move things along the best way you can. You hope for some degree of sta-

• Obama

bility, but you recognise that this is going to remain an unsolved problem and we kick the ball down the field and hope that ultimately, somehow, something will happen and resolve it.”

Meanwhile, President Obama has used an appearance on a popular US talk show to respond to Mr Romney’s remarks that nearly half of Americans are “vic-

• Romney

tims” who depend on the government.

Speaking on the Late Show with David Letterman, Mr Obama said that the occupant of the White House must “work for everyone, not just for some”. He added: “One thing I’ve learned as president is that you represent the entire country. There are not a lot of people out there who think they are victims or simply entitled.”

Mr Romney, who held a hastily convened press conference following the leaked videos, has since insisted that his comments are evidence of a fundamental difference with Mr Obama’s Democrats over the economy, adding the US government should not “take from some to give to the others”.

DAILY SUN Thursday September 20, 2012

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DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

NewsPlus

Gov. Ajimobi re-commissioning the rehabilitated secretariat in 2012.

•Ex-Gov. Ladoja commissioning the secretariat in March 2007.

Row over Ibadan council secretariat

By AKEEB ALARAPE

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t was meant to showcase one of the numerous achievements of the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi in one year. Drums were rolled out and local entertainers struggled to outperform one another. Hangers-on of the government as well as authorities of the council, erected billboards and sang the praises of the governor to high heavens for the rare feat.

Some of the billboards still hung prominently at the entrance of the secretariat complex when Daily Sun visited the council recently. They commended the governor for his uncommon initiative. The plaque at the entrance of the building reads thus: ‘The Ibadan South West Local Government Complex, Aleshinloye, Ibadan is successfully rehabilitated

by Hon. Taoreed Bolaji Adeleke-led administration with the provision of these infrastructures - boreholes, public toilets, transformers, gate house, inner decoration et al. The complex is hereby declared open for public use by His Excellency, Governor Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi today, Thursday, 14 June 2012. To God be the glory.’

But since the commissioning (or inauguration, as stated by the government) of the new Ibadan South-West Local Government Secretariat, located in-between Alalubosa area and Aleshinloye market of Ibadan city, tongues have been wagging on the desirability of Ajimobi’s action.

Critics of the governor said the secretariat building was not a new project. They said it was built in 2006 by the Basiru Gbolagade Abiade-led administration of the council and commissioned on March 27, 2007 by the erstwhile governor of the state, Senator Rasidi Ladoja.

A resident of the area, Mr. Dada Abisoye, described Ajimobi’s action as fraudulent and a sheer deception of the public.

“How could he commission a project that he was not responsible for with such fanfare,” he queried.

His position was corroborated by another resident, a retired civil servant, Pa Oladimeji Akande, who queried the motive of the Ajimobi

• Ex-council boss, residents tackle Ajimobi over re-commissioning

•The rehabilitated secretariat. Inset: The plaque installed in 2007

government in claiming what it was not responsible for.

Pa Akande, who claimed to have witnessed the first commissioning of the council’s secretariat in 2006 by erstwhile Governor Ladoja, stated that the June 14 re-commissioning of the secretariat was uncalled for.

Former chairman of the council, Abiade, also expressed his disappointment on the action of his successor as well as the state government’s ‘unnecessary noise’ for being responsible for the project.

In a chat with Daily Sun, Abiade stated that the most painful aspect of his successor’s action was the removal of the plaque that was erected by him and which credited the project to his administration.

“I had just a month in office after the commissioning, which was after

Ladoja’s return from the illegal impeachment. My successor, Tunji Oyetunji, said the place was not big enough to contain the personnel of the secretariat but he constructed the fence of the new secretariat.

“My intention was to relocate the council office to the new site but there was a petition before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that we did not build the place, which we had to prove to the anti-graft agency.”

Speaking on the controversy, incumbent chairman of the council, Taoreed Adeleke, insisted that his administration met a dilapidated building at the site, which no right thinking person could call a council secretariat. He said whoever commissioned the place in the first place should be handed over to the EFCC. “We met a dilapidated building there which we completely renovated. Whoever commissioned the project should be handed over to the EFCC. There was no wall, no gate house at the site. The place had been

turned into a hideout of hemp smokers while people also used the place to graze animals,” Adeleke stated.

He said his team renovated the building, installed some needed infrastructure and relocated the council seat from Town Planning, along Ring Road, to the new site.

According to him, the gesture was to put an end to unnecessary waste of the meagre resources of the council, saying a whopping amount of N500, 000 was being paid to Ibadan Property Development Authority by the council over the use of the Town Planning Office.

On the removal of the plaque initially used in commissioning the project by Ladoja, the chairman denied knowledge of any erected plaque within the building.

But Abiade would have none of these as he challenged his predecessor to produce the pictures of the place before the so-called rehabilitation and commissioning.

“The roof was still intact. There were toilets within the building and soak-away was dug. If it was repainted, I have no argument about that but to say that the building was a dilapidated one, I won’t take that.

“One of Baba Adedibu’s sons did

the windows work and by the time the EFCC came to inspect the place, he had removed the windows’ louvres. He was invited by the EFCC and questioned and he confessed that he removed the louvres so that it would not be broken since the council had not relocated to the place. He was however asked to fix the louvres, which he promptly did “So, what was done there didn’t deserve a serious-minded government to commission or even inaugurate. When Adebayo Alao-Akala renovated Mapo Hall, he never claimed responsibility for building the place.”

Nonetheless, in a brief statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, on the day the new secretariat was re-commissioned, he had played safe with the choice of words as he described the function as ‘inauguration.’

“The governor also inaugurated the new headquarters of Ibadan South-West Local Government Council at Aleshinloye Area which had been abandoned for the past 21 years.

“He (governor) explained that his administration would not compromise quality in the execution of development projects in the state, adding also that there would be no room for wasteful spending. ‘“We were elected to serve and I want to assure the people of Oyo State that we will use our tenure to better their lives and turn things around in this state,’’ the governor was quoted as saying.

As the controversy rages, some supporters of the former Gov. Ladoja and concerned residents are threatening to drag the council boss before the EFCC for a thorough investigation to ascertain what was committed to rehabilitate the council secretariat six years after it was commissioned.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

DAILY SUN

17

NewsPlus

Naval officer goes gaga

By DANIEL ANOKWURU

R

ight now, a Lagos tenant is in agony. He is bewildered that his life could be turned into hell by a fellow human being, a naval officer, for no just cause.

And many people are wondering whether the military officer at the centre of this will go unpunished.

Fortune Kenechukwu says he’s being unduly punished by his landlord, a naval officer. According to him, Naval Commodore Okunbor, his landlord, recently invaded his mini-flat apartment at No. 28, Igbede New Site, Ajangbadi, with armed soldiers. Wearing mean looks and wielding military rifles, the men set to work as soon as they arrived, flinging Kenechukwu’s belongings far into the streets. Supervised by the lanlord, the military men dared anyone to stop them. Even when the Divisional Police Officer and his men attempted to intervene, Naval Commodore Okunbor allegedly called their bluff.

The story is better told by Fortune, a trader at the Alaba International Market, who hails from Enugu State. The young man had lived in the house for two years before the invasion and the subsequent devastation of his property.

“My landlord, Navy Commodore Okunbor, called me on Thursday, August 30, about 11pm. He called my line and was threatening me. He asked me if I still wanted to live in his house. I said ‘yes, sir.’ Before then, the caretaker had sent me a text message on August 8 that my rent had been increased from N100, 000 to N150, 000. But I told him it was good that he was informing me early so that I could start looking for another accommodation. So, that night, my landlord called me that if I wanted to move, he was giving me till the next day to pack out of his house. He said if not, on Saturday, September 1, he would send 10 soldiers to throw my things outside. He said he prayed I wouldn’t be around when they arrived, saying they would shoot my legs and cripple me.

“On Sunday, he called his younger brother that lives in the same building and asked him to give me the phone. He asked me: ‘Are you still in my house? I can see you are arrogant but I will show you what arrogance means.’At 12pm on Monday, the caretaker called me. I was at Maza-Maza. He said I should come home immediately, that the landlord came with four soldiers, broke my door and threw my things away. I said that was impossible since my rent had not expired. He said the landlord told him that it had expired. I said he should have told the landlord that it would expire by September 30 since he had the duplicate copy of the receipt. He said he had no time for my rubbish and that I should come and pack my things from the street.

“When I got home, I found out that all my things were outside as he said. I rushed to Ajangbadi Police Station and made a report. They gave me some policemen, who came with me, took photographs

•Sacks tenant with heavily armed soldiers, tells DPO to go to hell

•Navy Commodore Okunbor

•Kenechukwu with his belongings outside the house

•Receipt showing Kenechukwu’s rent will expire by September 30

and ordered me to break the new key with which the landlord locked the apartment door. They said I should pack my things inside, which I did.

“That same night, about 11pm, the landlord came again, this time with five soldiers. One was in uniform and the others were in mufti but they were all armed. The caretaker was also there with them.

They came in two cars. They came straight to my apartment, pushed my sister and two brothers away, and started throwing my things far away into the street. The landlord was threatening me. He said I should use all my power. So, I called the police again. When they came, the landlord intimidated them with

•Some of Kenechukwu’s belongings in the street the soldiers but the IPO, Sergeant Kayode, called the DPO, who spoke with my landlord on phone. The DPO was asking him if he actually threw my things outside again. He said yes. The DPO said he should have got a court order, that he couldn’t do something like that. He then asked all of us to come to his office the next day so that he could settle the matter.

“I went there about 8am and was there till 4pm but they did not come.

The DPO called the landlord on phone but he said if the DPO wanted to see him, he should bring me to his own office.

“My landlord is a naval officer,

serving at Oshodi. I don’t know how to face a military man. He said he had the power to do whatever he wanted in his own house. His men destroyed a lot of my belongings. In the afternoon, the men went away with my Sony 40-inche LED TV, a bottle of honey, a bottle of groundnuts and my pants and singlet. I don’t know what they wanted to do with my used pants and singlet.

They destroyed my chairs and the LCD TV in my bedroom.”

When contacted on phone, the landlord, who identified himself as Navy Commodore Okunbor, said he did what he did because Kenechukwu refused to pay his

rent. He said he was on his way to Abuja and would speak later.

Asked whether he gave his tenant a quit notice or got a court order, he replied thus in an SMS sent to our reporter: “Daniel, Ekene was not evicted from my house. He should pay his rent and remain. His first rent was September 10 - August 1, 2011 . At One Hundred and Twenty Thousand per annum. So, his second rent ended August 1, 2012.

Instead of paying the actual rent, he bargained to pay One Hundred Thousand Naira in order to pay One Hundred and Fifty Thousand this time. Now, he does not want to honour the gentleman agreement.”

He said also that his men were too big to steal, saying the victim was lying.

A receipt obtained by the reporter and signed by the landlord, however, indicated that the rent would not expire until September 30, 2012.

The DPO, Mr. Mohamed Kamaru, a Chief Superintendent of Police, told the reporter in his office that he was alarmed that a senior naval officer could behave in such a manner.

“I never believed it when I heard it, especially coming from a naval officer. The law is there for us. If he thinks the boy owes him, let him go to court. I sent my men there but what they saw was unbelievable.

This man came with soldiers fully armed with rifles. They were threatening to fight my men but I didn’t want the situation to become a fight between soldiers and policemen.

Even when I spoke with the man on phone, he was so proud of his action. Anyway, I have told the boy to sue him to court and claim damages. We invited him and his caretaker but none of them has shown up.”

The victim is still stranded, with his household items lying in the street.

18

DAILY SUN Thursday September 20, 2012

Avoidable capital flight to Ghanaian universities

T

he recent revelation that Nigerians commit a staggering N160 billion to the education of their children and wards in Ghanaian universities every year is disturbing. This figure, recently released by the Chairman, Committee of ProChancellors of Nigerian Universities, Dr. Wale Babalakin, is the cost of university education for about 75,000 Nigerian students in that country.

The amount, Babalakin explained, excludes huge amounts also spent on education of Nigerians in other countries such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada and Malaysia. This huge cost of university education in Ghana and other countries is an avoidable capital flight. It is the result of decades of neglect of education at the tertiary level in Nigeria.

There is no arguing the fact that education is grossly under-funded in Nigeria. As in past years, the Federal Government’s allocation to education in the 2012 budget fell far short of the recommendation of the United Nations Economic Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) that nations commit a minimum of 26 per cent of their annual budgets to education. This is what obtains in some of the countries to which Nigerians are sending their children to universities at a huge cost. Ghana has been reported to have committed between 26 and 35 percent of its annual budgets to education in the last ten years. Kenya is said to commit roughly 24 percent and South Africa, around 26 percent.

But in Nigeria, instead of adequate funding of our universities and increasing access to the institutions, we neglect higher education with the result that the institutions are lowly ranked, while the quality of their graduates is being questioned in many quarters. The impact of this under-funding is very well known. Several studies have highlighted the inadequacy and obsolescence of facilities in the institutions. Most of them suffer a dearth of highly qualified and dedicated lecturers. University calendars suffer instability as agreements between lecturers’ unions and the federal and state governments are observed more in the breach by the authorities, leading to incessant strikes.

Instead of a vibrant varsity education sector to harness the potentials of our youths, the institutions

are treated with condescension. The other levels of education in Nigeria do not fare any better, with the nation reaping gruesome results in different forms of insecurity fueled by a growing army of uneducated, frustrated, misguided and violence-prone youths. This necessitates even greater funding for security, to the detriment of critical sectors such as education. Yet, we do not experience the security we desire.

To reduce the capital flight to Ghana and other countries in the quest for university education for young Nigerians, it is important that we increase the vote for education. The practice of committing pittance to education in Nigeria must stop.

President Goodluck Jonathan increased the budget for education in the 2012 appropriation, compared with past years, but he is yet to hit the 26 per cent mark. He should continue on the upward trend and improve the vote for the sector in 2013. All hands should be on deck to get Nigerian universities out of the doldrums.

University education should be resuscitated to reduce the penchant of our compatriots for rushing to foreign universities at a high cost. The growing decline in quality of university education in Nigeria should be arrested. We need to be serious with this sector if our graduates are to compete effectively with their counterparts from foreign universities and contribute their quota to national development.

We cannot blame Nigerians for the rush to foreign universities. People, all over the world, want the best that they can afford for their children and they will go for it wherever it is available and affordable.

What the authorities must do is to address the failure of education in Nigeria. It is a big shame that while Ghanaians, some years ago, cherished education in Nigerian universities, the opposite is now the case. This unhealthy situation is a challenge to both Nigerian education authorities and lecturers.

Let proprietors of all universities in Nigeria properly fund their institutions and improve access while lecturers strive to improve sliding standards. While it may be true that Nigerians’ penchant for everything foreign may be fueling the rush for foreign education, good standards and facilities at home will make varsity education in Nigeria a more sensible choice for discerning parents and students.

COMMENT

LETTER Buhari, Boko Haram and the Northern establishment ONE of the greatest ironies of Nigeria’s current political dialectics is the fact that the only man who probably has the moral authority to end the Boko Haram imbroglio also happens to be one of the men most distrusted by the northern establishment and the government.

Characteristic of the sectionalism and obduracy that followed the bitterly divisive 2011 presidential elections, some Nigerians still hold on to the idea that former Head of State and opposition leader, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, is behind Boko Haram and had promised to make Nigeria ungovernable if he lost the election.

This charge goes against the grain and substance of Buhari: As an army captain in the 1960s, he fought for Nigeria’s unity. As a general in the 80s, tasked with removing marauding Chadian rebels and bandits who had been pillaging Nigerian towns and killing citizens, Buhari not only chased them out, he followed them far into Chad and, in his own words,

gave them a ‘bloody nose’. His action secured that border from foreign fighters for the next 20 years. Would Buhari have betrayed the people of Bakassi?

Anyway, what is the connection between Buhari, Boko Haram and the Northern establishment?

One arm of the tripod is the Boko Haram insurgency. Despite the religious colouration, the movement is basically a rebellion against a feudal system that seeks to enslave the majority while a privileged few – mostly traditional rulers, military brass and business elite – control the political and economic spaces. As a reaction against decades of oppression, a deliberate policy of emasculation and ever growing poverty, the group is only the most visible and violent.

The second arm of the tripod is the Northern establishment. Before the British conquest in the early 20th century, the emirates in the north had well developed and highly efficient social and political systems that were essentially feu-

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dal in nature, separating rulers from peasants.

With British control came Western education.

As in many parts of Africa, initially only the children of peasants were sent to schools – only to come back as powerful colonial clerks and messengers. Realizing the powers of western education, the establishment quietly tried to limit the ‘commoners’ access to education.

Which was why, when the then Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, introduced Free Education in 1955, the North, already educationally disadvantaged, did not copy the policy. And that is why today, for example, Ogun state alone has more universities than the entire six states in the North-east Zone. There are more private universities in Ogun state than the entire north has. The result is that in virtually every area of human enterprise, the region lags behind other parts of Nigeria.

The third arm of the tripod is Gen. Buhari.

The simple fact that he is educated should make him part of the establishment. That he joined the military and rose to the rank of General should make him a prominent leader of the establishment. That he was a military governor, petroleum minister and head of state

should make him one of the richest members and de facto leader of the establishment.

But Buhari is none of these. Not only has he displayed an aversion to the politics of exclusion that is the ideology of the establishment, he also committed a cardinal sin when as Head of State, he offended (and even arrested) highranking members of the clique. Theoretically, Buhari lost his bid for the presidency in 2003, 2007 and 2011, but in reality, he lost long before then. Actually, Jonathan had no reason to campaign in the north, nor expend as much public funds as he did during the elections because the establishment would have stopped Buhari by any means. It was a matter of life and death.

Until the establishment develops just and equitable systems that would confer them with moral authority, until leaders with moral authority get the needed political influence to create a progressive society and until Boko Haram realizes that killing and maiming innocent people will bring neither political clout nor moral authority, the region may continue to reel in confusion.

Salisu Suleiman Lagos.

CMYK

DAILY SUN

Thursday September 20, 2012

19

Is WIC convention substantive? (2)

N

ow that the curtain is drawn and participants are well-settled in their respective homes with their normal daily routines, I’m compelled to delve into what the five-day World Igbo Congress gathering actually accomplished. So, in this concluding part of ‘Is WIC Convention Substantive,’ I’ll examine some of the significant projects, Igbo Renaissance Fund and Igbo Regional Medical Center of Excellence, I think will transform the Southeast geopolitical zone and the surrounding Igbo areas if they are successfully implemented.

Before I get into the subject, let me caution that Nigerians, particularly the Igbo, do not lack lofty ideas. We are known to spit out a laundry list of novel ideas in a moment’s notice that so often lacks actionable procedures for a successful execution. Therefore, the seeming substantive nature of the just concluded WIC convention will depend largely on the measurable incremental or intermittent observable progress in those resolutions and projects well articulated at the conference. Anything short of a measurable progress from now on in Igbo Renaissance Fund and Igbo Regional Medical Center of Excellence will be tantamount to a colossal failure that would reverberate around the Igbo land as people’s optimism has been raised and expectations could not have been any higher.

Thus, failure is not an option since it will be anathema to the theme of the convention, “Oga n’iru Ala Igbo”—the Progress of Igbo Land. In fact, more than any period in our history, Igbo land now urgently needs veritable and executable actions devoid of clichés.

Well, in an act of esteemed magnanimity, Professor Pat Utomi, member of WIC Think Tank and the Chief Launcher of WIC Igbo Renaissance Fund, successfully launched the highly touted Igbo Renaissance Fund with a very significant pledge in dollars. The fund and its targets are designed to facilitate the building of a world class Igbo Regional Medical Center, a 120-bed hospital in Igbo land. The medical facility will be a research-based hospital that will provide high quality medical care to the people in Nigeria. The medical facility will mirror closely the standard and quality of medical care in the United States. The hospital will help cut down on unnecessary waste associated with

VIEWS FROM AMERICA

Acho Orabuchi a_orabuchi@yahoo.com medical treatment abroad—medical tourism to India because the quality of care the facility will provide to the people will be comparable to what is obtainable in the Western world. The question, therefore, is: When is the groundbreaking for the project?

The site of the Regional Igbo Medical Center has not been decided. However, it has been agreed that the first state in the Southeast geopolitical zone that donates the needed land and part of the money for the construction will earn the right to select the site. “The first state governor that donates about 50 hectares of land and 5% of the estimated cost, $150,000,000, will decide the site of the hospital,” Joe Eto, Chairman of World Igbo Congress, announced.

In any case, there will always be some encumbrances of funding such a gigantic project. However, those may be mitigated by the desire of a large number of Igbo businessmen to contribute towards the project. Most importantly, WIC has a sleuth of funding sources based on its admission into the ECOSOC of the United Nations. In its release, WIC said, “WIC will seek Private, Public Partnership in her quest for immediate and successful establishment of a Regional Medical Center of Excellence anywhere at homeland to provide healthcare delivery of international standards to our people and mitigate the avoidable runaway and often unsuccessful and untenable ferreting of terminally-ill Igbo to opportunistic foreign entities.”

Additionally, WIC has a three-tier structure to fund its activities. The second tier structure, which attracted a minimum of $1000 per person, had swollen at the end of convention and during the banquet with many people in line to make their own contribution.

For the third tier of funding, the communiqué of WIC stated, “A 3rd tier segment that allows the Igbo to invest unlimited amounts (return on investments, ROI, to be determined by retained professional Finance Management Firms). This fund targets regional development of the Homeland and seeks to encourage location of private sector enterprises na ala Igbo. Funding Sources and Investors are not limited to Igbo enterprises or persons. The details of this funding tier will be made available to the Public as the Chief launcher, Prof. Pat Utomi, working with other Finance Experts works out very clear guides on the model.”

Considering the high rate of infant mortality and mortality rate in general, such a medical is long overdue in the area. Perhaps this will be a life-saver for so many people whose life would have been cut short because of inadequate medical care. Nevertheless, for so many, the wait could seem eternal.

The Igbo Renaissance Fund will also be used to build a Heavy Equipment Spare Parts Manufacturing Factory in Igbo land. The factory will serve as a “spring board for revamping the Technical and Vocational Schools, that further revives agricultural, automobile indudtry, and other industrial factories necessary to improve employment and reduce crime in the region,” according to the released communiqué.

Also, part of the Igbo Renaissance Fund will be used to develop communication infrastructure in all Igbo areas to enhance and “upgrade commerce and sustain the interface between home-bound doctors and the Diaspora Igbo doctors in the Health Center of Excellence Project.” In support of the project, “Mr. Obi

Thompson pledged to provide the much needed infrastructure by way of broad band and fiber optics for the hospital project.” In the same token, “Mr. Tony Nnadi pledged to provide Security for the hospital project site from inception to construction completion.”

In other resolutions, WIC strongly encouraged the Igbo to build good relationships with her neighbors. Thus, it resolved “that the Igbo must build bridges to their neighbors, especially their kith and kin in the contiguous homeland and actively pursue sustainable regional cohesion and power as a means of righting the wrongs of Nigeria as presently constituted.”

The participants also resolved that “WIC will support the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in her position that the Federal Government of Nigeria should appeal the international ruling on Bakassi peninsula that detached the Bakassi indigenes from their kith and kin in Cross River State and exposed them to irreversible harm, before the deadline for Appeal.”

Some of the attendees that participated and contributed significantly to the resolutions enunciated in the communiqué were Ambassador Raph Uwechue, Prof. Michael Echeruo Prof. Ebere Onwudiwe, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Chief Theodore A. Orji, Governor of Abia State (Represented by his Special Adviser on Diaspora Affairs, Chief Kingsley Megwara, His Excellency Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Former Governor of Abia State and Chairman of ANPP, Chief Chike Momah, an Igbo literary giant, Mr. Chuks Iloegbunam – an Igbo Journalistic legend, Chief Rex Onyeabor, a PDP Chieftain, Dr. Obi Nwakanma, Secretary, WIC Think Tank, and Chief Obed Ariri. So also were Dr. Leo Akujobi, Dr. Jonathan Nwilo, Dr. Ethelbert Okere, Atty.

Uzoma A. Ofodu, Atty. Edwin Nwokocha, Barrister Mike Ahamba, Chief Bonny Ebili, Uche Ezenwaka, Chief Sam Nwankwo, Dr. Richard Nwachukwu, and Prof. Anthony Ejiofor, the Executive Director of WIC. Based on chatters surrounding WIC activities, many people are optimistic that World Igbo Congress will succeed. They are betting on WIC to triumph.

You may follow me on twitter.com/achosr.

Who owns the continental slope?

I

BY GOWIN NZEAKAH n an outlandish federation like ours, the abrupt revival of the long-settled issue of onshore/offshore crude oil dichotomy should not come to anyone as a surprise.

Even though any fresh debate is absolutely unwarranted, let us oblige the protagonists at least as a calculated diversionary tactic by elements who in the past couple of months have tried but in vain to find a catchy topic that could get Nigerians talking in a direction other than the Boko Haram conundrum, which the North has found difficult to tackle. But in our discussion let us also have at the back of our mind Montesquieu’s immortal saying that the sense of justice was present in man even before his creation. The fear of danger in the expected debate on the matter may not be completely unfounded, but normally, no clear and present danger can ipso facto emanate from free and unhindered speech.

As a US Supreme court judge pointed out a few years ago, the remedy for any perceived or real danger posed by free speech lies not in enforced silence but in more speech, before the occurrence of the perceived peril in order to nip it in the bud; because enforced silence could be fraught with implosion resulting from pent-up feelings. Yet it bears clear mention here, for record purposes that the issue of onshore/offshore dichotomy that has continued to haunt the polity is regrettably one of the thousand and one tragic problems created for us as a nation by Northern generals and their Southern surrogates who held us to ransom for over three decades during which, propelled more by self-interest and nepotism than patriotism and swayed by cake-sharing syndrome , distorted the critical foundations of the federation and audaciously gave their regions of origin indefensible numbers of states and local governments – the same

structures we are now being told have become either bankrupt and unsustainable or failed outright as the chickens come home to roost.

The most devastating blow to our federalism came in the form of the distortion and perversion of Chapter 9 Sections 129-145 of the 1963 Republican Constitution of Nigeria, which was a glowing tribute to the unrivalled maturity, wisdom and sense of justice of our founding fathers in dealing with the finances of the federation. Part II of that constitution dealt with allocation of revenue. Its highlights included Sections 136, 137 and 138 which among other things provided for a Distributable Pool Account into which were paid 30% revenue from import duties levied on any commodity other than motor spirit, diesel oil, tobacco, wine potable spirits, and beer. A major indication of lack of justice and equity in our federal association today is the unhindered enjoyment of VAT proceeds from tobacco and alcoholic drinks by elements that do not smoke or drink: a glaring case of monkey dey work, baboon dey chop? Section 137 of the 1963 law provided that proceeds of the import duty on motor spirit or diesel oil should be paid quarterly to the regions in proportion to their consumption of those commodities. Ditto for import duty on tobacco; while Section 138 specifically provided for allocation to the regions of all excise duties on tobacco and allied products produced in Nigeria.

Similarly, export duties on hides and skins came under Section 139 and were distributed proportionately to the regions of derivation.

Section 140 clearly and unambiguously granted 50% of the proceeds of any royalty in respect of oil or minerals extracted from any region to the region from where such oil or minerals were derived. The section also made it clear that the term “minerals” included crude oil derived from the Continental Shelf

which was treated as an integral part of the oil producing littoral state.

Unfortunately, the military came and reduced the proceeds payable to oil producing state to about one percent and also introduced the onshore/offshore dimension which Gen. Babangida was persuaded mainly by the pleas of Mrs Christy Essien-Igbokwe to abrogate in 1992 in sympathy with Akwa Ibom state, only for President Olusegun Obasanjo to reopen the controversy in 2002 and, upon popular pressure, bring it to an end in 2004.

Today, it is true that fortune has smiled on the people of the Niger Delta region but we must not forget that it has not always been so.

Therefore, in envying we must not rob them of whatever benefits they may be enjoying today as a result of the location in which providence has placed them.

Historians talk of the Glacial Epoch or Ice Age when 27% of the world’s land or about 15 million square miles froze up, forcing population drifts hither and thither. The worst hit at the time, it is believed, were littoral habitats while the hinterland enjoyed relative safety.

Again the first degrading blows of imperialism and colonialism as from the second half of the 19th century were absorbed by the littoral city states and their rulers while their hinterland counterparts were insulated. In Opobo King Jaja was lured into a gunboat and exiled to the Caribbean in 1887. In 1894 Nana of the Itsekiri was attacked and his fortress at Ebrohimi sacked. He was exiled to Calabar. It was the turn of Benin City in 1897 when a British expeditionary force sacked the ancient kingdom, stole thousands of artefacts and exiled Oba Ovanramwen. Before this time, the City state of Brass and its rulers had been attacked and sacked also for not allowing free access to European traders on the coast.

For more than a decade and a half the Niger Delta insulated the rest of Nigeria from

the degradation of imperialism. British gunboat diplomacy was never telling on the Nigerian interior and hinterland until 1900-8 when places like Sokoto, Kano and Aro Chukwu fell. Even today the littoral states as veritable buffers are not free from danger in a dangerously volatile world that has come to be noted for illicit nuclear traffic, especially across international sea routes. The consequences of any nuclear leakage today say, for example, from a faulty submarine on the Gulf of Guinea may be felt in the Niger delta the same way they feel the impact of oil spillage in the area. No one should count this as a remote possibility bearing in mind that the Obasanjo Administration was as reckless as to introduce Nigeria to nuclear technical knowhow and its radioactive components. A keg of nuclear water spilled anywhere in Nigeria today, especially in the Niger Delta area, could produce exactly the same harmful effect as the radioactive fallout of America’s H-bomb test in 1953, which an ill wind blew eastward to the Marshal islands.

An account by Norman Moss in his book Men Who Play God showed that a few days after the nuclear test, all 236 inhabitants of the island fell ill. “They vomited and their skins itched and burned and most developed sores.

Rongelaap Island remained radioactive for a while and it was three years before the islanders were able to return. By then their palm leaf huts had rutted on their silts and crumbled”. Such is the fate of coastal communities.

The Continental shelf is but the downstream part of the Continental Slope. As the Romans say cujus est solum ejus est usque ad coelum (the owner of land owns all the land below the surface and all the space above the land. Period.

Nzeakoh writes from Lagos.

CMYK

20

DAILY SUN

Thursday September 20, 2012

Another round of fuel scarcity

BY NELSON EKUJUMI n the prelude to the inhuman, insensitive, callous, invitation to anarchy and undemocratic raise in the price of petrol per litre under the guise of removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal

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government on January 1st 2012, the government and its propagandists like its predecessors employed the same worn out old tune among others that its so called subsidy on petroleum products meant for the Nigerian people was being hijacked by a cabal. Even after pretending to engage the society on this contentious issue in which public spirited individuals and groups came up with facts and statistics to puncture the government's line of argument and established that what the government called subsidy was in actual fact nothing but entrenched corruption in the oil industry which needed urgent and patriotic action to combat.

But alas, the whole country was taken aback when the government against reality of facts and figures, reasoning and democratic principles unilaterally increased the price of petrol per litre from N75 to N144 on January 1st 2012 without consideration for its socio economic implications on the society. The consequence was that Nigerians took to the streets nationwide to assert that sovereignty indeed belongs to the people for whom government exists for their welfare and not the other way round for days which somehow resulted in a reduction toN97 per litre.

In the heat of the oil subsidy removal debate, it was incontrovertibly established that Nigeria was the world's 7th largest producer of oil without an accurate data of its production level, the only OPEC member country who exports crude and imports refined products with its attendant

economic loss as well as the only oil producing country in which oil theft is the order of the day as confirmed too by President Goodluck Jonathan at a recent public event.

In the midst of the socio-economic quagmire instigated by the Federal government action, the House of Representatives hurriedly reconvened and set up a committee to investigate the subsidy regime. The committee after months of public sittings in which the state agencies and actors in the oil industry testified, came up with a report that was mind bogging to conscientious persons with revelations of monumental corruption and thus confirmed the long held position of nonstate actors about colossal corruption in the oil industry clothed in the garment of fuel subsidy.

It took the relentless agitations of the media, public spirited individuals and groups before the government shamelessly admitted its failure and unwillingly arraigned the suspected oil subsidy payment thieves in the courts which are still ongoing. But we are still watching.

Ever since the government took the undemocratic step to economically punish the masses for its mismanagement of the oil sector just like other sectors of our national life by raising the price of petrol per litre, we have not known peace with negative developments unfolding everyday in the oil industry.

However, what is mind puzzling today is the official silence on combating the ravaging fuel scarcity that is fast spreading nationwide and which has the tendency to further economically dislocate our already comatose economy. This perennial scarcity of fuel is a fallout of the failure and mismanagement of the fuel industry by the unitarist federal government which has castrated our four refineries and has refused to either build

or put in place enabling laws to encourage the private sectors or state governments to build new ones to service local consumption. Today, we have shamelessly become a net importer of refined petroleum products which have made us as a people to be at the mercy of the oil cabals whom the government claims benefits the fuel subsidy payments.

This scarcity of petrol has been prevalent up North and in Abuja the federal capital territory for months now, owing to claims and counter claims over payments for fuel subsidy between the federal government and marketers which even involved National Union of Petroleum, Energy and Natural Gas-workers (NUPENG) threatening a nationwide strike action. Just when we thought this matter had been laid to rest, the scarcity is now spreading and ravaging states in the South East, South West and has hit Lagos over the weekend as a result of fractured pipeline in Arepo, Ogun state according to unconfirmed official source.

However, one is shocked and alarmed that days after the killing of three engineers of NNPC who went to effect repairs on the fractured pipeline in Arepo village in Ogun state by vandals in which their labour union have told its members to retreat because of insecurity, the government with all the apparatus of state have not deemed it fit to arrest the criminals for prosecution but have turned a blind eye to this violation of the laws of the land and allowed this economic infraction of fuel scarcity with its attendant implication to spread. Or is the government going to negotiate with these criminals to protect the oil pipelines by paying protection fees just like they have done with vandals in the Niger Delta area at the expense of our security agencies who are constitutionally empowered? Time will

tell.

Today, we have become a country where criminality pays and thus perpetually under siege from oil cabal, Boko Haram, oil vandals, armed robbers, kidnappers, sea pirates, cultists, rapists, arsonists, etc. Or what does one make of the fact that criminals are prowling freely in a country that has constituted authority but is shirking in its responsibility? We have lost all sense of shame in the comity of serious minded people, hence our pitiable state.

In the same vein, one cannot but commend Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano state who recently declared the readiness of his state government to access Niger Republic for its petroleum products needs in view of the failure of this unitary system of looking up to NNPC and the cabal for supply. With this initiative, who knows, petroleum products might even be readily affordable and available in Kano state than other states in Nigeria which have had to endure the unending pain and exploitation of the cabal?

One is thus recommending this type of panacea or the building of refineries by the states governments which have oil in their land so as to boost our economy by creating jobs and also save us the shame of being at the mercy of economic saboteurs.

Until we return to practising true federalism in deed and not in words in which powers and responsibilities are devolved to the federating units like it is done in federal states all over the world, because our country is a multiplicity of nations that are endowed materially and humanly in different ways by the Almighty, we would continue to be under siege and bondage from enemies of the people.

Ekujumi writers from Lagos.

Nigeria's war on terror

BY EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO he last two years or so in Nigeria could easily be described as the worst period of unprecedented terror-related violence and general state of insecurity in which thousands of innocent Nigerians have lost their precious lives and property especially in Northern Nigeria.

Because of the increasing spate of bomb attacks targeted at churches, government institutions and other flashpoints in the North East and North West of Nigeria by armed Islamic rebels, most Nigerians are now apprehensive and fearful of the unknown In most states in the South, the dare-devil activities of criminal gangs that have unleashed a regime of violence, armed kidnappings for ransom payments and armed brigandage has now made most people to be unease and the inability of the operatives of the security agencies to combat this upsurge in violent crime has increased the general climate of fear in Nigeria.

There is obviously a comedy of error on how best to fight and effectively win the war on terror in most parts of Nigeria because of what is seen as serious institutional disconnect among the security agencies of government and even the Nigeria's foreign ministry officials. The justice sector has also failed to deliver justice to arrested terror suspects.

While the Inspector General of police Mr. Abubakar Dikko Mohammed has shouted from the roof tops that soon the security operatives would effectively tackle the rising trend of terror- related attacks but the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petirin stated in clear terms that counter-terrorism operations do not have time frame.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) stated thus; “The issue of terrorism or criminality is a difficult thing, once people import it into any society, it is not always easy to completely wipe it out but we have to continue to manage it and be conscious of our security more than before. In the United States for instance, there hasn't been any

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serious attack since the 9/11 episode but the country and Americans have remained more watchful than the pre-9/11 era, they have been managing the problem. So, I can't give you a definite time when the crisis will be over but what I know is that we are on course”.

The Chief of Defense Staff spoke so very well but a missing link is that Nigeria has no clearly defined national policy on security even as the nation's security architecture is still weak.

To add salt to injury, the government through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs appears disorganized and not fully committed to wage relentless and intelligence-driven war on terror. The policy flipflops of top foreign ministry officials have denied Nigeria of any possible security assistance from foreign governments to battle the scourge of terrorism that has spread like wild fire.

The Nigerian government committed the willful blunder of stridently opposing the United States government's proposal to brand Boko Haram in Nigeria as a terrorist group and the Nigerian government's opposition has therefore weakened the dimension of anti-terror fighting involvement of the international community within the territory of Nigeria even when it is clear that a lot of the sophisticated weapons used by the insurgents in the North are smuggled into Nigeria from the many porous borders. Nigeria has therefore failed to properly secure her borders.

Another fundamental blunder that the Nigerian government is committing in the war against terrorism in Nigeria is the absence of the necessary law reforms that would have quickened the dispensation of justice in the cases of the suspects arrested for their involvement in the series of bomb attacks and mass murders.

The ongoing fight against terror-related violence in most parts of the North is undertaken in the notorious business-as-usual posture of most government officials so much so that there is total absence of accountability and transparency on how the dispensation of justice to arrested terror suspects is going on.

The other day, the media reported that unspecified number of ille-

gal weapons confiscated by operatives of the joint military task force in the North are being kept in the same store house that legal weapons belonging to security agencies are kept and in fact the media quoted security sources as stating that some of these illegal weapons taken away from the terrorism suspects may end up being re-possessed by other non-state actors.

The biggest comedy of error on the ongoing Nigeria's war on terror is that the Nigerian government has done nothing pragmatic in the last ten years to improve the standard of detention facilities in prisons across the country thereby making it possible for terrorism suspects to be detained in some facilities that are not meant for dangerous suspects even as many of these persons arrested for terrorism offences have escaped from these sub-standard detention facilities.

What then is the essence of waging war on terrorism if the same government is doing nothing by way of bringing the suspects of terrorism to swift and decisive justice? Why does Nigerian government pay lip service to the dispensation of Justice in compliance with section 6 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria? Why is the government promoting impunity and lawlessness and thereby exposing thousands of innocent citizens to the danger of untimely deaths through the dastardly criminal acts of armed terrorists?

To buttress my point that there is a huge comedy of error at play in the name of fight on terrorism in Nigeria, let me remind my readers that only on Thursday September 13th 2012, the media reported that the commander of the Joint Military Task Force in Maiduguri, Borno State, bemoaned the unfortunate fact that the number of detained terror suspects has over-stretched the capacity of the facilities under the control of the joint military task force.

When will the government end this spectacular comedy of error and truly begin to battle terrorism to save Nigerians from extermination and extinction?

Onwubiko writes from Abuja blogs@www.huriwa.blogspot.com.

Anambra oil and Kogi State A

BY ROMANUS OKOYE fter the declaration of Anambra as an oil producing state by President Goodluck Jonathan, some groups and states are now laying claims to the ownership of the oil field in the state. For now, oil being the mainstay of Nigeria's economy, states can go to any length to make claims and have their names in the comity of oil producing states.

It is against this background, that neighbouring Kogi State is laying claims to part ownership of Anambra river basin where oil exploration has started. For people of Kogi, truth is so sacred that they have to employ unthinkable techniques to lay claims to their ownership of the oil area. In this situation, it does not matter to them if truth should walk on its head to prove their point.

The story in Sunday Guardian, September 16, 2012 was an attempt to rewrite history by the people who spoke with the reporter on the ownership of oil field being developed by Orient Petroleum. The truth of the matter remains that the area belongs to Anambra State.

According to a former two-term local government Chairman of Anambra West, Hon. Ralph Okeke “the history of Anambra oil dated back to 1972 when Shell BP discovered oil and gas in commercial quantities in some communities along Anambra basin.

The communities are Aguleri Otu in Anambra East council area, Nzam and my own community Oroma Etiti Anam in the neighboring Anambra West coun-

cil area”.

He explained that these oil wells were properly covered and tagged “Anambra Strategic Oil Reserve” by the Federal Government and Shell BP had been paying royalties to these communities since then”=Moreover, Hon. Okeke, who was also a twoterm representative of Anambra East/West Federal Constituency at the National Assembly said he moved a motion in the House of Representatives in 2004 that the Federal Government should recognize Anambra State as oil producing state. “This motion was overwhelmingly supported without much debate. The reason was that, if Anambra oil is strategically reserved for the future use of the country, then the state should be recognized as oil state” he said.

“It is as surprising as well as embarrassing. It is clear that our Ibaji neighbours in Kogi are deliberately misleading Kogi State government and this is unfortunate. Ibaji people of Kogi know those natural features like Odah and Inalo rivers used by the colonial government as boundary between Kogi and Anambra on that axis.

“They know that these oil wells are very far away from the boundary line into Anambra territory and that Aguleri and Anam youths have been guiding these oil fields and receiving royalties since 1972.

The drilling of the remaining two oil wells at Oroma and Nzam will soon commence because according to Orient Petroleum, they are meant to go side by side with that of Aguleri Otu and I wonder if Ibaji people will also come claiming them.

“It is a fact that successive governments in Anambra State have invested a lot into Orient Petroleum to make the dream of oil and agricultural production a reality. These efforts of past governments were capped by Mr. Peter Obi and today we have seen the result and this is what other states should emulate. As the chairman of Anambra West Council in 1999 that was during Chinwoke Mbadinuja regime, I witnessed the formation and growth of Orient Petroleum. I personally led members of the state Energy and Power Committee headed by the late Chief Mrs. Oby Okoli together with the Managing Director of Orient Engr. Emeka Nwawka to the oil sites at Aguleri Otu, Nzam and Oroma.

“Kogi state should look inwards and partner with the federal government to develop the huge natural resources, both solid minerals and oil lying idle underneath her soil. If it is oil, I am sure that the oil that was found in Anambra basin can also be seen in Ibaji and Idah areas of the states. It is now becoming fashionable for states to sit back and complain of low allocation share and poverty and struggle to change constitution and revenue formula, so that the 13% given to oil state would be reduced to attract more money to their states. This is poor arithmetic and bad economics. Even if you remove the entire 13% derivation and share it to all the entire states, it will make no difference in solving the financial needs of the states and the nation at large. That will only extend poverty to the present oil states of which some are presently trying in terms of development and that

becomes share wickedness.

Rather, what will create wealth and boost the economy of the states as to look inward and find ways of creating wealth through the development of the natural resources that abound in their states in partnership with federal government and even foreign partners mostly from China. States should use the little oil money that come to them now to establish revenue yielding activities before it is too late, especially industrialization. This is the only way Nigeria can cope with her over 160 million high taste population. We can no longer continue to depend on oil money which grows only by price but not in quantity because of OPEC ceiling. The yearly revenue of the country is too small for our population and this was what inspired Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to reveal to us that the entire Nigeria budget then was not up to the budget of the US fire service.

“Yearly national revenue of 5 to 6 trillion naira cannot sustain this large country, therefore our “all powerful and all independent governors” should champion a positive change. This time not of revenue formula because that will not increase our wealth, but a change from their present monthly ritual of going to collect their meager share of our meager and overstretched oil money to more hand work to discover other sources that could significantly increase the wealth of the state and the nation at large, instead of waiting for only one man at Aso-Rock”.

Okoye writes from Awka.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

Memories

Philip Nwosu 08176449110

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

Today in History

US Embassy blast kills 20 On this day in September 1984, a suicide bomber attacked the United States Embassy in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

The bomber - a member of the extremist group, the Islamic Jihad - drove at high speed up to the main drive of the consulate in a truck, containing 500kg (1,102 lb) of high explosives.

Guards opened fire on the vehicle but it exploded right in front of the embassy, killing at least 20 people. Dozens more were injured and the front of the five-storey building was ripped off.

Among the injured was the US ambassador, Reginald Bartholomew, who was buried under rubble and had to be rescued by the visiting UK envoy, David Myers.

The bomber was able to get so far into the compound by using a vehicle similar to others in the US embassy fleet, fitted with diplomatic plates.

The attack follows two other bombings by the Islamic Jihad on American targets in the last 18 months.

The embassy had only been open six weeks after the previous one was blown up in April 1983, killing 61 people.

The extremist faction was also behind a devastating assault on a US Marine base in Beirut nine months ago, which left 241 people dead.

The Islamic Jihad - who are allied with the Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran - said it had attacked the embassy because it did not want a single American to remain on Lebanese soil.

US President Ronald Reagan told reporters the attack was a painful reminder of the menace of terrorism, but said US citizens could not crawl into a hole.

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Edna Park, Miss Nigeria at the Miss Universe Pageant held in Miami in 1964

Benin shuns security meeting with Nigeria On this day in September 2003, Benin Republic shunned a security meeting scheduled between it and Nigeria over the closure of the Seme border by Nigeria.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun and Benin security chiefs had agreed that both should meet in Abuja to straighten out security lapses, which gave room to armed bandits and smugglers from Republic of Benin to terrorise Nigerians.

But it was gathered that officials from Benin neither showed up for the meeting

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scheduled to hold at Force headquarters in Abuja, nor send any message.

The proposed meeting was aimed at further strengthening security at the border between both countries. Also slated for discussion at the meeting was the issue of joint patrol by security operatives of both countries. This is aimed at stemming cross-border crimes, which have become rampant and in recent times, resulted in incessant robbery incidents with attendant carting away of valuables as well as loss of lives.

On the agenda for discussion at the

botched meeting was also the issue of extradition of criminals. This was prompted by the recent recovery of some vehicles stolen from Nigeria among which is a jeep belonging to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Comrade Adam Oshiomhole.

First Cannes Film Festival On September 20, 1946, the first annual Cannes Film Festival opened at the resort city of Cannes on the French Riviera. The festival had intended to make its debut in September 1939 but the outbreak of World War II forced the cancellation of the inaugural Cannes.

The world’s first annual international film festival was inaugurated at Venice in 1932. By 1938, the Venice Film Festival had become a vehicle for Fascist and Nazi propaganda, with Benito Mussolini’s Italy and Adolf Hitler’s Germany dictating the choices of films and sharing the prizes among themselves. Outraged, France decided to organize an alternative film festival. In June 1939, the establishment of a film festival at Cannes, to be held from September 1 to 20, was announced in Paris. Cannes, an elegant beach city, lies southeast of Nice on the Mediterranean coast. One of the resort town’s casinos agreed to host the event.

Films were selected and the filmmakers and stars began arriving in mid-August.

Among the American selections was The Wizard of Oz. France offered The Nigerian, and Poland The Black Diamond.

The USSR brought the aptly titled Tomorrow, It’s War. On the morning of September 1, the day the festival was to begin, Hitler invaded Poland. In Paris, the French government ordered a general mobilization, and the Cannes festival was called off after the screening of just one film: German American director William Dieterle’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Two days later, France and Britain declared war on Germany.

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DAILY SUN

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Lagos robbery: You’re safe, CP tells residents

By NGOZI UWUJARE

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he Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko, has assured residents of the state that the command is ready to protect them and their properties, just as he urged them to always provide the police with useful information on criminals and their hideouts: “Without the support of the public it will be very difficult to succeed in our task of eliminating or reducing crimes in the state.” He said Lagosians who became a bit worried over the robbery incident in Ikeja penultimate Sunday should be rest assured of adequate security.

He assured the Inspector General of Police, Mr M.D. Abubakar and Governor Raji Fashola (SAN) that he is on top of the situation: “I have instructed my divisional police officers (DPOs) and the area commanders to be vigilant and be up and doing as we must rout out the criminals from the state.”

He said several armed robbery suspects were arrested and arms and ammunition recovered. Manko said within the last six months he has tackled armed robbery and kidnapping cases which according to him, are the major problems confronting the state.

Over 244 armed robbery suspects were arrested in various locations in the state and that the command retrieved over 938 round of ammunition. He said many of the suspects are under investigation while others are undergoing trial in various courts in the state.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

TALKBACK

The PHCN pension fund in London U ndoubtedly, the Jonathan administration wants regular power supply to be etched as one of its achievements. Like regimes before it privatisation of the behemoth, which has since changed from National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is on track to achieving the target.

But reports last week that 2.2 million pounds (567 million Naira) pension funds, belonging to the organisation had been traced to Barclays Bank in the United kingdom, will detract from the laudable moves to unbundle and privatise the firm for more efficient services as has been fairly exemplified by the telecommunications sector.

Consequent upon resistance from staff of the organisation, who said they would be badly short changed should they yield to privitisation given that their pension had been stuck in murky waters and they were unsure of their future if they walked away and new players failed to find them useful, the immediate past minister of power, Professor Barth Nnaji, set up an eight-man investigative panel, headed by former Auditor General, Joseph Ajiboye.

Their report came due when Nnaji had resigned, which was why they gave their findings to Minister of State for Power, Darius Ishaku, in Abuja, last Monday. The investigation dated back to 1990.

Ajiboye, while presenting the report, said: “We found that there is about 2, 204, 814.18 pounds still in London unutilised and we understand that there has been efforts to retrieve the money that is lying idle in Barclays Bank… We also feel that

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Femi Adeoti

The fear of break-up Myriad of challenges Only few persons lose sleep over Nigeria’s myriad of challenges. Majority of our people love the country the way it is. It is through the ballot box that one can read their mindset.

Now, if injustice, corruption and extreme heartlessness are eradicated, how can many people survive? Is corruption not the biggest employer of labour in our country today?

How can a student who had no business with his studies obtain his certificate after all? How can criminals contest and “win” election? How can oil thieves remain in business? How can generator importers and marketers be happy to hear there would be regular power supply in the country?

The man that will save Nigeria from the murderous claws of the cabal that holds it down must have the heart of a suicide bomber. He must be Jonathan ready to sacrifice his life for the people to be free.

It is just one man that can do this, not the crowd. break-up callings. It is time aggrieved groups Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu, Abuja table their problems for solution, rather than call07030981551 ing for a break-up. It is always difficult to build in times of crisis. Let us embrace peace for Diseased at inception nation-building.

Femi, thanks for your narrative on the diseased Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia at inception called Nigeria. I enjoyed the comi- State cal bit on how Lord Lugard and his wife arrived 08179322168 at the name Nigeria, possibly at a tea table session.

Eye opener The picture of that climax must have been so Yes, Mr. Adeoti, your piece on “The problem interesting. I guess they went laughing while with our break-up” is an eye opener. But our holding their tea cups, dancing to the guttural leaders are selfish, they are afraid of losing their laughter of Lugard and the shrill, not knowing positions in the present government should they they were naming a moribund child with incur- look into the peaceful ways of break-up. able diseases at birth.

Enn. Anolue, Aguata, Aguluezechukwu.

Nigeria’s amalgamation (1914) is the most 08037114167 unfortunate political marriage of all times and unless your advice, which is shared by many Fantastic piece sensible Nigerians, is applied, the result is preYour article, “The problem with our breakdictable. up,” was fantastic. The Middle Belt Forum supFemi, please, disabuse your mind of Nigerians ports it. But who will bell the cat? being naïve. The truth is that they do not see the 08025402083 heck in dying for Nigeria, because of her corrupt leadership class. But when they will react, hell Nigerians’ sycophancy shall be let loose. I pray it does not happen.

Nigerian leaders do not care a hoot. They take Amen. advantage of Nigerians’ sycophancy and praiseLai Ashadele, singing for lucre. When not in power, they opt 07067677806 for resource control, national conference, etc.

Constitution review, only solution When in power by hook or crook, they love Constitution review is the only solution to Nigerians more than themselves. Just to main-

DAILY SUN

tain the status quo for selfish interest.

Who among the rulers could have preferred the devil union if they were suffering as already pauperized Nigerians amid plenty? Tell me, your Jonathan from the zone had been clamouring for self-control since the era of Adaka Boro, could not make good use of his office to trash out the knotty issue if not for ego and selfishness?

Today, same man is immortalized in the zone as his ideals mean nothing to the son from the zone. We cannot continue like this. One day, Arab Spring will be here.

08034282719 Nigeria’ll never break up The problem with our break-up threats is that they are wishful and the only real thing about it is our cowardice. Nigeria will split!

Okay, who will break it? is it the warlord who signed and took his pension as a colonel from the Nigerian Army? Or is it the contractor-militants?

Nseabasi King, Uyo 08055584237

femotadeoti@yahoo.com 08186847248 and do what the children did to Ekan. But again, who will bell the cat?

Edohoeket Smart. Eket, AKS 08034816848 Why not encourage Jonathan?

Femi Adeoti, God will surely bless you for telling Nigerians and opposition the truth about Jonathan. Remain blessed.

08057228483 We’re our own fault Hello Femi, yours of Daily Sun, 16-8-2012; “We should encourage Jonathan,” was an excellent piece. The fault, dear Femi, is in ourselves.

America never handled terrorists with kid gloves. If any member of my family is a bomber, he should be killed. No amnesty to a killer.

Nzom B.I. 08166416156

Very articulate Good luck on platter of gold Hi, I am Nivora, 15 years old, based in Aba. I Before the presidential election in 2011, I just read your column in Daily Sun titled: “The prayed and asked God to show me who among problems with our break-up.” It was really articthe candidates that sampled themselves for the ulate and very true. Good work, sir. election would lead Nigeria out of her countless 081662144269 woes. The man that was God’s favourite, according to the revelation I got, came from the Gospel truth What you said in your column, Thursday, South West part of Nigeria. That was God’s September 6, 2012, is nothing but the gospel choice.

But, because we are in a country where virtutruth. But do you think they will listen? No! ally everybody wants their will be done against They will not.

They want us to fight and shed blood so that God’s, Nigerians rallied round Jonathan and they will benefit from our misery. They will sell installed him President. Yours sincerely is not a guns and ammunition. They say we got our prophet, but God cannot do anything without independence on a platter of gold. We ought to revealing it to His servants.

In that revelation, I was told that Jonathan have fought for between 10 and 20 years.

They are saying, you needed freedom? Now would leave Nigeria three times worst than he that you have got it, what do you do with it? So, met it. This is why I have always objected to let us now fight for it, may be, after the bitter war, those who erroneously think they have found we may know what to do with freedom. good luck on a platter of gold by making South Africa now knows what to do with free- Jonathan the President. dom because they know the worth of freedom.

Is God not confirming that revelation today?

But ours is unfortunate. It has never been so.

Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu, Abuja We need a revolution in this country. It costs 07030981551 less than war. If only they will face the bad eggs,

Alvan Ewuzie

alvanatsun@yahoo.com

SNAP Shots

the successor companies 07082020392 of the PHCN should be made to account for the money they spend…We urge a full audit of monies that have been given to successor companies, especially the monies for pension…’’

On how the money found its way to London Ajiboye explained that PHCN had expatriate staff in its fold whose pension was paid through the said bank. But the irony for which fraud or sheer financial carelessness could be inputted is that no such staff is still alive, which makes the account unnecessary. Why is the account still existing and funds still remitted there? It implies that authorities have no record of their pensioners or ulterior motives propelled such payments.

More findings showed that between 1990 and 2010, N53. 6 billion had been paid into the PHCN superannuation funds, broken down to N1.7 bilOkonjo-Iweala lion between 1990 and 1999 and N15.2 billion remitted between 2000 and 2010.

It is pertinent to restate here that PHCN staff pension fund is not funded as the case is with had sought to put spanners in the works of the police and military pensions…since the company unbundling and privitisation process on account has been recording losses for some years now, of 25 per cent allegedly deducted from their there were some times no money was set aside to salaries but was not reflected when disengage- fund the pensions…’’

The irony is evident that a company in dire ment talks commenced. But the panel found that as the former minister and his aides kept saying financial strait to fulfil its obligations would have no money was deducted from any worker’s salary such huge funds stashed away abroad and its local for that purpose, findings from meetings with staff have their pension funds in the red. The National Union of Pensioners and payslips up to panel’s recommendation that the funds be April presented by PHCN workers, showed that returned ought not to be swept under the carpet.

Every effort must be made to return the money. there was no deduction made. “Áll 25 per cent remittance into the supeanua- The Nigerian High Commissioner in London tion fund was made by PHCN management. The must be at his best to ensure that the much need-

ed funds are returned in order to lighten the burden of the power company and smoothen the unbundling and privitisation process, which is well under way.

As at August, some companies had emerged as preffered bidders for power plants in different parts of the country. Phoenix Electricity, Transcorp Consortium and Anporon Power distribution Limited had been pencilled down for Uhello Power Plant while GPN Nestoil and CMEC are for Sapele plant. Anporon is bidding for Geregu and Mainstream Solutions is eyeing Kainji while North South Power Company Limited is bidding for Shiroro. These firms were pencilled down before Nnaji’s sudden exit.

The point is that pension issues have dogged the process as workers seen unsure of their place in the unfolding scheme of things. The PHCN, has for years, operated in-house pension scheme, known as Superannuation Pension Fund, an arrangement that runs contrary to the Pension Reforms Act, 2004.

The minister of state has promised to look into the report. The incoming substantive minister must not let this go the way of several other reports that ended at the point of presentation of recommendations. Those who caused these funds to be paid should be made to come to justice just as fuller audit should follow this report.

The emerging firms should not be burdened with unfinished pension matters for them to face their new task ahead and provide power to Nigerians.

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DAILY SUN Thursday September 20, 2012

DAILY SUN Thursday September 20, 2012

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DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 20, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity 2015: PDP and the renewed quest for S’West

•Igbokwe Ahead of the 2015 general election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has renewed its quest to take over the reins of governance in the South-west. NDUBUISI ORJI writes on the ruling party’s ambition and the hurdles he storm is gathering in the South-west. It is in connection with the 2015 general election. Though the election is still some two years away, political gladiators in the area are already gearing up for battle. The impending political showdown is for the political soul of the zone.

The South-west is the stronghold of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Presently, the party controls five of the six states in the zone while the Labour Party (LP) controls one state. But recently, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared its intention to take over the zone in the next election.

Though the PDP controls the Federal Government and 24 governorship seats as well as majority of seats in the two chambers of the National Assembly, the ruling party has been unable to maintain a foothold in the South-west to the consternation of its leaders.

Recently, President Goodluck Jonathan declared that his party must take over the reins of power in the south west in 2015. Jonathan spoke through his special adviser on inter-party affairs, Senator Ben Obi in Oshogbo at a reception in honour of a former governor of Osun State, and PDP National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. For the president, 2015 is PDP’s expected year to take total control of the South-west.

But that would not be the first time Jonathan will be declaring openly his party’s interest in the ACN stronghold. In the run up to the last presidential election, he made a similar boast, stating that: “Lagos is a commercial centre and the ruling party must control the state. We will take over Ekiti, Osun and Ondo States. Before 2015, we will take over the South-west. Southwest is too educated and civilized to be left in the hands of rascals.” As part of measures to make the party’s dream a reality, Jonathan reportedly met with former PDP governors from the South-west, a forthnight ago to apparently fine tune measures to wrestle the area

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•Oyinlola from the ACN. Long before the President’s declaration, PDP leaders in the zone had boasted severally that they will rout the ACN in the zone in the next election. The party’s National Vice Chairman (South-west) and former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Segun Oni had stated repeatedly that the days of ACN as the ruling party in the zone are numbered.

On its part, the ACN described the PDP plans to take over South-west in 2015 as mere daydream. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says that the leadership of the PDP is merely seeking to be relevant. According to the ACN spokesman “The South-west is completely out of bounds for them (PDP). There is no amount of manipulation or grandstanding that will sway the people and allow the PDP to come back in the south west.

“I keep telling the PDP that they should be more concerned about states they are controlling because those states will fall to the ACN. They will try but they will not succeed. We are not perfect, but we will respond to issues as they come we are also proactive.”

This is not the first time the PDP would be targeting the South-west. It would be recalled that in 2003, during the tenure of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the party had said it was going to capture the zone. It made good its threat as it over ran the zone taking over Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti from the Alliance for Democracy (AD). It was only Lagos State that survived that onslaught. In the 2007 general election, the ruling party retained all the states it won in 2003 and made spirited attempts to add Lagos to the list of its conquest.

But again, Lagos eluded it.

However, in a twist of fate, the PDP lost Ondo, Osun and Ekiti to the LP and ACN respectively at the state election tribunals in the aforementioned states between 2009 and 2010.

While it lost Oyo and Ogun States in the 2011 general election.

The Lagos State PDP, in keeping with the desire of the President and party’s top hierarchy to over-run the South-west in 2015, particularly the much coveted Lagos State, said the die is

•Shelle cast for the next general election.

The chairman, Lagos PDP, Captain Olatunji Shelle at a recent press briefing said it is overdue for its party to govern the state. He said this because Lagos has not fared well under the ACN government in the past 13 years.

“We believe it is now overdue for our party to form the next government in the state and 2015 is our target to realize this goal. We are committed to this agenda,” he stated.

But the ACN publicity secretary in Lagos State, Mr Joe Igbokwe says the PDP is turning the issues of governance into a huge joke.

Igbokwe told Daily Sun that the PDP can never win Lagos State or any of the states in the South-west.

He says this is because the people of the zone are very comfortable with the ACN administration. The ACN publicity scribe said it’s works in the zone will always speak for it in every electoral contest.

In his words “We are turning this into a joke.

Politics is supposed to be a serious affair. When people turn serious issues of governance into mediocrity, we don’t need to give way to what they are saying by replying. In the South-west, Lagos where I work, the only thing we have to say, the only story we have to tell the people is the work.

“So, if you say you want to come and takeover South-west, they will ask you what you have done. We always tell them (PDP leaders), you have been at the helm of affairs for 14 years now, what have you done? All the things you promised fourteen years ago, are still there.

So, what are you going to tell them(the electorates).Take Lagos for instance, what will the

“On its part, the ACN described the PDP plans to take over South-west in 2015 as mere daydream.

The party, which spoke through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated that the leadership of the PDP was merely seeking to be relevant.”

PDP tell the people?”

Like Shelle, the publicity secretary of the PDP in Lagos state, Mr. Taofik Gani said there is no stopping his party in the 2015 election. Gani told Daily Sun that the PDP has it needs to wrestle ACN to the ground in the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State.

Taofik is enamoured by the modest success his party recorded in the past local government election in the state. He says that shows the party can win the governorship election in the state.

“We did it in the local government election, where we drove them away. We did all that to let us win the number of local governments we won. If we have done that, won election conducted by their LASIEC (Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission), be rest assured that in 2015 we will win the governorship election. The PDP has got its compass to take us to Alausa come 2015,” Gani enthused.

Igbokwe says the ACN is used to such boasts from its rival. “They said it in 2007.They boasted they will do it. We were going round the polling booths, thinking that we had people that will challenge us, only for us to get to the polling booth, we didn’t see anybody. Where ACN is getting 200 votes, you see PDP getting five votes. In 2011, they brought Dosunmu and made all the noise because they had to make noise so that Abuja will think that they were working. But at the end of the day, Fashola won. Lagosians cannot trust them. Two, they don’t have history of hard work”, he noted.

The hurdles Beyond the stranglehold of the ACN on the politics of South West, the major obstacle to the PDP actualizing its dream in the zone is internal wrangling within its fold. Virtually, the six states chapters of the party in the zone are enmeshed in one crisis or the other.

Oni admits that it was this infighting that cost his party victory in the zone in 2011 Though the ruling party strongly believes it can handle the South West to its kitty, the Ondo State governorship election which comes up next month will be a test of the PDP’s preparedness to take control of the politics of the South West between now and 2015.

Thursday, September 20, 2012 DAILY SUN

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POLITICS...&Polity T

here have been agitations for autonomy for the Yoruba nation within Nigeria’s context in the recent past. But the recent efforts spearheaded by the newly launched Yoruba National Assembly, under the leadership of General Alani Akinrinade (rtd.), has put nobody in doubt about the seriousness of the race to break out of the yoke of oppression, marginalisation and backwardness. RAZAQ BAMIDELE reports.

The genesis Having watched the pathetic state of the Yoruba race within Nigeria’s context, in recent times, an elder statesman, Chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), and former Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army, General Alani Akinrinade (rtd.), put up his thinking cap and decided to do something to arrest the drift.

And after wide consultations among various stakesholders across the country, he, along with a handful of members of his team, concluded plans to convene a body to be christened Yoruba National Assembly (YNA). His team comprised Dr. Amos Akingba, Dipo Famakinwa, Ayo Afolabi, Kunle Famoriyo, among others.

The agenda, according to the activist leader, Akinrinade, was “to convene a Yoruba National Conference that would liberate the race in particular and at the same time prevent the imminent disintegration of the country.”

Akinrinade, a civil war veteran, made this clear at a pre-conference luncheon/media parley in Lagos, recently where he expressed fears that “this house called Nigeria is creaking and requires urgent steps to save it from sudden collapse.”

According to him, the country was moving towards the end of the road in line with the prophecy that its disintegration in a few years time was imminent, regretting that “our size, which should be an ingredient for growth and progress, has been the bane of our development.”

The concerned elder statesman, who pointed out that Nigeria was composed of several ethnic groupings each of which was large enough to be a nation on its own, asserted that “things are not working to the benefit of all and sundry because the structure is faulty and needs urgent surgical operation to correct.”

He stated that with all the emphasis within his disposal “until true federalism, correct democracy backed by a workable constitution become the order of the day in Nigeria, there will always be complaints of marginalization, injustice and imbalance in the polity.”

Against this background, Akinrinade, who emphasised the need for negotiating the country’s unity said “only tax and death are not negotiable,” warning that “non-negotiability led to the disintegration of the USSR.” While reminding that Yoruba, from the time of their progenitor, Oduduwa were federalists themselves, therefore called for a conference that would allow every aggrieved nationality to table their grievances with a view to discuss in a give and take manner without leading to disintegration.

The Ibadan family meeting that held penultimate on Thursday, Akinrinade explained “is not the first one, because the first one was in the 1990s and followed up in 2005,” adding that “it is to check, update and revalidate Yoruba stand on the manner of our coexistence in this country as a nation.”

He concluded thus: “We have to be realistic, we are on the way to the end of the road and even perfidy. And instead of brick biting, mudslinging and talking to ourselves from far away, we should sit down around a table and talk. No nation survives two civil wars. And if that becomes our lot, God forbid, it will be the fault of all of us.”

The Conference proper True to Akinrianade’s words, on Thursday, August 30, all roads, from across the country and beyond led to Ibadan, the political melting point of Yorubaland where the agenda for unity to seek autonomy was tabled, discussed and a communiqué issued at the end of the day.

The session Speaker after speakers, were unanimous in their call for regional autonomy for the Southwest in an atmosphere of true federalism in

Yoruba and the search for agenda

Nigeria. It emphasized unequivocally that regional autonomy would not undermine or subvert national unity, maintaining that it could only solidify national cohesion and harmony.

The consensus views of the attendees were, among other things, introduction of state police, return to parliamentary system because the federal system is more cumbersome and expensive, abolition of Land Use Decree, regional constitutions and role for traditional rulers.

Highlights of the conference included a historical presentation by a member of the planning committee, Mr. Dipo Famakinwa, who traced the tragedy of Yoruba nation from the colonial period to the present day Nigeria, goodwill messages from delegates, and passing of resolutions on the national question.

The General Assembly therefore resolved to set up the South-west Constitutional Commission “for the purpose of coordinating memoranda from citizens and groups in the region towards a federal constitution for the country and of producing a constitutional framework for the region as a unit of the Nigerian federation”.

Not left out in the arrangement was the Itsekiri nation, which was represented by Chief Fred Agbeyegbe, who expressed regret that there would be no hope for Nigeria, unless a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) is convoked to discuss the basis for peaceful co-existence among the ethnic nationalities in the country.

Another Itsekiri leader, Isaac Jemide, lamented the ethnic aggression against the ethnic nationality by Ijaw, urging the Yoruba to assist frustrate Ijaw’s bid for separate state as a means of further oppressing Itsekiri on their land. He said Itsekiri had suffered unjust deprivation, enjoining the ethnic nationalities to advance the cause of national conference to

boost their demand for self-determination.

The representative of Yoruba in Kwara and Kogi States, Ayo Abereoran, demanded for the creation of a separate state for the Yoruba in the two states to accommodate 14 Yoruba councils in Kwara and Kogi States. He said the new state should be part of the South-west geo-political zone, following the restructuring of the polity.

His submission: “Grouping with the North has separated Yoruba in Kwara and Kogi from their kith and kin in the South-west and this has retarded the progress and development of Yoruba in those states. State creation have made Okun Yoruba in Kogi and Yoruba in Kwara to become more weakened, despite the fact that Yoruba occupied 12 councils and have the largest population in Kwara State.

“Willinkson Committee recommended that the people of Kabba and Ilorin Provinces can decide whether they can remain in the North or become part of the South-west. They said they wanted to become part of the west, but it was not implemented. We want self-determination and correction to the geographical imbalance and erroneous boundaries created by Lord Lugard”.

Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who spoke on behalf of South-west governors, put the national question on the front burner, saying that state police, restructuring of the polity, and decentralisation of the railways are priorities.

He said the fears expressed about state police were unfounded, adding that it would only foster security in the states.

And to achieve all the items on the Yoruba agenda, Ajimobi said “it requires courage and boldness,” asserting that “whoever is afraid of death would not ascend the throne of his forefathers.”

He therefore called for collective fight for the Yoruba’s cause maintaining that the cause must be fought for collectively “irrespective of our political, social or religious biases.”

An activist, lawyer and financier of the ProNational Conference (PRONACO), Asiwaju Bisis Adegbuyi, urged the Assembly to make use of the draft constitution of PRONACO with a view to using it as a launching pad.

According to him, the document was a well researched one that could serve the purpose of Yoruba Agenda with minor updating and modification warning that “Nigeria can rupture if we don’t restructure.”

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sabur Dimeji Bankole supported the idea being canvassed by Akinrinadeled group, saying “General Akinrinade, who

fought for the unity of this country is a credible personality to follow,” reminding that “he was also part of NADECO that fought for restoration of democracy through which some of us took political offices.”

A Senior Advocatte of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Niyi Akintola urged the Assembly to revive the concept of omoluabi with which Yoruba was known for in terms of respectability and credibility, just as he advised that “our youth should be prepared for the challenges ahead.”

Agenda The Convener, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd), said the meeting, which was devoid of political and religious sentiments, was summoned to deliberate on the future of Yoruba under the lopsided federal arrangement in the interest of future generations.

He rejected the notion that certain issues are not negotiable in Nigeria. Akinrinade said: “All matters, including the unity of Nigeria, are negotiable”, adding that the former apostles of non-negotiability in defunct Yugoslavia and Rwanda are today either in jail of facing criminal trials.

He stressed: “We need to examine the structure of the polity together and make recommendations on how to facilitate the overall economic development of the country and the Southwest zone, in particular. We need to brainstorm about how to make sure that the architecture of governance is designed to strengthen the unity of the country through a constitutional system that favours restoration of regional autonomy that made it possible for our region to create the largest pool of manpower in sub-Sahara Africa half a century ago”.

Akinrinade said Yoruba has a nostalgic feeling for the glorious Awolowo era, noting that the unprecedented developments recorded by the late sage and first Premier of the region, were possible because Nigeria before independence practiced true federalism.

The former Chief of Defence Staff said: “ Only a proper constitutional and political agreement, enhanced by a consensus among Yoruba to press for the restructuring and creation of a truly federal constitution, can help resolve the current constitutional and structural logjam in the country.

“This Assembly is convened to start the process of restoring true federalism with its cornerstone of regional autonomy in our country.

This could be achieved the same way Scotland has, through a peaceful constitutional process, demanded home rule within the framework of the United kingdom.”

•Ajimobi

•Akinrinade

•Akande

“This assembly is convened to start the process of restoring true federalism with its cornerstone of regional autonomy in our country.

This could be achieved the same way Scotland has, through a peaceful constitutional process, demanded home rule within the framework of the United kingdom.”

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DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

POLITICS...&Polity

CHOSEN WAY

Osun PDP and the limits of denial

By WALE BOLORUNDURO

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ur attention has been drawn to the recent publication credited to Mr. Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State of Osun, accusing the current administration in the state of propaganda and misinformation, particularly concerning the manner of financial management of the erstwhile administration of the PDP in the state.

As much as we had decided to ignore these disparagers, their absurdities and unending and unfounded allegations, it is important to react to the referenced publication made in Thisday of Monday September 3, 2012. This is considered necessary given that the issue of the N18.38billion Term loan facility, obtained from United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc by the administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, raised in the publication, is of course in the public domain.

We therefore have to set the records straight on the issue to avoid misinformation, capable of diverting the attention of the citizens of the state from the lessons that need to be learnt on why usurpers should not be allowed to run the economy of a state.

PDP’s claim of disbursing only the sum of N10billion from the N18.3billion term loan obtained by Oyinlola administration is gratifying as it further raises some questions on the genuineness of the intention of the Oyinlola administration on the facility amount. This is so considering the fact that the monthly repayment obligation of more than six hundred million (N619,294,837.82) on the facility was calculated by the bank based on the whole facility amount (irrespective of the undisbursed portion).

Thank God, PDP agreed that the loan passed to our administration was N18.3 billion out of which the party admitted that Oyinlola spent N10billion, therefore, it is no brainer to know that to bring N18.3billion loan down to N8.3billion, you require to pay N10billion which is higher than the amount left unspent by that administration when we came in.

Our review and findings on the projects being financed with the facility showed that the level of work completed by the contractors (as indicated by the various certificates of completion) is abysmally low when compared with the level of disbursement. In addition, the manner of management of the facility by the lender (UBA) led to our decision to negotiate a fresh and well-structured N8.3billion term loan from First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc to take out UBA. For avoidance of doubts, the referenced facility from FBN was obtained at an interest rate of 10 per cent per annum and 12 months moratorium period with five year repayment period. So you can therefore see that the claim that the loan was negotiated at 13 per cent per annum was patently false. The long tenor of our refinancing makes the yield lower and therefore, a saving for Osun.

Aside from the fact that the purpose of the facility as clearly indicated in the facility offer letter shows that it was meant for “part financing completion of key projects in the state which include road construction, free trade zone, technical education projects etc”, the utilisation of the facility for counter-part funding required to facilitate some developmental grants (such as UBE and FADAMA) is spurious and unthinkable. As a matter of fact, it is financially suicidal to use medium term loan to finance normal recurrent social obligations. This is a case of financial mismatch and a reflection of the state’s inability to meet its short term obligations under the PDP-led administration.

As logical as the claim of shorter tenor of three years on the referenced facility and the likelihood of lower interest charges on same is, it is however unreasonable to negotiate such substantial term loan with a

short tenor of only 36months. This is so given the lower level of the state’s portion from the statutory allocation from the Federal Government. How can a state survive by using more than 32 per cent of its revenue for servicing term loan, at a time when the state’s Personnel and overhead costs was already over 100percent of its statutory revenue?

The unspent portion of the N18.3billion term loan was certainly PDP administration’s recipe for disaster on the suffocating monthly obligations on the term loan. Our administration’s decision to partly liquidate the N18.3billion term loan and restructure the balance with FBN Plc was borne out of our determination not to ground the state and neglect the social responsibility of government to the citizens of the state, in the name of “spurious” projects PDP administration embarked on.

It is necessary at this point to point out that the allegation that our administration took N25billion from FBN is either borne out of ignorance or deliberate falsehood (or both). The referenced N25billion facility is a credit line and only the sum of N8.6billion used to pay down the UBA facility, was drawn to date. You need to note that the state’s obligation is limited to this amount, contrary to what obtained on the last administration’s N18.3billion facility. The writer’s position on the credit line further revealed his shallowness of knowledge on financial and treasury management. How does a credit line become a loan when it has not been drawn?

•Oyinlola Our strategy of restructuring the referenced term loan is first to convert it to a long term obligation that it should be, and then take it out by sourcing a cheaper debt instrument (developmental Bond) from the Capital Market. This is under processing. The PDP administration is a lame duck that lacks the initiative and vigour to go through the rigorous process of developmental bond programme, suitable for major developmental projects.

As a matter of fact, the Oyinlola-led administration’s decision to take the term loan on the verge of its illegal second term in office is tantamount to financial recklessness with questionable intentions. For posterity sake, why should a government whose illegal tenure is less than 12 months obtain N18.3billion term loan of three years tenor? Anyway PDP’s regime in the state was characterised by its lack-lustre attitude and cluelessness in governance.

In addition, the claim of expectation of over N2billion reimbursements from some capital projects, and refund of excess interest charges on some offshore facility, which he said were meant to cater for part liquidation of the term loan is funny and ridiculous. How on earth can any serious government base its expectation on extraordinary revenues? Moreover, one wonders if the structure of the referenced term loan took into cognisance those expected receivables as sources of repayment. As customary of PDP administration’s manner of financial squander in the state, the receivables would have also gone down the drain in usual style, had it been they came before Oyinlola-led government was disgraced out of office. Afterall, the state also frittered away the bulk of excess crude oil revenue earned during PDP regime.

It is very important to let the world know that although the state plans to

access money from the capital market, it has not taken any amount yet. As a matter of fact his comment on the bond programme revealed knowledge gap about the dynamics of capital market. We are only accessing 30Billion. Although, we are planning for future needs of the state and anticipating increase in revenues by creating a future shelf or room of N60billion. The approval we are processing is for N30billion and that’s what the state’s revenues can carry for now. It is a disciplined process and approvals are not granted recklessly. One therefore wonders where he got the information that the state has issued N60billion, 10 year bond at 15 per cent p.a. This is a frivolous allegation similar to the N25billion loan he alleged Governor Aregbesola has taken to help his fuzzy maths. Osun’s only loan is N8.6 billion and it was used to offset the unreasonable loan Oyinlola took on crazy terms, period!

For your enlightenment, Bond issuance programme is a rigorous and transparent exercise, which requires a lot of documentation and scrutiny by various regulatory authorities such as Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Debt Management Office (DMO) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), among others.

The various advantages of bond over bank facility and our administration’s transparency are of course the impetus for the proposed capital market borrowing. It is cheaper on the long run, interest rate is fixed and certain, and there is no exchange rate risk.

The promissory note facility mentioned in the publication is meant for spontaneous financing. This enables contractors to move to site without being mobilised, based on negotiable instruments (promissory notes) issued to them by the state.

This is possible based on the ingenuity and credibility of the current administration under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. I think we should ask if the Oyinlola-led administration in the state had such level of initiative, integrity and enviable credit rating to attract such confidence and trust of contractors and investors. Records of unpaid contractors’ liabilities our administration inherited when we came on board exist for verification.

In summary, we will like our detractors to provide answers to the following questions to further justify their intentions on the referenced term loan: What is the rationale for the N18.3billion reckless term loan, obtained at the 24th hour of the Oyinlola administration?

Why was the entire loan drawn by the PDP administration fully prior to commencement of projects, even when the construction periods of the various projects for which it was meant were between 12-24 months? How prudent and transparent was the PDP administration in the state going by the manner of management of the facility by the lending bank – paying interest on both the drawn and undrawn portion of the facility? Why did the PDPled administration negotiate for a short term loan of 36months to finance long term social infrastructure development?

Why criticise the ingenuity and ability of our administration to attract favourable credit terms from both our contractors and financiers when it is clear and unarguable that the PDP administration in the state had no integrity to attract such?

It is high time the PDP in the state and their advocates realised that there is limit to the denials of their financial recklessness while in power in the state of Osun and recognise the financial repair being carried out by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Administration. If anything, they should bury their heads in shame for financial recklessness and nearly bankrupting the state before God threw them out of power, to the relief of all and sundry.

By PASTOR LAZARUS MOUKA heavenatlast2003@yahoo.com

Things that defile christians

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ext: Matt. 15:16-20 says, “16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man” Beloved, we should understand that our real self is not our physical body, but our soul personality from which all our actions and reactions proceed from. This determines who actually we are and the public perception of our person. We must therefore know that it is not what we eat or drink that corrupt our personality but it is what we think in our heart, say with our mouth and act upon, that brings condemnation to our personality. This is because from the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, lying, slander, theft, sexual immorality and all sorts of wickedness. As Christians, it is very important we should know those things that are dangerous to our souls and avoid them because if we lack this knowledge, our souls could be endangered.

That is why God says in Hosea 4:6(a), “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: God frowns at slowness of spiritual apprehension among the believers, because lack of sound spiritual knowledge makes Christians walk blindly and then become ruined. If you don’t want to be a victim you must understand those things that are capable of destroying Christians and avoid them.

John 8:32 says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. The knowledge of these things helps you by His grace to navigate the corridors of Christian living that leads to eternal life in the end thereby ensuring you are not a victim.

When one is born again it is expected of him to live the rest of his life in absolute holiness, purity and righteousness. The old life style of being comfortable in sin must be replaced with a new one. He will not have anything to do with sin again, because he understand that committing sin is like one crucifying Christ the second time. He will no longer seek for the things that please him but what pleases the Lord. He will no longer act the way he wishes but according to what God instructed.

Peter 1:23 says, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth •Bolorunduro is the Commissioner for and abideth for ever”. When Finance, Economic Planning and we are born again, it is by the Budget, State of Osun. word and Spirit of God which

is that of righteousness and holiness. We are not supposed to be seen living a life contrary to that of holiness and righteousness because any contrary lifestyle brings defilement to our souls. Those things we were engaged in before our new birth in Christ shall in no wise be visited again. Holiness shall be our watchword for that is only reason we are separated exclusively to Him. We are no longer of the world though living in the world but are citizens of heaven. 1st Peter 1:1516 says “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy”.

God expects all Christians to be holy inside and outside, no evil is expected to proceed from their lives and they are also expected to be an example of holiness and righteousness.

It is clear that what defiles a Christian is inside him but many hardly give thought to those things because they are within. The enemy is inside the flesh and there is no good whatsoever in the flesh, that is why when men attempt doing good they found themselves doing the opposite. The flesh is only after the things of this world, thus the Bible says flesh and blood cannot enter into the kingdom of God. After the flesh has deceived man it would perish here on earth and the indestructible soul will proceed to hell and remain in perpetual suffering. The real you is not the flesh but the soul personality. The flesh is corrupt and insatiable that is why the devil works directly with it to defile the soul and take it to hellfire. Evil thoughts, lust, hatred, envy, covetousness and etc are the food on which the flesh fed on and which result to wickedness. If person claims to be a Christian but still remains the same in thought and action, that person is not a Christian. 2 Cor. 5:17 says, 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”.

Unbelievers are called disobedient children because they are controlled by their flesh.

Before their conversions Christians were controlled by the flesh but the grace of God separated them from its grip and now they are saved. This is the distinction between the believers and unbelievers. And now that we have been saved we should by that same grace live above the sin of the flesh.

If not by the grace of God our very thoughts alone are capable of destroying us. This is because before anyone goes into any kind of sin it is first conceived in the heart.

Fornication, murder, stealing, divorce, slandering, etc are all first conceived in the heart before execution. As a believer and a true Christian you must identify those things by now and avoid them so you are not condemned.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

DAILY SUN

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WATCH

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

Save us from FRSC, drivers plead with IGP

By CHRISTOPHER OJI

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ehicle owners and drivers plying Lagos/eastern states routes have called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar to save them from Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) who have made their journeys uncomfortable.

The association who made this call at a meeting held at Jibowu, Lagos wants the IGP, to order for the arrest of the corps who had been extorting money from them.

Their spokesman, Chief O.C Chris, said the police used to be a thorn in the flesh of commercial drivers but since the IGP ordered them to dismantle the roadblocks, the Road Safety Corps has taken over from the police in extortion.

Chris alleged that the rate at which the Road Safety extort commercial drivers, they would not be able to deliver money either for the vehicle owners or pay their bills.

He said: “Police were better evil when compared with Road Safety.

When the police were on roadblock, we used to settle with N50 and N100 depending on the men on duty, but the road safety would collect not less than N5,000 for any mistake.”

He alleged that the Road Marshals would cash in on the bad roads where they were supposed to be controlling traffic and be collecting tolls.

He alleged that the worst place was in the Eastern part of the country.

“Just from the Onitsha overhead bridge, our pains would be worsened as the Road Marshals on the way would delay any driver who dared them by refusing to comply by parting with money even without committing any offence.”

He said the IGP should direct his X-squad to investigate the allegation and fish out those with unscrupulous character.

The police should not reduce their attention on their personnel’s, but also beam their searchlight on other organisation such as the Road Safety.

He said the IGP should bring those tarnishing the image of the organisation to book. “Because, we used to respect the organisation, bit now, they are worse than the police.”

“Whenever there is an accident on the road, the Road Safety men will cause traffic gridlock on their own to facilitate extortion.”

•Suspect

•SUVs are favourite From NGOZI UWUJARE, Ibadan

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lthough, he was trained to be a minister in the temple of justice, a legal practitioner has been arrested for alleged role in armed robberies.

Barrister Promise (other names withheld) led a deadly gang that specialized in snatching exotic cars at gun-point, especially Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) of different brands.

Impeccable police source said the lawyer recruited members of his gang who usually carried out operations while he remained at the background as the sole receiver of the vehicles.

“He is a lawyer and also a car dealer, who deals only in stolen vehicles. He doesn’t go for operations but he was the sole receiver of the stolen vehicles. He recruited them and bought the vehicles cheaply from the gang,” the police source said. Most of the stolen vehicles were sold in Onitsha, Anambra State.

When the crack team of FCT Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) stormed Promise’s residence in Gwagalada, he had fled but was later apprehended in Lugbe, Abuja.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Alkali Usman told Crimewatch that when the police received complaints and petitions from the victims, he quickly ordered the officer in charge of SARS, Supol Benneth Igweh (CSP) and his team to take action.

He said this was after Barrister Promise’s gang snatched an SUV in PortHarcourt, robbed the victim, took the stolen vehicle to Abuja and parked it in Promise’s house.

CP Usman stated that the same gang also robbed a woman in Port-Harcourt as she was taking her daughter to school, snatched

“I am a lawyer I attended Abia State University. I graduated in 1999 and I went to Law School in 2000 and when I came back, I started practising in Abuja” the car and parked it in their gang leader’s compound.

The Commissioner of Police, Adenrele Shinaba, told Crimewatch that the victim was lucky because he has a tracking device which was used by SARS operatives to track the SUV and after confronting the suspect, he ran away from his house in Gwagalada. The policemen from SARS then sealed off the house.

He said the suspect was later arrested in Lugbe, Abuja.

CP Shinaba explained that when Promise was picked up, “we arrested a lady simply called Amarachi, girlfriend of one of the members of the gang. Amarachi always took the stolen cars to Onitsha in search of buyers. When she discovered that policemen were looking for her, she quickly relocated. She was arrested through phone call,” he said.

According to him, Promise’s arrest led to the apprehension of other suspects Chimazie, Micheal and John who are now

•DCP Usman at SARS for further interrogation.

Promise told Crimewatch that he was a qualified lawyer and car dealer. “I am a lawyer I attended Abia State University.

I graduated in 1999 and I went to Law School in 2000 and when I came back, I started practising in Abuja.”

CP Shinaba added that Promise and his gang took the detectives to several states including Nasarawa, Edo, Ogun and Kaduna to recover all the cars such as Inifinity Jeep Reg. No. SN695KJA, Toyota Hilux Reg. No: SMK 680 AE, Honda Pilot Jeep Red Colour, Honda CRV Jeep 2007 Mode No. AL. 99ENG and Toyota Camry Car Reg. No BP 433 BRC. He said some of the victims had come to the command to identify their cars.

One of them, (names withheld) said that his car was snatched . “But luckily, I have the tracking device and we tracked the car and through this SARS policemen arrested the armed robbers and I am able to identify them,” he stated.

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

CRIME

By MATTHEW DIKE

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riminals including robbers and kidnappers in Imo State will face hell unless they quit.

The warning was given by the new Commissioner of Police, Bolanta Adisa recently when he resumed for duty..

Already, two suspected notorious robbers have been apprehended by the state Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Speaking through the police spokesman, Vitalis Onugu, a Deputy Superintendent, Adisa said the war against bandits, kidnappers and cultists is total.

He warned them that if arrested, they would not be spared no matter their level of connection whatever.

Within the short time he assumed office, the police boss has shown that he is a man of his words as the police command arrested Chinonso Ukachukwu and Faith Okuku for alleged armed robbery.

Ukachukwu owned up to the offence, saying he snatched a Mercedes Benz 190E from his victim (Mr. Innocent) at gun-point.

According to him, he would have shot the victim if he had resisted. He explained that he snatched the car with registration number AE 646 UMG, at Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

Adisa said Innocent alerted the police immediately the vehicle was snatched from him and the crime fighters swung into action. Adisa also said: “A team of policemen from State Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) and Operation Rescue team who responded to a distress call by a victim at Umuduagu in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area. They arrested one Chinonso Ukachukwu for snatching a Mercedes Benz 190 E at gun point. The suspect confessed to the crime. On completion of investigation, he will be charged to court.”

Ukachukwu confessed that he is an armed robber:”this is my first time. I am an armed robber. I snatched the car from him (victim). I threatened him with the gun and he surrendered his car key to me and I zoomed off. Please I will not do it again,” he pleaded.

From MUIBAT MUSTAPHA, Ado-Ekiti

I would have killed A my victim –Robbery suspect who snatched Mercedes Benz

business woman has allegedly been swindled of N2.5million through charm (juju).

•Suspects The police also arrested Okuku who was said to be a suspected notorious robber. An informant gave the police a tip-off that Okuku is a notorious armed robber.

He said policemen were detailed to verify the truth. He said police trailed the suspect to many places but was later arrested at his hideout at Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The suspect was alleged to have shot a man simply identified as Gozie who is still receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. The suspect denied the allegation, saying “I did not shot anybody.”

Onugu told Crimewtach that the police boss ordered his men to investigate the allegation. “The detectives stormed Agwa in Oguta and arrested the suspect and recovered a black Camry car with registration number CJ 501 MWM. The suspect presented fake documents. The suspect shot one

•CP Bolata Gozie (other names withheld) now receiving treatment in a hospital I will not disclose for security reasons. Investigation is ongoing,” Onugu said.

Student cultists, 3 others in soup over robbery From MUIBAT MUSTAPHA, Ado-Ekiti

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wo students of Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti and three others are in trouble for their alleged roles in several armed robberies.

The deadly five-man gang was arrested recently by the Ekiti State police command’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) with the assistance of the local vigilance group at Igbogua village on Ijan Road, near the state capital.

The suspects were identified as Tofowomo, a student of Electrical/Electronics, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti; Odere of Business Administration, department of the same Institution ; Ibikunle, a borehole fabricator, Oguntayo, a carpenter and Gabriel (other names withheld), an Okada rider.

Odere who led the gang to Igbogun village told our correspondent that he had been involved in several robberies on Ijan road since the beginning of this year. The suspect who hails from Ado-Ekiti, said they belonged to a cult in the school and alleged that one Omorogieva also a student of the institution was their leader,

WATCH

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who supplied the locally-made pistol they used during operations.

According to the suspect, the members were caught in his father’s farm at Igbogun where they went to initiate a new recruit. He lamented that his parents who he was living with, did not know that he belonged to such a deadly cult.

Police spokesman, Victor Babayemi, who confirmed the incident, said the antirobbery squad was able to apprehend the suspects because of the co-operation and assistance of the youth and members of the vigilance group who blocked all roads that led to the town.

The youths and vigilance group, he said, had apprehended two of the suspects with one local pistol before the arrival of the police who later made three arrests and recovered a pistol.

Investigation revealed that they robbed one Omoniyi Femi of N30,000 and a Techno handset worth N6,000 and one Opeyemi Ayodele of N40,000 and were armed with gun, axe, cutlasses and other dangerous weapon.

They were alleged to have also robbed one Julius Fatoba of N43,000 and one Nokia handset valued at N6,000.

According to Crimewatch investigation, the apple dealer was allegedly hypnotized with the juju in padlock known as Agadagodo by the fraudsters to get their desire from her without question.

According to investigation, the victim had supplied several cartons of apple fruit to one of the suspects, Monday Elias who hails from Ebonyi State without payment.

Monday’s alleged accomplice, Segun Afolalu, who hails from Ado-Ekiti, also an apple trader, was allegedly assisted him in procuring the magical padlock to hypnotized the victim.

The victim said that she always travel to Cotonou, Benin Republic to get the apples and that she kept supplying Monday despite the fact that he was not paying until she came to the realization that he was using juju on her.

Segun, a friend of Monday, took him to a herbalist where she was tricked and her name padlocked with incantations so that she would forget the debt.The victim now in huge debt, said she went to Monday's house to demand for the payment of the money but she was allegedly beaten up. She reported the matter at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Ado Ekiti.

She alleged that Monday brought fake policemen to arrest her at her shop in August. She said, she quickly alerted the police at the State CID who promptly arrived the scene but the fake policemen left before their arrival.

Monday was said to have fabricated an allegation that the woman went to his house to destroy some things but when asked what happened to the money he ought to have paid her, the suspect claimed that another woman that he supplied the apples at Ogotun Ekiti swindled him.

When policemen searched the house of the suspect, they discovered a charmed made with padlock tied with cowry and black thread with the names of the woman and Monday along with inscription on a paper that the victim must do whatever the suspect say. The items were taken to the police station.

Monday admitted that he owned the victim N2.508million and that it was Segun who took him to a herbalist over the matter. He said he had been in the apple trade for 12 years and that he travelled

Snatche

sold

•How stolen Nigerians’ cars end up in Lagos as ‘tokunbo’

By CHIOMA IGBOKWE

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peratives of the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police command has smashed a syndicate that allegedly specialized in buying and selling of stolen cars. They were arrested by detectives while allegedly planning to transport their latest cars to Seme.

On the arrest, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko explained that the police had been on the trail of the syndicate for sometime before they were arrested through information supplied by some notorious car snatchers who linked them up to the group. “ Investigation revealed that this group headed by Femi smuggle cars out of the country to neigbouring countries where they are sold as Tokunbo. Some of the cars would then be sold to buyers in Nigeria at a give away price after the documents of the paper has been changed completely.

CP Manko warned Nigerians to go extra length

to verifying the source of any used car before it is bought. “ When some of these robbers are arrested, the stolen goods would be traced to the buyer who becomes a suspect unless proven otherwise. It is because they have buyers that is why these business is booming,” he said.

The leader of the gang Femi, popularly known as Apacino blamed his act on the devil who convinced him to tow that part of illegality.

“I am a graduate of University of Jos where I studied Business Administration. I had the opportunity to start selling tokunbo cars before I linked up with some car snatchers who were supplying cars after each robbery. I made a lot of money from that business because no matter the size or make of the car, I can only offer as much as N200,000. I would immediately contract a friend who would quickly change all the documents and at the end of the day I would spend about N250,000.

“I sold the CRV for N600,000 ,the Camry and others for N500,000. I was encouraged to continue because of the demand for these cars. Nigerians love

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 20, 2012

39

WATCH

CRIME Two in police net Hotelier’s gang targets workers who leave for using juju to home early morning

dupe bizwoman of N2.5million

•Suspects

to Cotonou to purchase apples in bulk.

He noted that he met the victim through one of his boys and started patronizing her when he was no longer doing well in business and that she was supplying him on credit. He admitted that he owed the victim N2.508milllion.

Monday told Crimewatch that he gave N1,000 to Segun who brought back the padlock

and that he did not read what was written on the paper since he did not understand Yoruba language.

When contacted, Mr. Aboyomi Akinlaja, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Area Commander, Okesa, Ado Ekiti, confirmed the incident and said his men are investigating the matter.

•I’m not aware he’s a robber –Wife

By CHIOMA IGBOKWE

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suspected terror gang that specialized in snatching exotic cars at gun-point in Ikorodu, a suburb, Lagos and its environ, has been smashed.

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the state command bust the deadly syndicate allegedly led by a hotelier, simpled called Saheed.

Others arrested included two brothersTaiwo and Jelili . While Taiwo is based in Abuja and allegedly acts as a receiver of stolen cars, his step-brother, Jelili, lives in Lagos.

Speaking on the arrest, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, explained that Adeshina was arrested by a team of policemen attached to SARS in Abuja after he was lured out of his home by a policeman posing as a prospective buyer. His brother, Jelili, is also said to be in SARS custody.

“Three months ago, Saheed and his men allegedly robbed a lady of her Honda car, a BlackBerry and other items in Ikorodu.

Shortly after handing over the car to Taiwo, he sold the cell-phone to his friend living in AgoIwoye, Ogun State.

“After the victim was robbed, she made a report at the SARS office in Ikeja. Unknown to us, the stolen vehicle was later intercepted by men of the Oyo State Police Command.

However, Jelili disguised as the owner of the car and went to Ibadan vehicle released to him on compassionate grounds because he is physically challenged.

“Later, a sister to the victim was able to establish contact with Saheed’s friend, who

d in Nigeria, in Seme cheap articles. If I place those cars out there, they would be sold faster than the ones that were imported,” he said.

On how he gets his regular supply of cars, Femi said: “I have my links all over the country, who supply me cars. I receive most of the cars from the North especially from Nassarawa State and with N20,000 all the document would be changed.

On how he was arrested, Femi lamented that he was called by one of his boys in Lagos that some cars had been

•Suspects

stolen. As usual I rushed to Lagos when I was told that it is Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). I never knew that they had been arrested, that was how I walked into police trap.”

On his role, another suspect Sunday confessed that he was enticed to join the business when he discovered that a lot of money can be made through smuggling of stolen cars. “ I am into clearing and forwarding of goods

at the Badagry Seme Border. My duty was to help marketers settle custom and immigration, so that their goods mainly cloths and foods stuff would be allowed to come into the country.

“Last year my friend, Bidemi called me that there were cars that he wanted to sell at a very low price. I decided to accept the deal since my friend Femi was a receiver who always had cash. I knew that they were stolen car that is why I buy the cars at N200,000 each. So far, the Seyi gang has sold three cars to me which includes Toyota Camry 2004 model, a Sienna bus , Honda CRV. “ Normally when they are sold I would call our chairman, Femi who would ensure that it finally sold to the buyers. Most of the cars that were snatched from people were smuggled into Seme where they would be sold as tokunbo cars,” Sunday explained.

Another suspect, Abidemi claim he was lured into the business because of greed.

According him ,shortly after he was sacked by a pipeline firm, he was paid off about N600,000. This amount he used to build a small apartment. “ I was short of cash so my friend Mohammed promised to help me get a job. One day, he called me to help him move a car to Agbara which I did. I never knew that the car was stolen till the next day when he came with another job.

“He told me the truth and since it was lucrative, I decided to join them. I made good money from it although it was a bad business.

I was the one who introduced gang of robbers to Femi and Sunday,” he confessed.

•Suspect was in possession of the smart phone via BalckBerry chat. After they had forged a friendship, the victim’s sister invited Saheed’s friend to Lagos for a visit and the young man obliged. He was apprehended by the police at their rendezvous and was the one who led the SARS team to Saheed’s home at Liadi, Ikorodu.

“Two locally-made pistols were recovered from Saheed’s home at Ikorodu. His wife, who co-operated with the police, said she was unaware of his criminal activities, but had noticed that he often came home with some young men who would later retire for the night at a hotel owned by him.

“The group’s method of operation is to rob Ikorodu residents who leave their homes early to beat the morning traffic on their way to work. They would hit their target’s car with either their motorcycle or vehicle. By the time the enraged target stops to ascertain the damage done to his vehicle, they would rob the person.

“Although Adeshina belongs to Saheed’s gang, he is also alleged to be the leader of another gang based at Ijebu-Iperu, Ogun State.

It was Adeshina who would come down to Lagos and drive the stolen vehicles to Abuja where he would find buyers for them. While in police custody, some of Adeshina’s gang members made contact with him and actually arranged a meeting. Although a SARS team went there, Adeshina’s cronies did not turn up as planned. Investigation is on to apprehend all other gang members,” Manko said, confirming the arrests.

On his role, Saheed confessed that he went into robbery when his shop was gutted by fire two years ago.

“I had already built my hotel at Ikorodu before I went into robbery two months ago. I only used some of the returns to renovate it to a standard hotel. I have no excuse to and curse the day I was convinced to raise a robbery gang. It was friends of mine, Stanley and Small, who are also car snatchers that lured me into this way of life. Between this year and last, I have been involved in five robbery operations with the gang,” Saheed said.

Blaming his brother for his predicament, Taiwo claimed that Jelili had introduced him to Saheed, the leader of the gang. He said: “I am into aluminum works; that is what I do for a living. I had previously lived in Lagos before I decided to relocate to Abuja last year.

“Sometime this year, my brother Jelili came to me. He introduced me to his friend, Saheed and told me that Saheed was a car dealer who needed someone to help him find buyers in Abuja. I agreed to do the job, not knowing that Saheed was a robber. I have sold three cars for him since that time.”

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DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

ArewaReport Chritianity, tradition blend, as ex-NLC spokesman buries mother

By ISMAIL OMIPIDAN, who was in Edumoga

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he popular biblical saying, “Give to Caesar, what is Caesar, and to God, what is God,” played out recently in Ogene Amejo, Edumoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State, when Comrade Iduh Onah, ex-Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Head of Information, buried to his mother, Theresa Onah.

Theresa was an active member of the Christian Mothers, St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ogene Amejo, and as such, the church took charge of the burial arrangement, on Friday, August 3, 2012. But by Sunday, August 5, the traditionalists took over, with the coming out of the Ogliyan masquerade, signalling the final burial rites.

By Friday, when the corpse arrived from Abuja for the funeral service, hundreds of men, women, boys and girls, were seen in their best attires, heading for the church.

The service, which started around 4pm, came to an end by 6.30pm, and Theresa was interred where she had requested to be buried. Teenagers again took over the large expanse of land, within and outside the Onah’s family compound, dancing to both local and modern music.

As this was going on, Daily Sun heard two old men discussing that Theresa was actually aware she was going to die, but reluctantly went to Abuja, “just to please the son,” who is still fighting his controversial sack from the NLC. When contacted, Onah, who was accompanied home by a battery of NLC comrades, led by Comrade John Odah and other civil society groups’ members said: “I won’t want to hold it against anyone, because I believe in destiny. If it is not the will of God, it will not come to pass. But the truth is that I was pained by her death because she is a victim of the crisis I had with the NLC. “Since the case is still in the court, I will not want to comment on it. But you see, if I had a job, it may not have happened this year. I used to bring her to Abuja, every six months for medical check up. But after my sack, she has refused to bother me with any request, even when she was sick, she asked my younger ones to leave me out of it.

“When the sickness started in the first week of July, she insisted that since I don’t have a job, let none of my younger ones bother me, so they all kept the issue away from me. But I got to know, when it worsened. And I called home. She told me it was not something serious, and that she would be going to the hospital the next day.

So I sent some money down, to enable her take care of herself.”

However, when he again got information that the situation was not improving, he decided to travel home himself and by the next day, he returned to Abuja, with the mother, hoping against hope that the mother, who had been diagnosed for tropical splenoamegaly syndrome (inflammation of the spine and liver), would be stabilized.

But the efforts put in to restore her was too little, just as it appeared too late, as the

Mrs Onyikwu Theresa Onah being laid to rest

Oglinya Masquarade during the final burial rites

mother gave up the ghost, barely 11 days, after she arrived Abuja.

Onah disclosed that since he lost his job, the mother literarily over-worked herself to make ends meet, a thing that may have affected her health, adversely. He, however, concluded, “God knows best,” even as he insisted the mother was one of the victims of the NLC crisis.

After the church activities, the Ogliyan dance, usually led by a masquerade, commenced to signal the final burial rites. In Edumoga, the dance is a central programme in funeral rites adult males who were married and have adult children; and females generally believed to have achieved “remarkable?success” while alive.

Before the advent of Christianity and until recently, any funeral arrangement without Oglinya performance is seen as either that of “a nobody or a shameful omission.” While Christianity may have reduced its status, Oglinya dance seems to have resurrected or re-invigorated. It is now not only a cultural recipe in traditional and church weddings, , birthdays of influential personalities and?state functions, it has also become a menu even in the ordination of Reverend Fathers and Bishops in the Idoma speaking areas of Benue State.

The mere fact that the dance was staged for Theresa, Daily Sun learnt, is an indication that the woman may have achieved “remarkable success” while she alive.

‘Beware, hepatitis vicious than HIV’ From NAFISAT BELLO, Kaduna ot much has so far been heard about another widespread and deadly virus across the world, particularly in Africa. But the virus called Hepatitis, Daily Sun learnt, has proven to be more contagious and deadlier than both Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

While AIDS could be contacted through sharing of sharp objects and unprotected sex with an infected person, a person living together with Hepatitis patient could contact it easily.

“The inability to discover the status of hepatitis can be more dangerous than HIV/ AIDS as many

N

people will be infected unknowingly,” said Dr. David Olorunfemi Samuel of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria.

According to him, the diseases caused by the virus are Hepatitis B and C which eventually lead to swelling up of the liver, and at the same time making it impossible to function effectively.

In 2009, over two billion persons were infected with the virus worldwide with Africa having the largest number. “Hepatitis B is however far more infectious and can be spread by contact with infected blood, semen or other fluids,” said Samuel.??The gastroenterologist said that sharing drugs, needles with an infected person, toothbrushes, razors and other sharp items with an infected person is dangerous and could get one

Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki (right) presenting a birthday card to foprmer Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practice, Related Offence Commission (ICPC) Justice Mustapha Akanbi on the occasion of the laters 80th birthday celebration in Ilorin

infected easily.

A recent random test conducted at the Kaduna Refining Petrochemical Company (KRPC), showed that 70 people have already been living with Hepatitis B virus, commonly called (HBV).?It was gathered that the HBV is more infectious and could spread faster through unprotected sex with an infected. Samuel: “An infected woman can also give HBV to her baby at birth, through breast milk. Any person who is at risk for Hepatitis B is also at risk of infection with HBV C virus or HIV.”??He said some of the symptoms of HBV include stomach pains, Nausea and vomiting, feeling abdominal discomfort, feeling feverish with poor appetite.

While Hepatitis C is spread mainly by contact with an infected person’s blood, and that vaccination for HBV offers the best protection for HCV. To contain the vicious disease, KRPC joined the world to mark the World Sickle Cell Day which led to the discovery of 70 persons with the virus who were later enlightened.??The World Sickle Cell Day is usually marked on 28 every year, but this year’s celebration was used to enlighten many people who now go for checkups’regularly in other to avoid been infected with the silent killer, called HBV. “About 25 percent of patients who are chronically infected with HBV during childhood will die of liver related disease but it can be preventable,” Samuel revealed.??According to him, Hepatitis B or C virus cannot be contacted by shaking of hands, hugging or sitting close to an infected person. It was gathered that people infected with hepatitis B or C, may also suffer from dark yellow urine, light-coloured stools with yellowish eyes and skin

Thursday, September 20, 2012

DAILY SUN

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Arewa Report Dana plane crash: Day Otukpo stood still for Ochigbo

Master Akondu Jumbo Ochigbo, first son, perfoming dust rite during the burial of his late father

Widow and children From ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, in Otukpo

T

he reality of the involvement of their son and breadwinner in the June 3 Dana plane crash was not done on the Ochigbo family and Otukpo town in Benue State, until September 1, 2012. It was the day officers and men of the Nigerian Army painted Otukpo town green with their ceremonial dress.They were there to bury one of the finest officers, Lieutenant Colonel Owoicho Jumbo Ochigbo, who died in the crash.

The Army rolled out drums playing sorrowful tunes for the remains of the fallen hero. And as his course mates carried his casket, his widow and children could not hold back their tears. Not only the words of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike O. Ihejirika, confirmed that the Army had lost one of its finest officers, the mood of his colleagues, superiors and subordinates alike indicated it.

The people of Otukpo would remember Ochigbo more as a philanthropist than a military officer.??According to them, Ochigbo’s humanitarian attitude was unprecedented. The Assistant Director, 82 Division Chaplain (Protestant), Rev (Lt. Colonel) Gwom I. Mairiga, told the gathering that as human beings, they cannot question God on why he took away their loved one: “We cannot question God. We can only question ourselves whether we have been righteous.

But we can only plead with God to forgive our past sins. I want to tell us and plead with us that it is not enough for us to shed tears here today and say goodbye to our brother lying here, we should always look back at his family and ask them, how they are faring and find ways of assisting them.”

Senate President David Mark took up the responsibility of sponsoring his children’s education.?He gave assurance that his widow, Bridget, should feel free to send the children to any school of her choice, as he would treat them like his own

children: ”Let us not weep as if we are hopeless people, because we are Christians and Ochigbo was a good Christian. Each time we met, he used to preach the gospel to me.

“Ochigbo wanted to see Nigeria move forward in all ramifications, economically, politically and particularly in the area of security.

So, I believe that our younger brother lying here is resting in the bosom of the lord. We should also be grateful to God, because sometimes, when we travel, we see corpses of people who died through accident lying on the road, without anyone to bury them. But, here we are, burying our own.

“The least I can do for this family is to take up responsibility for the education of the three children of late Lt. Col. Owoicho Jumbo Ochigbo.

And I will treat them like my own children.”

Ihejirika, represented by the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Major General Olayinka O. Oshinowo, said: “Lt. Colonel

Ahmed creates job opportunities, lays foundation of N1.4b skills centre

From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin

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Ochigbo was until his death the Commanding Officer of 6 Battalion, Abak, Akwa Ibom State.

He was an exceptional officer who led his troops by example and a thoroughbred professional Infantry Officer who cared for the welfare of his troops.??He was a worthy son of Nigeria, an officer, and a gentleman. It is our fervent hope that you the members of his family will take solace as his calling is beyond man’s ability and imagination.”

To Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, his only regret was that the late officer worked tirelessly for the peace and security of the state, but did not live to witness the fruits of his labour.?

To Bridget: “My heart bleeds as I walk down this painful lane again. I thought, for us life will stand the test of time, but little did I know that God had better plans for us, for He is the master planner and His decision cannot be questioned.

s part of strategies to create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has laid the foundation of the International Vocational Centre, Ajasse-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government area, Kwara State.

He said the N1.4billion vocational centre is part of his administration’s resolve to “create a new generation of highly employable artisans and prosperous youth entrepreneurs through the provision of market relevant skills under our Shared Prosperity Programme.”

The governor claimed his administration has created jobs for 2,000 youths, absorbed 1,430 into the state civil service and brokered 10,000 public works jobs through the Federal Government: “The centre will, through modernized vocational training, premised on world-class standards, turn senior secondary school leavers, polytechnic and university graduates into welltrained and artisans ready to create jobs and contribute to our collective prosperity.

“Graduates of the centre who would be awarded globally recognized certificates and diplomas moderated by the London based City and Guilds will, on completion of their courses, be marketable and employable youths while Kwara State will become a reputable hub for vocational and technical skills in West Africa.”

Ahmed said his administration placed premium on youth empowerment through job creation because of the recognition that youths constitute 70 percent of the state population: “They are significant agents of positive change if properly harnessed. Any serious effort to transform the lives of our people must therefore incorporate youth economic empowerment.”

He pledged to continue to use education to add value to the lives of the youths and unemployed

graduates by turning them into job creators rather than job seekers: “I am therefore pleased to be part of history today as we take another firm step towards transforming our youths into successful economic actors with the foundation-laying of the international vocational centre. Towards this end, curriculum for the centre has been structured to address the need to meet not only international standards but also industry and business needs.”

Heexplained that the government consulted widely with the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and others in the business community as part of efforts to make the centre of world standard. He added that the centre would run on a good mix of practical and theoretical learning with well equipped classrooms and practical skill development areas, especially in marine and port operation, agriculture, hospitality, catering, engineering, construc-

tion skills fashion design and textiles.

Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Saka Onimago, assured Kwarans that graduates of the centre would be well equipped to compete with their counterparts from Korea, China and other developed countries.

Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Atanda Woleola, said: “As we are gathered here today for the ground breaking ceremony of the vocational center, the gesture is a confirmation that this government is one that listens to the yearnings of the people and one that keeps its promise. “Without doubt, this vocational center is an addition to the growing list of people-oriented programmes this administra-

IBB, Ekwueme, Tambuwal, 11 govs for Blueprint presentation today From ISMAIL OMIPIDAN, Kaduna

S

Governor Abdulfata Ahmed

tion has embarked upon within such a very short time of its inception.

“Anyone who is familiar with the history of the community will understand and appreciate the reason for the joy and happiness of the people over the foundation laying of the multi-million naira vocational centre in Ajase-Ipo. The only thriving plastic industry located in the town had folded up long time ago.

“Let me state at this juncture that our community is well aware of the spiral effects of this center on our community and its environs when it finally becomes fully operational. Undoubtedly, the center will impact positively on the commercial and social lives of the community. More jobs will be created, more accommodation will be required, and of course, new settlement will spring up around this axis to accommodate the attendant rise in population.”

peaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and six governors are among prominent Nigerians expected to grace the public presentation of Blueprint Newspapers today.

The event, with the theme; “The challenges of growth and development,” scheduled for the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, is to mark the first anniversary of the paper which started as a daily newspaper on September 19, 2011.

According to the release signed by its Associate Editor, Politics, Amos Dunia, who also doubles as the Chairman, Publicity Committee of the event,

Babangida would be the guest speaker, while Tambuwal would serve as special guest of honour with Ekwueme as the chairman. The governors are to serve as special guests and presenters.

They are Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina), Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Idris Wada (Kogi), Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa (Kaduna), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Isa Yuguda (Bauchi). Others are Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano) and Kashim Shettima (Borno).

Traditional rulers expected are Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Saad; Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar as royal fathers while the Ona of Abaji in the FCT, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa would also serve as host royal father of the day.

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DAILY SUN Thursday, Semptember 20, 2012

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

Travels All’s well that ends well

We’re all out for reconciliation – Eze Igbo 1 in Ghana R

ecently crowned Eze Ndi Igbo 1 of Ghana, Chief Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, has said due to the many programmes, calling for urgent execution to protect the interest of Igbo people, he has no time for distractions. Therefore, he and members of the Eze-inCouncil are all out to reconcile every member of the Igbo community resident in the old Gold Coast.

Chief Ihenetu, who is also Obuzo Igbozurume 1 of Ghana, was crowned Eze Ndi Igbo 1 of Ghana on September 7, 2012 and his first formal outing as well as Ofala took place last Saturday, September 15.

Although Chief Ihenetu’s Ofala could not take place at the original venue, Efua Sutherland (Children’s) Park because the place was sealed off by security operatives, the event, which featured the highly reverred tradition of breaking of kola-nut, pouring of libation and flag-off of consumption of New Yam (Iri ji), among others; could hardly have been more successful.

Interestingly, many bands, including the Yoruba Bazooka Fuji Reformers; Don-Whiskey, Igbozurume Association Choir and Ogene performers, et cetera were on hand to add colour to the celebrations. Also, countless dignitaries turned up to grace the occasion, which eventually took place at Ihenetu’s residence in the East Legon neighbourhood of Accra; with their presence.

These VIPs included Archbishop Azubuike Athan, who; accompanied by several other clerics, blessed the event with prayers; distinguished civil war veteran, Brig.-General JOG Achizia; the first son of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Chief Ojukwu aka Akpunwa; Special Adviser on Igbo Affairs to Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Mr. Cletus Amaraegbu; Eze Emmanuel Okoli Abiama, President of Ndi Eze Uzo-ije; Chief Mrs Nwachimereze, President-General of Royal Daughters of Nigeria Worldwide; Eze Igbo Idimu, Eze Samuel O. Udo; Eze Okpotamba, Chief Ossai Onyemere; Eze IC Dimgba, Patron of Ndi Eze in Diaspora; Eze (Dr) John C. Nwosu, Eze Igbo of Mushin, Lagos; Chief (Mrs.) Ngozi Dimgba; Sir Oliver Akubueze; Chief (Mrs.) Kate Onyechere; Dr. (Mrs.) Joyce Afolabi as well as many members of the Ga (aborigines of Accra) Traditional Council.

Speaking during an exclusive encounter with Travels in Accra, two days after his first official outing and Ofala celebrations, Eze Ihenetu; who was accompanied by Chiefs

•Chief Ojukwu aka Akpunwa

Eze and Lolo Ihenetu

•Eze Abiama (right)

•Brig-Gen. JOG Achuzia

•Arch-Bishop Azubuike Athan

•Chief (Mrs) Nwachimereze, President-General of Royal Daughters of Nigeria Worldwide; flanked by Eze Igbo Idimu (left) and Eze Samuel O. Udo

Eze Okpotamba, Chief Ossai Onyemere with Eze IC Dimgba, Patron of Ndi Eze in Diaspora •Some members of Ga Traditional Council at the event Adviser, Ghana Chapter of the Cosmas Ikechukwu Iwuala, Isaac Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chigbata Ogbonna, Harrison Mba author of a book on Nigeria, entitled, Kalu and Mr. Kelechukwu Ike, Legal

Where do we go from 50?; declared: plans to abort his installation and “To God be the glory. No man can subsequent public presentation.

Now, he reckons: “All is well, that unmake that, which God has made.”

This was a subtle allusion to alleged ends well”, adding, “Our stuggle has

DAILY SUN Thursday, Semptember 20, 2012

43

TRAVELS

Tourism epistle by Maiborgu

R

•Sir Oliver Akubueze (left)

ecently the cream of Nigeria’s travel People & Tourism journalists gathered to a workshop on the role of PROTECTED AREAS in Nigeria. The Emir of Borgu kingdom His Royal Highness Dr. (Sen) Hilaru Dantoro, Kitoro lll, delivered one of the best researched papers I have ever come across in this business and for record purposes, wish to share this edited version with our dear readers. It is a vintage submission.

“In my candid opinion, issues relating to the Frank Meke environment and travels constitute the funs et mekefrank@yahoo.co.uk origo and central essence of the journalistic pro08057511885 (sms only) fession itself. A journalist who is not exposed to the diversity of the world by virtue of travels and tours, and a journalist who fails to appreci- tions in Nigeria, with a view to developing and ate the critical nexus between the future of promoting them. mankind and the earth’s environment is no jourBorgu kingdom is home to the following nalist in the real sense of the word. tourist attractions: Kainji Lake National Journalist is synonymous with intelligence, Park(Nigeria’s first national park),Kainji dam, adventure, ambition, courage and patriotism. Kainji dam and hydro electric power Whenever I think about journalists, my mind is station(Nigeria’s first and largest hydroelectric inexorably drawn to several illustrious visitors power station),The spot of Mungo park’s who feature prominently in the pre-colonial his- death(Where the park service will do well to tory of Borgu and includes Mungo Park, Hugh construct a benefitting cenotaph), Oil River clapparton, the Lander Brothers, Heinrich tourist camp, Foge island(reputedly Northern Barth, Gorge Taubman Goldie and Lord Nigeria’s largest island), Pissa and caves, Fredrick Lugard.

Ukaba, jekana and kalli Hiolls, Ruins of old The pioneering exploratory labours of these bussa, Ancient konkosso Iron-working sites, men which arose from their celebrated travels Kanji Lake(which is 136km long and 30km and probes of the earth’s environment, our wide), fish hateries of national institute for today the framework upon which contemporary freshwater Fisheries research,Swashi Dam and Nigeria rests politically, economically and irrigation scheme. socially. I have taken the pains to go down It is perhaps appropriate at this juncture to memory lane in order to stress the importance briefly highlight the plight of the communities of environmental explothat the host hydro-electric rations. Therefore, Let no one power installations across underestimate the place of the country. In this regard, it environmental and travel is sad to note that ever since journalists. The role of such a the impoundment of Kainji category of journalists is vital Lake in the mid 1960’s, folto the social, economic and lowed by the commissionpolitical well-being, ing of the jebba power staadvancement and sustenance tion in 1985 and shiroro of any given nation. power station in 1990 there Today’s world is rightly is yet to be a functional a global village framework to address the •Mr. and Mrs. Kelechukwu with their son, termed because international boundunique developmental chalMaster Som-kelechukwu aries are increasingly collapslenges confronting the host ing under international trade, communities. travels and population flows, It is however gratifying national sovereignties are that government has recentincreasingly moderated by ly established the hydrointernational democratic best The Emir of Borgu Dr. Dantoro electric power producing practices, standards and presareas development commissures and the internet, gsm telephone and satel- sion (HYPPADEC) in view of the fact that lite television are revolutionising social media kanji-New Bussa embodies, represents and across the globe. All these have tremendous symbolises the stark ground zero situation in impacts on such concerns as economic well- the nation’s hydroelectric power producing being, military might, social stability, political areas, it is expected that the land of Borgu shall coercion and international standing of nations. hold major national and regional stakes in the For instance domination of the internet and proposed HYPPADEC. satellite TV is vital not only in attracting billions I also wish to seize this unique opportunity of dollars in international tourist spending but also in fast tracking social and economic to give advance notification to the fort- coming advancement in the societies. Little wonder that 2nd international Borgu Gan-Dubar Festival, every superpower in the world boasts of at least scheduled to hold in April, 2013 in New one or two major international TV news media Bussa, Niger State. The Festival is a celebraas follows U.S.A(CNN),CHINA(CCTV tion of the cultural heritage of Borgu people NEWS), EUROPE(EURO NEWS), within Nigeria and the Diaspora. It is a series BRITAIN(SKY NEWS),JAPAN(NHK of cultural and traditional supporting events WORLD), ARABIA including Great Dubar (Northern Carnival), and PENINSULA(ALJAZEERA). It is instructive Regatta, Traditional Wrestling to know that most leading journalist in this Agricultural show The maiden edition of the festival was held media houses build a business, social or war correspondents, our first proficient in environ- from September 23-28, 2009 and was graced •Chief (Mrs.) Kate Onyechere arriving for mental and travel reportage. by national and international dignitaries from the occasion.

In this information age, therefore prudent use Nigeria, Benin Republic, Niger Republic, of information is the key and the environmental South Korea and the UK. The event was covand travel journalist is king. He holds the key to ered by the international media and well docuattracting tourists, enlightening the military, mented on the internet. The 2nd Borgu Ganiempowering scientists, promoting investments, Dubar festival is scheduled to coincide with stabilizing society and generally advancing a the 45th anniversary of Nigeria’s largest resetnation’s strategic interests to encourage, pro- tlement exercise, i.e. the 1968 establishment of mote and sustain capacity building among New Bussa for the construction of the famous Kainji Dam and power station. Therefore, the nations’ environmental and travel journalists.

The benefits on this are legion include sus- 2nd Borgu Gani-Dubar Festival takes on a tainable utilization of the nation’s resources on national significance, with the overriding environmental friendly, sustainable and renew- objective being to create a North-south platable basis. Conservation of the nation’s floral form for the promotion of national peace, unity and fauna resources. Promotion of national and cohesion. Over 5,000 guests from across unity through emphasis on national diversity the country and the world are expected to and cultural/religious variety. Exposure of the grace the festival, while the Grand Finale shall nation’s untapped mineral and agricultural have in attendance Nigeria’s foremost political wealth to investors. Advancement of good gov- elites and the crème-de-la crème of the tradiernance best practices through investigative tional establishment. Overall crowd estimation journalism. Publicizing the vast tourist attrac- is put at over 100,000.

‘We’re all out for reconciliation’ already begun to yield fruit.”

Reminding that he is Board of Trustees’ Chairman, PDP Ghana Chapter; this Eze enthusisastically added: “I have been appointed Ambassador of Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Three days ago, I was decorated with a Gold Medal and appointed MDG Ambassador by the MDG President. Also, through my coronation; Imo Transport Company (ITC) has started operating in Ghana.”

Chirping in, Mr. Ike (aka KK), explained: “The presence of ITC in Ghana means that, now; our people have the option of travelling at competitive fares. There are countless Igbos, living in Ghana that would love to go home more frequently but could not do so because they could not afford to pay the fares. Now, with Christmas and New Year celebrations around the corner, our people can take advantage of ITC’s presence to go home.”

Speaking further, Eze Igbo 1 of Ghana added that he bore no grudges toward anyone that attempted to scuttle the Ofala, noting that, “This position by a few of our people, shows that we (Igbos) are not a docile race. People have every right to demand explanations,” Ihenetu admitted; while adding: “Now, all I can say is that, God has a hand in my coronation.

Therefore, all is well, that ends well.”

Chief Ihenetu revealed he has three very important projects to execute. These are, Building of a Palace, Building of an Igbo Town Hall (Obi Ndi Igbo) and Building of Igbo Learning Centre. Hear him: “The architectural design of these structures are ready. When completed, it will serve as a place where school-age children would assemble every weekend to learn our language and culture while adults may attend classes daily. And by God’s grace, given logistics, little-by-little, the Igbo Learning Centre will be replicated in major cities across Ghana so that our language and culture would be promoted and preserved”.

Concluding, the Eze Igbo 1 declared: “There’s a lot of work to do. So, everyone who is interested in the welfare of Igbo people and the preservation of our culture is welcome to join us. No man is an island or an embodiment of knowledge. So, my focus is on reconciliation so that together we can do the best for Igbo people.”

•First right: Chief (Mrs.) Ngozi Dimgba, wife of Okpotemba

44

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 20, 2012

ARTS Our plans for Osun

By DAMIETE BRAIDE

A

side from Osun Osogbo festival which has brought fame and popularity to Osun state, the state government has decided to develop other cultural sites.

In a chat with Daily Sun, Mr Oladipo Soyede, Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Tourism, Osun State has over 62 known tourism sites and plans are underway to make them popular. Like the Osun Osogbo festival which is recognized by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, (UNESCO), other sites including the waterfalls at Olumerin and Ijesha would be brought to limelight.

Mr Soyede also spoke on how the government managed the crowd during Osun Osogbo festival, security, as well as the work that is ongoing at the groove, hotel expansion and government leverage among others.

Osun Osogbo Festival 2012 It is more like creating awareness, dancing round the town, a floatilla, people on flatback, just to sensitize people, an ancient festival that is going on and giving it a new look and a new approach.

Apart from that, we also build a lot of things on entertainment. It is very important, the festival itself is a source of entertainment. So, we had shows with Beautiful Nubia, Chris Ajilo, Jimi Solanke, Orlando Julius and several other upcoming artistes in Osun.

Art is a very important aspect of culture. We had also top display like hair designs, trying to create a lot of entertaining activities. The grand finale and we are having some, even after the festival, musicians like Ara, 9ice and Olamide, Bata dancers from Cuba also all performed.

Crowd control Today, we are very concerned about crowd control. As a result, we had too much of traffic, where some people drove all the way to the groove but we were able to control that to a great deal. There is room for improvement. We are working hard to put a lot of improvement on crowd control.

Also we are working on the pavilion, the old pavilion that used to be in the grove, we had brought that down because it was too small but we have started work on a new pavilion which

–Oladipo Soyede

•Oloyede I am sure will be ready in the next couple of months. We also will create some pathways for entry and exit in a way that by the next festival, we will have better crowd control, so we made some progress and we also took time to study the lapses that existed and we will surely correct them before the next festival.

Security As we all know, this is not the best of times of security in Nigeria, and when you have foreigners coming in, you are promoting tourism, it is essential that you make people feel secured and even the fact that you see a lot of security pres-

ence doesn’t mean threat. But we put in a lot of security arrangement to safeguard the lives of people and property, which is the primary function of government.

How are you handling the crowd at the groove to make sure that the integrity of the place stands Right from inception, we started doing it alongside the indigenes and the devotees. From the architectural design of the pavilion, to the location though it is a sacred groove, certain areas that might be forbidden slots to touch. So the design is in compliance with the community and the village that are always there everyday.

So that will not be a problem, we will not distort what exists, we will just be complimenting their efforts. We are building it on two plots and in good time, I will give you the capacity in good time.

Hotel expansion and government’s leverage Apart from the fact that the government is encouraging a Five Star hotel, we are supporting hotels in partnership with the state government.

What we will do with the existing hotels is that, we are trying to standardize their operations because everywhere, you have tourists, hotelling is a very important part of it because people come in and they must stay somewhere.

If they do not have facilities that reach a certain basic standard, that might constitute a problem, so the government is footing the bill for training the personnel. We started it as a training, as we have in Ejigbo and it is a continous process. We have people coming in from Lagos and consultants that will train them. We need to raise that standard from housekeeping to bar tending, to front desk operations and we are working with the hotel in partnership with the hotel association to at least help create a certain minimal standard of service which is essential to tourism. We are also working on the plan to bring in some major international business operators in the hotel business to assist us.

Ndigbo takes Nigeria’s culture to Ghana, installs new Eze I n a colourful ceremony that showcased the beauty of Nigerian culture in Ghana, a new royal father was recently installed for the Ndigbo living in the West African country.

Geoffrey Nwoye Mokwugwo, an international

•Eze Georrey Mokwuawo being installed Eze Ndi Igbo of the Republic of Ghana in Lagos recently by the national president of the association of Ndi Eze Ndi Igbo in the Diaspora, Eze Nwabueze Ohazulike (OON)

businessman bagged the prestigious title of Eze Ndi Igbo in Accra, capital city of Ghana. Mokwugwu who has been resident in Ghana for over 20 years and an indigene of Awkusu, Anambra state of Nigeria became the first Eze Ndi Igbo in a threeday ceremony that saw Igbos celebrating their rich

cultural heritage to the delight of guests.

The journey to the throne started in Ghana last July 23 when in Lagos, Mokwugwu was named and installed Eze Ndi Igbo the first of the Republic of Ghana. The installation, according to Mazi Ugochukwu Ekwebelem, National Media Secretary of the Association of Ndi Eze Ndi Igbo in the Diaspora was performed by President of the association, Eze Nwabueze Ohazulike (OON).

However, a delegation of senior red cap chiefs led by the president travelled to Ghana for the official installation in the presence of friends and the Igbo community in Ghana. On the entourage were Eze Dr Alex Anozie, Eze Ndi Igbo of Oyo State and National Vice President of the Association of Ndi Eze Ndi Igbo in the Diaspora. Others were Chief Eugene Ojukwu (MON), Eze Obi Okechukwu of Osun State, Deacon Ezekiel Onyejekwe of Ile-Ife and Eze John-Greg Ezebuadi of Iba LGA in Lagos.

The Nigerian team was received in Ghana by the new Eze and others like Emmanuel Ndubuisi, Emmanuel Ezinwa, Celestine Nwauzor, Comrade P.E Irechukwu, Chief Anthony Ejiofor, Chief K. Onovo and Chief Apostle Kingsley. After the installation, the new Eze promised selfless service and to represent Igbo culture and tradition in Ghana.

Brief Book on Nigerian varsities for launch

By UGOCHI EZENNADI

C

ome Tuesday, September 25, the public presentation of a book, Assessment of Nigerian Universities Environment, written

by Barrister Justina Eke holds at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Abuja.

The book, which focuses on the role the environment plays on Nigerian universities, seeks to address how the state of infrastructure, research opportunities, religious activities, school administration, accommodation, feeding, host communities and cult activities affect the total environment in the Nigerian universities.

The book creates awareness for what present and prospective students could encounter in the Nigerian universities and serves as a guide to parents, guardians foreign embassies in the choice of universities for their children, wards and home countries respectively.

Expected as chairman of the occasion is Mallam Isa Yuguda, Governor of Bauchi State, while Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State, would deliver keynote address with special guests of honour in attendance.

The 192-page book comprises 21 chapters, covering a total of 21 universities in Nigeria, including Federal, State and private universities.

Borntroway moves to Bariga

T

he BornTroWay a creative arts training initiative which aims at promoting individual self-confidence, self-expression, teamwork and integration among 35 youths (aged 15-25) in disadvantaged areas of Nigeria’s main cities, is holding in Bariga in Lagos.

Auditions were held September 14, 2012 at 104 St. Finbarrs Road, Opp CMS Grammar school Bariga to select the 35 that will take part in a week long free training workshop.

According to the organisers of the project, this 5th edition of the training was stated for between September 17 and 21, at Ade Ife memorial Primary school, Odunsi Road, by Ifelodun Junction, Bariga, Lagos. The training culminates in mini-performances open to the public tomorrows Friday, September 21 at Bariga from 10am at the training venue.

‘The workshop, which uses spoken word, music, dance and acting, focuses on the issue of “waste”; physical (our relation with the environment) and human (our undiscovered, untapped or unutilized talent)’ said Ilaria Chessa of Music Matters and co-founder of the project. It will feature a stellar cast of instructors including musician, producer and MTN Project Fame judge, Ade Bantu; actor, writer and producer Omolola Oluwakayode ; dance and performance artist Segun Adefila; and AJ Dagga Tolar, spoken word poet, frontline activist and social crusader.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

DAILY SUN

45

Nigeria’s most influential newspaper is…? (2) A The Turf Game

nd it so happened that on the 14-0712, we received this email from one of our readers. Excerpts: Dear Sir....You, therefore, owe the world a duty to educate and inform. You owe the people of Nigeria, from East to West and North to South the duty to continue to re-educate the elite and the scholars and I can assure you that your efforts have been yielding great rewards. I learnt so much from you and I am sure that so many others did.

Your theory on the problem with Nigeria fits better than any other. The problem with Nigeria is that of failure of scholars and an inherently poor design. Anyone that misses this message has not understood you at all.

Apply this theory and Nigeria will start working. Your message is spreading and cannot be allowed to be stiffled.... Thank you and God Bless. Ikechukwu Eze. The implication is that the readers of Soludo and the platform he writes for, ThisDay, etc., will have to endure a long reign of the next few weeks, to be granted a certain proof, which already the readers of the Sun have for a year and more known as proven. And in history, especially in its revolutionary times, and all developing countries are by definition in revolutionary times, the next few weeks, can cost us an eternity.

Perhaps Soludo came late to the argument with a mindset that logic and events wait for him. Before his second coming, here, as a newspaper columnist, it was universally acknowledged in Nigeria that the problem with Nigeria was leadership. Professor Chinua Achebe, an unlikely philosopher, weighed in with a false poetic seal on the philosophical matter. In his now famous but sufficiently misconceived assertion; the problem with Nigeria is simply and squarely, a problem of leadership, he appeared to have reached the conclusion of the matter.

And from Sokoto to Calabar, everybody was nodding like the red-headed lizard in agreement. Except this correspondent and the Sun, who also came with proofs otherwise, as indicated by the above reader, who actually is one of the many, who write and phone in to concur.

Speaking to lawyers, Bishop Hassan Kukah says in the tone of a new and breakthrough discovery: The philosophy behind a coup is not different from armed robbery.

For, by the power of a gun, a man has the ability to make what is yours his without negotiation. Sahara Reporters; 04-09-12 But watchers of Sun and 2TG will easily recall that together with the readers we have all come to the conclusion many, many moons ago, that coup makers are all and one, armed robbers, of the political kind.

And we have even gone further to consequentially tag all those who laboured under military regimes, especially the professors, as receivers of stolen property and officers.

And it is on record we mentioned names, names like Soyinka, Aminu, David West and Nwabueze.

And it has also happened in this accursed land that every time a coup is successful, all manners of men in epaulettes, thugs, and disconsolate and roguish professors, come to justify the said coups and to arrange, army arrangement, according to Fela, to move the nation forward. And they all did, but into their pockets. For them success is its own logic and justification. And it won’t be out of place to recall that this same, then Father Kukah, had once justified Abacha’s rule and ruins, by invoking his God, as the giver of all powers. In fact, Kukah, once charged Soyinka of betraying his patriotism, for not serving under Abacha. After all, he claimed, Awolowo served Gowon and it is God that gives power. Now it appears, the transition from Father to Bishop, has given him more insight. Thus it is now upon the philosophy of armed robbery that those men poached for power and not as messengers of, or under the approval of God. Yes, the accusation indicts Soyinka but does not exonerate Kukah, who apparently has made a prosperous career, as philosopher of every successive coup maker, even as his heart bleeds. It was the Sun again, which waded in and insisted that (a) success is not (its own) logic and that (b) the worst

Jimanze Ego-Alowes alowesjimanze@yahoo.com

08033009539

•Onyima

•Ibrahim said and proved otherwise, and that it was a Northern ploy and fixture. Not quite a month later, one Michael Agbamuche, writing in The Guardian, 12-05-11, suddenly came to the same illumination and as usual without attribution. Of course, this, like the others, leaves the Sun readers ahead of the reality curve in Nigeria.

Now, if there will be a future to Nigeria and or a Nigeria in the future, the narratives on the crucial issues of leadership, coups and development will be cast in the categories of which the Sun is the first to enunciate. That is the singular recognition, that coup makers are armed political robbers, can on its own, begin to help us resolve the past, whose resolution, holds the key to the future. In a sense the Sun is helping more than any other Nigerian newspaper to create that future.

Perhaps, like Dr. Madunagu, we should all be running to grab, not Hobsbawm’s latest book but the Sun, every single day the

•Pemu corruption is the corruption, inherent in a group of men, betraying their commission and seizing public power (that is, our most revered common possession), on the pretence of a promise, a mere promise to do future good. And it was a promise that was promoted and guarded by guns, a promise that couldn’t stand on its own and which no other parties can query. And we are the first to characterise it as armed political robbery.

The nearest person to us at the Sun is Fela: Authority stealing, by which he meant mandarin collusion and corruption, pass armed robbery. And also army arrangement, by which he meant, that the people were being deceived, as one coup succeeds another. In fact, it might be just proper to recognise here, that Fela is Nigeria’s greatest philosopher besides whom the rest of us are like elegant copyists.

And not too long ago, again the preeminent journalist, Mallam Harunna Mohammed, wrote, stating that the abandoned property saga was a ploy by the South-South minority against the Igbo. Of course, that notion, as wrong as that the earth is flat, was agreed upon by all parties, including the Igbo, and their intelligentsia, till the Sun came into it. Of course the 2TG

“That is, the real influence is not in the circulation of the known, the extant, as important as that is. The real influence is in the formulation of the new logic, the new categories,

new frames, etc., about which, even the already known, will be checked and reevaluated.

sun shines from the sky. And this is because more than any other Nigerian medium, the Sun is fashioning up the language and concepts, about which we shall frame our common future. And this gives the Sun the unprecedented influence as no other Nigerian newspaper might have enjoyed, since the end of the civil war, and possibly since the creation of the very nation itself by the colonialists.

That is, the real influence is not in the circulation of the known, the extant, as important as that is. The real influence is in the formulation of the new logic, the new categories, new frames, etc., about which, even the already known, will be checked and reevaluated.

But should the Sun worry that proper attributions are denied or left unacknowledged? Not quite. All what is important is the work, and not the author or source, as the American, William Faulkner tells. Now, if the truth from the Sun is evangelised, it doesn’t quite matter, if the evangelists think the source of their knowledge is the moon or even themselves as stars. What is important is that Nigerians come to knowledge, that coup makers are armed political robbers, and that those who served in that regime are receivers of stolen goods and or offices, etc.

Perhaps the tale of the American Malcolm , as the populariser of tipping point, is it.

Thirty years after the Nobel Prize winner, Thomas Schelling, had coined the term/category, Caldwell wrote his influential and worldwide bestseller with the title, tipping point. True, Caldwell didn’t do the attribution but he did not pretend he was inventing or about to hypothesise the phrase. Even if he did, does it matter? No, for we are all richer for it. By the way, Caldwell is of Nigerian, precisely Igbo origins. He confesses to it.

Last words: We have written just as Butterfield, the British historian would have advised; it is not a sin in a historian to introduce a personal bias that can be recognised and discounted. The sin in historical composition is the organisation of the story in such a way that bias cannot be recognised.

Our prejudice, we state, is that we write for the Sun and are authors of some of those works, all verifiable, in question. And facts are not vitiated for their source. So long as they are independently verifiable, they remain so, facts.

And lest we forget; electronic media are generally into sound bites and are, therefore, not forums to introduce new ideas and sustain them in logic. They thus can’t be really influential in the real import of the word.

They are at best vehicles to propagate ideas originated somewhere else, perhaps in the print media and books.

Of course, the great game of being in the Sun, which is Nigeria’s greatest journalistic grace today, is not to feel bloated we are leading the others, not just in numbers and spread, as everybody who should, knows, but in innovation in ideas. Actually, our purpose is to make our task to come a lot easier. Now, if we come, one and all to the conclusion, that coup makers, whatever else they are, are first and foremost armed robbers, we are closer to resolving the Nigeria puzzle. And this is all thanks to the Sun as the Rosetta stone.

And if as our respondent Ikechukwu Eze said: Apply this theory and Nigeria will start working, then we are in luck and in unbelievable intellectual fortune. How, and it is this simple: We shall, therefore, in our subsequent presentations and essays, be attributing the sharp cutting characterisation of coup makers as armed robbers, to Bishop Hassan Kukah. And, therefore, the consequences of the logic, of coup makers as armed robbers, can then be driven to its conclusions, quoting the same Bishop Kukah, as the source and inspiration. Can’t you still sense our good and excellent fortune? Ok, can’t you imagine what it is to be under the authority, and blessings of a Bishop? To be granted leave to say: Thus said the Lord Bishop... and it, therefore, follows... the Sun is the most influential paper in Nigeria. And if he didn’t say it, can’t we then conclude that on his behalf? Ahiazuwa.

46

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 20, 2012

MONEY

Entrepreneur, Property & Investment guide

By UCHE USIM

G

eorge Esezobor Uriesi, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) inherited many challenges.

When he assumed of office as the FAAN boss, few friends considered him ‘unlucky’ as he was coming at the time the rot in the aviation sector was at its peak.

Moreover, he was coming into a parastatal fortified with corrupt lots who would stop at nothing to resist any attempt to abruptly wean them from juicy deals that have left the airports in decrepit state.

On one hand, he manages 22 airports that have suffered perennial neglect and best described as dilapidated. Unfortunately, about 90 percent of the airports are currently unviable and so he has to use the revenue generated from about four airports to sustain all of them.

While contending with this problem, he is, on the other hand, inundated with calls from influential politicians to dish out huge contracts to them since he superintends over a parastatal regarded as the cash cow of the aviation industry.

Having analyzed the issues, building a trusted team to transform the airports was an uphill task as he was shocked to discover that some persons who ought to be professionals concerned with the development of the nation’s airports have mutated into corporate politicians and survivalists.

Rather than work for the common good of the authority, they are rather playing the popular pull-him-down game to retain their jobs, regardless of their zero contribution to the development of the agency.

Having seen Uriesi as one who is hell-bent on making a difference, the next assault was the character assassination mission that has made his name prominent on the list of illegal deals that were executed long before his appointment.

Uriesi told Daily Sun in a recent interview that he was aware his detractors have laced his path with banana peels that should see crashing down to infamy from the pinnacle of his career that took him over two decades to build and added that rather than fret, he has remained resolute to make a change.

Today, the nation’s airports are being remodelled under the President Goodluck Jonathan Transformation Agenda.

It involves phased airport development programmes but has come under serious attack by some stakeholders who are querying the way and manner the funds used to execute projects were sourced.

The Phase 1 of the airports’ remodelling further initiates emergency measures for the airports with overall upgrade in security control and cargo management equipment.

The measures are required to improve passenger comfort, safety and security in the airports, particularly the international ones, in Lagos , Abuja , Kano and Port Harcourt, to prevent any disaster.

The Phase 2 of the Transformation Agenda centres on Terminal Development. This accommodates the upgrade of the remaining 11 airports managed by FAAN and the construction of new international terminals for the Lagos and Abuja airports.

The Phase 3 of the Transformation Agenda

Nigerians will soon have airports they’ll be proud of –George Uriesi focuses on Infrastructure, Safety, Security (Long Term Intervention). The Phase 4 of the project focuses on long term development of operational and financial sustainability measures.

Uriesi also told Daily Sun that the his management evolved a three-prong developmental approach-infrastructure, the organization itself and finance.

He urged Nigerians to exercise patience as programmes and projects meant to enhance passenger comfort are in the oven and will soon be rolled out for consumption.

In this interview, he speaks about the authority and more.

Excerpts: Journey to the 3-nation roadshow You know, we’re following well-trodden success path for transforming any air transport industry. I happen to have the experience of having been part of the leadership team that led the transformation of South Africa’s air transport industry into what it is today-a globally renowned success model.

So how do you do this? You don’t just wake in the morning and have a transformed air transport system. A lot thinking goes into it. It entails a lot of work. You first develop a road map to look at where you are today, where you want to be and what the distance between the two and what also what you are going to do in terms of priorities; what comes first, next.. until you get there. That’s what we developed. The first part of it was to develop the current infrastructure in its own position; expand, upgrade and modernize so that we take away that first terrible legacy we have first.

Secondly, in some airports, we needed addi-

“They said they took us seriously because of their economic forecast, which they showed us. It puts Nigeria, much to our surprise, as the 6th largest economy by 2040, about 28 years away and in 2050, as the 5th largest economy of the world.” tional capacity and not only that, we also needed some prestige for the country. That meant four new terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano. That second phase is going to commence early in the new year. The third phase is main roadmap. That centres on a concept of Aerotropolis. The Aeotropolois is an attempt to maximize the impact of the airport on the surrounding economy; so that the airport is not just a place where aeroplanes land and takeoff with some shops, rather, it should actually provide some economic impetus like it’s done elsewhere. So the airport should have a whole micro-economic system of its own, that includes a lot of projects; that includes a lot of commercial activities like in cargo, tourism, hotels, car parks, amusement parks, petrol stations, cinemas, conference centres, even a couple of housing complexes that sort of create an economic hub in the airport and boost economic activities in the area. If we don’t do that, we won’t be maximizing the impact of the airport.

“We are doing it because this is a success model used in Dubai, in South Africa and Egypt.

The Indians just did it and it’s successful, the Brazilians followed after the Indians and we can see what is happening there. We just don’t have any reason not to do it that way.”

Having set out phase • Uriesi one which is remodelling;

phase two which is the new buildings, we now had to go and start looking for phase three because when you start building the new terminals, you have to put all that investment we’re talking about. So, we went to China. What are we looking at? We’re looking for people who provide services in aviation; who had already invested elsewhere in the world to come and invest in our country because we’ve have provided the platform, which we call a landside/land use plan for Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

We said this is what we have; these are the things that are available; what are you interested in? So, we have suppliers of baggage handling systems, baggage management systems, apron buses, airport IT, air bridges on the one hand. We have also have investors in hotel chains, cargo management chains-people who specialize in the processing of cargo; and many other specialized areas where we saw the experts. We also have people whose specialities is building and management of terminals.

We went to China and the keenness of the Chinese was out of this world. They were besieging and are still besieging us and they wanted to go into MoU straightaway but we said no, because we don’t want to make the same mistake that has been made before. We told them to give us their proposals, we take a few weeks to look at it and then we come back, take a few weeks to look at it and then develop our own proposed MoUs, send them to you and if you’re in agreement with it, come over so that we can sign the MoU in Nigeria.

But we used the opportunity to see each of their factories and offices; to see who they’ve supplied before; to see how those things are doing etc. So, we are asking different people around the world that how good are these people’s equipment? How efficient etc? There’s a particular company that has been doing bonded warehouses even in Germany, so we asked the people in Frapport how the stuff is doing; the value added.

Our meeting with Citibank We went to North America and they were a bit less eager than the Chinese but they took us very seriously, so seriously that Citibank had a special session for us with their own core of investors. They said they took us seriously because of their economic forecast, which they showed us. It puts Nigeria, much to our surprise, as the 6th largest economy by 2040, about 28 years away and in 2050, as the 5th largest economy of the world. This is official economic forecast and it also said Nigeria will, under the same period, become one of the five triple Gs-Global, Growth Generators. You know now they call it the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and the last S representing South Africa). We specifically asked them about South Africa and they said they see South Africa falling out and Nigeria falling in.

They gave reasons like our population and the demographics of the population. One, we have large population and secondly, it is skewed towards young (the youth) and they are vibrant and dynamic. All the BRICS countries have

Continued on page 47

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

47

MONEY Entrepreneur

Setting up yam flour producing plant for export

I

•Uriesi

Most failed concession agreements were illegal Continued from page 46 something in common with Nigeria which is having highly-qualified people that are outside their respective countries. The other four (Brazil, Russia, India and China) have succeeded in bringing back those people back and harnessing their skills and the only one that has not done that is Nigeria. They said that the day Nigeria starts to bring and harness those skills and bring the demographic population of the people into play, they cannot see why we would not be where they’re pointing us to be in 2040. They asked a lot of questions about our Aerotropolis project and asked us the consultant that did it, we said it was an in-house document based on our experience and that we’ve gone through this before and we know how it works.

They asked us how committed we were because it’s not the first time they were hearing of such robust aviation business for Nigeria. But, they acknowledged the fact that they saw a proper plan for the first time. They urged us to make it work and agreed to partner with us in an advisory capacity.

Past ugly privatization deals I concede that in the past, there has been some failed agreements.

However, people often make this mistake and say that Nigeria does not keep to agreements. Let me emphasize that if Nigeria does any good agreement, it’ll stand. Have you ever heard anyone gone back to the NAHCo privatization agreement? It was done flawlessly and the company is moving forward. So is SAHCOL that changed to Skyway. But where you go and make a sweetheart agreement; where the parties are doing the thing not for Nigeria but for themselves, it won’t work. You can’t saddle the country for so many years with that kind of agreement because somebody will come one day and query it.

Most of those failed agreements were illegal. Let me tell you people something, we have a constitutional requirement that disallows us from doing anything that is not in the interest of Nigeria. So, constitutionally, many of those agreements that were being repudiated were not in public interest; rather opposite of the public interest. So, constitutionally, they’re null and void already. You cannot have an agreement that breaks the law and expect it to stand. Everywhere, we went, we were asked the same question and we assured them. We even told them that at any point in time, if they feel the deal is not going according to plans, they can pull back.

t is estimated that 30% of the harvested tubers yam are lost as waste due to none processing and preservation mechanisms in Nigeria. One of the more acceptable means of preserving yam is to convert it to yam flour. The traditional processing method is out modelled and laborious and grossly inefficient for mass production to satisfy the teeming population and local demand and make room for the export market to earn foreign exchange.

Yam flour is a cherished delicacy among Africans and other parts of the world.

Its processing increases its shelf life, adds value to the tuber (from where it is processed) before being exported to enhance its economic value, reduces waste and cuts down the cost of transporting the product to longer distances compared with the heavy wet tubers that are unprocessed.

The fact that this can be preserved helps to stabilize prices during off harvest season. The setting up of this project is seen to be feasible, considering the following: Technical considerations The plant aimed here will be able produce and package quality finished products for export. Its rated capacity is 5,000 metric tones of well packaged yam flour per year (8hours per day of 250 days in a year after allowing about 2.5% waste).this implies capacity of about 20tones per day.

The conversion ratio of raw yam tubers to yam flour is 3:1. This means that about 1,500MT of raw yam tubers will be needed per day, working at full capacity.

The machinery and equipment needed to process yam flour are (a) Yam Peeler (could be done manually) (b) Boiler (c) Dryer (d) International Standard Scale (e) Automatic Sealing Machine (g) Packaging Machine All the above machines and processing technology can be obtained locally. The machines apart from obtaining locally can as well be imported. The addresses of where to obtain both locally made machines and imported ones will be given to prospective investors on reaching to the

UBA Godwin ubagodwin@yahoo.com 08034494437, 08023664368

writer.

Raw materials The raw materials needed are yam tubers. These are obtainable from farms cultivated by plantations, small holders and co-operative farmers. There is abundant yam grown in this country. Nigeria is the world's largest producers of yams with over six million metric tones per annum of this output; only about 5% is put into industrial use by way of chips and flour.

Almost all states of federation grows yam.

Location The best place to locate this project is the area where yam tubers are obtained in abundance. Yam tubers are heavy and so transport expenses would be reduced if the project is located in areas where the tubers are grown in abundance, hence it can be sited in any part of the country. Other factors to consider include: (a) Availability of labour and raw materials in commercial quantity. (b) Availability of infrastructural facilities (water, power, access road etc). Export processing zones will be most ideal for setting up this project, if it is basically for export. (c) Ease or otherwise of the accessibility of the plant site to urban areas/ markets both for local consumption and export.

To accommodate the plant, one needs a large building with an area of about 1,500M2.

Market for yam flour The market is both local and international. The later should be targeted where there is preponderance of inhabitants of Africans in Europe, America and Asian countries. Based on research, some marketing points internationally have been established and would be given to prospective investors.

The factors that have positively affect the demand for this product include the preva-

lence of foreign exchange crunch, habit/culture, the increase in population of the country, the fact that its consumption cuts across demographic classes, income levels and religious boundaries.

Production process Briefly the processes involved in yam flour production are: (1) Procurement of good quality tubers, weighing and washing of them.

(2) Peeling the washed tubers (3) Grinding of the peeled tubers into pulp.

(4) Drying of the ground yam pulp (5) Milling of the dried pulp (6) Sieving to avoid having lumps when being prepared for eating (7) Bagging and Packaging (2kg, 5kg, 10kg, 25kg and 50kg).

Details of the standard required in the international market will be given to prospective investors.

Cost and funding: The project can be set up with minimum of N8.0 million using locally made machines. It will be more if imported machines are to be applied.

In terms of funding there are some institutions in Nigeria that are interested in the funding of this type of projects.

Details will be given to prospective investors Investment analysis The project is very profitable. With aggressive marketing strategies, good management and export oriented, the payback period would be less than 2 years.

The return on investment is very encouraging at over 58%. Details will be given to prospective investors. For detailed information on export market, comprehensive and bankable feasibility studies/ report, sourcing of the required funds, please contact the writer.

Financial estimates Accommodation Plants & Machinery Raw Materials Operating Cost Utilities Total

1,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 8,000,000

Gari/starch processing plant Edwin Agbaike krisedbrilliant@yahoo.com 08098525122, 08023381900

G

ari is about the most acceptable staple food in Nigeria. It is eaten by almost everybody. The other end product- cassava starch is a popular raw material used by pharmaceuticals, textiles, batteries and the paper industries. The project is not only seen as contributing to the arrest of food crisis in the country but also a direct contribution to the industrial development of the nation.

The raw materials for gari and starch production are cassava tubers and water.

Cassava tubers are produced abundantly in the country.

Equipment required for gari and starch production is cassava peeler, grater, fermentation tank, press, granulator, hammer mill, extraction tank, packaging and sealing machine. All the equipment can be fab-

ricated locally.

A small scale processing plant that can process about 14 tones of cassava tubers daily is the base of this profile. This plant will be used to process both gari and industrial starch. The difference comes from divergence in the production process. To process both, the tubers have to be cleansed, peeled and grated. The part for gari will have to be fermented, dewatered, gelatinized drying, milling and sieving.

While the starch line will undergo starch extraction, slurring sedimentation, slurry dewatering, granulation cake breaking, drying and milling. Final output had to be well packaged for distribution and sale.

The project is best located in the rural or semi-urban areas close to the source of raw materials, with all other necessary infrastructure facilities. After setting up the plant, it is suggested that a 50 hectares cassava farm be established to service the plant with cassava tubers.

Estimated cost for setting up a small scale project of this nature ranges from about N450,000 to N1.5 million, depending on

expected outputs. The viability of this project is not in doubt. Moreover, the returns are high with very short payback period.

Finish products may be bagged in polythene or jute bags ranging from 10kg to 50kg, and ready for sale through appointed distributors. Starch could also be market through contract agreement with companies that need it as basic raw materials.

The project is highly viable since the raw material can be sourced locally and there is an ever-ready market large enough to absorb everything. This project is therefore recommended for investor's consideration.

This project stands a good chance of attracting finance from the banks, where individuals or corporate bodies are assisted with funds ranging from N500,000 to well over N50 million. A well-packaged feasibility report is a prerequisite to securing finance for the project.

For details on how to implement this project or any other, please contact us. We are willing to assist potential investors on any aspect of the project. Prospective investors may get in touch with us.

48

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

MONEY Entrepreneur

By ADEWALE SANYAOLU

F

or sometime, local airlines have been grappling with a lot of challenges occasioned by dearth of infrastructure, high operational cost, as a result of different charges levied by the respective government agencies in the aviation industry, which has led to the collapse or near collapse of some of the existing airlines. But as a way out of the doldrums, the Federal Government through an intervention move aimed at arresting the situation to save the local airlines in the country from going extinct floated the N200 billion aviation intervention fund to support the sector.

But the fund, according to Managing Director of 9ja Travel Services, Mr. Segun Oyebolu, operators of fly4cheaper,an online booking platform that affords customers the flexibility of getting cheap tickets online via the fly4cheaper platform.

In this interview, Oyebolu argued that the fund has not really provided the needed boost for the local aviation industry, saying what the sector needs is not essentially a bailout but the right operating environment, which would in turn transform to improved infrastructure alongside the right regulatory framework that would bring about massive investment in the sector.

9ja Travels, according to him, will become the first and only Nigeria technology company to exhibit among the world’s best travel technology provider at the global World Travel Market (WTM) holding in London this November.

Besides, Oyebolu equally lamented on the activities of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global body of aviation business, which, he said, is not in anyway supportive of local airlines to grow and compete favourably with its peer across the globe, alleging that the body was only carrying out the

N300bn bailout for local airlines waste of resources – Oyebolu scripts of its founders, who, he said, are Europeans that are only interested in the growth of foreign airlines.

“The travel agency arm of my firm, Distinct Travels and Tours Limited, is a victim of the injustice meted on us by IATA. So this is to say that I am fully aware of what IATA is doing to kill local airlines in Nigeria. But we are not resting on our oars to make sure justice prevails,” Excerpts.

Growing local airlines For every ticket issued under the IATA platform, the passenger, airline and agent pays $4.That to me is a system that looks very good, especially if the ticket is from Lagos to London and the passenger is paying N200,000. If the passenger is paying N200, 000 and what the agent is going to pay out of his purse is $4 or N640, that doesn’t make any difference.

But if a passenger is flying between Lagos and Abuja and IATAis requesting for the same $4 on a ticket that costs N20, 000, then the system seems to be against one permanently. And that is why if one calls a travel agent for a local travel, they cannot be the best party in this instance because they don’t do domestic unless the passenger is ready to pay service charge. And why do they ask for service charge? They do that because they can never make profit and that is not a good agenda for them. Not until fly4cheaper came unto the scene, no travel agent was talking to any of the local airlines.

Unfortunately, we lost Dana Airline. It happens. We are the only one that went to every

•Oyebolu Airport to commence ticket sales.

Most airlines are not on IATA because they cannot meet the huge financial obligation of the association because there are no incentives from IATA. So with the unveiling of our latest innovation and product- Quickair, every Nigerian agent can

How to end Nigeria’s food crisis – Nwanze

By LOUIS IBA

A

s President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr. Kanayo Nwanze calls the shot at this global apex agricultural creditor and donor agency.

Nwanze, is one of those few Nigerians who through hard work and a background of a distinguished academic expertise have pushed themselves up the ladder to head globally rated institutions like IFAD. His job takes him across various continents of the world where he interacts with world leaders, investors, operators and regulators of agricultural industries as well as research and development institutes in need of funding or grants.

Nwanze was at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan as guest lecturer recently. And at the programme, he had a chat with Daily Sun where he explained more on the job of IFAD in boosting agricultural development in the world. Nwanze, also lamented the neglect of Nigeria’s agricultural sector by successive regimes.

“We are the only organization in the world that deals with rural people; we work for rural development, we work in villages where people are farming and we are try to improve their conditions,” Nwanze said.

And on the state of the Nigerian agriculture sector he had this to say: “We have over the years neglected the agricultural sector, we have neglected farming and the farmers. If we don’t have our youths especially those who have university degrees engaged in agricultural jobs then who will change the phase of our agricultura l

•Nwanze

sector, who will provide the food for the masses.”

“The challenge that we now have is to make agriculture attractive to the youths, we have to make it a dignified profession like any other of the professions, and above all we have to make it an economic engagement, a business that turns over profit.”

Excerpts: About Nwanze Nwanze is a Nigerian and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1971, and he also holds a Doctorate in Agricultural Entomology from Kansas State University, United States, in 1975.

A flawed education system Our education system does not encourage young people to go into agriculture. People who go even to the university to study agriculture by the time they graduate they are not really interested in going into the field to do the practical’s; they don’t want to be farmers, unlike other discipline (like engineering, law, medicine, pharmacy etc,). The graduates of agriculture are not keen because it is no longer an interesting profession to them. And this is a mistake because if we don’t have our youths especially those who have university degrees engaged in agricultural jobs then who will change the phase of our agricultural sector, who will provide the food for the masses. Who will bring about the changes? So the challenge that we now have is to make agriculture attractive to the youths, we have to make it a dignified profession like any other of the professions, and above all we have to make it an economic engagement, a business that turns over profit.

And for the rural youths who have no other options, we have to create the incentives for them to see the business aspect of agriculture.

And in doing that the government must invest in rural infrastructure, they must invest in agriculture. If you don’t invest in the rural

areas then there is a problem because in some instances more than 90 per cent of the people in a country live in rural areas. Only a couple of millions of people are concentrated in the capital and other cities. But if you do not develop your rural areas and everybody migrates to the urban cities expecting to finds jobs, and if they can not find the jobs in the Nigerian cities, the next idea is to migrate completely out of the country abroad, and this can be another source of big problem because most of them end of facing far more difficulties and frustrations in this attempt.

So creating the right environment and giving them incentives to stay in the rural areas and do business there is to me a better policy, and encouraging them with farming incentives yields better results than allow them migrate. So the government has to create the infrastructure, schools, clinics and hospitals, road, electricity, potable water supply, security, storage facilities for their farm produce, linking them with the market where they can sell their goods at profitable prices which is very important because sometimes these farmers put in so much and at the end they sell out at very cheap prices because they are not linked to the right market and it is the middlemen who end up benefiting.

Farmers need the right environment Agriculture is not just about putting seeds into the soil. It is about technology, marketing, processing food. It is a business. Nigeria is fully blessed because we have all the advantages in our ecology to support all crops if we can manage things properly.

So the government in our own unique environment has to work harder to ensure that farmers access the right market that will make them better businessmen and women. Government has to make them have the same opportunities like those who live in the urban areas because the success of the Nigerian economy is in the vibrancy of its rural communities or its people.

And what I am saying is not new. If you go into history, you will discover that 18th century England was mostly a rural England and that was how that country was transformed. China has transformed itself today into an economic force reckoned with in the world because it has invested massively in its rural areas. You have to bridge the gap of poverty and in infrastructure between those living in the rural areas and those in the urban cities if you must be seen as a developed economy.

now have access to sale local ticket with just a token payment of N100 for the maintenance of the system as against the IATA practice of $4 paid into three place, It means any agent will be able to do it right on his desk without having to worry about what IATAwill say, which will subsequently abolish the service charge issue.

At the moment, there are still a lot of people that are not aware that with N14, 000, they can fly to Abuja on just an hour flight. Agencies don’t advertise. But we came up with that innovation, believing that we can help our nation because when more people fly, airlines can defray a huge chunk of their operational cost and keep to their schedule.

Bailout for airlines I don’t support the idea of government providing N200 billion lifeline, in form of bailout to our aviation industry because there are no structures on ground to support our aviation industry.

Giving bailout to airlines is just like giving money to a man to marry a wife. Such person won’t appreciate what it takes to have a wife, there would be mismanagement. What we need is a system that works.

The quick air concept What we are proposing under Quickair is this; unlike the days that IATA agencies default and put airlines in mess, under Quickair, there would be specific credit cards or debit cards that agents will swap, thereby automatically crediting the bank accounts.

So on a weekly basis based on the agreement with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCCA), that Bank which is called a settlement bank, would now distribute the money to each of the airlines based on tickets sold all over the country.

With this system in place, it would be easier for private sector operators to come together and get things working. Government intervention is not going to solve it. Government intervenes with several billion of naira and somebody takes the money to acquire choice properties around the world. That is what happens when people see free money. To me government is just saying I have so much money. Take and buy spare parts. And the person goes to Dubai to get choice houses. And that becomes the end of the whole thing.

IATA, Distinct Travels Face-Off On January 23rd this year, the management of Distinct Travels was forced out of business based on an unapproved allegation against the firm. Several efforts to get back in business were frustrated by a local insurance firm who refused to reactivate the Default Insurance Policy of the company despite the fact that the firm has done nothing wrong to warrant its existing policy.

IATA sometimes in April this year acknowledged their mistake after Distinct took the matter to an international arbitrator based in Sweden, in line with rules guiding IATA operations. It was after acknowledging their mistake and promising to reactivate the firm that the body went ahead to perfect another plan to frustrate the arbitration by referring the Distinct Travels to the insurance firm, which was not a party to the issue in the first place.

The firm eventually found out recently that the intention of IATA was to frustrate its businesses and put it out of business in its bid to assist local; non-IATA airlines maintain a level playing field in the industry.

The fight to kill the business model of Distinct Travels has been fierce because unlike all other agencies, it is only distinct that has maintained a very close business relations with other Nigerian airlines that are non-IATA members.

Without an open declaration, IATA is using its monopolistic power as the main platform for the travel industry to directly work against people and organization whose activities can significantly help the local aviation industry.

The killing of the local industry will sufficiently ensure that European airlines continue to dominate the travel sector. In recent history, there have been significant efforts by IATA to work with local unpatriotic elements to frustrate Nigerian-owned airlines and they are daily working to ground every Nigerian-owned airline by indirectly frustrating their business model.

DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 20, 2012

49

BUSINESS NEWS Why FG economic diversification policies fail – DBIR boss From EMMANUEL OGOIGBE, Warri

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he Executive Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR), Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has warned that the planned diversification of the Nigerian economy advocated by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission may not be realised unless government adopts the bottom-up approach in its development initiative.

Joel-Onowakpo made the observation while speaking with newsmen at the just concluded South-South Zonal Advocacy Workshop on Economic Diversification and Enhanced Revenue Generation organized by Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission in collaboration with the Delta State Government, held at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.

He expressed deep reservation about the move, stressing that for over fifty years Nigerian economic development has been driven from up to bottom without achieving the desired result. He therefore, joined in the call for more money for states and local governments as it was

the only way to development aspiration of Nigerians.

“I think that the main purpose of this exercise was to find ways diversifying the economy, make more money so that we can have a sustainable way of national development. We are already in the forefront and my fears is that this exercise may not actually result to sustainable national development because development does not move from up to down but it moves from grass root to up. In other words, the state governors since 1999 have been in the forefront of development and with that I will agree with a lot of people who are advocating that more money should be made available to the states because they know the terrain and environment.”

“This threat to national development is as real as our desire to for a sustainable national development because if the Federal Government continue to insist on holding unto a larger percentage of our national resources, no matter what attempts we make, it will only be a mirage. Therefore, federal government should be encouraged to release more funds to state Government or a total resource control so there will be a healthy competition among the federating states.

PAN Express boss commends Aviation minister

By PHILIP NWOSU

T

he massive renovation works, currently going on across several airports in the country, has attracted the commendation of aviation stakeholder, Chief Peter Okeze, Chief Executive Officer, Pan Express Group of Companies and notable member of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) Pan Express Group made a foray in the commercial management of the airport operations many years ago, and has since remained on the vanguard of promoting professionalism and transparency in the aviation industry.

Chief Okeze, who commended the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah over her doggedness in the restructuring and remolding of the nations airports explained that, all hope is not lost towards the repositioning of the aviation industry that came under severe criticisms after the unfortunate Dana Air crash, of June 3rd 2012.

Speaking recently in Lagos, Okeze hinted that, the challenges in the aviation industry was not peculiar to Nigeria alone, but maintained that the future of the aviation industry in the country appears very bright, given the laudable and visible programmes of the Federal Government on the sector as being handled by

Minister Princess Stella Oduah.

The Pan Express boss, who said it was hard to believe that the nation’s airports could witness such unprecedented improvements within a short period the Minister came on board, however added that, it takes courage and hard work to achieve what people thought was impossible before now. given the political climate in the aviation sector.

According to him “The aviation industry on daily basis is recording meaningful development and improvement. not just in Lagos but also across major airports of the federation. This development is good for everybody particularly the major players in the aviation industry. The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), should rise to the occasion and ensure that this wave of change across the length and breath of our Airports, is sustained. I have always advocated that all hands should be on deck because the airports are our national heritage that should be safe guided” While calling on the relevant Agencies to support the enviable programmes of the Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, Chief Okeze appealed that the minister should also passionately look into other areas, particularly the issue of investors and other stakeholders who are short changed as a result of policy reversal.

From left, Minister of State for Power, Mr. Darius Isyaku; Chairman Technical Committee, National Council on Privatization, Mr. Atedo Peterside; DG Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa during a press conference on Power at the State House, Abuja.

Egbema, Gbaramatu threaten to shut down flow stations over 13% derivation From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja

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jaw oil-producing areas of Egbema, Gbaramatu and Ogulagha Kingdoms of Delta State have threatened to shut down all flow stations in their kingdoms if a direct payment of 27 per cent share of the 13 per cent derivation fund accruing to states is not paid them directly.

In a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan signed by 28 chiefs and leaders of thought, each representing a community in the three kingdoms, the communities said their request was due to the

fact that they no longer have faith in the Delta State Oil Producing Development Commission, DESOPADEC, which they said, has been hijacked by politicians.

The group under the aegis of Ijaw Host Communities, empahsised that Section 162 (2) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that 13 per cent derivation fund was the first charge of the Federation Account.

“Thirteen per cent derivation fund is not part of any consolidated revenue of state government; it is not part of any state allocation. 13 per cent derivation fund is a benchmark

for revenue allocation for host communities in Nigeria. It is therefore illegal to allocate 13 per cent derivation fund through a third party to the host communities. However in Delta, Edo, Ondo, Imo and Abia states, oil commissions have been created through which a percentage of the 13 per cent derivation fund is paid to the host communities by the state governments as a third party. This procedure and process has allowed the state governors to take over full control of the resources of these oil communities to the exclusion of the host communities. In Delta State the situation has been so embarrassing

FG inaugurates committee on Ibaka deep sea port

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he Federal Government has made good its promise to transform and expand the maritime sector, as the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris A. Umar, yesterday, in Abuja inaugurated an 8 – member Project Development and Steering Committee (PDSC) with a charge that the development of Ibaka Deep Sea Port Akwa Ibom State should be ready by 2015 for maritime business.

The minister stated that the project was the actualization of the recent maritime sector retreat convened by President Goodluck Jonathan, which articulated action plans to harness the potentials of the maritime sector for sustainable national economic development. “Mr. President attaches great importance to this project which is indeed part of the Transformation Agenda”. The minister emphasized.

Senator Umar explained that the construction of Ibaka Deep Sea Port which is envisaged to be completed in 2015 will complement the overstretched existing six (6) ports which cater for over 100million metric tones per annum beyond its handling capacity of 60million metric tones per annum. He further stated that the Federal Government, Akwa Ibom State Government and the private sector would jointly participate

in developing the sea port.

While thanking the Akwa Ibom state Governor, Godswill Obot Akpabio for making available 5000 hectares of land for the Ibaka Deep Sea Port with a further promise to provide necessary basic infrastructure including the main access road, the minister gave assurance of the Federal Ministry of Transport’s commitment to the project. “Let me therefore warn that in the course of the execution of this project, the ministry

shall not condone any act of indolence or unnecessary bottlenecks”.

Responding on behalf of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, the Secretary to the State Governor Umannah Umannah conveyed the appreciation and happiness of the Governor and Akwa Ibom people to the Federal Government for approving and kick starting the project and promised the commitment of the State Government in its realization.

and has come to a boiling point where the host communities have been driven to the wall” the group said.

According to them, the monthly allocation of 50 per cent of the state derivation fund is not paid to DESOPADEC as at when due, and when eventually paid there is always a shortfall leading to contractors not being paid for jobs certified done.

“In the last three years, jobs completed and commissioned by the governor have not been fully paid for. Contractors who borrowed money from banks are already having issues with the banks as the banks have seized the collaterals for the loans.

When the part payments are made, the banks seized all such payments to settle accrued interest for the loan for the past three years, so that the contractors have nothing to take home for their efforts, as a result, many of them have died of hypertension and frustration” the group said.

They however hailed the recent dissolution of the DESOPADEC board, saying the erstwhile board had become a political tool for oppression, marginalization and victimization.

Etisalat to expand N150bn Nigeria’s mobile money market

By BISI OLALEYE

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n order to expand the country’s N150 billion mobile money market potential for further penetration, Etisalat Nigeria has launched its easywallet platform.

According to the company,Easywallet is a secure and user-friendly SIM application for mobile money payments and transfers as part of its effort to drive financial inclusion in the country.

Speaking at the launch at the weekend,the Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans, said the new solution was positioned to bring mobile money closer to the customer and drive the Central bank of Nigeria’s cash-

less policy initiative by growing the use of mobile payments. Disclosing that the network subscriber base has grown to 14 million, Evans said.

Etisalat Nigeria was canvassing for integration among players and that it will do more good when solutions are brought up by players to ensure wider coverage of the market.

The mobile money platform, which is offered in partnership with leading Nigerian banks including First Bank, GTBank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Zenith Bank, was described as being more convenient and secure platform, as it allows Etisalat’s over 14 million subscribers easy access to their preferred mobile money scheme for conducting secure money transfers

and payments.

“The launch of easywallet is a landmark in Nigeria and progress towards mobile money adoption, as it is the first fully- secure mobile money SDIM application offered to customers with the easywallet application installed on their SIM cards.

“This unique application supports multiple languages such as English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba and works across all makes and models of phones, smart phones and even tables devices. Easywallet is compliant with al industry standards such as ISO-1 and guarantees adequate protection of customer’s information while carrying out mobile financial transactions across multiple Mobile money schemes.”

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DAILY SUN

Thursday, September 20, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS We’ll reduce financial exclusion to 20% by 2020 – Onasanya

By AMECHI OGBONNA

to enjoy financial services, using their mobile phones to roup Managing send money, pay bills, top up Director/ Chief their phone airtime, do shopExecutive FirstBank of ping, deposit and withdraw Nigera Plc, Mr Bisi Onasanya cash, without the need to visit a yesterday stated that the bank branch.

He said: “FirstMonie servbank’s objective in launching its mobile money service was ices have been created with to reduce the nation’s 46 per three principles in mind. The cent financial exclusion rate first is defined by how conto about 20 per cent over the sumers receive money to fund their unique lifestyles; how next few years.

Speaking at the formal consumers spend money for launch of Firstmonie in Lagos their unique lifestyle needs; and which it did in partnership with thirdly, the ability of the conVisaCard, Onasanya said the sumer to be informed and in bank was determined to ensure control of their money.

“With almost 700 branches that the vast majority of the unbanked and the underbanked and business correspondent Nigerians enjoy superior finan- outlets strategically located •From L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr Martin Woolnough; Managing Director, FSG Incorporation, Mr cial services, through its mobile across the country, about 1,900 Mark Kramar and Director, Etisalat Corporate/Social Responsibility Centre, Mr Chris Ogbechie, at the close of Nestle money service in a move seen ATMs - cash deposit, cardless Central and West Africa creating shared value forum in Lagos on Tuesday. as a major push for local and biometric, over six million money transfer services. With active accounts and over the launch of this service, the 18,000 point of sale terminals, stage is now set for the bank’s FirstBank offers the best and customers and anyone in the most effective mobile Nigeria with a Mobile Phone money platform in Nigeria. “ warned the federal and increase in oil proceeds economy is performing betFrom ISAAC ANUMIHE, states governments accruing to the country was ter than forecast as the proAbuja against frivolous expendi- only a temporary one which visional real GDP growth may be reversed soon, rate stood at 5.38 per cent in ollowing recent tures.

Sanusi, who addressed depending on global eco- Q2 of 2012 from 6.7 per increases in crude oil cent recorded in the correafter the nomic swings. sales, Governor of newsmen According to him, the sponding period of 2011. mporters from the South-East and South-South geo- Central Bank of Nigeria, Monetary Policy He said that the non oil graphical zones of the country have been warned (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Committee meeting in recent macro economic data against under declaration of goods, and importation Lamido Sanusi, Tuesday Abuja stated that the indicated that the Nigerian sector continued to be the major driver of growth in of contraband goods as well as arms and ammunition the economy, recording a concealment amongst other wholesome trade related 7.50 per cent in contrast to malpractices This warning was given by the Federal Operations Unit the oil sector which con($25.1 million), leather manu- was the general acceptance and tracted by 0.73 per cent durZone (Customs command, Comptroller Madu Biu, when the By CHARLES NWAOGUJI factures and dressed furskins ($ adoption of trade liberalization ing the period.

South East and South South Amalgamated Traders The bilateral trade relation- 516.1 million) and plastics in policy as a means of enhancing Association, SEMATA, visited him in Owerri, yesterday.

Sanusi noted that the volume and free flow of trade GDP growth for fiscal 2012 Comptroller Madu Biu advised the traders to ensure prop- ship between Nigeria and primary forms ($5.1 million).

“The trade deficit of goods among nations, which has had been revised upwards to er documentation assuring that importers who engage in Turkey has hit well over legitimate trade should not entertain any fear provided they N208 billion between 2004 with Turkey was $429.3 mil- made the world economy to 6.77 per cent from the earlilion in 2011, at 21.9 percent become a global village. and 2012. did not bring contraband goods into the country. er projection of 6.50 perThe National President of increase ($351.9 million),” he Speaking in the same vein, cent.

He warned that the zone would not condone any act of sabotage from any importer or clearing agents as it will deal Nigerian Association of stated.

Commerce Council Embassy In the external sector, He observed that the balance of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Sanusi said the naira has ruthlessly with anyone who circumvents the Federal Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and of trade between the two coun- Bulent Ferik said that the performed very well at the Government economic fiscal policies.

The President of SEAMATA, Chief Dr. Okwudili, howev- Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. tries is in favour of Turkey, the increase in the volume of trade Whole Sale Dutch Auction er, pledged that his members would comply with the laid Herbert Ademola Ajayi, dis- fact remains that the existence between Nigeria and Turkey System, as it appreciated by down Federal Government economic fiscal policy promis- closed this at the maiden edi- and continuous annual growth was a result of mutual coopera- N0.04 from N157.40/US$ ing to cooperate with the new comptroller on his onerous tion of Lagos ExpoBuild in the volume of trade between tion. to N157.36/US$ during the Exhibition, held yesterday in both countries was a testimony duty of fighting importation of contraband. period July 25 and August He noted that the commerLagos. Ajayi attributed the vol- of faith, reliability and confi- cial and economic ties between 31, 2012. ume of increase to mutual rela- dence both countries have in the two countries are developThe governor said that the tionship between the two coun- each other and in their products ing at a rapid pace which he appreciation was due to the and services. tries over the years. combined effects of increase He pointed out that more said was in a good direction, in According to him, available Cash Reserve stressing that the trade volume statistics reveals that Turkey’s meaningful business relation- of the between the two coun- Requirements and other polship could still be explored. icy measures put in place by From THERESA EGBA, Abuja (ICT) has driven and is still driv- goods exports, to Nigeria in The NACCIMA boss tries would increase by N230 the regulator during the ing virtually all activities in the 2011 were $394.4 million up billion in the next two years. explained that globally there period. ith forty-five million banking, oil and gas sector, a by 57.4 percent from 2010.

Ajayi, who was represented internet users, massive development in the Nigeria has been functioning of government by the President of Remo ranked as the fastest growing organisations, education sector Chamber of Commerce, Chief Nigeria needs N56trn to (Mrs.) Adsola Adebutu, said bridge housing deficit Internet user in sub Saharan as well as the private sector.

Identifying the works done the top export for 2011 include; African.

This was disclosed yesterday with the Internet, Angaye noted Iron & Steel ($118.5 million), FROM ISAAC ANUMIHE, housing units to bridge the with key institutions like the housing deficits in the coun- Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian in Abuja, by the Director some of them include the electrical machinery, apparatus ABUJA try and providing these hous- Navy, the Economic and General of NITDA, Prof. ASSYCUDA of Customs, e- and appliance ($45.1 million), Crimes Cleopas Angaye during the passport of Immigrations, Non-metallic mineral manus the Federal es will cost N56 trillion at a Financial cost of Commission, the Nigeria interactive session with the Census, elections, health insur- factures ($ 40.3 million), manGovernment grap- conservative National Association of ance scheme, national identity ufactures of metals ($22.8 milples with the issue of N3.5million per unit. This is Police, among others with a Software Services Companies scheme, JAMB, WAEC, NYSC lion) and articles of apparel and reducing the 16 million a colossal amount which view to financing the buildpostings. clothing accessories ($20.2 housing deficit, Managing cannot be funded only ing of staff residential estates of India (NASSCOM).

Reeling the success story of million).

He explained that Nigerian the National for them through the NHF Director of Federal through He stated that Nigeria was Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Housing Fund, but requires scheme.

Internet population has wit- the sector, he hinted that the th Equipment Turkey’s 45 largest supplier nessed tremendous growth with Original To this end, he said, the FMBN, Gimba Ya’u Kumo, urgent injection of funds a boost from 2,418,679 users in Manufacturers, (OEM) have of goods, adding that Turkish yesterday said that from both the government bank has offered to finance established five assembly plants imports from Nigeria stood at 2005 to an estimated number of and the private sector. That is the building of 150 housing about 10million Internet users in in the country while IT multina- ($823.2 million) in 2011, up by Nigeria currently needs why we are as well exploring units in each state of the fedN56 trillion to bridge the 2008, over 24 million by 2010 tional companies now have 36.6 percent from 2012. offshore funding to boost eration and Abuja for men and currently over 45 million offices in the country.

He further stated that other gap. financing for mass housing and officers of the Nigeria According to him, the 16 The Minister added that top five imports categories for users thereby positioning which the nation urgently Police which brings to a total Nigeria as the fastest growing enabling environment has been 2011 were; gas, natural and million houses would be needs” he said of 5, 550 housing units constructed at a conservative created leading to both local and internet country. manufactured ($696.2 million), adding that the police leaderKumo said the new mancost of N3.5million per unit.

He noted that in its fast move, foreign direct investment in IT oil-seeds and oleaginous fruits “Fundamentally, the agement of FMBN has been ship has accepted to support Information and development, which has led to ($73.2 million), petroleum Communication Technology job creation in the labour market. products and related materials nation needs 16 million pursuing new relationships this initiative.

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Oil windfall: CBN warns FG, states against frivolous expenditure

Importers warn against false declaration

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Nigeria-Turkish trade volume hits N208bn

Nigeria ranks highest with 45m internet users

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NEWS DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012 51

SUN SPORTS IWF Grand Prix: Dollar rain imminent for lifters in Russia

By GEORGE ALUO

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t promises to be a dollar rain for weightlifters that would participate in this year's International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Grand Prix otherwise known as the President's Cup billed to run from October 12 to 14 October,in St. Petersburg, Russia at the Palace of Sports “Yubileyniy”.

IWF, in a release made available to Daily Sunsports disclosed that gold medalists at the three-day meet will smile home with $5,000 while silver and bronze medalists will pocket $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.

Lifters that set new senior world record are equally to get what IWF tagged: “Winning bonus”.

The release said in part:”Any athlete setting up a new Senior World Record will be awarded the following bonus as follows: Snatch $3,000, Clean and Jerk $3,000 and Total $6,000.”

There will competitions in the men's 94 kg, women's 75 kg, men's 105 kg and women's +75 kg.

The championship would be rounded up with a glamorous award nite-cum-dinner to be graced by IWF President, Dr Tomas Ajan.

IWF, while commending the hosts, noted that the venue in St. Petersgurg has facilities needed to stage a world class event.

“St. Petersburg offers an impressive infrastructure to stage the competition, and the professionalism of the experts working on the planning and delivery meets the highest expectations,” IWF said.

The Russian meet would be the second international tournament IWF would be organising after the London 2012 Olympics.

The world weightlifting body had this week staged the World Youth championship in Kosice, Slovakia where it also organised a one-day anti-doping and administrative seminar for athletes, coaches and representatives of national federations as well as other delegates drawn from different parts of the globe.

9-year-old gymnast eyes medal haul at Eko 2012

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confident nine year-old Abimbola Disu says she has the wherewithal to sweep medals in the gymnastic event of the 18th National Sports Festival tagged: Eko 2012.

The primary four pupil of Sanfra Preparatory Nursery and Primary School stole the show at the just concluded Lagos Gymnastic championship, dominated in three events to win the star prize. With the target of clinching three gold medals, she said: “I am working towards achieving my goal of winning three gold medals at Eko 2012 because my coach is giving me vigorous training and I so much believe that with God on my side, I will make it,” she boasted.

For Disu, becoming a national champion, remains her long term goal but for now, she wants to announce her emergence with good performance at Eko 2012. “I want to become Nigeria’s champion one day, and I also want to become successful in my education, because my parents always emphasize that I should give my education a priority. For me, my first hurdle is to make Lagos State proud by winning gold medals at the festival and I will continue to work hard to fulfill my dream,” she said.

Like Disu, Temitope Issa, who mopped nine gold, two silver and one bronze medals at the last Lagos State Sports Festival tagged: Ibile Games, is also exuding some confidence, saying, four gold medals should be within her reach.

The 18 year-old, however, said becoming the first athlete to represent Nigeria at the Olympic Games remains her priority.

“I know that with hardwork I can achieve my dream and I am working hard as well. For me, four gold medals are achievable at Eko 2012 because I want to become a national champion and represent Nigeria at the Olympics,” the double gold medalist at the Port Harcourt 2011 said.

Another double gold medalist at Port Harcourt 2011, Adenike Oyekunle, has vowed to follow the footstep of her teammates by winning four gold medals come November this year.

“We are blessed with competent coach such as Abiodun Oyewuwo, who has been given us rigorous training and we are very sure that come November this year at the 18th National Sports Festival, we will win many gold medals. I think we can achieve our dream with hardwork and dedication,” Oyekunle said.

National honour award

Eagles’ security chief felicitates with IGP Abubakar …As Police conclude arrangements for Games next year

By ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja

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ational team security chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Gideon Akinsola, has joined millions of Nigerians in felicitating with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Dikko Abubarkar, for the conferment of national honours award on him by President Goodluck Jonathan this week.

Speaking to Daily Sunsports on telephone while revealing the plan of the men to hold police Games next year, the Super Eagles security chief noted that the IGP merits the award, especially his contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria.

NEWS

Copa Lagos organisers plan big

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inetic Sports Management has released its plans to make Copa Lagos one of the most interactive Beach Soccer tournaments. The 3-day Beach Soccer tournament which takes place 14th December will hand power over to the fans via social media.

Already, through Facebook,

fans are able to have their say on which teams will participate in the competition. Organisers have introduced a prediction app which allows fans to have their say on who they would like to see this year. The app has proved itself to be a popular new feature, those successful in predicting the correct teams will land themselves some hot prizes.

Fans are being told to make their predictions as soon as possible,

the first team to compete at this year's Copa Lagos is due to be announced Monday.

This is not the only feature, the 2nd edition will feature live match day updates via twitter on @Copalagosbs. The events army of twitter fans will benefit from live updates, caption competitions, the ability to vote for their man of the match and many more.

The management intends to

give fans a greater say in the tournament and boost engagement to create a whole new generation of Beach Soccer fans.

Speaking on the subject of interaction, Copa Lagos Media Officer, Steven Apampa had this to say: “Everyone knows that it is the fans that make a tournament, without their support the tournament can’t thrive.

NBA shows interest in Yekini’s case

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fter a long wait without pleasing result, the Nigeria Bar Association, Oyo State branch has signified interest to wade into the investigation surrounding the death of the Super Eagles’ late striker, Rashidi Yekini.

This was revealed to news men Ibadan yesterday by the Yekini’s lawyer, Barrister Mohammed Olanrewaju Jibril, who claimed he had been blocking his professional body (NBA) that had shown interest to take over that case right from the onset.

He explained that NBA had inquired why nothing tangible had been done in exposing the circumstances that surrounded the untimely death of the football hero.

Jibril said the reason he had been preventing his body from dabbling in the case was because of the family of his client who were likely to be prime suspects in the case, going by all the available facts generated so far.

The lawyer, however, explained that although the family had brought the death certificate of the deceased, but insisted that “the death certificate has not really clarified important things such as where was Rashidi Yekini between the Monday he was reportedly whisked away from his abode till the Friday he was taken to the hospital where they claimed he died?

“From my personal investiga-

Late Yekini tions after receiving the death certificate, the doctor who signed it insisted that he had not done anything serious as regards the medical check-up on Yekini before he died when he was brought into his clinics.

“I have been keeping quiet and hesitating on pressing charges on members of the family because I don’t want to be seen as inflicting more pains

on them after losing their son.

But I won’t be able to stop any pressure group that may want to follow the matter to a logical conclusion.

“I have told them before now and I am using this medium again to appeal to Yekini’s family to come out openly and apologise to the whole Nigeria and the world at large on their attitude and on the mistake they

made as regards the treatment meted to my client.

“It is my belief that the family was misled by some misguided reports they might have read in the newspapers concerning the sanity of my client.

Rashidi was their son, but he was my client too. He was a hero recognised worldwide, so he should not be treated like just a commoner”, Jibril explained.

Liberia set to activate Nimley for Eagles

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iberia Football Association’s President, Musa Bility, has confirmed that Liberian-born Alex Nimley, who has featured for England at the youth level, could have his wish granted in 48 to 72 hours if football's World Governing Body, FIFA, accepts his switch to play for his homeland, which could make him eligible for the next month's crucial match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

“We are trying to work out some formalities and we have already started the process.

Hopefully, we will hear something about our request within the next 48 to 72 hours,” said Bility.

Liberiansoccer.com which first broke the story reported last week the Manchester City’s striker expressed interests and readiness to don the red, white and blue and was hoping that FIFA would speed up the process that will make him eligible to play.

Now, according to the LFA

boss, that could come in time for the return leg with the Nigerian Super Eagles.

“I am ready to play for the

Lone Star. “There is no turning back now, all I want is for the LFA to conclude with my father as he is just waiting for a call

and then the paper works with FIFA which take a very short period will be sorted out”, Nimley was quoted as saying.

Ikoyi Club 1938 marks 74th anniversary ...Lines up activities for celebration

By MADUABUCHI KALU

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n keeping with its tradition of celebrating its anniversary Ikoyi Club 1938, has set aside September 24 and 30th to mark its 74th anniversary this year.

The club's Vice Chairman, who equally serves as the Chairman of Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the anniversary, Mr. Tunde Akinleye, addressing the media at the club's Rotunda House, said the club wanted to make this year's celebration special to linger for a very long time in the minds of members.

According to the programme of events Monday, September 24, is billed for charity visit to

Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home School, Lagos. There will also be Women's Evening when Dr Doyin Abiola will be the guest speaker.

On Tuesday, there will be Inter section games even as Elder's Day will be held same day. There would entertainment for all as Victor Olaiya will mount the stage to entertain. He will be ably supported by Sir Fatai Rolling Dollars.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the main Organising Committee of the 74th anniversary celebration, Mr. Akinleye, explained that the purpose of Intersection games was to ensure that members know other sections of the club other than

their sections.

“Why this year's Ikoyi Club 1938 celebration is going to be different is because of the introduction of Intersection Games.

The purpose of the introduction of the Intersection Games is to enable members know other sections of Ikoyi Club because many of our members don't know more than three or four sections of the club, while we have eight sections that include, swimming, tennis, table tennis, golf, squash, badminton, B/snooker, motor sports and other sports.

“We also want to expose members to other sports there by creating more friendly environment for friendship,” he said.

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NEWS NEWS

DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012

SUN SPORTS

Arsenal must improve, says Podolski

Abia Warriors hook Heartland’s former coach

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muahia-based Abia Warriors has begun preparations for the 2013 National League season with the hiring of a new coach, Chijioke Osuagwu, who two seasons ago, was the chief coach of reigning Nigerian champion, Heartland FC of Owerri.

Chairman of Abia Warriors, Chief Emeka Inyama, in a release made available to the media in Lagos said Osuagwu signed a one-year deal with a mandate to assist the club's technical adviser, Ifeanyi Onyedika, take the club to the elite class of the nation's domestic league.

Inyama said that he was particularly impressed with the CV of the young tactician, who started his coaching career with the disbanded Busdor FC of Port Harcourt.

“We are impressed with the rich CV of Osuagwu, who before now, has been with Busdor and Heartland. We signed him as chief coach to assist our technical adviser, Ifeanyi Ontedika. We have given the duo the mandate to take the club to the elite division which is where we rightly belong given the way the club is run and the level of funding we are getting from Governor Theodore Orji,” Inyama remarked.

Osuagwu, in a chat with sports journalists after the interview that saw him get the Abia Warriors’ job said he would put in his very best to realise the dream of the club's management

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Mikel (l) in midfield battle with Guinea players.

Akpabio for tourney Mikel back to finals on Saturday Eagles for Liberia T

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tephen Keshi has included Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi, for next month's AFCON clash.

Mikel opted out of the first

leg in Monrovia, which finished 2-2, when it was first learnt that the game will be played on an astro turf pitch.

Coach Stephen Keshi's programme was on Tuesday hand-

Why Sunshine must beat Ahly – Kalu

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eat Al-Ahly, become African champion. A loss will not only create a sad record, it means no Nigerian side ever stopped the Egyptian giants in the CAF Champions' League semis, that is authoritative from Abia state former governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

Kalu, who spoke yesterday disclosed that Enugu Rangers and Enyimba could tell the story better since losing in the semifinals to Ahly paved the way for the victors to emerge as champions. It also left the Nigerians with sad tales.

He said,"In 1982, Ahly retired the great Emma Okalla from soccer. It was in the second leg of the semis.The Flying Antelopes had won the first leg 1-0 at home.

Until the Cairo match, Rangers did not lose at away, having drawn1-1 in Angola with Primeiro de Agosto (Okalla bagged a red card), and beaten AS Kaloum, Guinea and Algeria's RS Kouba respectively.

However, the Egyptians bombed them 4-0 and went ahead to beat Asante Kotoko in the finals."

Enyimba, according to the exgovernor, got its dose in 2008.The first leg in Aba ended goalless. Ahly won the second leg semis 1-0. Again, they lifted the trophy after the finals.

"Enyimba bore a grudge before the 2008 clash. Ahly had dethroned them as two-time champions in 2005. It was bad because the Egyptians became the first to beat the Elephants home and away in an international duel. In Aba, Emad Mohammed gave the visitors a 10 advantage, in the return leg, Atanda Shakibu gave Enyimba the lead only for the homers to rally round to a 2-1 win,"Kalu

rsenal’s forward, Lukas Podolski, was delighted to get off to a winning start in the Champions League at Montpellier on Tuesday night, but he has warned his teammates that they must perform better in their remaining group games.

Podolski netted Arsenal's equaliser at the Stade de la Mosson shortly before Gervinho grabbed what proved to be the winner inside 20 minutes.

The French side had the better of the closing stages though, and Podolski said Arsenal was guilty of taking its foot off the gas in the second half.

'I think we played well in the first half.

In the second half, we weren't as good as we didn't do enough up front,' he told uefa.com.

'Montpellier played well in the second half, and we didn't impose ourselves going forward. We must improve. But we picked up the three points, it's always difficult away from home, and we're happy we did it.'

The goal was a third in five games for 27-year-old Podolski, and he admitted he has been pleased with his start to life at the Emirates.

added.

He advised Sunshine Stars to work towards humiliating Ahly to emerge as the first Nigerians to do it in the the Champions' League.

"Ahly is beatable. Kano Pillars dethroned it in 2009, albeit, before the Group stage. Should Sunshine win, they could grab the trophy. One man that will rejoice with them is Gen.

Ibrahim Babangida. He has not forgotten how Ahly stopped him from presenting the Winners Cup to Leventis United in 1985 at the National Stadium, Lagos. IBB waited at Dodan Barracks for the Ibadan Boys to cancel the first leg 2-0 deficit before going to Sportscity. It did not work, 2-1 aggregate scores and the prize did not stay in Nigeria,"Kalu said.

Learn from Paralympic medallists, Okotie urges FG Fresh Party Chairman, the Rev. Chris Okotie, has commended our representatives at the just concluded Paralympic Games in London, for doing the nation proud.

In a widely circulated press statement, which is also on his Facebook status, the pastor-politician, also known as Prince of Nigeria said: “On behalf of our great party, FRESH, I salute our indefatigable Paralympic athletes who did us proud in the just concluded Paralympics in London.

“Coming on the heels of our disgraceful showing at the Olympics London 2012, the physically challenged athletes who put Nigeria in the 22nd position on the final medals table with 6 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze medals, have virtually redeemed our battered image in the global sports arena.

“The fact that the Paralympic ambassadors put us ahead of great sporting nations such as Japan, Mexico, Sweden, Egypt, Austria, Switzerland and Norway, shows how important their feat is.

“We came third in Africa on the overall medal table, behind Tunisia and South Africa. Our athletes braved all odds such as poor facil-

ities, inadequate funding, and corruption in the sports sector to post such impressive performance, whereas, our London 2012 Olympic representatives who are products of the same environment failed woefully.

“This is a message for our government: No excuses for poor performance. The paralympic champions are saying loud and clear that we can still excel in Africa in all spheres of human endeavours.

ed to the NFF Technical Department, according to top officials of the Glass House.

"The coach has plans to name a killer squad that would include Chelsea’s stars, John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses," a top official revealed.

Several top officials, who accompanied the Eagles to Monrovia earlier this month clamoured for the recall of Mikel after the team's midfield collapsed against a rampaging home team.

Mikel has yet to play under Keshi, who took charge of the Eagles in November.

However, West Bromwich Albion’s striker, Osaze Odemwingie, will have to wait a little longer before he returns to the Eagles’ fold, another top official told MTNFootball.com "For Osaze, he would just be returning from his three-match ban and the coach feels he has not seen enough of him, so I don't think he would be making the Liberia game," the official revealed.

It was also gathered that the Eagles’ coach is expected to name his squad for the AFCON return leg next week with the camp opening for home-based players in the first week of next month.

The match will be played on October 13 in Calabar.

he Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, will lead the state executive council members to the final of the 6th edition of Akpabio Cup Competition for Under-18 boys at the Uyo township Stadium on Saturday.

According to the organisers of the competition, Governor Akpabio will be joined by Super Eagles’Coach, Stephen Keshi, and his assistant, Daniel Amokachi, Eagles’ former captain, Kanu Nwankwo, Ikpe Ekong, Charles Bassey, among other dignitries, expected to grace the event.

According to Uko Akpabio, chairman of the Local organising committee for the competition, the state executive council members would play against awardees before the final kickoff.

He also hinted that Kanu, Keshi and Amokachi would later have open session with participants after the final match.

On his part, the initiator of the competition, Hon. John Ekpeyoug, said a capacity crowd was expected to grace the final match and the award ceremony.

He thanked Governor Akpabio for his large heart in hosting youths from within and outside Nigeria and promised better outing next year.

Group preaches peace on cycles

By IKENNA OKAFOR

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essage of religious peace and tolerance in Nigeria is about to be preached in a unique manner by the Global Heroes, a non-governmental organisation, that is based in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Their mission is to spread the message of peace in various communitiesbetween Ilorin and Abuja on bicycles and hope to complete their journey in 10 days.

Team leader of the Global Heroes, Demola Okeowo, expressed his group’s aim during a visit to The Sun head office in Apapa, Lagos. ’We are absolutely committed to the project. The goal is to spread peace message through cycling. There will be 5 major cyclists and about 30 others who will embark on the journey from Ilorin to Abuja,’’ he said.

The group organised a similar project in February 2011 when they trekked from Ilorin to Offa in Kwara State, distance of about 58km in 11 hours. They gave their wodow’s mite to the widows of Nigeria’s fallen heroes during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. The spokesman of the group, Kugbuyi Adedoyin, also corroborated the team leader’s view.

We'll stun Amajita at home – Obuh

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lying Eagles' Coach, John Obuh, said his wards were confident of victory in tomorrow's 2013 AYC qualifier against the Amajita of South Africa.

The first fixture, final round for the 2013 AYC ticket race comes up at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

The Nigerians were held to 1-1 draw by their Beninoise opponents last weekend in Cotonou in an international warm-up match heading to tomorrow's duel.

Eagles had shove aside the

Ngorogoro Heroes of Tanzania last month at the llorin Township Stadium to pave the way for the grudge encounter.

The last time both sides met at the Cape Town invitational tournament saw the South Africans emerged victorious.

Obuh said the South Africans will not be twice lucky over their Nigerian counterparts.

"We're looking forward to a better game that will put smile on the faces of Nigerians as well as put us on the pedestal of defending what we won previously.

"We won't leave any stone unturned towards ensuring that we win massive and comfortably, so as to make the return leg easy.

"Sure, the players are fit, fitness was paramount in our preparations for the match. Of course, we understand that without fitness, you can't play well nor achieve your aim.

"We've done our homework well, there is no injury worry, at least, for now. We pray for luck, supports and prayers of Nigerians.

"The game won't be easy but

we're determined not to falter again to the South Africans.

"We're not meeting them for the first time, I've played them about three times, we just lost once.

"We're not solely banking on past records for them to have beaten Congo means they're side to be reckoned with.

"The players are in good shape and raring to go.

"The friendly encounter against the Benin Republic side has further toughen us for the battle in South Africa," the Sharks handler said.

NEWS DAILY SUN Thursday, September 20, 2012 53

SUN SPORTS

NEWS MTN Zaria team, Katsina Max Air win opening games at Katsina Polo

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he Katsina Polo, which took off last weekend, has produced two outstanding victories by the Katsina Max Air team and the MTN Zaria team that demolished their counterparts to record a first win at the International Polo Tournament to set the pace in their respective cups.

MTN Zaria team, led by MTN’s Regional Manager, Aliyu Musa, defeated its local rival, Zaria Kufena 6-21/2 in a hotly contested game to determine who takes over the driving seat in the race for one of the major prizes, the Coommassie Cup. “The positive result has kept our hope of Coomassie Cup victory alive and we are looking forward to more impressive performances as the tournament progresses,” asserted Aliyu Musa, who scored three of the six goals that secured them the victory.

“This is our first outing in this international event that features all the big names in Nigerian polo and we are confident that with our total commitment and the support of our teeming fans, the MTN team would emerge one of the winners in this tournament,” Musa added.

The MTN polo event remains the biggest most popular sporting festival in the polo annual calendar. More than 30 teams featured in this year’s competition from across the country even as the Ramadan wind is still blowing, the game has been attracting tourists to the ancient kingdom annually for more than 80 years.

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DAILY SUN Thursday September 20, 2012

DAILY SUN Thursday September 20, 2012

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N150 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 VOL.6 NO. 2460

Women football

Re: Rhythms of dichotomy (1) NWFL, NFF T

wo weeks ago, BROKEN TONGUES began a series on the above subject matter.

Here are some responses from the readers of the first part of the series.

North has Unfair Advantage Amanze, it is not only in oil that dichotomy existed in Nigeria, there has always been a dichotomy of leverage where the north must have an unfair advantage over other regions, if Nigeria must be. Is it political power, if the north does not rule perpetually to the exclusion of other zones, then be prepared for Jihad, or is it in the number of states? Any arrangement that does not give more states, local councils and even more population to the north, then expect bombs in babanriga. And now oil. It is that same reason that a region which took 50 percent for groundnut over 50 years ago is now asking for a policy that will further reduce the unconscionable 13 percent paid to oil - producing states today. Why? The north needs the money. Environmental pollution?

Those complaining should go to hell. How long will the south put up with this? It's only time that will tell.

Bassey Udoekere, Calabar - 08058512605 Unnecessary Storm This is an unnecessary storm in a tea cup.

Suppose Akwa Ibom seeks to secede and succeeds, will the remaining entity called Nigeria still lay claim to the offshore oil which derivation proceeds Akwa Ibom is enjoying today? The answer is emphatically No. That settles the debate as to who owns the oil or derivation proceeds from it, offshore and onshore inclusive. The north should let the sleeping dog lie.

Joe Osondu - Aba, 08037063929 Northern Elite is to Blame Amanze, kindly tell Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and his amplifier, Jonnie Carson, to close their mouth over poverty level in the north. Who is to blame? Nigeria has been in the hands of the north for over 38 years and they impoverished their people only to come now and cry. Please, let the northern elites tell themselves the truth, they are the cause of the zone's problem. Their women are not allowed to work or do anything to help the family. This Sanusi corroborated in Kaduna sometime that women can be empowered. Now Boko Haram is destroying people's businesses, killing those that have come to help the zone.

What do you expect? They should make their zone to be habitable so that God will bless them.

Give them a ministry today, they will not allow anything to be done. Let's try it. Thanks.

Dr. Joseph, CAN Secretary, Southern States, 07051539808 North doesn't need money Why do you fear the so called “North”? Do you forget how mosques are built by them/commissioned as democracy dividends along highways in so much paid for Hajj activities yearly?

So much wasted for sponsorship of Quoranic recitation/other ventures at the expense of the poor and underprivileged/sponsoring mass wedding? No, they don't need money 08034027921 Test for Nigeria's Unity Whatever, oil or not, Nigeria is facing a test that touches on unity. The greed of the north is giving this country a very serious reason to break up. 08039117492 North Manipulates Nigeria The oil matter is there simply because the north owns Nigeria and manipulates it at will.

Apostle Steve, Kaduna - 08161572401 Let Sleeping Dog Lie If it is the north that owns the oil, will they talk of senseless dichotomy? Take a lesson from presidency they feel is their right. Let the sleeping dog lie.

Edoama - Uyo, 08096102994 I like Your Style Sir, you write lucidly on any topic you choose to write on. I like your style.

Eze Tony - 08083268761 South Deserves Benefit of Oil Necessity they say is the mother of invention.

When groundnut and cotton were the major revenue source for the nation, north was enjoying

AMANZE OBI

BROKEN TONGUES

amaobi@yahoo.co.uk

with 100 percent derivation. Now crude oil is discovered in the south, let no one begrudge the other.

The world has not ended. More good things are coming out.

Nduelusi David - Aba, 08035508171 Synchronise the Rhythms Amanze, as a nation, we are not synchronising the rhythms. Increase the size of the pie by refining your crude and use the surplus to leverage diversification of the aggregate economy.

Galtima Liman, 2007 Presidential Candidate, 08068333683 Must Nigeria Perish Over Oil? Must northerners perish for oil money? Do you think from the depth of your heart that if north is producing this oil, we will still be talking about one Nigeria? I am afraid these people are going blind every day.

Bob, Yenagoa - 08183609094 North should create its own Wealth If the reverse of the natural oil deposits is in the north, I don't think the north would allow Nigeria to still exist as one without felling the south they are outcast. The north should let the sleeping lie or better still think of avenue of creating wealth with what resources they have. After all, some countries that do not have oil survive and their economy stronger than that of Nigeria that has oil.

Mitchell - Onitsha, 08036224540 Why is North complaining?

But the north should understand that not all southern states are littoral. They are not complaining. Why north that is far from the coast?

08036741210 Your Conclusions are Apt Dr. Obi, your conclusions on “Rhythms of dichotomy” are apt and correct. However, you did not tell us whether you support its abrogation or not.

Akin Eniolorunda, Jos - 08037076685 Nigeria's Unity rests on Oil Your analysis has given me more insight into the offshore/onshore oil divide. So long as there is an Act of the National Assembly which laid that matter to rest in 2004, nobody should even attempt to resuscitate it for another round of needless argument. This is because the unity and peace of this country rests on this crucial oil. If it dries up, one Nigeria is gone. Again, the north should lay the blame of poverty on the doorstep of military heads of state like Gowon, Buhari, Babangida and late Abacha who ruled Nigeria with military fiat and left their people poorer. Generally, in 50 years of Nigeria's existence, the north ruled for about 38 years. So who is to blame about the higher rate of illiteracy and poverty in the north?

Cletus Azubuike - 08129685020 Take a Trip to Niger Delta Amanze, you have tried in your unbalanced write-up. But take a trip to the devastated oil spilled Niger Delta region first before you conclude your series.

Hon. Chris Okonna, FOGAN Wordwide Boss, 08035418390 North Should Develop Itself Revenue allocation is a treasure from the constitution. Northern leaders must wake up to develop the region like their southern counterparts. This is the age of reality and development. If her leaders

are not ready to change, the region will continue to be backward in the midst of abundance in Nigeria.

Ambassador, 08038838912 Kudos Your views are informed. Kudos , 08157126382 North is against full federalism This people you call north are only trying to prevent Nigerians from practising full federalism and the oil rich states from making more demand for increase to 25 percent. Their evil posturing should be stopped.

Ibeji, Lagos - 08068288834 Nigeria has no regard for Akwa Ibom Akwa Ibom and other littoral states (if not the entire southern part of the country) should begin to take practical but legally acceptable steps to exit from the entity called Nigeria because as it is, the north would eventually have their way if not now later. So the earlier their House(s) of Assembly begin legislative processes to make their domain(s) independent entit(ies), the better. It may not be achieved in a few years' time but with sustained efforts done in accordance with internationally acceptable procedures, it would come to pass.

Nigeria as it is, even with Jonathan as president, has no regard for Akwa Ibom and its people. It only tolerates them for what the state can provide Nigeria.

Joe Effiong, Uyo (07087447953) Nobody should talk about oil dichotomy Dear Obi, the day the issue is raised in the National Assembly, I will say bye bye to legal practice. Only God knows my line of job.

Etukudoh, 07035617939 Oil Dichotomy amounts to Cheating Amanze, let us look at “Rhythms of dichotomy” from three basic perspectives, viz the international legal position, the effect of oil exploration and ownership of natural resources. Starting with the last, anything that nature deposits in any geographical area belongs to that area whether an asset or a liability in totality. And result of exploitation of crude oil it produces degradation to its environment which the citizens in such areas suffer from most.

The international law also recognizes natural resources belonging to the people living in such geographical areas. The distortion on ownership of crude oil was initiated by the British in Nigeria as a colonial weapon for amalgamation of Nigeria for their selfish end. Hence the north claiming riverine natural resources as national while their pyramids of natural resources are localized. What a thwarted cheating perception.

Lai Ashadele, Lagos - 08053007531 What about Zonal Imbalance?

I don't like this. Why do we quake when the north sneezes? The north that has dominated the affairs of this cursed land for nearly half a century.

What of the South East? Nobody is even worried about the evil of zonal imbalance.

George Ibecheozor, Owerri - 08036737985 Let the present arrangement be Thank you for your essay, “Rhythms of dichotomy”. Nigeria is a maritime nation because the coastal states of Nigeria are integral part of this country. If they were not part of Nigeria, Nigeria would not have had the status of a maritime nation talk less of clamouring for the abolition of onshore/offshore arrangement in force. My take on this debate is that the present arrangement should stay whatever qualifies Nigeria to claim 200 nautical miles EEZ also qualifies the coastal states of the south south and south west to claim the same 200 nautical miles EEZ. Besides, the environmental degradation that goes with offshore oil exploration are borne exclusively by the oil producing coastal states.

A. I. Olisadebe - 08033119751 Arrant Nonsense My dear Dr. Amanze. The new onshore/offshore debate is only a new arrant nonsense. We need God fearing leaders who will understand that the development we need is man-centred development - not the building of hotels, airports and flyovers.

Remi Okeke, 08035523818 South East needs one more state My dear, thanks for this issue. But there is a much bigger injustice in this country than this.

South East needs one state and nobody is talking about that.

08063200921

broker truce

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t a crucial meeting involving the President of NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, some members of NFF executive, which included the General Secretary, Bar. Musa Amadu, Director of Competitions, Dr. Sanusi and the representatives of Women Football League led by its Chairperson, Chief (Mrs) Dili Onyedinma and Debo Adeoye, the vice chairman of NWFL a truce was brokered between the two bodies.

Adeoye, who spoke with newsmen after the meeting remarked that it was pathetic and heartbroken to note that lack of sufficient fund remained the major problems militating against execution of laudable projects proposed by the NFF to move Nigerian football forward.

The proprietor of NITO Queens said further that it was, indeed, an unfortunate development to hear that cash crunch has been the bane of development of the nation’s round leather game, which to him, remains the unifying force keeping more than 150 million Nigerians together.

He, however, called on all stakeholders to rally support for NFF under Maigari in its quest to return Nigeria to its top position in Africa football, saying the time has come for all to make it a collective responsibility for the nation’s national teams to win some elusive FIFA organised World Cup trophies.

He also expressed delight that the development of women domestic football league, which dominated the discussion was actually on the priority list of the NFF executive coupled with the promotion of women junior teams, such as Under-15 and Under-13.

He added that it was unbelievable that the picture that majority of football followers see outside was quite different from the reality, saying, “this, of course, caused many problems between parent body (NFF) and its arms, which also necessitated the call for the urgent meeting”.

“Honestly,I felt bad accusing the executive of NFF, especially Alhaji Maigari of not paying attention to women’s league after seeing documents on how much our national teams are consuming, especially the senior teams.

Flamingoes, FIFA anti-doping unit hold session

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s the preparation of the FIFA Under17 World Cup that will take place in Azerbaijan reaches an all-time high, world football governing body, FIFA, yesterday held a drug enlightenment seminar for the Flamingoes and other teams participating in this year’s competition.

During the interactive session with the medical (anti-doping unit) and the refereeing unit, the team was intimated with the dos and don’ts relating to the competition, as well as what drugs or drinks to take (or avoid) and players’ conduct on the field of play.

After the session, both players and officials were formally accredited for the tournament and a plaque certifying the team’s participation for the tournament was handed over to the head coach and team captain.

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