Senate to FG: Appeal Bakassi judgment now

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 61719

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Bakassi land is not war booty

N150

Labour faults list of PHCN's plants bidders •P. 8

•Pgs 40, 41 & 42

Senate to FG: Appeal Bakassi judgment now zAs Mark, monarch write Jonathan zNigeria bastardized her position —Ajibola zNBA calls for Ashiru's sack over comment

BY HUGO ODIOGOR, INALEGWU SHAIBU & BASHIR ADEFAKA

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BUJA —THE Senate, yesterday, declared total rejection of the ceding of Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon

following the judgment of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, and directed President

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DEPORTED 52 YEARS AFTER INDEPENDENCE:

Unending crisis in Nigerian education

•P. 29

Democracy and closed Nigerian spaces

•P. 17

OCHEREOME NNANNA Bakassi: Ball now in GEJ’s court •P. 19

Mr & Mrs

Some deported Nigerian women pilgrims leaving the arrival hall of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport shortly after their arrival from the Muslim holy city of Medina, yesterday. Saudi Arabia has denied entry to some 1,000 Nigerian women seeking to visit for Hajj because they were not accompanied by men, with most stuck at the Jeddah airport. About 171 of the women were deported, yesterday.

North lobbies southern Senators, Reps to review oil dichotomy law •P. 6

Naira to exchange for N160 to US$ by 2013 •P. 6

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POCKET CARTOON

Senate to FG: Appeal Bakassi judgment now Continues from Page 1 Goodluck Jonathan to urgently appeal the judgment.

The ICJ in its ruling in 2002 ceded Bakassi Peninsula, located in Cross River State of Nigeria to Cameroon, with a 10-year window gap for appeal which expires on October 9, 2012.

Also, the Paramount ruler of Bakassi, Dr. Edet Okon Etim, said in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan that the most significant issue for the people of Bakassi was the right to self determination, which is enshrined in the UN Charter on Human Rights.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Olugbenga Ashiru, has been criticized by lawyers for his comments that members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, that gave the Federal Government seven-day ultimatum to approach the ICJ to review the Bakassi case were doing so for pecuniary interest.

The position of the Senate came at a time China and Japan are flexing muscles over the uninhabited Daiyou Islands in the South Pacific Island and Nigeria has 12 days to make a fresh case to ICJ on new facts supporting its claims

to Bakassi peninsula.

While considering a motion on Bakassi sponsored by Senator Abdul Ningi and 17 others, the upper legislative chamber faulted the ICJ judgment, declaring it as null and void.

The Senate held that the Vienna Convention on treaties that required domestication of the ICJ judgment by a national parliament was not done by the National Assembly before Bakassi was handed over by fiat to Cameroon by the Federal Government.

Bakassi could not be ceded to Cameroon —Senators Senators during an emotion-laden debate expressed shock at the approach applied by the Federal Government in the handing over of Bakassi to Cameroon without referendum by the people of Bakassi as stipulated by the United Nations, UN. Senate President, David Mark, who presided over the motion, maintained that Bakassi could not be ceded to Cameroon, adding that he would write to President Jonathan to immediately begin the appeal process which expires in nine days time.

According to him, “the resolution that we need to make is that Bakassi

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Regrets look back, Sorry looks down, Worry looks around, Hope looks up, Faith looks forward, Have faith and rejoice in hope.

Look forward and look up. It is going to be just fine.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world’s happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime —Dale Carnegie

A

MAN was taking a walk along the beach.

He saw that the morning tide from the ocean brought in hundreds of starfish and when the tide receded, they were left behind and with the morning sun rays, and they would die. The tide was fresh and the starfish were alive. The man took a few steps, picked one and threw it into the water.

He did that repeatedly. Right behind him there was another person who couldn’t understand what this man was doing. He caught up with him and asked, “What are you doing? There are hundreds of starfish. How many can you help? What difference does it make?” This man did not reply, took two more steps, picked up another one, threw it into the water, and said, “It makes a difference to this one.

should not be ceded to Cameroon. I think that is the final objective of our decision.

“If we do not go to an appeal at all while we have subjected ourselves to the international court, I think that will be a grievous mistake. There is room for us to appeal. Going on an appeal is a line of action that we should not reject.

If that is what is available through the court, we should utilise it. I think that is the most appropriate thing to do now. The most we should do now is to quickly rush an appeal in spite of what the President said at the UN. “We have obeyed the international court to this point, but we still do not accept it. It is not that we accept it, we have simply obeyed their decision. We have not accepted it. There is a lot of pressure at home here and I think it is the belief of every Nigerian that we should not cede Bakassi, not the way it has happened. I think that is really where the problem is.”

Mark assures Mark assured that the Senate would go ahead with all legislative processes to ensure that the judgment is over turned in favour of Nigeria.

He said: “There is a host of other things, letters written to National Assembly are actually here and we on our part have not done anything. We have neither rejected it nor said anything. They just came and went like that.

“We will revisit the letters and whilst we are urging the Federal Government to go on an appeal, we on our part will revisit the letters and see what we can do from our own side, may be to quickly again come up with a debate and then reject it and forward it to buttress our points and to buttress our resolutions arrived at today (yesterday),” he added.

Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi, leading debate on the motion urged Nigeria to appeal the judgment, stating that the whole process that led to ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon was full of irregularities. He argued that both Cameroon and Nigeria had not fully complied with details of the judgment, adding that new facts have emerged to show that the peninsula belongs to Nigeria, in accordance with article 61 of the ICJ. He said: “The dateline of the judgment of the ICJ on

the International Boundaries between Nigeria and Cameroon including Bakassi that cedes Bakassi Island from the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of Cameroon would expire by October 9, 2012.

Judgment erroneously based on agreement “The judgment was erroneously based on agreement between the British and Calabar Chiefs in 1884. There has never been a precedent in history where any case of this nature was executed without a referendum as enshrined by the United Nations.

“There is lack of faithful implementation of articles 3 (1) and 2 (a) of the ‘Green Tree Agreement’ signed by both the Cameroon and Nigeria, thereby violating the basis of the implementation of the court of judgment.”

Senators to fund appeal process Ningi added that the action of government was a conspiracy of silence against the minorities in Nigeria and that Senators had agreed to fund the appeal process.

“Let government appeal, we are ready to fund the processes if the problem of government is money,” he stated.

Senators unanimously backed the call for an appeal, as some of them who spoke, yesterday, urged government to physically reclaim the Island from Cameroon.

They said it was very shocking for government to hand over Bakassi without even a fight, pointing out several instances where there have been long drawn battles over lands between countries, without the ICJ settling the disputes.

Those that spoke include Senators Victor Ndoma-Egba, Bassey Otu, Heineken Lokpobiri, Haidi Abubakar, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Ita Enang and George Akume.

FG must protect us —Ndoma-Egba Ndoma-Egba, PDP, Cross River Central, said the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon was in complete violation of the fundamental human rights of the people of Cross River State.

He said: “Bakassi was ceded by Federal Government in spite of protest by Bakassi people, because they are minority of minorities.

Bakassi was ceded in spite of the Senate not rectifying the treaty. The least Federal Government can do is to protect us.

“Federal Government must pay Cross River compensation. It is their land, their heritage, their history, their ancestors were buried there and Nigerian government keeps quiet about compensation.

The government must protect us.”

Enyinnaya Abaribe in his contribution said the action of the Federal Government in hastily handing over Bakassi to Cameroon depicts that of a coward.

He said: “In which country in the world can a country willingly give away its property? It is a father that is weak that would be quick to admit that his child is at fault when there is a dispute.

Nigeria is not a weak father so we must appeal.”

Senators want physical reclaimation Senators Lokpobiri, PDP, Bayelsa West and Atiku Bagudu urged the Federal Government to use its physical might to quickly reclaim the Island while pursing the appeal.

According to Lokpobiri, “two options are available to Nigeria: the first option is to appeal. Second option is to go back to Bakassi and reclaim it. It is very unfortunate that in the 21st century, we could just hand over part of the country just like that.

We should physically go and repossess the land. Since we have a bigger military might, we should go to Bakassi and repossess it.”

Also kicking against the ceding of Bakassi, Senator Haidi Abubakar, CPC Katsina Central said government had no choice but to appeal since no referendum was conducted. His words: “The issue of referendum has not been done. We must force the Federal Government to appeal.

But the former Attorney General of Cross River State, Mrs. Nella Rabana (SAN) who was at The Hague said those who were advising the Federal Government against approaching the ICJ to revisit the Bakassi issue should examine their position because “Nigeria has all along complied with the ruling of ICJ. So, asking that we invoke article 61 of ICJ statue is in fact, part of this compliance process and not a violation.”

Senator Ewah Bassey Henshaw, who represented Cross River South from 2007-2011, told Vanguard that the Obong of Calabar and the Efik Kingdom have resolved that they would not concede their territory on the basis of wartime contrivance between two leaders who did not have the consent of Bakassi people.

He said: "There is every reason for Nigeria to exercise its right of appeal which is also part of the compliance rather than shirking its responsibility.”

Nigeria bastardized its position —Bola Ajibola Meanwhile, retired jurist of the ICJ and former Nigerian Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, has expressed disappointment that Nigerians put themselves in the mess they now bemoan.

Speaking to Vanguard at his Hilltop GRA home in

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6 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

BY SONI DANIEL

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BUJA—THERE were strong indications last night that the battle line had been drawn between the North and the South over the former’s quest to get the controversial onshore/offshore oil dichotomy reviewed through an Act of the National Assembly.

The oil dichotomy law, which has now given more money to the littoral oil-producing states, was passed in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment of 2004, which gave all offshore oil revenue to the Federation Account and limited the states’ share to a seaward boundary.

However, following the rejection of the apex court verdict by the littoral states, the Federal Government devised a ‘political solution’, which resulted in the National Assembly Act paving the way for paying oil producing states for oil taken from as far as 200 feet isobath, a development, which has not gone down well with the northern governors.

Finding by Vanguard shows that most of the northern governors were in favour of the review of the oil dichotomy law to channel offshore oil proceeds to the Federation Account for distribution to the 36 states instead of being taken up by the few oil-bearing states.

One of the governors told Vanguard that it was in the interest of the nation for the dichotomy law to be revisited so as to make more money available for what he called ‘national development’.

It was learnt that in a bid to ensure the ‘success’ of the amendment of the controversial law, some of the northern governors had prevailed on their lawmakers not only to support it but to also co-opt their ‘trusted’ southern colleagues into the campaign.

The need to recruit some southern lawmakers into the campaign, according to findings, arose because the governors came to the realization that they did not have enough members to be able to amend the law.

A Senator from one of the 19 northern states said he was aware of subterranean moves over the oil dichotomy issue and the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, but did not say whether he was approached by his governor or not.

The Senator said it was normal for governors to try to talk to their lawmakers over ‘serious national issues’ whenever the need arises and that he did not

North lobbies Southern Senators, Reps to review oil dichotomy law see anything wrong with lobbying in a democratic system.

Two-thirds majority He said: “The governors have a point there. We are in a democratic dispensation, where lobbying forms a part and parcel of the political process.”

But a major setback to lawmakers from the North is that they do not have the mandatory two-thirds majority to be able to either review the law or kill the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, which they are also vehemently opposed to. They argue that the PIB, if passed into law, would further impoverish the north and give more funds to their southern counterparts.

Vanguard gathered that in a bid to win the votes, the lawmakers have started lobbying some of their southern counterparts, whom they consider as being sympathetic to their cause. They are said to be looking at the direction of South-West and South-East geo-political zones, whose states do not derive any significant benefit from oil proceeds and would want even a marginal adjustment for their own benefit.

The calculation by the northern lobbyists is that they could get some southern sympathizers to change the two laws to their advantage. The North has a total of 58 Senators out of the 109 and 191 members out of the 360 members in the House of Representatives. For the north to be able to abrogate the oil dichotomy law, they need at least 240 members of the House of Representatives and at least 74 from the Senate to vote in their favour.

However, a PDP Senator from Akwa Ibom State, Ita Enang, has warned that any attempt by the northern governors to revisit the controversial oil issue, which had since been laid to rest, would lead to serious consequences.

Senator Enang warns Northern governors Enang, who represents Uyo Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State, argued, “The protagonists of the review should be ready for the consequences of their action. They should know that any action in that regard would trigger anoth-

er round of crisis in the oil sector and possibly reduce production from the present 2.7 million barrels per day to 700 barrels per day.

“But above all, whoever is championing the call for the abrogation of the oil dichotomy law, which we passed into law many years ago, should know that it is a treasonable offence. “I am saying so because treason

is any act committed against the interest of the state,” Enang said. The lawmaker berated northern states for allowing their solid minerals to be illegally exploited and the resources kept away by known persons while turning round to share in the oil proceeds from the South.

A northern Senator, Suleiman Adokwe, has howev-

er, asked for restraint on the contentious oil dichotomy issue so as not to heat up the polity. Adokwe, who is the Senate Services Committee Chairman and represents Nasarawa South Senatorial District, said of the proposed oil dichotomy law, “It is very difficult to begin to reverse the decisions that had already been taken.

“It should not be done so

as to prevent an upheaval.

You can see that the oil-producing states are even asking for more funds and we are saying that what you have is good enough and you can use it to develop those littoral states if the money is well utilized. My belief is that if the littoral states are well developed there would be spillover effect to the North and we can all share in the prosperity,” the lawmaker said.

VISIT—From left: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, UK Permanent Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth office, Mr. Simon Fraser; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and UK Department for International Development, Mr. Mark Lowcock during a visit to the leadership of the House by UK Permanent Secretaries at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja on Tuesday.

Naira to exchange for N160 to Dollar by 2013

BY OMOH GABRIEL

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HE Naira is expected to depreciate further in 2013 as government is basing its medium term expenditure on an exchange rate of N160 to the dollar next year and beyond.

According to government official exchange rate estimate for the just submitted medium term expenditure framework of the government, the Naira will be officially exchanged at N160 in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

In the revised 2012-2014 revenue and expenditure framework, the Federal Government had estimated that the Naira during the period will exchange at N150 in 2011, N155 in 2012 and N155 in 2014.

As at today, the Naira exchanges, at N156 to the dollar. At the inter-bank market the naira is currently exchanging at N156 to the dollar while at the open market it is being exchanged at N160 to the dollar. If the 2013 budget is based on N160 to dollar as

official exchange rate, the inter-bank market rate will rise as well as the open market rate. It would mean that the government expects the Naira to depreciate further as from next year.

Also in the 2013-15 revenue and expenditure framework, the bench mark for crude oil sale is $75 per barrel for the three year period. The government, it was learnt, has based its calculation on crude oil production of 2.526 million barrel in 2013, 2.611million barrel per day in 2014 and 2.648 million barrel per day in 2014.

In the 2012-2014 framework the government had based its calculation on oil production of 2.3 million barrel per day in 2011, 2.480 million barrel per day in 2012, 2.550 million barrel per day in 2013 and 2.575 million barrel per day in 2014.

By government calculation, Nigeria will earn gross revenue of N10.839 trillion in 2013 out of which earnings from oil and gas will

amount to N7.250 trillion.

In 2014 it is projected that the revenue that will accrue to the nation will be N11.661 trillion out of which revenue from oil and gas will amount to N7.473 trillion.

In 2015 the government is hoping to realize a revenue of N12.406 trillion and N7.769 will be from oil and gas.

The Federal Government in the 2013 to 2015 revenue and expenditure framework said: “The 2011 budget with aggregate expenditure of N4.485 trillion was an initial step towards fiscal consolidation as the total level of spending implied a deficit of 2.85 percent of GDP, a significant reduction from the 6.06 percent of GDP in 2010.

This aggregate expenditure included statutory transfers of N417.82 billion, debt service of N495.1 billion, personnel costs of N1.503 trillion, overheads of N288.05 billion and capital expenditure of N1.148 trillion.

“The 2012 budget project-

ed revenue of N3.561 trillion and aggregate expenditure of N4.697 trillion was signed into law in April 2012. This was a budget of fiscal consolidation with an implied deficit of 2.85 percent of GDP; a reduction from the 2.96 percent of GDP budgeted in 2011. The aggregate expenditure is made up of statutory transfers of N372.59 billion, debt service of N559.58 billion, personnel costs of N1.658.73 trillion, “overheads of N265.80 billion and capital expenditure of N1.340 trillion.

Implementation of the 2012 budget is on course.

As at the end of the second quarter of 2012, total releases for capital projects stood at N404 billion, while actual utilization as at July 20, 2012 was 56 percent of the N324 billion cash-backed.

The pace of implementation has picked up sharply since the end of May, and the tempo is expected to be sustained going forward.

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 7

FG approves N1.3bn for 5 fast lane train lines

BY BEN AGANDE

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VISIT—Vice President Namadi Sambo (right), and Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Nigeria, Khaled Abdurabuh, during his visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

CJN to S-Court justices: Discharge your duties without fear or favour ...swears in two new justices

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar, yesterday, charged justices on the Supreme Court bench to be dedicated and discharge their duties without fear or favour, saying it was the only way “to sustain the confidence of the public in the judiciary.”

The CJN, who made the call while administering oath of office on two new justices of the apex court, Justices Kumai Bayang Akaahs and Stanley Shenko Alagoa, said it was imperative that Judges at all times, “exhibit the highest level of decorum, integrity, independence, intelligence, wisdom, impartiality and temperament,” in the performance of their duties.

Imploring the two new justices to disregard every consideration and always be faithful to their oath of office, the CJN warned them to always “observe the code of conduct for judicial officers, all other relevant instruments and most importantly your good conscience.”

Prior to their elevation to the apex court by President Goodluck Jonathan sequel to recommendations by the Federal Judicial Service Commission, FJSC and the National Judicial Commission, NJC, both Akaahs and Alagoa, hitherto served as Justices of the Appeal Court.

Their appointment increased the total number of Justices at the apex court to 17 following the retirement of the former CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher and

Justice Francis F. Tabai.

Justice Mukhtar who performed the swearing in at the main court auditorium of the Supreme Court yesterday, noted that the two new justices, “exhibited the true qualities of a judicial officer, competent in skills and intellect and therefore worthy of elevation to the apex court.”

She said: “Myself and my brother justices are indeed happy to welcome my Lords to the Supreme Court. As your Lordships will soon come to observe, the Supreme Court is one family.

Each of us possesses unique talents and experience; each also has an innate love of the law, as well as a powerful loyalty to our colleagues, the Court and service to the nation.

“I therefore urge you to work together with us in the performance of your new arduous judicial functions, in order to sustain the confidence of the public in the judiciary.

“You must understand

that you have been called upon to carry out a sacred duty. A duty to serve the good people of Nigeria and to occupy a role, representing Almighty God; the ultimate judge.

“I therefore charge you to be dedicated and discharge your duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will and remain resolute and undaunted in the discharge of your duties.

“The task of service in the Supreme Court as you are well aware is indeed demanding, but I am confident that you are both equal to the task given your track record and past experiences. We have taken off on the threshold of a viable judiciary that will command public confidence and the time to give up is not anytime soon,” the CJN added.

Judicial officers must be computer literate Meantime, the CJN has directed judicial officers to

undergo computer training to remain relevant to the sector, saying “It is now mandatory for all staff of the judiciary to be computer literate.”

Mukhtar, who made the assertion while declaring open, a national workshop on ethics, management skills and information technology for secretaries, court registrars, process clerks, bailiffs and programme analysts, organised by the National Judicial Institute, NJI, said: “Information and Communication Technology has come to stay permanently in the judicial system and we must embrace it, because this is one of the ways of strengthening capacity in the administration of justice.”

Speaking through the administrator of NJI, Justice Umaru Eri, the CJN, urged judicial officers across the country to put extra effort towards advancing their education, maintaining that it was the only way for them to remain relevant in the scheme of things.

Niger Republic police arrest 5 suspected Boko Haram members

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IGER REPUBLIC has arrested five people near the Nigerian border suspected of belonging to the militant Nigerian Islamist group, Boko Haram, Niger security officials said on Tuesday.

The group has been blamed for more than 1,000 deaths in Nigeria since 2010. Observers said the suspects are using Niger as a transit route to link up with oth-

er militant groups like alQaeda in the Islamic Magreb, now controlling Northern Mali.

“State Security Police arrested the five suspected Boko Haram members who entered Niger on Sunday through the Zinder region. They have been transferred to Niamey for further questioning,” a security official said, asking not to be named told Reuters.

Another security offi-

cial said Niger had tightened security along its border with Nigeria as the country intensifies its fight against the militant group, which wants to carve out an Islamic state in Northern Nigeria.

Nigeria’s military had announced the death of 35 members of Boko Haram and arrested several during an overnight gun battle in Damaturu, capital of NorthEastern YobeSstate which borders Niger.

BUJA—THE Federal Executive Council yesterday took a major step to ameliorate the transportation challenge in the country as it approved N1.334 billion for the commencement of work on new standard gauge railway lines.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who briefed newsmen, alongside the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar and Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen said the contract is for feasibility studies of five fast train lines across the country.

He said the fast train lines are for Lagos-Osogbo-Abuja (615km), which could be covered within three hours with five stops; Lagos-Shagamu-Benin (300km); Ajaokuta- Obajana-Abuja (533km); ZariaSokoto- Illela (520km) and Benin-Onitsha-Aba (500km).

Maku noted that the proposed new standard gauge railway lines will create total job opportunities for 51 professionals and 115 nonprofessionals.

Giving an insight into the approval, Minister of Transport,Senator Umar, said some private investors have already signified in-

terest in the projects as soon as feasibility studies are completed.

He said government is desirous to see the project to its conclusion end pointing out that “the idea is to partner with the private sector to develop the high speed train lines.

“There is going to be an international advertisement for investors to show interest. There is no question of fear that it’s going to be a white elephant project,” he said.

Other approval granted were for the construction of Manyam-Ushongo-LesselKartyo-Oju-Agila-Ongba, an inter-state road linking Benue State with its South Eastern state neighbours on the Enugu-Abakaliki road.

The proposed road contract is awarded in favour of Messrs Tilley Gyado & Co, in the sum of N1,035,824,120.10, with a completion period of 14 months will facilitate access to markets, hospitals, schools and generally restore agro-economic and social activities within the host communities.

Other approval is for sustainable development of the Niger Delta region through the approval of three infrastructural projects in two states of the region.

NMA faults health workers strike, asks FG to ignore demands

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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S the nationwide strike embarked upon by Federal health workers under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, enters its second week, the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, yesterday, threatened to embark on an indefinite strike should the Federal Government bow to what it described as “illegitimate and unjustifiable demands” of the striking workers.

The doctors questioned the basis of government’s engagement with JOHESU rather than the recognised unions and associations in the health sector on the skipping of Consolidated Health Salary Scale, CONHESS 10.

NMA National President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele and the General Secretary, Dr. A.L. Pemu, expressed shock and disappointment that members of JOHESU/ Allied health professionals are demanding to continue in acts “ reminiscent of

stealing from government by threatening and blackmailing government to allow them jump a whole grade level in the public service.”

According to them, there was no verifiable or justifiable reason to warrant what they called “immoral concession.”

They maintained that: “If government succumbs to this threat and blackmail by allowing the Allied Health Professionals to skip a grade level even against the circular earlier issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation outlawing skipping in the civil service then government must also allow skipping of grade level not just for doctors, but for the Federal Civil Service workforce.”

They further argued that if the government should accede to the demands, then the government would have to elongate the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, for medical/dental practitioners.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Labour faults lists of PHCN's plants bidders

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU, VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG & OSCARLINE ONWUENYI

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RGANISED Labour in the nation’s electricity sector, yesterday, faulted the list of preferred bidders for Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, generation plants as released by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, saying “the winners are those that have little or no technical expertise to manage and drive the power needs of the country.”

This came as investigation revealed that only about

22 out of the 42 companies, made up the final seven consortia pre-qualified for the financial bids for the generation companies, were registered in Nigeria.

Similarly, one of the preferred bidders, North South Power Company Limited, has denied report linking a former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, with it.

Besides, organised labour claimed the plants had been given to political cronies and fronts at give-away prices.

Under the umbrella of National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, labour argued that the perceived allocation of the

power plants to a privileged few in the political class was a pointer to another failed effort to bringing the nation from the power doldrums.

NUEE, in a statement by its General Secretary, Mr. Joe Ajaero, entitled Towards Another Failed Privatization, read: “Recent development in the country as it relates to the privatisation of the power sector has provoked certain thoughts on the so-called genuine intention of the government, especially, the recent allocation of the power plants to a privileged few of the political class.”

Meanwhile, one of the preferred bidders, North South

PowerCompanyLimited,has condemned the news linking a former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), with it.

In a statement, yesterday, management of the company said the consortium was neither backed nor sponsored by the former president as widely reported in the media.

The statement by Dr. Olubunmi Peters on behalf of the management, listed four companies registered in Nigeria and another one registered in the United States as well the Niger State Government, as members of the consortium.

The companies are XS Energy Limited (Nigeria),

BP Investment Limited (Nigeria), Urban Shelter Limited (Nigeria), Transatlantic Development and Investment Company (United States), Roads Nigeria Plc (Nigeria), and Niger State Government.

However, Chairman, Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatusation, NCP, expressed confidence on the companies, saying “for the seven bidding consortia, whose financial bids are to be opened today (Tuesday), each includes owners and operators of some of the world’s largest and most efficient electricity thermal and hydro generating companies.”

FEC MEETS: From left— Mr. Mike Oghiadomen, Chief of Staff to President Jonathan; Mr. Bello Sali, Head of Service; Senator Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government Federation and Vice President Namadi Sambo at the opening of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

3 more arraigned over Cynthia's murder

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE OLICE, yesterday, arraigned a 39-year-old man, Gideon Okechukwu, over alleged murder of Cynthia Osokogu, daughter of Maj-Gen Frank Osukogu (rtd). Cynthian was murdered on July 22.

Two others persons, Ezike Nonso Ifechukwu (22) and Ezeaka Chinonso (27), were

P

also charged for allegedly buying a white Blackberry Bold-5 phone, belonging to Cynthia.

Okechukwu was accused, with others already charged, to have conspired among themselves in the alleged killing of 25-year-old Cynthia by administering her with a substance, Rohypnol Flunitrazepam tablets, via Ribena fruit juice.

Southern, Northern leaders agree on national conference — Clark

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday, disclosed that ahead of the convocation of a national conference, leaders drawn from all southern states would meet with President Goodluck Jonathan immediately after the celebration of the Nigeria’s independence in October.

According to him, representatives of the northern leaders would equally meet with President Jonathan on the same issue, noting that the date for the national conference would be known after wider consultations with the Federal Government on the issue.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, yesterday, the elder statesman said the meeting would be held under the aegis of Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly, adding that the national conference is designed to allow for all component units of Nigeria to decide the fate of the country.

S/Arabia deports 171 female pilgrims

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

K

ANO—IT was a tale of woes, yesterday, in Kano as 171 female pilgrims, who were deported from Saudi Arabia recounted their ordeal while in detention in the Holy Land.

Max Air, one of the national carriers, flew back home 171 female pilgrims from Medina after the Saudi authority denied them entry on the excuse that none of them was accompanied by their male guardian.

Vanguard learnt that over a thousand other Nigerian women are currently being detained at the port city of Jeddah by Saudi authorities for the same reason and were also refused entry after every diplomatic effort failed.

Emerging from the aircraft that landed in Malam Aminu Kano International Airport at 4.58pm local time,

Aisha Ismail, one of the deportees from Taraba, told Vanguard that “it was a horrible experience from friendly quarters.”

Sobbing profusely, Ismail said: “We were quarantined in a prison-like camp: no food, no water, and with few conveniences to cater for hundreds of my unfortunate type in the camp.

“The trek into uncertainties began four days ago when we left Yola International Airport for the pil-

grimage. My joy evaporated after the airport screening, when hundreds of us were denied entry into the kingdom and subsequently driven into an open camp.

“We spent three days in the camp, kept under the watchful eyes of no-nonsense security agents that did not understand our dialect and we do not understand theirs. We were dehumanised by Saudi Arabian authorities for no reasons.”

Katsina State has the largest number of deportees with a total of 111, and Taraba State with 60 female pilgrims.

However, there was no official of Taraba Pilgrim Welfare Board on ground to attend to the needs of the deported pilgrims before they were driven out to Kano Hajj camp for onward journey back to Taraba, while Katsina pilgrims were flown to Katsina Airport.

Court sets Nov 23 for judgment on $12.4bn CBN, and the Attorney- SERAP, under the Funwindfall

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—AFTER six successive adjournments, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has finally fixed November 23 to deliver judgment on the suit seeking to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria,

General of the Federation, AGF, to disclose how the $12.4 billion oil windfall money that accrued to the Federal Government between 1988 and 1994, was spent.

The suit was filed before the High Court by six civil society groups led by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project,

damental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.

Though the verdict was stalled since October 2011, when hearing was concluded on the matter, however, Justice Gabriel Kolawole slated the matter for judgment after all the parties re-adopted the processes they filed before the court, yesterday.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012—9

S-West PDP slams Lagos over N80bn bond

T

HE PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, in the South-West has described plans by the Action Congress of N i g e r i a , ACN,government in Lagos State to source N80 billion bond from the capital market as not only criminal, but a disservice to the people of Lagos State, who are already burdened by the huge debt owed .

The party reiterated its warning on the dire consequences of the huge debt the ACN state governments in the South-West region are plunging the region into, adding that, “It is ridiculous for a state like Lagos that is making over N25 billion monthly as Internally Generated

Revenue, IGR, to be going cap in hand to borrow N80 billion that it can make on its own under four months.”

The party's Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kayode Babade said in a statement yesterday that “it appears there are more to this issue of bond that the ACN governors have fallen in love with than meet the eyes.

He added that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Security and Exchange Commission, SEC and other financial clearing houses must do everything possible to checkmate the rate at which the states are obtaining loans.”

The PDP said it

35 Lagos MDAs indicted for financial irregularities

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

A

T LEAST 35 Ministries, Departments, Agencies, MDAs, of the Lagos State government have been indicted for various financial irregularities in the Auditor-General’s report, following observations raised by the Public Accounts Committee, PAC of the state House of Assembly regarding outstanding issues in their respective accounts.

It would be recalled that the state House of Assembly, on Monday, held public hearing on proposed law to

strengthen revenue collection and administration in the state as well as approved the request of Governor Babatunde Fashola for budget reordering which makes provision for external loan (World Bank) Development Planning Operations, DPO, from N30billion to be re-ordered to bond issue.

However, the House similarly, requested that it should be furnished with the debt profile of the state (both foreign and local) including outstanding liabilities before it eventually accede to the governor’s request.

Lagos PDP wants LASIEC dissolved

BY DAPO AKINREFON

T

HE LAGOS State

chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called for the dissolution of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, in order to ensure confidence returns before the conduct of the 2014 LG polls.

In a statement by its State publicity Secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, the party blamed the insincerity of the LASIEC chairman for the alleged irregularities witnessed during the conduct of 2011 local

government elections which held across the 20 local councils and 37 local council development areas.

It, however, berated the LASIEC chairman for a l l e g e d l y misrepresenting the facts when he stated that he announced the winners as declared by the various returning officers whereas the declaration made by Mrs Fatoyinbo of Badagry in favour of PDP chairmanship candidate was altered by him.

Besides, it described the LASIEC chairman as a “failure and the reason why the electoral body failed as a whole.”

suspected that the bond could be a means of bringing into Nigeria stolen funds from abroad, calling on security agencies to take more than passing interests in the bond issue.

“In Nigeria today, Lagos State owes the highest debt apart from the Federal Government. Lagos State was said to have, as at June 30, 2012, accumulated an external debt profile of more than half a billion dollars.

L-R: Mr. Ken Ogujiofor,Director, Corporate and Indirect Channel Sales; Mr. Wael Ammar,Chief Commercial Officer, all of Etisalat Nigeria; His Royal Highness, Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida, Afunbiowo IIthe Deji of Akure, and Mr. Lucas Dada, Director, Product & Service, Etisalat Nigeria, during the visit to the Deji of Akure palace, as part of activities to mark the Etisalat 3G launch in Akure, Monday.

Atuche: How bank’s N45m was paid as tithe illegally – Witness

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & ONOZURE DANIA

B

O L A J I OGUNSOLA, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC witness in the ongoing trial of Mr. Francis Atuche, the former Managing Director of Bank PHB

(now Keystone Bank) yesterday told an Ikeja High Court that fund from the bank was paid as tithe to two Catholic churches on the instructions of the embattled banker.

The witness, Mr. Bolaji Solomon Ogunsola, who is the erstwhile Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

of PHB Mortgages (a subsidiary of Bank PHB) also told Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court, that while he held sway in the subsidiary company, there was a call account being operated without a glaring ownership but which every bank staff believed was owned by Atuche.

Given evidence on the

Low turn-out mars Lagos schools’ resumption after strike

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

F

OLLOWING THE suspension of the indefinite strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, Lagos State Chapter, low turnout of pupils were yesterday recorded in the public schools across the state.

It would be recalled that the Chairman of the NUT, Mr. Kayode Idowu on Tuesday night announced the suspension of the indefinite industrial action embarked upon by the union over the non-payment of the Teachers Salary Scale, TSS, by the state

Government even when the teachers demands are yet to be met.

When Vanguard visited some of the public schools in the state as early yesterday morning, large percentage of the pupils and teachers were yet to be in school.

The usual morning devotion in schools did not hold as teachers and pupils were sighted rushing to clean the environment.

Schools visited include: Ajangbadi High School, Fazil Omar Ahmadiyya Primary School, Aganju Aka Secondary school, Sabo Oniba Primary School, Zion African Primary school,

Alagba, Agege, and others.

One of the teachers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the late announcement of the suspension caused the low turnout.

Speaking, Miss. Rofiat Ademola, of Aganju Aka Secondary school, who was resuming for school at about 8:30 am, said “I heard about the suspension of the strike this morning. That was why I could not arrive for school early.”

According to her, “I am grateful that the leadership of NUT has called off the strike but they should have done it earlier on Tuesday so that pupils would have

transfer of money to the churches, the witness said about N45 million was paid as tithe into St. Augustine Catholic Church and St. Monica Catholic Church from the bank’s account which amount to illegal t r a n s a c t i o n s .

The prosecution witness said that funds were withdrawn from the account through e-mail from one Charity Okoma who was at the time Atuche’s secretary.

“We received e-mails as usual with a letter from Charity Okoma, who was secretary to the Managing Director.

“In the letter, we were asked to transfer money to St. Augustine Catholic Church and St. Monica Catholic Church, both in Ibusa, Delta State,” Ogunsola said.

On money transferred to some companies, the witness disclosed that he was aware that funds were transferred from some company accounts in Mortgages Bank PHB to some individual accounts in other banks.

N49.1bn fraud: Akingbola denies involvement in shares buy-back

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, ONOZURE DANIA & MICHEAL OLADEPO

D

R

ERASTUS

Akingbola, the former Managing Director of the Intercontinental Bank Plc (acquired by Access bank), yesterday denied before an Ikeja High

Court that the bank under his leadership was involved in any share buy-back.

In his answers to questions from the counsel to the Economic Crimes and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, Akingbola said that there was also no fund moved from the bank based on oral

instruction given by him.

Akingbola was answering charges bordering on a N49.1bn theft allegedly belonging to the bank alongside one of his business associates, Mr. Bayo Dada.

Asked about ‘standard banking practice’, he said for over 40 years he has been in banking business, he claimed

that there is no book on the so much talked about standard banking p r a c t i c e .

Akingbola who was being questioned about how funds are usually transferred according to ‘standard banking practice’ said that he has never seen any such book in his banking c a r e e r .

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Appeal Bakassi judgment now

PDP carpets Aregbesola over UNIOSUN medical students

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

O

SUN STATE chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola to look into the plight of medical students of Osun State University, who have nowhere to continue their medical training.

A statement by its Director of Media and Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi, said it was unfortunate that the students had been left stranded in the country, noting that the ACN government claimed they had been taken to Ukraine to conclude their training.

The PDP said the students were supposed to be completing their training by now in Osogbo going by the progress already achieved by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration before the ACN took over in November 2010 and stopped the

Joshua Adeyemi dies MR. Joshua Adeyemi Ogunleye, popularly known as Lord Bisho, is dead. He died in his Bodija, Ibadan home on Monday September 10 ,at the age of 80.

He worked in the Premier’s Office in the old Western Region as one of the confidential secretaries of the late Obafemi Awolowo.

Later, he seved as the personal secretary to the Ondo State’s Chief Judge, justice Akinola Aguda, before retiring in 1977.

Ogunleye is survived by his wife, Ebunoluwa Ogunleye, and children, including Gbemiga Ogunleye of Television Continental, and many grandchildren.

He will be buried at his home town, Ayere, in the Ijumu LG of Kogi State at a date to be announced later.

development of the medical school and the teaching hospital.

The statement reads: ‘’The party claimed that the total money required for the full take-off of the teaching hospital was N1.2billion with the Oyinlola government already mobilising funds in that regard when Aregbesola took over and refused to release the funds even after he met more than half of the amount already mobilised.

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, addressing supporters at a campaign rally in Irele, Irele Local Government, Tuesday.

Akeredolu dismisses allegation of indictment

.Clear yourself, Mimiko insists A

KEREDOLU C A M PA I G N Organization ,ACO, has dismissed the allegation of indictment against the gubernatorial candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, describing it as faulty, fallacious and of no effect.

It also stressed that a board of inquiry has no legal backing to ban anybody from seeking public office.

The Mimiko Campaign Organisation,MCO, had alleged that Akeredolu and other members of his executive at the

Nigeria Bar Association , NBA, were indicted for financial impropriety while he was NBA President.

The Mimiko Campaign Organization, MCO, consequently asked Akeredolu to clear his name of the allegations leveled against him in the two positions of authorities he had held, insisting that he was banned from holding public office for 25 years.

A statement by the Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy of ACO, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku said that no

amount of antics will save the Labour Party, LP, from being voted out on October 20.

According to him, ‘’For us in ACO, the latest antics of Mimiko is that of a desperate man knowing full well that his days in Government House, Alagbaka, are numbered. Why did Mimiko now embark on frivolous method to stop Akeredolu when he claimed that he was no match for him?’’

He further said, ‘’It is even more laughable that a governor that has been power in the last three years and a former

minister for that matter does not know that a board of inquiry has no legal backing to ban anybody from seeking public office.

"ACO wishes to educate him with the case of Atiku Abubakar Vs Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2007 in relation to the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) in which the Supreme Court gave a final judgment emphatically that boards of enquiries have no such powers.’’

Poor attendance mars Ondo guber debate

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE — FOUR of the seven deputy governorship candidates invited for debate by the Nigerian Elections Debate Group, NEDG, ahead of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State shunned the invitation.

Those that shunned the invitation include Toyin Tenabe of the APC; Ijitola Modupe, BNPP; Babatunde Bidemi, CAP; and Olayemi Damilola of CPC. However, Olayemi Damilola reportedly sent an apology letter that he was bereaved, hence his absence from the debate.

Dputy governorship candidates that attended include Ikuewumi Rotimi,ANPP; Tolulope Clement, ACPN, and a woman Ogbetu Benedicta of the NCP. They were asked their individual blue-prints for the state on employment, income generation, their party’s

OSOPADEC awards N160m scholarships

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

Joshua Adeyemi

Continues from Page 5

KURE — THE Ondo State Oil Producing Areas D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n , OSOPADEC, an intervention agency for the oil producing communities in the state, yesterday awarded bursaries and scholarships to students in its mandate areas to

the tune of N160 million.

No fewer than 3, 963 students from both Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas benefitted from the scheme.

Speaking in Akure, the Chairman of the Commission, Debo Ajimuda, said at a oneday stakeholders' forum organised by the Commission that the number of beneficiaries

increased from 3, 031 last year to 3,963 in 2012.

Ajimuda added that the total amount disbursed also increased from N130 million in 2011 to N160 in 2012.

According to him when the present administration came on board, students were being paid 12, 500 and the mode of payment was too cumbersome.

economic blue-prints, local government administration, road construction, housing and electricity generation, amongst others.

Although the candidates showed they were not prepared for the task ahead as they fumbled and wobbled while answering the questions from the panellists.

The candidates agreed to improve on all the sectors that the present administration has failed to measure up to standard.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of NESG, Aremo Alimi, said that the group is broad based national coalition of media, civil society organisations, professional association and the private sector.

Abeokuta, yesterday, the former Chairman of the Boundaries between Nigeria and Cameroon, said Nigeria sent a note to Cameroon in 1961 admitting and conceding the ownership of Bakassi to the Francophone country.

He said: “A lot of people have been saying a lot of things that are not really correct. In most cases, we ourselves as Nigerians bastardized our position because as far back as 1961, we had written a note to Cameroon telling Cameroon that we Nigerians are aware of the fact that they own Bakassi. Throughout these 1960s and 1970s, our map of Nigeria was always indicating the excise of Bakassi out of our own land in Nigeria as part of what belongs to Cameroon.

“In fact it had further been stamped that we agreed that our boundary is to Akwa Yafe as opposed to Rio del Rey. The boundary would have been in Rio del Rey and not Akwa Yafe. We agreed to that, we Nigerians in Nigeria here.”

In buttering his point, Ajibola said in the quest to be sure that historic blunder was not committed, that a British professor, Valad, was consulted on the matter and he said it was a difficult task to embark upon.

NBA calls for Ashiru's sack Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Olugbeinga Ashiru, has been criticized by lawyers for his comments that members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, that gave the Federal Government seven-day ultimatum to approach the ICJ to review the Bakassi case were doing so for pecuniary interest.

In a statement to Vanguard newspapers, Mr Festus Ogwuche, on behalf of Crownfield Solicitors, said Ashiru should be relieved of his position for denigrating the body as money mongers when in actual fact the NBA, which embodies the best of the nation’s legal profession, is expressing its views on a serious national and international issue because of pecuniary interest.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012—11

JTF urges support in battle against illegal bunkering

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

VISIT: Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere (second left), flanked from left by member of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Senator Emmanuel Essien; Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Elder Samuel Ikon, during Tambuwal’s arrival at Akwa Ibom State International Airport, yesterday.

ORT HAR COURT—JOINT Task Force, JTF, Operation Pulo Shield, has appealed for useful information from stakeholders in the Niger Delta to aid its crusade against illegal bunkering.

Speaking at a forum with petroleum marketers and other stakeholders in oil and gas sector, weekend, at 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Brigade Commander of the barracks, Brigadier-General Tukur Buratai, said there was need for collaborative effort among stakehold-

Group slams Delta govt over proposed ban on Okada

Panic as another oil spill hits Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa U

BY FESTUS AHON

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—A fresh oil spill has again hit Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa State, with natives calling on the Federal Government and environmental protection agencies to come to their aid and prevent a possible outbreak of epidemic in the area due to the pollution of their sources of drinking water.

The latest spill, which is reportedly spewing from well 17 of Nembe 1 flow station belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company, close to the fishing settlement in the community, was discovered in the early hours of Tuesday.

Fishermen in the area, it was learnt, had stopped fishing activities to avoid the sale and consumption of contaminated sea foods.

A statement on the spill in the Kingdom, by the Chief Nengi James-led Nembe Oil and Gas Committee, said the oil wells and crude trunklines of Shell and Agip Nigeria Plc in the area had contributed to no fewer than 10 devastating cases of spills recorded in the last 12 months.

The leadership of the area had been mobilised to the site of the spillage, while a helicopter conveying the company workers to the flow station, ostensibly to contain the spill, was also

reportedly sighted in the area.

Chief James, who confirmed the development, expressed concern over the incessant spills from Shell and Agip facilities along the waterways and creeks of Nembe Kingdom.

He said: “The situation in the kingdom is devastating and spills have destroyed the economic life of the people. The

latest spillage was discovered in the early hours of Tuesday and the Oil and Gas Committee has inspected the incident which had caused severe damage to the mangrove.”

He expressed concern over the fear of possible outbreak of epidemic due to the pollution of drinking water in the kingdom by the spills.

“Our water has become

poisonous and the people now rely on the community wells. We need an assessment of the waters in the area.”

He lamented that the protection agencies had in the past allowed the oil multinationals escape sanction and payment of compensation due to the over reliance on data supplied to them on clean-ups by the companies, which are the ones spilling crude oil and damaging the kingdom.

Ijomah faults Ango Abdulahi on onshore/offshore dichotomy

BY EMMA AMAIZE

W

ARRI—TWO highly notable academics, Prof. B. Ijomah and Prof. Ango Abdulahi, from the Southern and Northern parts of the country, respectively, have disagreed over the recent declaration by the Federal Government that the onshore/offshore dichotomy was a settled issue.

Former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria and a leader of Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Abdulahi, had criticized the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Muhammed Adoke, SAN, for saying that the onshore/offshore dichotomy controversy, re-opened by the Northern governors, was closed.

He said the minister had no right to make such comments and insisted that the matter was not closed, as Nigerians had

the right to discuss any matter that affected them.

However, topnotch of South-South Peoples Assembly, SSPA, and former Commissioner for Education in the defunct Bendel State, Prof Ijomah, lambasted Prof. Abdulahi, over his outburst on Adoke.

Ijomah in a riposte to his fellow professor, said: “On the onshore/offshore dichotomy, I beg to disagree with Abdulahi and to support the AttorneyGeneral and those who said that there was no point reopening a closed issue, especially when the Supreme Court had made a pronouncement on it.

“Permit me to draw your attention to your comments on the AttorneyGeneral’s conclusion that the onshore/offshore dichotomy is closed. In your characteristic frank way of saying things, you lambasted him by asking who he was to declare the onshore/offshore dichotomy a closed issue.

“I believe you will agree with me that we have more pressing issues that must be tackled first before we think of revenue allocation. Boko Haram, which sprang from your back door has tended to confuse many people.

But, scholars like you know and ought to know the genesis of Boko Haram,” he said.

ers and the security agencies to reduce illegal bunkering in the country.

He appealed for collective watch on the part of stakeholders to end the illicit trade, adding that JTF would continue to provide security for vessels doing legal business on the water ways.

He noted that the JTF demolished a filling station in the state recently and also seized two others in its bid to rid the state of the illicit trade.

He enjoined stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to come up with useful information on how to reduce pipeline vandalism in the region.

GHELLI—COOR DINATOR of Civil Liberty Rehabilitation Initiative, Mr. Cyril Ojiemen, has faulted he proposed ban on commercial motorcycles, commonly called Okada in Delta State, describing it as mischievous and against the economic interest of the people.

Ojiemen, in a statement, yesterday, said: “Delta State Government's proposed ban on

Okada in major cities of the state is against the economic rights of the riders, and a deprivation of their means of livelihood and against the interest of the masses, who patronise Okada as a means of transportation.

“One of the primary responsibilities of any government is the welfare of the people. This is a government that had failed in its more than five years of existence, to provide basic infrastructure for the ordinary people."

Don't be distracted by Airhiavbere's suit, Oshiomhole urged

BY SIMON ADEWALE

S

ENIOR Special As sistant on Public Affairs to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Mr. Henry Okpamen, has urged the governor not to be distracted by the election petition instituted by the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in the state, General

Charles Airhiavbere (rtd).

Briefing newsmen, Okpamen, urged Oshiomhole not be distracted by the suit but should rather be focused on his development projects.

Okpamen appealed to all aggrieved persons and political parties in the state to come together and join hands with the governor to move the state forward.

Bayelsa CJ warns judicial personnel against corrupt practices

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—CHIEF Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri, yesterday, warned that the judiciary would not tolerate any act of indiscipline and corrupt practices within its rank.

Justice Abiri, at the special court session in Yenagoa, as part of activities to mark its new le-

gal year, frowned at what she described as incessant delay in the dispensation of justice in the state's courts and called on the judges and magistrates to ensure quick dispensation of justice in their courts.

She said: “Enough is enough. The judiciary will not tolerate any acts of indiscipline and corrupt practices.

“Judiciary personnel

must exhibit honesty, discipline and accountability in the dispensation of justice.”

Justice Abiri said that adjournment of cases now attracts cost in the state judiciary, calling on the state governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson to urgently implement section 121 of the Nigerian constitution as its borders on the judiciary to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Pregnant woman, cop killed in police pursuit of robbers

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—A pregnant woman, was, yesterday, shot dead during police pursuit of a car used by suspected robbers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

One of the policemen attached to the new security outfit in the state, Operation Doo Akpo, also

fell from the tail-board of the police pick-up van that was in hot pursuit of the vehicle used by the suspected robbers. He died on the spot as he was said to have hit his head on the tarred road.

The tragic incident, which occurred at 2.30p.m., in YenizueEpie suburb of the capital, caused gridlock on the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road.

N77m alleged fraud: Two Sapele bank chiefs get bail

BY GODWIN OGHRE

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (left), with Mr. Efe Akpofure (SAN), counsel to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, after the court session, in Benin, yesterday.

Overflow of River Niger: Two victims die in Edo

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—TWO chil dren, said to be below 15 years old, who were among the displaced victims of the overflow of River Niger along its banks in Estako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, have died due to their exposure to the vagaries of the weather.

The death of the victims is coming on the heels of alleged outbreak of chickenpox among victims, currently camped in six locations in Esta-

ko Central and EstakoEast Local Government Areas of the state.

An official of Edo State Ministry of Health, who did not want his name in print, confirmed that the children died in one of the camps, where the flood victims were quartered.

The official, who at press time, was with a delegation of the Ministry that visited the six camps, said that following the development, drugs and treated mosquito nets had been distributed to the victims in the camp.

Meanwhile, the state government has swung into action to check the looming epidemic with the state Health Commissioner, Dr. Cordelia Aiwize, who was on an assessment visit to the area, saying that the government would do its best to take care of the displaced victims.

Aiwize, who expressed dissatisfaction over the poor sanitary conditions in the camps and the state of health of the victims quartered in public school buildings, ordered the deployment of medical personnel and

Oshiomhole vs Airhiavbere: Edo guber tribunal rules on jurisdiction today

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—HEARING in the petition by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the July 14 governorship election in Edo State, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, commenced, yesterday, before the state election petition tribunal sitting in Benin City.

Meanwhile, the tribunal, has adjourned till today, to rule on the preliminary objection by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, through his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction to hear and determine the petition.

Gen. Airhiavbere is, in the petition, challenging Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declaration of Oshiomhole as the winner of the governorship election in the state.

Olanipekun urged the

tribunal to strike out the petition for lack of competence and jurisdiction, arguing that only the Federal High Court has the jurisdiction to hear the case since it has to do with forgery and educational qualification of Oshiomhole.

Blacklisting of passengers: Stakeholders blast Arik Air

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

F

OLLOWING the decision by Arik Air management to blacklist the Managing Director of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. George Uresi and 26 others from its flights, stakeholders in the aviation industry, yesterday, said the airline's ac-

tion was vindictive.

Speaking to newsmen on the issue, General Secretary of Nigeria Aviation Professionals Association ,NAPA, Mr. Abdul Saidu, said: ”The decision to blacklist FAAN MD and other 26 people only shows the character of the leadership of the airline. The action is vindictive and uncalled for."

health workers to the camps, so as to prevent the outbreak of cholera, malaria and other water borne diseases.

S

APELE—TWO bank officials, arraigned before a Sapele magistrate court, Delta State on a three-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence and remanded in Sapele Prisons, by the same court, were, yesterday, granted bail, by a Delta State High Court sitting in Sapele. The trial judge is Justice Godwin Gbemre.

The accuse persons, Mr. Chinedu Njoku and Desi

Austin, alleged to have fraudulently conspired to defraud a Sapele-based finance company, Multiple Credit Ltd, to the tune of N77 million, regained their freedom, yesterday, after the court, ruled on their bail applications, argued by their counsel.

The accused were alleged to have conspired along side others, sometime in July 2012, to obtain money under false pretence, an offense punishable under section 8 of Advance Fee Fraud Act, Cap A, laws of the Federation 1995.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012—13

Abia PDP carpets ACN

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—ABIA State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has lambasted Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, for what it described over alleged “senseless criticism and wide goose chase” of the government by the party in the state.

The PDP state Publicity Secretary, Chief Uchechi Ogbuka, defended the government in the state, pointing out that it was under the leadership of Governor Theodore Orji that “Abia saddled with two CONFERENCE: Representative of Enugu State Governor, Mr. John Egbo, Conference Co-ordinator, big cities of Umuahia and Mr. Gabriel Agunwa and Economic Adviser to Enugu State Governor, Prince Ogbogu Asogwa (behind), Aba started witnessing monumental facelifts in at the opening of a two-day Non-Oil Sector International Trade conference in Enugu, yesterday.

Chime blames nation's woes on over-dependence on oil

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—GOVER NOR Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has blamed the nation’s slow economic growth and development on its over dependence on oil

based revenue source.

Chime stated this in an address read by the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. John Egbo on the occasion of the opening of a two-day non-oil sector International Trade Conference

at Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu.

He regretted that the country had wallowed in the fantasy of everlasting bliss derivable from her abundant oil deposits and denied her the opportunity to develop all

other sources of revenue describing the situation as unfortunate.

Chime observed that the country’s inability to develop her industrial, agricultural and other potentials has forced it to rely on imports to feed her teeming population and service daily activities.

He, therefore, urged participants at the conference to dialogue and exchange ideas, initiatives and knowledge on how best to develop the country’s non-oil sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, pharmaceuticals and tourism to enhance Nigeria’s export of her goods and services.

“This conference should help facilitate the consolidation, expansion and diversification of the country’s markets and highlight the importance of technological advancement which is vital and integral key to the growth of the nation’s manufacturing sector and consequently, the economy,” he said.

The Governor expressed satisfaction with the successes recorded by his administration in its efforts to enhance and promote productivity and influx of local and foreign investments in areas of agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.

Earlier in an address, the conference coordinator, Mr. Gabriel Agunwa spoke of the need to diversify the country ’s economy.

road networks in both the rural and urban areas.”

Ogbuka who was reacting to a statement credited to his counterpart in the ACN in the state, Mr. Offor Okoro that the government was commissioning fake projects on pages of newspapers, challenged the party to name such projects.

“It could have made some sense if the ACN was able to identify those projects it alleged were commissioned on the pages of newspapers.

Rather than state its mission, it went on a wide goose chase which left the common reader unable to make out any meaning from the ranting."

Anambra warns revenue collectors

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—ANAMBRA State government warned yesterday that it would sanction any revenue agency or task force caught working contrary to its terms of reference, adding that a situation where such agencies extort money from members of the public would no longer be condoned.

Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chike Ohamobi who spoke in Onitsha during his vist to the offices of Anambra State Traffic Agency, ASTA, and vehicle emblem collectors, regretted

that often times, members of the agencies divert revenue meant for the government, adding that henceforth, all revenue agencies would stop collecting cash from the public.

According to him, government has directed security operatives to arrest and prosecute any revenue official who molest, harass, intimidate and cajole law-abiding citizens of the state in the name of revenue generation, adding that heads of such agencies would also be held responsible for such illicit acts.

14 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Enugu indigenes in Lagos slam Chime on devt zBlast him over N13bn secretariat contract

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

L

AGOS—ENUGU State indigenes in Lagos have asked Governor Sullivan Chime to develop all the local governments in the state instead of concentrating his efforts in Enugu metropolis.

They spoke under the aegis of Enugu Indigenes Forum, EIF, Lagos State chapter.

President of the association, Mr Ejike Eneh who spoke on the issue also expressed regret that Governor Chime demolished the Enugu Civil Service Secretariat against people’s opinion and wondered ‘’why this should happen in a state like Enugu which should preserve good legacies by our colonial masters as former regional headquarters of the defunct Eastern Region.’’

According to them, Chime was insensitive to people’s feeling by demolishing the secretarait for a new one at a time serving civil servants were underpaid and retired ones owed over 30

months arreas of pension.

Eneh further said,’’Retired teachers were owed over two years arreas of pension, just as those still working with the state-owned Enugu Transport Corporation are being owed over 18 months salary arreas.

The situation is our state is terrible. Why should we have a one township state in Enugu when other areas like Ezeagu, Udi, Nsukka and Awgu are not developed?. It is attrocious for Chime to award an unbudgeted N13 billion contract for a new secre-

tariat in the face of other mounting needs. Infact, this is a state that is almost second to the last on the issue of welfare of workers. The Enugu State House of Assembly should initiate impeachment proceedings against this insensitive governor and get him removed.’’

PROMO: From left: Mr Owen Dadzie, Vetting Officer, APCON; Mr Ikechukwu Amaechi, Editor, Daily Independent Newspaper; Mr Obi Irogbu, Assistant Director, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Lagos Zonal Office and Mr Pawan Sharm, Chief Marketing Officer, Tolaram Group, at the first draw of the ongoing Indomie Super Millionaire promo in Lagos.

Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Naira to exchange for N160 to Dollar by 2013 Continues from page 6

“In line with the oil-price based fiscal rule as stated in the FRA, 2007, we chose a cautious oil benchmark price of $75/b for the 20132015 period.

This is below the current world market price and is underpinned by our model of 10-year and 5- year moving averages, with some adjustment. Revenue in excess of the benchmark price will continue to be set aside in the Excess Crude Acc o u n t , ECA, and Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF. The fund has been designed to reduce pro- cyclicality and delink public expenditure from oil price volatility.

“Non-oil revenue estimates are calculated on the basis of changes in the relevant components of GDP. The underlying tax bases are as follows: for company income tax, it is the portion of nominal GDP liable for CIT; and, for value added tax, it is the share of consumption liable for VAT. In making these projections and in line with best practice, we have taken into account the impact of ongoing reforms. We have also included efficiency factors that account for operational improvements in the various tax administration agencies.

Government intends to increase the contribution of tax revenue to the budget through continuous reforms to modernise and further improve tax administration.

“In the light of the contemporary global uncertainty and in line with the goal o f ensuring macroeconomic 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, thus, increasing 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 periods, 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, energising the economy so as to create employment and ensure that we have inclusive growth”.

According to the frame work document: “At a time when several advanced economies are facing austerity measures, Nigeria needs to carefully manage its finances. Even though the macroeconomic fundamentals and fiscal: position remains healthy, the economy could be exposed to negative spillovers if the global economic conditions deteriorate further.

In the light of the above, government intends to further strengthen fiscal consolidation by scaling back its spending and creatinga prosperous environment for a private sector-led growth. Although aggregate expenditure is increasing in absolute terms, the goal is for government expenditure as a share of GDP in the Nigerian economy 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 rationalisation 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.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 15

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

W/African health workers raise alarm over cholera epidemic

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

H CHARITY: From left— Mr. Dimeji Oduyebo, Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc; Ms. Ebelle Oputa, Assistant Head, Adolescent Unit; and Dr. Yinka Akindayomi, Director of Service, at the presentation of N500,000 as part of Fidson’s CSR programmes in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

3 injured as suspected cultists disrupt UNIJOS election

BY TAYE OBATERU

J

OS—A suspected cult member was, yesterday, lynched and another seriously injured following a shooting incident at the permanent site of the University of Jos, during a departmental student’s association election.

Students of the English Department were said to be holding an election for new officers of their association at 12 noon when two pistol-wielding men, spotting red dresses, came out of the library complex and shot at a student standing under a tree close by.

The target, who was apparently aware that he was

been followed, dodged the bullets. But a female student standing close by was hit on the shoulder.

The other student, who was passing by, was hit on the forehead by a stone directed at one of the suspects.

Although the shooting caused commotion as students and workers within the complex scampered for safety, some courageous students gave the gunmen, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, a hot chase on discovering that their pistols had ran out of bullets.

They were caught and beaten up, but were rescued by security men.

Nigerian heads AFCO

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FRICAN Council of Optometry, AFCO, has, at its general delegates meeting and scientific conference hosted by Ghana, sworn-in Dr. Cecil Nwafor, a Nigerian, as President for the next two years. He was elected in Durban, South Africa in 2010.

He was General Secretary of AFCO in 2004 and re-elected in 2006.

Nwafor sits on the gov-

erning board of the World Council of Optometry with headquarters in London, as one of Africa’s representatives.

He is CEO of the International Centre for Vision and Eye Health, a not-for-profit organisation.

Theme for this year’s conference was Public Private Partnerships: Creating Eye Health Access for All.

EALTH workers in Nigeria and other West African countries have expressed concern over the increasing cases of cholera epidemic in the sub-region, resulting in 420 deaths in Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone in the past one year.

Under the umbrella of West African Health Sector Unions Network, WAHSUN, at its 9th plenary session in Tema, Ghana, the workers lamented the recurring cases of Cholera in the sub-region.

In a communiqué at the end of the meeting, delegates said: “The incidence of the cholera epi-

FG opens by-pass on Lokoja-Abuja road A

BUJA—REPRIEVE came the way of stranded motorists along Lokoja-Abuja road, as Federal Government directed that identified by-passes along the road be opened, yesterday.

Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemenen, told newsmen after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, yesterday, that the bye-passes which had been created around the flooded areas would be opened to motorists from today.

He said government had engaged construction giants in the country to create the by-passes as a temporary measure to ease the suffering of commuters.

He said: “What we’ve been doing since yesterday is to identify a by-pass which we have created. As at this morning (yesterday), we have attained about 60 percent completion.

“From the way we are going, by tomorrow (today) the road should be opened to motorists.

“We have done a diversion at those drainage and vehicles will be able to drive normally through this bypass without having recourse to canoes on our roads as a result of the flooding that happened.”

Environment Minister speaks

Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadiza Mailafia, said a Presidential Committee set up to assess the impact of flooding across the country presented a preliminary report to council.

She said the committee visited seven states to ascertain the extent of the impact of the flood on life and infrastructure and to identify immediate areas of intervention.

She said: “The most devastating effect that we have witnessed is that of Kogi State, where we have a major road completely made impassable. We have also seen a lot of infrastructure submerged and witnessed very traumatising experiences by people that were affected.”

Amnesty Office suspends 7 over fraud allegations them, yesterday, was taken Ajube, Beggi Erepade,

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA—PEACE Build ing and Conflict Resolution Unit of the Presidential Amnesty Office, has suspended seven officials over allegations of involvement in fraudulent activities in the documentation of Phase Two beneficiaries of the amnesty programme.

The decision to suspend

following confessional statements by one Aso Tambo and some other Phase Two leaders of the former Niger Delta agitators.

Those suspended by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/ Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, include Marshal Konoun, Kennedy West, Peter

Tari Clarkson, Okuba Wenikefe and Tony Amende.

The office, alongside security agencies, according to a statement issued in Abuja, had commenced investigation into the allegations that officials of the unit colluded with Tambo and others to doctor allotted slots and the account details of beneficiaries.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

demic in West Africa is a matter of very serious concern for WAHSUN. In Ghana, there have been 5,800 reported cases with 60 deaths, while in Sierra Leone a state of emergency has been declared over the epidemic, which has claimed 273 lives.

“In Guinea and Senegal, over 10,000 persons have been affected by the epidemic as well.

Similarly not less than 87 persons have died from this scourge in Nigeria.

“WAHSUN notes that the epidemic has been located in slums within these countries, which have greatly increased in recent times due to rising poverty.

“WAHSUN-in-session pledges the commitment of its member-unions to combating the epidemic with all fervor.

“WAHSUN, however, notes that at the heart of this health problem are crucial socio-economic questions of destitution, unemployment, poor housing, poverty and pauperisation, which the governments of states in West Africa would have to address.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Do you support FG on N5,000 note?

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don’t think N5,000 note is the problem facing Nigerians. It won’t even solve any economic problem.

Traders and transporters are still having problem with giving change on N1,000 note.

What would happen if N5,000 note joins the train?— Ms. Chimezie Ezembu, Student.

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T will erode the value of Naira, raise infla tion, rubbish the cashless society policy, deny other sectors of the economy and encourage lootocracy by politicians and public office holders.

Again, socio-legal dynamics make it a needless project— Chief Morah Ekwunoh, Legal Practitioner.

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NTRODUCTION of new notes and/or changing certain denominations is on course, only to the extent that the funds for such action are provided for in the Appropriation Bill. If not, CBN would be acting ultra vires the provision of Section 81 of the constitution.— Mr. Qudus Mumuni, Lawyer.

O

F course, N5,000 note would in crease the cost of living, which an average Nigerian may not be able to cope with. It will not benefit majority of the public and whatever is not in the interest of all should be shown the nearest exit route.— Mr. Cyril Iwuoha, Student.

B

EFORE N5,000 note, let the economy be reformed first. Why should we even have a N5,000 note when it was just last year that a cashless policy was introduced? Moreover, I doubt if any consultation was made with the labour union or National Assembly.— Mr. Opoke Onyekachi, Student.

F

ROM a realistic point of view, the idea of N5,000 is not as bad as one reads on the pages of newspapers. But I think there is a contrast between the cashless society and N5,000 note, since it will aid the possibility of carrying much money around.— Dr. Esupofo Lawrence, Cleric.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 17

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Democracy and closed Nigerian spaces

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think that deep down, those who rule Nigerian would rather they had on their hands the peace of the graveyard, where rulers do as they pleased and citizens are subjects. When President Jonathan, the other day, said he was the most-criticized president in the world, lurking behind the assertion was the wish that things were different. But the truth is that most of the actions and statements of our men (and women) of power indicate that they do not even understand the central kernel of leading a democratic society.

We must remind our powerful rulers, that at the heart of the engagement they have with us as CITIZENS of a democratizing country (not yet a democracy!), is what Locke called a >Social Contract=, and Nigeria=s 1999 Constitution=s Section 15 (5), boldly asserted that AThe state shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power@. The massive levels of corruption associated with the government of the day, from the fuel subsidy scandal to the one related to pensions, indicate clearly, that this very important demand of the constitution is obeyed only in its breach!

A ruling elite which is mired in the level of corruption and incompetence as we deal with in our country today, will certainly find the scrutiny of the media particularly unwelcome.

Yet, the media cannot do anything contrary to its obligations as enshrined in Section 22 of the Constitution: Athe press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to up-

What makes democracy a higher level of societal organization than barbarism is that citizens can canvass often different and conflicting ideas

•Goodluck-Jonathan hold the fundamental objective (contained in chapter II of the Constitution) and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people. If this is the constitutional position, how then might we interpret Information Min-

,

ister, LabaranMaku's warning to the Guild Editors, two weeks in Uyo, that Nigerians should not take President Goodluck Jonathan's patience (no pun intended!) for weakness? Maku said it was erroneous to assume that because the president has

Imperialism and the Islamic world in ferment

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HE demonstrations against the blasphemous film, made by a fringe character in the United States, have continued to spread around the Muslim world. The tragic loss of lives in the past couple of weeks, since the film went viral on the internet, the lives of the innocent, has been highlighted by the killing of the American Ambassador in Libya. It was poignant that the Ambassador had been an active supporter of the rightwing, conservative religious groups that were the central forces which imperialism used to topple Muammar Khadaffi.

Despite its many weaknesses, Ghaddafi's regime was nationalistic and Ghadaffi supported many anti-imperialist projects around the world, including his well-recognised contributions against apartheid in South Africa. But he had to go; imperialism needed the control of Libya=s oilfields which was increasingly falling intoa Chinese sphere of interest. With his fall, the satrapy installed in Tripoli is beginning to hand over Libyan oil to the Western firms.

But far more sinister is the unleashing of the reactionary forces of regionalism, tribal rivalry and backward religious groups in the country. They are threatening to take Libya back to the Stone Ages: they are destroying tombs of Sufi scholars; they are burning books

and want to impose their views of Islam on Libya, as they are trying to do in Tunisia and Egypt and the same reactionary forces are exporting fighters to Syria, under the aegis of the imperialist powers, and the active connivance of the medieval ruling clique in Saudi Arabia. It is laughable that one of the most backward regimes in the world, the Saudi ruling regime which does not even allow women to drive cars, is ostensibly exporting democracy to Syria; the same regime which sent in tanks into Bahrain, to suppress a democratic uprising!

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he issues are clear: the im perial interests include the control of the oil resources and the protection of the strategic military superiority that the Zionist state of Israel has over the Arab and Muslim world. It is precisely the reason why Iran is under the radar; its scientific and technical capacity must be destroyed anyhow. The methods include the targeted assassination of Iranian scientists as was done in Iraq; there are plans being openly discussed, that Zionist Israel will attack Iranian nuclear research sites, even when Israel is the ONLY state in the Middle East with over 200 nuclear warheads.

Yet no one dares to mention them; just as any criticism of the Zionist state is increasingly described as anti-Semitic and therefore dis-

missed!

One of the points of anger in the Muslim world is the fact that the West continues to plead free speech as reason it cannot stop those who ridicule the faith of Islam; yet the same Western world punishes denial of the Holocaust and homophobic crimes. The double standards implicit in this position baffles and angers millions of Muslims around the world. It is also in the same context of the interests of imperialism, that I recall that they were able to cobble together civil society and human right groups, in April 2011 or so, to denounce Ghadaffi's alleged atrocities to prepare the ground for the NATO airstrikes which killed hundreds of innocent Libyan civilians with the use of depleted uranium warheads.

Some of the signatories of the justification for the imperial attack of Libya included leading Nigerian human rights activists=.

Those who collect dollars from imperialism, end up supporting some of the most criminal activities of these powers. They pocket dollars but are culpable in imperialist crimes! But it is clear that whatever method is used to legitimize pro-imperialist uprisings and delegitimize others, people will continue to struggle to change their lives, no matter the amount of manipulations effected by imperialism; from Washington, London or Paris!

displayed the capacity to tolerate many things, including criticisms and media attacks, then he was weak and incapable of taking decisions.

Again, the implicit assumption here was that somehow, the president was merely doing us all a favour Ato tolerate many things, including criticisms and media attacks. What LabaranMaku wants is the closed space inhabited by slaves and subjects, but those who inhabit the real world of democracy are citizens, who must necessarily have responsibilities and duties as well as rights. If those who rule want subjects, they chose a wrong time to be born, because the era of rulers and their subjects died a long time ago, and the fact that those longings for a dead era come to the minds of people like LabaranMaku, a former radical student activist and journalist, reveals the dead weight of consciousness, even when the material basis has long disappeared.

But there cannot be a greater love for closed spaces than the one displayed by Attorney General MuhammedAdoke, in response to renewed calls to examine the On-shore/Off-shore

dichotomy. At a recent judicial event, Adoke warned against >overheating of the polity=, with such a debate, saying it was >dangerous=; and furthermore, it had been ruled upon by the Supreme Court. The presidency had earlier described the debate as mischievous and a closed case. The lovers of closed spaces included the Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, who issued threats of recommencement of activities by the so-called militants of the Niger Delta if such a re-visit was ever contemplated! It was a point he very much expatiated upon, when I asked him a question, apropos of the issue, during the recent Nigerian Guild of Editors Conference, in Uyo. He went on and on about Athe boys@ in the creeks and the fact that they still had their guns.

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t is not possible that we can all agree about every topic of social policy in society; least of all one as fractured as Nigeria. But it is important to learn to listen to the other side, without the bitterness, insult and threats which many groups prefer as response to views that conflict with theirs or which rock their sureties and prejudices.

There can never be closed spaces barred from discussion in a democratic society. And in my view, what makes democracy a higher level of societal organization than barbarism is that citizens can canvass often different and conflicting ideas, in order, at the end of the day, to find the consensus to build society.

Closed spaces might be fashionable and the order of the day in religious doctrine, but it has no place in the construction of a democratic society. It was the Chinese who called for a thousand flowers to bloom and that is precisely what we need to allow, in all the contentious issues of nation building in our country.

NIGERIA: Cut adrift by floods

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HE imageries have been terrifying, from North to South.

Whole communities under water; roads that have been washed away; floating and bloated corpses; stranded travellers; diversion of traffic to badly maintained roads and a country effectively cut into two, by the force of nature. The floods are of a biblical proportion and farmlands, homesteads and other economic ventures have been left in ruins.

But it was not as if we have not been forewarned! NIMET consistently said this was going to be a very wet years and consequences were likely to be dire. Nobody seemed to have taken heed; life went on as usual. So when the waters came, the nation was least prepared and millions of our compatriots have had to suffer.

But we are tied directly to nature because we are of nature; therefore, knowledge is imperative to understand the forces of nature and to make the understanding work for us as human bings and a society. This calls for the inculcation of the scientific method in our understanding of phenomena. Clearly, the changing patterns of global weather will continue to impact on whatever we do in our individual and collective lives.

It is therefore more important than hitherto, to be prepared to handle emergencies directly related to global warming and the consequence. What modernity does is to equip individuals and societies with the discipline and knowledge as well as organization to respond to adversity; unfortunately, these are some of the greatest problems which face Nigerian society. We are not disciplined; we have abandoned search for knowledge for religion and superstition. They eventually catch up with society. If the tragic events of the past few weeks help us to do things better, we would have snatched victory from adversity; but the question to ask is whether we are really willing to do so.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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HE new Lagos State traffic law if executed to the letters will soon take up all the prison spaces in the country. The lesson may just be that awareness about traffic laws is so low that governments should invest more on education if they intend to make the roads safer.

High number of arrests made in a 10-day exercise that tested Lagos commercial drivers for drugs, drunkenness and defects were indications that many drivers do not appreciate the implications of their actions, and in some cases, their health conditions.

The law being blind to ignorance as a reason for committing an offence would punish them unsparingly.

Of the 2,500 commercial drivers tested, 441 (17.64 per cent) were positive to drugs, especially marijuana and cocaine; 781 (31.24 per cent) were under the influence of alcohol. Other discoveries: 601 (24.04 per cent) were hypertensive and some had visual impairments. Some of these challenges are issues that transend traffic offences and should be tackled on a wider scale for the greater implications they also

More education on traffic laws have for the well-being of people.

The environment in Lagos, the roads inclusive, can pre-dispose people to hypertension. Tension tankers, trucks and trailers cause with their unsecured contents deserves immediate action. There should be times those types of vehicles should not use certain roads. There is no point lamenting the accidents they cause without acting to avoid them.

A particular area of failure for the government is the permissiveness it grants motorcycle riders, who delight in impunity.

They operate without a sense of safety and easily compromise efforts of others in observing traffic regulations. They require special education.

Drunk-driving, is easier to test, since the state government has acquired breath analyzer, but the tests should not be reserved for commercial drivers. Drivers of private vehicles, and motorcycle riders, can also be above the permitted drinking limit.

Years back, there were laws banning the sale of alcohol in motor parks, but they have always been breached. Moreover, there are enough mobile alcohol hawkers to feed the desires of drivers. The restriction on sale of alcohol to drivers would require more creative management to be effective.

If it is so minded, Lagos State could make billions of Naira, in months from its traffic law, but since the aim is not a revenue drive, the state should be seen as acting for the greater interest of the public through measures that are firm and fair.

More investments in creating more public awareness on these matters are needed otherwise the state would waste resources on arrests and prosecutions while the main purpose of the law, which is safety on the roads, would not be achieved.

OPINION

BY OSITA OBIERIKA Continued from yesterday's pg 17

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HE question now is, how did petroleum form? The opinion that has prevailed amongst most scientists since the 1870s is called the biogenic theory. This holds that biological debris buried in sediments decays into oil and natural gas in the long course of time and that this petroleum, then becomes concentrated in the pore space of sedimentary rocks in the uppermost layers of the Earth’s crust. This process then,; produces petroleum whose main constituents are hydrocarbons, that is hydrogen and carbon. However, since the 1970s, this theory has at times been challenged by some scientists. In August 2002, some scientists argued that the origin of natural petroleum must occur at depths that are well into the mantle of the Earth and not at the shallower depths, generally accepted. On his own, Thomas Gold has suggested some controversial theories and explains his reasons in his book: The Deep Hot Biosphere - The Myth of Fossil Fuels. He writes: The theory of the biological origins of hydrocarbons was so favoured in the United States and in much of Europe that it effectively shut out work on the opposing view point. However, this was not the case in the countries of the former Soviet Union. That was probably because the Russian Chemist Mendeleyev had supported the biogenic (not biological) view. The arguments he presented are even stronger today, given the greatly expanded information available. Then, what is the abiogenic view?

Gold states: “The abiogenic theory holds that hydrocarbons were a component of the materials that formed the Earth through accretion of solids, some 4.5 billion years ago”.

According to this theory, the elements of petroleum have been deep in the Earth since its formation. The conclusion from this is that, the Earth has a finite amount of petroleum unlike the biological theory, which proposes that fossil fuel

Geopolitics and strategy of petroleum: The Nigeran experience(2) can still be produced by decaying debris. However, the rate of consumption will outstrip the rate of decay as the World’s population increases. This author is of the opinion that both processes might have taken place at different times since the Big Bang. As stated earlier, petroleum was first struck in Nigeria in 1956 in Ogbia, in the present day Bayelsa State by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (Shell Well 1). Production from the Ogbia field started in 1958 at the rate of 4,000 barrels per day, an event that reshaped thesocio-economic landscape of the country. The success of Shell attracted other companies, notably Mobil, Texaco, Gulf, Agip, Unocal, Esso and Safrap (now Elf Total) to the Niger Delta, which became the new focus of exploration activities. In 1963, the first offshore discoveries were made

by Gulf (Okan 1), Mobil (Ata 1) and Texaco (Kaulama 1).

The industry expanded rapidly and by the end of the civil war in 1970, the country’s daily production, undertaken exclusively by multi-nationals, had exceeded one million barrel mark, while its agro-based economy which had, heretofore, been the engine of growth of the economy, quickly gave way to a monoculture that is with the country up till date.

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n 1971, Nigeria joined the organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC and thereafter, established the Nigerian National Oil Corporation, NNOC, as a vehicle for exercising control over the operations of the multinationals in line with the policy of the OPEC cartel. The same year, the Federal Government through NNOC, acquired 33 and half per cent participating interest in AGIP Oil Company and by 1974; the acquisition had included all the operating companies in the country with the percentage

of Government interest increasing to 60 percent. That gave birth to the joint venture agreements, which subsist till today.

In 1977, NNOC was merged with the Department of Petroleum Resources to form the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, through which operational interest was expanded to include refining, petrochemicals and products transportation as well as marketing, in addition to its sole exploration and production activities. Between 1978 and 1989, NNPC constructed three refineries in Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt and took over the 35,000 barrel Shell Refinery constructed in 1966, also located in Port Harcourt . Furthermore, the corporation established a product distribution network comprising thousands of kilometres of pipeline as well as pump stations and depots, while also, pioneering exploration activities in the Chad Basin without success.

In 1990, Nigeria initiated an aggressive exploration programme in some frontier basins covering the deep offshore Niger Delta and the Inland basins, including Benin Republic basin, Anambra and Benue basins. This exercise, which was based on the production sharing contract, PSC, arrangement, was aimed at improving the nation’s oil and gas reserve base. The same year, the indigenous operatorship programme was introduced by way of discretionary allocation of blocks to some indigenous companies, which operate on sole risk basis. After 50 years of oil production, more than 30 billion barrels of oil and 25 trillion standard cubic feet of natural gas have been produced in Nigeria.

Continues tomorrow on the viewpoint pg *Obierika, a rtd AVM, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012—19

, Bakassi: Ball now in GEJ’s court F

RESH facts that will guaran tee the restoration of Bakassi Peninsula to Nigeria have been abundantly established. Vanguard Newspapers has shouted itself hoarse over the past weeks with these facts backed up with informed opinions from a variety of well-meaning Nigerians, calling upon the Federal Government of Nigeria to take action and reopen this case at the International Court of Justice, ICJ, before the 10-year window closes forever on October 10, 2012.

Let me sum up some of these fresh facts. It has been established that the so-called 1913 Anglo-German Agreement, based on which the ICJ gave its verdict against Nigeria, was invalid because it was not signed before Germany forfeited its colonial right to Cameroun in 1917. General Yakubu Gowon unpatriotically, even treasonably, entered the Maroua Accord with Cameroun giving away the territory in exchange for our eastern neighbour’s cooperation in the blockade against Biafra during the war. The “Accord” was never sent to the Supreme Military Coun-

cil for ratification.

Our lawyers were sent by the Olusegun Obasanjo regime of 1999 to 2007, to collude with their Camerounian counterparts to hinge their arguments on an invalid 1913 Treaty in order to sanctify the forfeiture of the Peninsula to a foreign country. The president signed a Green Tree Agreement with Cameroon, and it was never brought to the National Assembly for ratification. The Constitution of Nigeria has never been amended to certify that indeed Nigeria has given up Bakassi. Therefore, in the eyes of all the laws of Nigeria, Bakassi remains part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It has also been well illustrated that Bakassi was part of the territory that Britain handed over to Nigeria at Independence in 1960.

The plebiscite which enabled Western Cameroun (Mamfe, Kumba, Bamenda and Victoria Provinces) and Adamawa Province in the North to decide whether they wanted to belong to Nigeria or Cameroun was never held in Bakassi.

Cameroun never laid claim to Bakassi before the war.

Surely, Jonathan should be perturbed that in his time as President, a part of the SouthSouth in the Niger Delta was lost forever to Cameroun when there were abundant facts and resources to help prevent this

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All these facts were never tendered before the ICJ. Nigerian lawyers, paid with oil money from the Niger Delta, colluded with foreigners to give away a vital part of the same Niger Delta!

When Camerounian gendarmes attacked Nigerians on the Peninsula in 1994, General Sani Abacha sent Nigerian troops to repel the invaders. His government requested from Britain its stand on whether Bakassi Peninsula belonged to Nigeria or Cameroun. Britain confirmed it belonged to Nigeria.

Based on this, Abacha defended the territory.

GEJ and verdict of history Now, the ball is in the court of President Goodluck Jonathan to reclaim Bakassi. He swore on the constitution to defend the nation and its people. Bakassi people, in line with pervasive, united South-

South solidarity, voted for him.

GEJ owes it a duty because Bakassi is part of his home zone, the South-South portion of the Niger Delta. Gowon and Obasanjo sold out to Cameroun in their war against the former Eastern Region.

They were determined to permanently cripple the area’s capacity to stand up for their vital interests.

History will judge them, but in doing so, it will take judicial notice of the fact that being Northerners and Westerners, they felt no personal sense of loss of a vital part of the former Eastern Region. It is nothing to them that Calabar no longer has a seaport.

My Great Uncle, Mma Agbagha, was a shipping magnate in Calabar and environs during the World War II. It takes something away from me that an area that helped prosper my family has been sold out to another country!

Surely, Jonathan should be perturbed that in his time as President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a part of the South-South in the Niger Delta was lost forever to Cameroun when there were abundant facts and resources to help prevent this. If he does not do anything and October 10, 2012 passes, he will be furiously held to account by Nigerians, especially the people of South East and South-South whose primary mandate made it possible for him to win the 2011 presidential election.

Come to think of it! Where is “South-South Leader”, Chief Edwin Clark in all this? For some curious reason, the usually outspoken, Ijaw National Leader has kept his peace over the Bakassi debacle. Or is it because Bakassi, not being an Ijaw territory, is not a part of his idea of “real” South-South?

Are we seeing a repeat of the same

attitude of selective pursuit of South-South interests, whereby only areas or people he favours in the zone will enjoy his energetic protection, while those not favoured will either ignored or directly confronted?

I ask this question, bearing in mind that when Dr Peter Odili was running for President, Chief Clark called a summit of the non-Igbo speaking groups in Calabar (yes!

Calabar, the owners of Bakassi Peninsula!). There, he declared that when the South-South agitated for the president of Nigeria they were not asking for an “Igbo Man” to be given the privilege. Odili, a self-described “Rivers Man” suddenly got called an “Igbo Man” because he seemed the front-runner for president then.

I was expecting Chief Clark, if he really is the South-South’s National Leader, to call a summit of the zone and forcefully table before the Federal Government a demand for a return to the ICJ with the fresh facts that will return Bakassi Peninsula to the SouthSouth and Nigeria. Perhaps, President Jonathan would listen to him even if he ignored the National Assembly, the media and Nigerians calling for positive action on Bakassi. Perhaps it is only when the North threatens GEJ’s presidency that Clark suddenly remembers there is more to South-South than Ijaw and calls a summit. But when the spoils of South-South struggles come, they go to only one ethnic group.

If Clark won’t speak up for Bakassi, younger, more patriotic and less myopic Ijaw leaders like Chief Asari Dokubo should come forward. We must make the President act. He has only two weeks to do so!

Redefining disability HIS stammerer in our little village, Oghada, woke up one morning and burst into tears, unwittingly coming up with what later became a song in the village: “Oghada come, come and see, come and see that a lame man has run faster than me”.

He later began to narrate how he had invested all his hard-earned money from farm work on the education of his children. In the fifties, when many could not afford to train one child, Papa had sent three of his children to secondary commercial schools across the Niger. His calculation was that when they finished, wealth would arrive.

By the twist of fate, the three children did not finish well. Meanwhile, the children of a very poor villager who could not further their education had successfully picked up jobs as drivers and salesmen in a soft drink company and they were building houses everywhere.

Nigeria, we hail thee! We must continue to hail this country for abandoning its citizens at the Biblical level of Ecclesiastes 6:2.

God has given us “so much riches, wealth and honour, so that we wanteth nothing for our souls of all that we desireth”. Yet our leaders keep denying us the mouth to eat of the God-given wealth. Someone was pondering the other day, why it is that of all the oil producing nations, Nigeria remains the only place where oil theft thrives.

We also wonder why Nigeria remains the only nation where oil boom has turned to oil doom to the extent that although Nigeria is said to rank fifth in the world’s oil production table, we are still the only nation where governance hinges only on the debate of oil subsidy instead of how to develop the nation and its people. It never ceases to amaze some of us that what started like a huge joke is now a flourishing reality: Nigeria now imports refined petroleum products from our backyard, Niger Repub-

lic.

We reached for the dictionary and looked up the word, “Disabled”. It is defined as “unable to use part of your body completely or easily because of a physical condition, sickness, injury, etc”. It is clear that Nigeria is disabled. Papa in the village has appropriately defined himself as disabled as a lame man has outrun him.

The authorities in Nigeria have been fraudulent in every aspect, including the application of disability. A few weeks ago, we went to London presumably for the Olympic Games and we disgraced ourselves thoroughly. We quickly reminded ourselves of Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937), founder of modern Olympiad, who believes that the original spirit behind the games was participating, not necessarily winning. But we forgot that there must still be evidence of participation. For instance, Nigeria did not appear anywhere on the medals table for the so-called able-bodied athletes. I am sure the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, had problems convincing President Goodluck Jonathan that his people got to London.

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ruly, after the fierce but honest and friendly competitions, a win or loss at the games would showcase the strength or weakness of a country’s domestic polity and economy. Economically strong and politically stable nations would invariably do better than the loafers.

The disaster we met in London did not come as a surprise. It was a total reflection of the Nigerian state. No organisation ever grows much higher than the environment in which it exists. The moment Nigeria failed to qualify for the football event, it was clear that we were going on a frolic. A Team Nigeria for the Olympics without football is like a train without an engine.

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The London disaster was indeed shattering to the administration and Nigeria; every sector in Nigeria is dead; President Jonathan must begin to take the tough decisions now

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The reasons advanced for the London massacre have been aptly summarized under the bold headings of corruption, instability, lack of preparation and the rest. Evidently, we cannot expect to reap US, China or Russia when all we have planted is Nigeria.

We hope President Jonathan realises that failure is failure and no failure makes for good breakfast anywhere. The London disaster was indeed shattering to the administration and Nigeria. Every sector in Nigeria is dead. President Jonathan must begin to take the tough decisions now. If Professor Berth Nnaji could be shown the door because the lights he was producing were not bright enough for Nigerians, what of Abdullahi who has thoroughly soaked all of us in the mud in London? Should he not

be relieved of his brief as the supervisor of our sports? After the London Olympics, other serious nations have started preparing for the next Commonwealth and Olympic games. But in Nigeria, we must wait till two weeks to the events!

In all this, God still loves his people. That’s why he quickly sent the Paralympics to salvage our situation. Those we dubiously defined as disabled have now turned round to show that there is ability in disability where the rest of us are struggling to demonstrate that there is great disability in ability. What an irony! They did us proud. In the end, the world stood up for the Nigerian colours 13 times – for our 6 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze medals!

Nigeria thoroughly dominated the power-lifting medals table where it harvested most of its medals. We broke four Paralympic and four world records in the games. We remember Yakubu Adesokun, the Ibadanborn athlete who set the ball rolling in the men’s 48kg category. Twice in a single day, he broke his own record by first lifting 178kg, before lifting 180kg – almost four times his body weight! Nigeria must apologise to these people for criminally labeling them as disabled. We now know better where the real disability resides.

Incidentally, many of the names we saw on the medals tables of Britain and other winning countries were definitely Nigerian, which boils down to one fact: our sports administration is defective. The question Bob Oriwo, a frontline physically challenged upholster in Benin City, asked years ago is still relevant – Na so we go dey dey?

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 21

Bad roads contribute to high price of cement — CMAN

By JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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ALABAR — CEMENT Manufac turers Association of Nigeria, CMAN, has attributed the high price of cement product in some areas of the country despite efforts made to flood the Nigeria market with the product to bad state of the nation’s roads.

Addressing journalists after its quarterly meeting to review performances of cement companies in the country at the United Cement Company premises, Calabar, Cross River State, Chairman of CMAN, Engineer Joseph Makoju explained that cement manufacturers in the country had made every thing possible to bring down the price of the product, stressing that road haulage has become a major challenge.

Makoju said that cement industry in the country had recorded remarkable success, which he said had been confirmed by the federal government, adding that the success story of cement companies was happening when other manufacturing sector in the country were shrinking and facing myriads of challenges.

According to him, local production

Cooperative societies told to build people-oriented projects

By FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI-Co-operative societies across the country have been charged to build projects that are community oriented.

Mr. Nicholas Areh, President, Uyoyo Isoko Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society, who spoke during a seminar tagged “Sustainable Growth in Our Co-operative Societies through Effective and Efficient Management,” in Ozoro, Delta State, enjoined Co-operatives to engage on productive ventures that are self supporting.

In his remarks, Mr. J Okotie of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Co-operative Department, Ughelli North Local Government Area identified insufficient funds, contextual ignorance minimum support from financial institutions, poor management amongst others as the problems militating against effective management of Co-operative Societies. Stressing the need for Co-operative Societies to allocate tasks and responsibilities within the Co-operatives’ structure for the purpose of accomplishing their objectives, he posited that appropriate organizational structure would pave way for their sustainable growth.

According to him, “successful thriving of Co-operatives depends on managing Co-operatives as business enterprises. Business organizations survive under operation of real profit and satisfying the need of members.”

had risen from two million recorded in 2002, to thirteen million in 2011 and even gone up to seventeen million in the month of September this year, adding that the policy of the federal government in reducing importation had contributed to the availability and affordability of the product.

He described the government policy not to issue import license as a land mark achievement and that cement manufacturers had in reciprocating the government gesture, tried to ensure that

there is availability of the product in the market as well as ensuring a significant reduction in the price of the product.

Makoju said that CMAN was talking to government about investing more on infrastructure and that the main focus of the association includes among others, working harder to ensure that there was availability of the product, He said CMAN is focusing on training and human capital, so as to have qualified Nigerians that would run the plants. He said that Cement manu-

facturing companies in the country were pooling resources together for the proposed Cement Technological Institute, that is to be floated by government which will soon take off.

According to him, the institute would help in the area of human capital development.

Besides, he said CMAN is considering producing new products that will meet the requirements of every body in terms of price so as to meet the various needs of the market.

From left: Senator John Shagayai,Chairman, Ports and Cargo Handling Company, Mallam Mohammed Bolango, General Manager, Western Operations of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) representing the MD of NPA, and Port Manager, Tin-Can Island Port, Bars. Effoita Ephraim at the commissioning of brand new Rubber Tyred Gantries (RTG) in Lagos. Photo by Godfrey Bivbere.

Oil Companies shun conference on oil spill in Niger Delta

By YEMIE ADEOYE & JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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T a period when operational oil spill has become a common feature in the business of oil exploration and production, leaving in its trails massive destruction of aquatic life and livelihood International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria have stayed away from the 2012 International Oil Spill Conference organized by Kaku Professionals Engineers Limited in collaboration with the United States National Spill Control School, Texas, aimed at creating awareness on the danger of oil spill in Nigeria especially, the Niger Delta region.

Apart from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and the AMNI International Petroleum Company that attended the conference, other multinational oil companies doing oil exploration in the Niger Delta region that did not honor their invitation include Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Agip, Total, Pan Ocean, Oando, Addax petroleum, Mart Energy, Seplat and Shell.

Speaking at the conference, Managing Director and Chief Executive Offic-

er of Kaku Professional Engineers Limited, Engr. Sylvester Egwu said that the conference was organized for the participants to holistically deliberate on the problems created by incessant oil spills in the environment.

He said that the conference was also aimed at enhancing technology and technology transfer and also to promote the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals, MDGs for environmental sustainability in Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria experiences about 600 oil spill every year which he said normally leave the environment devastated and also put the lives of the people in such areas at high risks.

Egwu said, “A lot of oil spills have occurred in recent times since 1976 to 2008, about eighty per cent of the spill has been recorded. Today, the rate of spill is about 600 incidence annually and this is never seen in anywhere in the world except in Nigeria.” He said that this development had brought untold suffering on the people of the Niger Delta region where the business of oil explorations take place on daily basis, adding that the oil spill normally go with outbreak

of diseases such as cancer in various forms and other respiratory diseases.

175.45

-9.65

2,229.00

-9.00

23.51

-0.38

103.38

+0.12

88.48

+0.34

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING CFA KRONER EURO POUNDS RIYAL SDR FRANC DOLLAR WAUA YEN RENMINBI

0.2668 25.167 187.262 240.5751 41.2996 232.1182 155.8406 154.89 231.6778 1.9782 24.253

0.2768 25.2482 187.8665 241.3517 41.4329 232.8675 156.3437 155.39 232.4257 1.9846 24.3317

0.2868 25.3294 188.471 242.1283 41.5662 233.6168 156.8468 155.89 233.1736 1.9909 24.4104

CBN Exchange rate as at 26/07/2012

22 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

SEC to establish NIPF for investors’ protection T

Stories By PETER EGWUATU

HE Securities and Ex change Commission (SEC) has announced plans to establish a National Investors Protection Fund (NIPF) that would provide succour to investors who may be genuinely defrauded in the Nigerian capital market.

Director General of the Commission, Ms. Arunma Oteh, who revealed this on Tuesday, said as part of its responsibility, the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) empowers the Commission to create NIPF, which will help to protect investors that have genuine case to make against capital market operator who may have defrauded them.

Oteh, who reasoned that many investors had suffered losses in the hands of fraudulent operators without any compensation, noted that going by the renewed efforts of SEC to protect investors, such experiences would be a thing of the past.

According to her, “The Commission will set up an investor protection fund, which will compensate investors who suffer losses as a result of fraudulent practices of market operators. Though, investors are responsible for the investment decisions they make, so they should ensure they engage registered financial advisers in all their deals. “ Meanwhile, it should be not-

ed that there was an existing Investor Protection Fund by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). But that fund has not been active.

Only recently, the NSE reconstituted a new board for the Investors Protection Fund (IPF) headed by Gamaliel Onosode. Other members of the nine-man board include: Oscar Onyema, Misan KofiSenaya, Kyari Bukar, Chief Sola Abodurin, Fubara Anga,

Edosa Kennedy Aigbekaen, Sam Onukwe and Umaru Modibo.

The Investors Protection Fund is a scheme funded by the World Bank to ensure confidence in the stock market and it is made to give succour to investors who in one way or the other had been genuinely duped or lost his/her investment in the market.

Shareholders had in the past complained of not benefiting

from the Fund and had asked the federal government to investigate how the Fund is being managed.

The shareholders said since the commencement of the scheme aided by the World Bank in the market, shareholders had not benefited from the fund even as they were yet to also benefit from the enlightenment educational fund in the market.

Processes are underway to

Foreign investors driving trading volume

From left: Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc., Mr. Babatunde Odunayo; Chairman, Dr. Oba Otudeko; and Company Secretary, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Busari, at the3rd Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos.

Honeywell Flour Mills shareholders okay N1.19 dividend … Posts N2.7 bn PAT

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HAREHOLDERS of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc have approved the proposed N1.19 billion proposed by its Board of Directors at the third Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company held in Lagos for the financial year ended March 31, 2012.

The dividend, which translated into 15 kobo per share for every 50 kobo share, showed an increase of 15 per cent above the 13 kobo paid the previous year.

Addressing the shareholders at the AGM, Chairman of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Dr. Oba Otudeko, said having achieved good performance in the year, the Board of Directors recommended a total dividend pay-out of N1.19 billion.

He stated that the recommendation was in line with the dividend policy of Honeywell in providing shareholders with steady, growing and sustainable dividends.

According to Otudeko, “The financial year ended March 31, 2012, was a remarkable one for the company as Honeywell Flour Mills recorded

improved performance in spite of the various challenges especially in the area of raw materials, energy and logistics.

“Broad sales growth was achieved across our strong food brands resulting in a 12 per cent increase in revenue from N34 billion to N38 billion.

Good management of our costs led to a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N3.66 billion, relative to last year’s performance of N3.51 billion; a growth of four per cent year-on-year. Our company’s Profit After Tax (PAT) rose by eight per cent to N2.7 billion, from N2.49 billion achieved in 2011.”

He added that shareholders’ funds and total assets increased by 11 per cent and 54 per cent to N17 billion and N45 billion respectively. The chairman said the company was being positioned to be the leading Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) manufacturer in Nigeria.

“In the last one year, we made significant investments, not only in increasing plants and machinery capacity but also in improving human ca-

pabilities through various overseas and local technical trainings and leadership development programmes for staff to further drive innovation

ensure that companies indicating interest in the country’s power sector reform list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Speaking on the state of the capital market, Oteh pointed out that the issue of multinational companies listing on the NSE has been raised at the National Economic Management Team meeting and that President Goodluck Jonathan was interested in the matter.

and growth,” he said.

In his address to shareholders, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell Flour Mills,

According to her, it makes sense for companies operating in the country to list to ensure proper corporate governance and “we believe they will be valued accordingly.”

Oteh, who disclosed that new companies will come to the Nigerian Stock Exchange for primary issue in the first quarter of 2013, urged investors to meet their stock brokers to be properly educated before taking position on investing in any company.

She noted that Nigerian capital market is fast growing, as it currently contrubtes 20 per cent to Gross Domestic Product from 16 per cent some months ago.

The SEC boss, however, said that despite the recovery in the market, daily trading volume is driven by foreign investors who contribute about 70 per cent. “If the international investors are seeing the opportunities in the capital market, why not the local investors? It is better to buy cheap and sell high,” she said.

Oteh attributed the poor performance of the oil and gas sector in the market to the ongoing reform, noting that the recovery in the market has been driven so far by banking stocks.

Vitafoam targets multinational status, assures of improved returns

By FRANKLIN ALLI

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ITAFOAM Nigeria Plc is on the move to become a multinational company having survived 50 years of corporate existence despite harsh operating business environment in the country, said Joel Ajiga, Managing Director.

The company is also assuring shareholders of robust returns on their investments, following its recent acquisition of 25 percent equity in Vono Products Nigeria Plc. Ajiga, while fielding questions from journalists in Lagos during an awards ceremony for key distributors, said: “Vitafoam has survived the last 50 years and has grown in leaps and bounds.

In the next 50 years, we are

looking at a multinational company. We want to become well known all over the continents. It should be a brand that whenever it’s mentioned it well known all over the world like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Nestle; etc.”

He affirmed that the acquisition of a substantial share in the metal, wooden furniture and foam mattresses firm is anchored on increasing value of stakeholders, reduce operational cost and grow revenue and enhance the profitability of the partners in the alliance.

Peter Folikwe, Sales and Marketing Director, said 150 key distributors were recognised and rewarded for the country, simultaneously.

“Incidentally, this award coincides with our 50th anni-

versary celebration. We actually appreciate them and we are rewarding them for their outstanding performance,” he said. He attributed Vitafoam’s array of products to research and development effort.

“In terms of customers service and products quality we have been consistent. Of course, we carry out research and development by trying to know what the consumers want and ensuring that all times we make the consumers happy; it might be difficult to put together what we spends annually on R &D but it’s quite substantial. Of course, we carry it out in the market place by trying to identify the needs of consumers before we put them into physical products for them to buy.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 —

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24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

All banks’ debts must be repaid, says AMCON

BY MICHAEL EBOH

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HE Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all debts owed to banks in Nigeria are repaid and that it would not relent until every indebtedness is repaid, irrespective of the individuals involved.

AMCON, in a statement made available to Vanguard, however, admitted that there was a fault in the debtors list that was published by some newspapers last week.

According to AMCON, in line with its statutory objective, it is committed to ensuring that every indebtedness that had culminated in the hitherto unhealthy state of the Nigerian banking industry is repaid irrespective of the personalities involved, and this policy is critical to the attainment of this objective.

On the discrepancies in the debtors’ list, AMCON explained that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had last week barred major banks’ debtors, comprising 113 companies and 419 directors/ shareholders from enjoying further credits from banks in the country.

However, AMCON said that given changes that had occurred during the intervening period, certain names which ought not

to have been on the list were circularised to the banks.

It stated that it has identified these names and have recommended to the CBN that they be removed accordingly, adding that it will continually update the debtor ’s list whenever concrete settlements are reached.

According to AMCON, at date of transmission to the

CBN, this list was accurate.

However, there have been changes to the debt positions of few specific debtors to AMCON due to restructuring and/or repayments. The Corporation explained that since the list came out, there have been negotiations with debtors on the matter.

“We refer to the circular recently issued to banks by the CBN on the prohibition of

further credit facilities to debtors whose accounts have been assigned to the AMCON”.

“In reaction to objections raised by specific debtors and the need to make our position clear on the subject, AMCON confirms that it supplied the list of its debtors to the CBN in the course of its compliance with due administrative regulation,” the statement said.

Fromleft:Director, Skye Shelter Fund, Mr. Patrick Ilodianya; Chairman of the Fund, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti; and the Secretary to the Fund, Mrs Abimbola Izu, at the 4th Annual General Meeting of the Fund in Lagos

Skye Shelter Fund blames CBN policy for low dividends …declares N4 dividend

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KYE Shelter Fund has announced a dividend of N4.04 kobo per unit for its shareholders for the financial year ended December 31, 2011, dropping from N9 per unit paid out in the 2010 financial year.

The company blamed the decline in its dividend payout on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s, CBN, tight monetary policy stance and the lull recorded in the economy during the 2011 general elections.

Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, Chairman of the fund, said the fund manager decided to minimize its sale of properties during the year because the period was not the best time to dispose of its real estate investments.

He, however, assured shareholders that the 2012/2013 financial year would be better.

According to him, the fund manager, in keeping with its tradition of paying distribution to its unit holders, sold selected real estate which had already appreciated by almost 100 per c e n t .

Durosinmi-Etti said that despite the unfriendly business environment in 2011, the fund still declared a net income of about N90 million making it one of the best results among other collective investment schemes.

On the outlook of the fund manager, the chairman expressed optimism that the company ’s increasing experience in successfully operating in the real estate sector would assist it to achieve a better result in 2 0 1 2 .

Besides, he said the company has identified niche areas of

real estate that would enhance its risk adjusted returns and would remain conservative regarding sale of its assets and focus on rental income until the performance of the industry i m p r o v e s .

The Skye Shelter Fund provides a vehicle for the diversification of investments in Nigeria as it invests and owns some of the

choicest real estate assets in the c o u n t r y .

The fund manager which recently was sold by Skye Bank Plc as part of divestment strategy has a stable management team which comprises professionals who have several years of experience in real estate investment.

B-R-I-E-F-S Naira hits onemonth high on foreign dollar inflows

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HE naira hit a 1-month high against the U.S dollar on the interbank market on Wednesday, supported by dollar flows from two multinational oil firms and offshore investors in local debt, traders said.

The naira closed at 157.45 naira to the dollar on the interbank, compared with the 157.70 it closed at on Tuesday. The naira last traded at 157.90 to the dollar on August 27.

Dealers said dollar liquidity was boosted by the sales of$66.6 million by ExxonMobil and Addax combined on Tuesday, and two lenders selling portions of their dollar holdings to stay within their open limit positions.

Nigeria, Africa’s second biggest economy, plans to issue 104.70 billion naira from treasury bills ranging from 3-month to 1-year maturities at its regular bimonthly debt auction on Sept. 27.

More offshore investors are looking toward Nigeria’s debt, owing to its anticipated inclusion in the JP Morgan index from October, but also because of slightly declining inflation and relatively stable currency.

“The naira should continue to trade within the present band of 157-158 naira to the dollar in the near term, on the back of oil companies’ monthend dollar sales,” one dealer said.

On the bi-weekly auction, the central bank sold $200 million, compared with $250 million it sold on Tuesday, retaining the same rate of 155.78 to the dollar.

MasterCard, First Dove partner to drive cashless initiative

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ASTERCARD has announced its first collaborative relationship with a local Nigerian retailer, Flying Dove Limited, authorized distributors for Sony Corporation and owners and operators of Sony Centers in Nigeria. Through the collaboration, MasterCard will incentivize its cardholders to make use of electronic payment solutions, thus supporting the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) move towards a cashless economy.

The joint venture between MasterCard and Flying

Dove Limited, signals the first cashless initiative of its nature in Nigeria for MasterCard.

The collaboration supports MasterCard’s vision to accelerate the move towards more convenient and safer payment methods for consumers, and to then showcase the success of the collaboration to the wider Nigerian business sector.

Omokehinde Ojomuyide, country manager, West Africa, MasterCard Worldwide commented, “MasterCard cardholders will quality for a 5% discount on the purchase of any item at Sony Centers across Nigeria. In addition, and as part of the alliance

with MasterCard, Sony Center staff will undergo card acceptance and fraud prevention training. We will also be supporting Flying Dove by marketing the discount offer, further showcasing the benefits of moving towards electronic payments to our cardholders.”

Ashok Jain, Managing Director for Flying Dove Limited added, “Working alongside MasterCard has allowed us, as a retail leader in Nigeria, to further solidify our position in the local market.Our vision is to help make payments in all of the Sony Centers more convenient, easierand safer

for customers and the Sony Center staff.”

Ojomuyide comments that the key stakeholders in the success of the cashless initiative are the financial sector, consumers and businesses.

“Strategic initiatives such as our collaboration with Flying Dove Limited will assist each stakeholder to better supportthe CBN, in its quest to drive the development and modernization of the Nigerian payment system.”

Ojomuyide provided further insight: “The CBN’s cashless policy aims to curb the increasing cost of cash, including handling and production costs.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 25

Entrepreneurship: Nigeria rated 6th in top 10 countries

BY FRANKLIN ALLI with Agency Report

Stories BY NAOMI UZOR

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IGERIA has been rated 6th best place among top ten countries for entrepreneurs to start business.

The results come from a survey of more than 24,000 people across 24 countries for the BBC World Service conducted by the International survey firm Globascan together with International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland, USA. The survey said Indonesia is the most favourable place for entrepreneurs. United States of America ranked second, followed by Canada, India, Australia and Nigeria. The poll puts China as the seventh friendliest place for entrepreneurs; Kenya, Mexico and the Philippines were also seen as among best countries at supporting new businesses.

Respondents were asked whether innovation was highly valued in their country; whether it was hard for people like them to start a business; and whether people with good ideas could usually put them into practice.

Taking all the answers together as a single index, Nigeria came out as the 6th friendliest country for start-ups.

The survey said Nigeria’s problem of corruption didn’t stop it doing better than most countries in the poll.

In terms of regions, the four countries of East Asia and the Pacific surveyed all received high scores. All the three countries in Sub-Saharan Africa also scored above average.

PEE Hotel debuts

Second from right, Godwin Emakenemi, Managing Director, Dickem Farm, at the company’s mobile fish ponds site with journalists and some stakeholders, recently.

NACCIMA to inaugurate NigerianTurkish Business Council

A

LL is now set for the inauguration of Nigerian-Turkish Business Council.

According to Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the event will be held side by side with the opening ceremony of the Turkish Product Exhibition (Lagos Fashion 2012) on October 2, 2012 at the new exhibition centre, Eko Hotel

Towers, Lagos.

The inauguration will be performed by the NACCIMA National President, Dr. Herbert Ademola Ajayi.

The Council, which will be a membership driven body, shall consist of existing and interested Nigerian entrepreneurs doing business with Turkey and Turkish businessmen/women doing business in Nigeria.

Among the objectives of

the Council are: to promote trade between the two countries; to contribute to industrial and technological collaboration between the enterprises and economic institutions in Nigeria and Turkey; to coordinate jointly, efforts to collect, combine, analyse, evaluate and diffuse information relating to trade, industrial and technological cooperation and investment, to the benefits of both countries.

Delta North holds economic forum

D

ELTA North Sena torial Think Tank (DeNSTT) has concluded arrangements to host an economic forum this weekend in Asaba, the state capital.

A statement issued by Professor Eric Eboh, the Chairman, DeNSTT, Executive Committee, said

the forum with the theme: “Tapping the Economic and Socio-Cultural Riches of Delta North: New Ideas for Better Futures” is scheduled to hold this Saturday, September 29, 2012 at Bellwood Hotel in the State.

According to him, the following stakeholders

have been invited to make their contributions: district public officers, executive appointees, legislators and political actors in their agenda setting, policy standpoints political representations and developmental efforts.

DeNSTT is an alliance of professionals who hail from nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District. Inaugurated in December 29 2011 at a forum, the alliance is motivated by the need to generate, mobilize and advocate good quality ideas and innovative proposals for the social and economic growth of the district.

EE’s Hotel has made its entry into the hospitality industry in the country.

Chief Pius Onwueze Chairman/Managing Director of the Ago-Okota based hotel in Lagos said the major reason for their entry into the industry was to redefine the business.

“Hospitality in Nigeria is deteriorating in many parts of the country, especially in the Northern part of the country and aside the issue of terrorism and bombing in most parts of the country, the cost of energy is actually the reason for this failure.

“Hospitality in Nigeria is fast declining, so many people wants’ the best especially when it comes to hotel services, but the cost of running a good hotel depends highly on

power. If you don’t have at least two good generators that have to be interchanged every 12 hours, then you are not ready for business. And this generators needs to be powered with diesel, which of course, you know the cost of powering such generators.

“When people come to hotels, what they actually want is to relax and have the best hospitality that they can get, most people want to ease stress and have their privacy, that is what we are giving in the PEEs, already we have trained professionals in different sectors that will be putting in their professionalism in the everyday running’s of the hotel. We have our own transformer, two brand new generators and beautifully furnished suites with LCDs in all the rooms, we have bars, restaurants, halls and a music band stand,” he said.

LCCI set to drive foreign investment at Lagos trade fair

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AGOS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) says its set to attract foreign investment into the country through this year’s Lagos International Trade Fair which runs from November 2nd to 11that the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in the heart of Lagos.

In a statement,Public Relations Manager, Mr. Tope Oluwaleye, said the drive is in line with the theme of the 2012 Fair: ‘Promoting Trade for Sustainable Economic Transformation’and renewed drive by Government as well as sundry interest groups to showcase and promote potentials in the Nigerian economy.

“The chamber has concluded plans for Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings between indigenous and foreign exhibitors seeking trade opportunities and partnerships at fair,” he said.

According to the “LCCI

decided to shift the venue of the Fair, tagged ‘The Biggest and the Best’, from the Lagos Trade Fair Complex this year because of the ongoing construction work on the Lagos Badagry Expressway. The expansion of the road had posed huge challenges to commuters and participants at the Fair last year. Already, feedback from already registered and potential exhibitors, especially from abroad, indicates satisfaction with the shift of the Fair grounds to Tafawa Balewa Square which is easily accessible from most parts of Lagos.

It is envisaged that this year will witness an increase in participation of exhibitors and visitors.

Last year witnessed participation by exhibitors from eleven countries, including Canada, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Singapore and India. Others were Ghana, Republic of Benin and Cameroun.

Food, telecom firms sponsor “Feel Good Festival”

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Left to right: Vitafoam Nigeria Plc’s Acting Managing Director, Mr. Joel Ajiga, Executive Director, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi and Marketing Director Mr. Peter Folikwe with the prime winner, Alhaja Biola Taiwo of E.M. Addis Company at Vitafoam’s 50th anniversary award for key distributors in Lagos region, recently.

OOD/BEVERAGES a n d telecommunication companies have given their backing to Indulge Nigeria “Feel Good Festival.”

In a statement, Bisi

Abiola, Managing Director, Indulge Nigeria, said the food and telecom companies are Unilever Nigeria PLC, MTN, Globacom and Guinness Nigeria PLC are sponsoring Other companies include

Grand Cereals Limited, UAC, Promasidor, Popular Foods, Kraftfoods, PZ Cussons, Neimeth, Nestle, Tropical Naturals, Vitafoam, GSK, Nutricima Limited as well as Lagos State Ministry of Health.

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

52 YEARS AFTER INDEPENDENCE:

Unending crisis in Nigerian education

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

Students donate blood to assist NGO — Page 33 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Corps members promised adequate security — Page 33 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Investment in research will boost economy — Page 33

C M Y K

A

s the Nigerian Education sector grapples with what many have termed the implausible task of education for all by 2015, with a budget that lags far behind when compared to UNESCO’s stipulation, mass failure in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, combined with limited admission spaces into the nation's institutions of higher learning, as well as the President’s steps towards Almajirai education, will Nigerian education have cause for celebration come October 1st? Or will she like the proverbial child who has a report sheet full of failure, bow her head in shame?

Vanguard Learning’s Laju Arenyeka reports.

Not many can state when exactly the rot in the Nigerian education sector began, but the vicious cycle of crisis in the sector is obvious to all.

With about 10 million out-ofschool children, complaints of half baked graduates, juggling between and lack of application of curricula, corruption and incessant strikes, Nigeria is likely to remain in the league of E-9 countries with the highest number of illiterates.

Education for all by 2015 Nigeria, alongside Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Pakistan, are the nine most highly-populated countries of the south. They represent more than 60 per cent of the world’s illiterate adults and over half of the world’s out of school children.

Without a doubt, Nigeria’s 52nd year of independence will mark a race against the ticking clock set up by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to achieve education for all by 2015. With barely three years to go, the Minister of Information, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I recently said that “Nigeria is at risk of being unable to meet the Educatio for All (EFA) goal especially goal 4 of halving literacyby 2015 unless urgent and augmented action is taken.”

z Twelve years into the 21st Century, many schools like the one pictured here are still commonplace Although according to the minister, literacy rate has gone up 3% from its previous 57% the sector is still a long way off course.

Almajirai and the 400 schools The decision by the Federal Government to build 400 modern schools to cater for the estimates 9.5 million Almajirai children in nineteen northerh states heralded mixed feelings. The misiter of state

for education, Chief Nyesom Wike, had said in February this year, that the Federal Government would hand over 100 of such schools by June.

However, recent reports indicate that only 27 of such school projects have been duly completed.

Nigerian Education Budget If money does indeed answer all things, it should not come as a surprise that the Nigerian education sector is short of answers. According to

a breakdown of the 2012 education budget, the sum of N400.15 Bn, representing 8.43% was allocated to education; A far cry from the 26% recommendation for education by UNESCO. Even with the most judicious use of such funds, calculations imply that the sector ’s peak performance will be one third that of its counterparts in advantaged countries.

Continues on page 30

Teachers' strike in disarray as Lagos calls off action

BY DAYO ADESULU, IKENNA ASOMBA, MOSES IKEBELI & NDIDI UCHE

B

Y Tuesday night, the strike action begun by teachers in public schools in 18 states of the federation had begun to falter; teachers in Lagos State called of the strike action, This was after a commitment was entered into by the Lagos State Government in a bid to keep schools open. The teachers had begun the action over failure of government of these states to implement the new Teachers Enhanced Salary Structure (TESS), primary and secondary schools have been

put under lock and key by the Nigerian Union of Teachers.

T

he shutdown Announcing the commencement of the strike in Abuja, last week, president of the body, Comrade Michael Olukoya stated that the impending industrial action was as a result of the failure of government to fully implement the 27. 5 per cent increase in salaries as agreed. He also revealed that the strike was supposed to commence in 14 states on the 23rd of July, but it had been postponed to September to enable students take their examinations.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 81st Founders’ Day celebration and the 2nd Annual Memorial Lecture of Rev Israel Ransome-Kuti entitled; The Challenges of Students’ Under-performance in Secondary Schools Certification Examinations: The Way forward, Olukoya stressed that the strike action was inevitable following the agreement reached between the teachers and state governors in 2008, but took effect from 2009 for which the affected state governments are yet to implement.

The affected states include Continues on page 33

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012—27

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

Unending crisis in Nigerian education Continues from page 26

Cross section of Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria (FAAN) held at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

US pledges support for education in Nigeria

BY DAYO ADESULU

T

he United States of America has pledged a continuous support to active educational and cultural exchange programmes that strengthen academic and cultural ties between Nigeria and the United States.

Speaking at the 11th annual conference of the Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria (FAAN) held at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Mrs Apao Rhoda Watson representing the U.S Ambassor, Consul-General and the Public Affairs Section said; ‘’Just two weeks ago, interviews were conducted with over 60 applicants from Nigeria who applied for the highly competitive Fulbright S c h o l a r s h i p .

According to the ConsulGeneral, the Public Affairs Sections of the U.S Embassy in Abuja and the U.S ConsulGeneral in Lagos have partnered with 24 institutions in Nigeria to recruit for the Fulbright programme. She noted that over 1,000 Nigerian scholars have benefited from the different Fulbright programmes and are making significant contributions in their institutions and local communities at both the national and international levels.

Watson who pointed out that many Nigerians have been benefiting from the international body noted that

the first Executive VicePresident of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme was one of the first Nigerians to benefit from the Fulbright programme at the University of Washington where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and City Planning.

She said that through Fulbright programme, many Nigerian scholars have built connections between their home institutions and American universities which has been assisting in "strengthening the diversity of

our educational institutions."

Such relationship, she added, has created the opportunity for recipients to develop lifelong friendships and professional relationships and to become members of an international community of scholars who collaborate on projects and research and share professional expertise.

Her words; “Since the early 1960s, Fulbright students and scholars programmes have enabled Nigerians to study and conduct research in the United States."

WAEC, NECO, JAMB & Admission Crisis ‘One third’ seems to be the lkey word on the nation’s report sheet as it also represents the available admission spaces in the nations institutions of higher learning when compared with the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) applicants for the year 2012. The 1.5 million students who sat for the examinations had to battle for 500,000 admission spaces into institutions of higher learning. According to the Registrat, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the figure is the highest since UTME started three years ago with a marginal increase of 10,338 over the 1,493,603 candidates for 2011 while the 2010 figure was 1,375,641. Reports say that the board made about seven billion naira from the sale of entry forms this year, getting nearly 67% of the money from students who may have to buy the form again next year.

JAMB’s mercantilism aside, the UTME 2012 results were nothing to write home about.

Out of the 1, 503, 931 candidates who sat for this year ’s UTME, only three schored 300 and above compared to the 2,892 that scored above scored above 300 in 2011 exam. 72, 243 scored 250 and above, while 336,330 scored below 170.

Results of the examinations conducted by the NATIONAL Examination Council of Nigeria (NECO) were not left out in the shameful ruckus. A breakdown of the results showed that 110, 724 candidates registered for

Commissioner stresses need for national devt through curriculum

BY OLASUNKNAMI AKONI

L

agos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has called for a review of the curriculum of Nigeria ’s education to reflect the need for the development of the human resource capabilities necessary for a national growth and development.

He stated this while delivering a lecture titled, Prospects and Challenges of an Agricultural Engineer at the 40 th anniversary of the Department of Engineering of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan last week.

Declaring that education remains a critical tool for national development, Hamzat disclosed plans by the state government to initiate and promote the utilisation of available research findings that could improve productivity and impact on the economy.

According to him, “A committee of eminent academics will soon be inaugurated with

responsibility to develop and manage such plausible research mechanism as envisioned by the state government.”

Hamzat also explained that the state government’s actions in the area of infrastructure development had given a need for the state-owned Lagos State University, LASU, to begin programmes that would support the management of extensive infrastructure.

He listed such as the establishment of the School of Public Transport Studies at the university.

The commissioner insisted that technical education is not a lesser value job compared to other non-technical training.

While urging students to engage in very profitable opportunities available in the agriculture sector, Hamzat stated that the challenge of job creation can be traced to the non-domestication of the dominant sectors of the economy, that is oil and gas, mining, among others.

English Language while 104, 187 sat for it. 15, 669 representing 14.15 percent recorded pass while 75, 355 or 68.06 percent failed. In mathematics, of the 110,590 that registered, 101, 793 sat for the paper with 45, 547 or 41.19 percent having credit and above and 10,328 or 9.34 percent with ordinary pass.

Of the 1, 672, 224 candidates who sat for this year’s May/ June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Nigeria, only 649,156 (38.81 percent) obtained credit level passes in five subjects, including Mathematics and English.

Higher Institutions, Higher Troubles The nation’s citadels of higher learning have in recent times witnessed their own fair share of rocky times. Many of the lucky 500,000 who have gained admission into the university will have to wait longer than usual to resume due to delay in many university calendars due to incessant strikes late last year, and this year. The National Universities Commission(NUC) has also made its name in the news recently, suspending part time programmes, as well as licenses of seven private varsities.. As the Government makes the move to build more universities, questions arise as to the management of already existing varsities.

Exporting students abroad With all the drama in the sector, it is only natural that wealthy Nigerians have moved to find educational succor for their children abroad. Neighbouring Ghana alone is responsible for the school of over 71,000 Nigerian citizens who spend over N160 million (about 40 percent of Nigeria’s 2012 education budget) on tuition alone.

Back to the Basics All sorts of curricula have come to play on the field of education, with policy makers ignoring he wide disparity between theory and practice.

A messy blend of 9-3-4, 6-33-4, 1-6-3-4, British, American, and other curricula defines the education system.

Meanwhile, many primary and secondary schools, including those owned by government lack basic infrastructure, but seem to abound in cultism. The ongoing strike by the Nigerian Union of Teachers in some states is barely icing on the cake.

With the unending crisis that prevails the sector, it is quite unlikely that the education system is good enough reason to say: “Happy Independence Day Nigeria.”

And if it isn’t, then what is?

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 29

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

30 business

Maritime

FG lauds investors' confidence at Onne oil and gas free zone

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

F

EDERAL Govern ment has commended the confidence of investors at the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone in Onne Port Complex Onne, Rivers State which has made the port a hub for oil and gas business in the subregion.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who made this known in Onne at the 2012 Forum which had its theme as “Harnessing in-

vestment opportunities in the Oil and Gas Sectors, said that there was urgent need to make more investors know the investment opportunities that are available in the Zone.

The President, who was represented by Governor of Rivers State, Hon.ChibuikeRotimiAmaechi, said the forum titled “The Role of the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone in the Transformation Agenda” was in line with his administration’s vision

(202020) i.e. Nigeria being one of the 20 nations with the best economy by year 2020.

Also speaking, Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, affirmed that as far back as the 1990s, Nigerian Ports Authority realized the need to improve the Onne Port to accommodate the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) and Federal Lighter Terminal (FLT) which have now become the nucleus of Oil and Gas business

in Africa.

Senator Umar commended the Minister for Trade and Investment for his zeal and drive in providing necessary platform for investors at the free trade zone.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Minister for Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, had described Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone as the number one investment destination in Africa and 25th globally, adding

that the value of investment currently at the zone is $6b, with over 150 investors operating within the Zone.

Aganga asserted that all over the world, trade zones are catalyst for industrial development,

Ports and Cargo Handling Ltd commissions cranes worth N20bn

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

M

ANAGEMENT of Ports and Cargo

Handling Services Ltd. (PCHS), operators of terminal “C”in Tin-can Island port has commissioned new gantry cranes worth over N20 billion to further improve cargo clearance at the terminal.

The gantry cranes according to the Chairman of Ports and Cargo, Senator (General) John Shagaya, who spoke at the commissioning ceremony, is part of the effort of the company to further improve the services of the terminal in its bid to make the nation’s port the hub for the sub-region.

The Senator noted that it is the desire of the Ports and Cargo to constantly improve it facilities to meet its need and surpass the expectation of importers and other port users who do business with them.

He pointed out that since the concessioning of the terminal in 2006, they have constantly strive to improve the facilities that they met on ground, adding that operators in the port can attest to that fact.

Similarly, the Managing Director of Ports and Cargo, Mr. John Jenkins, said that facilities commissioned includes; two brand new Rubber Tyred Gantries (RTGs) and two additional mobile harbour cranes.

Jenkins noted that the cargo handling equipment were acquired to boost “our service delivery to the entire shipping community in particular and the Nigerian economy as a whole". He pointed out that late last year the company placed order for 10 RTGs and that the five that were commissioned yes were the first batch to have arrived the country. He said that the remaining five are still being expected at the terminal in the next one month.

In his words, “We also want to use this medium to tell the whole shipping community, importers/exporters and liners that they will now witness a more robot, faster and effective service delivery to our customers.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 —31

Students donate blood to assist NGO

BY MUKOSOLU NZOM

N

ational Blood Transfusion Service, South-East zonal centre Owerri, visited the Anambra State University for donation of blood from students. The event was organised by the Rotaract Club, ANSU chapter.

Many students came out on the second day of the event, and when most of them were asked their intentions of doing so, they had this to say, Chukwuaguba Palinus, a 100 level student of business administration said he wants to help people in need and that this is his first time making a blood donation.

Chinyere Nwokolo, a 300level student of mass communication said she has donated blood before and her reasons for doing it is to help save life.

One of the nurses who was helping to make the event a success explained that the squeeze ball that the donors have in their hands, is to help their vain pump properly.

Another nurse explained that one does not just donate blood as there are certain tests to be run before blood is accepted for donation. She noted that after filling the form which will be given to you, your haemoglobin , BP And body weight will be checked as well.

For the body weight, one has to weigh from 50kg upwards and for blood from 12g upwards or 50percent. HIV status are checked later when taken to the lab, if anybody cares to know his or her status, the person will be told

confidentially. He also added that they give blood for free or in rare cases sell it at #2000 while others sell #8000. Nurse Okorie Felicia .I. Who was in-charge of checking blood pressure, said that your BP has to be 90/60-140/90.

Blessing Obiagwu a 300 level student of economics

Reinserting Nigerian economy on world map—DON

BY SIKIRU AKINOLA

D

r. M.A Ayeni, speaking on the topic, ‘Establishing Nigeria as a Hub for Financial Services in Africa’, affirmed Nigeria has what it takes to become the financial services hub of Africa, given its widely acknowledged economic potentials and human resources. He said that with the right vision, it is possible to engineer the country ’s evolution into the financial nerve centre of Africa, and

academics – academicians M any users of English as a second language often confuse academics with a c a d e m i c i a n s .

Academicians relate to the

the cordinator of Rotaract said that this programme has beenrunning for the past six years and that the aim is to help the needy.

Patrick mbanefo the team leader/programme officer said that NBTS started in the year 2005 and they are always being invited to ANSU by JCI and Rotaract.

academy; academics to the university or any tertiary institution. An academy ‘is a society of learned persons united to advance art,

develop the financial sector into a growth catalyst that will enable Nigeria’s transformation into one of the 20 largest economies in the world. According to him, a country cannot be an industrial hub without being a maritime hub within its region. He commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for the giant stride adopted to eliminate the poor cargo handling and dock labour crises at Lagos Port.

He said that the NPA is spearheading the

development of deep seaports in Akwa Ibom State, and in Lekki, Lagos State. The idea, he maintained, is to prevent diversion of big ships from Nigeria to its neighbouring West African countries as a result of low draught to berth.

This, he said, will in turn bring about a multiplier effect in improving the nation’s economy.

He blamed the politicians for the rot saying asking that why do we need so many senators and house of representative members from each state with the retinue of “assistants, special assistants, special to special”. “Who says that our literary icon Professor Wole Soyinka would not perform extremely better if he solely represents Ogun State in the Senate than ten docile noncontributing senators put t o g e t h e r ?

On the planned introduction N5,000 (Five thousand naira) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), he rejected it saying that the highest currency

denomination in America which is over 200 years, is just $100 {One hundred dollar bill} and Britain; our colonial master do not have currency denomination higher than E50 (Fifty pounds) .Nigeria, he continued, moved from N10 to N20, N20 to N50, N50 to N100 and so on to N1,000 unfettered, and “as we were moving up unwisely, we kept on debasing the fulcrum of the economic chain which is the coins. Now our egg heads, the legendary economic planners are planning to introduce a unit of N5, 000 (Five thousand naira), I know that this will assist some people to phase out the carriage of “Ghana must go bags” because a one million naira lobby fee will only be in two bundles of N5, 000 notes, small enough to fit into the inner pocket of a jacket. What a reckless economic policy, how do we reconcile the policy of cashless economy with this; a paradox of a house divided against itself.

science or literature’. It is ‘an important official organization consisting of people interested in the development of literature, art, science, etc. of which membership is an honour ’. Examples are The Royal Academy (of Arts), The Nigerian Academy of Science and Nigerian Academy of Letters. Members of an academy are academicians; teachers in a university or tertiary institution are academics . Do not use academics and academicians interchangeably.

similarity in pronunciation.

The two words are different in spelling and meaning. A circle ‘is (1) a round space enclosed by a curved line, every point on the line being the same distance from the centre; (2) a group of people who are connected by having the same interests, profession, etc.’ A cycle is (1) a series of events that are regularly repeated in the same order; (2) a complete set or series. Do not write ‘a vicious cycle’ when what you intend to write is ‘a vicious circle’.

circle – cycle Circle and cycle are often confused because of a near

Examples: The life cycle of a butterfly can be divided into four

stages.

I do not have a motor cycle.

Nigeria has passed through the cycle of economic booms and slumps.

He has a large circle of friends.

Otunba Mike Adenuga is well known in business circles.

‘To go round in circles’ is to work at a task without making any progress.

One problem leads to another and this makes the original problem worse; it is a vicious circle.

32 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

BRIEF Water Scarcity: disappoint them promising pay a visit to the Orientation Camp in November and make contributions.

Mr. Ekpunobi said Kuje area council happened to be the first council area he is visiting since he took over as the FCT Coordinator. He briefed the corps members of his meeting with the Council boss. He equally thanked the corps members for the way and manner they have lived saying that NYSC has not received any report that indicted a corps member. He reminded them that with ideas, coupled with education, they can do well. He prayed them to be focus driven. He told them to embrace peace, shun late night and be mindful of the friends they keep. He charged them to always bear in mind that they are future leaders of Nigeria, therefore should do everything possible not to allow anything distract t h e m .

BY GERALD NWOKOCHA

T

he Kuje Area Council Chairman, Hon. Danladi Etsu Zhin has promised to provide adequate security and welfare packages to Corps members posted within his council. This he made when the NYSC FCT Coordinator, Mr. Frank Ekpunobi and his entourage paid him a courtesy call at the Kuje Area Council headquarters.

A guard of honour was mounted at the entrance gate of Kuje Council headquarters by the Corps members. After receiving a salute from the Corps members, Mr. Ekpunobi and his entourage walked straight to the office of the executive chairman. He was received by the Council Chairman, Hon. Danladi Etsu Zhin, his Vice Chairman Hon. Danladi Doggo and Head of Administration, Barr.

Muhammed Dokko.

In his address, the NYSC FCT Cordinator Mr. Frank Ekpunobi said his visit was of three folds. First, was on a courtesy call to the Youth friendly Council Chairman, the chairman that has provided a conducive atmosphere to over 200 corps members posted to his council. He appealed to the Council boss to absorb the corps members posted to his council especially now going by the new posting policy that has restricted Corps members to only four key sectors, Agriculture, Education, Health and Infrastructure.

Mr. Ekpunobi also appealed to the Council boss to grant NYSC a piece of Land in the Council area to build a secretariat stressing that if that is actualized, it will enable NYSC to have a Zonal office accommodation. He went further to call on the Council chairman to be present during the next NYSC orientation Camp in November since he has not been able to show up in any of the Orientation camp programme.

Mr. Epunobi praised the Chairman for the peaceful coexistence between the Council and Corps members posted within the council and said that the robust appearance of every corps member he met at the gate was a sign that they are feeding well and live peacefully. He therefore called on the Council Chairman to grant the corps members, continued security.

In his response, Hon. Danladi Zhin, Chairman, Kuje Area Council, said he was happy to receive Mr. Frank Ekpunobi and his entourage to the Council. He thanked them for deeming it fit to visit him. Hon. Danladi Zhin said because of

Prof Ruqayyatu Rufa'i

Corps members promised adequate security— Hon. Zhin the importance of the NYSC scheme, he was one of the few Nigerians that have called for the stay of the scheme. He reemphasized the importance and continued relevance of the scheme. He said his administration acknowledges the fact that Corps members have contributed immensely to the development of his council, therefore assuring that it is his responsibility to

BY HAMMED HAMZAT

T

he development of any nation depends on the quality of education made available for citizens of that country. A cursory look at education of western world indicates that education responsible for their technological breakthrough; hence developing nation like Nigeria must emulate these nations to champion the course of progressive development. Professor Yinka Omorogbe while delivering her lecture as the special guest lecturer at the 58th anniversary of Kuti hall, University of Ibadan on the topic ‘’Youth Empowerment

see to their welfare and security. Hon. Danladi further said that he has always shared ideas on issues concerning the uplifting of NYSC. He reassured of the council’s commitment in the provision of welfare and increased package for Corps members.

He called for continued harmony between the NYSC and Kuje Area Council. He assured NYSC that he will not

Mr. Epunobi also told the corps members that as soon as the Kuje Council boss allocate a space for the building of zonal office in Kuje, they will build it with direct labour. He said then, the services of Corps members that studied engineering will be required.

He called for a minute silent in honour of Miss Gabriel Olutayi, a corps member serving in Gwagwalada that was buried that same day.

Those who were in the entourage of the NYSC FCT Coordinator were: Mrs. Eloeboh Amaka(Chief, Public Relations), Chief Greg Anyia (Head Deployment and Relocation), Mrs Mary Akuso (Head, Corps members inspection), Mrs. Hadiza Jubril (Assistant Chief Inspector, Public Relations), and Mrs. Isu (Kuje Zonal Inspector).

Students blame Management

F

or the students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile, Ife, this is not the best of time as they have been witnessing water scarcity since the school resumed four weeks ago.

This cannot be disconnected from the fact that the students have been without a union for close to 19 months following the union protests against fee increase of February 21st and 22nd, 2012.

The limited ones that are provided are not usable as the colours are brownish.

Students blamed the management for this as it started happening when the school began producing sachet and bottled water. The students now use the bush instead of the toilets due to shortage of water.

Passing by the bush side is very dangerous because of the foul smell that greets passers-by.

The ladies are the worst hit as they have to do their cleanings daily. They said the steps are an attempt to drive some students away from campus in order to reduce the number of occupants living on c a m p u s .

Some of them even miss class as they have to queue for hours before getting water to bath, and to make their foods.

According to some of them, if these continue unabated, epidemic may be the result and it may lead to students revolt because “ we are not animals” As at the time of filing this report, there has been no letter from the University management as to why there is shortage of water.

Investment in entrepreneurship education is key to national development — DON and Future of Nigeria Society” stressed the need for government at all level to invest massively on entrepreneurship education.

She described this as one of the ways out to security challenges confronting Nigeria, as an idle mind is a devil workshop. The Don said that the future of our country lies with our youth, whereas, one of the greatest problems facing youth is unemployment. In order to

overcome this and make youth contribute maximally to GDP growth of the country. There should be effective implementation of policy strategy, respect for rules and regulation, creation of friendly environment for business, improved health facilities, provision of adequate finance and provision of regular power supply as a critical factor for business to thrive.

She enjoyed all institution of learning to establish a

functional Entrepreneurship Centre to serve the basis of equipping youth with empowering skills to reduce unemployment rate in the c o u n t r y .

Seun Ayoola, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, hall chairman thanked the guest lecturer on behalf on the hall management, executive members and entire residence of Kuti hall for making their 58th anniversary a memorable one.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 33

Corps member gets award for donating borehole to community eczema and skin rashes due to lack of drinkable water,” she said.

D

Miss Julia C. Nnosiri receiving an award from the State Co-ordinator representating the Governor Jonah Jang.

BY DAYO ADESULU

W

hile it is widely believe that corps members find it difficult to cope financially during their service year due to inadequate allowance from the government, a couple of them are still seizing the opportunity to make positive impact in the community where they are serving as they often leave behind laudable projects which cost them pretty sum of money.

One of those corps members is Miss Julian Nnosiri. a graduate of Industrial Chemistry, Federal University of

Technology, Owerri, who served in Kuka Community.u Nnosiri, during her personal Development Community Project sunk N700, 000 motorize borehole in Kuka Community that earned her Plateau State Governor honours award and Shendam Local Government award.

Speaking with Vanguard, Nnosiri said, when she arrived the community, she discovered that there was no drinkable water for them as many of the people were suffering from water borne diseases. “They were attacked by sicknesses such as typhoid, cholera,

iscovering this, she made up her mind to eradicate it by providing a source of portable drinking water to the people of Kuka. “Though a capital intensive project, I determined that if I could deny myself personal luxury to achieve this before the end of my service year, I will be fulfilled,” she added. She said: “Kuka Community is a rural community which lack social amenities such as electricity, pipe borne water as their major source of water is the river which most times are littered with faeces and spirogyra. The people of the community who use the river water in washing their machines, clothes and plates also use same water for drinking and cooking!

One fateful day, I encountered a boy in the community that could not continue his education because he was plagued with a skin diseases to the point of death. At the sight of him and his helpless condition, I couldn’t drink the water in my cup anymore, The people of Kuka community are dying mainly of typhoid ad contaminated drinking water. All these led to my personal community development project on sinking a borehole for the community.

Teachers's strike in disarray as Lagos calls off action Continues from page 26 Lagos, Delta, Enugu, Cross River, Abia, Katsina, Benue, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina, Ekiti, Kebbi and Kogi.

“Let me say this for the purpose of emphasis, we are going to issue a statement here today on 14 states that are reneging in the area of 27.5 per cent enhancement pay for teachers. We are giving them up to 23rd of this month, which is next week Monday to effect the 27.5 per cent pay for our members, else teachers will go on strike in those 14 states.

“If by Monday, 23rd of this month, we still have any state that has not paid the money to our teachers, there will be strike in such states and there is no going back on that because it is an agreement that was reached in 2008, and the entire leadership of the union then agreed that it will take effect in 2009; and if by now some states feel that the Governors’ Forum is not legal and if they are saying that because they have paid the minimum wage, they will not pay the 27.5 per cent enhanced pay for teachers, we will let them know that there is a difference between minimum wage and the enhanced pay.

“Whatever any state might have paid to teachers, the 27.5 per cent enhanced pay must be paid as an addition. That is the agreement. And they must be paid because we want to motivate the

teachers; we want to guard against brain drain, but some states are saying that teachers should accept the minimum wage and forget about the 27.5 per cent enhanced pay.”

T

he situation at present Following this announcement, a visit by our correspondents to schools across Lagos metropolis shows about 80 per cent compliance with the NUT national directive. On the first day of the strike, students at Satellite Town and the Agboju primary school, were forced to return home as their schools were shut down due to the ongoing strike in public schools. Since there were no teachers to attend to them, students were found playing in their respective schools before they were eventually sent home.

The story was different on Tuesday morning, as students stayed at home while gates of most public schools were shut. Vanguard Learningm, however, discovered that the students were awaiting a new date for resumption, regretting that their counterparts in private school will be ahead of them when they finally resume.

When Vanguard Learning visited a few public primary schools located in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, at 512 Primary School which is directly opposite Festac Grammar School, it was observed that there was no activity going on, teachers and students could not be

seen around, and some boys were seen playing football in the compound.

At Jakande primary school located at 3rd avenue, the school premises was empty, although few students were seen putting on their uniforms, most of them were seen leaving the school surrounding and returning to their respective homes.

The last school visited was the 5th avenue primary school located at 5th avenue, the school was also shut down, as the school gate was found closed even at past 8am. The proposed strike has left primary schools around the state completely shut down.

N

ov/Dec WAEC not scuttled As at press time, papers such as Chemistry 2 (Objective/Essay), Yoruba/ Hausa/Igbo billed between Monday, September 24 and Tuesday, September 25 for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) November/December West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) Council were conducted at these public schools amidst the strike.

A visit to schools such as Awodi-ora Secondary School, Ajegunle, Newland Secondary School, Unity Secondary School, Oshodi Secondary School and Creek Secondary School, Tolu-Ajegunle, showed the smooth conduct of the exams with public schools teachers as invigilators.

Esso trains 51 university Geoscience lecturers

BY DAYO ADESULU

F

ifty-one Geoscience lecturers drawn from selected universities across the country have undergone a 5-day training workshop to give them requisite skill in the use of Petrel workstations for geoscience interpretation.

The programme is sponsored by Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), an E&xonMobil affiliate in Nigeria, in conjunction with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Schlumberger. Esso is the operator of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 133, with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO) as its co-venturer The training is a part of Esso’s University Assistance Programme (UAP) designed to improve the learning and quality of Geoscience education in universities by providing them with world class tools being used in the petroleum industry for the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the workshop in Lagos, Andrew Ejayeriese, the General Manager, Operations Technical Geoscience, EEPNL, represented by Goodluck Adagbasa, Manager Operation Technical Geoscience Deepwater, EEPNL said the desire to improve the quality of graduates coming out of the country’s universities was the driving force for the programme.

He said a total of 17 universities have benefitted from the training since inception, adding that this year ’s beneficiary universities include the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), University of Ilorin, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Port Harcourt and Niger Delta University, Yenagoa. Three lecturers from each of the universities participated in the training. Lecturers from the other 12 benefiting Universities would over the next few weeks undergo the same training.

In addition to the training benefits, Esso will also donate four Petrel workstations to each of the benefitting schools in order to enable them keep in touch with evolving trends in the petroleum industry and provide their students first hand practical experience comparable with other parts of the world..

34— Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

UWC celebrates 50 years of academic excellence

R

esearch and Develop ment (R&D) is no doubt the surest and fastest way for any nation to boost its economy. Experts agree that this is the age of knowledge/ intelligence. Knowledge, they say, is power and so for any nation to emerge as a world power, it must have a solid knowledge base. Is it any wonder then that some of the most powerful nations on earth became powerful not because of their abundant natural resources but because of their knowledge base?

On the contrary, most African countries are still poor despite their abundant natural resources. A country like Japan which occupies the third position in the world when it comes to research and development spending, has little or no natural resources but it is named among the industrial giants because it invested heavily in its human resource to improve its knowledge base.

Speaking with Vanguard recently, a former Lagos Chapter Chairman of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Mr. Ben Omakor noted that nations that are naturally endowed are amongst the poorest because they fail to invest in people/ knowledge while less endowed nations invest in people/knowledge and therefore, are among the rich nations. He noted that “it is not the amount of natural resources you have that matters but the quality of your human resources.”

In a report published last December by Battelle and R&D magazine, listing the top 40 global R&D spenders, it was noted that the only African country on the list was South Africa at the 28th position ahead of New Zealand at the 40th position.

It is surprising that despite that fact that New Zealand budgeted $178 million for research in 2012 (because the government believes it will boost the economy), it was still at the lowest rung of the ladder.

President of New Zealand’s Association of Scientists, Shaun Hendy, said of the budget; “It will give New Zealand back the kind of R&D capabilities that led to companies like Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. Putting money into high-value technology and manufacturing is likely to deliver the most economic growth in the short term.”

Despite the seemingly huge R&D spending, Hendy still believes that it is not enough.

“This still falls far short of level of investment in science and technology made by other small countries like Singapore or Denmark. Our ongoing unwillingness to invest in science and technology means C M Y K

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Investment in research will boost economy—Experts that Kiwis work harder and earn less than almost any other people in the developed world,” he said.

Echoing Hendy, the Executive Director of Manufacturing NZ, Catherine Beard , noted that the country was in catch-up mode with the rest of the world. “Not only do we need more government investment in R&D but more private investment,” Beard said.

In the same vein, Manufacturers and Exporters Association chief executive, John Walley described the R&D spending as "a step in the right direction," while Finance Minister Bill English said $14 million of the R&D budget will be used to fund “national science challenges which aim to help find solutions to fundamental issues New Zealand faces in its future development.”

According to the report, the United States continued to lead with $436 bn or 2.8 per cent of its GDP, followed by China - $198.9 bn or 1.6 per cent of its GDP. Japan occupies the third position with $157.6 bn or 3.5 per cent of its GDP, followed by Germany with $90.6 bn or 2.87 per cent of its GDP. On the 28th position is South Africa with $5.5 bn or 0.95 per cent of its GDP. “The U.S., European Union (EU), and Asia continue to be the strongest regions for R&D, with a combined total of nearly 92% of all global spending," said the report.

The report noted that three new emerging economies - Malaysia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, made it to the table "starting from relatively small commitments (R&D expenditures at less than 1.0% of gross domestic product), each intends to increase its funding over the next several years to reflect the R&D ratios of more innovation-oriented economies."

On what Nigeria must do to catch up with the developed world, an information technology specialist, Mr. Chris Uwaje said; “Nigeria must create a knowledge corridor which is where you say from Street A to B, anyone who works there is a knowledge worker and you have light there 24/7. That is what they do, it is not rocket science. Then you have facility park managers who can manage the parks effectively and then you have investors who can come in and invest and take the commercial content out.” Citing the example of Singapore, Uwaje said; “Do you

*Hon. Minister for Science and Technology, Professor Ita Okon Bassey Ewa

,

BY EBELE ORAKPO with Agency report

Nigeria must create a knowledge corridor which is where you say from Street A to B, anyone who works there is a knowledge worker and you have light there 24/7

know that Singapore recycles the water they use in bathing to drinking water? They found out that that is the only way they can survive. That is chemistry.

They remove the impurities and refine it and of course when you test it, it is pure. The water they use in the toilet is extracted i.e. the liquid part (urine) is extracted and used as fertilizer, the other parts are extracted and used for irrigation and the other part is recycled to make sure you can use it to wash. This is what they call science and technology. This is

,

creativity and innovation in nation-building. You must be able to build information technology/ knowledge parks. Lagos is a city of about 19 million people according to UN statistics. We don=t have an information technology park in the city.

Mumbai in India has more than 17 so how can you compete with them? We need knowledge parks where people can go in and be creative and be self-employed. We need science parks where people can go to be able to do research and develop and innovate,” he said.

Corrigendum

F

ollowing last week’s publication on this page entitled; Nigerian invents power-generating machine, makes Africa’s first local car, Vanguard will like to correct the impression that the powergenerating machine project has been completed. Rather,

it is an ongoing project, with a long way to go. According to the researcher, Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu; “It violates the law of conservation of energy, and scientists doubt if the machine will work in the final analysis. I don’t want to raise people’s hopes unnecessarily,” he said.

By Japhet Alakam

I

t will be a celebration of 50 years of fruitful service to the enhancement of education in the world as United World Colleges(UWC), a global educational movement that aims to build peace and sustainability by bringing students from all over the world together, turns 50.

Activities marking the celebration has already begun with a special session held in UWC of the Atlantic College, United Kingdom. In Nigeria, the Nigerian National Committee will be celebrating the 50th anniversary with a dinner and concert at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwc, Victoria Island Lagos on September 28, 20l2.

UWC is an international educational network founded in 1962 with a presence in 146 countries, including Nigeria. Students are selected from around the globe based on their merit and potential. UWC's 12 schools and colleges provide global education to train and inspire young people to bring change to the world and since inception, over 500 Nigerians have participated while more than 50,000 students have passed through the institution. Addressing the press in preparation for the dinner, Mr. Hakeem BeloOsagie, the National Chairman of the Nigerian National Committee (and an alumnus of UWC Atlantic College) said the occasion will be used to tell the public the achievements of the school so far, create awareness about the school and its activities, raise funds for the college to enable it possibly establish another school in Africa. ‘’We are celebrating our 50 th anniversary with a dinner and concert to raise more awareness of UWC in Nigeria,” he added.

Continuing, Belo-Osagie who happens to be the second Nigerian that attended the school pointed out that “the UWC alumni is expected to show a life-long commitment to the values of building peace and sustainability.

"There are more than 60 events going on around the world which shows we are a truly global network.” The UWC National Committee of Nigeria helps to select local students for the schools and colleges and works to provide financial assistance for those who require it.

Mr. P. T. Akinbade, a trustee of the college described the school as a very dependable institution that assembles teens from all over the world.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 35

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

BRIEF

BY EBELE ORAKPO

M

organ Smart D e v e l o p m e n t Foundation (MSDF), a nongovernmental organisation dedicated to the empowerment of rural and urban poor women and youths in Nigeria for poverty reduction, employment generation and sustainable socio-economic development, recently held a five-day summer camp for its scholars from Monday 20th August to Friday 25th August, 2012. The summer camp which took place at the MSDF Secretariat in Warri, was attended by 30 students (all beneficiaries of scholarship from the foundation) from select secondary schools in Warri, Delta State, staff of the foundation and facilitators.

The scholarship fund was endowed by Dr. Evelyn Omawumi Urhobo, the Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, as part of her corporate social responsibility aimed at helping bright but financially handicapped students, to enable them acquire quality education and succeed in life.

According to the organisers; “The annual programme is

Foundation ends 5-day summer camp for scholars

*Group photo of the President/CEO of MSDF, Dr. Evelyn Omawumi Urhobo with the scholars. meant to help the scholars spend the long vacation meaningfully by engaging them in extracurricular activities in non-classroom environment. This is to expose them to real life experiences they normally don’t acquire in the classroom

DHL floats scholarship for educational excellence

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

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orld’s leading courier and logistics company, DHL has launched the UPstairs Scholarship Pilot programme.

The scholarship is meant to provide financial support to the children and families of DHL employees in pursuing better education by providing financial assistance and support in the area of basic education, switching to a higher calibre school or moving onto secondary school or university.

According to the company, other than financial assistance, the programme also offers individual services to each child, such as mentoring by a company employee, an internship at a DPDHL branch.

Managing Director, DHL Express Anglophone Africa, Randy Buday, said “DHL aims to foster equal access to education by addressing some of the social challenges faced in the world today as a result of lack of access to proper education,” “The UPstairs scholarship programme is one of such initiatives launched as part of Deutsche Post DHL’s three core corporate responsibility (CR) programmes, under the motto “Living Responsibility,” he added.

The programme will be an annual event in which all eligible children between the ages 12 and 21 years who have good grades in school write a test, and the most successful are selected and interviewed. At least, one of the parents must be a full-time employee at DPDHL with at least two years of continuous service, at the time of application. Beneficiaries of the programme will receive a scholarship worth 2,000 euros per annum for three years.

According to Buday, the selection of eligible families and children started back in April this year with employees showing great interest in the programme. DHL embarked on an intensive process to identify suitable educational institutions while familiarizing the employees with the UPstairs programme through various communication tools.

and are mentored positively.“ The first four days of this year’s summer camp involved lectures presented by practitioners on relevant fields of study, professions and skills acquisition on guidance/ counseling, mentoring and role modeling, negative

practices and their effects, cultism, computer networking/communication and sensitization on HIV AIDS, malaria, personal hygiene and religious talk.

They were also taken through practical bead, chinchin and hat-making, and cakebaking.

One of the high points of the summer camp was the excursion to Falcorp Mangrove Park, Ijala Ikenren, Warri, during which participants were conducted round the park the Park’s guide. Thjey were shown the rich heritage, artifacts, animals and scenes in the park. They visited the Hall of Fame, the Royal Museum, Mangrove trail, Mini Zoo, Okran tree, Phytomedicinal garden, the mysterious Arc of Ebelina tree which was claimed to be150 years old, Moss keeper and Atikpa Gallery.

Coca-Cola refreshes youths at New Era camp

By Alade Aromashodu

A

s part of its effort to support youth development, CocaCola Nigeria recently partnered with New Era Foundation (NEF), to train 146 youths on leadership and entrepreneurship at a one week summer camp entitled: “My Future, Nation, Leadership”. The trainees were selected from various Local Government Areas of Lagos State for the annual experience hosted at the New Era Youth Camp (NEYOCA) located in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.

The NEYOCA which is a co-educational residential facility provides value-based, non-formal education, designed the programme to groom the youth and teach them values like team work and leadership while also offering them opportunities to learn life skills including public speaking, cooking, crafts etc. and to engage in sports, leisure, and sightseeing activities.

For Sunbo Asade, a resident of Igando Ikotun Local Government Area, the camp was an eye-opening experience where she learn how to be a better public speaker, and the importance of team work. She went on: “I enjoyed every day of the camp and I know I learn a lot here. Now, I can stand in front of people and talk. I used to be shy but they have taught me how to overcome it,” she said.

In his submission, Executive Director of NEYOCA, Yemi Osilaja, said the camp was designed to meet the needs of young people and serve as a platform to foster positive values, a sense of belonging, unity and accomplishment.

He thanked Coca-Cola for supporting the venture.

“We are indebted to Coca-Cola Nigeria for this sponsorship and are eager to expand our partnership so as to enrich our capacity building facilities. Our vision is to build and nurture confident youths who will lead change in their individual communities,” Osilaja said.

US to give one out of five Nigerian students scholarship

BY DAYOADESULU

S

outh Baylo University, California, United States is set to give scholarship to one out of five Nigerian students who offer to study for a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in the institution, Mervyn Fishback, International Student Counsellor, South Baylo University has said.

Fishback stated this while addressing prospective students of the institution in Lagos recently stressing that Nigeria has a lot to gain from acupuncture and Oriental medicine noting that acupuncture and Oriental Medicine remain a viable alternative to orthodox medicine.

He explained that mature candidates without first degrees could be admitted adding that after their Master of science degree, students can work for one year with their student visas and afterwards enrol for a doctorate in the field.

He said; “Getting a visa is not as difficult as people think, given the number of Nigerians studying in the country.

With 7,100 students, Nigeria accounts for the highest number of African students in the U.S - more than Ghana (4,000), Kenya (2,500) and Tanzania (about 1,000)”.

“However, the challenge is that an applicant must be open, transparent and truthful, it is better the visa applicant tells the truth than tell a lie. If you are truthful, you will get a visa,” he said.

Fishback, who has been representing various universities in over 100 countries for 43 years, however, said it is more difficult for MBA students to secure visas because they can earn more after their programme if they remain in America.

“A student with an MBA will earn $99,000 in a year - that is $8500 a month; $400 a week. That is a lot of money.

Many companies are now seeking such skills. The embassy officials know this,” he said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 —

37

38—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

BITS

BITS

Oyo govt insures workers

T

Omar

Adeyemi

Plot to break NLC: NASU tackles Omar, says NLC gone N

IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, President, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar, is surprisingly still lost in severe hallucination about the NLC being broken up by external actors, notably the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In an interview published in the Vanguard of Thursday, September 6, 2012, Omar said the federal government is still attempting; to break-up the NLC "by using some of the aggrieved members who lost during our last election by telling them that they can form their labour centre."

This is absolutely surprising because it shows conclusively that the NLC President does not appreciate or accept that more than any other thing else, it is his monumental cluelessness that is at the heart of the break-up of the NLC and the current effort to form an alternative centre. This age-old trick of associating the idea of an alternative centre to a government agenda in order to discredit it has, therefore, already failed because everyone now knows that the crisis in NLC is squarely a consequence of the error in the recruitment of Comrade Omar as NLC President. The Comrade came to NLC leadership with a deformity of background that could neither be cured nor managed.

It is even more shameful and tragic if Omar's comment in the said interview is viewed against the backdrop of a recent statement dated May 23, 2012 which he signed. In the statement, Omar disclaimed a press release issued by an acting General Secretary of the NLC as a "regrettable statement."

According to Omar, "Congress noted that at no time was there a decision to engage any of the affiliate unions of the NLC, including great unions like NASU and NUHPSW in unnecessary media exchanges and war of attrition over issues that are purely internal and clearly surmountable." For this infraction, the said acting General Secretary was not only removed but was directed to apologize to the federal government, and he did. Less than five months after that, Omar, who presided

over that meeting is seen engaged in a similar blackmail.

What made past NLC leaders thick No matter what anyone may say against past leaders of the NLC, each and every one of them demonstrated a mastery of the theory and practice of labour leadership, the ideological culture of trade unionism, 'the morality of union leadership, the language of union leadership, the discipline, focus and sense of sacrifice of union Leadership. Omar has been the only exception, no thanks to his irredeemable cluelessness. Instead of disciplining himself to understand what trade union leadership entails,

,

By Comrade Peters Adeyemi

The point is that NLC is extinct, it is gone and Omar and, those acting in league with him cannot re-build it because they lack the vision, orientation and the practical ability.

,

Omar has been busy running from pillar to post, buying and selling blackmail and strategies of acquiring and consolidating power that are totally strange to the tradition of relentless, open self criticism practiced in our movement across the world.

Obsession with this approach to leadership meant that he was

humiliating both himself and the NLC before history. Unfortunately, it never bothered him to realize that no other outside interests or forces but himself, was breaking up the NLC. How for instance, would the NLC that Nigerians know when the NLC President willfully destroyed the Secretariat- the intellectual and bureaucratic engine room of Congress simply because Omar lacks the capacity to read and internalize basic documents and positions of the NLC ideological backgrounds of such positions. The situation reached a point where those who recollect thestruggles which brought about the NLC needed to think seriously about building a new fighting movement from the ashes of the NLC, The Omars of this world can continue to hallucinate about a so-called government agenda even as this same Omar has not only converted the NLC to the labour annex of a Government House, but also cultivated the culture of going from Government House to Government House looking for what only he himself knows.

The point is that NLC is extinct, it is gone and Omar and, those acting in league with him cannot re-build it because they lack the vision, orientation and the practical ability.

Imagine, for one, that the primary union of the- President of the NLC has, for over a year now, stopped paying affiliation dues from its national secretariat to the NLC. That is the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT. They must have come to the conclusion that Omar has betrayed and is not fighting for the welfare of teachers and Nigerian workers. Despite several delegations to plead with the NUT high command, there has been no change of position.

This is beside the tactical show of shame in January when NLC sold out very cheaply on the fuel subsidy struggle just when the struggle was about to yield results. It took the House of Representatives' probe panel to bring out the magnitude of the figures of fraud involved in the subsidy scam.

To be continued Comrade Adeyemi is the General Secretary of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

HE Oyo State Government has commenced the process of insuring its workers and property.

This was part of the resolutions reached at the end of the weekly State Executive Council meeting held in Ibadan on Tuesday.

At briefing after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Bosun Oladele, said the insurance policy would cover all civil servants, including judiciary workers.

The Special Advisers on Media, Information and Orientation and Education, Festus Adedayo, Gbolagade Busari and Taiwo Otegbeye respectively, were also present at the briefing.

The commissioner said others to be covered by the compulsory insurance policy include all political appointees and YES-O Cadets while government property such as vehicles, structures as well as their contents would also be insured.

Apart from ensuring the welfare of the workers, he said that the policy, which would commence immediately, would also ensure that government properties were well insured.

The policy, according to him, would cover life insurance in case of death, personal accident insurance in case of temporary or total disability of any of the beneficiaries while the payment of liabilities would also be included.

He also said no deductions would be made from the salaries of workers, adding that the policy was aimed at ensuring their well-being.

Asked whether the insurance policy involved journalists in the state, the government official said there was an ongoing discussion between the state government and the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on the issue.

Labour Minister speaks on industrial peace

M

INISTER of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has said the prospect of attaining Industrial peace in the global economy is subsumed in practicalizing and utilizing the opportunities afforded by both international and national resources.

Wogu spoke at the International Peace Day Lecture organized by the Centre for peace and conflict studies, University of Ibadan as part of the events commemorating the World Peace Day. He said “Nigeria is a pilot Country for Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) and intends to build on those precepts to ameliorate some of the negative impacts of globalization.”

The Minister explained that the emerging employment relationships in the world of work which had become precarious in nature heralded various forms of unfair labour practices witnessed by increasing number of industrial disputes in the country.

He reaffirmed government commitment at checkmating the challenges.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 39

Pensioners insist on Maina’s prosecution ...Urge FG to disband Pension Task Force

By JOSEPH ERUNKE

P

ENSIONERS in the Federal Civil Service have demanded for immediate arrest and prosecution of the Presidential Taskforce on Pension, Abdulrasheed Maina, over alleged unethical practices.

The pensioners lamented perceived Federal Government care free attitude towards the pension fraud unearthed by the Senate Joint Committee on Pension Fund in the Pension unit in the office of the Head of Service of Federation and other para military pension scheme.

The retirees under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, Federal Civil Service Pensioners Sector, said they were particularly worried that in spite of the startling revelation

Protesting Pensioners demanding the dissolution of the Pension Task Force team

by the Senate Joint Committee, Federal Government had not

disbanded its Task Force on Pension, let alone, prosecute its

members for their alleged sharp practices.

SSAEAC dismisses Nnaji probe panel's report on missing pension fund STORIES BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

S

ENIOR Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC, has dismissed the report recently submitted by the probe panel set up by the former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji to probe the alleged missing fund in the workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, pension fund, otherwise known as the PHCN superannuation fund.

SSAEAC in a statement concluded that the pronouncement of Government and the report of the eight member committee were arrangements put in place to water-down the demand of PHCN unions, that workers to be severed from their present employers must be paid their entitlements.

The statement by Comrade Abiodun Ogunsegha, General Secretary of SSAEAC, read “We observed with trepidation the report of the Ajiboye Committee instituted by the erstwhile Minister of Power Prof. Bart.

Nnaji to investigate the alleged loss of over “200 billion” Superannuation (Pensions) Fund of PHCN and note that ever before the committee was set up, the then Minister had predicted the outcome of the Committee he set up, by alleging that the Management and the workers’ unions stole the Fund. Now that the Committee had submitted its interim report

we have seen clearly that the Committee was deliberately set up with a premeditated agenda, primarily to water down or disclaim the legitimate position of the unions that the superannuation Fund was grossly underfunded by the Management of PHCN and that workers contribution by setting aside of 25% of workers emolument was a solid fact. The setting aside of 25% of total emolument of the workers, was a novelty by then Management of ECN/NEPA, to cater for the gratuity, pensions of workers. It was a practice inherited by the PHCN when it transformed from NEPA and was never stopped up to this moment.”

“It is a wide joke and act of irresponsibility for anyone to claim as was told to the Nigerian people that the Committee discovered a $2m in Barclays Bank in London” when in actual fact the balance in the accounts of the Superannuation Fund in the bank which arose out of legitimate transactions that started way back 1958 when the expatriates were in charge of the Nigeria Dams Authority and Electric Corporation of Nigeria a precursor of NEPA/PHCN. This position was reiterated in the advert publication of PHCN Management of 20th Sept, 2012. Another odorous lie from Government Official pronouncement was that “it also discovered” Kado Estates in Abuja.

Kado Estates Abuja is one of the severalproperties of the fund

which were earlier ceded to the Fund as non-core assets of PHCN but which the then Minister of the FCT, Malam El Rufai sold off. TheBoard of Trustees of the Superannuation Fund had since instituted a case in court to recover these properties. The case is presently at the court of Appeal, Abuja. How suddenly that the committee

‘discovered’ this property?”

“The pronouncement of Government and the report of the eight (8) member committee are arrangements put in place to water-down the demand of PHCN unions, that workers of PHCN that are to be severed from their present employers must be paid their entitlements."

In a statement by Comrade Clement Ogunrinde, the union's Sectoral Secretary, Abuja branch, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately not only disband the Pension Task Force but arrest and prosecute its chairman, Abdulrasheed Maina and other members of the taskforce.

According to the statement, it was lamentable that the team's chairman and its officers had continued to carry out their "their activities unhindered", several months after the pension fraud discover y, accusing the chair man of the Pension Taskforce of illegally taking over the financial operations of the Pension Department without due authorisation from the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

It said "Presently, the chairman of the Pension Task Team has illegally taken over the financial operations of the Pension Department without due authorisation from the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. The Senate Joint Committee also indicted the chairman and staff of Pension Task Team and recommended their immediate disbandment, discipline and prosecution. It is baffling that several weeks after the recommendations, no action has been taken and these officers have continued to carry out their nefarious activities."

Committee on severance benefits for ex-Mainstreet workers begins work

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HE Committee set up by the Federal Government to within one month work out the entitlements of the over 800 disengaged workers of the Mainstreet Bank, has begun work following its inauguration.

Pension and You gathered that the committee set up on September 17, by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, was inaugurated on Monday, September 24, one week after its announcement.

The former workers have been battling the management of the former Afribank, alongside organized labour in the banking industry, for their terminal benefits since June when they were sacked.

The Federal Government committee set up through the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, to resolve the protracted severance issue which made organised labour to threaten the

operations of the bank nationwide.

It will be recalled that Chief Wogu set up the committee on September 17, with a month deadline at a meeting involving the leadership of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), the management of the bank and the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, work out the entitlements of the affected over 800 workers.

President of ASSBIFI, Comrade Sunday Salako, while speaking after the Septmber 17, meeting said a new committee that would work out the entitlements of the affected workers had been put in place by the meeting presided over by the Minister of Labour He said “The Federal Government, after reviewing the presentations made by all parties involved in the looming crisis in Mainstreet bank saw the need

to settle the over 800 workers sacked by the management of Bank, therefore set up a Committee made up of officers from the Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN, the Ministry of Finance, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company, NDIC, the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Mainstreet bank and the two in-house unions in the affected bank, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) and the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (NUBIFIE) to work out all the emoluments of the sacked workers from the defunct Afri Bank Plc within one month” According to Salako, the Government the Mainstreet branch of ASSBIFI in collaboration with its national leadership had worked assiduously to find ways of ensuring that the actions of the management were reversed.

40 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

In a few days time, Nigeria will finally lose its claims to the Bakassi Peninsula which the World Court awarded to Cameroun in the Land and Maritime boundary dispute between the Central African country and Nigeria based on the AngloGerman Treaty. Some historians claimed the treaty was not signed in the first place but more importantly, the German territories before the First World War were taken over by the allied forces while Germany was made to renounce all its claims to territories in Africa.

Nigeria went ahead to sign the Green Tree Agreement, GTA, under which Nigeria and Cameroun agreed to pay compensation to Bakassi people while the United Nations was to supervise the relocation and resettlement of the displaced persons. Since then, the people of Bakassi have become internally displaced persons and enjoy refugee status in the new settlement, while those who refused to relocate to Nigeria have become immigrants in their former homelands.

Some scholars have come up with research that the ICJ was deceived into awarding sovereignty to CONFERENCEE: Deputy Editor, Mr Eze Anaba, (centre), flanked by Senator Ewah Henshaw, (right), Chief Barbara James; Mr. Emeka Mamah, and Mr. Ene Tony-Ray. On the left is Mr. Hugo Odiogor, Cameroun by the legal teams of Nigeria and Photo: Lamidi Bamidele Cameroun which concealed vital information from coordinator, Mr. Maurice Ekong and Mr. A. Inyang. the World Jurists. Other people have also argued that Nigeria should explore the option offered by Article 61 of the ICJ status which grants the right of revision to parties that believe that they have fresh evidence to convince the ICJ to review its verdict.

In its traditional style of engaging stakeholders in RE we giving up Bakassi gerians how compliance with the come and give evidence. Somematters of public interest, Vanguard newspaper is using its or are we fighting? rule of law can amount to reneg- how, he got stranded in Lagos editorial interactive forum, the Vanguard Conference Hall, to Senator Ewah Bassey ing on a commitment. and was not given a visa until it address the Bakassi issue. In the panel of discussion is Henshaw: Thank you very much.

The issue is this, the ICJ stat- was too late. The Efik throne was Senator Ewah Bassey Henshaw who represented Cross River On the Bakassi issue, we have ute realizing that there is no other not able to give oral evidence to South; Senator Florence Ita Giwa, the chairperson of the two options. What are the op- court to appeal, the framers of the support the submission that they Bakassi Resettlement Committee represented by Barr. Ene tions? For the Bakassi people, the ICJ statute incorporated in that had made earlier. The Dutch Tony-Ray; Mr. Maurice Ekong of Save Bakassi Group; Mr. options are very simple. They statute that “should you find authority refused to issue visa Ani Esin, former chairman of Bakassi Local Government; want to be allowed self-determi- fresh evidence within ten years and clearly, in my view, the work and Chief Barbara James, representative of the Obong of nation, they want to be allowed of the ICJ decision that you be- of the people who represented Calabar. The Vanguard team is led by Mr. Eze Anaba, Deputy to return to their ancestral home, lieve could have affected the out- us did was very shoddy. What Editor; Mr. Hugo Odiogor, Foreign Affairs Editor and cothey want to go back and settle come of the judgment of the has happened in the last year is ordinator of the Conference; Mr. Emeka Mamah, Assistant down on their land and go about court” then that article (61) allows as a result of the intensive reNews Editor; Mrs. Nkiruka Nnorom, Mr. Dotun Ibiwoye and their daily businesses. you to come back to the court with search that I personally have Mr. Kunle Kalejaye What are the options for the fresh evidence so that the court been involved in. government of Nigeria? They can re-evaluate the decision that I decided that I was going to have an option of doing nothing. it took. That is all that that article do a book on Bakassi, these genThey have an option to go back says. tlemen from Bakassi and others to the ICJ in accordance with Arback home are documenting eviticle 61 of the ICJ statute. Am sure Reneging on dence of Camerounian appeal. you must have read in some of commitment While in the Senate, I moved a the newspapers, especially in Continues on page 41 Vanguard where they talked So, I am baffled by the comment about some fishermen from made by highly placed public ofMbom area complaining about ficers who are saying that “we being attacked by pirates and have made a commitment, the inmilitants. ternational communities are When the House of Representa- watching us, we cannot renege tives resume, there is going to on this commitment, and it is goThe Efik throne be hearing on the security situa- ing to create a very bad image in tion of the country and the Nigeria.” I have to challenge was not able to Bakassi issue will be looked into. them to tell the Nigerian people give oral eviThe problem goes beyond ceding how complying with the rule of Bakassi; it has the potentials of law amounts to reneging on a dence to support becoming a very serious problem commitment. the submission that will create disturbance and The international communities lack of peace, not just within should be commending Nigeria that they had Bakassi itself but within the entire that in spite of documented eviNiger Delta and spill over to the dence, serious breaches by Cam- made earlier.

Gulf of Guinea. So, there are very eroun of the Green Tree The Dutch dangerous security implications Agreement, the government of for Nigeria and all the countries Nigeria still decided to abide by authority refused in the Gulf. due process of the rule of law by to issue visa and The second option of going to going back to the ICJ and saythe ICJ, for me, is a way to go. I ing that ‘we now have new evi- clearly, in my have heard people in important dence that we believe that can view, the work of positions in Nigeria, public of- affect your earlier decision.’ ficers who suggest that going Who were the historians that the people who back to ICJ will amount to reneg- Nigerians relied on in making represented us ing on a commitment and that their claims? reneging of commitment will I don’t know who they took but did was very portray Nigeria on a very bad I know at the end of giving of Map showing Rio del Rey as the 1803 boundary of Nigeria with light. I want you in the media to evidence, the Obong of Calabar shoddy Cameroun. Therefore, putting Bakassiin British domain. Source: challenge them to explain to Ni- who is my uncle was invited to Walter Ofonagoro

Bakassi land is not war booty A

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012—41

Ceding Bakassi violates our rights

Book on Bakassi When I left in 2011, I decided to devote some of my time to do a book on Bakassi and as a result of the continued violation of the agreement, we then started unearthing facts. In the last few months, we have been able to come up with important evidence which we believe goes to the heart of the Camerounian claim and the pages of the ICJ decision. The Camerounian claim which the ICJ upheld was based on two key areas: One, the Anglo-German treaty of March 11, 1913, which they claimed changed the boundary from Rio Del Rey to Akwa Yafe.

If you look at the map, which I have here, this shaded area here, along here, is Rio Del Rey, beyond here is Akwa Yafe. So, the Camerounians claim was that the 1913 treaty moved the boundary from Rio Del Rey to Akwa Yafe and, therefore, gave Germany Bakassi as part of its area of influence. Secondly, in the 1961 plebiscite, the people voted as a confirmation of this shake; the people voted that they wanted to join Cameroun. Those were the key issues.

Now, what we have found is that the gentleman who was German Ambassador to the United Kingdom as at that time, between 1912 and 1914, a man called Prince Karl Max Linosky has written that the treaty was never signed. For all intents and purposes, the treaty was uncompleted but because of intrigue in Germany and lack of trust for the British, the treaty was never signed, not until a year

•Mr. Odiogor

•Senator Henshaw

•Tony Ray later in 1914 that they finally got authority to sign the treaty by which time, the first world war had already broken out. In his own word, “The treaty became a casualty of first world war.” We did not find it until recently; as we were digging, we have found it.

Uncontrolled access to the land Before 1913, Bakassi was with Nigeria, everything in the documentation showed that Bakassi was Nigeria territory. The 1884 treaty between the Obong of Calabar and the United Kingdom confirmed that. If you again look at the treaty in article six, you will see where the drafter of the treaty said “the people of Britain will have the right to go anywhere in the territory to set up their factory and their businesses” and the people that owns the land said NO. “We will not allow you that kind of uncontrolled access to our land.” So under that article, the remark between the kings and Obong of Calabar did not accept it.

By that treaty, the owners of the land represented by the Obong of Calabar and the chief have said that “We will not allow you uncontrolled asses to our land.”

So everything up to 1913 was under the protectorate of the British.

This 1913 treaty was the document that would have shifted the boundary, now the author of the treaty said it was

•Hon. Esin

•Mr Inyang never completed. So, clearly, the world court judgment was based on a false foundation. The second point is that Cameroun claimed at the world court that during the 1961 plebiscite, the people voted to join Cameroun.

Now, I think Cameroun became independent in 1960 as well, but certainly, they became independent before the treaty.

Nigeria also became independent before the treaty, which means that at independence, they would have had their boundaries defined as a new nation. Therefore, the people in Southern Cameroun were now given the option by the United Nations because they were now under the United Nations to decide in a vote at the plebiscite, at independence, where they want to join.

Again, I can show you on this map, this is the area of Bakassi, we have Googled all this land.

This is Isangale, this area was formerly Efik territory as well. It used to be called Usakedet but since that plebiscite, the Camerounians in the 60s took it over, Nigeria did not do anything about it and they renamed it Isangale and it became a defector to Camerounian territory.

My great grandfather from history gave a land to Methodist church now the church is in Bakassi. This is recorded in the book written by Rev. Stone in the British archives. It is also in record that the Obong sent a letter to the British government to send a man of war to come and pro-

•Chief Barbara

•Hon. Ekong tect him because the Germans have brought down a union jack in front of his house and beaten his boys and broken their heads.

That letter is there in history.

History of Calabar I want to say that what our distinguished senator has said in the history of Calabar is true. She has collaborated with what we are saying about the Efik’s ownership of the territory. Where people have differences in opinion is about the issue of settlement. Permit me as a Christian to believe that what we find in the Bible is true, in the book of 1Kings, that Naboth had a vine yard which the king at that time was interested.

But Naboth said nothing will make him sell his vineyard to the king even if it means dying for it. So the Bakassi people in this line would not agree to resettle.

We are still in the peninsula in our numbers. We will not leave our Efik land to anywhere because there cannot be a second Bakassi anywhere. If there are politicians that are interested to go back and contest elections under the Nigeria constitution it is a different case.

There are other ways we can contest elections in Nigeria without being an indigene of the place. So we will strongly disagree with the fact we will leave the peninsula to any place of resettlement even if the place is better than our environment

which we doubt. I will say that when you talk about a new settlement area now, you are simply saying that money that have been spent should be given afresh, Nigeria tax payers money should be given to develop an area that is unacceptable and is still virgin.

You will believe me that when Obasanjo ceded the territory of Bakassi, he categorically said that the Bakassi people will move to the three wards of the town. He mentioned the three wards as Ikang South, Ikang Central and Ikang North. The President said so and you know money was released for this settlement to be developed. The chairman of that committee which has not been dissolved as we speak is still our distinguished Senator, Ita Giwa.

The committees built about 200 houses to returnees and as we speak those returnees are there.

If we would talk about management of funds, it will be that Nigeria should improve on those areas they have already designated settlement areas for the Bakassi people who have returned to this part of the country.

Continues tomorrow

Now what we have found is that the gentle man who was German ambassador to the United Kingdom as at that time between 1912 and 1914 a man called Prince Karl Max Quishnosky has written that that treaty was never signed

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Continues from page 40 number of motions which were passed by the Senate, but was ignored by the executive and it was not until Yar’ Adua came to power in 2007 that I moved another motion requesting that the president must comply with section 12 and submit the Green Tree Agreement to the National Assembly to review.

The president did submit the agreement to the Senate and about a year later, we held a public hearing in the senate but unfortunately, very regrettably, that hearing was handled by three joint committees headed by the committee on foreign affairs, the committee on judiciary and the committee on state and local government but the lead committee was the foreign affairs. It was two days public hearing; the military authority came including the naval but the report of that hearing was never published. It was never submitted until we left the Senate in 2011. It became a document that was hidden from public view.

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42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

guage of this provision. It says that “Bakassi shall still remain German territory.” The ordinary meaning of this expression is that Bakassi was already German territory before the drafting of this agreement! In that case, no one could lay claim to Bakassi Peninsula on the basis of Article 20, of the Anglo-German Agreement of March 11, 1913. If Bakassi was already German territory before the March 11, 1913 agreement was drafted, when exactly did it become German territory? The Agreements of April 29, 1885 and April 14, 1893 confirmed the Western bank of the Rio Del Rey Creek, which is the Eastern borderline of Bakassi Peninsula as the Boundary, on the Rio Del Rey, between Nigeria and Cameroons.

The Bakassi sovereignty and international politics (3) Prof. Walter Ofonagoro here asserts that the Agreements of April 29, 1885 and April 14, 1893 confirmed the Western bank of the Rio Del Rey Creek, which is the Eastern borderline of Bakassi Peninsula as the Boundary, on the Rio Del Rey, between Nigeria and Cameroons

P

ROF. Ofonagoro’s Com ments: Let me now examine Cameroon’s claims. By the end of this exercise, it must be obvious to everyone, that Cameroon had no valid claim to Bakassi, and that Nigeria merely went to the court to surrender Bakassi to Cameroon, and thereby legalize an action which she had already set in motion since August 1970, and concluded with the Maroua Declaration of 1975, through craftily contrived legal instruments and “Agreements” which cannot stand the acid test of empirical analysis, and none of which was ratified by Nigeria’s legislature. I will now discuss the issues raised by both

Cameroon and Nigeria through their various postulations at the ICJ: 1.“Facts” adduced by Cameroon in support of her claim: Paragraph 4 of “Facts” adduced

by Cameroon in support of her claims was a complete concoction of deceptive information, calculated to misinform the Court, in order to achieve undeserved acquiescence to her claims of right. What is truly amazing is that the Nigerian defence participated in that deception, thereby enabling Cameroon to convince the Court to accept as truth, Cameroon’s concealment of material evidence masked in that opening statement.

Documentary evidence

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Apart from the Anglo-German Agreements of March 11 and April 12, 1913, in so far as they refer to the end point of the land boundary on the coast, all legal instruments concerning the maritime boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria post-dates the independence of those two states

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Cameroon created in that statement, the impression that until the Anglo-German Treaty of March 11, 1913 , there were no treaties, or documentary evidence governing the definition of boundaries between German and British spheres of active colonial interests in their respective spheres of Nigeria and Cameroon on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. It reads: “In 1884, the Germans concluded with the Douala chiefs of the Cameroonian coast, agreements that enabled them to annex the hinterland, in conformity with the hinterland doctrine which was then recognized as a mode of acquisition of territory, provided for in various legal instruments including the final Act of Berlin Conference of June 26, 1885. Acting in conformity with the conclusions of the Berlin Conference, the German government of the day concluded with the colonial powers established in the neighbouring territories, agreements aimed at a precise delimitation

I

Map of Bakassi in April 1926 of areas subject to their sovereignty. A large number of Agreements were thus concluded between Great Britain and Germany in relation to their possessions of Cameroon and Nigeria, including the agreements of London of March 11, 1918 and Obokum of April 12, 1913, by which the frontier was delimited between Cameroon, and Nigeria from Yola to the sea, and which regulated navigation on the Cross River.”

That statement appears innocent enough. However, the mind-boggling deception embedded in it would have been sufficient to dismiss the Cameroon’s case on first hearing. In that simple statement of halftruths, Cameroon tried, successfully, with the support of the Nigerian defence, to deceive the court by suppressing evidence of twenty-eight years of painstaking treaty making efforts, undertaken by the United Kingdom and Germany, to make treaties, piece-meal, section by section, to delimit, define and demarcate the boundaries separating their two respective colonies of Nigeria and Cameroons.

Innumerable agreements They did not just go to Berlin in 1884/85, and then haggle over innumerable Agreements for twenty-eight years, and finally show up in London in March 1913, to sign treaties, globally covering the one thousand and one hundred miles (1,100 miles) of boundary between Yola and the sea. Rome was never built in a day. Even the Obokum Agreement of April 12, 1913 and the Anglo-German Agreement of November 15, 1893, dealing with areas north of the Cross River

bend were signed in much the same way as earlier treaties signed and finalized between Germany and Britain between April 29, 1885, and April 14, 1893, covering the establishment of the boundary between British Nigeria and German Cameroon from the Gulf of Guinea, through the

f by the 1893 treaty, Bakassi was Nigerian, then Cameroon should have produced a document, perhaps an unknown treaty, to show when exactly, between April 14, 1893 and March 11, 1913, that Bakassi became German territory, so that it shall still remain so, regardless of whether the boundary goes East from Akwa Yafe River to the Rio del Rey Creek, by way of the Bakassi bank of the River?

It is surprising that the Nigerian defence team joined in this deception, and participated in creating the impression that there was no agreement covering the point of entry into land from the

Prof. Walter Ofonagoro...ICJ misdirected itself Courtesy: Walter Ofonagoro

Rio Del Rey to a junction of two rivers just south of Archibong village.

Very brazenly, Cameroon even claimed in paragraph 5 of its “Memorandum of Facts” at the ICJ, that the Anglo-German Agreement of March 11, 1913, “superseded all previous texts, and provided in particular, in connection with the area in dispute, that the frontier runs along the Thalweg of the Akwa Yafe River (Article 18), and that “should the lower course of the Akwa Yafe River so change its mouth as to transfer it to the Rio del Rey, it is agreed that the area now known as the Bakassi Peninsula shall still remain German territory……..(Article 20)”.

We must note here the lan-

sea, and up to the Thalweg of Akwa Yafe River, before the Anglo-German Treaty of March 11, 1913. In the process, both teams, by deliberately suppressing material evidence, misled the court into believing as stated in Paragraph 38 of the Court’s judgment, “That the maritime boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria was not the subject of negotiation until recently. Thus, apart from the Anglo-German Agreements of March 11 and April 12, 1913, in so far as they refer to the end point of the land boundary on the coast, all legal instruments concerning the maritime boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria post-dates the independence of those two states.”

Continues tomorrow

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 —

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dayobenson@yahoo.com I N S I D E

NBA holds summit on Counsel Corner NIGERIA: 52 years of repositioning the Bar — Pg 45 what?

— Pg 46

— Pg 44

'Why corruption must be stamped out from the judiciary'

BY DAYO BENSON & ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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•Justice Aloma Mukhtar, CJN

•Okey Wali, SAN

Describing the court as a major stakeholder in the fight against corruption, the ICPC boss urged lawyers to always advise their clients to say the truth so as to ensure easy and quick dispensation of justice, arguing that delay tactics employed by lawyers in cases before the court should not be

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OR sometimes now, the prevalence of corruption in the nation’s judiciary has been a major concern to stakeholders, particularly the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA and the top echelon in the justice sector.

Successive Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN and the NBA presidents have vowed to rid the hallow institution of justice of the scourge with little success achieved.

Lately however, the frontier of the battle against corrupt in the judiciary has been expanded. Other concern groups and institutions have equally picked the gauntlet before what is supposed to be a sacred institution is brought to its knees. Hence, the collective resolve now is that all hands must be on deck to stamp out the menace once and for all.

This was the central message at a forum held in Lagos Tuesday. It was a round table that drew participants from the bar and the bench, the civil society, anti graft agency, the media and the academic.

At the end of the day, participants agreed that corruption must be frontally fought to a standstill.

Acting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Ekpo Nta, who was represented by the Director of Legal Services of the commission, Mrs Christiana Onuogu, set the tone for the discussions when she said lawyers are fundamentally responsible for the delay being suffered in our different courts because they (lawyers) failed to tell their clients the truth about how to admit guilt whenever they are wrong.

The ICPC boss, charged lawyers to desist from the continued practice of filing what she described as ‘frivolous Interlocutory appeals’ before judges, saying the action not only cause a lot of damage to cases before the court, but also runs down the integrity of the judiciary.

The Media-Roundtable with the theme, “Promoting Ethics and Integrity Within The Courts System- Towards Citizens Access To Justice” was organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Abuja.

“Where laws are obsolete, justice cannot be well dispensed. The appointment of judges is becoming political and most of the judges so appointed are incompetent,” he added.

Also commenting, the Chief Registrar, CR of the Lagos State High Court, Ganiyu Safari, maintained that the Lagos State judiciary is doing everything possible to ensure that those who are appointed as judges are people of proven integrity. he chief Registrar who admitted that corruption has reached a controversial level that some prominent Nigerians do not mind what it takes to deviate from recognised societal norms to achieve their goals, said the few members of the judiciary who are corrupt cannot do this without those who approached them.

The Chief Registrar said corruption has reached a hydra-headed level in the country that most public officials, especially those working on the bench are threatened by litigants, their lawyers and their prominent families to achieve their aims by all means possible.

Safari, who disclosed that on several occasions he received serious pressures and threats from prominent Nigerians who mostly asked favour from him in order to have their ways in either securing bail for their relatives or on other issues,said he always insists that thing should be done normally.

Specifically, Safari said he was threatened by some aides to a prominent government official in order to secure urgent bail for the detained oil marketers who were ordered to be remanded at EFCC custody after he was approached to bend the rules in order to secure their freedom from custody.

According to him, “There was an instance when I was approached by an aide to a senior government official in Abuja who said I should bend the rule to get bail for one of the oil marketers. The Continues on page 46

There was an instance when I was approached by an aide to a senior government official in Abuja who said I should bend the rule to get bail for one of the oil marketers

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encouraged.

He said, “It is difficult in our court system to see that justice is not delayed in whatever manner. You hardly see a situation when a lawyer advise his client to own up to a crime. This would have saved the time of the court and improve our justice delivery system.

“Let me use this medium to charge all Nigerians to join in the moves to fight corruption head on. I also want to call on the authorities concerned for the appointment of Assistant Judges in the Nigerian judicial system to help

substantive Judges in the dispensation of justice,” Nta added.

He said all hands must be on deck in the battle to fight corruption and see that “justice is done to all parties concerned at all times.” rs. Onuogu who narrated her experience when she traveled to Japan, said the nation’s judiciary should take a cue from the Japan experience where suspects own up to crimes voluntarily just to save their system and their integrity.

“In Japan, there is no delay in their court system, but here in Nigeria, the courts are burdened with so many interlocutory injunctions and others and these lead to frustration in the system.

Land and corruption cases take unnecessary delay and resources before issues are resolved in court.” She said.

On his part, former Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly House Committee on Judiciary, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, described corruption in the country as endemic, adding that the worst that can happen to anyone is to be labeled a criminal.

Ogala condemned the recent fuel subsidy scam which involved children of top politicians in the country, adding that the judiciary has done creditably well in some areas.

He however advised the Lagos State government to provide necessary facilities to judges and the state judiciary staff to do their job effectively, while advocating for the constant review of the Lagos State laws to meet with the international standard.

M

EDITORIAL TEAM Dayo Benson (Editor) Innocent Anaba Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri

44—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

NBA and challenge of repositioning the Bar

BY INNOCENT ANABA

T

HE Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, recently, held its Bar Leaders summit, which brought together leaders of the association from the 36 states of the federation. The summit, was to chart a new course for the NBA. NBA President, Chief Okey Wali, SAN, at the event, with the theme The Nigerian Bar Association: The Past, Present and the Future noted that the idea of the summit was to bring together eminent Bar Leaders to appraise the Nigerian Bar with a view to identifying gaps and articulating recommendations for reform.

He said that the event was expected to address issues relating to professional ethics; legal education; welfare of lawyers; strategic planning; liberalization and globalization of legal services, among others, adding that at the end, it was envisaged that the communiqué and reports would form part of the materials for drawing up a comprehensive five years strategic plan for the NBA. “It is expected that in drawing up the said strategic plan, the aims and objectives of the NBA as provided for in the NBA Constitution and other useful resource materials would be relied upon.”

Further he said, “burdened as we are as Bar Leaders with charting the direction and role of the legal profession in Nigeria, we must query how well we are discharging our duties.

Are we leading the profession in the right direction? Are we performing all the duties thrust upon us by history? Should we redefine our role by increasing or decreasing our responsibilities?”

He noted that it was disheartening to note that Rules of Professional Conduct are obeyed more in the breach, than in compliance, and “this is not the best for the profession.

When lawyers practice law in group settings, compliance with ethical obligations becomes an organisational and individual concern because any individual lawyer’s conduct, can impact every other lawyers in the group.

“Accordingly, it is important that the organisation implements and maintains systems and procedures, dedicated to ensuring that all lawyers in the organization conform to the Rules of Professional Conduct.

The organistion’s leaders must make ethical behaviour a top priority, and take action that

demonstrates their commitment to the ethical practice of law.”

He expressed concern over the standard of legal education in the country, saying “there have been growing concerns over the past decade or so about falling standards in the Legal Profession.

These concerns have been expressed among Bar and Bench, and also among the Lay public.

Areas of concern have included a sharp decline in the quality of lawyers’ language, writing, and communication, poor

Left: Chief Arthur Okafor, SAN; Prof Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN; Prince Lanke Odoginyan, former NBA President; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, former NBA President and Chief Okey Wali, SAN, NBA President at the summit.

advocacy skills, and professional ethics.

“Most of these deficiencies can surely be blamed on the quality of legal education.

We must invest heavily in legal education and continuing professional development. I have already said this at other fora, but this cannot be repeated often enough: the NBA must become intimately engaged in the planning of legal education.

We must participate in designing courses, curricula, and syllabi. After all, the seniors among us are the major employers of young legal labour.

“Daily, as we try to coach, mentor, and train younger colleagues, we encounter deficiencies in them that should inform our contribution to legaleducation curricula. Law faculties and the Law School must pay attention to the industry as to the competencies and skills most in demand in the legal-services market. The NBA is surely warned about the deteriorating professional standards. The NBA is now determined to play a major role in the professional lives of its

members,” he added.

Chief Afe Babalola SAN, in a paper entitled Professional challenges of the Nigerian Bar Association in the 21st Century, said: “The legal professional has an ancient history and predilection. The modern legal professional, earning his living by fee paid for legal services become clearly visible in the Late Roman Empire, the practice later spread to Europe including England.”

Presented by Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, Afe noted “It has always been the most respected and loved.

Lawyers, it is often said, are influential agents of change having prominent roles as organisers and spokesmen of civic reform groups. It is submitted that the above represents the summary of the key enormous burden squarely placed on the shoulders of lawyers by the society.

The role of lawyers, especially in the area of costs of legal development, cannot be overemphasised. This is more profound in developing nations of the world. Often, the

assumption has been all too frequent in both developed and developing countries and international organisations that legal systems and institutions can take care of themselves while investments in development can safely by-pass the legal sector,” he added.

Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Dr. Mamman Tahir, in his presentation, identified the challenges facing the profession to include environmental factors that may hinder ethics; transformation from profession to business; prevailing culture of impunity; declining opportunities in legal practice/economy; distortions in reward/value system and ignorance of the rules of professional conduct.

Director-General: Ethics and Corporate Compliance Institute, Mr Jideani Chukuemeka, in his presentation, said “Legal practice is a professional business of formidable societal influence steeped in idealism, self-discipline, public spirit, economy and wisdom. The legal education system should be modified a little bit to

prepare our law graduate for life in the modern market place.

In addition to strengthening professional ethics organisational and business ethics should be incorporated into the curriculum. This will equip them with proficiencies in such areas as “conflict of interest”; “enterprise risk management”; “Regulatory Compliance” among others.

Speaking on Institutionalisation of Ardial Bar and Bench Relationship for Professional Development by Dr. Onyechi Ikpearu, SAN, he said “With the realisation that most lawyers and judges do not belong to other associations, it is rather obvious that the Bar and the Bench are not only married to the legal profession but are indeed fused as members of the same family.”

The paper presented by Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN, Ikpearu said, “With similar interest, objective and aspiration towards the preservation of the rule of law, cordiality in the relationship is not only imperative, but necessarily healthy.”

At the conclusion of paper presentation, the summit broke into working group, as The Institutionalisation of the Bar Bench Relationship had Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, as chairman; Professional Challenges of the NBA in the 21st Century had Chief OCJ Okocha, SAN, as chairman; Committee on the Paramountcy of the Welfare of Members of the Bar, need for Versatility and Job Creation was chaired by Mr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; Committee on the Entrenchment of Qualitative Legal Education and Mechanism for Professional Progress was chaired by Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN, while that on Unethical Conduct at the Bar, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 45

VANGUARD LAW IN PIX Feedbac k eedback Do I owe this landlord contractual obligation?

State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI) held a three-day workshop for persons with disability, towards implementation of the Lagos State Special People’s Law. Pictures taken by BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

Dear sir,

I

AM grateful to your response to my question. I am happy to tell you that the landlord read it and said his lawyer said the same thing. We are both happy with this result as the deposit I made has now serve as the penalty for my breach of the contract. Thank you.

Lagos Civil Society Disability Policy Partnership, LCSDPP, GeneralCoordinator,MrBarthEkugumteaching participants.

(From left) Mrs Olayinka Oluwatoyin and Victor Otehi.

Alhaji Mshelia Abuja.

Can a woman commit rape?

I

READ your publication on rape in May 2012.

How can a woman or girl rape a man since the key word here is sexual penetration; can a woman be said to penetrate a man? Please quote the relevant sections of the law.

Gimba Abass Magaji, Gombe State

(From left) A sign language interpreter and Mrs Beyioku Adedoyin, National President of Deaf Women Association of Nigeria.

A cross-section of partipants brainstorming in groups at the workshop.

(From left) Mr Daniel Onwe and Joseph Onyekwere.

Mrs Ngozi Ugoji- Director, NGZ Ltd.

A

CCORDING to Section 282[1] of the Penal Code: “A man is said to commit rape when he has intercourse with a woman in any of the following circumstances: a, against her will; b, without her consent; c, with her consent, when her consent has been obtained by putting her in fear of death or of hurt; d, with her consent, when the man knows that he is not her husband and that her consent is given because she believes that he is another man to whom she is or believes herself to be lawfully married; e, with or without her consent, when she is under fourteen years of age or of unsound mind.”

Similarly, Section 357 of the Criminal code, Laws of the Federation: defines rape as: “Any person who has unlawful canal knowledge of a woman or girl without her consent or with her consent, if the consent is obtained by force or by means of threat or intimidation of any kind, or by fear of harm, or by means of false or fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act, or, in the case of married woman impersonating her husband is guilty of an offence which is called rape.”

The essence of the comparism between the penal code which is applicable in the north, and the criminal code which applies in the south, is to emphasize the fact that the law does not envisage a woman raping a man. This, I think, is a challenge to law makers in the two jurisdictions to have a second look at the offence of rape and whether a woman has the capacity to rape a man. So direct answer to your question is that, the law, as it is today contemplates that it is only a man that can rape a woman and not the other way round.

(From left) Mr Felix Obanubi- SAVI Programme co ordinator .

Group one during the second day of workshop.

NB: Questions on this column are treated in order in which they are received, that is first come-first serve basis. Those not treated this week will surely be attended to next week.

You can send your questions to dayobenson@yahoo.com or 08056180119 (text only)

(From left) Bassey Grace and Adebayo Adebukola.

Chairman Governing Board of Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA), Mrs Tolulope Animashaun.

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Mikel ready to down Lone Star J

OHN Obi Mikel who is staging a return to the Eagles under coach Stephen Keshi hinted that he is ready to battle Liberia and secure a win that will earn Nigeria qualification for the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

Mikel was prominent in the 15-man list of foreign-based players released by Keshi for the crucial tie billed for October 13 in Calabar.

“I am ready to put in my best to see that we redeem ourselves by defeating Liberia to secure the AFCON ticket. Missing out of last edition still hurts and so this is a must-win game and I am ready to do battle,” Mikel said.

Mikel did not play in the first leg which ended 2-2 in Monrovia. He was excused after he told Keshi that he was not disposed to playing on artifical turf, which the Liberian had originally planed to use for the game. Mikel stated that he has always been ready to play for Nigeria.

“I have said it times without a number that I have no other nation apart from Nigeria and I am happy to be back in Eagles even though I have always seen myself as part of the team even when I was not playing games for the team.

Mikel, who has won 37 caps and scored two goals since his debut in 2005, has yet to play for Nigeria under Stephen Keshi, who took over from Samson Siasia in November.

BAT TLE READY •••Super Eagles midfielder, John Obi Mikel ready for action.

O

N the day that tickets went on sale, organisers of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa have expressed their confidence that fans will flock to the football festival.

The finalists will not be known until the middle of next month, but the organising committee is seeking to get a head start for a tournament which has been poorly attended in recent times.

Next year ’s tournament will run from 19 January to 10 February, with matches staged in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Rustenburg, Nelspruit and Durban.

N13m for grabs as Akpabio scrabble kicks off T

HE proverbial ‘all roads’ lead to Uyo today Thursday as the 6 th Godswill Akpabio International Scrabble Classics will be declared open with 15,000 dollars US as star prize in the Masters Category.

President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation Chief Toke Aka said in Uyo yesterday that over 300 participants have

Abigor Continues from BP have been given October 8 deadline to report to camp. And 15 of them will battle with 23 home-based players for places in the team that will face Liberia. The first leg of the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa ended 2-2.

“From all indications, it appears Keshi is under pressure. The long list suggests so and I’m worried,”Abigor said on phone yesterday. He said further: “It will not be good for Keshi to be under pressure. That can make him deviate from his original intentions. I know how people talked about certain players. Even those in authority were

2013 Nations Cup tickets on sale

not left out. And it appears Keshi is now trying to satisfy many people or many interests.

He needs concentration but the long list will not make for absolute concentration because he has many players to handle in training that will just last few days.

If we qualify for the Nations Cup or World Cup and he invites even 50 players for a month camping or so, that will be understandable.

Now, he has 38 players for few days in camping. I think everything should be done to avoid putting our coaches under pressure because they could crack and make mistakes. I wish the team well against Liberia.”

registered to play in the four categories listed for participation.

The categories are, Masters, Intermediate, Open and the celebrated Veterans category which is for inactive captains of industry or those above 55 years of age.

Governor Akpabio is listed to play in this category.

The five star Le Meridien Hotel Uyo venue of the event was a bee hive of activities Wednesday as participants from

Thailand, Malaysia, New Zealand, UK, Ghana, Uganda and USA arrived the state for the much prized event that has become an annual fixture in the calendar of International Scrabble.

This year, there is also an unprecedented rise in female participation, with about 30 female players billed to take part.

The rise in female participation may be due to the fact that this year, special prizes have been set aside for the female category.

Akpoborie Continues from BP cember, it is really baffling that he is inviting such a big number now.”

He gave a damning verdict on the performances of coach Stephen Keshi and reiterated his belief in foreign trainers for the national team.

“With all due respect to Keshi, I keep saying we don’t have a Nigerian trainer who can handle our national team. I still stick to it. But I have to respect the decision of the NFF to appoint Keshi. But so far, everything I have seen around the team is very very unusual and lead-

ing me to conclude that I am right afterall.”

Although he expressed the belief that the Eagles could qualify for South Africa 2013, the former international made a gloomy forecast on the teams’ chances in the tournament. “We will qualify, no doubt, but we will just be there to make up the numbers because we don’t have a team yet. If what I have seen in Calabar and reports from the Monrovia match are anything to go by, with just three months to the tournament then, I am afraid, we won’t be favourites to win the tournament.”

LLTC ready for Williams sisters

S

TILL smarting from the euphoria of commissioning four refurbished courts last weekend, President of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Barrister Sam Egbuchunam has declared the club’s preparedness to host the two most important events in the remainder of the year, the Lagos

Governor’s Tennis Tournament and the impending visit of the William Sisters, Venus and Serena who are due in the country in November.

Speaking to newsmen on the commissioning of the courts which was done by chairman of the board of Trustees, Sir MoladeOkoya Thomas.

Falcao Continues from BP a formal bid after watching Falcao destroy his team in last month’s UEFA Super Cup. The European champions now believe they cannot achieve their ambitions with Fernando Torres as their only front-line striker.

And they are already holding internal talks to work out the best way of being first in the queue for Falcao when the transfer window reopens in January.

A Chelsea source admitted: “The groundwork is already being done for Falcao.

“The owner wants everything in place now so a deal can be done before any other club can make a counteroffer.”

Falcao, 26, has scored an astonishing 115 goals in just three years in European football, including a Monaco hattrick against Chelsea in the Super Cup. Atletico paid £32million to sign him from Porto only last summer, but up to half of that fee is believed to have been provided by a third party investment fund which includes the player ’s representative Jorge Mendes.

NFA defends Keshi Continues from BP trailing the list of invited Super Eagles players’ for the Oct.13 Africa Cup of Nations showdown against the Lone Stars. of Liberia.

Paul Bassey, a the spokesman of the Technical Committee said that anybody questioning the number of invited players’ was ignorant of the reasons behind the action.

Keshi had on Tuesday released the list of invited players made up of 15 foreign and 23 home-based players for the final lap of the 2013 AFCON slated for South Africa.

Some stakeholders had questioned the rationale behind the invitation of 38 players, for a 10 days camping exercise.

They described the number as “too large”.

“You cannot expect the coach to pick 11 players to prepare for the Liberia match. You need this large number because he is also looking ahead.

“For the foreign-based list, some of us were not too happy with the performance of some of the players that went to Liberia, so there is need to beef up the squad.

“We need to look at one or two others as an addition and players can be

substituted because we don’t want any excuses in the Liberia match,” Bassey explained.

According to him, some of the players may spend just two days in the Eagles camp because of injury worries.

Bassey said that Kano Pillars FC duo, Papa Idris, Gabriel Reuben, and Inter Milan FC of Italy mid-fielder Joel Obi, are players with injury worries who might not make it to Calabar.

“Keshi has some question marks on these players. He may decide within two days in camp, whether they will remain or not, with regards to their injury.

“There are new invited players like Ezekiel Bassey and Anthony Okpotu from Lobi Stars FC whom he is banking on to replace these players.

“Keshi’s philosophy is trying to get as many home-based players as possible, from which he could make his final selection,” Bassey said.

The home-based Eagles and their foreign based colleagues have been given up to Sept. 30 and Oct. 8 respectively to report to their Bolton White Apartment camp in Abuja.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 47

Rage against austerity rocks Greece, Spain D EMONSTRATORS wearing helmets and gas masks and armed with sticks clashed with police in the Greece and Spain Tuesday and Wednesday, as strikes were held to protest the governments’ austerity drives.

Much of the Greek union’s anger is directed at spending cuts worth nearly $15.55 billion over the next two years that Greece promised the European Union and International Monetary Fund in an effort to unlock its next tranche of aid.

While Greece gears up for more protests against austerity cuts, the health care system is in tatters with little cash for drugs or doctors. ITV’s James Mates reports.

The bulk of those cuts are expected from slashing wages, pensions and welfare benefits, heaping a new wave of misery on Greeks who say repeated rounds of austerity have pushed them to the brink and failed to transform the country for the better.

A survey by the MRB polling agency last week showed that more than 90

percent of Greeks believe the planned cuts are unfair and burden the poor, with the vast majority expecting more austerity in coming years.

With Greece in its fifth year of recession and no light at the end of the austerity tunnel, analysts warn that Greek patience is wearing thin and a strong public backlash could tear apart the weak

conservative-led coalition.

There were also violent clashes between antiausterity protesters and riot police in Spain on Tuesday. Police there told The Associated Press that 38 people were arrested and 64 people injured when officers clashed with protesters demonstrating against cutbacks and tax hikes.

‘Uncivilized Zionists’ threaten Iran — Ahmadinejad tells UN

I

RANIAN President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took the podium on Wednesday at the UN General Assembly in New York, a day after U.S. President Barack Obama said the United States will “do what it must” to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Iran is under threat of military action from “uncivilized Zionists,” a clear reference to Israel, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, saying that such threats from big powers

are designed to force nations into submission.

“Continued threat by the uncivilized Zionists to resort to military action against our great nation is a clear example of this bitter reality,” Ahmadinejad said in a 33-minute speech.

Taking place on the Jewish day of atonement Yom Kippur, it was the Iranian president’s eighth appearance before the 193-nation assembly and his last before his second and final term ends next year.

Obama expands lead in Florida, Ohio

U

.S. President Barack Obama has expanded his lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney in the

southern state of Florida and the midwestern state of Ohio — two of the most important battleground states in this

German court backs Catholic ‘pay to pray’ rule

G

ERMANY’S top ad ministrative court has ruled that Catholics who opt out of paying religious taxes must automatically leave the church as well.

The court’s verdict Wednesday is a victory for the Catholic Church in Germany, which receives more than euro4 billion ($5.14 billion) annually from a surcharge of up to nine percent on income tax bills of registered Catholics.

The judges at the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig ruled against retired German theologian Hartmut Zapp, who wanted to leave the church as an institution but remain a member of the Catholic community. Germany’s bishops announced last week that believers who refuse to pay the tax are committing a “grave lapse.”

year’s presidential race.

A public opinion poll released Wednesday shows President Obama with more than 50 percent support in both states, part of the group of so-called swing states expected to decide the November 6 election.

The president leads Romney 53 to 44 percent in Florida and 53 to 43 percent in Ohio. The Quinnipiac University/ CBS News/New York Times poll also found Obama maintaining his double-digit lead in a third swing state, Pennsylvania, with 54 percent support compared to Romney’s 42 percent.

BRIEFS Israeli rabbi tells followers to burn iPhones

A

N influential ultra-Orthodox Israeli rabbi ordered his followers this week to burn their iPhones, the latest move in a campaign by the insular community to encourage its members to keep the outside world — and specifically the Internet — at bay.

Queen ‘upset’ over cleric arrest failure

T

HE BBC has apologized to Brit ain’s Queen Elizabeth II after a reporter revealed the monarch was “pretty upset” that British officials had failed to arrest radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri.

48 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 49

50 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

GRADUATION: Mr. Lucky Amiwero, National President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, and Managing Director/CEO of Eyis Resources Limited (left), presenting a certificate of graduation to Mr. Agba Josaphat of John’s Express Agencies Ltd., after the free computer training programme for licensed customs agents organised by NCMDLCA in conjunction with Nebman Nigeria Limited Computer Institution held in Lagos.

INDUCTION: From left— Dr. Bola Mustapha, Registrar/CEO, Nigerian Institute of Training and Development, NITAD; Mrs. Gloria Ita-Ikpeme of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG; and Pastor Dotun Salawu, NITAD 1st Vice President, standing for Mr. Kayode Ogungbuyi, NITAD President, at the nineth induction of new NITAD members in Lagos.

Woman delivers quadruplets at home

JTF seeks support against illegal bunkering

zFlood has washed away my farmland, husband cries out

BY SUZAN EDEH BAUCHI—IT was a tale of two homes, yesterday, in Bauchi when the wife of a peasant farmer gave birth to quadruplets at home with help from a traditional midwife, while that of a lawmaker was delivered of triplets through a N250,000gulping cesarean section.

The farmer’s wife, 25year-old Murjinatu Yusuf’s

babies, all girls, weighed between 0.6 and 1.2 kilogrammes. They live at Gajin Duguri village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state, while the lawmaker’s wife, Aishatu Abdulkadir, 31, is from Kirfi Local Government Area.

Murjinatu’s husband, Salisu Yusuf, 30, is however, unhappy as his farmland was washed away during last week’s flood that

swept across the state.

Yusuf, now a father of nine, said he was at cross-roads on how to provide for his family.

He said: “I thank God for these four children that He has given me. Everybody is surprised because this is the first time that this is happening in my village and even in the state. I pray that God should keep them for us and bless them.

I need govt's help —Husband “I am pleading with the government to help me.

Flood has swept off my farm from where I feed my family. I used to buy six to seven mudus of corn to feed my family per meal, but now I do not know how we will survive.”

However, the mood at the Kirfi home of Aishatu, whose husband, Abdulkadir Dewu, a member representing Kirfi Constituency in the state House of Assembly, is different.

Dewu, 34, said: “I lack words to express my joy. I thank God for this blessing.

May He protect them.”

Lawmaker's triplets The legislator, who also now has nine children, said he spent over N250,000 for the cesarean operation on his wife at City Clinic, Bauchi.

Kaltume Ibrahim, the nurse on duty, who later received Murjinatu and her four new babies, said the mother was brought in very weak, while the babies were underweight.

The nurse said: “She delivered at home. She had bled too much when they brought her here. On their arrival at the delivery suite here, we noticed that the babies’ weights were extremely low. The least among them weighed 0.7 kg, while the highest weighed 1.2 kg. They have been transferred to Abubakat Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, ATBUTH, for management.”

Murjinatu, who was very weak, simply thanked God for giving her the quadruplets, praying that the babies should remain healthy.

Doctor's report At ATBUTH, one Dr. Jonah Ogbode said that Murjinatu was brought in about six hours after her delivery in her village.

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— JOINT Task Force, JTF, Operation Pulo Shield has asked for useful and timely information from stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to aid their crusade against illegal bunkering operations.

Speaking at a forum with petroleum marketers and other stakeholders on the oil and gas in Port Harcourt, Brigade Commander of Second Brigade, Brigadier- General Tukur Buratai said there was need for col-

laborative effort among stakeholders and the security agencies to reduce illegal oil bunkering in the country.

Buratai further appealed for what he described as collective watch on the part of stakeholders to end the illicit trade, adding that JTF would continue to provide security for vessels doing legal business on the water ways.

According to him, JTF demolished a filling station in the state recently and also seized two others in its bid to rid the state of the illicit trade.

NATCOMS holds summit, honours OBJ

BY UDO IBUOT

N

ATIONAL Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, NATCOMS, holds its first national telecommunications summit in Lagos tomorrow.

A statement from the association said the summit, with the theme Nigerian Telecoms Revolution: Consumerism as the Last Mile Challenge, will witness the presentation of an award tagged Nigerian Telecoms Platinum Award to former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for creating an

enabling environment for telecommunications revolution in the country.

The statement said the summit, which will be held at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, will feature sub-themes such as The Consumer in the Eyes of the Regulator, to be presented by Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Telecommunications service delivery and consumerism:10 years after, by Consumer Protection Council, CPC, and telecommunication operators— MTN, Glo, Airtel and Etisalat.

Education, Health ministers for FEBOGA reunion

F

EDERAL Government Girls College, Bauchi, Old Girls’ Association, FEBOGA, has announced plans to have the Minister of Education, Prof, Ruquayyatu Rufa’I and Minister of Health, Prof. Oyebuchi Chukwu as guest speakers at its reunion billed for September 30.

In a statement, FEBOGA said the reunion will be preceded by a meeting of the association at A-Class Park, Abuja.

It said the association aims to assist the school through projects, programmes and social fora using members’ individual and professional skills.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 — 51

Eat kidney beans, balance your blood sugar level K

IDNEY beans, like other beans, are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber. A cup of cooked kidney beans provides 45.3 per cent of the recommended daily intake for fiber. Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract that binds with bile, which contains cholesterol and carries it out of the body. Research has shown that insoluble fiber not only helps to increase stool bulk and prevent constipation, but also helps prevent digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis. In addition to lowering cholesterol, kidney beans’ high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making these beans an especially good choice for individuals with diabetes just because kidney beans can really help you balance blood sugar levels while providing steady, slow-burning energy.

They are an excellent source of the trace mineral, molybdenum, an integral component of the enzyme sulphite oxidase, which is responsible for detoxifying sulphites. Just one cup of cooked kidney beans supplies 177.0 per cent of

the daily value for molybdenum. Sulphites are a type of preservative commonly added to packaged foods. Persons who are sensitive to sulphites may experience rapid heartbeat, headache or disorientation when these foods are consumed. But if your molybdenum stores are high, you need not worry as these sulphites can easily be detoxified.

Kidney beans can help boost your iron stores and at the same time increase your energy levels. Iron is an integral

eatrightconsult@yahoo.com 08091276796

with Funke Oshifuye component of haemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells, and is also part of key enzyme systems for energy production and metabolism. Particularly for menstruating women, who are more at risk for iron deficiency, you cannot underestimate the

power of kidney beans. Just one cup of kidney beans provides 28.9 per cent of the daily recommended intake for iron.

If you are a vegetarian and wondering how to replace meat in your diet, simply become a fan of kidney beans. These hearty beans are a good source of protein, and when combined with a whole grain such as whole wheat pasta or brown rice provide protein comparable to that of meat or dairy foods without the high calories or saturated fat found in these foods. And, when you get your protein from kidney beans, you also get the blood sugar stabilizing and heart health benefits of the soluble fibre provided by these versatile legumes. A cup of kidney beans provides 30.7 per cent of the daily value for protein.

Gleenmark Pharma introduces new painkiller

T

O improve management of arthritic pain as well as reduce the burden of pain in the country, Glenmark Pharmaceutical Limited, has introduced a new painkiller Flexilor Lornoxicam with better tolerability profile when compared to other Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs usually abbreviated as NSAIDs. Pain relieving drugs are one of the most commonly used drugs globally either through prescription or as over the counter medication.

Although certain NSAIDs, for example, rofecoxib and nimesulide have been banned because of their adverse effects, researchers from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, noted in the drug review entitled; “Lornoxicam: a Newer NSAID”, that the new Flexilor lornoxicam analgesic activity is comparable to that of opioids and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of post operative pain and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

At the official presentation of the new pain reliever in Lagos, Head, Medical Services for African and Middle East International Business, Glenmark, Dr. Dilip Shah, said Lornoxicam is a necessary choice in pain management.

In his lecture; “Meeting challenges in pain management with new and emerging therapies: Focus on Lornoxicam”, said unlike paracetamol that has been found to have a significant gastrointestinal, GI, toxicity profile, Lornoxicam is a strong analgesic and antiinflammatory NSAID with molecules that reduce such GI effects.

Shah said, Lornoxicam is effective in all kinds of pain, acute pain and chronic pain and has been found to be safe in patients with renal digestive kidney impairment.

He further pointed out that several reviews have shown that the drug was not harmful for cardiovascular patients, such as those with hypertension or other kinds of heart problems.

Stating that the efficacy of the molecule was not comprised, he recommended it as an alternative to other NSAIDs for the treatment of painful arthritic and inflammatory diseases. “The drug has less gastrointestinal side effects as the most common side effects we see in most NSAIDs. From the published studies it has been shown that this drug is not harmful for cardiovascular patients or patients having hypertension or other kinds of heart problems. ” Delivering his lecture; “Current Trends in the Management of Pain”, a Professor of Surgery, Orthopaedics &Trauma from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Babatunde Solagberu, stressed the need for medical practitioners to assess pain and consider patients’ rights before administering drugs.

Solagberu opined that if pain was not measured and assessed, it would be difficult to treat and that pain was everybody’s business.

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52 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Oke promises social package for aged citizens

BY DAPO AKINREFON

T

HE Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state, Chief Olusola Oke, has said that his administration would provide social welfare package for aged citizens in the state, if voted into power in the forthcoming election.

He said this at an interactive session with a group of elderly citizens of the state, who visited him at the Olusola Oke/ Saka Lawal Campaign Organisation headquarters in Akure.

Oke said the social welfare package, which according to him would be a continuation of the PDP programme would be improved on in line with the present economic situation in the country.

The former PDP national legal adviser said the aged deserved good living condition and that it was the part of the PDP programme to make provision that would assist them.

He said the party would, in addition to the welfare package, consider them in the overall

policy framework of the government, if elected.

His words: “Part of the ways we are going to relief the people is by bringing government schools to all the nook and crannies of the 18 local government areas of Ondo State like we have done before.

“It is the prerogative of a child in Tekule, Ajowa, Oke Agunla and other villages to go to school.

We will not deprive them by allocating over a billion of naira to build two schools while other communities suffer.

We have started it and we will complete it because we believe in an Ondo State where all the 18 local government areas will have their share of the government structures across the state. This is how to spread development and achieve corporate growth in the state.”

*Oke: PDP flagbearer

I’m not intimidating LP supporters — Kuku

S

PECIAL Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, has accused the Ondo State government and its agents of shadow boxing ahead of the October 20 governorship election in the state.

Hon. Kuku, who is also chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, stated this in reaction to a media report that he was using his office to intimidate supporters of the Labour Party-led state government.

Kuku said he did not need to intimidate anybody to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, particularly in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state and his federal constituency, as his integrity and track record of performance were enough to sway votes for his party in the election.

His words: “I was involved in the local politics of my people before going to the Ondo State House of Assembly and they can testify

that I represented them very well, impacting many lives and families.“As head of the Conflict Management Unit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), I got over 100 youths from my constituency trained locally and offshore as non-violence practitioners.

“As Special Adviser to the President and with the support of the National Assembly, I have influenced and attracted NDDC projects to my constituency such as the Agadagba-Obon-Arogbo

bridge project with a 3km township road that will be flagged off on Thursday, September 27 at a cost of N6.1 billion.

“There is also the NDDC Arogbo shoreline and drainage project estimated at N4.7 billion.

My community and surrounding communities have now been connected to the national grid through an ongoing project. For these, my people are grateful to Mr President, the National Assembly and the NDDC.”

ACN accuses OSRC of bias

BY DAYO JOHNSON

T

*The new look Oyemekun road, Akure at night

Meroyi dumps ACN

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

NOTHER governorship aspirant of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, Senator Omololu Meroyi has dumped the party for the PDP over what he described as lack of focus on the part of its leadership.

Senator Meroyi who was in the National Assembly between 1999 and 2003 represented Ondo South senatorial district area of the state.

Addressing newsmen in Akure Meroyi described the ACN as a “sinking ship,

which has no chance of winning the October 20 governorship election in the state.

He pooh-poohed the regional integration of the southwest geo-political zone being championed by the ACN. But the Director of Publicity of the A C N Rotimi Agbede described the defection of Meroyi to PDP as a good riddance to bad rubbish, saying that Meroyi was a spent bullet and had no followers.

However, the Senator equally faulted the way and

manner the governorship candidate of the party, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu SAN emerged noting that “his emergence has ended the ambition of ACN winning the any election in the state.

Meroyi said he decided to return to the PDP, the party he left in 2007 because of what the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and the National Working Committee of the party said that those who left the party and were desirous of returning should do so without hindrance.

HE Independent Campaign Network (ICN), an arm of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) complementing the gubernatorial efforts of Mr. Rotimi Akerodolu has accused the Ondo state government owned Radio-Vision Corporation OSRC of unethical practices.

It alleged that, “in the past seven months, OSRC, has flagrantly breached the simple principle of fair and balance reporting by refusing to air both paid adverts and programmes of political parties opposed to the ruling Labour Party since the commencement of electioneering campaign in the state.

The Director, Strategy & Communications Bureau Bosun Oladimeji said in Akure that “besides the station’s refusal to air or accept the paid advertisements of ACN, the programming of OSRC is skewed and manipulated to always favour only Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Labour Party and government activities.

“All other political parties activities are visually in ckout in the state since Nigeria

Television Authority NTA in Ikare and Okitipupa are in partial operations because of the electricity outage. The fact remains that the ruling Labour Party government is funding the OSRC with the state fund to harass and embarrass other opposition parties and subsequently promoting their ills in governance for most of the hours of broadcast.

“To this end, we shall appreciate if the major organ in control of electronic media NBC, the Ondo State residents and Nigerians in general can call the station management to follow and obey the NBC Act and thereby mandating it to give other political parties opportunity to air their views.”

Meanwhile, 100 new motorcycles have been distributed to all the 18 ACN local government chapters in the state.

While giving out the motorcycles and over 500 megaphones at its headquarters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Mr. Dele Ogunsakin, an ACN chieftain, said the motorcycles would help to improve the performance of those in charge of the campaigns in mobilization, logistics, security and publicity.

Vanguard, THURSDAY ,SEPTEMBER 27, 2012— 53 Edited by MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU 08026350360

Articulating late J A Green’s artistic vision

By PRISCA SAM-DURU

W

IDELY acclaimed as first p r o f e s s i o n a l photographer of Nigerian birth, Jonathan Adagogo Green (18731905) was chief photographer of the British colonial Administration whose works were utilized to promote and justify their colonizing mission.

Thus, Green witnessed everything right from the moment Oba Ovonramwen of the defunct Benin Empire was taken, to the Monarch’s journey into exile in Calabar. His works also documented and promoted local Ijaw history and culture for the good of his people.

Coming barely seventy-six years after the death of Jonathan Adagogo Green a new research on the life and works of the photographer titled, “The two worlds of artist/photographer J A Green” which was conducted by US-based Associate Professor of Art History at Skidmore College, New York , Dr Lisa Aronson, was the subject of a lecture presented during the 2012 Art-iculate held in Lagos last week.

The lecture which was organized by Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, and presented by Dr Aronson, dug out fresh arguments and discussions relating to who was actually the first Nigerian modern artist between Aina Onabolu and J. A Green.

The Lecture was attended by veteran photographers such as Pa J. D Ojekere, Tam Fiofori, Don Barber, Olu Amoda, Toyin Akinoso, Onyema OfoeduOkeke, Abraham Oghobase and

a host of other budding photographers and visual artists.

Jonathan Green a professional photographer was the son of a successful Ibani Ijaw palm oil trader, chief Sunju Dublin Green, who had business dealings with foreign traders and missionaries.

He was born in Bonny, in 1873 and served as chief photographer for the British as well as for his own people.

Dr Aronson disclosed during the lecture that her research on Green began five years ago when she, Martha Anderson and Chris, her two American colleagues together with Professor Emeritus E J Alagoa were given a Getty Collaborative Research Grant to document Green’s photographs in British Archives. The grant she revealed, afforded her the opportunity to delve into the life and works of the Artist/photographer.

She narrated that she “first became familiar with Green’s photos while researching the history of textile production, the

,

R

ECENTLY, Regeneration Act two, scene one, held its annual event that creates a platform for promoting arts and culture through edutainment. The activity packed event, began with campfire which was accompanied with theater gyrations. It also featured dance performance from various troupes and artistes, costume exhibitions, live band and music.

Various segments of the art were totally represented, as artiste performed different genre of music, like: hip hop, R n B, Jazz, Fuji.

According to the event coordinator Oyelola Olawale, “the idea behind the regeneration is to bring together every segment of the arts together, educate and impact the society through creation, regeneration of innovation ideas and concepts”.

nephew, Gobo, took over his business. Gobo was reported to have done some of his own photographs with Green’s original plates in order to reproduce his own original photographs until his death in 1936. The business Dr Aronson continued,

Green was chief photographer of the British colonial Administration whose works were utilized to promote and justify their colonizing mission

,

use and trade in Southern Nigeria with my initial focus on weaving in Akwete, Ndoki in Imo State. I discovered Green’s photos of imported textile usage in the Niger Delta before I came to realize Green’s Ibani Ijaw identity”. Her findings included that after Green’s death, his

Regeneration: Promoting Nigerian arts and culture

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA

Prof. Lisa Aronson, guest lecturer

The two day event also had an interesting talk show, “titled artiste and his props: exploring the inner potential”. In it, two motivational speakers Lanre Iyiola Afod, a Movie director and Dr. Femi Dada Adedina who charged upcoming actors, artiste and theatre arts students of the college on the need to embrace information and discover their God given talents.

The idea behind the talk show is to encourage and inspire upcoming artiste to explore their potentials and talents instead of waiting for government assistance which is not forthcoming.

The event also featured a unique and colourful costumes exhibition where the participants gracefully displayed to the admiration of the audience.

The event organsied by Arts Drive production in collaboration with superstar students is an annual event in its second edition.

was then taken over by Gobo’s son named James Adagogo Green who continued the tradition of reproducing Jonathan Green’s original photographs until his own death in 1993. James was noted to have capitalized on Jonathan’s initials that is, “J A Green, artist photographer, Bonny Opobo & CO” which misled people into believing that James was the original J A Green since they both share same initials.

In the course of the Lecture, several photographs of Jonathan Green were displayed by Aronson which revealed individuals both Europeans and Africans who lived and worked within his area of operation.

Of all photos he took, most extraordinary were those that showed Ijaw chiefs from Bonny, Opobo and the Kalabari Ijaw region, who were seated with their wives, children and other members of the extended families against an aesthetically designed background. The photographs also showcased the styles and textures of cloths made from both local and foreign fabrics won at the time. One notable feature of the photographs was vast difference between the postures of the British which were more relaxed and entertaining, and therefore, totally different from the way the Africans posed.

Explaining this, Dr Aronson

One of the photographs by Late J.A. Green

said, “by contrast, Ijaw preferred to assume frontal poses, with hands and feet fully visible and with emphasis on symmetry and balance. This conforms to the aesthetic preferences of other African sitters along the Western and central African coast, which dominated photography from the late 19thcentury. Her stance however, ignited arguments from the audience.

Symmetrical arrangements Many maintained that the symmetrical arrangements of Africans in Green’s photographs were either an evidence of pain, anguish and fear which indicated the effect of the oppressions of their colonial masters or that Africans were alien to cameras.

Dr. Aronson disagreed and pointed out that Green left behind him, a rich and varied collection of photographs that not only captures significant moments in Nigeria’s early history but also exhibits his

exceptional artistic vision. “Green was among several prominent Africans working as professional photographers along the coasts of western and central Africa in the late 19thcentury including the Ghanaian Lutterodt brothers, the Sierra Leonian W.S. Johnston, and Walwin B. Holm, a Ghanaian working in Lagos.

Using box cameras and glass plates, their repertoires, like Green’s, included landscapes, seascapes, views of public buildings and most particularly, portraits”, she pointed out.

At this juncture, Veteran photographer who happens to be the oldest serving photographer, Pa Ojekere availed the audience a rare opportunity of seeing some of the kinds of tools utilized by Green.

Green’s photographic skill was boomed during the time in which Bonny was known as the administrative center of the protectorate thereby placing him on an enviable position of being the hub of British imperialist activity.

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VANGUARD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

NFA defends Keshi over bloated list

T

HE Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Wednesday has condemned the criticisms Continues on Page 54

Keshi’s list confuses Akpoborie

BY JACOB AJOM

Keshi must be under pressure, Abigor fears

F

ORMER Nigeria in ternational Jonathan Akpoborie has expressed surprise over the invitation of 38 players to the national team camp by coach Stephen Keshi for the return leg of the South Africa 2013 AFCON qualifier against Liberia.

Reacting to the large number of players called to camp, Apkoborie who was part of the FIFA U17 World Cup-winning 1985 Golden Eaglets squad said, “Keshi has been with this team for up to nine months and I feel he should have the core of his team by now.

Bringing 15 from foreign leagues and 23 home based is a big surprise to me. The tournament is next January and we are almost approaching De

Continues on Page 54 TODAY'S

•Keshi

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

G

ODWIN Abigor could not understand why Stephen Keshi would invite 38 players for a camping period that will be just four days for the foreignbased pros and just about ten days for the

local players.

Abigor, chairman of Warri Wolves and ardent follower of football reasoned that “Keshi now appears to be under pressure.”

The Nations Cup qualifier in Calabar is on October 18 and the foreignbased professionals

Continues on Page 46

Roman in £45m Falcao bid

C

TUSSLE ••• Ike Uche (L) vies with an unidentified Namibian player during their 2014 World Cup qualifier. He is among the crowd invited by Keshi.

Photo: SYLVA ELEANYA.

PUZZLE

YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

HELSEA are plotting a £45million swoop for Colombian superstar Radamel Falcao.

Preliminary discussions have already taken

ACROSS 4 Cogent (5) 7 Really (6) 9 Fish (3) 10 Material (3) 12 Cog (5) 13 Prune (4) 15 Fire-raising (5) 17 Rue (6) 19 Surfeit (4) 20 Filch (5) 22 Top (3) 24 Ludicrous (7) 27 Coach (3) 28 Open (5) 31 Information (4) 33 Vaporise (6) 35 Breast (5) 37 Linen (4) 38 Seer (5) 39 Fruit (3) 41 Mournful (3) 42 Hot spring (6) 43 Carouse (5)

place about a January move for the Atletico Madrid goal machine.

And Blues owner Roman Abramovich has given the green light to

•Falcao

Continues on Page 46

DOWN 1 Travelling show (6) 2 Respect (6) 3 Through (3) 4 Ban (4) 5 Forward (5) 6 Burglar (8) 8 Expensive (4) 11 Accuracy (9) 14 Fruit (4) 16 Knife (4) 18 Flippant (4) 21 Prize (8) 23 Plan (4) 25 Lather (4) 26 Wicked (4) 29 Pass (6) 30 Holding (6) 32 Revile (5) 34 Self-satisfied (4) 36 Spoken (4) 40 Beverage (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Char 4, Ill 6, Grab 9, Rug 10, Disputed 11, Amen 14, Orb 16, Death 19, Returned 21 Eager 23, Limiting 24, Patch 27, Nap 31, Mode 33, Endorsed 34, Die 35, Hemp 36, Lad 37, Pest.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Hail 3, Ripe 4, Internal 5, Lady 6, Grade 7, Rum 8, Agent 12, Group 13, Stout 14, Ore 15, Begin 17, Acrid 18, Hinge 20, Demanded 22, Rip 25, Abode 26, Creep 28, Feel 29, Trip 30, Mess 32, Dim.

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Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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