Peoples Daily Newspaper, Wednesday, May 30th, 2012 by Peoples Media Limited

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 8 No. 48

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Rajab 9, 1433 AH

N150

S c o r ec a r d :

Opposition slams President Jonathan It’s a tsunami of scandals, corruption – ACN Renaming Unilag is cheap populism, says CPC ur transformation agenda on course – GEJ By Lawrence Olaoye, Abdulraheem Abdulrahman & Mohammed Umar-Puma

igeria’s major opposition parties have given Dr. Goodluck Jonathan the thumbs down as he marks his first full year in office as an elected president. Jonathan, in a nationwide broadcast Tuesday morning, claimed that the transformation agenda of his administration was on course. He insisted that he has been able to boost investor confidence by generating N6.6 trillion worth of commitments from potential investors across the globe. “For the first time in over a decade, we now have a draft trade policy which provides a multidimensional framework to boost our trade regime and facilitate the inflow of investments,” he said. “We have generated over N6. 6 trillion worth of investment commitments. The total value of our trade is also much higher than the value estimated the Contd on Page 2

University of Lagos students yesterday protesting over the renaming of the institution as Moshood Abiola University Lagos by President Goodluck Jonathan. Photo: NAN

Militants’ top commander arrested in Kano >> PAGE 2

Over 40 killed in C/River, A/ Ibom communal clash >> PAGE 3

Soldiers, palace guards assault journalists in Nasarawa >> PAGE 4

NSE fines 62 stockbroking firms >> PAGE 19

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Editorial

Op.Ed

Insecurity: Militants’ top commander arrested in Kano as govt cancels Democracy Day festivities

Letters

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

Opinion

ecurity personnel of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have arrested a man in Kano believed to be a top commander of the Ahlis Sunnah Liddaawati Waljihad (alias Boko Haram). A competent source in the JTF told Peoples Daily that the man was arrested near the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH). He added that the man, whose name he refused to reveal, was arrested when the JTF raided his house in the early hours of yesterday following a tip-off. Last Friday, gunmen riding three motorcycles, attacked a JTF checkpoint at Karkasara quarters close to AKTH, injuring one police corporal. The spokesman of the JTF, Lieutenant Ikedichi Iweha, confirmed yesterday's arrest but refused to disclose the identity of the suspect. "I can confirm to you that we carried out a very successful operation today and the suspect we were looking for was apprehended without

CONTENTS News

2-11

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

S/Report

Motoring

Newsxtra

Arts

Contd from Page 1

International 31-34 Strange World 35 36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State. The Commander of 3rd Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Kano, Brigadier General Iliyasu Abbah told reporters while conducting them round the house that the operation was facilitated by a tip-off. "Our men were able to safely and professionally rescue three women and some children during the operation". According to him, one person was shot dead while another escaped during an exchange of gunfire between the suspects and the JTF operatives. The brigade commander said items recovered at the house included 35 knives, 35 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two laptops, five jerry cans and a bank teller for N150, 000. Other items recovered were five high explosives, one AK47, 485 rounds of 7.62 mm special, nine rounds of 5.56mm bullets and seven SIM cards and modems. Meanwhile, the Kano state government yesterday suspended celebrations marking Democracy Day, apparently

because of the prevailing security situation in the state. Commissioner of Information, Dr. Umar Farouk Jubril, yesterday said the government regretted the cancellation of the celebrations and urged people to visit mosques in their neighbourhoods to pray for peace in the state. Farouk whose message was aired intermittently on state radio, prayed for lasting peace in the state. He said "in view of the security challenges in the state, government has decided to shelve all celebrations in respect of the Democracy Day", urging people to stay at home and pray for peace. The commissioner called for understanding from the general public, asking it to cooperate with the government towards making Kano a better place for all and he assured of government's readiness to live up to people's expectations. The state has been facing security challenges since the January 20, 2012 coordinated bomb and gun attacks on police stations, barracks and other public buildings.

Opposition slams President Jonathan

Governor Fashola performance sheet, Page 37

Digest

resistance," he said. "Honestly, I cannot disclose to you at this point of investigation the identity or the position of this suspect but it was a successful operation", he stated. The arrest yesterday came on the heels of a recent successes reported to have been made by the task force. The Kano State Police Command had on Tuesday, May 8, successfully defused three bombs planted on the old campus of Bayero University, housing the faculties of law and sciences. Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Magaji Majia, confirmed the discovery of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the university. Before then, gunmen had attacked Christian worshippers with bombs and guns on the same campus on Sunday, April 29, killing 16 people. An unexploded bomb planted in the Faculty of Science of the university was discovered by the Joint Security Task Force (JSTF) on Monday, April 30 On Tuesday, May 1, the JTF killed one person in a raid on a suspected bomb factory at Bubbbugaje area of Sharada in

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previous year due to deliberate government policies. “To facilitate the ease of doing business in Nigeria, we have a policy in place to make visa procurement easier for foreign investors, with safeguards to prevent abuse.” He noted that the reforms in the oil and gas sector are on course with the capacity utilization of existing domestic refineries moving from 30 to 60 percent. According to him, the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery would be completed by the end of the year and Warri and Kaduna refineries next year. However, three main position parties - Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) all yesterday dismissed the president’s first year in office as a monumental failure. ACN’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement, described it as “a monument to insecurity and scandals of historic proportions; a far cry from the transformation he promised Nigerians at his inauguration.” The party said Jonathan “has been incapacitated in his avouched fight against

corruption, himself having been enmeshed in the scandals one year in office. ‘’First, he gleefully accepted a donation of a church from a government contractor, pretending not to see the obvious conflict of interest in a church where he worships being gratuitously renovated by a government contractor. “As if that’s not enough, he has been named in the Malabu Oil Bloc scandal, for which his AttorneyGeneral has yet to offer satisfactory explanations. These scandals are chipping away at the credibility of the President and weakening his Administration’s ability to fight corruption, which is a major inhibition to the country’s development.” According to Mohammed, ‘’Overall, President Jonathan’s first year in office is a poor and faltering start to his four-year tenure. He has no one but himself to blame for frittering away the massive goodwill that propelled him to office, in spite of his modest means. “He has chosen to play politics with his office, instead of focusing on what his legacies will be. And on occasions that demanded a strong leadership and the need to uphold the constitution he swore to protect, he failed to live up to his pledge.

He continued: ‘’The result is that the Jonathan presidency has been greatly diminished within and outside the country. “Perhaps this is why he was left out when US President Barack Obama invited four African leaders to Camp David during the last G8 summit in the US to discuss food security in Africa. There is yet redemption for President Jonathan, if he is willing to learn his lessons and turn a new leaf, today!’’ Mohammed added that Jonathan’s administration was insensitive to the plight of the masses by removing fuel subsidy earlier in the year only for the nation to the realisation that the whole subsidy regime was fraught with fraud. The ACN also alluded to the corruption unearthed from the National Assembly probe into the pension scheme which revealed that several billions of naira were misappropriated by public officials. The CPC, on its own part, apart from saying the President has failed, also condemned him for daring to rename the University of Lagos (Unilag) after the late business mogul and the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola. The party in its reaction made available to Peoples Daily by its

National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, stated “This is cheap populism! I am sure MKO Abiola would turn in his grave that a good-for-nothing regime is using his name for vain political succour after pauperizing the citizenry! Abiola stood on the side of the people all his life. “A President that is freely condoning corruption is languidly laying hold on a straw of hope in a bid to attract better public image. This is another bungled project! Where do you put Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Abeokuta? Whoever wrote the memo to the President to take this awful decision has done more incalculable damage to his public worth,” the CPC spokesperson asserted. Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Mr. Ema Eneukwu said he decided not to listen to Jonathan’s speech because he had nothing to tell Nigerians. He said “what does he (the president) want to tell Nigerians, is it the failure of the administration or what; when there is insecurity in the country; no infrastructural development, even Public servant salaries are not paid on time. To me it is useless to waste my time listening to PDP lies, we are tired of those lies for thirteen years, and PDP cannot take us anywhere.”

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

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Police detonate explosive in Kaduna From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

he police in Kaduna yesterday successfully detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by unidentified persons at the Katsina road roundabout in the metropolis. Residents in the area were

said to have spotted a carton near the Kaduna State Transport Authority (KSTA) park, opposite the office of Punch newspapers at about 5am and alerted the police. Confirming the incident in a press statement, the commissioner of police in the state, Mohammed

Abubakar, said that the person suspected to have planted the device had escaped. According to him, “the police promptly condoned off the scene following which the police antibomb experts combed the area and found that an IED had been concealed in a tube of a disused

television. “The team professionally detonated the high caliber explosive that would have caused enormous destruction,” he said. Meanwhile, Governor Patrick Yakowa has reaffirmed his determination to ensure the safety of all residents of the state.

Yakowa who spoke when he hosted the media to a breakfast meeting yesterday, as part of activities marking 2012 Democracy Day, said, “I am working round the clock, talking to religious leaders, to campaign against this terrorism and bring it to an end in the state.

Yakasai, Maitama Sule disagree over electoral reforms From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

ld er statesman and politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has disagreed with Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule over the latter’s recent statement that unless the electoral law is amended to force the serving president to step aside three months to a fresh Presidential election, the electoral process will continue to be fraught with malpractice.

Sule made the assertion yesterday while speaking at the celebration of the 2012 Democracy Day held at Malam Aminu Kano Triangle in Dutse, Jigawa state. He however explained that the only country that ever tried such an idea and failed was Bangladesh. According to him, Nigeria is still learning the democratic process, and that there is a need for people to be patient.

Oil subsidy: We’ll pay only verified claims — Ministry of finance By Abdulwahab Isa

L-R: Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo and Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar during the 2012 Democracy Day celebration yesterday in Gombe. Photo: NAN

CISLAC wants Jonathan to hands off appointment of NEITI monitoring group By Richard Ihediwa

he Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has demanded for a more democratic and transparent procedure in the appointment of members of National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) to monitor the activities of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). Specifically, the organisation said it was a misnomer for the President to appoint members of the group, including the representative of the civil society, saying this has made the group largely responsible and answerable to him, thus eroding its independence. Top officials of CISLAC led by the Policy and Legislative Advocacy Officer, Kolawole Banwo

made the position of the organisation known during a courtesy visit on the management of Peoples Media Limited, publishers of Peoples Daily Newspapers in Abuja on Monday. Stating that Nigerians and the civil society were not adequately represented in the last NSWG, which tenure expired recently, because members were appointed by the President, Banwo said, the process of appointing new members of the next NSWG should be made more transparent while the civil society should be allowed to select who represents them in the next NSWG. “Now that we are at the verge of appointing new members of the NSWG, we want a change. Civil Society should be allowed to have a say in the selection of those who will represent them. So far, those

representing us have not been answerable to us”, Banwo said. Banwo, who said he was standing in for the Director of the Center, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, also demanded for greater transparency in the extractive industry, saying it was an aberration for the nation to depend on oil companies for data on the quantity of oil extracted and exported from the country. He called on the media to collaborate with the Center and civil society group to ensure greater transparency in the system. Speaking at the event, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Peoples Media Limited, Malam Ali M. Ali assured that the media house will support CISLAC and other civil society groups in the overall efforts towards greater transparency and accountability in the system.

nly oil marketers whose fuel import claims have been verified will benefit from subsidy, according to a Ministry of Finance statement yesterday in Abuja. This approach, it explained, would “ensure that the country’s finances are managed in a manner that clearly protects the interests of the Nigerian people.” The statement signed by Paul C. Nwabuikwu, Senior Special Assistant to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, dispelled the speculation that the delay in making subsidy payments to fuel importers was slowing down supply of petroleum products. “While it is ready to work with relevant agencies for the common good of Nigerians, it will not be stampeded into making hasty payments on deliveries that have not been substantiated or verified”, said Nwabuikwu. He declared that the next meeting of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee slated for

June will provide “an occasion for payment resumption.” According to him, “the Ministry categorically rejects the idea that a prudent approach to verifying and making payments will lead to fuel scarcity.” He said, “Based on PPPRA and NNPC claims, N451 billion of the N888 billion subsidy budgeted for 2012 has already been spent on arrears for 2011.” He clarified that “since the NNPC/PPPRA estimate for the 2011 arrears was N232 billion, this means that more than double the projected amount has already been spent, yet those agencies are still bringing in more claims. Such expenditure, he said, "is clearly not sustainable and the Ministry has a responsibility to ensure that the lapses that may have led to this unhealthy situation are not repeated. “That is the least that the Ministry owes the Nigerian people. “The Ministry will continue to work towards the improvement of the fuel subsidy regime based on the lessons learnt from our recent experiences.”

Over 40 killed in C/River, A/Ibom communal clash By Joy Baba, with agency report

ort y persons including a village head and four police men have been killed in a communal clash between Ntan Obu-Ukpe in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross-River state and Ikpanya Community in Ibiono Ibom Local Government

Area of Akwa Ibom state. The chairman of Odukpani Council, Mr. Stephen Asuquo confirmed this incident and said both clashing communities recorded a number of casualties. Mr. Asuquo said almost all the properties in the communities were brought down in the feud. “There is no house standing in the

entire village as they have been destroyed and burnt down,” he said. Narrating the details of the clash, Mr Asuquo said the clash is as a result of the struggle by people from Ikpanya in Ibiono LGA of Akwa Ibom state over a land that belongs to the Ntan Obu-Ukpe in Odukpani LGA of Cross River

state. Asuquo appealed to the Federal and State Government to send security and relief materials to the people of Nta Obu as most of the displaced persons now reside in nearby villages. Mr, Asuquo also called on the Federal Government to act on the June 24, 2005, Supreme Court

judgment which ruling had demarcated the boundary between Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. The spokesman of the Cross River state command, Mr Bassey Hogan also confirmed the incident, saying he could not give the exact number of deceased as they keep discovering more bodies.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

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Soldiers, palace guards assault two journalists From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

oldiers and palace guards attached to the Emir of Lafia, yesterday, assaulted two journalists in the press corps of Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura, at the premises of College of Education, venue of the Democracy Day celebration and the ensuing commotion nearly disrupted the event. While the soldiers numbering five, and led by one Capt. Salihu Bello of 177 Battalion kicked Malam Nura Ado Abdullahi of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), the palace guards whipped Mr. Moses John of the Nasarawa state Broadcasting Service (NBS), using horsewhips before dragging him along the ground. Arriving behind the vehicle conveying the governor to the function, members of the press corps had just jumped down from the press bus, and were running towards the raised platform, partly designated for journalists, when Capt. Bello raised his hands to stop them. The reporters who all hung their press tags, tried to identify themselves, and explain their mission there, when other soldiers of lower ranks stormed there and began to pull at one of the reporters, hitting him with boots and guns and bruising

him in the process, after which they dragged him out of the arena and dumped him at the feet of his waiting colleagues. Apart from Capt. Bello, other soldiers, all armed, had no name tags on their uniforms. On his part, Mr. John of NBS who was only trying to roll out his recording gadgets at the time of the arrival of the governor, was stopped by palace guards who screamed orders in Hausa, stopping the reporter from getting close to the pavilion where the Emir was seated. They swarmed round him and whipped him repeatedly until he fell to the ground. Both reporters, who were rushed to the hospital for treatment, said they lost their gadgets to the assault. Both had blood gushing down from their ears. Abdullahi complained that his right ear was smashed, and his ribs ached, while John complained of a fractured wrist. Meanwhile, state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dogo Shamah of NBS, who also witnessed the incident, frowned at the assault on his colleagues, calming reporters down after threatening to boycott the function. He promised to leave no stone unturned as the council will mount pressure on the authorities to sanction the soldiers and the palace guards.

Kwara people shun democracy celebration From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

or the first time, people of Kwara state, especially residents of Ilorin, the state capital shunned yesterday’s Democracy Day celebration held at Metropolitan square, as only Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) supporters and chieftains were seen at the venue. Our correspondent learnt that this could not be unconnected with public unhappiness over unaddressed issues such as scandals in the state House of Assembly, scarcity of water, inconsistency in education and rate of unemployment in the state. Across Ilorin metropolis, people were busy with their normal businesses while civil servants used the public holiday to rest and attend to other matters. At the venue of the celebration, only groups affiliated to PDP, political godfathers and chieftains were at the square showering encomiums on their leaders. While addressing his supporters, the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, said he had done well in the last one year as the governor of the state. “Exactly one year ago, when I took office as the sixth executive governor of Kwara state, I made

a covenant with the people of Kwara that I will initiate programmes that will economically empower the people, especially our youth and generate growth for a secure future. I emphasized my determination to enhance workers’ well-being and provide critical infrastructure. As we mark my administration’s first anniversary, I make bold to state that we have made appreciable progress in our efforts to positively transform lives of our people. “Under shared prosperity, we have strengthened healthcare delivery by supplying 13 general hospitals and 32 cottage hospitals with modern equipment. Furthermore, we have overhauled 15 primary health centers and embarked on a complete overhaul of the Ilorin, Offa, Omu-Aran, Share and Kaiama general hospitals.” Governor Ahmed also said that he had introduced free education with the abolishment of fees and levies at senior secondary schools across the state. At the occasion, Senator Bukola Saraki and other party stewards were at the square where a new logo for Kwara state were unveiled before their party members who besieged the venue.

Nigeria will overcome challenges, says council boss From Ahmed Idris, Brinin Kebbi

s Nigerians celebrate the 13th Democracy Day, a call has been made to the people to give maximum support to their leaders so that they can overcome various challenges bedeviling the country. Making this call in Ribah town

yesterday, the Sole Administrator of Dan-kowasagu local government area of the state, Alhaji Rahbiu Mohammed Ribah, told newsmen that there was no alternative to democracy, adding that all hands must be on deck to protect it. Reeling out the score card of the Kebbi state government, Rabiu

said that the state government has done marvelously well in the area of health, agriculture and rural infrastructure. At the national level, the council boss also gave kudos to President Goodluck Jonathan for an eventful year in office and urged Nigerians to support him “in this trying period”.

President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd left), with Minister of Housing, Ms. Ama Pepple (left), Minister ofAgriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina (2nd right), and Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo (right), after broadcast to the nation to mark Democracy Day, yesterday at the State House, Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

SNG, Aturu condemn FG for renaming Unilag From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

agos radical lawyer and rights activist, Bamidele Aturu, and the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), yesterday, berated President Goodluck Jonathan over what they termed his arbitrary renaming of the University of Lagos after late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. In separate statements, both Aturu and SNG described the manner in which Jonathan changed the name of the institution as undemocratic. SNG, in a statement signed by Yinka Odumakin said though it acknowledged the eternal place of M.K.O Abiola in the political history of Nigeria and would want the highest possible honour done to him, it deplored what it termed the indecent manner in which President Jonathan re-named the University of Lagos. The group said, “renaming a University established by law through presidential fiat is an abuse of power which would make even the symbol of democracy turn several times in his grave as he died in the process of fighting against arbitrariness and rule of

thumb which the annulment of June 12 represented. “It is violation of the principles and tenets of democracy which government officials are celebrating to go on air to announce the renaming of an institution like the University of Lagos without any consultations with the university community in a manner reminiscent of the autocratic ways of the military brass hats who denied Abiola his victory in 1993 because they arrogated to themselves better knowledge than 14 million Nigerians who went to the polls.” On his part, Aturu said the manner in which the students of the university resisted the name change showed that there was no due consultation before it was done. “Democracy is all about consultation and consensus. The government has clearly and manifestly failed to carry the people along. “The lesson for it is that no matter how lofty its aims may be, it must win the support of the people on critical issues. “I sincerely hope that it will take this lesson to heart in its proposal to jerk up electricity bills and fully deregulate the downstream sector of the oil

industry, whatever that really means. “There is nothing wrong with renaming institutions after heroes of liberal democracy, provided the aim is not to garner cheap populism. “A government that is unwilling to respect the decision of the NJC on Justice Salami may have shot itself in the foot. On account of this alone, UNILAG students will be justified to resist the name change coming from a government that is perceived as lawless. “This is why ACN also should call some of its governors who are beginning to exhibit authoritarian tendencies to order” he said, adding that “the party cannot be taken seriously as an opposition party unless its officials and representatives conduct their own affairs and those of the states govern by them in a democratic fashion”. The radical lawyer noted that the government has also shown disrespect for the law. “It is wrong to announce a name change without sending a Bill to the National Assembly for discussion as Unilag is christened as such by law and only by law can it be rechristened.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

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NSCDC bursts oil bunkers hideout, arrests suspected robbers From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

he Kwara state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), has paraded two suspects with locally made pistols after an unsuccessful robbery at Offa, the second commercial city in the state. The suspects, Isiaka Issa and Fatah Hamsat, 19 years old, were caught at Omowumi area, Offa, at about 9 pm when they broke into a house and demanded for laptops,

other accessories from their victim at gunpoint. The police spokesman, Kadir Olarewaju, said the suspects were apprehended by residents of the area after a locally made pistol pointed on the victim fell from one of the robbers, now at large during a confrontation from a victim. "The other two suspects were apprehended by residents who heard the victims shouting thief. So, our men got there and they were arrested," he stated. Olarewaju, also disclosed that the

Command had discovered a hideout of oil bunkers at a village in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, where about 50 jerry cans and a vehicle used by the bunkers were recovered and handed over to the NNPC, Ilorin depot. He explained that residents of the area alerted the command that illegal oil bunkering was going on in the area, adding that his men invaded the area, but a suspect sighted in the building used as a hideout ran away on sighting the police.

‘Corruption bane of Nigerian democracy’ By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

ice Chairman of Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Nurudeen AbatemiUsman, has identified the seemingly endemic corruption, problem of accountability and transparency in government as the major setback to the growth of democracy in Nigeria since 1999. In a statement signed by

his Special Assistant (SA) on Media and Publicity, Michael Jegede, the Senator noted that if not for the corrupt tendencies of people who have been privileged to manage the affairs of government at all levels, Nigeria would have been better in 13 years of uninterrupted democracy in the country. Abatemi-Usman, who insisted that democracy remains the best form of government, said efforts

must be made to ensure greater dividends of democracy to the people. The statement reads: "Corruption has really hindered Nigerians from enjoying the full dividends of democracy, even though it has had some positive impacts on the lives of the people." He called on Nigerians to continue to support the Federal Government in its transformation agenda.

SERAP urges US to pay bribery fines to victim country From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

Lagos based nongovernmental group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), said it has requested the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to establish an efficient caseby-case process for the payment of US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) disgorgement proceeds to the victimized foreign government agency or the citizens of the affected foreign country. According to a statement signed by SERAP's executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the request was made last week by the organisation's US Volunteer Counsel, Alexander Sierck. Sierck's request for a

meeting reads in part: "Thanks on behalf of SERAP for your response to our request for the establishment of an opportunity for victim foreign government agencies and others to apply, on a case-by-case basis, for some or all of the penalty payments or disgorgement proceeds of settlements of civil FCPA investigations. "It is noteworthy as well that not only the World Bank but also the OECD, the UN Convention Against Corruption Coalition and even the UK Ministry of Justice are considering how to enhance victims' rights in a n t i c o r r u p t i o n investigations; this includes restitution. "Also, the concept of restitution is well-embedded in the Antitrust Division's amnesty/corporate

leniency program and, more broadly, the Justice Department's Sentencing Guidelines and in its Principles of Federal Prosecution of Business Organisations." It would be recalled that following the organisation's request dated March 15, the SEC through its director, Robert S Khuzami, had said: "We would give appropriate consideration to your thoughtful request asking the agency to "establish an efficient case-by-case process for the payment of some or all of US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) civil penalty and disgorgement proceeds to or for the benefit of the victimized foreign government agency or the citizens of the affected foreign country like Nigeria."

N47.1 billion theft: Court rules in Akingbola’s case today From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, presided over by Justice Habeeb Abiru, will today deliver ruling in the no case submission instituted by the sacked Managing Director of defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank), Erastus Akingbola and his aide, Bayo Dada. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had instituted a N47.1 billion theft allegation against the duo for which they are currently undergoing trial. The commission had on Monday May 28, 2012 informed the court that Akingbola and his aide has a case to answer in the alleged N47.1 billion theft case made against them by the agency. The submission came

sequel to a no case submission filed by Akingbola's lawyer, Deji Sasegbon (SAN). At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, Sasegbon informed the court that though they just served the prosecution, he has a no case application before the court and subject to the court's convenience; he was ready to move same. The embattled bank chief in his no case submission is asking for an order discharging him of the charges and such other orders as the court may deem fit. Sasegbon also asked why a company named Chartwell, which was involved in the transactions was not brought for trial while also seeking to determine the definition of stealing, citing Section 383 (2) (f) which deals with money and fraudulent conversion.

He argued that a case of theft has not been proved against the defendants as "The defendants cannot be accused of stealing the bank's money. "If there is intention to return money, then they cannot be charged with theft," Sasegbon said. However, EFCC counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), had first kicked against the defence, arguing its no case submission on the ground that they had earlier told the court that they have no intention of moving a no case submission, and were ready to open defence. "The stage to apply to the court to the effect that a no case submission will be made is treated in Section 239 of the Administration of Criminal justice Law 2011 and it indicates that it is at the close of evidence in support of the charge and not when date is fixed for trial.

Court orders Edo traditional ruler’s arrest From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

n Ikpoba-okha Area Customary Court, sitting in Oregbeni in Ikpoba Okha local government area of Edo state, has issued a bench warrant of arrest against the district head of Eyaen, Osazuwa AiweriogheneIIduriase and one Edgar

Ikwenoba, for failure to comply with the court's order. The court also ordered that the duo be arrested and kept in police custody till the next adjourned date of the matter. The duo were alleged to have violated and disrespected the court order made on 26th September 2011,

restraining them from continuing to trespass on all the parcels of land comprising 2 plots, each parcel of land measuring 100 by 100 feet, situated along Abu Aminu Street, Upper Mission Road Extension, Uteh, Benin. President of the court, Elizabeth Dele-Ogbeide, consequently, adjourned hearing to July 5, 2012.

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We've lost hope in this democracy, say TUC, PENGASSAN From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, (PENGASSAN), have said that Nigerian workers and indeed all Nigerians have lost hope in the current democratic experiment. TUC enjoined the ruling elite to desist from actions capable of eroding and whittling down democratic cultures and traditions in a press statement issued by the TUC on 2012 democracy day celebrations and signed by President - General, Comrade Peter Esele and Secretary General, Chief John Kolawole, it urged that Nigerians should be allowed victory to justify meaningfully celebration. Tasking the ruling elite and politicians to allow the pillars of democracy to take root in Nigeria, TUC said "If there is one thing that the various governments have not failed in doing since 1999, it is this annual celebration and jamboree which has also given the politicians room to waste and steal more public funds."

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Jonathan, PDP have failed Nigerians, says el-Rufaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;i From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

ormer Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasir elRufa'i, has described the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan during the past one year as total failure, saying "it has been one year of subsidy fraud, one year of pension scam, heightened insecurity and bombings, one year of doing nothing but stealing". El-Rufa'i stated this while chatting with journalists in Lafia yesterday, shortly after arriving the College of Agriculture, venue of the Democracy Day and first anniversary celebrations of the Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura administration. Taking a swipe at the 13-year

rule under the Peoples Democratic Party, the former minister who sat in company of the embattled national chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Prince Tony Momoh, said the only achievement recorded so far is that of free speech, as according to him, " we are still a democracy as we can still talk the way we want, insult the President and nobody arrests us. It is progress." He said except for a few years under the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the PDP has not done much for the country, urging Nigerians to wake up and vote the party out of office. "The PDP should just jump into the Atlantic and leave this country alone", he said. On the alleged dissolution of the NEC of the CPC by state party

chairmen, el-Rufa'i dismissed it as a nullity, adding that the only organ that could dissolve any committee of the party was the Board of Trustees and that as long as the BOT was yet to make any pronouncement on the matter, the chairmen were only making noise. While denying speculations that he would contest for the presidency, the former minister dismissed such reports as a ploy by the PDP to cause disaffection within the party, as according to him, " I'm never a contender for anything. I'm not in the party to contest any election and there is no discussion in the party on any presidential candidate now." He attributed the speculation as the handiwork of the PDP in order to create problems in the

No Boko Haram in Kogi, says Wada From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

NASS set to create 6 additional states â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ekwunife

he National Assembly is to create six additional states to bring the geo-political zones at par, according to Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, who represents Anaocha /Njikoka/Dun ukofia federal constituency of Anambra state in the House of Representatives. Ekwunife told newsmen in Awka yesterday that the South East geo political zone, which currently has five states, would get two more states while the other zones with six states will get one state each, thus leaving each zone with seven states. Ekwunife said the members of the house in their justconcluded retreat in Port Harcourt viewed the 36-state structure and the 774 councils as not sufficient in touching the lives of the citizens with democracy dividends. The legislator listed some other areas deliberated by the members to include the percentage of women representation in national affairs and the environment, especially the indiscriminate hoisting of telecommunication base stations. Other areas, according to her, were the problems of erosion, flooding, oil pollution and the separation of the office of the Minister of Justice from that of the Attorney General of the Federation, among others. (NAN)

CPC, saying that only the PDP discusses candidates three years to an election, stressing that in the CPC, "we work, we are trying to re-organize the party, support our only governor to succeed. We are not talking 2015 elections which is far away and the party is still rebuilding itself and coming together with other opposition parties." el- Rufa'i further observed that because the PDP lacked strength, except for the ability to rig elections, it was apprehensive of the growing popularity of the CPC. That explains why any time a member of the party or Buhari speaks, "they shake like leaves", he said.

Members of Divine Precious Women Star Development Organisation during Democracy Day celebration, yesterday at Millennium Park, Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Journalists locked out of Plateau Democracy Day lecture From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

he sour relationship between journalists and the Plateau state government yesterday took a turn for worse when security personnel at Government House, Rayfield, Jos, denied correspondents covering the state for national dailies, entrance into the venue of a public lecture marking the 2012 Democracy Day celebrations. The journalists who came in batches and met at the gate, were stopped by the fierce looking security men from entry, saying, "we are under strict instruction not to allow anybody, even journalists, without invitation cards to enter". Despite an explanation by the journalists that only one invitation card was sent to the

Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat, the security men stood their ground. It would be recalled that because of such instances in the past, the correspondents chapel boycotted government activities for close to a week recently. However, disturbed by the boycott, the state Commissioner for Information, Abraham Yiljap,

tendered an apology to the members of the chapel, promising a better relationship between the government and journalists. He pleaded with the aggrieved journalists to be patient with government as it was doing everything possible to build a robust relationship with the media in the state.

overnor Idris Wada has said that Kogi state is not a terrorist enclave, describing it as peaceful and terrorists-free. Capt Wada said this when he received beauty queens from the 36 states of the federation who were in the state for the fifth edition of the Finest Girls on Earth Beauty Pageant. The governor who was represented by his deputy, Arc Yomi Awoniyi, called on those seeking to invest in the state to take the advantage of the enabling environment provided by the present administration to do business without hitches. He stated that its efforts were aimed at making the state safe from criminals and their activities, explaining that the discoveries of hideouts and arrests of criminals have made the state investment friendly. As the most peaceful state in the federation with abundant tourism potentials, he added, it was germane for the present administration to complete the hundred rooms annex at the Confluence Beach Hotel among other tourist sites. In his remarks, President, Finest Girls on Earth, organisers of the pageant, Barry Johnson, said the event was aimed at showcasing the abundant tourism potentials in the state urging the government to fix the tourism potentials abound in the state with a view to attracting visitors and improving the revenue base of the state.

Kogi jailbreak: Suspect re-arrested From Sam Egwu, lokoja

ne of the inmates awaiting trial at Federal Prison, Koton-karfe, Kogi state, Bala Kabir, has been arrested over the weekend, and returned to the medium prison at Koton-karfe in Kogi state. Bala gained freedom when

su spec ted Bok o H ara m se ct me mbe rs viol ent ly p ull ed down the doors of the prison and set free all the inmates in ea rly Fe brua ry 201 2. The suspect who, this time wa s c harg ed to the Upp er Ar ea Cour t w ith cul pab le ho mici de, a viola tion of section 97 and 221 of the penal

code, would remain in the prison custody till June 26, 2012, pending the completion of investigation. He was alleged to have conspired with three other persons to disrupt the peace in Ejule town and environ during the last general election in Kogi state.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

PAGE 7

Gov Shema turbaned Sarkin Yakin Hausa From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

overnor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina state was yesterday turbaned the Sarkin Yakin Hausa by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruq Umar Faruq. The turbaning ceremony which was conducted at the premises of the emir’s palace attracted thousands of people from within and outside the state. The ceremony which was conducted at exactly 11:30 am, started with the turbaning of the governor by the emir through the Galadiman Daura. Shortly after the turbaning ceremony, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruq Umar Faruq noted that the governor was conferred with the prestigious title after due consultation and acceptance by all stakeholders. The emir added that the governor deserve the title due to his commitment to the development of Daura emirate and Katsina state in general. He said “the good works of the state governor can be seen all over the state. Here in Daura we recorded a lot of development under Shema’s administration. The emir pledged the loyalty of the emirate council to the state government, calling on people in the state to continue to support the government in its effort to transform the state. In a brief chat with newsmen after the turbaning ceremony, Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema stated that the title has further strengthened his resolve to rededicate himself for the development of the state.

Democracy Day fails to hold in Benue From Uche Nnoron, Lokoja

Large crowd of people who thronged the IBB Square, Makurdi, for the usual Democracy Day rally went home disappointed the state government announced cancellation of the rally. Despite the cancellation large number of security operatives including Police, men of the Special Anti-robbery Rapid Squad, operation zenda, Air force as well as soldiers were still seen waiting at the venue unaware of the development. Traders who sell snacks, sachet water, ice cream who anticipated bumper sales also went home disappointed. One of them, Mrs. Blessing Ene who spoke to our reporter lamented “this would have been an opportunity for me to make some money for my family but look at this. This is real disappointment”. It was further gathered that the decision of government not to hold the democracy is as a result of the present security situation in the country.

L-R: National president, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Michael Alogba, with Minister of State for Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike, during the meeting between the union and the minister on Monday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Jonathan immortalises MKO Abiola, names UNILAG after him By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

s part of activities to mark this year’s Democracy Day c e l e b r a t i o n , President Goodluck Jonathan, in a nationwide broadcast yesterday paid tribute to Nigeria’s heroes and martyrs of democracy for working hard for the emergence of civilian government in 1999. President, who also marked one year in office yesterday, said the heroes of democracy made

huge sacrifice and ensured that military dictatorship became a thing of the past. Jonathan renamed the University of Lagos as Moshood Abiola University in honour of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief MKO Abiola. “The Federal Government has decided that late Chief MKO Abiola should be honoured so the University of Lagos is renamed the Moshood Abiola

University,” he said. The President added that an institute of democratic studies would also be established in the university. “Many Nigerians laid down their lives for the transition to democracy to occur. Some were jailed. Media houses were attacked and shut down. But the people’s resolve was firm and unshakeable. This is what we remember. This is what we celebrate.” He continued: “On this day,

I recall especially the martyrdom of Chief M. K. O. Abiola, whose presumed victory in the 1993 Presidential election, and death, while in custody, proved to be the catalyst for the people’s prodemocracy uprising. The greatest tribute that we can pay to him, and other departed heroes of Nigeria’s democracy, is to ensure that we continue to sustain and consolidate our democratic institutions and processes, and keep hope alive.”

Communal clash over land: Union calls for police intervention By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

orried b y the frequent harassment and intimidation from the people of Akpali clan on Onogbo hamlet over land dispute in

Idepka community, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi state, the Ai-Oga Idekpa Development Union has appealed to the Nigeria Police Force and other Security agencies to ensure the

Ogun to showcase Soyinka’s arts collection From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

he personal art collections of Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka will today be exhibited by the Ogun state government as part of a touring exhibition organised by the government. The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Olu Odeyemi, in company of the ministry’s permanent secretary, Mrs. Olayinka Kukoyi made the disclosure at a press conference held at the ministry’s Conference Room, in Abeokuta The event tagged ‘Orisun’ a touring exhibition, according to the commissioner will take place at Olumo Rock Tourists

Complex, in Abeokuta, adding further that the collections would also include other indigenes of the state also in the field of art. He explained further that the event is inspired by the vision of the present administration to promote, preserve and propagate cultural ideals and values visà-vis promotion of the state tourism potentials for social, cultural and economic developments for the benefit of the people. His words ‘This exhibition is designed to collect works of Ogun State Artists in particular and then showcase them to attest to the geniuses and exemplary creativity in d el ive ry .

maintenance of law and order in the community. In a communiqué at the end of its emergency meeting, the union said the Idepka community is willing to maintain cordial relationship with the people of Onogbo, even though they are not comfortable with the incessant harassment and intimidation from the Onogbo hamlet. In a three-page communiqué, signed by the National President and Secretary General of the Ai-Oga Idekpa Development Union, Chief Innocent Abuh and Chief Ocheche Peter respectively, the union said the people of Idekpa, as law abiding citizens of the country will alert the law enforcement agencies at any time there is further threat and intimidation in the c om m un i ty . The communiqué said the issue of Idekpa community merging with Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue state has long been settled by the then Governor of Kogi state, Prince Abubakar Audu, pointing out that the agitation

was due to government’s neglect of the Idekpa c om m un i ty . “Since the creation of Idepka community by former Kogi state governor, Abubakar Audu, the Idekpa community are with Kogi state government and shall continue to remain with Kogi state, so long as government will continue to extend dividends of democracy to the people of Idekpa”, the communiqué added. It said the Idepka community has, from time immemorial been paying tax and remitting all revenues to the government of Kogi state through the Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi state and not to Benue state. The communiqué called on the Kogi state government and law enforcement agencies to prevail on the Imane Traditional Council and the Onogbo people to refrain any form of harassment and intimidation on the people of Idekpa in the interest of peace and harmonious relationship.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

FRSC to partner journalists on safety awareness campaign

Financial experts fault proposed CBN amendment law I T By Richard Ihediwa

he move by the National Assembly to amend the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act so as to remove its independence is facing tough opposition as more financial experts has joined in condemning the plan saying such may not augur well with the economy. Already a league of financial professionals under the aegis of South East-South South Professionals of Nigeria has officially registered their rejection of the proposed amendment to the National Assembly saying it will lead to massive inflationary trend in the economy. The position of the professionals came on the heels of similar rejection by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Also former minister of finance, Dr. Adamu Ciroma had on Monday opposed the moves warning that the changes may send negative signals about the CBN to the international community. The South East-South South professionals at news conference in Abuja yesterday opposed the amendment bill which among other things seeks to tinker with the present composition of the CBN board and to bring the operation of the bank under political control as strange to best financial international practices. The President of the group, Mr. Emaka Ugwu-Oju lamented that the proposed amendment may not be in the interest of the country and urged that it should be jettisoned. The group insisted that the autonomy of both the apex

bank should not be compromised for any reason. It urged the Senate not to be hasty with the proposal but to ensure that it took into consideration the views of stakeholders before arriving at a conclusion. “We the concerned professionals body would like to recommend to the distinguished Senate to be circumspect as it proceeds with the proposed review of the Act of the CBN by taking on board the many comments and contribution it will be receiving from stakeholders on this auspicious and momentous occasion of public hearing on the proposed review of the CBN Act 2007 “On the other hand the CBN itself does not need any one to remind it that ultimately the only

way the bank can achieve its goals and particularly control inflation is if its integrity is beyond reproach and the people are prepared and willing to invest confidence in its ability”, the group said. The bill, if pushed through, will among other things remove some top officials of the bank from its board and make it mandatory for the bank to submit its yearly budget and financial activities to the National Assembly for approval in line with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The current CBN Act empowers the board to approve the bank’s budgets independent of political interferences. The board of the bank which was established in pursuant to section 6 of the CBN extant Act consists of the governor of the bank, four deputy governors and seven others. The board is in charge of the policy implementation and general administration of the bank.

Lagos Assembly names old chamber after Jakande From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he Lagos state House of Assembly has named its old chamber after the first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, at the last plenary session held in the chamber. Chairman House Committee on Information and Strategy, Hon. Segun Olulade at a press briefing explained that the Jakande Chamber would be used for the purpose of public hearings and other matters. The lawmaker, who refused to mention the actual cost of the structure, said it was less than N1 billion adding that the actual cost would be made public in due course. He added that “the need to construct a more befitting legislative chamber for the Lagos state House of Assembly arose in the light of the growing inadequacy of the old chamber which was built and commissioned in 1980 by the administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the first civilian governor of Lagos state. “With the arrival of a new democratic dispensation in 1999 and the consolidation of civil rule and best practices of governance in Lagos state, institutions and individuals became more conscious of the critical roles of the legislature especially in the crucial business of law making, budget appropriation as well as oversight functions over the affairs of other arms of government.” The lawmaker said apart from the pressing need for a more spacious and befitting legislative chamber, “there was also a very compelling need to ensure that more sophisticated information and communication facilities as well as more seats and offices are provided to meet the growing demands of contemporary legislative and administrative practices.”

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

n its bid to reduce the rate of accident across the country, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has indicated interest to partner journalists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to assist in championing the safety campaign to Nigerians. The new Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Jonas Agwu, who expressed the resolve of the corps at the headquarters of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja, said such programme would require the participation of journalists to be effective. Agwu, who was on a familiarisation tour to the NUJ headquarters following his deployment from Lagos to the FCT, also said the members of the press would be enlightened on the activities of the corps through seminar, for them to be armed with knowledge of the corps in their reportage. He noted that the press had always been in the fore-front of every campaign of goodwill in the country, and called on them to continue assisting the corps in the discharge of their duties. Responding, NUJ chairman, Abdulrasheed Abdulrazak, thanked the new CPEO for his visit, promising that the press would continue to support the corps in the discharge of its duties.

Gombe to establish mini hydro-electric power plants From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

L-R: FCT Coordinator, Centre for the Advancement of Christians in Politics (CACP), Rev. Ike John Chidiebere, Senator Ebenezer Chukwuemeka Ikeyina, and International President, African International Christian Leadership Centre, Dr. Victor Dan-Jumbo during 2012 breakfast retreat of CACP recently in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Pension scam: Suspects’ applications stall proceedings By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

he application seeking to quash the 16-count charge preferred against some of the accused persons standing trial before an Abuja High Court on Monday, stalled proceedings at the court. Former permanent secretary in the Federal Pension Office, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, alongside other accused persons wants the court to quash the charges slammed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on the grounds that the proof of evidence did not disclose any crime against them. Justice Talba Mohammed subsequently adjourned further proceedings to June 26. Atiku Abubakar Kigo was docked alongside Mr. Esai

Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, John Yakubu Yusufu, Sani Habila Zira and one woman, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula. They were alleged to have committed criminal breach of trust as public officers in respect of the sum of N14,518,567, 24.36, punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, CAP 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 2007. The amount which allegedly formed part of the Nigeria Police Pension Fund domiciled in First Bank of Nigeria Plc, was said to have been diverted by the accused persons while they were supervising the funds. Esai Dangabar, John Yakubu Yusufu, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula and Sani Habila Zira allegedly helped themselves to the tune of N8.2 billion from the Police

Pension Fund between January and December, 2009 alone. Exactly a year later, between January 2010 and February 2011, Atiku Abubakar Kigo replaced Esai Dangabar in the scam and they jointly accessed, fraudulently, another sum of N4.740 billion again from the fund. Soon after this amount was hauled out of the fund, Ahmed Inuwa Wada replaced Atiku Abubakar Kigo and teamed up with the threesome, Yusufu, Onyegbula and Zira, to cart away yet another chunk of money amounting to a little above N858 million between February 2011 and June 2011. On January 31, 2011, they all gathered together, all the six of them, for yet another trip to the treasury and were alleged to have helped themselves to another N656.56 million.

omb e state government has completed the preliminary designs and processes for a mini hydro-electric power plant at Balanga Dam that will augment power supply and provide water to five local government areas in the south senatorial zones. Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo who disclosed this while speaking at Pantami Stadium to herald his one year in office, said work on the N14.17 billion Gombe Township Reticulation Project and extension of the regional water scheme to Kwami, Gadam, and Bojude is in progress. He added that with the rise in population in Gombe metropolis, there is need to ensure steady supply of water and government has approved the sum of N125 million for a dedicated PHCN line to the water treatment plant at Dadin-kowa Dam. Dankwambo said the rehabilitation and renovation of the Poultry Production Unit became dysfunctional since 2005; Dadi-kowa Fish Hatchery Complex which was abandoned 15 years ago, 63 farm service centres and building new ones so as to provide one centre per ward are in progresses.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

PAGE 12

EDITORIAL

Please, take up the gauntlet, Chief Obasanjo!

n Tuesday last week, former President General Olusegun Obasanjo took lawmakers in the country to the cleaners alleging that some of them are armed robbers and rogues. Speaking at the 4th annual national conference of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies (AES) at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, (NIIA), Lagos, the former President called the lawmakers and judicial officers at both state and national levels corrupt and inept. Talking about the legislators, Obasanjo asserted that; “The diligence that was undertaken by political leaders before they are allowed to contest for election into the National Assembly is not done again. Armed robbers are in both the National and state house of assemblies. Then what sort of law are they making for the development of this country?” Expectedly, fuming with righteous indignation, the lawmakers at the national level challenged him to name names. The two chambers separately dared the former president to name the rogues and crooks among them if he knew what he was talking about. While the House of Representatives directed its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his allegation, the Senate on its part challenged him to name the crooks and robbers among the lawmakers.

Spokesman of the upper legislative chamber, Senator Enyinaba Abaribe said at a news briefing that the former President would be doing a great service to the nation by disclosing the identities of those lawmakers he described as robbers. The Senate spokesman stated that,

“

Although Obasanjo is not known to be the most decorous when he speaks, we want to believe that he knows what he is talking about “We actually feel that the former president would help the National Assembly and Nigeria in the new spirit of transparency and openness to assist the assembly by naming those that he knows as either rogues or criminals. This would help us to be able to sanitise the polity”. Since questioning the integrity of our parliamentarians, especially those at the federal level, is not a new thing, General Obasanjo would do well to take the challenge of the lawmakers seriously.

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Long before Obasanjo’s allegation, former FCT Minister Malam Nasir ElRufa’I had accused some members of the Senate of demanding for gratification from him before his ministerial screening. But even more damning is the allegation made by a former colleague and retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Nuhu Aliyu who, in 2008, claimed to be shocked at finding that some members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly were people he had arrested and detained as thieves, scammers and crooks when he was in the police force. Although Obasanjo is not known to be the most decorous when he speaks, we want to believe that he knows what he is talking about, because the allegation he made against the lawmakers is such a weighty one that even the combined weight of his previous offices should be neither a reason nor an excuse to malign the lawmakers in vain. Given his preeminent position as the only Nigerian living or dead to have ruled the country twice, once as a military dictator and then as a civilian democrat, and his status as an international statesman, the retired General would do the nation a great favour and give his credibility and ego a big boost if named those he knows to be armed robbers and crook among the parliamentarians. Coward, we know you are not. But other virtuous things; we are not so sure, Mr. former President.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

PAGE 13

John Akpavan and Nigeria’s fault lines T

By Musa Azare

he arrest, Monday, May 21, 2012, of one Mr. John Alaku Akpavan with ‘’three hand grenades and 37 rounds of AK47 rifle ammunition at Radio House in Abuja has once again exposed Nigeria’s ever widening crack in the wall of her national unity and cohesion, the existence of which is always being denied by the powers that be for obvious reasons. I dare say, though sadly, that our unity and brotherhood is gone. Nigeria is one nation only on our lips or in the poorly framed document we call our constitution. Sad indeed, but it is the truth! Apart from the variety of contradictions in the media reportage of the Radio House incident and the inconsistencies in both Mr. John’s narrative and those of the police and the State Security Service, SSS, a most disheartening trend that developed immediately after the news of the incident broke out to the public, was the sentimentalization of the matter By JKN Waku

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), like most others, has the core mandate of maintaining price stability and ensuring a non-inflationary growth. It also has the responsibility to ensure a sound and stable financial system in addition to other developmental functions. These mandates and functions are peculiar to central banks all over the world, and no other institution performs such functions. These special responsibilities are enormous and have continued to pose increasing challenges to central banks, largely because developments in the domestic and international economies create more intricacies and complexities in the financial systems and the art of central banking. Indeed, the current trend of globalization exemplified by economic and monetary unions has increased the challenges to central banking. The effective discharge of these responsibilities requires that central banks be independent in the true sense of it, that is, shielded from political interferences, have administrative independence and instrument autonomy. In this short write up, this writer wishes to present issues in the administrative autonomy and budgetary independence of central banks vis-à-vis independence and autonomy and country experiences. It is my considered opinion to urge against making the Governor of the central bank subservient to a politically appointed Board Chairman as well as excluding deputy governors who are executive directors as board members, as these are against international best practices. I also urge against subjection of CBN budget to the National Assembly, if the operations/ effectives of the CBN are not to be

by the adherents of our two major religions of Islam and Christianity. One was wearing a moody face that the other was the culprit this time, whilst the other was scavenging for defense, giving a number of interpretations and explanations, with apparent disappointment that the culprit was not the ‘’usual suspect’’. First, a terrorist is a terrorist regardless of his/her religious affiliation. Even though the media, globally had succeeded in associating terrorism with adherents of a particular religion. I think this is why the Muslims are always pleased to hear that a Christian brother is involved in act of terrorism. Equally, this forms the basis for Christians to always jump to conclusions about the ‘’usual suspect’’. The problem is with one universal definition of terrorism. I think the concept should not be tied to any faith, race or ideology. Once a terrorist is found, whatever they may be, their name should just remain as the

terrorist they are. But it is a common media parlance to hear of ‘’Islamic terrorists’’, ‘’Islamic extremist’’ and so on. In history, the world has witnessed acts of terrorism perpetrated by adherents of various religions and ideologies. Terrorists are enemies of mankind generally and they should be seen and treated as such, rather than as adherents of any faith or ideology. Mr. John, the police and SSS all have not helped matters either. In my opinion, it is even the trio that shaped the way the general public reacted to the story. John was quoted by the press as saying that the grenades and ammunitions were found in his brother’s belongings, a certain Mobile Police Corporal Aliu Clement had who served in Etigbe local government area of Bayelsa state and died in November, 2003. And that John was at the Radio House to ventilate his grievance about alleged non-payment of his brother’s benefits. The SSS corroborated John’s

narrative, adding that the grenades were actually empty canisters of tear gas and, cautioned the public from jumping to hasty conclusions about the incident. The police on the other hand, punctured John’s and SSS’s story, and declared that the items were actually grenades and not tear gas canisters, and that the suspect lied about their origins. First, John, an immaculately dressed, fluently spoken and mannerly civilized chap, on discovering these highly dangerous items in his brother’s belongings in Etigbe, should have reported it to the Bayelsa state Police Command. Or, after passing through all the check points, all the way from Bayelsa state to Abuja, should have taken the items directly to the Police Force headquarter. But he chooses to keep them in his residence for nine solid years since 2003. Going by John’s account as corroborated by the SSS, I was tempted to ask; are the police allowed to carry or keep grenades and ammunitions in

their personal residences? Are the police arms and ammunitions not numbered for easy identification and accountability as to which officer is given which gun, grenade or even how many bullets? Are officers and men of the police force not accounting for the number of bullets they fired while on duty that John’s brother died with grenades and 37 rounds of ammunition in his possession? If the SSS and the Nigeria Police cannot differentiate between a tear gas canister and a hand grenade then Nigeria is in another fresh trouble! As it is today, Nigerians don’t know the true story about the Radio House alleged bombing incident and hence, as good speculators as they are, Nigerians are left on their own, blaming one another for the averted catastrophe. Well, maybe congratulating themselves, for the story could have been fatally different. Musa Azare wrote from 10 Muhd Danmadami Road, Azare.

A case for independence of Central Bank of Nigeria encumbered. Issues in Central Bank independence The global trend for efficient and effective central banking is a truly independent central bank with both operational and financial independence. Financial independence involves four aspects namely; the right to determine its own budget; the application of central bank specific accounting rules; clear provisions on the distribution of profits; and clearly defined financial liability for supervisory authorities. These are particularly relevant especially in not-well developed political systems like ours where central banks are most vulnerable to outside influence. A central bank would be operating under imminent danger (as under a ‘Damocles’ sword’) if it depends on government for funding or waits for government/legislative approval for its financial needs. This point is best illustrated by the recent banking crisis in Nigeria in which the CBN promptly intervened in a manner that did not rock the boat. It is clear to everyone that if the CBN had waited for parliamentary debate on its lender of last resort function before injecting money into the distressed banks, there would have certainly been a run on the system even before parliament would finish debate. Even the banks that were not in grave condition would have been affected. Depositors would lose their money on a scale that has never been witnessed in this country. Also, usually, if bankers know in advance that insolvent banks will

be closed and that lobbying to keep them open will fail, they will behave more prudently, thereby reducing the likelihood of a banking crisis. Central Bank’s independence has been an age long issue. As early as 1824, David Ricardo in a paper on the establishment of a national bank had advocated full independence for central banks. Similarly an economist of great repute, Keynes, in a testimony before the 1913 Royal Commission into an Indian central bank said, “it would be desirable to preserve unimpaired authority in the executive officials of the bank whose duly it would be to take a broad and not always commercial view of policy”. Our Central Bank, if it would serve the purpose for which it was established should be insulated from commercial pressure from “made for profit” financial houses. Of recent, there has been a consensus in theoretical and empirical literature on the one hand and among both academic economists and central bankers on the other, that achieving and maintaining long-run prices stability is the unique goal of monetary policy and this appears to be a panacea for reducing inflation. It then follows that institutional arrangement through which this can be achieved has become critical. There is also a widespread agreement that the most important institutional arrangement in this respect is the delegation of monetary policy to a truly independent central bank and this is predicated on the causal link between monetary policy

autonomy and inflation. Needles to emphasize here that inflation, if left unchecked can bring down any economy no matter how well founded or well funded. In the last couple of years, there has been growing evidence that central banks, which operate outside government control, have performed better in achieving their primary mandate. Such evidence includes empirical investigations by eminent researcher like Rogoff (1985), Persson and Tabellini (1990), Cukierman (1992), Alesina and Gatti (1995), Walsh (1995), Walter and Walsh (1996), among others. Each of these works concluded that central bank independence is very important to achieve price stability. In the specific study by Cukierman, in which financial independence of central banks was investigated, 16 out of the 23 central banks surveyed determined their budget. Beside that monetary delegation leads to lower basic inflation, other motivations for central bank independence is lower inflation variability and higher and more stable economic growth. In addition, there are three other basic arguments that underline the causal link between independent central bank and low inflation. Central bankers are exposed to strong political pressure to adopt lax monetary policies due to budgetary and seigniorage considerations. An independent central bank will be less subject to short-term political influences, thus, is better able to commit to long-term policies

for promoting price stability. The Sergeant Wallace argument says that in a situation of fiscal dominance, monetary authorities will sooner or later be compelled to monetize the budget deficit, ultimately generating inflation. A strong and independent central bank can force the government to take measures to reduce the deficit or the volume of outstanding debt. This calls for financial independence. The time inconsistency argument is the major contribution by Rogoff (1985). Very often, monetary policy making under the influence of politicians tends to focus too much on short term considerations, which easily lead to temporary, non-sustainable outcomes (where such outcome is positive) all the expense of sustained economic growth. Politicians all over the world appear to have come to appreciate these issues and decided to remove the temptation to pursue short term gains and make their central banks independent. Our case should not be different. Indeed, the literature has outlined that one of the solutions to the problem of time inconsistency is the delegation of monetary policy to an independent authority with a longer time horizon and a greater preference for price stability. Moreover, a long held view, which has received rigorous analysis (Cukierman, 1986) in recent years, is that central bank independence raises policy Contd on page 15

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

New Permanent Secretaries: Why Mr. President needs a rethink By Babangba Ndabokun

wo weeks ago, President Goodluck Jonathan was reported to have approved the appointment of two Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service. Although Jonathan might have acted on information available to him, I must sincerely join thousands of Nigerlites who are raising an eyebrow over the appointment of Mallam Abdullahi Ndagi Haruna as a Permanent Secretary on the slot of Niger state at the Federal Civil Service. Although the President has the right to appoint anyone he so desires, such an appointment must hawever, not be predicated on false information. Accordingly therefore, I would like to draw the attention of Mr. Presient to the fact that although Mallam Abdullahi Ndagi Haruna is a typical Nupe by

tribe, he does not hail from without a Permanent the state to happen. Don’t we Niger state but from Tsaragi Secretary in the Federal Civil have lawmakers in Niger in Kwara State. His only Service, while Kwara state, state? Don’t we have leaders claim to Niger state is that he from where Mallam Abdullahi in Niger state? Don’t we have schooled there, as neither Ndagi Haruna hails, would be politicians in Niger state? himself nor Don’t we have any of his statesmen in parents was Niger state? born in the In a country state. like Nigeria Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text Therefore, where we messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written there is no way keep praying contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 millions of the for peace and words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and Nigerlites will g o o d a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed see and accept governance to: a non-indigene every day, we to represent still use our them at such a m o u t h s , The Editor, level when hands and Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, they have m i n d f u l 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. q u a l i f i e d thought to Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com indigenes to invite devil SMS: 07037756364 s a ti s f ac t o ri l y b y serve them implementing there. No matter what led to having two in the Federal Civil a devilish acts or sanctions. this appointment, the S er vi ce . This is wrongly done to Niger Nigerlites are appealing to the The development leaves one and we all keep quite. Why do Federal Government to please wondering our so-called we expect peace in the state reverse it as failure to do so leaders in the state are doing and at the Federal Level when would leave Niger state to allow this travesty against injustice is allowed to reign

WRITE TO US

supreme? Mr. President should please, immediately reverse the appointment of Mallam Ndagi Abdullahi Haruna and replace him with any qualified Director from Niger state as the Permanent Secretary who will succeed Alhaji Idris A. Kuta on the 1 st of July 2012. Nigerlites can never afford to open their eyes and see a nonindigene as their representative for the next eight years at the Federal Level. FG should therefore effect this change as soon as possible so as not to bring any chaotic situation in the state and the Federal Level at large. Mr. President we are saying a resounding NO to Ndagi Abdullahi Haruna as our representative, but YES to any qualified director from Niger State. Long live Niger State! Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria!! Babangba Ndabokun wrote from Bida, Niger state.

In defence of Governor Aliyu By Ibraheem Abdulmajeed

overnor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger state means many things to many people. To some, governor Aliyu is a noise maker and northern irredentist, who is always out to get cheap publicity, perhaps to further enhance his political profile in the north in particular and Nigeria in general. Others however, see him as a down-toearth, blunt chief servant of Niger state, who say it as it is without minding whose ox is gored. For these reasons, the governor is always the darling of the press. Therefore, whatever he says instantly becomes headline. More often however, in trying to report what Governor Mu’azu says, some section of the press have decided to continuously misrepresent him on issues that are considered very sensitive, thus putting him on collision course with people who are his supposed ‘target of attack. At a time like this when the nation is at a crossroad and leaders have refused to speak out to tell themselves the truth, Governor Aliyu stands out as a leader that has the courage to call a spade by its name. Talking about misrepresentation of facts by the media, the recently concluded Northern Governors meeting, which took place in Kaduna readily, comes to mind. During his opening address, Governor Aliyu, who is also the Chairman Northern Governors’ Forum hammered more on the unity of the north which every

concerned Northerner knows and is aware that it is one of its greatest problems. According to the Chief Servant of Niger state, considering what happened in 2009 when the north became polarised especially during the presidential election, this time it will unite as one entity in 20 15 ! That was what most reporters were waiting for; to create sensational headlines, and behold the next day most major papers had a catchy headline like ‘The North will produce a consensus presidential candidate in 2015’, ‘The North will produce a Common presidential candidate’. Some even alluded that the North is set to fight President Goodluck Jonathan in case he signifies his intention to contest for the Presidency. Of course the author is Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum and before you know it reactions began to flow. ‘It is that man with his acerbic mouth, maybe he is angling for the presidency or working for another Northern candidate’. In all, the reactions were not complimentary. Ordinarily, one would not have had cause to disagree with these slanted headlines if it were the decision of all the 19 Northern state Governors or if it was actually what Dr. Aliyu said. But it looks like some journalists are doing the bidding of some selfish politicians whose agenda is to further set the north against itself. Otherwise, there is no way calling for the unity of the north as one entity could mean calling

for the north to produce a northerner as its consensus candidate. They could unite to support a candidate from any part of the country provided they are convinced that he will take care of the interest of the North. If actually the governor had wanted to use the forum to announce to the world North’s decision to present a Northerner as its candidate in 2015 Presidential elections, knowing his mindset, Talba would have said it loud and clear and would be ready to defend it anywhere. Ideally the governor should have come out immediately to put the record straight so as to clear the air. But that would not have solved the situation; rather it would have given some journalists another opportunity to shoot him in the face. And that is very sad, because if the media cannot report issues as they are, then we are doomed. This is the crux of the matter: President Jonathan’s presumed presidential ambition in 2015. Of recent, there has been a lot of discussions about the constitutionality or otherwise of right of President Jonathan to contest the presidency in 2015. This led to accusations and counter-accusations with the South-South in particular arguing that the Northern ‘establishment’ is planning to deny their son the opportunity to serve his second term, which they say will be resisted at all cost. The North on the other hand was relying on Jonathan’s statement during the build-up to 2011 Presidential election that he will serve only one term. To save the situation, President

Jonathan intervene to ask all sides to sheathe their sword so as not to further heat the polity. It is in this context therefore, one will begin to suspect the motive behind the misrepresentation of what Governor Aliyu said at the Northern Governors meeting. Certainly there are those who believe that Northern governors and by extension the North are planning to resist all attempts by Jonathan to seek another term in office. That is an idle talk that is being peddled by mischief makers that are trying to fan the embers of hatred. All sort of uncomplimentary languages have been hauled against the North since the beginning of Jonathan’s Presidency, just to make it respond in like manner so as to be used against it, a way of giving dog a bad name in order to hang it. The issue at stake in the North for now is not who becomes the next President and from which section of the country, rather it is taking a holistic approach to the myriads of problems facing the region. This includes among others security, agriculture, education and the twin evil of poverty and unemployment. Equally important to the governors is the issue of agriculture which is the mainstay of majority of its people. After accepting the report presented by the Chairman, Committee on agriculture, Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina state, the forum noted with delight and also resolved “to pay special attention to the development of

the agricultural sector and its value chain and explore area of comparative advantage.” Consequently, the Forum is planning to organise an International Agricultural Summit that will to seek way to revolutionize and mechanise agriculture in the North. From the foregoing, it will be understood that the governors are more concerned with developing their states and not plotting to present a consensus candidate against Jonathan. This much was said by Jigawa state’s Governor Sule Lamido that “what we want is how to develop the country where we feel happy and contented. Nigerians don’t really care about who the president or governor or the council chairman is as long as their basic needs are met.” At a time like this, when the nation is facing serious security challenges and all hands should be on deck to find a way out, the media must be very cautious in its reportage so as not to overheat the system and give room to enemies of democracy to cash in and divide the nation along ethnic, religious or regional line. We must all give our elected representatives the chance to fix things right. The damage done to this country over the years requires the sincere input of all to repair. Any attempt to blackmail one side simply to score cheap popularity or to curry favour from those in power will not augur well for Nigeria. Ibrahim Abdulmajeed wrote in from Kalapanzee Avenue, Kaduna

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

By Ifeanyi Izeze

ngoing campaign for a second term for President Goodluck Jonathan without mincing words, has now become vexing. Is it not shameful that all we are talking about now is Presidential election of 2015, an event that is still three years away rather than thinking on how to tackle what matters most to Nigerians now? The man who is there as the president has just barely spent one year in his first four-year contract with the people. What kind of a country is this? We are faced with the continued senseless killings by the boko haram which has come to be the defining feature of this administration in addition to widespread insecurity across the country. What of the challenges of growing our dysfunctional economy? Has anybody bothered about the growing level and spread of massive corruption and fraudulent misapplication of the huge oil money that comes to this country on daily basis? So why is the Presidential election of 2015 an issue of more concern to anyone at the moment if not that such people are warped -minded? Agreed that whether or not Jonathan made any commitment to contest for only one term to Nigerians is totally irrelevant at the moment as personal promises cannot override the Constitution of Nigeria, “Nigeria belongs to all of us, not to a select few and we cannot allow a few group or persons to condemn our country to the dangers of terrorism and threaten our very existence.” This was part of Chief Edwin Clark’s

PAGE 15

2015: Why make things more difficult for Jonathan? response to comments by some northern elder statesmen including, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Lawal Kaita, Joseph Waku and the northern governors amongst others, who are insisting that President Goodluck Jonathan should not contest for the 2015 presidential election on moral grounds. Interestingly, these are all men who are above 80 years of age despite what some of them want us to believe in their sworn affidavit/age declaration. The real terrorists threatening our existence as a nation are these geriatrics with their unguarded statements which often times send wrong messages to the unemployed, oppressed and battered idle youths. There are many expectations from the present Jonathan-led government by Nigerians that installed it against all odds. And at a time when not a single expectation is being met, is it not irritating that some people of caliber of elder statesmen could have the guts to start talking about re-election or not for that person. Good fathers in my clime advice their children and will go all out to insist and ensure the children don’t bring shame to the family. Abi no bi so for your place? As for Chief Cark, “Jonathan is a Nigerian. Nigerians voted for him beyond religious and cultural differences. What we should be

asking is that he should perform as president in office. If he performs, and the same Nigerians vote for him, he will have another term.” So which one comes first: performance before the talk of second term contract or vice versa? Is it not better to have a successful Jonathan as first termer and a strong contender in 2015 than to parade a failed first termer and grossly disabled contender in 2015? Hear Chief Clark: “Former President Shehu Shagari contested the presidential election in 1979 and won and in 1983, he contested for a second term in office and won before he was ousted by the military, led by Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). “Also former President Olusegun Obasanjo contested the presidential election in 1999 and won and later contested for a second term in office in 2003 which he also won”. Clark therefore asked: “Why should it be different in the case of President Jonathan?” Now throwing up the case of Shagari, the section of the country he comes from would take it that Clark has declared war against them. Also bringing in Obasanjo’s terms robes in the Southwest and its “rascals.” So if you are fighting the north and the southwest, who are you going to work with to give Jonathan the second chance? Is it

the Ibos that are barely tolerated anywhere in the Niger Delta including the Ibos of the region? You see where diplomacy is very important in this whole issue as it is impossible for only one village to produce the President of the entire Nigeria! These campaigns are outright distractions to a President who even needs to be helped to wake up his ideas. Haba, these men do they fear God or Allah at all? Jonathan should be allowed to execute the contract of delivering the dividends of democracy to the people that brought him to power by their votes and not to be confronted with issues of 2015 when he is still confused about those of today. And this is where the president himself has to step out of his present docility and stop this callous campaign headed by no other person than his “father,” Chief Clark. Is it not yet embarrassing enough for the President that he would say one thing on his stand on any issue of national concern and Edwin Clark would say a different thing on the same issue? So who will Nigerians believeJonathan or Clark? Whether the President wants to hear this or not, Nigerians believe and take more seriously anything Edwin Clark says rather than what comes from Jonathan simply because the two are one and the weaker is swallowed in the

stronger. For somebody like Chief Clark, he should know certainly that his comments on Jonathan’s candidacy in the 2015 presidential election are a distraction now. He is making things more difficult for the President by recruiting more enemies for him and even making existing ones come together thus making it also more difficult for him to perform in his present which is almost drowning him. Is it not expedient yet for the President to call Chief Clark to order? Has Jonathan not realized that Clark’s pronouncements are counter-productive even for his ambition because as it only creates more enemies for the president than win friends for him. Agreed that the duty of stopping any candidate is not the work of any section of the country but that of all sections of the country, but when you make the President (candidate) look like your village Igwe, all those who are not from your village will gang up to make your chief reign only in your village and not in other people’s villages. A word is enough for a fool because no matter how much words he hears, he will not work with even one. Ifeanyi Izeze is an Abujabased consultant on strategy and communication (iizeze@yahoo.com; 23408033043009)

A case for independence of Central Bank of Nigeria Contd from page 13 credibility and transparency and dampens inflation expectations. In the area of governance of central banks, the global practice has been, and still is that the chief executive officer of the central bank chairs the Board of Directors and the Executive Directors are members of the Board of Directors. This is the practice in most countries. Country Experiences Central banks of several countries including the US, the UK, Europe, Brazil etc, and African countries such as South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Botswana etc, determine their budgets. In the most recent regional integration of a wide scale, the European Union (EU), a key element in the European Monetary Union was the formation of an independent supra-national central bank. Indeed, the EU’s view on central bank independence is defined by the provisions of Article 107 of the Maastricht Treaty: “when exercising the powers and carrying out the tasks and duties conferred upon them by this Treaty and the statute of the ESCB, neither the ECB, nor a national central bank, nor any member of their decision-making bodies shall seek or take instructions from Community institutions or bodies, from any Government of a member state or any other body.

The Community institutions and bodies and the governments of the Member states undertake to respect this principle and not to seek to influence the members of the decision making bodies of the ECB and the national central banks in the performance of their tasks”. In addition, many of the transitional economies of the Eastern Europe have adopted reforms aimed at making their central banks more independent. Furthermore, the traditional practice of central bank governor presiding over the board of directors that include all the executive directors subsists across the globe including regional banking institutions such as the European Central Bank. The CBN case The Central Bank of Nigeria has had a chequered history of autonomy since its inception in 1958, varying between autonomy and control. In the 1958 Act, the CBN was granted a measure of autonomy which gradually eroded until 1991 when the autonomy was restored. The erosion of the Bank’s autonomy between the years coincided with military interventions in politics in Nigeria. Again, the autonomy was gradually eroded until 1999 when administrative and instrument autonomy was granted to the Bank to shield it from political pressures in the implementation of policy.

From the inception of the Bank, the administrative structure has been that the Governor or Deputy Governor of the CBN presided over the Board of Directors and Executive Directors or Deputy Governors had always been on the Board. This arrangement had ensured easier, smoother and faster implementation of monetary and financial policies. Nigeria is a driving force in the WAMZ project. The establishment of the West African Central Bank (WACB) and the eventual take off of the Eco currency in 2015 is a very important step in the process of economic integration in the sub region. The WACB will most likely operate in the manner of the ECB and will thus, be an independent supra-national central bank along with the national central banks of member countries. This implies that any legislations or institutional arrangements in any of the member countries against central bank autonomy and budgetary independence will be a clog in the wheel of the monetary integration. Nigeria should actually be in the forefront of promoting such a stand-discouraging member interference with the operations of their central bank. The Central Bank of Nigeria requires full independence in the true sense of it to enable it act

appropriately according to its expert and independent viewpoint. The global trends have been towards full independence for central banks. Indeed, budgetary and instrument autonomy are the reasons why most central banks are now proactive rather than reactive in the discharge of their responsibilities-central banks are able to anticipate and identify problems and unintended outcomes and respond immediately with appropriate policy actions. This is the trend all over the world-in both developed and developing countries. Concluding Remarks In this era of globalization, Nigeria cannot afford not to follow the global trend. A truly independent and autonomous Central Bank of Nigeria has become more imperative for the integration of our financial system with the world economy in general and the West African sub region in particular. It should be emphasized that instrument autonomy without financial/budgetary autonomy, as obtained in other countries, is meaningless. What is required now is not to erode the financial autonomy of the Central Bank but rather to build and strengthen relationships that would enhance complementality between the monetary and the fiscal autonomies and ensure

accountability and transparency dictated by policies rather than budgetary constrictions and exigencies. Given our recent experience with the approval process of the Federal Government budget and the eventual passage of the Appropriation Bill by the National Assembly, it would be disastrous for the CBN in terms of its operations and overall performance, if its annual budget gets bogged down with the usual delays that had attended the Federal Government budget. The unique responsibilities that have been bestowed on the Bank require it to act expeditiously should the need arise without recourse to the political autonomies. In the light of the foregoing, it becomes imperative to caution against subjecting the CBN annual budgets to the approval process of the National Assembly so as not to encumber its operations/ effectiveness, particularly in this period of fragility in the impending legislation on the West African Central Bank. In addition, a central bank governor that is subservient to a political appointee that presides over the board of directors that excludes executive directors is counterproductive and it is against the new paradigm of making central banks truly independent. J.K.N. Waku is a former Senaor

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Jonathan orders local foods at all official functions P resident Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday directed that local foods, especially local rice and cassava bread be served at all official functions of go vern men t. The President, who gave the directive in his Democracy Day national broadcast, said that it was part of government’s commitment to driving the agricultural transformation agenda. “We must use our population to create markets for what we produce. We must grow local, buy local and eat local. “In the State House, I am faithfully keeping to my promise of eating cassava bread and local rice. “Our agricultural transformation agenda is directed at promoting local production, substituting for imported foods, and adding value to our locally produced crops,’’ he said. The President said that the goal of the government was to add 20 million metric tonnes of food to domestic food supply by 2015 and create 3.5 million jobs. He said that the administration would aggressively pursue the agricultural transformation agenda by making agriculture a business that could generate wealth and create jobs for millions of youths. In attaining government’s policy of ensuring rice selfsufficiency by 2015, Jonathan said that 20 rice mills had been established across the nation with private sector participation. He disclosed that for the first time, Nigeria would be exporting 1 million metric tonnes of dried cassava chips to China. Jonathan said that the

exportation would earn the country 136 million dollars in foreign exchange. He said that the country had also successfully started the commercial use of feed grade cassava grits, produced locally for use in our poultry industry. Similarly, the President said that the nation had recorded remarkable achievements in Mines and Steel Development. “A total of 2,476 active mineral titles were issued compared to 666 titles issued out in the previous year, thereby reducing significantly illegal mining activities.

“About 350,000 additional jobs were created, arising from the activities of newly registered operators. “We have initiated a programme to support private steel production outfits. “This has resulted in an increase in production figures for steel and other metals to over 1 million tonnes,’’ he said. The President said that his administration was committed to ensuring that every Nigerian child had an opportunity to receive quality education and acquire useful skills.

He said that the government had commenced the reform of the education sector from basic to tertiary level. Jonathan said that his administration launched the Almajiri Education Programme to reduce the 9.5 million out-of school children within the year. He said that the government established nine new Federal Universities and licensed nine new private universities within one year bringing the total number of universities in the country to

Park and pay officials on duty, recently, along Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Islamic society calls for peace By Usman Shuaibu

h e c ha i rm a n, Zi k is u Mubarak Wali-faidot liIsl a ma y y K wa n kw a sh e i n S ul ej a l o ca l G o ve rn m en t Area in Niger state, Hamid M. Ib r ah i m h as ca l le d o n Nig e ri an s t o l i ve in p e ac e with one another irrespective

of the ir trib al and rel igio us inc lina tion s. Ibr ahim , who spo ke w ith P eo pl es D ai ly du r in g th e c el e br a ti on of Ma u lu d Nab b iy y i n K w an k wa s he , a ls o a pp e al e d t o r el ig i ou s l ea d er s t o p ro p ag a te th e g os p el of pe ac e t o t h ei r f ol l ow e r s t o e ns u re l as t in g

p ea c e a nd pr o gr e ss in th e c oun t ry. A ns we r in g a q ue st i on o n c or r up t io n , t he re l ig i ou s leader noted that corruption e ma na t es fr om l ack of contentment, insincerity and di shon est y on th e p art of le ade rs poin tin g o ut that parents must ensure that

their children are brought up with the fear of God. On his pa rt, the gue st le ctur er at t he occ asio n, Malam Musa Yaro urged the Muslims across the country to em ulat e t he l ife sty le of prophet Mohammed and do go od to o the r p eop le i n t he society.

Kwali chair wants parents to send children to schools By Usman Shuaibu

he chairman of Kwali Area council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Honourable Joseph K. Shazin, has called on parents to send their children to good schools to enable them receive

qualitative education. Shazin, who made this call during the Children’s Day celebration in Kwali, added that his administration will continue to put smiles on the faces of students /pupils in the educational sector in the area. Represented by the council

secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim U. Pai tasked parents and guardians to encourage their children in school by providing necessary instructional materials that would aid them in their studies. He also warned the students / pupils schooling in Kwali Area

council to shun cultism and face their studies. On his part, the secretary of local Education Authority (LEA) in Kwali, Mr. Danlami Esu, said they would channel their efforts towards revamping the image of schools in the area.

Stakeholders urged to ensure successful health week By Josephine Ella

takeholders were at the weekend in Abuja, charged to ensure that the intervention measures being put in place to mark the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other states in the country reach the targeted persons. The Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who spoke while flagging-off the event, said the health week was aimed at “delivering integrated package of interventions that have proven to be cost effective, highly impactful and effectively result-oriented”. She emphasised that the overall goal of the week long programme is to improve maternal and child health which, is in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s health transformation agenda of ensuring easy access to quality health service by all Nigerians. She further explained that the week will be celebrated in all communities in Nigeria, focusing extensively on awareness creation, facility— based service delivery targeting women and children. According to her, the administration would continue to take advantage of this opportunity to further strengthen actions and measures that would adequately address the state of health care delivery in the te rri tor y. She added “The administration, through our Primary Health Care Development Board, will procure and distribute, for this programme, life saving drugs like albendazole, anti-materias, fesolate, folic acid, antibiotics and oral rehydration salts to 248 health facilities spread across the six area councils of the FCT”. She urged stakeholders to “take up the roles of advocacy and mobilization so that the intervention measures will not elude those they are meant for”. In a remark, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark, who represented the Wife of the president, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, urged care givers to educate the populace at all time on health care for children. She also encouraged health personnel to deliver quality health care services in tandem with international standard.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Group lauds FCT Minister over jobs, unity in FCT By Augustine Aminu

he Executive Director of Stand Nigeria, Dike Chigbue, has lauded the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Muhammed, for uniting the people and creating employment for youths in the FCT, saying the achievment has placed the minister above his predecessors.

Chigbue, who gave this commendation in Abuja over the weekend, explained that the present leadership had more people's oriented programme than any other in the history of the FCT. He said that the youths who were usually abandoned in the street had been involved in more productive ventures, adding

that such effort needs to be encouraged if the country must move forward. Chigbue gave kudos to the minister for his efforts of ridding the city of shanties and urged FCT residents to support and complement the minister's effort. On the issue of creation of more districts by the minister,

A man hawking empty plastic bottles and water cans, yesterday at Area 11, in Garki, Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

the Executive Director said, "Bala is a man of vision. I so much believe that this initiative will bring about development and create effective atmosphere for investors in the country. With this kind of project which other administrations have not been able to achieve, Nigerians should rally behind him in championing the transformation agenda of president Goodluck Jonathan". Chigbue further called on the FCT minister to clarify the issue of compensation and resettlement for the indigenes, which he said would calm the hue and cry generated from the issue of compensation. "We know that Abuja belongs to everybody, but there are certain people that do not have any state to call their own, therefore I want to appeal to the minister to clarify this issue so that the people will understand. "If there is going to be resettlement in a particular place, it should be done according to the laid down rules and regulations so that the people will be duly compensated and have a place to call their own", he said. It would be recalled that on the 26th march, Garki indigenes appealed to the minister to set up a panel to investigate the past resettlement exercises conducted in the village so as to find out the lasting solution to the irregularities that beclouded the resettlement exercise with a view to prosecuting the scrupulous people behind it.

AMMC to moves to stop illegal developers By Josephine Ella

he Department of Development Control of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has commenced the clearing of debris from demolition sites and re-surfacing of road corridors in Sauka village. Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the department, Mrs. Josie Mudasiru, said yesterday in Abuja that the exercise was to pave way for the Department of Parks and Recreation of the AMMC to begin the planting of trees and flowers to prevent repossession by illegal developers. Mudasiru emphasised that the exercise which saw the removal

of shanties and levelling of the area with top soil is in a bid to create a conducive recreational park for residents of Sauka and its environs. The statement quoted the Leader of the team embarking on the clearing, Mr. MuktarGaladima, to have revealed that the park when completed would consist of football pitch, volleyball and badminton pitches, adding that it will also beautify the area and give the Airport Road a face-lift. According to the statement, the recreational park creation is expected to get to other settlements. In a related development, the development control department

commenced a cleaned-up exercise in Gwagwalada in a bid to rid the town of illegal structures and shanty settlements in the council. The affected illegal structures and shanties were removed at phase I, II and III, as well as at Kutunku area of the town, the statement said, adding, the team also visited University road, Custom junction and Teaching Hospital gate where all the illegal attachments, kiosks, batchers and containers were cleared. Furthermore, a team from the department were also at Idu and Dape on Monday to intimate the chiefs of the area on the authority’s intention to rid the areas of illegal structures.

The statement said this followed the ministerial directive to do away with illegal developments within the city. The Deputy Director, HamzaTayyub Madaki, who led the courtesy call, was in the statement, said to have urged the cooperation of the chiefs since they are in a best position to identify such illegal structures. According to the statement, the Chief of Idu, Alhaji Ishaqa Ibrahim, who during the visit, registered his grievances said illegal developers are getting too close for comfort and called on the authority to act with human face even as they are ready to cooperate with the department during the exercise.

Pastor accused of defrauding telephone operator of N200, 000 By Adeola Tukuru

telephone operator Abdulkareem Azeez has accused one Pastor Aeron Musa Kuta, of Karu site, for defrauding him and his friend of N200, 000. Azeez claimed that the

accused collected the money to aid them secure employment with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). Narrating his ordeal, Azeez alleged that pastor Kuta, said the collected the sum of N35, 000 from him, N70, 000 from his friend and N50, 000 from one Barr.

Balogun Shinna between March this year and vanished into the thin air with the money.”It was through Balogun Shina that I got to know the Pastor at Mararaba. He collected N30, 000 from me, promising that he would assist me to get the job. My friend also paid a higher amount to him. He told us

that the money would help him to facilitate the employment easily. “The next day, he now called me and said that my name had been shortlisted. He told me to pay additional money before feeling the form. After a short while, he did not bring the form and nothing was heard of him again,” he claimed

Leprosy Mission expends N8.1m on FCT Leprosy Control Programme By Josephine Ella

nongovernmental organisation, The Leprosy Mission (TLM) said in 2011 it offered series of leprosy control interventions to the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) administration, to the tune of N8.1 million. The National Director, TLMNigeria, Dr. Udo Sunday, who led officials of the organisation on an advocacy visit to the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, said the total sum was expended on projects which include, the rehabilitation of the Alheri village (settlement for those living with the disease) electricity transformer and procurement of hospital equipment and medical consumables for the village. Sunday said other projects undertaken with the fund are antistigma and discrimination campaigns, World Leprosy Day celebration, supply of anti-leprosy reaction drugs and provision of assistive and protective devices to 17 leprosy affected persons. The director reaffirmed that “TLMNigeria is committed to supporting the FCT Tuberculosis (TB) and Leprosy Control program and will continue to advocate for support from other donors sources for the control of TB and Leprosy in the FCT”. He disclosed that TLM-Nigeria will donate two new motorcycles for the effective supervision of TB and leprosy activities at area council level in 2012. He further pointed out that the current MOU between TLM-Nigeria and the FCT Administration (FCTA) which commenced in 2008 will expire by 31st December 2012, hence, there is need to commence the process of renewing this MOU. Among others, to improve access to quality health care by the community members at Alheri village, he urged the FCT administration to engage more nurses to be posted to the Clinic at the Alheri village and provide additional 4-WD Hilux for the TBL team from the counterpart funds for effective supervision of TB and leprosy services. In response, the FCT Health Secretary, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, said the FCT TB and Leprosy Programme is responsible for the control activities of mitigating the two diseases in the FCT. He said that in collaboration with partners, the leprosy mission in particular have been carrying out activities targeted at achieving this through diagnosing the suspect and initiating treatment, conducting outreach activities such as mini-elimination campaign. Others he said include training and retraining of general health care workers, advocacy to policy makers and stakeholders at all levels, social-economic rehabilitation, production of information and social mobilization materials among others.

PEOPLES DAILY,WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

PAGE 19

BUSINESS Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has started penalising about 62 stockbroking firms which breached its Broker-Dealer rules and regulations by failing to submit their quarterly financials. This penalty. which became effective from May 16, 2012 according to the Broker- Dealer regulation department of the NSE, is set forth in the policy guideline (Policy No. 01 NSE) made pursuant to Article 15(h) of the rules and regulations governing dealing members of the Exchange, which came into effect on November 1, 2011. The said Article 15(h) requires that the annual and quarterly financial statements of dealing members be submitted to the Exchange within 90 days of the end of the fiscal year, and their quarterly financial statements, within 45 days of the end of the quarter. It further requires that :"All financial statements shall be prepared according to the Nigerian Accounting Standards." The dealing members of the NSE are institutions which licensed by the Exchange as stockbrokers, can buy and sell securities quoted on the Exchange on behalf of the investing public. This move, according to market watchers, is in line with the Oscar Onyema -led NSE's efforts to instill transparency and good corporate governance on stockbrokers at the Exchange. Investigation has shown that

INSIDE

Speaker Tambuwal commends Kano airport renovation

Mob: 08033644990

62 stockbroking firms face penalty over quarterly financials From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos out of 257 stock broking firms currently operating at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, only 195 have submitted their results. The affected stock broking firms which were listed on May 17, 2012 with varied financial year-ends, include AAA Securities Limited, Adamawa Securities Limited, Belfry Investment & Securities Ltd, Bestlink Investment Limited, BFCL Asset & Securities Limited, BIC Securities Limited, Colvia Securities Limited, Consolidated Investments Limited, Crane Securities Limited and Dakal Services Limited. Others include Davandy Finance Limited (Calabar), Decanon Investment Limited, Deep Trust & Investment Limited, Delords Securities Limited, Dependable Securities Limited, Empire Securities Limited, and Equator Stockbrokers Limited. Other stock broking firms which are in for this penalty include Express Portfolio Services Limited, First Atlantic Securities Limited, First Equity Securities

Limited, Folu Securities Limited, Fountain Securities Limited, Genesis Sec & Invest Ltd (Ibadan), Gosord Securities Limited, I.T.I.S Securities Limited, Ideal Securities Limited, IMTL Securities Ltd (Investment Masters, Indemnity Finance Limited, Intercontinental Sec Ltd (EBN & BSD) and Kundila Finance Services Limited (Kano). Also included are Lion Stockbrokers Limited, Mact Sec Ltd(Maclaize Trust & Sec Ltd), Maninvest Asset Management Plc, Maven Asset Mgt Ltd (Investors Ad), Mayfield Investment Limited, Midas Stockbrokers Limited, Midland Capital Markets Limited, Monument Sec & Finance Ltd (kano), Networth Securities & Finance Ltd, and Omas Investment & Trust Co.Ltd. The list further includes Perfecta Investment & Trust Limited, Pivot Trust & Investment Co. Limited (Pivot fin.), Platinum Capital Limited, PML Securities Company Ltd (Benin), Professional Stockbrokers Ltd (TRADE), Prudential Securities Limited, Riv

Trust Securities Ltd, Riverside Trust Limited (Kaduna), Securities Trading & Invest Co. Ltd (Eagle). Others are Shelong Investment Limited, Sikon Securities and Investment Trust Ltd, Standard Alliance Capital & Asset Limited

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in his nationwide Democracy Day broadcast said reforms in the oil and gas sector are on course with the capacity utilization of existing domestic refineries moving from 30 to 60 percent. He added that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery would be completed by the end of the

AIR NIGERIA (MONDAY - SUNDAY) LOS-ABJ: 07.15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.30, 17.00, 17.20, 18.30 ABJ-LOS : 07.00, 09.30, 10.30, 11.15, 16.15, 19.15, 19.35 ABJ-KANO: 18.40 KANO-ABJ: 08.35 ABJ-S OK (MON): 09.35 ABJ-S OK (FRI): 10.10 ABJ-S OK (WED /SUN): 11.20 SOK-ABJ (MON): 11.35 SOK-ABJ (FRI): 12.00 SOK-ABJ (WED /SUN): 13.20

AEROCONTRACTORS (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 06.50, 13.30, 19.45 LOS -ABJ (SUN): 12.30 LOS -ABJ (SAT ): 16.45 ABU-L OS: 07.30, 13.00, 14.00, 19.00 ABU -L OS (SUN): 10.30, 14.30, 19.30

DANA AIRLINES (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 07.02, 08.10, 12.06, 15.30, 17.10

L-R: Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, receiving the state’s Peer Review Mechanism (SPRM) Base Document from the Director-General, Nigeria Governors Forum, Mr. Asishana Okauru, during the SPRM team’s visit to the governor on Monday in Lagos.

ABJ-L OS: 07.20, 09.36, 13.05, 14.40 ABJ-LOS (SAT /SUN): 13.05, 18.00 LOS -KANO: 08.10 KANO-L OS: 11.25 KANO-ABUJA: 11.25 ABUJA-KANO: 10.08

IRS AIRLINES LOS-ABJ: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45

CFA € £ RIYAL $

SELLING 0.3017 198.7822 246.115 41.5156 155.7

PARALLEL RATES

ABJ-L OS : 11.30, 3.45, 4.45 LOS-KANO: 6.15 LOS-KANO (S AT /SUN): 16.30 KANO-L OS: 07.30 KANO-LOS (S UN /SUN): 10.30

22nd May, 2012 BUYING 0.2817 197.5055 244.5343 41.2489 154.7

€ £ RIYAL $

BUYING 210 250 40 156

SELLING 212 252 42 158

year while Warri and Kaduna refineries would be rehabilitated in 2013. "We have commenced the phased plan to return the refineries to 90 percent capacity utilization with the expected completion of the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery by the end of 2012, to be followed by Warri and Kaduna refineries in 2013," the President said President Jonathan further noted that Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will be redrafted "to ensure it meets the aspirations of all stakeholders given the current realities and future expectations in the global energy landscape." He added: "Work on the PIB will be concluded in June 2012 and formally submitted to the National Assembly. Additionally, Special Task Forces dealing with Governance and Control, Petroleum Revenue and National refineries are finalizing their work to ensure probity across the oil and gas sector, and selfsufficiency in refined petroleum products." In the downstream sector, the President disclosed that the Nigerian Content Development Act, since inception in 2010, has boosted the local production of line pipes, in-country fabrication tonnage and engineering support services. "As a result, retained incountry spend has grown from approximately US $1bn to a current estimate of US$4bn, and over US$3 billion Foreign Direct Investment has been brought in for upgrading and building new yards, altogether generating over 120,000 direct and indirect jobs", he stated.

Management Tip of the Day

EXCHANGE RATES

CBN

(Standard Alliance Money Ltd), Supra Commercial Trust Co. Ltd (Bacad), Tiddo Securities Limited (Abuja), Transglobe Invest & Finance Co. Ltd, Tropics Securities Limited and Union Capital Markets Limited. Also on the list are Vision Trust & Investment Limited, Wizetrade Capital & Assets Mgt Ltd, Woodland Capital Markets Plc, WT Securities Limited (silver), and Yuderb Investment & Securities Ltd.

Capacity utilisation of existing refineries hits 60 percent

Flight schedule

ABU -LOS (SAT ): 18.30

- Pg 20

Find your willpower

ustering willpower is a struggle for almost everyone — and it’s getting harder. Today, more distractions make it difficult to focus on your goals. To keep yourself on track, try the following: Practice small. By reminding yourself to sit up

straight, you train the same mental muscle needed to quit smoking or lose weight. Practice small exercises in selfcontrol, and your overall willpower will benefit. Take on one task at a time. If you try to accomplish everything, you’ll likely give up on all of it. Instead, choose

one thing to tackle. Once successful, move on to the next. Monitor, monitor, monitor. The more you track your progress on something (and ask others to help you track it) the more likely you are to stay on task. Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Nestle launches MAGGI Association

estlé has launched MAGGI Fast Food Association of Nigeria (MAFFAN) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a statement from the FCMG company has said.

Unity Bank gives back to loyal customers

ver 160 winners have emerged in the Unity Bank Plc’s Aim, Save & Win promo first zonal draws, held in five zones nationwide at the weekend.

Development partners urged to focus on SMEs

he Federal Government has asked international development partners to focus on the country’s areas of priority, drawing attention to small enterprises in particular.

Bi-Courtney offers Toyota Avensis for grab for fifth anniversary

German investors to invest in Osun’s eco-tourism, renewable energy potentials

eaders of the German State of Saxony Anhalt Chamber of Commerce and Industry have expressed their readiness to invest in the agricultural, eco-tourism and renewable energy potentials in the state of Osun.

Tobacco control bill lost in transit

he National Tobacco Control Bill may have gone missing between the National Assembly and the Presidency a year after it was passed by the last National Assembly.

Aminu Kano international airport, Kano

he new domestic terminal of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos has become a beehive of activity as the operator of the facility, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) kicked off the fifth anniversary celebration of Terminal Two, otherwise called (MMA2). Public Relations Officer of the company, Steve Omolale-Ajulo said that the firm is celebrating the revolution it has brought to airport operations in the country in the last five years through the stateof-the-art terminal, which commenced operations in May 2007. Omolale-Ajulo told journalists that the celebration is necessary because MMA2 is the first successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the country, adding that with the pioneering initiative, the terminal has become the bench-mark for other airports in the country. He said the anniversary will be flagged off with a “Fly and Win” promo on which will last for the one month duration of the celebration. According to him, prizes to be won in the promo include the star prize of a brand new Toyota Avensis car, while others include two plasma television sets, business and economy return tickets to Abuja and Ghana, a dinner for a family of four at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, among other consolation prizes. Other activities during the

Low patronage of Airtel says to Akure airport roll out 3G in worries Rwanda in next management kure Airport manager, Mrs. quarter ndia’s Bharti Airtel said on Sunday it would roll out 3G services in Rwanda in the next quarter and reiterated plans to invest $100 million in the central African country.

Speaker Tambuwal commends Kano airport renovation

Victoria Shin-Aba has lamented the poor patronage of the airport by airlines, which she said had negatively affected its revenue generation drive. According to her, the airport records three flights weekly with passenger traffic of between 20 and 30 through Associated Airlines on the Akure-Abuja route. “We need more flights and more airlines to come to Akure airport. There is no life here with the level of operations”, she urged. She explained that discussion was ongoing with some airlines on the possibility of commencing operations into the airport from Lagos. Mrs. Shin - Aba also called for the completion of the abandoned terminal building which has been left uncompleted for over six months. The airport manager appealed to the Federal Government to order the contractor back to site with a view to completing the terminal building. “The greatest challenge is the terminal building, this is the only airport where there is no terminal building. As the remodeling is going on, it is hoped that our own will be completed”, Mrs. Shin-Aba remarked.

By Muhammad Sada

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has expressed his delight and satisfaction with the state of the on-going renovation works at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano. The commendation, which was given by the Speaker at the weekend after an inspection of the airport, also described as

timely the commitment of the Federal Government to renovate the airports. The Kano International Airport is part of the airports in the country being upgraded to meet up with internationally acceptable standards and requirements. According to the Speaker, “When the renovation is completed, activities at the airport will receive a boost, and I urge the people of Kano and environs to make maximum use of it.”He also

expressed happiness with the level of work carried out by the contractor and urged the supervising agency not to compromise standards so as to avoid any hitch in the implementation of the project. While conducting the Speaker round the airport, the northern regional general manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Ali Nock assured that the agreed completion date would be effectively met with.

Overland Airways resumes flights from Bauchi to Abuja Stories from Suleiman Idris, Lagos

verland Airways has disclosed that it has re-introduced it flight operations from Bauchi Airport to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The company said in Lagos that the resumption of the Bauchi operations, in addition to the existing routes across the country, is part of its objective to improve inter-connectivity within the country. It said the new operations will

offer connecting flights between the two cities from Monday to Friday using the ATR-42 aircraft. Chief Operating Officer of Overland Airways, Mrs. Aanu Benson told journalists that the “core among Overland Airways’ route expansion objectives is to improve interconnectivity within the country, promote economic growth and also facilitate the speed of business transactions for investors and leisure travelers, who are in search of new opportunities and destinations.”

US bound cargo on-passenger flights to undergo 100% screening

he United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that all cargo shipments loaded on passenger flights bound for the USA are to undergo 100 per cent screening for explosives as from December 3,2012. TSA said it is part of its aviation security measure to fulfill the requirement of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act, adding that it has worked closely with other governments, international organisations, and industry partners to increase the security of air

cargo without restricting the movement of goods and commerce. The screening deadline announced on Monday requires 100 percent screening of all air cargo shipments bound for the U.S. the security agency disclosed that it has also It build additional risk-based, intelligence-driven procedures into the pre-screening process to determine screening protocols on a per-shipment basis. Its affirmed that the process requires enhanced screening for shipments designated as higher risk, while lower risk shipments will undergo other physical

She noted that Bauchi State, in addition to being a gateway into several northern states of Nigeria, has huge economic potentials, and holiday and tourist resorts including the Yankari Games Reserve. “Therefore, the introduction of the new route will boost the development drives of the state and neighbouring states and support other private initiatives geared at improving the socioeconomic lives of the people”, Benson added. screening protocols. TSA Administrator John Pistole said, “Harmonizing security efforts with our international and industry partners is a vital step in securing the global supply chain. By making greater use of intelligence, TSA can strengthen screening processes and ensure the screening of all cargo shipments without impeding the flow of commerce.” He disclosed that the riskbased security efforts are one aspect of the administration’s recently announced Global Supply-Chain Security initiative. Currently, all cargo on passenger aircraftboth domestic and internationaldeparting U.S. airports undergoes screening.

PAGE 22

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Abandoned Jabi lake beckons to investors By Miriam Humbe

View of Jabi lake

Minister of Tourism and Culture, Chief Edem Duke

he Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Abuja is blessed with lots of beautiful scenic sites which adorn its landscape like an adorable bride. Most first time visitors to the city are amazed at the breath-taking tourist sites like the Zuma rock, Aso rock, the various hills stretching to long kilometres, Jabi Lake and the lush vegetations among others. All of these sites are at their natural states at the moment and appear to be seeking investors' attention like a young virgin in dire need of a suitor. The Jabi lake said to be a manmade lake and strategically located between Jabi and kado Districts which boasts of amazing sites alongside its green vegetation for relaxation and other social activities is undoubtedly, the most beautiful scenic site nature has bestowed on the FCT. Unfortunately, this lake still lies fallow and has not been able to attract the attention of investors aimed at developing it into a resort and making it a tourist destination to reckon with. If fully developed into a resort, the lake is capable of offering amenities like speed boat rides, canoe rides as well as other water sports. These would in turn, provide employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed population. Unfortunately however, Jabi Lake, presently the only large body of water within the FCT, in spite of its natural appeal, appears to be abandoned and has not been maximally harnessed to the tourism or economic benefit of the people. The people of the fishing settlement around Jabi Lake have rather taken advantage of the abandoned site and turned it into a source of livelihood for them. Jabi Lake was formerly a body of water which residents around Life Camp area of the FCT depended on for their domestic water needs. Following the relocation of the nation's administrative headquarters from Lagos to Abuja in 1993, the lake

Wide-angle shot of the lake

was expanded for commercial fishing. The movement of the federal capital to Abuja equally attracted heavy migration of various types of workforce, including fishermen who are making brisk business from it. From a distance, it is evidently clear that the lake is being overgrown by weeds which threatens its entire existence. A source who lives close to the lake also confirmed that the dam is being gradually taken over by weeds. "Weeds have grown on the land and extended to the lake. Very soon, a larger portion of the lake will be covered. This shows how we lack maintenance culture in Nigeria," he said. Although the Jabi Lake Resort has been fully constructed and capable of being used, it appears the authorities responsible for its management are not in a hurry to put it to public use. And as a result, members of the public who are willing to explore it are not only anxiously waiting, but are asking questions on why the lake is not open. Even at that, according to reports, some still steal their ways in. The minister of tourism, culture and national orientation, Chief Edem Duke, while presenting his score card on May 22 to mark the first one year of Jonathan's administration, took a bold step and called on all Nigerians, whether rich or poor, to engage in tourism activities as a means of growing the sector. Tourism, it is believed, if put to the proper use, is capable of boosting the nation's economy second in importance to oil and gas and raising the nation's Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The Jabi Lake beckons at investors. It therefore becomes incumbent on the relevant authorities like the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, and private businessmen to work assiduously to bring in investors to take advantage of this economically beneficial natural resource. This will make the FCT a tourism destination of sorts and provide the serene atmosphere for relaxation for residents.

DG, NTDC, Olusegun Runsewe

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

PAGE 37

Governor Fasola performance sheet ANALYSIS

hile some people will readily tell you that unlike during his first term as governor of Lagos state, Governor Fashola has slowed down his performance rating, others will simply point out that the lawyer turned politician is only enjoying the enormous goodwill he built for himself during his first tenure when his performance impacted positively on the people. During his first 100 days in office, the Fashola administration provided free essential medical service to the public. Under the Free Eko Malaria Programme, over 3 million Lagosians were availed with free treatment. 160,000 insecticide-treated mosquito nets were also distributed and 45 cleft lip patients were surgically operated out of the 52 people screened. He also built new hospital wards and facilities in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to house a range of newly acquired advanced medical equipment. In the transportation sector, the government within 100 days achieved the completion of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) scheme. Apart from concluding work on vital support facilities for the scheme, the administration commenced the dredging and channelisation of IpakodoIbese-Oworonsoki-CMSBadore-Ijede Water Transport route, for the purpose of reducing the traffic burden on the state’s road network Part of what made Fashola popular is projects like beautification of the Lagos metropolis that includes clearing the one- time crowded Oshodi market and planting of flowers. A national survey conducted by the CLEEN Foundation, between February and May 2010, revealed majority of Lagosians as expressing satisfaction with the crime control measure adopted by the state g over n me nt . The survey conducted in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital with the support of Mac Arthur Foundation, revealed that more than 65 per cent of Lagosians expressed satisfaction with the crime control measures in the state. The governor added another first to his achievement by clearing the Apapa-Oshodi expressway of stationery trailers that over the years had caused vehicular gridlock on the everbusy road, making life miserable for commuters. Also, the slum around the Apapa/Ijora axis has become a thing of the past. Sanity has

Before the Safe Lagos Group came up with its scathing criticism, it was unthinkable that any sane person would accuse Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola of nonperformance because even his political opponents had severally admitted that he has upped the tempo of performance in governance. It, therefore, came as a shocking surprise when Safe Lagos Group expressed a cynical opinion about the performance of the administration of Governor Fashola, which his supporters quickly dismissed as another political gimmick by faceless politicians to discredit him with a view to thwart his second term ambition to rule Lagos state. Governor Fashola, who will today be a year old in office in his four-year second term tenure, has since put that disturbing scenario behind him after he emerged victorious at the 2011 governorship election. Peoples Daily Lagos Bureau Chief, Adesoji Oyinlola, examines the first year of Fashola’s second term in office. returned to the once dreaded environment and people now go about their daily chores without fear of attack or molestation. The governor also signed into law the State Park and Gardens Law 2011, in furtherance of the environmental policy of the state government; embarked on massive dredging of water channels in the state in the aftermath of the July 10 flood incident; signed the State Tenancy Bill 2011 into law, to make life bearable for those who do not own properties; commissioned 336 housing units at Sir Michael Otedola Housing Estate in Odoguranshin, Epe and approved the construction of at least 100 roads along with drainage channels in the 20 Local Government Areas of the state before the end of this year, 2011 aimed at combating various environmental challenges in the state. Plans are afoot to embark on the expansion of the Lagos–Ikorodu Road and the construction of a new road to link the town with the Lagos-Ibadan expressway at Ojodu Berger. In the area of sports, the Babatunde Fashola led administration has not done badly either. All these achievements in a state with a population of over 15 million population endeared Fashola to the people, making him a role model of sorts. Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) began governing the state on a promising note in 2007. Within a short while, he made appreciable impact on Lagos landscape. He got the avalanche of refuse dotting most parts of the metropolis cleared, got the drainage and illegal structures in the area cleared, fixed the roads and returned sanity to dangerous areas like Oshodi as well as beautified the Marina, Falomo and arteries of major highways. He also improved the standard of education by recruiting and training teachers and providing quality free education, improved healthcare, and embarked upon massive urban renewal of many parts

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of the state. He commenced the reconstruction of the LagosBadagry Expressway into a 10-lane highway with railway lines, to open up the LagosBadagry corridor. The unprecedented performance of Fashola is acknowledged even beyond the state in that people in other states started to use his performance as a yardstick to rate their governors. It was therefore not surprising when Vi ce-P res iden t, Nama di Sa mbo cam e t o u nder stu dy Lagos state Executive Council me eti ng, adm itt ing th at Fashola was t he best among the governors. Wh ile an noun cin g t he de cisi on by t he Acti on Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to accord Fashola a second term ticket preparatory to the 2011 ge nera l e lect ion, Fa shol a’ pr ede cess or and Nat ion al Lea der of the pa rty, Bo la Ah med Ti nubu , c omm end ed his succe ssor for s urpass ing his own record. Wh ile en dors ing Fa sho la fo r s econ d t erm , th e A CN leader and former Lagos state Go vern or, Asi waj u Bo la Ah med Ti nubu , u rge d t he

electorate to re-elect Fashola be caus e, acco rdin g t o hi m, vo tin g Fa sho la for a s eco nd te rm wou ld g uar ant ee “b righ ter , r ewar din g f utur e” in Lagos. Th e l ead er’s im pri mat ur ca me a fte r th e p arty ’s Na tion al Exec utive C ounc il meeting held at ACN’s Lagos se cret ari at. Tinu bu rais ed Fa shol a’s han d in fr ont of thou sands o f party loyali sts, who had painstakingly waited to see the end of the political speculations. Sc orin g F asho la 85 p er cent, Tinubu said, “Fashola is the best man for the job. I’ve endorsed him for second term. He has done us proud, he has set standard of governance for ot hers to emu late ,” addi ng th at F ash ola’s pe rfo rman ce had not only been commended by Lagos residents, but also by mo st Nige rian s a nd t he in ter nati ona l c ommu nit y. Ti nub u d isp ell ed co mmen ts that he was cla yfo oted in end orsing Fashola because of political jealousy, saying “He is my son. Those that were peddling the rumour are those that did not know how I knew him (and) what

endeared him to me. “They said I was jealous of his achievements and all sort of things. If you have a son that has surpassed your records, you celebrate him. I am the pathfinder; he (Fashola) is the navigator. I am the one that identified the talent.” Indeed, Lagos voters listened and returned Fashola to power with an overwhelming majority in the hope of having “brighter, rewarding future.” However, there are occasions when Fashola has come into confrontation with the people, in a manner that suggests that not all strata of the populace fancy his style of leadership and administration. Some instances when his steps are faulted include the state’s introduction of toll collection by the government on the Lekki-Epe toll gate, the blanket ban on Okada riders in some parts of Lagos, and the recent face- off between Lagos resident Doctors and the state government. These occurrences contributed in no small way for some people to express uncomplimentary views on the governor. To the Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) in Lag os stat e, Mr . Se ton ji Kosh oed o, Go ver nor Fas hol a i s n ow co mpla cen t in ru nni ng t he affairs of the state. According to him, the zeal and vig our wit h whi ch Fa shola ran the affairs of the state in his first te rm had fad ed sin ce he assumed office for the second term. He not ed that wh at t he indigenes had been observing we re p oli tica l c ere moni es rather than the actual work. As ked if Lag os w as working, Koshoedo is of the vi ew t hat : “Lagos is dea d. La gos is dead bec aus e th ey have spent all the money to sustain themselves in power. And so, they cannot sustain development in Lagos. That is gla rin g fr om t he tuss le am ong them .” Th e P DP lead er sai d t he way out was for “Lagosians to effect a change of baton and bring in people who will do the will of the people and not be constrained by godfathers.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Jonathan’s harvest of negative court rulings ANALYSIS

ith the reforms the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, is implementing, the judiciary seems to have come alive again. Every level of the court has one or two cases instituted against the Federal Government or/and President Jonathan in their cause list. Similarly, criminal cases being prosecuted by the federal government, through the antigraft commissions and security agencies. One case that has being regular on the cause list at the Federal High Court in Abuja is that of the criminal charge against Charles Okah and three other persons standing trial over their alleged involvement in the October 1, 2010 bomb blast in Abuja. While the accused persons want the charges preferred against them quashed, the Federal Government wants the court to dismiss the entire preliminary objection. Trial in the case has long started. Government has also commenced the prosecution of the abuse of power charge against former FCT Minister, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, who was, along with two others, arraigned in April last year by EFCC. The other accused person, the former Director General of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), Altine Jubril and the former General Manager, AGIS Ismaila Iro are facing an eightcount charge over alleged conspiracy, conferring corrupt advantages and seeking gratification as public officials during their public service in 2007 along with the former FCT Minister. Another landmark event in the nation’s Judiciary in August last year was the inauguration of the Federal Government Committee on the implementation of the Justice Sector Reforms to ensure fair, timely, accessible and equal justice for all Nigerians by the AGF, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN). The essence of the committee was to build public confidence in the administration of justice in the country, by providing equal justice for all Nigerians in an efficient manner. Adoke said the Nigeria Justice sector reform which has become outdated needed a review so as to ensure the implementation of the initiatives and the strategy plan in the justice sector reforms in the country. The mother of all court decisions came in November last year. The judgment was delivered by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting at the Court of Appeal which affirmed the

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration has been badly hit by many court cases in just one year. Sunday Ejike Benjamin takes a look at the most controversial and sensational of them. election victory of Presidential Jonathan and Architect Namadi Sambo as President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the April 16, 2011 presidential poll. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which conducted the said election returned Jonathan and Sambo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the election having scored majority of the lawful votes casted during the election. Not satisfied with the outcome of the election, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) approached the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting at the Court of Appeal, Abuja with a petition seeking the nullification of the said election for alleged substantial non compliance with the Electoral Act and corrupt practices during the election, but the five-man panel of the Tribunal in the unanimous judgment read by its chairman, Justice Kumai Akaahs, held that CPC failed to adduce evidence to support its allegation of corrupt practices and substantiate non compliance to the Electoral Act 2010, as amended. The Tribunal held that Jonathan and Namadi won the election and were returned by the INEC as duly elected President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the April 16, 2011 presidential election. It added that, “the petition fails in its entirety and is hereby dismissed”. An Abuja Federal High Court in December last year commenced the trial of the five Police Officers alleged to have been responsible for the killing of the leader of an Islamic sect, Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf on July 30, 2009. It would be recalled that the leader of the Islamic sect who was arrested by Army officers some time in 2009 and handed over to the Police for prosecution, was alleged to have been summarily executed by some officers of the

President Goodluck Jonathan Nigeria Police Force. The accused persons standing trial for allegedly killing late Mohammed Yusuf are Sergeant Adamu Gado, Assistant Commissioner of Police J. B Abang, Assistant Commissioner of Police Akeera, Chief Superintendent of Police Mohammed Ahmadu, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mada Buba and Sgt. Adamu Gado. The Code of Conduct Tribunal also delivered a landmark judgment towards the tail end of last year when it discharged former governor of Lagos state, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the one-count charge slammed against him by the Federal Government. The chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was docked for allegedly violating the code of conduct law for public officers. Tinubu had, on October 26, 2011 prayed the Tribunal to quash

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Another landmark event in the nation’s Judiciary in August last year was the inauguration of the Federal Government Committee on the implementation of the Justice Sector Reforms to ensure fair, timely, accessible and equal justice for all Nigerians by the AGF, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN)

the charge preferred against him for lack of jurisdiction. The chairman of the three-member Tribunal, Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar, in the judgment held that the Federal Government failed to follow the mandatory conditions precedent for referral of complaints. “I am of the opinion that the court process has been abused and where the process of the court has been abused, the proper thing to do is to decline jurisdiction and to strike out the matter”, Umar stated. 2012 started with a face-off between the Federal Government and the organized labour over removal of fuel subsidy. NLC scheduled to embark on an indefinite strike action should government go ahead with its planned increase in the price of petrol. Government, through the office of the AGF rushed to the National Industrial Court with a motion ex-parte praying it to restrain both NLC and TUC from embarking on the strike action which commenced Monday January 9, 2012. The matter however died a natural death following an amicable settlement of the dispute between FG and the organised labour. Three lawyers also filed a suit against FG over the removal of fuel subsidy which jerked up the price of petrol from N65 to N141 per litre. The lawyers, in the suit seeking

for an order for the enforcement of their fundamental rights joined President Jonathan, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the AGF as Respondents in the suit, The legal practitioners, Ataguba S. Aboje, Oladapo Otitoju and Alexander Oketa, wanted an order directing the respondents to restore the subsidy petrol and to immediately revert to the former pump price of N65 per litre. They also wanted the Court to declare that President Jonathan’s decision to implement the 2012 budget without being passed into law by the National Assembly in the guise of the removal of subsidy proposed in the budget was illegal, unconstitutional, counterproductive and inhuman and an infringement of their right as guaranteed by Articles 22(1) and 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. In the same month, the Supreme Court put paid to the fierce legal battle by the CPC to nullify the election of President Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo in the April 16, 2011 general election in the country. INEC had, on April 18, 2011 declared PDP and its flag bearer (President Jonathan) as the winner of the Presidential election having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast of 22, 471, 370 as against 12, 211, 670 votes scored by the CPC at the poll. Dissatisfied with the conduct of the election, CPC challenged the election at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting at the Court of Appeal, Abuja. The Tribunal, on November 1, 2011 dismissed the petition and stated in its judgment that: “The election of the office of President and Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria held on 14/4/2011 has not been successfully challenged. CPC felt aggrieved with the decision of the Tribunal and filed an appeal before the apex court, praying it to overrule the judgment of the Tribunal and order a fresh election into the office of President and Vice President between it and the PDP. But, the seven-member panel of Justices of the apex court in a unanimous judgment upheld the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which had earlier dismissed CPC’s petition on November 1, 2011. On the 15 th day of January, 2012, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered that the Senator Continued on page 39

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

PAGE 39

Jonathan’s harvest of negative court rulings Continued from page 37 representing Borno South Senatorial District, Mohammed Ali Ndume, be docked for allegedly concealing information of the operation of the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect from law enforcement agencies be remanded in Kuje prison in Abuja. Ndume, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was however granted bail. He was also accused of providing logistics and supplying telephone numbers of some public officers including that of the AGF to Konduga. Meanwhile, an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sentenced AlZawahiri, the Boko Haram spokesperson to a three year prison term, having pleaded guilty to the counts of felony, criminal breach of public trust and intimidation through anonymous communication. In February, 2012, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to the six accused persons alleged to have been responsible for the explosions at a rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), INEC Zonal Headquarters and All Christian Fellowship Church of Nigeria all in Suleja, Niger state between March and July 2011. Justice Bilikisu said she granted bail based on the fact that the investigation into the alleged offence have been concluded and that the accused persons have been transferred to prison custody, adding that releasing them on bail will not affect the process of their trial. Trial in the matter is still pending. A Lagos based legal practitioner, Bamidele Aturu last year challenged the proposed Constitutional amendment in the court. Aturu wants the court to determine whether the amended 1999 constitution passed by the National Assembly without the assent of the President is valid or not. The AGF and the National Assembly are joined as codefendants in the matter. Aturu is seeking a judicial order to nullify the purported amendment and gazetting of the constitution Bill 2010 on the ground that the procedure that led to it violated Sections 9 and 58 of the constitution. State Governors had in a suit they filed before the Supreme Court on October 23, 2011, sought an order declaring the proposed creation of the “Sovereign Wealth Fund”, illegal and unconstitutional. They equally prayed the court to issue an order to effect that all sums standing to the credit of the said “Excess Crude Account”, (or any account replacing same by

any name howsoever) be paid into court or be otherwise secured as the court may deem fit pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. The Federal Government accused the state governors of mischief, insisting that they took part in the deliberation of the National Economic Council where the decision to transfer the $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account to the SWF was taken. It stressed that the states had been receiving their shares from the money, saying their decision to frustrate the planned creation of the SWF was borne out of insincerity and prayed the Court to dismiss the suit, adding that the day-to-day running of the nation’s economy would be put in danger if the application is granted.

Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami challenging his suspension by the National Judicial Council (NJC) is another serious suit and burning issue in the judiciary from May 29 last to this year. The crisis that culminated into Salami’s suspension started when he was recommended for an appointment into the office of a Justice of the Supreme Court. He did not only refused the appointment but accused the then CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, of asking him to compromise the Court of Appeal’s judgment with respect to the Sokoto Governorship legal battle. Salami said he was asked by the CJN to either reconstitute the original panel, which he (Katsina-Alu) believed was about to give a verdict adverse to the governor’s interest or direct the panel to give judgment in the

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But, the hopes for Salami’s restoration to his position was dashed as the Federal Government said it will not take any action on the matter until the resolution of all the cases filed in court against his reinstatement But the state governments said they were forced to approach the apex court for redress in view of the fact that the FG and its officers, had, consistently and in total disregard for the pending suit, withdrawn and allocated funds from the Account. The governors told the Supreme Court that one of the main issues in dispute between the parties in the substantive suit was, whether the payment of revenue which accrued to the Government of the Federation from the proceeds of crude oil sales, petroleum profits tax and oil royalties into any account other than the Federation Account by the Government of the Federation was illegal and unconstitutional, notwithstanding that the proceeds from the aforesaid sources were in excess of the Government of the Federation’s estimate of the revenue that would accrue from the said sources. The CJN, Justice Musdapher, adjourned the case till September 25, 2012 for definite hearing, even as he conceded to request by the governors that their originating summons be heard alongside the preliminary objection that was filed by the FG. The court action instituted by suspended President of the Court of

governor’s favour. NJC investigation found him guilty of lying under oath and he was suspended and asked to apologise to Katsina-Alu, he refused and he was subsequently suspended. The matter is still pending before a Federal High Court in Abuja. NJC latter revised itself and recommended his reinstatement. But, the hopes for Salami’s restoration to his position was dashed as the Federal Government said it will not take any action on the matter until the resolution of all the cases filed in court against his reinstatement. Adoke who made FG’s stand known while responding to questions from newsmen at Ministerial Platform, opined that there has been a lot of misconception about the issue of reinstatement of Salami and added that the President received a letter from the NJC asking the government to allow the jurist to return to his position and that the President also at the same period received a lot of originating summons challenging the power of the President to reinstate Salami. Though he failed to mention it, Adoke was obviously referring to different suits filed by Noah Ajare and Wilfred Okoli, two Abuja-

Justice Dahiru Musdapher based lawyers in which they challenged the power of President Jonathan to restore Salami to his position in the Appellate Court as recommended by NJC about two weeks ago. Barrister Wilfred Okoli , in his suit asked the court to restrain government from reinstating Salami. The suit filed by Amobi Nzelu, listed as defendants the NJC, Justice Salami, the AGF and President Jonathan, is asking the court to hold that NJC cannot deliberate on an issue which is a subject of litigation. He also asked for a declaration that President Jonathan was not under any constitutional obligation to act upon the recommendation made to him by the NJC asking to reinstate Salami. He further asked the court to hold that it is only a court of law that has the power to hear and determine matters between parties and prayed the court to stop Jonathan from acting on the recommendation sent to him by the NJC. In an affidavit he deposed to, the plaintiff averred that the NJC had no power to recommend to the President to reinstate Salami. He said: “That the NJC can only recommend to the President to remove judicial officers and not reinstatement.” The AGF said Salami’s matter is subjudice and the President will wait for the judiciary, to in his words, “put their house in order”. Besides issues bothering on Salami’s reinstatement, the AGF, equally also revealed that a “White Paper”, chronicling all the factors behind the Boko Haram insurgency in Northern parts of the country had been gazetted by the Federal Government. The AGF noted that despite ensuring that all the police officers that were accused of complicity in the extra-judicial murder of the leader of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, Yusuf Mohammed, in 2009, are prosecuted, the government equally paid N100 million to his

family “as part of the reconciliation process.” Besides, Adoke said the Federal Government has submitted the fuel subsidy probe report to the EFCC, for prompt prosecution of those indicted by the report, saying “Nigerians should be assured that there will be no sacred cows.” Similarly, a PDP chieftain, Mr. Cyriacus Njoku filed a suit before an Abuja High seeking to stop President Jonathan from contesting the 2015 presidential election. But at the last adjourned date of the matter last month, Njoku, through his counsel, Osuagwu Ugochukwu withdrew his suit against Jonathan to settle out of court, a decision he said was informed following the intervention of PDP leadership from Zuba Ward where he is a registered member. The court sitting before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi granted the application for withdrawal of the suit and adjourned till May 30, 2012 for report on the out of court settlement. It is worthy of mention that for alleged negligence on the part of the Federal Government in protecting lives and properties of its citizens, 110 victims of the April 2011 post election violence in Nigeria have filed a suit seeking the sum of N100 billion as special and aggravated damages from the Federal Government. Defendants in the suit are the FG, the AGF, the Inspector General of Police and the Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS) The victims who are persons who lost properties and whose relatives were killed during the post presidential election riots that took place in several states in the Northern part of Nigeria, said the loss of their properties and their loved ones were caused by the negligence and breach of constitutional duty of the defendants, their servants, agents and privies.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Nasarawa not yet Eldorado, says Al-makura From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) in a handshake with former President Shehu Aliyu Shagari (middle) during the 2012 Democracy Day Lecture on Monday at the State House, Abuja. With them is former Commonwealth Secretary, General, chief Emeka Anyaoku (right). Photo: Joe Oroye

State chairmen lack powers to sack CPC excos, says Fashakin By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

gainst the background of the purported dissolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) by the elected state Chairmen, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Rotimi Fashakin, has stated that the chairmen have no such powers in CPC constitution to sack the NEC. Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, Fashakin also stated that Sani Stores, Emeka Okafor, Dennis Aghanya, Shehu Ningi, Lawal el-Yakub, Sheu Nafuntua, among others, are

renegades, who were long-ago, expelled by the Board of Trustees (BoT) of CPC for various degrees of anti-party activities. He wondered why people who are adept with the party’s rules engage in acts that are ‘ultra vires and ineffectual’, adding that the current strategy to distabilise CPC, is financially sponsored by the ‘nest of killers’. He described CPC as a child of necessity, pointing out that the formation of the party was inspired by the persona and political principles of Muhammadu Buhari, maintaining that CPC was formed to address the ‘humongous’ injustice meted to the opposition

and Nigerians at large, by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Fashakin further lamented that PDP had perfected a strangulating grip on the electoral umpire, adding that PDP now resort to shifting their rigging mechanism to collation centers in the wards, local government areas and states, where they thwart the fortunes of other parties. While regretting that the massive rigging of elections by the ruling President has prevented Nigerians from reaping the dividend of democracy, Fashakin advocated a harsh punitive measure for election offences.

Democracy gains will be consolidated, assures Tambuwal By Lawrence Olaoye

peaker of the House of Rpresentatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu WEaziri Tambuwal has assured that the gains of democracy would be consolidated. Tambuwal who spoke through his Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs, Imam Imam, in commemoration of the nation’s Democracy Day has urged Nigerians not to despair despite the various socio-economic challenges confronting the nation. According to him, such

constraints are part of a phase the country is passing through in its march towards development. He said the sacrifices made to enthrone civil rule in the federation must be appreciated at all times, adding that all things being equal, the future of democracy is bright in Nigeria. He however added that while democracy is not an end in itself but a means to an end all Nigerians must join hands and make the necessary sacrifices needed to move the nation forward. He reiterated the commitment

of the House of Representatives to the deepening of the virtues of good governance, transparency and rule of law. According to him, the House is ready at all times with collaborate with other arms of government and other interest groups to sustain democracy and tackle poverty, insecurity and corruption in Nigeria. “I wish to congratulate all Nigerians on this momentous day and pray to almighty God to continue to shower His blessings on our dear country at all times,” the Speaker added.

Reps hold Constitution review retreat

he House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on the review of the constitution recently held its retreat in Port-Harcourt. The retreat was organized to provide an opportunity for the Committee to listen to presentations on the issue of constitution amendment by experts drawn from across Nigeria and to examine the various issues in the Constitution

identified as requiring amendment. Deliberations at the retreat were guided by eminent personalities and experienced resources persons. Papers presented at the retreat covered several areas of interest in constitution amendment including: electoral reform; citizenship, indigeneship, and residency rights in the 1999 Constitution; immunity clause, accountability, and judicial reforms; national

security and police reforms; federalism, local governance and political restructuring. In retreat however observed “That the 2010 amendments to the 1999 Constitution was a major milestone in the history of constitution making in Nigeria and reflects the commitment and determination of the National Assembly to correct the flaws in the Constitution;

espite the modest achievements of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)’s administration in the past one year, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura has disclosed that there waSs room for impriovement. According to him, having taken stock of the journey so far, “the future is not one of ease or rest; the people must remember; it is not yet Eldorado.” Al-makura made the observation yesterday while delivering his speech on the occasion of the Democracy Day and first anniversary celebrations of his administration which held at the College of Agriculture Grounds. The event which was attended by the presidential candidate of the party in the 2011 general election,

Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, the National Chairman of the party, Prince Tony Momoh, former Minister of the FCT, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’I, as well as top government functionaries, traditional rulers and prominent sons and daughters of the state, saw the governor reviewed achievements his administration recorded in the out gone year. While thanking the people for their support and cooperation before and after he became governor, Almakura listed among his achievements to include among others, ambitious roads construction in Lafia, the state capital; release of N58million for the hospital based drug revolving scheme; payment of NECO examination fees for all SSSIII students in public schools for the 2012 examination, as well as the procurement of heavy duty earth moving equipments to be used in upgrading rural roads.

IPAC canvasses support for Jonathan

he Inter-Party Advisory Council on Monday called on Nigerians to be patient with President Goodluck Jonathan and support him to transform the nation for the better. Alhaji Mohammed Shittu, National Secretary of the council, who made the call in a statement given to newsmen in Abuja, said one year was not enough to conclude assessment on governance. According to him, it is difficult to fix a country like Nigeria that is almost destroyed by the successive military juntas to an appreciable degree. “We are calling on Nigerians to remain patient with Mr President because it is not easy to fix a country like Nigeria which has had its share of the rot during the long stay of the military in power. “We are also appealing to Nigerians to support Mr President to achieve his transformation

agenda and hold him responsible if he fails after our collective support.” He lauded the government for pursuing an alternative source of power to avoid over dependence on hydro-power generation. Shittu also called for concerted efforts to stem corruption in the country, adding that corruption had affected the common man adversely. “We have had enough of corruption in this country and the masses are at the receiving end. “This corruption does not affect those in the corridors of power, but the Nigerians on the street. “We need to be vigilant and report cases of corruption to the anti-graft agencies and still monitor the process of investigation to a logical conclusion. “Let us not only wait for government to tackle the menace, for we need to join hands to stamp it out,’’ he said.

Group cautions politicians over divisive remarks By Adeola Tukuru

he Northern Youth Movement for Positive Change has called on Nigerian politicians to avoid using religion as a tool to disintegrate the country, saying that religion should rather be used as a platform to unite the citizens of the nation in order to gear up the fight against corruption and terrorism. Speaking to Peoples Daily over the weekend, the President of the group, Isiaku Babanagode also urged Nigerian politicians to groom and allow younger generation to succeed them, adding that in doing this; positive legacies and standard should be laid for the youth. “The joy of a dying father is the presence of worthy successor”. He stated. Babanagode further argued that according to Islam, power is

given by God to whoever he wishes and he takes it whenever he wishes, adding that mutual trust and compassion between Christians and Muslims is not alien to Islam. He referred to the formative stage of Islam, hinting that when Mecca pagans persecuted Muslims, prophet Mohammed instructed his followers to take refuge at Abbyssenia, where the Catholic king did not only accept Muslims but granted them the right to practice Islam throughout the kingdom. “While at the climax of jihad, Christian community from edge of Mount Sinai came to prophet Mohammed and requested protection and the prophet granted them charter of right to which includes protection of the their lives, properties and places of worships by Muslims to the end of the world”.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Namibian delegation arrives tomorrow

25-man delegation of the Namibian National Football Team, known as Brave Warriors, will arrive in Lagos on Thursday evening aboard a Lufthansa Airline flight from Frankfurt. A release to that effect indicated that the contingent would be made up of a technical crew and backroom staff. It also said that a separate delegation of three officials of the Namibia Football Association would also touchdown in Lagos the same day aboard a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg. The press release further said that the Brave Warriors, who had been training in Germany, had played a 0-0 draw with Mozambique in a friendly encounter last Saturday in Germany. The 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, African Series Day One, would hold at the U. J. Esuene Sports Stadium, Calabar on Sunday.

NFF holds Federation Cup draw today in Abuja

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FIFA approves new kick-off time for Nigeria/Namibia match Stories by Patrick Andrew

he World football-governing body, FIFA yesterday approved a new kick-off time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Brave Warriors of Namibia. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Ademola Olajire the Chief Media Officer of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). He said the match which was to kick-off at 5pm has been shifted forward to 4pm at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar on Sunday. “A cautious Nigeria Football Federation had approached FIFA with request to bring the match kick-off time forward by one hour, from the earlier agreed time of

5pm. FIFA duly obliged.” Confirming the Barrister Musa Amadu NFF General Secretary said: “Yes, the match will now kick off at 4pm, we earlier proposed the time of 5pm but after deep consideration of all the issues involved the time was shifted forward. Olajire said the referees from Sudan would arrive in Nigeria on Friday aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa. “The Referees Assessor, Mr.Sene Badara from Senegal will arrive in Nigeria on Thursday while the Match Commissioner, Mr. Bojang Jammeh from The Gambia will be in Nigeria by Wednesday (today) “Khalid Abdel Rahman, 44, will be at the centre with his compatriots Waleed Ahmed Ali and Mohammed Idam Hamid as 1st and

2nd Assistant Referees respectively. Another Sudanese, Badr El Din Abdel Gadir will be the Fourth Official,” he added. He further stated that a 25-man delegation of the Namibian National Football Team, known as Brave Warriors, will arrive in Lagos on Thursday evening aboard a Lufthansa Airline flight from Frankfurt. “NFF officials confirmed on Tuesday that the delegation of 25 will be made up of players, technical crew and backroom staff. He stated that the Brave Warriors, who have been training in Germany and played a 0-0 draw with Mozambique in a friendly in Germany on Saturday, will play with Super Eagles in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

he Draw Ceremony for the national preliminaries of the 2012 Federation Cup will hold at the FIFA Technical Centre, National Stadium Complex, Abuja today. NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said yesterday that 60 clubs from across the States of the Federation have qualified for the national preliminaries and will enter the Draw. Among the 60 participants are Cup holders Heartland FC of Owerri and last year’s runners-up Enyimba FC of Aba, as well as CAF Champions League contenders Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, Enugu Rangers, Warri Wolves, Nig er Tornadoes, Wikki Tourists, Gombe United FC, Kwara United FC, ABS FC, 3SC of Ibadan, Kano Pillars, Sharks FC, Akwa United FC, Lobi Stars, Dolphins FC, Rising Stars, Kaduna United FC and Ranch Bees FC – all Premier League clubs. There are also 15 Nigeria National League Clubs, 14 Nigeria Nationwide League Clubs and 12 Non-League Clubs. These are Abia Warriors, Bayelsa United, El-Kanemi Warriors, Rovers FC, Sportlite FC, Kogi United, First Bank, Nasaraw a United, Gateway FC, Prime FC, Crown FC, Plateau United, JUTH FC, FC Taraba and FC Abuja. The 14 Nigeria Nationwide clubs are: Jimeta United, Makwada Stars, Akpabio Stars, Zabgai FC, Canaan United, Dynamite Force, Fountain FC, Flash Flamingoes, Hajaig FC, Dabo FC, FC Ebeide, Olorunda FC, Yobe Desert Stars and Police Machine (FCT). The 12 Non-League clubs are: Samba FC, Police Machine (Ekiti), Mbaise Lions, Gamji United, Ajax FC, All-Stars Academy, Sakaba Links, Nehoda FC, Niger Tornadoes Feeders, Scorpions FC, Fame Academy and Mgbo Ambassadors. The grand finale of this year’s Federation Cup competition will take place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Sunday, July 29. Last year, Heartland FC of Owerri piped Enyimba FC 1-0 in the final to lift the trophy.

FUTSAL World Cup: Oyekale invites 20 for Egypt

ead Coach of the five-A-Side Eagles, Oladunni Oyekale, has invited 20 players to camp for next week’s FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifying match against Egypt in Cairo. The Futsal Eagles reached the final stage of the African qualifying campaign without kicking a ball, following the withdrawal of Gabon, but the camping in Lagos gave former international defender Oyekale the opportunity to look at the cream of Futsal players available in the country and come up with a shortlist of 20. Egypt pounded Tunisia 9-3 on aggregate, winning 4-1 in Tunis and 5-2 in Cairo, to set up a meeting with Nigeria. But Oyekale says his boys fear no foe and will be ready to for the battle when the whistle goes for kick-off in Cairo on Friday, June 8. The 20 players invited have been advised to report at the Golden Destiny Hotel, Ajao Estate, Lagos on Thursday, May 31 with their international passports. The return leg will take place at the Gymnasium of the National Institute for Sports, National Stadium, Lagos on Sunday, June 24, with the winner earning one of the three tickets due to Africa at the FIFA Futsal World Cup finals taking place in Thailand in November.

FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS

Coach keshi addressing players yesterday after the evening training session at the UNICAL practice pitch

Keshi assures on Eagles’ readiness to battle Namibia

tephen Keshi, Head Coach of the Super Eagles, has assured Nigerians of the Eagles’s readiness to wallop the Brave Warriors of Namibia in Sunday’s 2014 World Cup qualifying game. Keshi, who gave the assurance in Calabar yesterday, said the team was battle ready for the June 3 showdown with Namibia and urged Nigerians to support the rebuilding process currently going on. Keshi also said that the players invited for the match would not disappoint the country as they were in high spirits. “Well, the truth is that the players we have in camp at present should see their presence here as a great privilege. “The home-based players we have here are not the best of the home-based players, only that they are privileged and the professionals are not the best of the professionals that we have.

“We have to seek for a balance and create opportunity for other home-based players and other younger professionals playing in Europe that have not been seen and have been neglected,”he said. Keshi, who captained the Super Eagles as a player for nine years, emphasised the need for the players to adhere to instructions in order to ensure a perfect blend. “This is a nice opportunity for them, we are not experimenting, and we know the capabilities of the players and what they can do. “We just want to give Nigerians good football and to foster a competitive atmosphere in camp where players would engage in healthy rivalry for shirts,”Keshi said. Meanwhile, the duo of Obiorah Nwankwo and Nnamdi Oduamadi joined the team yesterday to bring the number in camp to 26 players.

Ebuka Okafor (Enugu), Chidindu Madu (Warri), Uche Ike (Enugu), Kabiru Nosiru Olumide (Lagos), Israel Banigo (Port Harcourt), Hakeem Husseini (Lagos), Olaniyi Jejelola (Lagos), Taiye Ochei, Dimeji Hassan, Jones Adepoju, Amei Elisha, Sani Mohammed (Gombe United), Sylvester Francis (Sharks FC), Sani Suleiman, Alabi Wasiu, Michael Joel Okoro (Port Harcourt), Pelewura Olumide, Dayo Olanipekun, Gambo Mohammed (Kano Pillars), Prosper Edewor (Insurance FC)

Flying Eagles crash out

efending champions of the 8-nation Invitational Tournament, the Flying Eagles yesterday lost for the third time and thus crashed out of the tournament. The John Obuh tutored side were beaten 1-0 by their South African counterparts in a match the junior Eagles needed to win at least two un-replied goals. They had lost the opening game 3-2 to Ghana and 1-0 to Argentina.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

South East to bid for U-13, U-15 football tourneys, says Offor-Okenwa

Nigerian swimmers

Lagos need an Olympic-sized swimming pool, says Coach E

niola Omope, Head Coach of Lagos State Swimming Association, has called on the state government to provide an Olympic-sized swimming pool for the hosting of the 18th National Sports Festival. Speaking on Monday against the backdrop of the challenges facing the sport in the state, Omope identified the absence of an Olympic-sized swimming pool as the major constraint. The head coach disclosed that the provision would help to properly groom the state’s swimming athletes and ensure a successful hosting of the Festival. “The state’s sports festival called ‘Ibile Games’ has come and gone. I think the major challenge for the swimming sport in Lagos now is for the government to

build an Olympic-sized swimming pool. “The Teslim Balogun Stadium swimming pool is not up to the required standard. We are just managing it,” she said. The coach noted that there were plans by the state government to refurbish the swimming pool at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, but she said this would interrupt the swimmers’ training. “For now, we are contemplating on where to continue with our daily training,” she said. Omope urged the government, corporate bodies and individuals in the state to support the sport by providing facilities and incentives for the swimmers so as not to lose them to other states. Speaking on the Ibile Games, the head coach said about 30 talents was

discovered at the just-concluded event which had athletes from some parts of the state participating. “There is hope for the state at the National Sports Festival because we have been able to discover some extraordinary swimmers which can guarantee medals for the state,” she said. Only six out of the 20 Local Government Councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state took part in the Games. The Games was organised by the state government to prepare the state’s athletes for the hosting of the National Sports Festival in November. The two-week Games which started on May 4 ended on My 26 featured 25 events, which would be featuring at the Festival.

he South-East Zone will lobby the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to host the Zonal U-13 and Rasheed Yekini U-15 male football tournaments at the Neros Stadium, Nanka, Anambra, Chidi Offor-Okenwa has said. Offor-Okenwa, NFF South-East Zonal Coordinator, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Nanka that the aim would be to expose youth in the zone to top class grassroots soccer fiesta and thus uplift sports development in the region. The coordinator said that if the right to host the competitions at the stadium was given it would further boost its speedy completion and encourage other philanthropists in the region to do likewise. “It is all about having the spirit to do certain things, there are a lot of people who are rich in the South-East but they hardly plough back these resources for the betterment of the society. “This is the most modern privately owned sporting facility built by a single individual and I must commend Chief Poly Emenike, the CEO of Neros Pharmaceuticals Ltd for this feat. “This a great testimony to what an individual can do to uplift sports; today about 5,000 people are celebrating and giving testimony over this great development,” Offor-Okenwa said. The coordinator, who is also the Enugu Football Association Chairman, said the stadium with 10,000 seating capacity when completed would have a good grass pitch and a sizable parking lots. He said that adequate security would also be provided at the stadium which would be well lit with a tarred road leading to it from the Ekwulobia-Awka Road. In his reaction, Emmanuel Amuneke, the Assistant Coach of the Golden Eaglets’, said that he was moved by the commitment of the chairman of Neros to sports and football development, especially at the grassroots. “This is the type of spirit that could grow our sports to meet other leading sporting nations of the world. I am impressed at what I see here today,” said Amuneke, the former African Footballer of Year. “Most athletes, who had passed through some sports I have sponsored, have found their way to national and international sports teams,” said Emenike, popularly called the Pillar of Football in Anambra.

DEMOCRACY DAY National Stadium, Lagos, unsuitable for training, athletes lament

ome athletes have decried the state of facilities at the National Stadium, Lagos, describing the environment as unsuitable for sports development. The athletes, in apparent assessment of the 13 years of democratic rule singled out the facilities at the former hub of the nation’s sports activities as an instance of government’s lack of interest in sports. B o t h athletes and s p o r t s enthusiasts who spoke yesterday decried the state of facilities in the stadium and even its President immediate Goodluck environment Jonathan were far from

being suitable for use and therefore not conducive for athletes’ training and sports development. Yahaya Adamu, the West African Zone III Karate Champion, said: “The stadium does not provide an enabling environment for athletes to grow while basic infrastructure required is unavailable. “Training for indoor games are supposed to be on treated surface and this is not so at the stadium,” he said The karate champion also deplored the lack of access to bathrooms and toilets at the stadium. According to him, after training there are no bathrooms to freshen up or toilets whenever the athletes are pressed. “It is saddening to say that the stadium lacks the basic infrastructure, such as toilets and bathrooms. We have to pay to enjoy a facility that is supposed to be at our disposal,” Adamu said. The athlete also expressed displeasure at the fact they had to improvise due to the lack of modern training equipment. Adamu noted that

karate had in the past eight years improved greatly from what it used to be when he started. “Karate is developing but politics is dragging it back and this is because those at the helms of affairs are not interested in the sport,” he said. The karate champion explained that the little progress made in the sport was due to the passion of the athletes and a few administrators. According to him, those participating in the sport are doing it because they have passion for it and not for monetary gains. Also, Omotola Falodun a para-power lifter, condemned the training facilities at the stadium. Falodun, a 60kg female para-power lifter said, “There are little or no training facilities at the stadium,” she said. The athlete, who is set to represent Nigeria at the Paralympics in September in London, also decried the fact that the athletes had yet to be camped. According to her, by now we should be in open camp where adequate and proper training can be carried out. “ There are not enough training facilities in the stadium and this is not making our training easy.Take a look at where we are training at the state level? “It is not conducive enough. It is even the same at the national level and this is not good for sports development,”

she said. Falodun qualified for the Paralympics in the 60kg at the qualifiers in Dubai in December. Femi Alabi, a gold medallist at Sydney 2000 Paralympics in table tennis, said that compared to other countries, Nigeria lacked the necessary facilities for para-table tennis. He said that in Nigeria, both the para-athletes and the able-bodied, train in the same hall “and this is unheard of”. Alabi said that there should be a separate training hall for the athletes involved in special sport. “The training process is not working out well because both the para-athletes and able bodied are training in the same venue. “There should be a separate hall for the paraa t h l e t e s because most of the training halls present are not conducive for us to train. There are no ramps most times for our wheelchairs and so many o t h e r challenges,” he Bolaji Abdullahi, said. Minister of Sports

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Hazard picks Chelsea

bramovich has sanctioned a bumper £32million five-year deal that will pay the in-demand Belgian star £4.8m per season Eden Hazard has delivered a crushing blow to Manchester City and Manchester United by announcing he is joining Chelsea. The European champions were contesting with Premier League’s big two to sign the 21-year-old left-sider. But after weeks of titillation and gameplaying on Twitter, the Belgian prodigy has finally confirmed he is leaving Lille to become part of the next stage of the Chelsea revolution. Roman Abramovich has sanctioned a £32million five-year deal worth £4.8m per season for Hazard, who had teed up his decision with a lunchtime tweet, in English and French as he said: “Good afternoon guys. I made up my mind and will reveal this afternoon. See you later. Thanks.”

PAGE 43

Transfer The season is over. Clubs are counting their blessing as well as losses and would like to make amends and even beef up their squads where noticeable lapses exist. And the transfer market is agog barely 24 hours after major European leagues dropped the curtain. And so to keep abreast with latest rumours, we begin daily doses of movements within the market both for players and coaches like.

AC Milan keen to tie up deal for Liverpool misfit

C Milan is trying to force down the price of Liverpool outcast Alberto Aquilani, according to reports in Italy. The midfielder spent the season on loan at the San Siro side and they are keen on securing a permanent deal for the 27-year-old. The Serie A side believes Liverpool’s £7m valuation is too much for a player they have shipped out on loan for the last two seasons and has made just 18 league appearances since he joined in 2009. Milan would have been forced into buying the former Roma man if they had played him in 25 games in the Italian top flight but he featured in just 23 and is set to return to Anfield where he has never managed to settle. Aquilani joined the Merseyside club on a five-year-deal costing £17m but injuries did not help his transition and he does not look likely to be part of their long-term plans unless the club’s next manager convinces him to stay and fight for his place.

Marseille star rules out Arsenal move

ong-term Arsenal target Mathieu Valbuena will not leave Marseille this summer, he has confirmed. Arsene Wenger has long been interested in the attacking midfielder and was reported to have made a move last summer. It was thought Valbuena would leave Marseille after a disastrous season, in which Didier Deschamps’ side finished tenth, 34 points behind champions Montpellier.

The 27-year-old, whose contract runs until 2014, says he cannot leave the club after such a poor season and insists he will not be sold this summer. Even without the Champions League next season can be exciting. At Marseille we cannot talk about transitionary seasons, but there is everything to succeed. I feel good even if that is a bit contradictory with the season we have just had.”

City, Liverpool, Spurs on alert as Robben was reported that the teammates came cancels contract talks to Itblows at half-time of Bayern Munich’s Eden Hazard

Chelsea, Liverpool battle Real favourite

helsea and Liverpool will have to battle Real Madrid if they want to sign unsettled Ajax defender Gregory van der Wiel. The Dutch defender’s agent has the revealed the right-back, whose move to Valencia recently fell through, has Madrid on his mind. There are about ten elite teams in Europe that have shown interest in signing Van der Wiel, but I cannot say which clubs in question, or at what level the interest is at,” Hakim Slimani said. When asked by Dutch sports magazine NuSport if Madrid were one of those clubs, Slimani added: “It is an absolutely top club, and Greg wants to go to a top club,” Gregory has already won two league titles in Holland and is ready to take the next step in his career.

ormer Chelsea ace Arjen Robben will snub a new deal at Bayern Munich after his row with Franck Ribery which could pave the way for a second spell in the Premier League. Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool have all been linked with a move for the Flying Dutchman, 28, who has become one of the most feared wingers in Europe. According to German newspaper Bild, Robben is now unlikely to agree to the deal and will look elsewhere this summer after a run-in with Frenchman Ribery.

Champions League semi-final first leg victory over Real Madrid, during which the pair openly rowed over who would take a freekick. Robben is out of contract in June 2013, when he could leave on a free, so Bayern may decide to cash in this summer to avoid a cut-price fee in January.

Wenger eyes De Jong

Arjen Robben

rsene Wenger has switched his attention to Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong after growing frustrated in his pursuit of long-time target Yann M’Vila. The Arsenal boss wants to bolster his midfield options after injuries to Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta. Wenger is reportedly ready to make a move for Manchester City midfielder De Jong. QPR have also targeted the Dutch enforcer, who made just 11 starts for the Premier League champions last season. Rangers boss Mark Hughes is keen on a reunion with De Jong, having signed him from Hamburg in 2009 during his spell in charge at City.

Barcelona, Real in race to sign £23m-rated Chelsea defender

Gareth Bale

Barcelona agree deal for Bale

ottenham have agreed to sell Gareth Bale to Barcelona for £40million, according to reports in Spain. There has been much speculation about Bale’s future, with the Nou Camp regularly talked about as a possible destination for the Welshman. Marca TV programme, Futboleros, is now claiming the La Liga club has reached an agreement with the north Londoners for the sale of the 22-year-old. They now need to agree personal terms with Bale and Futboleros are reporting they will offer him a five-year contract on €5million a year.

Mourinho hunt for Drogba as China move fail

idier Drogba is considering a reunion with former mentor Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid after China move end in stalemate. The 34-year-old is wanted by the Spanish champions and talks have taken place between representatives of the two parties over a two-year contract. The hero of Chelsea’s Champions League triumph was brought to Stamford Bridge by Mourinho in 2004 and was on the Portuguese’s wish-list last year, only for talks to falter over his transfer valuation. The Ivory Coast striker has drawn interest from clubs in Spain, Italy, Germany and Russia, while a lucrative offer from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua was seemingly on the verge of being accepted. Mourinho wants to deliver the Champions League for Real and the prospect of another European adventure even as a bit-part player may be enough to sway Drogba.

B Branislav Ivanovic

arcelona has made an enquiry for Branislav Ivanovic as competition hits up for Chelsea’s defender. Real Madrid was willing to spend £15million on the Serbia international and he confirmed the Spanish champions’ interest on Sunday. Real’s fierce La Liga rivals Barcelona have also stepped in as they search for defensive reinforcements, with prime target Thiago Silva looking likely to stay in Italy with AC Milan. Barcelona sees Ivanovic as someone who can cover at right back and central defence as well as giving them extra physical presence. Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala is also in the frame. However, Chelsea do not want to sell the uncompromising defender cheaply. They are understood to value Ivanovic at £23m and his suitors face some hard bargaining over the next few weeks.

Didier Drogba

PAGE 44

s preparations reach fever pitch for the Super Eagles versus Brave Warriors of Namibia World Cup qualifier, the camp of the national team at the Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, has been playing host to notable ex-internationals. Three of them, Jonathan Akpoborie, Franklin Howard and Etta Egbe took their turns to cheer the

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Akpoborie, Howard, Etta Egbe cheer up Eagles Nigerians should not be desperate for victory in all engagements as the team need time to properly shape up. “I have watched the team keenly and objectively and I think it’s very encouraging but I think we still need

more foreign based professionals in the team because of their experience. I don’t have any person in mind but I trust that Keshi has the experience to call up those that will add value to the team.”

Gov. Imoke appreciates Golden Eaglets with N2m

simultaneously hosting the Golden Eaglets and the Super Eagles. “We want to thank Governor Imoke especially for playing the role of a big brother to Nigerian football by assisting the NFF in hosting the Golden Eaglets and the Super Eagles at the same time,” Ikpeme said. “We are indeed very grateful because there are so many reasons for us to be grateful and we want to thank the Governor for his donation to the Golden Eaglets.”

overnor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has redeemed his pledge of a cash gift to players and officials of the National Under-17 Team with N2m donation The Governor, who made had the promise w hen he addressed the Golden Eaglets at the Practice Pitch of the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium last Thursday, fulfilled the it yesterday

Eagles as the team intensified its preparations for the crucial game against Brave Warriors on Sunday. Akpoborie, who spoke first, said he was delighted at what he has seen in the national team stressing that

adding it would make their stay in Cross River State worthwhile. “I know it is customary that when I visit you, I must come up with a donation so that you can be buoyant enough to enjoy all the best things that Calabar has to offer and I would surely send something to you,” the Governor told his ecstatic audience. The Governor’s package to the team

was delivered Monday on night through the state’s Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Ugbe,who promised to ensure that the Golden Eaglets are catered for in a manner that would ginger them to success. Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Director Technical of the NFF described the Governor’s deed as laudable, thanking the state government for

he newly appointed management of Niger Tornadoes has cried against alleged saboteurs whom members of the management have accused of deliberately inciting

Tornadoes’ new management cries out against sabotage

Babangida Aliyu, Gov. Niger State

players and persons against them. Tornadoes Media Officer, Suleiman Isah said agents purportedly sponsored by some members of the past boards have incessantly made frivolous demands on them in respect of players’ sign-on fees. According to him, some of these agents have gone to the extent of inciting players against them adding that the new management has insisted on being availed documented evidences of contracts agreement between Tornadoes and the said players that are claiming to be owed. “We are lately been inundated by claims of sign-on fees and other allowances by some players’ agents. Since we resumed, we have received

From Iliyasu Garba, Minna

several demands from players from Warri, Kano, Aba, and several places insisting that we are indebted to them. “But we have always demanded documented evidence authenticating their claims. But there have been none even as the demands have not stopped. Now, these agents have infiltrated the ranks of the players just to set them against the new management,” Isah said adding that the frivolous demands w ere distraction. He said that the new management team had taken time to look through the handing note of the Suleiman David-led management did not find any indication of indebtedness to

players on sign-on fees, match bonuses or contract agreement for which Tornadoes were yet to fulfill its terms. The media officer alleged that moves to derail the new management may not be unconnected with the stride it has recorded within a short time. Since the new team took over Tornadoes have had four impressive outings but are 19th on the log. It would be recalled that the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Daniel Clifford Shashere had earlier warned that players and officials against acts of disloyalty. Meanwhile, Tornadoes will today confront CAF Champions League group stage campaigners Sunshine Stars in Minna.

Howard, who played alongside Keshi in the glory days of NNB of Benin City, said he was in the team’s camp to lend support to his old pal and the players and praised the vision of Keshi to give home based players a chance to fight for shirts in the national team. The Unicem Rovers of Calabar Coach, said he was impressed with the quality of training and players in the camp. “If you bring Under 5 or Under 10 national team here, they will excel, because the people are simply crazy about soccer.” Former Calabar Rovers and NNB goalie, Etta Egbe, said people were praying for the team to excel on Sunday. “In churches, mosques and even traditional places, Cross Riverians have been praying for the Super Eagles and the much I have seen of Keshi’s team, gives me hope that the team will conquer on Sunday”, he said.

Jonathan Akpoborie

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

PAGE 45

L A I R O T C I P a. Britain's Heather Watson beats Elena Vesnina of Russia 6-2 6-4 to reach the second round of the French Open. b. Manchester United are closing on the â&#x201A;Ź15 million signing of midfielder Shinji Kagawa, according to reports in Germany. c. Andrea Ranocchia and Mattia Destro are left out of Italy's 23-man squad for Euro 2012 but Leonardo Bonucci is included despite the

match-fixing crisis engulfing the country. d. Aaron Cook confirms that he is appealing to the BOA to review GB Taekwondo's decision not to nominate him for the Olympics. e. Former world champion Paul Williams is paralysed from the waist down after a motorbike accident in Atlanta. f. Midfielder Yoann Gourcuff and defender Mapou Yanga Mbiwa have been dropped by the France coach, Laurent Blanc, who has named his 23-man Euro 2012 squad. g. Skipper Andrew Strauss hints at resting bowlers for the final Test at Edgbaston after England seal a series win over West Indies.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

PAGE 47

FCT Handball Open:

FRSC female team beat Unity Girls 32-25

he FRSC female handball club on Monday in Abuja beat the Unity Girls team 32-25 in one of the matches at the on-going FCT Handball Open Championship. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was part of the second edition of the championship, and it is holding at the Old Parade Ground’s handball pitch. Coach of the FRSC side, Innocent Nwankwo, acknowledged at the end of the game that his girls were

outstanding during the match. “I did not expect the huge gap in goals scored the way they gave it to their opponents. Some of their chances were not even converted. “But we have observed some lapses, the victory notwithstanding, and we will reduce the observed lapses in our next match,” he said. The coach, whose team is popularly known as the Safety Babes, said his team would keep on improving in every match they were going to play.

“The game against Unity Babes is our first. But we are preparing hard against the next team and this match has made me to see those lapses and I will continue to work on those areas and correct them,” he said. Nwankwo however refused to disclose those lapses. “If I do, our opponents can use them against us. Rather, it is for our technical consumption. We will now go back and correct those lapses”, he said. Benjamin Obi, coach of the Unity

Girls side, on his part said his players tried and gave their best in the match but they could not win the game. “The Safety Babes were able to beat my team because of their constant training and experience. “We have not been training together but the Safety Babes have been training together. That was what they used against us,” he said. Obi however said they were already strategising on how to beat the NSCDC team in their next match.

Keshi will succeed if given time, says Elumelu

r Austel Elumelu, a Technical Committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), yesterday urged Nigerians to give Super Eagles head coach Steven Kessi time to build a formidable team. Elumelu, who made the appeal while addressing newsmen in Abuja, said that Keshi needed the understanding of Nigerians. “The team’s consecutive losses in international friendlies should not be the basis for assessment,” he said. Elumelu, who reflected on the team’s two losses in international friendlies in the past two months, said that Keshi was only being meticulous to avoid the mistakes of the past. It would be recalled that the Eagles lost 2-3 in Dubai to Egypt in April and 0-1 to Peru last Wednesday in Lima. “I think the basis for assessment should be the three qualifiers the team will play in June. What Keshi is trying to do is to have a blended team of foreign and local players that can stand the test of time. “His approach in the friendly matches was that of using players through elimination by substitution. I am sure Nigerians will see his real team during the qualifiers proper,” Elumelu, who is President of All Stars International Football Club of Abuja said. The Eagles will face Namibia in Calabar on June 3 and Malawi in Blantyre on June 9 in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. They will also host Rwanda in the return leg fixture of their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on June 17.

FCT SWAN explains aim of friendly matches

Nigeria athletes celebrating victory at the All Africa Games

Coaches urge athletes against monetary gain ahead of career T A

thletes discovered at the just-concluded Lagos State Sports Festival, “Ibile Games,” are being urged against putting monetary value ahead of their sporting career. The coaches told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that too much desire for money can cut short their desire to reach the peak. Edet Ibanga, the Head Coach, Lagos State Traditional Sports Association, said that the discovered athletes should first stamp their authority in their various field before showing interest in money. “The inordinate love for monetary gain in sports has kept many good athletes abase when they eventually fail to get it. I do

not know why today’s athletes are too much money conscious; money will certainly come to a sport man after successful performance in his or her area of sport. “The newly discovered talents should rather first concentrate on rigorous training instead of initial love for money; their outstanding performance will market their talents,” Ibanga said. The coach, however, urged the government to encourage the newly discovered athletes in order to get the best out of them. Also speaking, the head coach, Lagos State Swimming Association, Eniola Omope, said that athletes must desist from the habit of putting the cart before the horse. “Athletes, most especially the newly discovered ones at the

Games should first concentrate on their training to be able to compete very well and beat any champion in their area of sport. “Most athletes who went into sports with the intent to make money instead of fame first are usually unsuccessful because they already developed a divided interest,” she said. She however observed that most athletes today were professionals in other fields. “Many of today’s athletes are educated and had learnt one or two profession on which they call fall back upon if they no longer have interest in sports. “So, I will also advice the newly discovered athletes to be well educated and also learn on or two profession for them to be able to

combine their sporting career with other profession,” she said. Omope, however advised the government to motivate the new athletes by improving on their welfare packages including their allowances, so as not to lose them to other states. The Ibile Games was organised by the Lagos State Government to prepare the state’s athletes for the hosting of the 18th National Sports Festival in November. The two-week Games which started on May 4 and ended on My 26 featured 25 events already registered for the Festival. The hosting of the Games no doubt had assisted the state government to discover abundant talents that would be on display during the Festival in November.

he FCT Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has explained that it organises friendly matches to maintain good relationship with its news sources. The Chairman of the association, Mr Kayode Adeniyi, made the explanation during a friendly match between Fofla Academy and FCT Under-13 team in commemoration of Children’s Day. “The main job of SWAN FCT chapter is to source for news, and in generating news, a lot of stress is encountered. “In view of this, the new executive committee has designed a programme to keep members fit. “We want to develop good relationship with the people around us who we cover. They include sports managers, stars and some other people.” The match ended 3-1 in favour of Fofla Academy.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

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Mali-Algeria qualifier at neutral venue

ali's home World Cup qualifier against Algeria next month will be played at a neutral venue, FIFA said yesterday, while Kenya must provide additional security for games in Nairobi after recent terrorist attacks there. FIFA also said the Egyptian Football Association is considering allowing soldiers in to watch its opening qualifying game against Mozambique in Alexandria on Friday. The match, Egypt's first at home since October, was to be played behind closed doors and will be without fans after ongoing unrest following the toppling of Hosni Mubarak last year and deadly clashes at a league game in February that left 74 people dead. The world football body told The Associated Press in a written reply to questions that the June 9 game between Mali and Algeria, which was scheduled for the Malian capital, Bamako, would now be moved out of the West African country after a coup there in March. Mali's security arrangements came under scrutiny after a countercoup and clashes between military factions this month led to club teams from Nigeria and Egypt being stranded in Bamako following African Champions League games. FIFA had been monitoring the situation since March and Algeria requested that the game be moved. FIFA didn't say on Tuesday if it had decided on a new location yet. Kenya has been troubled by a series of grenade attacks, while an explosion wounded 33 people on Monday in downtown Nairobi and was blamed on a suspected fertilizer bomb. The blast was less than a week before Kenya hosts Malawi in Nairobi in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. FIFA said Saturday's game would still go ahead, but Kenya had to ramp up its security.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter

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QUOTABLE QUOTE Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists in choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable — John Kenneth Galbraith

No smoke without fire T

he timing of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent attacks could not have been sharper. As with the others before this one, his attacks reflect the ailments of successive governments in the country. In the case of Jonathan administration, President Obasanjo has directly and indirectly been pointing at a syndrome of drift, corruption and denial. Many who have paid attention to these attacks believe that the former leader is just being his mischievous self. Last week in Jigawa, at a lecture to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day, he said there was no security in the country because there is no governance. Thereafter, he moved Lagos to unleash a diatribe against the armed forces, accusing its leadership of siphoning money meant for the procurement of equipment. This, according to him accounts for the lack of security in the country. On Tuesday last week, Obasanjo unleashed his verbal arsenal against the parliament at the centre and the states. All of them, he said, have not pursued any laws useful to the country. Obasanjo, who has always accused them of only uniting when their salary and perks are at a stake, charged that there are “rogues (and) armed robbers” in the parliament at all levels. Obasanjo looked at the nation’s judiciary and described it as unworthy of the name. “Now” he thundered, “the judiciary is riddled by corruption and this has affected other sectors of the country”. He accused the judges of selling cases whereby “the highest bidder takes all. That is what we have now.” One must not forget that as you sow, so you reap. It is hard not to blame the former President for being the architect of this unwanted situation. He is the master planner and a beneficiary. It begets curiosity; in fact he can't deny a vested interest in the preservation of status-quo. Yet, he compounds the more when he consistently attacks and does not offer any solutions. In the circumstance, those grating criticisms become open to suspicion that they are coming from mischief or self-gratification. What could be the explanation for why all of these are happening at this time? There are suspicions that the guru President may be trying to let the world know that he has

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MUSINGS By

Garba Shehu garshehu@yahoo.co.in

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

problems with our current rulers who may have veered off his laid down track. Uneasy with his own shadows, bereft of brave ideas and bold moves within party and government, the former President may have found the platform of public speeches as his last resort to vent private anger and frustration. Two, it is a known fact that the pre-eminence of the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the affairs of the politics of South – Western Nigeria must be a source of political indigestion for the former military Head of State. To upstage Tinubu, Obasanjo must now struggle to show himself not just as an alternative but a leader who is credible and can be relied upon.

This is a deficit that Obasanjo brings to a contest for the SouthWest political space. He cannot contend with the idea of a giant being supplanted by a perceived midget, the very midget that turned out to be a giant killer. A third scenario speaks of a contest for the economic domination of Nigeria. The new alliance in our unpredictable politics, one that has brought together the oil – producing Niger Delta with their immense earnings and the Igbos of the South-East, driven by their entrepreneurial spirit and a competent diaspora. This is a matter that has set the stage for a major economic rivalry between the East and the West. Forget the North, which had never been an important factor in the economic equation. Northerners have always been left to eat the crumbs of the Nigerian economy. Moreover, held down by Boko Haram and other internecine warfare, the Northerners do not even have the potential of posing a threat to these major economic powers. For the Yoruba, a kinsman of theirs, Obasanjo may have done all eight years in office but all of that may not have given his people the kind of dividend that power has yielded to the South-South and the East in just one year of the Jonathan Presidency. So deep down, there is really

more at a stake than what people will see as public criticism by a godfather cum guru Head of State. A wise man says you cannot wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep. Obasanjo is deeply cunning and knows what he is doing. Yes, this country may be paying a price for what is at best, government incompetence and at the worst, political weakness in dealing with issues in national security. The northern cities, including Abuja, the nation's capital, have been lurching from one bomb blast to the next while southern towns are grappling with armed robbery and kidnapping. Chosen ministers are free to loot while the opposition is asleep. Shell says up to a third of crude oil produced in the country is stolen. Those who know him say these issues worry OBJ as they do every patriot but there is more to it than meets the eye. All of the things said here do not diminish the right of President Obasanjo as a leader and free citizen to have sharp opinions. In private, a lot of our leaders will give you unprintable perspectives on everyone and everything. The difference the former President makes is that he can’t avoid being caught in hyper-aggressive postures. He sees himself as the God of this democracy who won’t bloody well say sorry for trampling on sensitive toes, although some say that he built himself on the labour of others. Those who know him say he doesn’t care if it infuriates anyone whenever he speaks and that he genuinely doesn’t care what they say. While he is entitled to his views, it is no less important to say that it diminishes our democracy when those entrusted with protecting it, undermine it.

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It is hard not to blame the former President for being the architect of this unwanted situation. He is the master planner and a beneficiary. It begets curiosity; in fact he can't deny a vested interest in the preservation of status-quo. Yet, he compounds the more when he consistently attacks and does not offer any solutions

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