Fri 22, Feb 2013 The Guardian Nigeria by The Guardian Newspaper

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Friday, February 22, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,475

N150

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Govt probes missing N873b solid minerals’ fund From Madu Onuorah and Mathias Okwe, Emeka Anuforo, Abuja by the magnitude Sin ofHOCKED the corruption involved the alleged misappropriation of N873 billion solid minerals development funds, the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has begun moves to scam. the probe The allegation sparked off fury at the National Assembly last Tuesday when some legislators alleged that the funds

• NEC okays take-off of SWF in March • 18 PHCN firms, BPE sign pacts • NERC moves to tackle consumers’ complaints could not be located in the books of the Solid Minerals Ministry. In what seemed a response to the allegation, the RMAFC led by its Chairman, Mr. Elias Mbam and members of the Non-Oil Sector Committee of

the commission went on an oversight visit to the Ministry of Solid Minerals to confirm the allegation and to also ascertain the volume of revenue generated by solid minerals and how much of it had been remitted into the Federation

Account. RMFAC Head of Public Relations, Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, yesterday said the delegation with the Solid Minerals Development Minister, Musa Mohammed Sada, stressed the need for the Fed-

eral Government to intensify efforts aimed at strengthening the solid minerals sector for generating increased revenue into the federation account. The statement said Mbam told the minister that they were on an oversight visit to the ministry as part of its monitoring of all revenue-generating agencies of government to ensure transparency and accountability in total remittance of accruals into the federation account and dis-

bursement to the three tiers of government in line with the constitution. He observed that the solid minerals sector, which had already generated over N1 billion into the federation account remained a viable alternative to hydrocarbon resources, which he described as exhaustible and non-renewable. Responding, Sada told the committee that the Ministry of Mines and Steel Develop-

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Justus Esiri’s unfulfilled dream – Page 25 Before Badagry reaches boiling point – 19-21 PDP women kick off campaign for Jonathan • President’s wife tasks N’Assembly over N4b mansion • He can contest, says Fasehun From John-Abba Ogbodo and Abosede Musari, Abuja ESPITE a claim by PresiD dent Goodluck Jonathan that campaigning for the 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan (left), former United States (U.S.) President Bill Clinton, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and former Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during the launching and laying of the dedication stone for the five million-square metre-Eko Atlantic City project in Lagos… yesterday. (Inset: The New Great wall of Lagos). PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

election is diversionary, what appears like a tacit endorsement of his candidature for the race came yesterday with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Women Leader, Ambassador Kema Chikwe, saying that wing of the ruling political grouping would persuade him to contest. Also, his wife, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, urged the National Assembly to pass the N4 billion budget for the building of African First Ladies’ mansion. On his part, the leader of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, appealed to Nigerians to allow Jonathan go for the 2015 presidential race. According to him, Jonathan has a democratic right to run for the election and should be

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Jonathan, Clinton, Fashola, others laud Eko Atlantic City project By Marcel Mbamalu (News Editor, Sunday), Kamal Tayo Oropo and Tosin Fodeke RIBUTES to the human will T and intelligence to conquer nature reverberated in Lagos yesterday as leaders stood in awe of the Eko Atlantic City, located inside the Atlantic Ocean-end of the state.

• Govt to replicate project in Abuja, Kano • Plans national mortgage finance firm The Eko Atlantic City was described as a project equal to any other of its type from any part of the world. President Goodluck Jonathan, who was at the laying of the

dedication stone for the five million square metre-Eko Atlantic City project, explained that the corporation would be driven by a Public Private Partnership that would also in-

volve international financiers. On the occasion, Jonathan announced the launch of a national mortgage finance corporation to address the country’s over 16 million

housing shortfall. He disclosed that the World Bank had already provided $300 million to kick-start the company even as major stakeholders involved in the project would include Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN), local and foreign bodies such as Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and

Urban Development, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the World Bank. “We believe this will provide the much-needed liquidity that has been lacking in the mortgage sector as well as solve the problem of high interest rates. The housing sector has its peculiar challenges and that is why the Federal CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

2 NEWS

Govt to replicate Eko Atlantic City project in Abuja, Kano CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Government, a few weeks ago, organised a private sector retreat where it was agreed that the revival of the mortgage sector was paramount to solving the national housing problem.” The Federal Government, according to him, has been meeting with all the states in the country so as to fast-track the process of land titling which has also been a drawback to housing. The event, which drew a large audience, comprising captains of the industry, policy makers and traditional rulers, was hosted by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was elated to see the project becoming a reality. According to the governor, nature has lost again to the supremacy of human spirit and intelligence. Also at the event were former governors of the state, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who initiated the project in 2003. The business community was led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Oba Otudeko and others. Fashola recalled that the project had been raising a lot of questions, for the right reasons, all over the world. “It is beyond the civil and engineering master-piece on display, but I see more the determined effort and spirit to conquer nature. This project is one of the

major accomplishments of man in the moulds of airplane, Euro-tunnel, the Egyptian pyramid and so on.” He, however, lamented where, due to man’s negligence, nature had been allowed to fight back, referring specifically to a case of the century-old Apapa Ports. He insisted that man must not submit to nature. “This project is not finished, but it is already a success story”, said Fashola, who stressed the restoration of businesses along the Victoria Island corridor, even after what looked hopeless in 2003 massive flooding of the area. Disclosing that the Federal Government planned similar projects in Abuja and Kano, Jonathan stressed that government at the centre would not be beaten by the success of the Eko Atlantic City. “This project is a continuation of good news narrative that has been sweeping the country such as the recent victory at the African Nations Cup and revival of the Lagos to Kano rail.” The special guest at the event, former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, who spoke to the gathering, commended the project and stressed that it would be an international tourist attraction. “No one is strong or wealthy enough to solve all the world’s problems; but it is through the collective efforts of people that make a difference. And I urge you to continue. I am con-

vinced a lot of people will want to come and see this place “The walls built to arrest any over-flowing of the sea, tagged ‘The Great Wall of Lagos’ will not only protect the new city from the Atlantic Ocean, but also the adjoining Victoria Island. “The wall now stands at three and a half kilometres in length and has brought back the coastline of Victoria Island to where it was a century ago before coastal erosion began to wash it away. The Eko Atlantic land reclamation started in February 2008 with a seven-year dredging operation planned to create 8,000 square metres of new land every day,” Fashola stated. Earlier in his address, Exec-

utive Chairman of Eko Atlantic, Mr. Ronald Chagoury, said: “Nigeria is a great nation. Building a city of this calibre can only be achieved by putting our hands together. Today, we are at a turning point, where the real construction of the city has started.” He stressed: “Today, Lagos is the economic capital of Nigeria. We pray, by your blessing, Mr. President, to become the economic and financial centre of Africa in the near future.” The milestone achievement of the planners and city developers of Eko Atlantic was recognised by the unveiling of a marble plaque by President Jonathan. Speaking on behalf of Eko Atlantic, the Managing Director of Eko Atlantic, Mr. David

Frame, stated: “Completing 50 per cent of the land reclamation for Eko Atlantic is a major milestone and we are incredibly proud to be able to celebrate the occasion today with His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and President Clinton, as well as His Excellency Governor Fashola. Their participation is a major endorsement of our objectives; and we thank them profusely.” Head of Communications for the new city, Mr. Brent Sadler, stated: “Eko Atlantic is a ground breaking vision for the future of Lagos, offering world-class infrastructure to facilitate the development of a new African city. It will help meet the needs of Lagos’ growing population and business

community. Eko Atlantic will be a clean, energy efficient city for the 21st Century.” The construction of infrastructure for Eko Atlantic, such as roads, drainage and sewage systems has also started, including the foundation work for Eko Atlantic’s first commercial tower block. Upon completion, the developers and planners of the new city will have produced 10,000,000 (ten million) square metres of land, ripe for development: equivalent in size to the skyscraper district of Manhattan in New York City. The essential new city for Lagos is being designed as a solution to coastal erosion and also to help relieve pressure on the congested city of Lagos.

NEC okays take-off of SWE in March CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ment was largely accountable to RMAFC because of its oversight function and as such the ministry welcomed partnership from the commission and other relevant agencies of government in its quest to reposition the solid minerals sector for optimum revenue generation. Sada disclosed that the ministry had engaged the services of NEITI, which conducted a study on transparency issues covering 2007-2010 to assess the performance of the sector. Findings from the study according to him, exposed that the revenues realised in the form of royalties, charges and fees did not represent the actual revenue generated due to inherent flaws in the system. To address this anomaly therefore, the minister called for a holistic review of laws on royalties and the institutionalization of a viable fiscal policy to guide operators and regulators just as he called for adequate funding of the sector. Meanwhile, the nation’s National Executive Council (NEC), umbrella body of the 36 state governors and Federal Government’s economic managers rose from its second meeting of the year approving final modalities on how the $1 billion Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) will operate .The fund will become operational at the month. next of end The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy (CME), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told journalists at the end of the council’s meeting that the operation of the fund would be in the areas of Stabilization Fund, Infrastructure Fund and Future GeneraFund. tion Flanked by Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi and Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, the Minister of National Planning, Okonjo-Iweala explained that the three investment windows would be explored by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the corporate governance system put in place to fast-track the use of the fund. The Chief Executive Officer of NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji, said that the operation of the SWF was firmly on track, stating that by employing a “hybrid strategy”, the authority would have lean staff to drive down the cost of running the organization. On the recent pension scam, she said the government immediately froze the accounts of the organization so that additional money could not be stolen. Government, she stated, was creating a new pension office that would replace the

old one where the subsisting Power, Prof. Chinedu Osita problem emanated from. Nebo said: “The privatization of On the 2013 budget, Okonjo- Generating Companies (GENIweala said President Goodluck COs) and the Distribution Jonathan and the leadership of Companies (Discos) created the National Assembly (NASS) out of the unbundling of the were both interested in having a PHCN is one of the cardinal budget that was responsive to foundations of the restructurthe needs of the people. ing of the industry. We are here The executive, she added, was today to witness the execution having a constructive engage- of Share Purchase Agreements ment with the NASS just as the and concession agreement bepresident was very keen on hav- tween the BPE and the prethe of bidders ing the budget signed. ferred The council also deliberated on companies.” He continued: “ I would like to the report of the Presidential Committee on the Rehabilita- seize this opportunity to reitertion of Tertiary Education, ate that as we inch closer to which it established last year. handing over control of these On corruption, which was one companies to the private secof the issues discussed at the tor, the Federal Government meeting, Obi said it was agreed would take all necessary steps “there should be a session to ensure that the expectations where we will discuss the mat- of the Nigerian people in terms ter that there will be prudent of improved service delivery achieved. management of resources avail- are government.” “After all, privatization is not an to able Obi said: “The committee was end in itself but a strategy of imfurther directed to look into the proving on efficiency and cusproblems bedevilling primary tomer service delivery. Today and secondary education in the marks the beginning of a new country. Council is fully aware dawn for the power sector. For of the problems in the educa- the international community tion sector but it has to find and local investors here presways to mitigate many of these ent, the Nigerian power sector business. for open problems aggressively. It is just is to say let us turn it around - have “Let me seize this opportunity qualified teachers, instruction- to particularly express our gratal materials and others.” itude to the World Bank for its Dr. Shamsudeen Usman added support towards making these that prior to the setting up of agreements bankable through the Presidential Committee, the the provision of partial risk Minister of Education had set guarantee credit support inup a NEEDS Assessment Com- strument. We are also grateful mittee headed by the former to Nigeria Infrastructure Advihead of TETFUND, Prof Mah- sory Facility (NIAF) for its techmoud Yakoub, which submit- nical support for the PHCN ted its report to the Federal successor companies in negotiExecutive Council (FEC) and lat- ating the very gas agreements.” The other agreements executNEC. the to er He said stakeholders were in- ed yesterday were: the signing vited to brainstorm on the re- of ancillary agreements beport before the current tween the Transmission Comincumbent committee went to pany of Nigeria (TCN) with the GENCOs; the grid connection work. Also, the Federal Government agreement with the GENCOs yesterday restated its resolve to and DISCOS and the transmisincrease Nigeria’s energy sup- sion use of system agreement ply level to meet the aspirations with the GENCOs and the DISof the citizenry so as to boost in- COS. dustrialization in the country. Also undertaken were the signVice President Namadi Sambo ing of the power purchase who gave the assurance at a cer- agreements between the emony where investors bidding Nigerian Bulk Electricity Tradto invest in the 18 unbundled ing Company Plc (NBET) with companies of the Power Hold- the six GENCOs as well as the ing Company of Nigeria (PHCN) signing of the vesting contract signed Share Purchase Agree- between the NBET and the 10 alDISCOS. sold ments (SPAs) with the Bureau of ready Public Enterprises (BPE) ex- The Chairman of the National plained that the World Bank Council on Privatization (NCP) had already offered a partial risk Mr. Atedo Peterside, representguarantee for any investment in ed at the ceremony by his the Nigerian power sector. Deputy, Alhaji Haruna Sambo, The SPA is a pact between the in- said within 15 days after the vestors and the BPE on the post- signing of the SPA, the bidders acquisition plan for the firm in are to make a down payment of transaction and payment time- 25 per cent of the Share Purlines by the investors and the chase Price, while 90 days after commitment of the BPE to- signing of the SPA or Sharewards the investors before and holders’ Agreement, whichevtakeover. er is earlier, the bidder will be after Sambo, represented at the cer- required to pay the outstandemony by the new Minister for ing 75 per cent of the Share Pur-

chase Price to complete the transaction. He added that after payment of the full purchase consideration, the successor company would be handed over to the bidder. preferred Earlier in a welcome address, the Acting Director-General of BPE, Mr. Benjamin Dikki spoke of the significance of the agreement signing protocols, saying it was binding on all the parties. According to him, “ Today’s signing ceremony is not an end in itself, it’s a beginning of a voyage. There is still a need for route charting, navigation and steering in the right direction. As we move to the handover date, there are transitional issues that will arise between the payment of 25 per cent and the handover of the company to the investors. core “ The rules of engagement between the preferred bidders, the staff and management of the successor companies need to be carefully defined and handled. Arrangements need to be put in place that allow the preferred bidders to monitor activsuccessor the of ities companies to give them the comfort that there will not be any material adverse effects on the assets they are taking over. What form this will take will be mutually determined. Preferred bidders have already been asked to send in proposals. BPE will soon after this signing ceremony engage the bidders and CEOs of the successor companies to finalize an arrangement that gives bidders comfort without them taking over before full payment.” November 23, 2012 was the deadline for receipt of bank guarantees for 15 percent (15%) of the transaction value for the last set of the PHCN firms privatized. The BPE confirmed last January 15 that its bankers had verified all the bank guarantees provided by the preferred bidders. Thus, all the preferred bidders were then declared qualified to enter this stage of the privatization process— which is the finalization of negotiation between the Federal Government and the bidders. NERC also yesterday empowered a panel of relevant stakeholders to entertain electricity consumers’ complaints and seek prompt redress on their necessary. where behalf, The committee is named Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Forum and has membership drawn from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Consumer Protection Council (CPC), non-governmental organizations and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

News Borno residents allege sighting abducted French nationals

Three feared killed in Ekiti auto crash From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti

From Madu Onuorah (Abuja), Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri), Leo Sobechi (Abakaliki) and Sulaimon Salau (Lagos) HERE were speculations that the seven French nationals kidnapped at the Cameroon boarder were in the early hours of yesterday sighted at Dikwa town in Borno State. In a related development, the Ebonyi State Police Command yesterday, said it has arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a three-year old boy, Emmanuel Ejike from Iyioji community in Akaeze council of the state. Also, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba yesterday met with major stakeholders in the maritime sector on how to surmount the numerous security challenges currently confronting the country. Meanwhile, worried by the security challenges in the country, the Federal Government has unveiled plans to fur-

Police arrest kidnap suspects Navy, maritime sector meet over insecurity ther exploit electronic security system to ensure safety. The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, made this commitment yesterday during the presentation of 3000 police stands and patrol vehicles by Mikano International Limited in Lagos. A Dikwa community resident, who spoke under anonymity, said that the French nationals were seen being transferred into an unmarked vehicle on the Dikwa-Gambouru road when the one they were being transported broke down. Dikwa is a border town with Cameroon and about 85 kilometres East of Maiduguri. The source added: “I cannot tell which direction the vehicle zoomed off to on the DikwaGambouru road, but seven white people were among those seen coming down from the broken vehicle and enter-

Enugu State and another person (name withheld) had been arrested in connection with Ejike’s abduction. He added that the command ing another.” Also speaking with The had intensified efforts aimed Guardian on the issue yester- at smashing the syndicate day, the Borno State Comptrol- responsible for the serial ler of Nigeria Immigration abduction of children in Ivo Services (NIS), Babayo Alkali council. Igbo further noted that their said: “I am just hearing it from you that some Dikwa residents Imo State counterpart had also sighted the abducted French arrested some suspects in connationals this morning. Well, nection with the kidnap of security agencies, including nine children in Ishiagu. The meeting held at Naval our officers and men at the border posts with Cameroon are headquarters Abuja provided a platform for the formulation already at alert.” Unidentified persons had on of functional and effective February 4, 2013 kidnapped strategies for improved securiEmmanuel in front of his party of the oil and gas resources ent’s house at Obulo-Iyioji vil- and installations in the counlage, Akaeze community, while try. Admiral Ezeoba, at the meetdisguised as customers to a ing, decried “the growing spate shopkeeper there. Briefing reporters on the of illegalities” in Nigeria’s mardevelopment in his office, the itime environment especially Police Public Relations Officer, the cases of crude oil theft, (PPRO) Sylvester Igbo, stated pipeline vandalism, piracy and that one Chioma Obi and Chi- militancy. nonso Chukwu ,both from These, Ezeoba noted, “have

constituted a threat to our national security and economic survival. These vices have further given the country image among the comity of nations. It is instructive to note that whereas illegalities in the offshore areas appear to be on the increase despite the presences of multiple security agencies within the environment.” Abubakar said all efforts were in place to introduce many more safety gadgets that would aid policing the society. According to him, the Police was presently facing challenges such as insufficient sophisticated equipment, training and manpower. He said: “We are in the world of modernisation, so the police needs to catch up with modern equipment, to meet global standards. We cannot meet the standards now, in fact no country of the world has achieved that standard, but we are on the track.”

RAGEDY struck in Ekiti T community on Wednesday evening as three persons died in a ghastly motor accident along Ikere-Ise Ekiti road. The accident involved a Toyota Diana with registration number, Ondo XB 921 KAA and Mazda Car with Registration Number Abuja XV 605 ABC. An eyewitness said that the crash occurred when the two vehicles had head-on-collision. The source said one of the vehicles lost control while on speed, thereby causing the collision. The Ekiti State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Rindom Kumven, said the accident was not reported to the commission. But the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi Olu, said his men had visited the scene of the accident and the vehicles had been towed to Ise Ekiti Police Station, while the police have commenced investigations into the crash.

Four Britons for trial over bribe in Nigeria From Tunde Oyedoyin, London OUR Britons who allegedly FLagos paid bribes to agents of and Rivers states

President Goodluck Jonathan (7th from right); Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga (7th from left); Chairman, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Atedo Peterside (6th from right); and Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Sola David-Borha (5th from right) and others at the 2013 Standard Bank West Africa Investors’ Conference in Lagos yesterday

Govt raises panel on control of commercial explosives From Lillian Chukwu and Itunu Ajayi (Abuja) GAINST the backdrop of A current security challenges and the recent explosiveinduced blast in Lagos, the Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to forestall lapses in the importation, transportation, storage, sale and use of “commercial explosives” in the country. In the same vein, the Federal Government yesterday inaugurated the boards of four parastatals under the supervision of the Ministry of Trade and Investment. They are the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA). Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Sada said that an inter-ministerial technical committee consisting of relevant ministries and security agencies has been mandated to review control of impor-

Names board for SON, CAC, others tation of ammonium nitrate and blasting accessories used in the formation of Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) by terrorists. Speaking yesterday in Abuja, the minister said at a meeting with stakeholders on explosives that it was imperative that explosives, which were regarded as indispensable materials used in the mining

sector do not get into the wrong hands. Sada faulted the role of the private sectors in the indiscriminate proliferation of such sensitive commodities while citing the tragic explosive detonations in Lagos recently. He added: “As you are all aware, IEDs have been widely applied by terrorists in causing considerable damage to lives

and properties especially in the Northern part of the country. Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, said members of the newly constituted board comprised men and women of integrity, knowledge and experience in the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy. The minister, who was repre-

sented by the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Samuel Ortom, noted that the ministry and all its parastatals shared a common mandate anchored on: creating the enabling environment to stimulate domestic investment and attract foreign direct investment into all sectors of the economy and making Nigeria the most preferred investment destination, among others.

Yoruba leaders may sue govt over S’West neglect From Seye Olumide (Lagos) and Charles Coffie Gyamfi (Abeokuta) ISING from their meeting R in Ikenna, Ogun State yesterday, Yoruba leaders under the aegis of Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) called on President Goodluck Jonathan to redress the issue of the marginalisation of the South-West in appointments. The Forum further stressed that failure to address the

vexed issue may compel them to seek legal action in line with the provision of the 1999 Constitution on the Federal Character principles. Speaking at the meeting, Chief Hannah Dideolu Awolowo said it was unfortunate that despite the massive support the South West gave to Jonathan during the 2011polls, they were being neglected in terms of appoint-

ments. According to her, “The South West is too sophisticated for anybody to use and dump like we are witnessing now.” She, however, noted that the President was simply taking advantage of the division among the Yoruba, adding, “otherwise there is no reason for what is happening.” Speaking in the same vein, Chief Olu Falae said the birth

of YUF was the direct consequence of the several failed attempts to reconcile the crises of the past. According to him, “As long as we are not united, the Federal Government will continue to take us for granted. I am therefore appealing to all Yoruba people to come together under one umbrella for the progress and unity of the region.”

boards of Inland revenues between 2008 and 2009 will today appear in Southwark Crown Court. They allegedly committed the offence while working for Swift Technical Energy Solutions Ltd, a Nigerian subsidiary of the Swift Group of Companies. The accused –three men and a woman – are, the former chief financial officer, Paul Jacobs, the company’s ex-tax manager, Bharat Sodha, former financial controller, Nidhi Vyas and the former Area Director of Swift for Nigeria, Trevor Bruce. According to the charge sheet to be read out, the four former top management staff allegedly paid bribes of about £180,000 to the officials of both states to either avoid, reduce or delay paying tax on behalf of workers placed by Swift.

EFCC quizzes Delta official, firm’s chief remanded From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna) and Hendrix Oliomogbe (Asaba) TOP official of the Delta A State Tourism Board was recently quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja for alleged embezzlement of N50 million belonging to the board. In the same vein, a Kaduna High Court yesterday ordered that the Executive Director, Agriculture and Environmental Care, Mr. Shedrack Madlion, be remanded to the EFCC custody over N7.2 million fraud. The firm owned by the Admiral Murtala Inyako before he was elected Adamawa State Governor, has been managed by Madlion.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

4 NEWS

Court rejects bid to unseat Imoke From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE Federal High Court, AbuT ja Division, yesterday rejected a request to unseat Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State from office. Delivering a judgment on the suit brought against Governor Imoke by the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the last governorship election in the state, Usani Uguru Usani, the Judge, Justice Adamu Bello, dismissed the suit as incompetent and unmeritorious. In his bid to sack Imoke who has been out of office on health grounds, Usani prayed the court to determine whether under Section 34 of the Electoral Act, 2011 (as amended) the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not legally bound to publish in its Calabar office and on its website for at least 30 days before the election a statement of full names and addresses of all the governorship candidates and whether such omission did not amount to an infringement. As well as, “whether by the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2011, as amended, the Commission has the power to bring down the date of an election that is already in progress.”

‘Suspects forged documents to defraud govt in subsidy scheme’ From Bertram Nwannekanma (Lagos) and Abosede Musari (Abuja) N Ikeja High Court in Lagos A was yesterday told that the certificate of cargo transfer, haulage report and certificate of quantity which three suspects presented to the government for fuel subsidy payment were forged. A prosecution witness, Chidi Onyejokwe, made the allegation in the on-going trial of the suspects – Oluwaseun Ogunbambo, Mamman Ali and

Christian Taylor – on charges of defrauding the Federal Government of N4.5 billon under the subsidy scheme. At the resumption of the trial, Onyejokwe, who was a manager at the Inspectorate of Marine Services, also identified other documents, which he said the suspects used in defrauding the government. The documents were admitted by the court as exhibits. The matter has been adjourned to March 20, 2013 for continuation of trial.

Meanwhile, five suspected fuel subsidy fraudsters have been re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the same court for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government of N1billion. The suspects, Anosyke Group of Companies, Ifeanyi Anosike, Dell Energy Limited, Emeka Chukwu and Ngozi Ekeoma, were last year arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru on the same charge.

The matter, however, could not go ahead following Justice Abiru’s elevation to the post of Justice of the Court of Appeal and the subsequent re-assignment of the matter to Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo. The suspects were yesterday re-arraigned on an eightcount charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain by false pretence; forgery and altering false documents to the tune of N1,537,278,880.82. According to the charge preferred against them by the

Boko Haram’s activities not reflective of Islamic faith, says Aregbesola From Laolu Akande, Boston HE Boko Haram terrorism T in northern Nigeria is casting a pessimistic out-

Blast kills one, injures seven in Borno From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri ESS than 24 hours after the L Wednesday blast that killed three persons in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, another one was detonated at the Customs Roundabout of Gambouru Ward, which killed the suspected bomber and injured seven traders, while an AP filling station and several shops were torched yesterday afternoon. The torched filling station burnt for over an hour before men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the police cordoned the area and three roads leading to the roundabout. An eyewitness and trader, Modu Aisami, narrated: “We were frightened and shocked when the blast went off and people started running for safety, but some us were caught up in the blast with injuries, as there was stampede following the gunshots battle between the suspected bomber and soldiers for half an hour.”

Court summons AGF, NJC, NASS over Agbakoba’s suit From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE Federal High Court, AbuT ja Division, yesterday summoned the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the National Assembly to enter their defence in an action brought against them by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), seeking financial autonomy for the Judiciary. In an originating summons, Agbakoba is seeking a full implementation of the provision of the 1999 Constitution, which classifies and provides for the expenditure of the Judiciary as a “first line charge.” He submits that aside from independent budgeting, the funds belonging to the Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund ought to be released to the NJC in full for disbursement for the needs of the courts.

EFCC, the suspects were alleged to have, between March 2011 and January 2012, fraudulently received payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported supply of 15,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit. They are also being alleged to have forged shipping documents comprising of a bill of laden and a certificate of quantity to fraudulently substantiate their claim of importing 15 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit.

Senator Bode Olajumoke (left), Chief Tola Oyediran and Chief Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, during the Yoruba Unity Forum meeting in Ikenne, Ogun State… yesterday. PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

Bellview petitions NTSB, others over crash report By Wole Shadare IQUED by the alleged doctoring of the accident report involving the airline on October 22, 2005 in Lisa, Ogun State, the management of Bellview Airlines has petitioned the United States’ (U.S.) apex aviation investigative body, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and global aviation regulatory body, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It also petitioned the National Assembly, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, for what the carrier described as discrepancies in the accident report. Bellview’s grouse was that the final accident report handed to Boeing, the airline and all others earlier listed were total-

ly different from what Nigeria’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) released to the public last week. Already, a top official of Boeing, who spoke with The Guardian on condition of anonymity, said the firm was already looking at the second report, which it said, was a sharp difference from the one earlier given to it. The petition, in a letter dated February 18, 2013 and referenced BLV/AIB/TUL/001/02/013, also copied the chairmen of the National Assembly Committees on Aviation, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation, Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and sent to AIB, asked the bodies to compel AIB to amend the report released to the public on its website to include the response and obser-

vations of the airline. It added that the letter raised “several discrepancies in the report and the disparity in the original final draft report of 2009.” The petition, signed by Bellview Airline General Manager, Rasheed Yusuf, noted that the accident report was biased and not in line with ICAO recommended standards and practices. “In conclusion, this accident report is biased and influenced by AIB internal politics,” it said. “It is instructive that the preliminary report of Dana 0992 accident on June 3, 2012 and ADC 047 of October 29, 2006 did not include a detailed review and disclosure of the technical log status of the aircraft. “We hereby demand that the accident report be amended and this response included as

an appendix in compliance with 2006 Civil Aviation Act incorporating Annex 13 to the convention of International Civil Aviation Organisation.” Yusuf noted further that the AIB, after extensive investigation, could not identify conclusive evidence to explain the cause of the accident involving Bellview Flight 210 and yet, it went ahead to make several speculative allusions in the report, adding that the accident report should be factual, not speculative. “We want to state for the avoidance of doubt that we do not agree with all the speculations listed and detailed under causal factor of your report,” he added. He explained that the captain of the flight had 1053.54 hours experience on type in addition with over 5,000 hours and not 153.45 hours as erroneously stat-

look on the future and fate of the country, but the terror group’s activities should not be perceived as a reflection of the Islamic faith, according to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State. In fact, the governor warned that other parts of the country might soon be engulfed in similar crisis as now happening in the North because of what he described as Nigeria’s “indolent elite.” Speaking on Wednesday evening at the Harvard University, Aregbesola noted that while the “murderous activities” of Boko Haram continues to disturb the nation and fuelling pessimism, any interpretation of the terror group as a religious expression is a mis-reading of the crisis. According to him, “other parts of the country are embroiled in varying degrees of violence and will soon catch up with the North, except effective leadership emerges at the national and local levels. The report of the murderous activities of a religious group in the North, Boko Haram, has been disturbing, fuelling pessimism on the fate of the country.” Aregbesola addressed scholars, students, diplomats, policy- makers and Nigerians in the Diaspora while presenting a paper at the university during the Nigeria in the World Seminar Series hosted by Nigeriaborn Harvard professor of

Patience Jonathan tasks N’Assembly over N4b mansion CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 allowed to do so if Nigerians consider him to have brought peace to the polity. Speaking at the launching of PDP ‘’Women-in-Power’’ 2013 calendar, in Abuja, Chikwe, a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, said Jonathan had demonstrated love for female folk by increasing their number in government and should be supported in 2015. On the occasion, Mrs. Jonathan commended PDP women for organising the event, saying the ruling group would not be intimidated by the merger of major opposi-

tion political parties. She said she would never contest election in Nigeria and that anytime her husband retires, she would go back home with him. Speaking on the controversial First Lady Peace Mission in Abuja being proposed by the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), she appealed to the National Assembly to approve the N4 billion budgeted for the project because the building is not for her but for Nigeria. She made reference to the late Mariam Babangida and Mariam Abacha who built the Women Centre and the National Hospital respectively,

saying they did not carry the buildings when they left government. Others at yesterday’s event were the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Maina Sambo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim who stood in for Jonathan; Senate President David Mark, represented by Senator Helen Esuene; House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal who was represented by Majority Leader, Munirat AdeolaAkande and PDP national leaders led by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja. Also present were governors’

wives led by Judith Amaechi of Rivers State, ministers, presidential aides, PDP chiefs from all over the country, leadership of the National Council of Women Societies and representatives of civil society organisations. Fasehun promised the OPC’s commitment to provide security for petroleum pipelines in the South-West to curb vandalism that has drastically affected oil output in Nigeria. He spoke in Abuja yesterday when he visited the Special Adviser to Jonathan on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku. The Neo-Black Movement (NBM) of Africa has equally pledged its readiness to help

the government and oil companies combat pipeline vandalism. NBM’s Head (Worldwide), Mr. Bemigho Eyeoyibo, made the pledge recently when he met the commissioner representing Edo State at Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Henry Okuarubo. He hailed Okuarubo’s vision and dedication in the discharge of his duties, saying he has brought many projects to the state. He added: “NBM is a panAfricanist organisation dedicated to the unity and development of the continent and its people in the Diaspora. We are capable of tackling pipeline vandals.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

NEWS 5

No decision yet on 2013 budget approval, say Reps From Terhemba Daka, Abuja the delay in the FtheOLLOWING passage of the 2013 budget, House of Representatives

Some of the 14,586 weapons and ammunition surrendered by former militants to the Joint Task Force in Warri, Delta State, at a public display of weapons by the Inter-agency Task Force…yesterday

Akanbi laments graft level From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin IONEER Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd), yesterday bemoaned the pervasiveness of corruption in Nigeria. He regretted that the country is plagued by many corrupt individuals both at the higher and lower rungs. The former president of the Court of Appeal spoke in Ilorin, Kwara State, at the launch of a book titled: Appreciating Criminal Law in Nigeria, written by a journalist-turned lawyer, Ifeolu Koni. Akanbi urged Nigerian lawyers and judges to enlist in the vanguard of war against corruption by churning out books that could prick the conscience of corrupt Nigerians. The retired jurist, who was the chairman of the occasion, said: “Nobody can singlehandedly fight corruption in Nigeria, but lawyers and judges through book-writing.”

Delta procures 130 boats for transportation From Nkechi Onyedika, Asaba HE Delta State government has acquired 130 motorised boats to ease the transportation problem along the 122kilometre coastline area of the state. Briefing members of the National Good Governance Tour in Asaba yesterday, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said the project was executed under the state’s poverty alleviation scheme, adding that construction on 30 jetties have been completed to boost the infrastructure for the Riverine Mass Transit Scheme. To also check abuse, the governor said operators were made to provide guarantors while a monitoring team has been set up to track usage and compliance with routes. He added that the delay in bringing in the boat engines was due to the ban by NESREA on the engines because of environmental challenges. Uduaghan also informed that the construction of the boats was through local content, stating: “Most of the boats here were done by Almarine, which has its factory in Port Harcourt and also in Delta. So it’s only the engine really that we brought in.”

has said that the National Assembly was yet to decide on whether to use its constitutional powers to override President Goodluck Jonathan’s veto on the Appropriation Bill. Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, also yesterday stressed that the parliament was not afraid to override President Jonathan’s veto on the 2013 budget. Addressing reporters on the weekly activities of the House, Mohammed said: “The leadership of the chamber has been interfacing with the Presidency on the budget.” He added: “There is need for

NJC finds Archibong, Naron guilty of misconduct, recommends their retirement From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE National Judicial CounT cil (NJC) has recommended Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, and Justice Thomas Naron of Plateau State High Court to President Goodluck Jonathan for compulsory retirement after finding them guilty of misconduct. A statement released by the NJC Acting Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, disclosed that “the council also set up a ‘fact-finding’ committee to investigate the allegations levelled against Justice Abubakar Talba of FCT High Court in the Police Pensions case of EFCC vs. Mr. John Yusuf & Ors.” The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had accused Justice Talba of breaching the oral agreement between the parties in the plea-bargain, which made him to let off the hook the selfconfessed pensions boss, John Yusuf, by sentencing him to a two-year jail term with an option of N750,000 fine. The NJC statement gave an insight to the development thus: “The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of

The National Judicial Council recommended the compulsory retirement of Justice C. E. Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and Justice T.D. Naron of the High Court of Justice, Plateau State Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam-Mukhtar, at its emergency meeting held on February 20, 2013, recommended the compulsory retirement of Justice C. E. Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and Justice T.D. Naron of the High Court of Justice, Plateau State. “Justice Archibong was recommended for compulsory retirement to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan pursuant to the ‘findings’ by the council on the following complaints levelled against him: That the judge dismissed the grievous charges against an accused without taking his plea; and that he refused to release the Certified True Copy of his ruling to the lawyers.” The other complaints include “that the judge issued a bench warrant on some officials of the Peoples Democratic Party for contempt even when the counsel, who was directed by the court to serve them, filed an affidavit that he had not been able to serve the contempt application; and that

he made unfounded and caustic remarks on professional competence of some Senior Advocates of Nigeria.” Moreover, “there were glaring procedural irregularities, which showed that Justice Archibong did not have a full grasp of the law and procedure of the court; and that he granted the leave sought for in the originating summons that had no written address of the parties and without hearing both parties in the originating summons after he had earlier on overruled the preliminary objection.” Similarly, “Justice T. D. Naron of High Court of Justice, Plateau State, was recommended for compulsory retirement to Governor David Jonah Jang sequel to the ‘findings’ by the council that there were constant and regular voice calls and exchange of MMS and SMS (text) messages between Justice Naron and one of the lead counsel, for one of the parties to the suit in the Osun State gubernatorial

Boko Haram suspects protest non-trial From Florence Lawrence, Abuja USPECTED members of the Boko Haram sect in Kuje Prison have called on the Federal Government to expedite their trial, as inmates express weariness at the justice system in the country. This was made known to the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, in Abuja when he visited the Kuje Maximum Prison, where 20 of the suspects protested their non-trial. Besides, 429 of the 545 inmates of the prison were awaiting trial, 10 have been condemned while five have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Meanwhile, the minister, who expressed displeasure at the manner of facilities’ management at the prison, has cautioned the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Mr. Zakari Ibrahim, over what he described as poor utilisation of facilities. “Making the system work is

Minister warns against poor handling of prisons facilities not about money,” Moro said. “The government is not ready and will not accept laxity from anybody. The prison leadership will be held accountable for any failure, because I will also be accountable if any of the prison systems fails. “Let it not be heard that there is a jail-break and someone feigns ignorance, because Nigerians will not take excuse as they expect so much from you. I enjoin you to step up your activity so that all the facilities I have seen today can sustain the service, even if the government does not provide the needed funds.” Among the facilities inspected at the prison were the dog unit, industrial complex, which comprises soap-making, laundry, carpentry, textile, tailoring and welding. Others are poultry, perimeter wall and prison clinic. However, Ibrahim, who

admitted that there was system failure, assured Moro that the service would improve on the lapses noted by the minister. Frustrated at the lack of progress in their trial, the Boko Haram suspects informed that they had been remanded in the prison for over a year but were neglected by officials and do not know their fate. The suspects, who were arrested in Borno and Kano early last year, claimed that they were not taken to any competent court of jurisdiction for trial. One of the inmates, who disclosed that he had spent eight years in Kuje Prison, blamed it on slow justice delivery and crowded prisons in Nigeria. Nevertheless, Moro assured that modalities were already in place to improve on the justice system, adding that government was contemplating establishing a special trial court.

election tribunal contrary to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vide Section 292(1((b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Meanwhile, the National Judicial Council has in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, suspended the two judges from office with immediate effect. The council also set up a ‘factfinding’ committee to investigate the allegations levelled against Justice Abubakar Talba of FCT High Court in the Police Pensions case of EFCC vs Mr. John Yusuf & Ors.”

us to explore and exhaust all reconciliatory avenues before we can go ahead to override Mr. President’s veto. As we speak, the leadership of the National Assembly is interacting with Mr. President about the 2013 budget and by next week, if nothing is achieved, we are going to apply the constitution that gives us powers to override his veto. “We are not afraid to take that decision, (but) we must explore all means available before taking a decision. We still have time before we go into that, the National Assembly will act at an appropriate time.” On why the President refused to sign the budget, Zakari said that so far, there are three contending issues delaying the signing of the budget - the issue of benchmark, which has been lingering for sometime now, the unresolved issue of the Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the quarterly briefing by the Ministry of Finance. Specifically, the House had denied the SEC votes in the 2013 budget and insisted that President Jonathan must remove its Director General, Arunma Oteh, before the second budget could be considered. He added: “We have agreed that the 2012 capital budget component will roll over to April 2013. “This means that even the fourth quarter allocation that was done a few days ago would definitely be utilised properly because the implication is that if we end the budget by December 31, it means that some money may have to be returned to the treasury and as the case with some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the monies, because of the rush in getting their records together, might even be misapplied.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

6 | NEWS

EXIT OF JUSTUS ESIRI

Justus Esiri (left) on the set of the now rested TV opera The Village Headmaster in the 70s

The Esiri we will miss by actors By Shaibu Husseini ROM prominent actors in the nation’s entertainment industry have come more tributes to the late Justus Esiri whom they described as a seasoned artiste who would be greatly missed by most Nigerians. President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberisima, in his condolence message said: “We will miss him in AGN. He was a father to us, always supporting us. Words cannot describe how I feel right now. He was a pillar to me from my early acting days to my campaign, election and till he died. He was always there for me. Uncle Justus Esiri was a complete gentleman, a disciplinarian, responsible and caring. He made me believe in myself

and I thank God for his intervention in my life when I needed it. I will never forget his smile, which were very genuine and large always.” In his own message, former President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, Fidelis Duker, said: “Uncle Justus as I refer to him is one of Nigeria’s quintessential Thespians even though he had his training in engineering but he was able to distinguish himself in the creative industry. My closest encounter was after he won best supporting actor in AMAA and he had a cash prize attached to the award. Something unique that endeared me to him happened which I will keep for my book. “In short, Mr. Justus Esiri was a great actor from Village

Headmaster to Things Fall Apart as Obierika and importantly he remained a good man. I saw him last at the centenary brief by Senator Ayim Pius Ayim. I will always remember him.” Veteran Actor, Victor Olaotan, of Tinsel said: “Justus Esiri I came know in the industry about ten years ago as a peculiar character in a good way. He was very professional in his ways and direct in his approaches mostly, a jovial man, you will have fun around him. In short, he was a nice guy, never had an argument with him, he will be greatly missed, particularly by the producers who are still in the middle of shoot with him. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

Veteran Producer and writer, Paul Ememe with the veteran actor, Justus Esiri at the candle light session for Enebeli...last January.

Film producers mourn Esiri By Florence Utor and Sony Neme ilm producers in the country yesterday said

Arinze, Okwo, others pay tributes By Shaibu Hussain E have lost a great and iconic Thespian who traversed and walked tall like a colossus on the entertainment scene. From the village headmaster to the kingly roles he played, he was a master craftsman and wordsmith. Every role he played had a life. He motivated me and was a father figure to me. Odogobiri (his character in The King Must Dance Naked), rest well. You have played your part. You will be solely missed.’’ With these words yesterday, popular actor and former President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria Segun Arinze ex-

‘’W

tolled the virtues of the late Justus Esiri. To a prominent singer, Emem Ema, “Uncle Justus, was an icon. I had the opportunity to work closely with him last year. It was an experience for which I will forever be grateful, as I was able to tap into his wealth of wisdom and learned as much as I could about what we now know as Nollywood. I wish I could have spent more time with him, however, I am consoled in the fact that I came in contact and learnt from a true Thespian and icon of our time. My prayers and thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

Director and producer, Mildred Okwo, said: “I didn’t know him personally but I knew his body of work which I studied greatly in the hope of working with him in the future. I am saddened by his death but I am glad that he lives forever through his body of work.” Award winning actress, Chioma Akpotha, expressed shock at the death of Esiri. “Words fail me! His voice keeps ringing in my head…‘Chioma you have to dig deeper if you want to be different from the rest!’ Hmmm, I can’t believe he is gone. ‘No, it is JustUS!” he would correct in his unique

voice and a grin on his face that gently transforms into a hearty laugh! O dear, I can’t believe he is gone. Many times a daddy he was to me. The actors’ actor. The veterans’ veteran. Rest in peace Uncle JustUS!’’ Joe Benjamin, another popular actor, said that Esiri was “a man of standard, one who was a father to all. I met him only once, which was recently. He exhibited so much wisdom. His demise is one that will be felt for a very long time. I sympathise with his family in this moment of grief and sadness, may God grant them the fortitude to bear this loss.’’

that they were shocked by the news of Justus Esiri’s death, describing the deceased as a legend. President of the Association of Core Nollywood Producers (ANCOP), Alex Eyengho, in an interview said, “we are still mourning Uncle Esiri with shock.” Recalling the last time he saw the late Esiri, he said, “it was at the burial of Enebeli Elebuwa just some weeks back. He was full of life and spoke eloquently as usual, as he went down memory lane about how they started out as actors and as contemporaries. He did not show any sign of sickness. “In fact, those who saw him a day before he died said that he was his jolly good self, as always. The only thing I can say is that no one knows when his or

her end will come, except God, the giver of life. Truly, the industry has lost an irreplaceable legend and we shall all miss him.” Presenter of the Big Brother Africa show, IK Osakioduwa, said Esiri’s death “is a blow and a sad story in the industry. The last time I saw him, he was full of life, as he spoke about how he saw his son, Dr. Sid from childhood, becoming a musician. He was so proud of him. So, waking up to hear of his death was one of the most shocking news I have ever received this year. “He was one of the pioneers of the Nigerian entertainment industry, and I must say the industry owes him a huge debt based on his contribution to its growth, which cannot be quantified,” he added.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

NEWS 7

Ajimobi promises displaced traders interest-free loans

Oyinlola asks NJC to re-examine petition against Salami

Speaker backs councils autonomy

From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja

From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has promised traders, who were relocated to all the neighbourhood markets established by the government, interest-free loans to boost their trade. He made the promise on Wednesday shortly after completing a tour of some projects currently being executed by his administration within Ibadan metropolis. Governor Ajimobi, who said the loans would be repaid at the traders’ convenience, thanked the people of the state for their cooperation and support for his government’s urban renewal programmes. Also, Ajimobi yesterday inaugurated 320 tractors, reiterating his administration’s commitment to revolutionising agriculture as a means of alleviating poverty in the state. The 320 Massey Ferguson tractors, purchased by the state government, in conjunction with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), will be distributed to 20 local councils at 16 per council.

OT in a hurry to let go of his N allegation against the suspended President of the Court

Tukur confirms Madaki as Adamawa PDP chief From Emmanuel Ande, Yola HE protracted crisis rockT ing the Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was on Wednesday laid to rest, as National Chairman of the party Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, confirmed Mr. Joe Madaki as the elected chairman of the party. Tukur, who arrived in Yola yesterday and was received by hundreds of thousands of party supporters led by Madaki, told journalists that there was no faction in Adamawa PDP, pointing out that Madaki was the only duly-elected chairman of the party in the state. He wondered why a state party chairman would not be around when the national chairman was visiting and maintained that the disappearance of Kugama during his visit was a confirmation that he (Kugama) believed he was impersonating as the chairman of the PDP in Adamawa. Tukur, who urged PDP supporters to rally round Madaki to build the party for the challenges ahead, pointed out that the restructuring of the party was for the good of democracy in the country.

Enugu community reports commissioner to SSS over crisis From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HE Attorney-General and T Commissioner for Justice of Enugu State, Mr. Anthony Ani, has been dragged to the State Security Service (SSS) in connection with an on-going crisis in Enugu-Ngwo, the host community to the capital city. Former deputy chairman of the defunct Council of Elders, Rev. Osonwa Udeh, submitted a petition against the Attorney General at the office of the SSS in Enugu on Tuesday. Udeh alleged in his petition that the Office of Attorney General was being used to harass and intimidate them, in a bid to frustrate a case they instituted against the traditional ruler, Igwe Innocent Ayalogu.

of Appeal, Justice Ayo Isa Salami, over his alleged perversion of justice in the Osun governorship election dispute, former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has again appealed to the National Judicial Council (NJC) to re-examine his petition. In the said petition, which he submitted to the council, Oyinlola alleged that Salami communicated with the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) while presiding over the election petition that saw to his removal from office as governor. Oyinlola predicated his fresh request for reconsideration of his petition on a police investigation report, which established the fact that communications existed between ACN leadership and Salami while hearing on his petition lasted. The former governor attached a copy of the police report to the letter to the NJC, which was delivered to the Chief Justice of

Nigeria, Justice Mariam AlomaMukthar, who is also the chairperson of the NJC. He referred the NJC to the conclusion of the police report, which recommended MTN Communications for prosecution for allegedly suppressing facts. In the letter, Oyinlola said: “My heart bleeds to have to forward a copy of the police report of their investigation into the allegations I levelled against MTN concerning the ignoble role the telecommunications outfit played in obstructing the course of justice, by way of its reprehensible manipulation and provision of false evidence during the hearing on the petition I forwarded to the NJC sometime in year 2011. “My Lord, is there not a case for my aforementioned petition to be re-examined in light of this strong, new evidence? “Could MTN have acted solo? If not, who actuated it to commit this grave crime being alleged? “Does equity not demand that Justice Salami be prosecuted alongside MTN as recommended by the police? Are we all equal before the law?”

Earlier, Oyinlola had urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), to commence the prosecution of MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd for allegedly suppressing evidence in the call logs it sent to NJC to establish the fact that Salami had communications with leaders of ACN while presiding over the appeal that ousted him (Oyinlola) from office as governor. Should the AGF be unwilling

GUN State government O has called on the organised private sector (OPS), nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and foreign countries to join it in its efforts at making life meaningful for the people. The state Commissioner for Special Duties, Olu Odeyemi, who made this request at the inauguration of a community’s borehole built by an NGO, Development Support Initiative (DSI), in collaboration with the German Embassy in Lisa, Ogun State, added that there are so many contending responsibilities of government, hence the need for private organisations, NGOs, agencies and foreign countries to complement efforts at development. Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Oluwayemi Ajibawo, the state government said it had taken note of the community’s various complaints on security and activities of land speculators, which it noted, would be assigned to the appropriate quarters for action. Initiator of the project, Mrs. Jacqueline Yemi Odiadi, who is the Executive Director of DSI, said the execution of the borehole project was in fulfillment of DSI’s objective in education intervention programmes and access to water. Odiadi said: “As with every community we work, the chores of keeping the home and environment clean and the family healthy fall on the women, children and youths in the community. The main component for achieving these various tasks is water.” According to the DSI chief: “No one can deny the untiring work of the current administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State. We are, therefore, pleased to offer this little intervention on behalf of the people of the Germany.” Attache, Culture and Community Development of German Embassy in Nigeria, Sophia Stephan, said the Federal Republic of Germany is interested in development of Third World countries and would always be ready to pro-

vide financial support to improve infrastructure aimed at lifting the lives of the people. Stephan restated the importance of water, saying: “Water is the source of life” and commended DSI for targeting provision of water for the people. Earlier, the Bale of Lisa, High Chief Oladele Najeem Odugbemi, has lamented the plight of the community, which he said, has been abandoned in the aftermath of the

pressing communications between the leadership of ACN and Salami. He attached a copy of the police report, which indicted MTN. “In light of the foregoing, I am strongly of the opinion that your office would not be serving the ends of justice if your good self do not ensure that the said MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd is made to face the full wrath of the law,” the letter added.

Govt warns varsity councils against interference From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja ITH a stern warning on members of the governing councils of Nigeria’s universities to steer clear of dayto-day management of their institutions, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, yesterday inaugurated the chairmen and council members of four federal universities in Abuja. The universities, which councils were inaugurated includ-

Ogun tasks OPS, NGOs on development By Tunde Oso

to prosecute the communications company, Oyinlola, who was called to the Bar in 2012, asked the AGF to grant him the fiat to personally carry out the prosecution. The letter to the AGF, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, was sequel to a police investigation report, which established that Salami had communications with ACN leaders. In the report, the police recommended that MTN be prosecuted for deliberately sup-

Bellview Airline crash in 2005. Odugbemi appealed to Ogun State government to include Lisa in the scheme of things, adding that “the road from Ijoko to Lisa is begging for government’s attention.” He commended DSI and the German government for the project, urging other organisations to emulate them by joining hands with the community to improve the lives of the people.

ed the University of Lagos (UNILAG) with a former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana as chairman; University of Benin (UNIBEN) with a former chairman, Senate Committee on Services, Senator Effiong Dickson Bob as chairman; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike with Prof. Anya O. Anya as chairman and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) with Prof. Rowland Ndoma Egba as chairman. Decrying the failure of governance in most universities, the minister tasked the members of the new governing councils to work towards returning the glory of academic excellence that their institutions were noted for, saying the former councils of the affected universities were not returned to serve out their terms in office as a result of the identified issues that were detrimental to good governance of the institutions. “For instance, government had become inundated with allegations of poor governance of those universities, coupled with alleged total disregard for due process.

“This has, therefore, forced the government to search out and appoint these men and women of proven integrity, who have made impact on various areas of human endeavour, hoping that they would bring their wealth of experience and regards for the rule of law and due process in the discharge of their responsibilities.” She charged the councils to at all times, and in consultation with the managements of their universities keep abreast with the current laws, government policies, government white papers, circular, gazette and other relevant documents that would help in the day-to-day running of the institutions. “To be relevant and effective in the management of your respective institutions, governing councils are rather expected to be concerned with policy issues, adopting best practices and monitoring of institutional projects and getting more funding outside government to improve the facilities and infrastructure that would promote teaching, research and learning in your institutions.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

WorldReport Britain names, shames tax-dodgers HE British government T yeterdday publicly named and shamed nine businesses, which have been fined for trying to dodge their taxes. The list, which will remain online for a year, includes individuals found by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to have deliberately filled in their tax returns wrongly or deliberately failed to comply with their tax obligations. “HMRC is dedicated to clamping down on the small minority of people who break the law, and finding and taking action against tax cheats who try to evade their responsibilities,” said junior Treasury minister David Gauke. “The publication of these names sends a clear signal that cheating on tax is wrong and reassures people who pay their taxes – the vast majority – that there are consequences for those who refuse to tell HMRC about their full liability. “It also encourages defaulters to make a full and prompt disclosure and cooperate with HMRC to avoid being named.” The initiative is part of wider efforts to clamp down on tax avoidance which have seen Britain team up with France and Germany to try to stop companies shifting funds around the world to avoid paying tax.

Iran installing new nuclear equipment, IAEA claims HE International Atomic T Energy Agency (IAEA) reported yesterday that Iran has begun installing nextgeneration equipment at one of its main nuclear plants, five days before talks with world powers. “On February 6, 2013, the Agency observed that Iran had started the installation of IR-2m centrifuges” at the Natanz plant. “This is the first time that centrifuges more advanced than the IR-1 have been installed” at the plant, it said. The quarterly report seen by AFP also said however that Iran has not started operating any new equipment at its Fordo plant. Fordo is of more concern to the international community than Natanz, since Fordo is used to enrich uranium to fissile purities of 20 percent and Natanz mostly to five per cent. The ability to enrich to 20 percent is technically speaking considerably closer to 90 per cent, the level needed for a nuclear weapon. Iran denies seeking atomic weapons but many in the international community suspect otherwise, and the UN Security Council has passed several resolutions calling on Iran to suspend all uranium enrichment. The report came ahead of a new meeting between Iran and six world powers –the US, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany – in Kazakhstan on February 26.

Sick Chavez is back in Venezuela… but mystery over fitness thickens HROUGH his Twitter T account, President Hugo Chavez on Monday announced his homecoming to his countrymen and women after weeks of treatment for cancer in Cuba, saying: “We come back to the country of Venezuela… Thank God! Thank you dear people! Here we continue the treatment. Few days after the announcement, the burst of joy many Venezuelans felt on Chavez’s return from Cuba is petering out, and the veil of secrecy surrounding him getting thicker. Reason: They have not seen him since his surprise homecoming on Monday after more than two-month absence, nor have they heard his voice. Even his supporters are already a little rattled and their doubts about his condition will only deepen, a special report by Agence France Presse (AFP) indicated yesterday. Political analyst, Angel Alvarez, summed up the thinking of an average Venezuelan, declaring that Chavez “is as invisible as he was in Cuba.” In December, the 58-yearold president underwent his fourth round of cancer surgery there in less than two years. All eyes are on the military hospital where Chavez was reportedly admitted. The government has not issued a formal medical report on how he is doing, nor provided any visual proof that he is actually in the country. “Evidently, he does not want to be seen. If he wanted to, or could, he would show his face,” added Alvarez, of the Central University of Venezuela. “His followers were under the impression he was coming back to govern,” he warned. “Unless he gets

Chavez

backs to work soon, he is going to disappoint his followers.” Bolivian President Evo Morales came to Caracas on Tuesday to see his fellow leftist populist leader, but even he was not allowed to see him. He only got to talk to doctors and Chavez relatives. Nicmer Evans, another political scientist, said that behind all the secrecy there were legitimate security and health factors. “This anti-paparazzi concept is important because we are talking about a sick human being getting better,” Evans said. But the opposition wants

All eyes are on the military hospital where Chavez was reportedly admitted. The government has not issued a formal medical report on how he is doing, nor provided any visual proof that he is actually in the country. more openness about Chavez’s condition. “The mystery surrounding President Chavez’s condition does not seem to have eased with his return home. It would seem it is the exact opposite,” the opposition newspaper Tal Cual said in an editorial. Chavez is home now, not in Cuba, and “to some extent there is more intrigue,” it added.

The planned return was a secret shared only among Chavez’s family and his closest aides, such as Vice President Nicolas Maduro and National Assembly speaker Diosdado Cabello. “Chavez surprised us,” said Aristobulo Isturiz, a senior member of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela and a state governor.

Alvarez said that Chavez’s return was very un-Chavez: “Surreptitious, and with no evidence whatsoever of his physical presence.” That stands in stark contrast to Chavez’s usual talkative, bombastic style. Chavez announced his return on his Twitter account in the dead of night. Since his surgery December 11, the only photos released of him came out only last Friday. Chavez was seen bedridden but smiling, looking through a newspaper with two of his daughters at his side. At the Caracas military hospital where Chavez is said to be continuing his convalescence, soldiers are on guard outside to keep out journalists and curious onlookers. Local mass media reports quote hospital employees as saying they know nothing and have not seen the president. Maduro has asked Chavez fans gathered outside the hospital with banners and photos of the president to keep their distance. Besides the president’s health, public debate centres on his delayed swearing in for another term, which he won with a triumph in October presidential elections. Chavez missed the scheduled inauguration ceremony January 10, and it has been delayed indefinitely, angering many in the opposition. Evans said that the government could be preparing some kind of big announcement on Chavez “such as, that he is going to remain in power or that he is going to resign.” In the latter case, elections would have to be held within 30 days, and the ruling party candidate would be Chavez’s handpicked political heir, Vice President Maduro.

Facebook, Google founders unveil $33m prize on science research Announce inaugural winners The inaugural winners will ARK Zuckerberg, Sergey M Brin and Yuri Milner – be asked to help choose the Facebook founder, Google co- recipients for future prizes. founder and prominent venture capitalist respectively – have teamed up to create the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences Foundation, which now offers the most lucrative yearly prize in the history of science worth $33 million. The $33 million prize will be split among 11 people, with individual rewards worth $3 million apiece. By comparison, the monetary value of the Nobel prize is just $1.1 million, International Business Times disclosed yesterday. However, the foundation announced the first 11 winners of the award on Wednesday.

On the prize, Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday: “Our society needs more heroes who are scientists, researchers and engineers. “We need to celebrate and reward the people who cure diseases, expand our understanding of humanity and work to improve people’s lives.” The three founders of the prize hope the award will reenergise the medical field to continue their endeavours to research and battle cancer, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes, among other medical maladies.

“With the mapping of the genome sequence, there are expectations of significant progress in the next 10 or 20 years. So, I think the timing is really appropriate to create an incentive for the best scientific minds,” Milner told The Guardian. The Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences Foundation was also co-founded by Anne Wojcicki and Priscilla Chan, the wives of Brin and Zuckerberg, respectively, as well as Art Levinson, chairman at Apple. “I am delighted to announce the launch of the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences and welcome its first recipients,” Levinson said. “I believe this new prize will shine a light on the extraordinary achievements of the outstanding minds in the field of

life sciences, enhance medical innovation, and ultimately become a platform for recognising future discoveries.” The company is a not-forprofit corporation, which is not surprising considering each founder’s links to philanthropy and the life sciences Zuckerberg and Chan were both ranked No. 2 on the yearly list of America’s Most Generous Donors – behind only Warren Buffett – both donating a whopping $3 billion in 2012; Zuckerberg may be too busy to stay focused on life sciences, but his wife, Chan, is focusing on a career in pediatrics. “Priscilla and I are honoured to be part of this,” Zuckerberg said. “We believe the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences has the potential to

provide a platform for other models of philanthropy, so people everywhere have an opportunity at a better future.” Brin and his wife – Wojcicki – who were both just two spots down on America’s Most Generous Donors list, donated a combined $222 million last year, with Wojcicki also investing a great deal of her time at genomics firm 23andMe, a company she co-founded in 2006. “We are thrilled to support scientists who think big, take risks and have made a significant impact on our lives,” Wojcicki said. “These scientists should be household names and heroes in society.” “Curing a disease should be worth more than a touchdown,” Brin added.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Damascus on edge as bombing, mortar attacks kills 53 N what is seen as the deadImore liest attack in Damascus for 18 die in India’s Hyderabad blast than nine months, a powerful car bomb exploded yesterday close to ruling party offices in the Syrian capital, killing over 53 people and causing widespread destruction. Agency claimed that the bombing, which rocked the city centre and sent thick smoke scudding across the skyline, was followed soon after by a mortar attack on a nearby military headquarters. The attacks came two days after two mortar shells exploded near the Tishreen presidential palace in the capital, increasingly targeted in the past year by suicide bombings, some claimed by the jihadist Al-Nusra Front. But the main opposition group in Syria, the National Coalition, denounced as “terrorists” those behind the deadly car bombing, regardless of who carried it out, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported. The coalition, in a statement posted on Facebook, stressed that “any acts targetting civilians with murder or human rights violations are criminal acts that must be condemned, regardless of the perpetrator or the justification”. Meanwhile, about 18 people were killed and 52 wounded yesterday when bombs ripped through crowded areas of the Indian city of Hyderabad in what the prime minister called a “dastardly act”. The bombs targetted a mainly Hindu district in a suburb of the city, a hub of India’s information-technology industry which has a large Muslim population, and came with the nation on alert after the recent hanging of a Kashmiri separatist. “We have 18 people dead,” a police officer who declined to be named told AFP. Another senior police officer at the scene of one of the explosions, Amit Garg, put the number of wounded at 52. Police said many of the injured were in critical condition in hospital. “This is a dastardly act and the guilty will not go unpunished,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said of the attacks, the deadliest to hit India since 13 people died in a 2011 bombing outside the

High Court in the capital New Delhi. But Singh also appealed for “calm” in the aftermath of the Hyderabad blasts. City police said there had been three explosions, but Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said he could only confirm two. “The two bombs were placed on two different bicycles and the distance between them was about 100 to 150 metres (yards),” Shinde told reporters in New Delhi. He said Indian authorities had received “intelligence inputs in the (recent) days about the possibility of attacks and this information was shared with other states”. Police said the blasts went off in quick succession. But the Syrian attacks came

as the opposition umbrella group was meeting in Cairo to discuss proposals to hold conditional talks with President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Images of charred bodies lying next to mangled vehicles were broadcast by AlEkhbariya state television, which said children were among those wounded as the blast occurred near a school in the central district of Mazraa. Sirens rang out, and machinegun fire was also heard, as firemen rushed to the scene to douse the flames. A police official told AFP the car bomb exploded at the 16 November Square near the AlIman mosque, where the ruling Baath party’s head offices are located. State television said the blast,

which left a large crater in a road, killed 53 people and wounded dozens, making it the bloodiest in the capital since twin suicide bombings left 55 people dead on May 10, 2012. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the toll at 42 dead, including nine troops, and dozens wounded. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the official SANA news agency blamed the attack on “terrorists” – the regime’s term for rebels who have been fighting to oust Assad for nearly two years. “It is terrorism... Is that what you call Islam?” one of the wounded told Syrian television. “Is that the freedom you want? Is that the (rebel) Free Syrian Army?” said another man, speaking at the site of the attack.”

Damaged cars at the scene of a powerful car bomb explosion near the headquarters of Syria’s ruling Baath party in the centre of Damascus…yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

turned 89 yesterday with one newspaper stating that he was “ripening” like good old wine. The state-controlled Herald newspaper dedicated a 16page supplement filled with congratulatory messages from state corporations, private firms and individuals, for Africa’s oldest leader. “Celebrating his 89th birthday today, President Mugabe is still going strong and is mentally and physically as fit as ever ripening with each passing day like good old wine,” said an editorial in The Herald. The police praised Mugabe

Indian police and investigators at the site of a bomb blast at Dilshuk Nagar in Hyderabad…yesterday.

in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts during their trial at Woolwich Crown Court in London. Despite a series of bungles by the conspirators, police said that it was the most significant terror plan uncovered in Britain since the 2006 plot to blow up transatlantic airliners using bombs in drinks bottles. Two of the men – Naseer and Khalid – travelled to Pakistan for terror training while Naseer also helped others to travel to the country for the same purpose, the court heard. The group was heavily influenced by the teachings of American-born Al-Qaeda preacher, Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed by a drone strike in Yemen in September 2011, police said.

Naseer was found guilty of five charges, Khalid four, and Ali three, all between December 25, 2010 and September 19, 2011. Six other Birmingham men aged between 21 and 26 pleaded guilty to terror offences at an earlier date. The judge told Naseer: “You were seeking to recruit a team of somewhere between six and eight suicide bombers to carry out a spectacular bombing campaign, one which would create an anniversary along the lines of 7/7 or 9/11.” In Britain’s deadliest ever suicide bombing, three Islamist attackers blew themselves up on London’s subway system and another on a bus on July 7, 2005, killing 52 people. Al-Qaeda’s September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and

from his illustrious words,” the police said in a statement. Mugabe, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, is one of Africa’s longest ruling leaders. He has accepted nomination by his ZANU-PF party to run in the presidential race this year. His health has been the subject of much speculation, especially since WikiLeaks released a 2008 diplomatic cable saying central bank chief Gideon Gono had told then U.S. ambassador James McGee that Mugabe had prostate cancer, and had been advised by doctors he had less

Malian, foreign troops battle insurgents in Gao Islamist rebels and alleged S Malian and foreign collaborators,” the New YorkA forces struggled to secure based organisation said in a the country’s volatile north against Islamist rebels, clashes again erupted yesterday in the city of Gao and an apparent car bomb struck near a camp housing French troops. This came as Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Mali’s government to track down and prosecute soldiers accused of committing atrocities including torture and summary executions in the war against Islamic extremists. Malian authorities should “urgently investigate and prosecute soldiers responsible for torture, summary executions, and enforced disappearances of suspected

statement. HRW said its investigations had found that since midJanuary, when the French-led offensive against armed Islamists in Mali’s desert began, Malian troops had carried out abuses against members of the Tuareg, Arab and Fula communities. “The Malian government needs to act now to put a stop to these abuses by their soldiers and appropriately punish those responsible,” HRW added. “Mali’s international partners should bolster accountability efforts and civilian protection in the north to help prevent further abuses.”

Kenya lauds Chinese investment in tourism industry ENYA has lauded Chinese she said shows the recent K investment in the hotel in- tourism performance which dustry, stating that it would in- recorded growth in the last crease bed occupancy especially at this time when the country is experiencing a revamp in the tourism industry, Xinhua wrote yesterday. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Ruth Solitei said Wednesday in Nairobi during the launch of the 2013 Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) that some Chinese-owned Hotels situated in Nairobi have increased occupancy and conferencing levels in the hospitality industry. Solitei welcomed more investors in the tourism sector with a promise of growth and return for investments, which

four years. “The potential is even higher as the sector is internationally projected to be a leading future international service industry where Africa ranks 4th in the market share with approximated growth rate of over five percent.” Tourism is Kenya’s most important industry, after agriculture. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), it is responsible for 14 per cent of GDP and 12 per cent of total employment. It is also a sector that WTTC predicts will continue to grow at 3.7 per cent per year for the next decade.

PHOTO: AFP

Three Islamists found guilty of plotting biggest hit in UK COURT has found three British Muslim men guilty of planning a string of bombings that prosecutors said could have been deadlier than the July 7, 2005, attacks on London’s transport network. The suspects – Irfan Naseer, 31, Irfan Khalid, 27, and Ashik Ali, 27 – were convicted of being “central figures” in an Islamist extremist plot to set off eight rucksack bombs and possibly other timed devices in crowded areas. The judge, Richard Henriques, said that Naseer, Khalid and Ali would face life in prison when they would be sentenced in April or May, according to report by Agence France Presse (AFP). The three men, all from Birmingham, central England, had denied charges of engaging

Supporters praise Mugabe at 89 UPPORTERS of Zimbabwe’s for his “unparallelled, princiSheaped President Robert Mugabe pled and intuitive leadership. praise on him as he “We take judicious counsel

Washington left nearly 3,000 people dead. Karen Jones, the prosecutor in the case of Naseer, Khalid and Ali, said that while their “precise targets remained unclear” there could have been “catastrophic” damage and loss of life from the plot. “The evidence we put to the court showed the defendants discussing with awe and admiration the attacks of 9/11 and 7/7. These terrorists wanted to do something bigger, speaking of how 7/7 had ‘gone a bit wrong’,” Jones said after the verdicts. “Having travelled to Pakistan for expert training and preparation, Naseer and Khalid returned to the UK where they discussed attacks involving up to eight rucksacks. “Had they not been stopped, the consequences would have

African-American History: February 22, 1979

Frank E. Peterson Jr. becomes first Black General in the Marine Corps Washburn University. After a ETIRED Marine Corps Lieuyear, he left college and apR tenant General Frank Emplied to enlist in the U.S. Navy. manuel Petersen, Jr. was born in Topeka, Kansas, the second of four children to Frank Petersen, Sr., a radio repairman, and Edythe Southard Petersen. He grew up in South Topeka, 10 miles away from the Topeka Army Airfield where he watched the aircrafts take off and land as a child. He attended Monroe Elementary School, went on to join the honours programme of Boswell Junior High School, and graduated from Topeka High School in 1949. After graduation, Petersen wanted to join the military, but agreeing with his parents’ wishes he attended

He did so well in the examination, that those recruiting made him to take the test again. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June 1950 where he trained to be an electronics technician.

Petersen

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Politics Padding of budget for 2015 is false, says Enoh As the Presidency and the National Assembly disagree over the details of the 2013 Budget as passed on December 19, 2012 and sent to the President on January 15, 2013, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Appropriation Committee, John Enoh, defends allegations of padding the budget. He spoke with AZIMAZI MOMOH JIMOH in Abuja. Excerpts: HAT is happening to the 2013 Budget Bill W with delay in assenting to it? The National Assembly has passed the Budget and sent it to the Executive. It is yet to be signed. I have had to answer questions even from some of my colleagues who want to know if the budget has been returned to the National Assembly. It has not been returned. The channel for returning a Bill is formal. If there are communications from the President, the Speaker will read them in the chamber and he has not read anyone that said that Mr. President has returned the Budget Bill. It sounds ironical that despite the early presentation and preparation of the Budget Bill, it is delayed. Is this a return to the days of budget delay and improper implementation? I am bothered by that reality. It bothers all of us. I am so bothered that I have not been regular in the chamber. Although the 1999 Constitution indicates that after 30 days without assent the National Assembly can pass the bill into law without the assent of Mr. President, the same constitution does not define what happens in the course of the 30 days. A lot of contacts have been made, discussions are on going and they are positive. It was agreed that 2013 will be a different year and that we will start implementing the budget early in the year. There are suggestions that the President is hesitating to sign the budget because the overhead cost has been so massively padded. Is that the situation? Padding is not a civil language, particularly, in a presidential democracy. Parliaments can be defined in terms of how much power they have over the budget. There are parliaments that are budget making parliaments and I think that, in our constitution, we are virtually a budget-making parliament. It means that the President’s proposal can be regarded as

dead on arrival. But that is if you stretch it to the extreme, I am not sure that is where we are. By the practice of our democracy, you cannot start from extremes. And that is not the way we have gone even in the worst of years. When the budget proposal is presented, the Appropriation Committee distributes each committee’s budget because all the committees become sub-committees to the appropriation committee. When the Bill or proposal is laid before the National Assembly, it becomes a public document. The Appropriation Bill is very critical and all Nigerians must take part. Therefore, what eventually is churned out is not expected to be the same. There are things that would change. We had discussions with standing committee chairmen and they explained why they did what they did. If in the last three to five years, some projects have been abandoned, and in their wisdom, our standing committees take some monies from other areas of the budget Bill and try to make sure that they save this particular projects from their abandoned status, I do not think anyone will call this ‘padding’ of budget. Rather, what has happened is that work has been done on the Bill by different sub-committees; the product of that has been brought back to the appropriation committee, the committee has been able to make a bill out of it, which has been passed by the National Assembly. I do not think that what has been done is unconstitutional. Did the National Assembly insert un-implementable constituency projects into the Budget Bill? The issue of the budget being overburdened with un-implementable constituency projects is a matter that has always been there. What the House lacks is the will to do what it should do. This has to do with the lingering argument on who has the powers over the budget. Is it the Executive or National Assembly? Until this is resolved, this budget row will linger. I am certain that everything contained in the 2013 Budget has not been in any previous budget. If the agencies of government are serious about implementing the budget, they cannot say that in 2013, they have not developed standard templates that they can quickly roll out and use to implement these projects. What about allegations that lawmakers

Enoh increased their quarterly allowances to the extent that they hiked budget figures arbitrarily? There is too much talk about raising the size of budgets. We deserve some praises in terms of our approach to the budget. Prior to the Seventh Assembly, the aggregate expenditure between what proposals the President came with and what eventually got out of the National Assembly was in the region of N200 billion. From 2012, the rate in size of budgets has hovered around N50 billion. That the increases are driven by having to raise lawmakers’ allowances does not make sense. The National Assembly is one institution that is first charged. The money that is for the National Assembly is captured under statutory transfers just like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Whereas the figures for the NDDC will normally change, because it will have benefit of any increase of benchmark, the amount for the National Assembly is as proposed by the Executive. Since 2011, the National Assembly provision has remained at N150 billion. This is in spite of the fact that there are other things

that have changed. How do you see insinuations that the budgets of some MDAs are hiked to enable them co-sponsor lawmaker’s election campaigns especially those in the leadership of the National Assembly? I have said often that as we keep sustaining our democracy, we will continue to improve. The allegation about the leadership directing anyone to pad is not true. What we tried to do in the 2013 budget would have made it impossible. I have said that standing committees become sub-committees of appropriation committee during budget. When the budget is presented, we give it to them to go through. The appropriation committee does not have the powers to change what they return. Unless anyone is saying that the leadership directs those committees to pad. I do not have any power to pad the budget that has been submitted to me by the standing committees. Whatever becomes the budget is whatever the standing committees have done. The leadership we have today is not the kind of leadership that would want to do so. And for me specifically, I do not have such powers to pad any committee’s budget because some members or some people in the leadership are already thinking about 2015. What is your current negotiation with the President over the appropriation bill? There is room to talk. I have not gone into the substantive issue of what we are talking about. We are still talking. And it does not compromise what we have said- that we did a good job or not. Don’t forget we are one government. I do not think anyone is advocating a situation where, at a moment like this, we will refuse to talk at all. I am not sure that is what you are saying. Don’t you think that the Supreme Court should settle the question of who interprets the constitutional provision on who has the power of appropriation? The fact is that the National Assembly does not have any reason to go to court to seek interpretation. We have no doubt as to what our powers are. The executive doubts those powers. The issues are clear. The constitution says that if the President does not give assent, then the document can become law will not require the assent of the President anymore. It means that the final power rests with the National Assembly.

APGA must go back to the vision of founding fathers’ Chief Austin Ndigwe a pioneer member of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) spoke to CHUKS COLLINS in Awka. Although he laments the present crisis in the party, he said that it is man made and thus not insurmountable. Excerpts: HY do you think the crisis in W APGA has remained intractable? The current crisis is just part of the leadership issue. However, this time there is a strong feeling in some quarters that Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is behind the crisis because he wants to install his successor, which some members are opposed to. The former National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh had asked the governor to conduct council election in the state but the governor had not been disposed to that. APGA in Anambra needed to hold council elections and Obi never thought it necessary to do so. The failure of the party to conduct the elections is undemocratic and anti-people. Beyond that, there are other issues, which came up in the court. We need to move the party forward. APGA has suffered enough. Do you think that founding members of APGA have done enough to save the party from its problems? The founding members have done

their best. But the truth is that most of the founding members have become frustrated with the protracted leadership tussle. Some body like the founding national chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie left to form another party. Most of us, I wont mention names, are working behind the scenes to save the party. When did things start falling apart? It is difficult to say when particularly but as a matter of fact, things started falling apart when some people came from other parties and infused their ideology into APGA without understanding our vision and mission in the nation’s polity for the Igbo. Chekwas brought Obi into APGA but after two terms as governor he now sees himself differently. He has forgotten yesterday and its history and the role of every other person is irrelevant. Today, we can trace some of the factors to the failure of people in APGA to respect party constitution and structure. Did the expulsion of Chekwas part of the remote causes of the crisis in APGA? Chekwas started having problems with the late Dim OdumegwuOjukwu when he objected to having Dim as chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT). He argued that such arrangement would rob the party of its national appearance and

Ndigwe spread in the distribution of key offices. Chekwas favoured a northerner or south westerner for the position of BoT chairman. That was when some forces in APGA started plotting his ouster. When they eventually succeeded, they put Umeh, which was later ratified. Today, the same forces are rooting for the sack of Umeh. Since the ouster of Chekwas, the leadership tussle has not ended and the sack of Umeh by the courts has only vindicated Chekwas. Where is APGA on the ongoing merger talks?

There is nothing wrong with APGA joining the merger talks. We are still talking with other interested parties. We are involved in it for the general interest of the Igbo (South East). That was how Alliance for Democracy (AD) achieved the wonders of what they have today as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Any discerning politician knows the South East cannot achieve its presidential ambition with only two states. We need to meet and negotiate power with other parties. What is the relationship between Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and Obi? Because of the crisis in APGA and their personal interests, it is easy for anyone to conclude that they are not getting along well. It might not be called warm or robust but they are both APGA governors. Rochas has interest in the Presidency, while Obi is interested to run as a running mate to whoever. So this is a ground for conflict. Do you have faith in the plans to reposition the party for the challenges ahead? After the Enugu High Court judgment some people rushed to Abuja to hold a meeting and they claimed they were meeting to reform, restructure and repackage the party. Who are they doing it for? Is it by the same National Executive Committee (NEC) that was sacked

by the court irrespective of Umeh’s pending appeal? Their actions betrayed their intentions. They quickly rushed to Abuja to organize a meeting where they appointed Chief Maxi Okwu, someone sacked from the party alongside Chekwas by a Supreme Court verdict, as an interim national chairman. Menakaya was appointed the chairman BoT. It is most unfortunate. Their posture is vicious and they appear to be bent on destroying the party. Their aim is clear and very obvious. Okwu is not a member of our party. He is the national chairman of Citizens Progressives Party (CPP). So even if he joined today, he cannot become the chairman overnight. That is illegal. What would you advise Umeh to do now? He has appealed and his appeal might succeed. The court will give him judgment and redress the illegality being foisted on all of us. I am also in court to stop them, as Okwu has made moves to conduct the convention of the party. He is not an APGA member. With the latest moves, it has become very obvious that the governor is the architect of the crises in APGA. It is unfortunate that some elected members of APGA attended the illegal meeting where they discussed the move. It is sad that these things are happening less than a year after the demise of our leader, Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

TheMetroSection ‘I was promised $4,000 on safe arrival’ How NDLEA saved Nigerian students from death in Malaysia By Odita Sunday ARCOTIC officers of the National N Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) might have saved a Nigerian student studying in Malaysia from premature death. The 31 –year- old student, who is now a suspect in NDLEA’s net, Dike Chibuzor Vitalis, possessed 1.430kilogrammes of white crystalline powder that tested positive for methamphetamine. He was on his way to Malaysia, a country where drug trafficking attracts death penalty. He was intercepted by vigilant narcotic officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos during the screening of passengers on an Asian-owned airline, following the discovery of the drugs in his luggage. But for the arrest by NDLEA men, Vitalis could have joined other Nigerians on death row in Malaysian prisons. The suspect, who hails from Orlu, Imo State said that he was promised $4,000 if the drugs were successfully delivered in Malaysia. He said: “I was asked to take an empty bag to Malaysia for a fee of $4,000 dollars. When I got to the airport, the drug was discovered. That was how I got involved”. Speaking on the arrest, the NDLEA Airport commander, Mr. Hamza Umar,

The confiscated drug

explained that the drug was concealed inside the bag. “The drug was packed in a way that we had to cut the sides of the bag open with a knife to discover the drugs. It would only take a professional to detect the drugs,” Hamza said. In a related development, NDLEA officers at the Lagos Airport discovered wraps of cocaine inside packs of baby powder meant for export to Gabon.

The discovery was made inside a luggage containing artificial hair, popularly called ‘weave-on’, perfumes and artificial nails. It was to be sent as unaccompanied luggage to Gabon. The suspect, Iwegbuna Ebele, in his statement to NDLEA detectives said that he was asked to send the goods to Gabon. “I was given N130,000 by my childhood friend to buy female hair attach-

ment, artificial nails and perfumes. My friend later called me that somebody would give me children’s powder to add to what I bought. So the person called me and gave me the powder, which I added to the goods. It was in the process of searching that the cocaine was discovered. I am a technician and I specialize in the repairs of air conditioning units,” he stated. The suspect, who hails from AkwuUkwu village in Orifite, Anambra State, attended Orifite Boys’ Secondary School, Anambra State before he came to Lagos in search of greener pastures. The NDLEA Chairman, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, who described the involvement of the suspects in drug trafficking as sad, urged members of the public to draw lessons from the arrests. “I want members of the public to learn from the experiences of the suspects. It is sad that at a time the country is making efforts to save her citizens who are on death row abroad, a young man at 31, Dike Chibuzor Vitalis is deliberately signing his death warrant,” Giade said. NDLEA spokesman, Mitchelle Ofoyeju, said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as narcotic officers were able to get to the roots of the matter.

Ladipo traders close shops, clean market to avert clampdown By Onyedika Agbedo HE leadership of Ladipo T Market in Mushin, Lagos State, under the auspices of Ladipo Auto Central Executive Committee (LACEC), yesterday ordered a total closure of the market for a comprehensive cleaning of its environs. The exercise was in response to a recent warning by the state government that it would shut down the market if the traders did not take proper steps to clean it and make the environment hab-

itable. Addressing journalists at the end of the exercise, the President of LASEC, Ikechukwu Michael Animalu pleaded with the state government not to shut down the market, as the traders would continually strive to comply with the state’s environmental laws. “Three days ago, the state Commissioner for Environment came here with his entourage and we later heard in the news that they were threatening to close the market if proper care was not

taken. That is why we shut the market today to conduct our general environmental sanitation. All shops are locked and there will be no trading today. You saw our men inside the canal tidying it up; you also saw them dismantling all the roadside shops in the market. So, we are pleading with the state government to reconsider its threat to shut down the market,” Animalu said. Animalu also appealed to government agencies that were assigned duties in the market and members of the

public to cooperate with the market leadership in its efforts to rid the place off filth and make it better organised. “Some people are causing serious problems for us. Some people their vehicles park indiscriminately. Let them park where they are supposed to park and do their purchase. They always do double parking and this causes traffic gridlock. So, we are pleading with the government agency that is in charge of parking in the market to do the right thing and

not put us into problem. On our part, we have asked all the petty traders along the roads to go and look for shops inside the market or forget about trading. In fact, we collected their tables and burnt them today. Let them go, we don’t need them because we don’t want this market to be closed. We are ready to cooperate with the state government and implement its rules and regulations in the market because we are quite aware that the government does not joke with environmental issues.”

Briefs Motalaitu C&S lays foundation Feb. 24 HE foundation-laying cereT mony of Motalaitu Church Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Worldwide (Kingdom Parish) will hold on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at Magbagbeola Layout, opposite, Ilesha garage, Oshogbo, Osun State at 7. 30 a.m. It will be done under the guidance of Founder, Primate and Spiritual Head, Archbishop Motalaitu Akinadewo while Evang. Abraham Aladeseye; Prophet Samson Opadotun and Apostle Adelani Adejumo are billed to attend. It will be co-ordinated by the Superintendent, Supt. Israel Akinadewo.

Book launch HE Zealots Global Ministries T Int’l and the Covenant Partners will tomorrow launch a book, The ConfederationHelvitical, written by Apostle Zingi Michael Amaebite, his Golden jubilee/ 39 years in ministry, at Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps Officers Mess, Muritala Muhammed Way, Yaba, Lagos at noon. Special guests of honour are Commander Ebi Beredogo (rtd.), Chief S. D. Dambo Madam R. E. I. Amaebite and others. Book launcher is Mr. Emmanuel Enemuoh, Chairman, Rev. Bisi Orebayo while Rev. Roseline Oduyemi is the reviewer.

Akeni for burial tomorrow RS. Margaret Onowigose M Akeni (nee Ofou), who died at the age of 64, on November 15, 2012, will be buried tomorrow after a funeral service at Ofagbe, behind Ofagbe Technical College, Delta State. Reception follows at Ibaba Primary School, Ofagbe, Delta State. She was survived by her aged mother, Mrs. Christiana Ofou, brothers and sisters, among whom is Felix Ofou, a journalist with Delta State Government, Asaba.

Angry youths stone monarch, beat chiefs over death of young people From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti HE youths of Emure Ekiti yesterday protested what they called incessant deaths of young people in the community. The angry youths, who made several bonfires in community and disrupted the market, stoned the traditional ruler the Elemure of Emure, Oba Emmanuel Adebowale Adebayo, a retired Commissioner of Police while trying to pacify them. The youths had alleged that the palace was unconcerned about the way some youths met their untimely death in the recent times. According to the protesters, no fewer than 12 youths had died this year alone, in rather strange circumstances. While the monarch was trying to pacify them that the community would organise an interdenominational religious prayer session to curb the trend, the monarch was pelted with sachets of water and other dangerous objects while some of the chiefs received the beating of their lives. Chiefs of the community were said to have removed their beads and found escape routes from the palace when the situation became uncontrollable. A prince of the community told newsmen: “I had to find my way out of the town through bush paths to nearby Ise-Ekiti community before I got a vehicle that ferried me to Ado Ekiti.” The protesting youth were said to have listed several accidents that had taken the lives of young people of the town through motorcycle and sundry accidents, claiming that in the last two weeks, about 12 youths, who are indigenes of the community had died via road accidents. They said: “Two undergraduates, who are indi-

Oba Adebayo genes of Emure-Ekiti died in a motorcycle accident in Ado Ekiti on Valentine’s Day; three persons also died in an accident on Ikere – Ise – Emure road on Wednesday when the vehicles they were travelling in had a head-on collision,” adding that “the three occupants of a Mazda

salon car that collided with a Toyota Dyna truck died on the spot.” Policemen that were initially drafted to the community were said to have been unable to contain the situation as the youths were said to have dared the policemen to shoot at them. It was gathered that the policemen “had to appeal to the youths to take things easy and allow peace to reign.” The policemen were said to have come in two patrol vans. Speaking on the protest, caretaker chairman of Emure Local Government Area, Mr. Adewale Febisola, said the protesters did not visit the council secretariat, but confirmed that they went to the palace and the market. Febisola said: “I have met with them and told them to mellow down as the traditional council has assured that they will find a solution to the problem through prayer.” He urged the youths of the community and the entire council area to embrace peace, saying: “Only through peaceful means can we reach a lasting solution to the problem.” Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti State police command, Mr. Victor Babayemi, said the incident “has been brought under control,” adding that “the police has restored normalcy in the town by preventing the escalation of the crisis.” Babayemi urged the people of the town to go about their normal businesses, saying that the police were ready to ensure peace and normalcy in the town.

Akeni

Agbonlahor for burial rites for Pa Daniel FagedUNERAL Aigbidodia Agbonlahor, 76, hold today with a commendation service at his residence, 22, Agbado Street, off Akpakpava Road, Benin City, Edo State at 4pm followed by interment at 6pm; Social dance holds on Saturday while Thanksgiving service is on Sunday at St. Joseph Catholic Church on First East Circular Road, Benin City at 10.30a.m He is survived by a wife, children, children and sons –inlaws among them are Mrs. Ruth Ekpen – Obaseki and Elvis Ekpen Agbonifo – Obaseki.

Agbonlahor

METRO 13

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Professor of Architecture, University of Lagos, Professor Niyi Okedele (left), President, Society of Landscape Architectures of Nigeria, Dr Adejumo (second left), Dr Adeoti Adeyemo (second right) and Mr. Abiola Gold during the Eko Green Dream Initiative Campaign Launch organized by Sustainable Green Lagos Forum and Lagos State Ministry of Environment … on Wednesday.

Briefs The Mentor for launch HE Mentor Magazine will be launched on Sunday, February 24, at 104 Degree event Centre, Billing Way, Ikeja. According to the publisher, Mr. Olujimi Sean, “ The Mentor is a registered bimonthly publication concerned with projecting true achievements of individuals in all fields of human endeavour and packaged to reflect stories wherever they are to be found as long as there is a trend of influence.”

NIM holds lecture Feb. 28 HE Nigerian Institute of T Management (Chartered) will hold its inaugural Nigeria: Arise and Shine annual lecture on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at the Auditorium of Management House, Victoria Island, Lagos at 11.00 am. A statement signed by the President and Chairman of Council of the Institute, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, says the lecture, which has “Appraisal of Vision 20:2020: Perspective of Power generation and National Development” as theme ,will have the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Adisa Bello, as the Guest Speaker.

UACN commissions new estate at GRA, Ikeja ACN Property DevelopU ment Company Plc (UPDC), will tomorrow commission its premium residential estate in GRA, Ikeja. Situated in one of the best locations in Lagos, the newly completed project is an addition to the company’s growing portfolio of property in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt. The residential housing estate with 18 Town Houses is located on Ladoke Akintola Street, GRA, Ikeja. The Managing Director of UPDC Plc, Hakeem Ogunniran, said the project began in September 2011.

Leslie Pritchard for burial R. Leslie Pritchard M Sisaneyemofe Pritchard is dead. He was 49 years old. Funeral service holds tomorrow at 11.00 a.m. at Atan Cemetery(Ebony Vaults) followed immediately after by interment. In a tribute, the Pritchard family wrote: “We ask you Lord to please grant eternal rest to Leslie and the strength of your grace to all who remain.

Pritchard

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (right) being conducted round by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Mrs. Derin Disu (right) during the inspection visit by the Governor to Balogun Market in Lagos Island in fulﬁllment of his promise of the previous day... on Tuesday

NAPTIP re-arraigns two over indulgence in girl prostitution By Joseph Onyekwere

HE National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters (NAPTIP) on Thursday re-arraigned two men before a Federal High Court Lagos, for allegedly indulging young girls in prostitution. The duo, Gideon Odigie (50) and Adokie Ikare (43), were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris, on a seven-count charge bordering on illegal trafficking of young girls. The accused were first arraigned before Justice Steven Adah of the Federal High Court, Ikeja, but were re-arraigned before Justice Idris, due to the elevation of Justice Adah to the Court of Appeal. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecutor, Mrs. Kehinde Falade told the court that officers of NAPTIP arrested the accused persons on September 15, 2011. She alleged that the accused were arrested for keeping a brothel known as “Hotel Rosey” in the Bariga area of Lagos, just for the purpose of offering young girls for prostitution. According to NAPTIP, the brothel is located at No. 30, Adaranijo Street, Shomolu, Bariga, Lagos.

After their re-arraignment, Justice Idris was informed of a letter written by one of those who had earlier stood surety for the first accused, Gideon Odigie requesting that he should be discharged as a surety in the matter. In view of the development, Justice Idris ordered the first accused to remain in prison custody, pending his provision of another credible surety. But counsel to the second accused, Ambrose Nwabueze, urged the court to allow the accused to continue with the earlier bail granted by the former trial judge, Adah. Acceding to the prayer of the defence counsel, Justice Idris allowed the second accused to continue with the earlier bail as granted by the initial trial judge. He adjourned the case to March 15 for trial. Some of the girls who were indulged in the act of prostitution by the accused are Jennifer Obi (25), Esoke Mikeal, alias Patricia Victor (25), and Odion Imina, alias Tracy (23). According to Falade, the alleged offence contravenes the provisions of Section 15 (a) of the Trafficking In Persons (Prohibition) Law, Enforcement and Administration Act of 2003 (as amended).

Odofin of Orile Itori ,Chief Mufutau Adisa Salami (left) Onitori of Orile Itori Oba Adebisi Adebayo and Chairman Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria. Dr Lolu Ojo at the Courtesy Call on the Paramount Ruler of Orile Itori by the Association the Subscribers of Pharmacy Estate Located in Eguru Village in Ogun State... on Tuesday PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku(left), his wife, Bunmi and Chairman, Leverage MultiGlobal Concepts Ltd, Mr Innocent Uchibuolu at Anyaoku’s 80th birthday held at Marborough House ,London…

Soroptimist Int’l President, Pat Black, visits UNILAG Braille Centre By Eno Bassey HE Federation President of T Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland, Mrs. Pat Black, has commended the establishment of a Braille Centre for the visually-impaired at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka. During her visit to the centre on Tuesday, Mrs. Black also praised the leadership quality shown by Soroptimist International of Eko by introducing the facility and hoped that the gesture would soon be extended to other Nigerian universities following the lead set by the University of Lagos. The centre was established in January 2010 by Soroptimist International of Eko and is said to be “the first facility for the visually-impaired in a Nigerian university.” According to a statement: “ The centre, which is sited on

the main campus of the University of Lagos, uses the latest computerized software to assist blind and visually-challenged students with their studies and research, thereby bridging the gap between them and their sighted counterparts.

“ The renovation of the site and purchase of the specialized equipment is being financed by the Chief Ayo Rosiji’s family and the centre is managed by the Soroptimists of Eko Club while Mrs. Jean Obi, of Nigerwives Braille Centre is the hon-

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Adediji (left) and Black during the visit

orary Technical Adviser. “ Soroptimist International is a worldwide organization comprising of professional and executive business women, who contribute time and financial support to community-based projects. It is the world’s largest

service organization for women, with over 3,000 clubs in 124 countries.” The university was represented during Mrs. Black’s visit by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Babajide Alo and librarian, Dr. Okanlawon Adediji.

Lawrence Sangowawa (left), Kehinde Oduneye; Jill Godwin; Bukola Bisi; Lamide Fadipe; Tokunbo Okupe, President, Soroptimist International Club of Eko, Cordelia Barka; Black; Norma Jackson-Steele. Theresa Odogwu; Bjorg Lawal-Solarin and Doyin Akin-Bankole during the visit

TheGuardian

14 THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011)

Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816

Editorial Killing of polio vaccinators, Korean doctors HE gruesome killing of nine immunization workers at separate locations in Kano, and the cold-blooded murder of three Korean medical doctors in Potiskum, Yobe State, are yet again unconscionable acts that portray the nation as barbaric and lawless. They also reflect the security deficit and incompetence on the part of relevant authorities to protect voluntary health workers, who have elected to help the country. According to witnesses, gunmen in tricycles arrived at Hotoro Quarters in Haye, Kano, opened fire on health workers who were carrying out a routine inoculation of children in the ongoing antipolio campaign, and killed seven. Thirty minutes later, gunmen on motorcycles launched an attack on the Shargawlle Comprehensive Health Centre at Ungwar Uku on the outskirts of Kano city, killing two. Barely 48 hours after these gruesome acts, three North Korean nationals, one woman and two men, all medical doctors working for the state Ministry of Health in the Potiskum General Hospital, were, on Sunday morning, killed by suspected militants. Amidst incessant promises of improved internal security, these sad and unfortunate incidents have been one too many, for this is not the first time foreign nationals have been killed by suspected terrorists. Before this, there had been reports of Indians killed in Maiduguri, Chinese construction workers abducted and killed, among similar reports in the North. What makes this latest spate of killings peculiar and more worrisome is that the gunmen singled out health workers, be they foreigners or indigenes. Though it is true that any compulsive killer would conjure any reason and seek out excuses for his deadly acts, it is also noteworthy that some perceived animosity, arising from a backlash of the deadly drug experiment carried out by a pharmaceutical company years ago, exists in some communities in the North. Certain members of the aggrieved communities might also not be unaware of some western governments’ suspected experimentation of lethal drugs as bioweapons on Pakistanis two years ago, as well as other guinea-pigging episodes carried out by western powers in collusion with pharmaceutical companies. It might, therefore, be that years of built-up distrust, fanned by fiery clerics and local fundamentalists have made the gunmen and their ilk view the ongoing anti-polio exercise as a depopulation strategy. This kind of distrust imposes a responsibility on both government and drug companies. Though rather belatedly, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, in response to these ignoble acts, has ordered all Commissioners of Police and zonal Assistant Inspectors-General, especially of the northern states, to devise special strategies for all health workers involved in immunization and other special medical assignments in the country. This is commendable. However, to forestall future occurrences, the police and security organisations should deploy their intelligence units to act proactively by providing adequate security for voluntary workers, especially foreigners engaged in humanitarian services. Beyond this, those who are at the forefront of information gathering and dissemination as well as influencing the lives of the people, especially clerics and even journalists, should cultivate a high sense of responsibility and ethical conduct in the discharge of their duties. They should be conscious of the moral demands of their callings, to be primarily loyal to the people and obligated to truth. Therefore, it behoves them to eschew all tendencies towards disinformation and misinformation. Beyond promises of improved security, the government must demonstrate sincerity of purpose and political will to address the problems of internal security in the country. Owing to the gravity of the killing of foreign nationals and its implication for diplomatic relations, the government should match threat with action by finding the killers and bringing them to trial soonest.

LETTERS

The deliberate omissions of el-Rufai IR: The fundamental error Sservice with the Nigerian public is that an average public servant sees himself as a messiah whenever the opportunity comes his way. He first of all rubbishes those before him in the service of the nation, labelling them as corrupt, inefficient and insincere in their approach to national duty. This mindset dominated the work ethics of the former Director-General of the

Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai while he rendered his “accidental public service” to the nation. Throughout el-Rufai’s book in which he effectively tried to exalt himself before the public eye, there is no mention of Pentascope, the contract managers he brought from one of the Scandinavian countries to take-over the management of the huge national telecommu-

nications giants – NITEL and M-TEL between 2001 and 2003. Should we continue to believe el-Rufai as he postures as one of the finest patriots? It is a huge joke and a big lie to accept that el-Rufai has concluded his record of service as the director-general of BPE and minister of FCT in a book called “Accidental Public Servant” when the “deals” of Pentascope are missing in it! • Ugochukwu Jim-Nwoko Abuja.

Another view on witchcraft in football Book of Numbers 23, and if you are not a believer go and interview your village head about the subject. journalistic brilliance and Let me also stress that language mastery. However, witches are also predators that piece by Gowon because the stronger Akpodonor in The Guardian of Thursday, February 7, can- destroys the weaker, and the not pass without a comment. spirit of God destroys them The article poses a question: all. It is not for show that players gather together to What role does witchcraft pray that all witchcraft play in football (victory)? designed against them are Witchcraft as I know it cleaned up before, during exists everywhere in the and after the match. world and many diabolical When I was very young and things as weakening the robbery was not as sophistiopponent, causing confucated, every business house sion, and doubling object vision, and generally casting and street employed Middle Belt indigenes as security spell on the other person or guards because they were group to have unfair advandeemed to possess the powtage over them. It is therefore a reality, not a myth. The ers to cause a fleeing thief to fall and keep falling until the mere fact that witchcraft is thief is apprehended. What spiritual does not rub it off as non-existent. All I know is is more, if a striker going for goal is caused to stumble, that witches steal and can he score? Consider also destroy. If my reader is a if a goalkeeper is caused to Christian I refer you to the

IR: I rarely react to newspaSof per articles because most them are mere display of

see three balls coming towards the goal (visual hallucinations) at the same time, which of them will he go for? Frankly, I understand the kernel of your argument that all things being equal the best team should win, and this should be the direct result of better training facility, better treatment and nutrition, motivation and continuous talent hunt etc, but it is not as straightforward as this. There is juju in Africa, America, Greek, China, to mention a few and there is God of the universe to whom all these principalities have no option than to bow! Finally, everything comes to nothing in accordance with equilibrium principle not being static. When juju equals juju, competence will prevail, but with God, there is no need for juju at all. • Akinloluwa Adeniyi Ikorodu, Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Business AutoWheels P44

BusinessTravel P46

Auto makers and the future game plan

New safety device berths for the airlines

Govt may adopt part-passage strategy for PIB

By Roseline Okere he much delayed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), may, after all, not be passed as a single document, but in parts, going by feelers from the Presidency. A source close to the Presidency told The Guardian in confidence yesterday, that discussions have been intensified on the possibility of passing some parts of the bill, that have been harmonised with the positions of the International Oil Companies (IOCs). According to the source, the government has been receiving pressures from different quarters on the need for the quick passage of the bill, which was being delayed due to some issues that have to do with fiscal policies, host community funds, power of the minister, among others. “Government is actually contemplating passing the bill very soon, but it hopes to do it in parts. This has become necessary in order to move from one stage to the other. The government is aware that nonpassage of the bill has put billions of investment on hold. So, it may be forced to pass the bill in parts”, the source said. IOCs, on Wednesday said that the continued delay in passing the PIB into law has been creating uncertainties in the country’s oil and gas sector. The uncertainties were said to be delaying the take-off of fresh projects worth several billion of dollars that would grow industry’s capacity and reserves. The Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mutiu Sunmonu, said its

upstream exploration and production arm, Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC), has put on hold investment decisions on two key offshore oil and gas projects that

would have cost about $30 billion till when the new petroleum law is approved. The Managing Director of ExxonMobil Companies Nigeria, Mark, and his Total E&P Nigeria Limited coun-

terpart, Guy Maurice, also expressed similar fears, saying the relevant authorities should speed up action towards getting the proposed law ready, to help the oil and gas industry’s

growth. The chief executives were speaking on the challenges to growing Nigeria’s oil and gas industry capacity at the just concluded Nigeria Oil & Gas, NOG 2013

Exhibition and Conference in Abuja. The Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, Nigerian National Petroleum

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Managing Director, Economic and Marketing Analysis, Citi Group. David Cowan (left); Transactions Service Head Africa, Citibank, Ade Ayeyemi; Senior Euro Finance Tutor; Peter Green; and Senior Partner, Kenna Partners; Fabian Ajogwu, at the opening ceremony of Euro Finance's fourth Conference on "Treasury, Risk and Cash Management in West Africa” in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

SON, CAC, NEPC, OGFZA get new boards From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja HE Federal Government, yesterday, inaugurated the boards of four parastatals under the Ministry of Trade and Investment. They are the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA). The CAC’s 10-member board is led by Funsho Lawal as Chairman, while the Registrar-General of the commission would serve as

a member. The NEPC has eleven-member on its board to be chaired by Mrs. Grace Clark and David Adulugba, the Executive Director of the council would be a member. OGFZA’s 14-member board is led by Chris Asoluka, with representative of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture, representative of the national orientation agency (NOA), representative of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, representative of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Managing Director of the

Nigerian Ports Authority, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, representative of the Corporate Affairs Commission and Victor Alabo, Managing Director of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, Port Harcourt as members. SON has a 10-member board with Abubakar Mustapha as Chairman, with representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, representative of the Federal Ministry of Health, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry

of Trade & Investment, representative of the Federal Ministry of Transport, representative of the Federal Ministry of Works and Joseph Odumodu, DirectorGeneral (SON) as members. Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, said members of the new boards now have men and women of integrity, knowledge and experience in the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy. The minister, who was rep-

resented by the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Samuel Ortom noted that the ministry and all its parastatals share a common mandate anchored on: creating the enabling environment to stimulate domestic investment and attract foreign direct investment into all sectors of the economy and making Nigeria the most preferred investment destination; facilitating trade in goods and services and maximizing the benefits of international trade through functional bilateral and

multi-lateral trade relations with other countries. The ministry is also responsible for boosting industrial development and enabling Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the engine of economic growth. He said: “Boards of Parastatals are responsible for setting out broad economic, financial, operational administrative guidelines and targets for their various agencies. They are concerned with policy issues, monitoring of institutional projects and pro-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Bayelsa’s light rail, airport to commence operations next year From Nkechi Onyedika, Yenogoa HE Bayelsa State governT ment has pledged to complete the construction of the cargo airport in the state by the end of 2014, while the first plane will land at the airport the same year. It has also concluded arrangements to commence the building of light rail that would traverse the entire

state to Onitsha in Anambra State. The state’s Commissioner for Works, Lawrence Erijakpo, who disclosed these when the National Good Governance tour team visited the site of the airport recently in Yenagoa, said that the target of the state government is to take the rail from Kayama -Brass- Age, due to the LNG at Brass and deep-sea

port at Age, He said: The light rail will run through the whole state. We have already gotten an approval from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Federal Ministry of Transport for the Deep Seaport at Agie”. He explained that the state government is embarking on massive infrastructural development, especially the

airport project, due to its quest to boost tourism and investment, stressing that “nobody will take our tourism and investment drive seriously if we don’t have an airport”. Information Minister, Labaran Maku, observed that Bayelsa, being an oil and gas destination, the airport is strategic for the future development of the state and the

oil industry. He noted that the airport is very viable considering the rich resources of Bayelsa State, adding that the Gulf of Guinea is the next destination for oil supply to the rest of World and Nigeria must take advantage of those strategic region of the world for future oil supply. Maku said that the Federal Government has approved the construction of deep sea port in Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom

and Lagos state and is discussing with investors for their take off. He said: If we have three deep sea ports which would be one of its kind in this part of the world, it will make Nigeria the ultimate destination for commerce and trade in the future as well give the country a millage. As Nigeria advances as the leading power in this continent, we must look at future facilities for the economy to rest on”.

Part-passage of PIB underway CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Emzor Pharmaceutical Limited, Mrs. Stella Okoli (left); President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo and Chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group Association of Nigeria, Bunmi Olaopa, during the CEOs Forum in Lagos, on Wednesday. PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF

BUA to commission $500 million Edo cement plant next year HE $500 million Edo T Cement Company’s plant located at Okpella in Edo State will be ready for commissioning early next year. This was made known by the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, at the signing of the $35million contract agreement between BUA Group and Siemens to build a new gas turbine power plant for the cement factory owned by the group. The contract which was signed with Siemens at

BUA’s London office was for Siemens to supply 3 SGT 500 turbines manufactured by Siemens Industrial Turbo Machinery AB in Finspang, Sweden with a total capacity of about 45MW to supply power to the ultra modern $500 million Edo cement plant currently under construction which is expected to be completed early 2014. Rabiu expressed satisfaction with construction giant, Julius Berger’s pace of work at the cement company. “I am particularly very

impressed so far by the civil construction work done by Julius Berger. 70 per cent of the cement plant equipment have been shipped and are currently on site and the pace of work by Julius Berger is very comprehensive and impressive. By early 2014, the cement factory will be ready for use.” Rabiu revealed that the capacity of the plant under construction is three million metric tonnes per year and will significantly contribute to product availabil-

ity to Nigerian consumers. According to BUA Group, the SGT-500 turbines are unique for the African market because they offer flexibility in optimising investment returns, extremely low maintenance costs, high reliability and limited number of personnel required for their operation and maintenance. BUA Group acquired Edo Cement in 2010 and has since then been transforming the factory to world class standard.

Corporation, (NNPC), Abiye Membere, identified high cost of conducting oil and gas business, long contract cycle and lack of oil exploration and production by IOCs as the challenges besetting the industry’s growth potential. To create the enabling environment, Membere said the NNPC board has set nine months as the maximum timeline to complete tenders for complex projects, while a maximum of six months has been fixed for simpler ones, to eliminate rising cost associated with longer tender processes. He said before the end of the second quarter of this year, all issues contributing to longer tender processes would be resolved, to drastically cut down on the cost and pricing of projects, adding that cost reduction initiatives captured in the proposed PIB would help drive industry production capacity and reserve. Sunmonu explained that the challenge is not in the potential to grow capacity to produce four million barrels of oil per day and 40 billion barrels reserves, but mobilising the resources to bring it into reality. According to him, the key challenge is in making the best out of the resources available by optimising production and making the operational environment more stable for the players. The Shell boss, who acknowledged the difficulty in achieving this goal, said the challenge becomes more complicated when the country is losing an

Cross River legislators pass N152.4b appropriate bill From Anietie Akpan, Calabar

HE Cross River State House of Assembly has passed the 2013 appropriation bill by a unanimous decision of the members, after about four months of deliberation. According to a report of the House Committee on Appropriation, the House approved a new budget size of N152.4 billion. A breakdown shows that N 44.77 billion was provided for the recurrent expenditure, while the capital expenditure is to gulp the sum of N 107, 5 billion. Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Jacob Otu Enyia said the timing of the presentation of the budget proposal to the House of Assembly by the

Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke was in total compliance with section 8 (1) of the Cross River State Public Finance Management Law No. 12 of 2012. Enyia said it was evident that the Governor has not

only been exemplary but has lived above board noting that the seeming delay in the presentation of the report was necessitated by the Committee’s pursuit of achieving a realistic budget that is implementable,

particularly in the face of the recent loss of oil wells and deprivation of environmental degradation funds. Imoke had on October 30, 2012 proposed budget size of N151.38 billion before the

Assembly for consideration. He said: “70 per cent of this shall service capital expenditure requirements while 30 per cent would be set aside for recurrent needs”.

Oshiomole signs tax bill to law, warns defaulters OVERNOR Adams G Oshiomhole of Edo State has signed the Tax Administration Bill into law with a firm commitment to prudently deploy the resources of the state for the good of the people. Speaking shortly after signing the law yesterday, in Benin City, Oshiomhole said taxes collected will be put to good use for the people to get value for their money.

He said; “I have just signed the law to make provision for the administration and for the collection of revenue due to Edo State. “With this law, Edo State Revenue Board now has a formal legal basis for existence and every effort will be made to comply with the spirit and letter of this law and this is consistent to our commitment to reform various institutions of state and bring about long last-

ing positive changes in revenue collection. “This law will help us to eliminate wastages in the system, improve efficiency and enhance revenue collection. It is my hope that the level of compliance on tax related matters will increase and we will not need to resort to court or use other self help means to collect taxes due to government. “It remains only for me to

reassure the good people of Edo State that taxes collected will be put to good use. As tax payers you have all become stakeholders. “He who pays tax has a right to question and to engage government on how his or her taxes are used. You have a right to influence the priorities of government. You have a right to insist that government delivers on its promises.”

average of 150,000 barrels of crude every day to crude theft alone, saying this demands urgent action by stakeholders to remove the uncertainty that is affecting fresh investments. “If contractors are not sure of a stable investment environment, regular payments, value-adding partnerships and a different project funding approach, it would be difficult to attract fresh investments,” he said. For the ExxonMobil boss, all what the industry is clamouring for is a PIB that would provide for globally competitive returns on investment to all stakeholders as well as a law that would create an investment climate that enables the government to cooperate with industry players without disrupting agreements on funding for oil and gas operations. According to the Managing Director of Total, the IOCs are demanding a balanced, competitive PIB that would guarantee a stable operational environment, ensure security, fair fiscal regime; and that would help investors decide on investment on projects and remove funding constraints.

SON, others get new boards CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 grammes and ensuring that the parastatal’s mandates are realised.” “You are therefore enjoined to adhere strictly to the provisions of the enabling Acts of your agencies as well as financial regulations and guidelines on administrative procedures. While congratulating you on your well deserved appointment, may I emphasise that your appointment is on part-time basis only. As such, you are not expected to interfere or participate in the day-to-day running of your respective agencies.” He added, “I must stress at this juncture, that no Chairman or board member is entitled to an official vehicle on permanent basis. Same goes for office or residential accommodation. In addition, you are enjoined to comply with the provisions of extant circulars governing your tenure/appointment, especially circular No. SWC/S/04/S.310/105, dated 10th June, 2010 issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which specified your allowances and frequency of meetings.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Weekend

Before Badagry reaches boiling point Arts & Culture P. 27

Autowheels P.42

Business Travels P.46

Justus Esiri: Exit of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;grand good old man of moviedomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Auto-makers and the future game plan

New safety device berths for the airlines

20 WEEKEND

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Badagry people are crying out over side The indigenes of Badagry in Lagos state are now waking up to the reality of gas flaring being experienced in the Niger Delta, as the side effects of gas flares by the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company operating in their environment is hitting them by the day. Though Government has promised to end gas flares by 2014, the people are calling for a more proactive action from government to save their lives

Ajido community in Badagry…gas flaring in the background By CHINEDU UWAEGBULAM, ROSELINE OKERE and WOLE OYEBADE ADAGRY is a coastal town and local government area in Lagos State. It is situated between Lagos State and the border with Benin Republic at Seme. The local government can boast of population of over 350,000. The major occupation of the people of Badagry is fishing and farming. Generally, The Guardian learnt that the Egun and the Awori speaking people of Badagry are very peaceful and good to their visitors as many of them were willing to assist strangers in their community. The Badagry town is noted for being a onetime transit camp of slaves captured from the interior and transported to Europe. This settlement is one of the major tourist centres in the state. It is noted as the museums of relics and artifact relating to the trans-Atlantic slave trade in Nigeria. Places like Badagry, Igbogbele, Rapoji, Agbojetho, Kweme, Aivoji, Iweseme towns and villages; Ajara, Ikoga and Ajido towns are today in the Badagry local government area and are a division of Lagos State. Beautiful and natural as the environment of these rural communities may be, they are presently facing the harsh effects of gas flaring from their industrial neighbour, the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company (WAPco). Though the effect of gas flaring is already being felt in the whole of Badagry Local Government area, Ajido, Imeke, Araromi and Agemuwo are worst hit by this new negative development. Nigeria, like other oil producing countries, benefits as well as suffers from the positive and negative effects of crude oil drilling such as gas flaring. After the initial separation of crude oil into gas, oil and water, the oil is sent to refineries for fractional distillation, the gas is usually flared while the water is discharged into the environment. Gas flaring is the controlled burning of natural gases associated with oil production. The consistent flaring has left a devastating effect on the surrounding environment of oil producing communities. With a daily crude oil output in excess of two million barrels per day, Nigeria has over 200 gas flaring sites, some of which have been on continuously for over 20 years.

While about 22 billion standard cubic feet (Scf) of natural gas is produced daily, about 75 per cent of this quantity is being flared. Though the Federal Government has been under serious pressure to put an end to gas flaring due to its adverse effects on human health and the environment, the people in the communities around Badagry are currently nursing their pains from the gas being flared by WAPCo. Ajido, Imeke, Araromi and Agemuwo are rustic communities on the bank of the Atlantic Ocean, near Badagry. They are areas in dire need of development through the presence of modern infrastructure. Just about when their prayers were heard, the development has come with a huge cost in terms of pollution, heat, noise and vibration coming from gas being flared by the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo). Indeed, the travails of host communities in gas-flaring areas of Niger Delta are now being

Musibau Busai and Dauda Tunde, Ajido residents

replicated in this part the country. About 170 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscfd) is currently being flared in Ajido, Imeke, Araromi and Agemuwo areas of Badagry Local Council of Lagos State by WAPCo. The Guardian learnt that the gas flaring actually started around August last year and became very intense since the beginning of 2013. When The Guardian visited the company at the weekend, there were heavily armed security personnel - a large contingent of policemen. An indigene of Ajido, Musibau Busari, a bricklayer, complained that the gas flaring had made life unbearable for him and his five children who had to contend with the extreme heat and noise emanating from the flaring site. He said that his family had developed health issues due to the emissions from gas being flared and called on the Federal Government

We were surprised by the action of the company, especially at a time when efforts were on to put an end to gas flaring in Nigeria by the Federal Government. Government should ensure that gas flaring is not allowed to continue in Badagry as it is being witnessed in the Niger Delta. to come to their rescue. Another indigene, Dauda Tunde, a 55-year-old fisherman with 10 children, said that they had not been able to complain to the company due to the presence of security personnel with arms who usually would not allow anybody get close to the gate of the company. Tunde, therefore, appealed to the Lagos State government to do something about the gas flaring in the community. “We want the company to provide air conditioners to us, provide us with quality health care and electricity,” he said. Also lamenting to The Guardian, a secondary school teacher in Ajido community, who simply identified himself as Tajudeen, said that they were surprised by the action of the company, especially at a time when efforts were on to put an end to gas flaring in Nigeria by the Federal Government. According to him, government should ensure that gas flaring is not allowed to continue in Badagry, as it is being witness in the Niger Delta. He expressed fear of developing respiratory illness and other diseases, which normally happens to people living around gas flaring areas, most especially in the form of air and water pollution. Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has condemned the situation, calling on the Federal Government to pressure the company from further flaring of gas in the communities. In a statement released by Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action (ERA)/ Friends of the Earth, Nigeria, he said “routine gas flaring has been illegal in Nigeria since the Gas Re-injection law came into effect in 1984. To eliminate any doubt over it a Federal High Court in Benin City ruled (in a

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

WEEKEND 21

effects of gas flaring in their environment

Dieziani Allison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum resources case brought against Shell by Jonah Gbemre of Iwerekhan Community, Delta State) in November 2005 that gas flaring is unconstitutional and against the human rights of Nigerians.” “ERA sees the scandalous gas flaring by WAPCO at Badagry as an unacceptable escalation of environmental assault against the local people and Nigerians as a whole. We find it particularly objectionable because WAPCo had justified the construction of the pipeline to its backers, including the IFC of the World Bank, with the argument that the pipeline would lead to a reduction of gas flaring in the Niger Delta. Contrary to their claims, the pipeline in reality conveys less than 20 per cent of associated gas that would have been flared. The current flaring in Badagry has effectively increased gas flaring in Nigeria, pumping green house gases into the atmosphere and assaulting the health of the people through the release of a cocktail of toxic elements.” “Globally, emissions released by gas flaring amounts to approximately 400 million tons of CO2. It is a harmful as well as wasteful practice through which natural gas worth trillions of Naira is wasted.” “ERA calls on the Nigerian government to compel WAPCO to take immediate action to halt this obnoxious gas flaring. We equally call for a halt of routine gas flaring in the Niger Delta. With the two ends of the pipe literally on fire, Nigerians are being assaulted with unacceptable levels of environmental aggression.” Speaking in a similar vein, Chike Chikwendu, Executive Secretary, Friends of the Environment (FOTE) said: “It is unfortunate that pipeline gas which has undergone some processing is being flared in some Badagry communities. This has joined the produced natural gas being flared at production sites. Natural gas whether produced or pipeline emits carbon dioxide and methane into the environment. These two gases are well known Green house gases. I wonder the resort to flaring by WAPco. If gas demand in Benin, Togo and Ghana have dropped for whatever reason, cant this gas be directed into the Lagos pipeline system where gas demand is at all time high?”

Globally, emissions released by gas flaring amounts to approximately 400 million tons of CO2. It is a harmful as well as wasteful practice through which natural gas worth trillions of Naira is wasted

Tunji Bello, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment A public health physician, Dr Dumebi Owa, noted that gas flaring harms local health through emissions that have been linked to cancers, asthma, chronic bronchitis, blood disorders, and other diseases. These health problems affect the people of oil-producing communities, such as the Niger Delta, where 30 million people live with little to no health care access. She added that oil refinery flare stacks might emit methane and other volatile organic compounds as well as sulfur dioxide and other sulfur compounds, and toxics “all of which are known to exacerbate asthma and other respiratory problems.” As another example, flaring at oil and gas production sites may emit methane, sulfur dioxide, aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene and xylenes), as well as carcinogens such as benzapyrene. “It is unfortunate that we are having more incidences of flaring that careless about the health of the public. It is an ill wind that blows nobody good. It really has to stop,” she said. Experts further observed that gas flaring causes acid rain, which impacts soil fertility and is associated with reduced crop yields, causing hunger in the Niger Delta where fish populations already have declined due to pollution by oil companies, including Chevron. Acid rain eats through villagers roofs that protect local residents from rain. Impoverished villagers have little means to replace their roofs more frequently. Strange as it may seem, flaring gas is illegal in Nigeria. The first order by Nigerian Head of State related to flaring was in 1969 when President Yakubu Gowon ordered that within five years of set-up, a company must cease flaring. This order was ignored. Through the Associated Gas Re-Injection Act Number 99 of 1979, the Nigerian government required oil corporations operating in Nigeria to guarantee zero flares by January 1, 1984. Oil companies nonetheless have continued to flare gas, merely paying nominal fines for breaking this law. The Act allowed some conditions for specific exemptions or the payment of a fee of US $0.003 (0.3 cents) per million cubic feet, which increased in 1988 to US $0.07 per million cubic feet, and in January 2008 to US $3.50 for every 1000 standard cubic feet of gas flared. This is still considered meager and not a deterrent for companies, which find it easier to just pay the fine. Chevron is resisting payment of the increased fine. Subsequent federal Nigerian legislation repeatedly pushed back the deadline to end gas flaring absolutely–in other words, requiring companies to cease flaring and discontinuing the policy of allowing them to pay a fine for continuing to flare–most recently to year-end 2007, then 2008, then 2010.

Nnimo Bassey Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action (ERA)/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria Though the Nigerian government promised We want the company to provide air to enforce the ban they themselves set on flaring in December 31, 2008, they have not en- conditioners to us, provide us with forced the ban by fining the oil companies as promised. Instead they are attempting to de- quality health care and electricity lay the deadline yet again, with the backing of Besides, she explained that her ministry has the oil industry, to 2012. been able to reduce gas flare to less than less In 2005 the federal High Court of Nigeria than 11 percent compared to 30 per cent in ruled flaring by Shell and the NNPC, with 2010, which, according to her, still remained which Chevron jointly operates, illegal and a largely inadequate. violation of the rights to life and dignity. “The intention of government through our On its part, the government has called for the gas industrialization programme and other cessation of the gas flaring as a foil against measures put in place is to ensure that gas flare concomitant impact on human health. is reduced to 2 per cent in 2014, in order to Specifically, the state government has given meet international best practice,” she said. WAPCo up till Friday to halt the flaring, as it According to her, the oil and gas industry has unfolded plans to sanction the company. played a critical role towards improving the Already, WAPCo is said to be losing between country’s economy, stressing that the mandate $500,000 and $600,000 daily on account of of the ministry is to transform the sector tothe incident and Nigeria is also losing $15 mil- wards achieving the international best stanlion per day to gas flaring. dards. The General Manager, LASEPA, Adebola Shabi, Specifically, she said the oil and gas sector had told The Guardian that the agency had visited witnessed a renewed way of performance level the company and had given WAPCo one week in the last three years under President to end the flaring. Goddluck Jonathan, thus placing the industry Shabi said that the agency had already con- on a higher pedestal. cluded plans to sanction the company for not On activities in the upstream sector, she said informing LASEPA before embarking on gas the ministry, over the last twelve months had flaring in the state. continued to maintain a production level of 2.4 He stated: “We have been to the flaring site million barrels of crude oil per day, while gas and the company told us their challenges. The production increased to 7.8 billion Standard company did not inform us before embark- Cubic Feet (SCF) from 6.2 SCF in 2012. ing on gas flaring. If they had informed us, we She maintained that through the support would have been able to sensitise the com- given to Nigerian Petroleum Development munity to what they are about to face. Company (NPDC), in the last two years, its proTherefore, we are going to sanction the com- duction capacity has increased from 50,000 pany for failing to inform LASEPA and we are barrel of crude oil per from day to 140,000 barissuing a stop order on Monday (today).” rel per day in 2012, with an assurance that this Speaking with The Guardian at the weekend, would increase over the next two years. The efGeneral Manager, Corporate Affairs of WAPCo, fect means that it will increase over the next Harriet Wereko-Brobby, said that the com- two years. pany had decided to embark on flaring the In addition, she boasted that the ministry has gas which it was unable to export to neigh- repositioned the NPDC to be the dominant gas bouring countries due to the damage to a supplier to the domestic market with over 400 pipeline late last year. million SCF in the western Niger Delta. Wereko-Brobby who confirmed that the damAs part of her plans to improve power generaaged gas pipeline had been successfully re- tion in the country, the minister said in April paired, was however, not sure exactly when 2012, with the presidential approval she got, the company would stop the flaring. she was able to deploy a 12-month emergency She assured that the company was concerned gas supply plan which is gas to power initiaabout the plight of the people living around tive, stating that the initiative has contributed the community and would put in place meas- over 230 million SCF per day to power generaures that would bring an end to the gas flar- tion while also helping to increase and support ing. national generating capacity by 30 per cent. Meanwhile, the Federal Government, as part To achieve this, she stressed that there has of initiatives to improve on its gas master- been aggressive expansion of the critical plan, has disclosed its resolve to reduce gas pipeline network, which according to her has flaring in the country to two per cent from the never been undertaken since it was built 30 current 11 per cent by the year 2014. year ago. The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. “The objective is to double gas supply from 1 to Diezani Alison-Madueke, stated this in her 2 billion cubit feet per day and this is expected presentation at the on-going Nigerian Oil and to be completed in 2014.” Gas Conference (NOG) on Tuesday in Abuja.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, Febuary 22, 2013

ExecutiveBrief In association with TRIPPLEA ASSOCIATES LIMITED

EDITION 254

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT INFOTECH4DEXECUTIVES CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE EXECUTIVE FINANCE

ubegs Global Concepts Nigeria is a market leader that is D committed to providing speed, reliability and competency in all areas of customer relations as a customer centric company. Always looking ahead to bring to the customer what’s next in top of the range automobiles. The organisation maintains consistent good quality, short-delivery periods, competitive price, and committed technical support, thereby becoming a reliable partner for a long and trustworthy working relationship. In a bid to reposition the organization for a better future, the organization diversified into real estate development and oil and gas sectors of the economy. Mr. Dubem Chukwurah, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the organisation is an enterprising business leader of global repute. In this interview with Nnamdi Nwokolo, Dubem, who built the organisation from the scratch to a world class company, spoke on the challenges and prospects of enterprise development in Nigeria and sundry issues. He believes that you can be in business and touch so many lives by creating employment opportunities but a greater of people’s life will be positively affected if good policies are formulated by the government. In diversifying your business, did you have the competence to really manage the business? The beauty of managing a business is not what you do yourself, it is the ability to synergize what people around you can do and harness the full benefits positively, is what makes a great manager. You can never do it alone. In the industry that we operate, we have professionals that run the place. They only come to me for advice. What I do is to make funds available and sometimes put my personal touch to it to make sure it’s done in a way that will be beneficial to the organisation. My job is basically supervision, most times their ideas could be better than mine, but I only have the opportunity of listening to so many people and putting their ideas together. It’s not what you do per se, but the ability to harness the potentials of your colleagues is what really matters;

Joe Falter

Success can be achieved through the Application of Knowledge that is why no one takes glory for whatever success that is achieved, because it is propelled by teamwork. What are the initial challenges and how were you able to surmount them? One thing I’ve learnt in the course of this business is that integrity equals capital. The only way we overcame the issue of financing was to build up our integrity. We operate in a difficult environment, so daily; you meet a lot of challenges. What has actually kept us going is determination, integrity and the Grace of God. What you need is a great deal of goodwill; make people to believe in you. The moment people identify you as a reliable organization, you are on track. What you now need to do is to deliver on two or three promises, which will act as a reference point for your organization. Setting up this organisation is really capital intensive, and I don’t have such funds, so I relied on friends and associates to get this place started. But in everything, we give thanks to God for his mercies. We have endured a lot of difficult situations, but because of the transparent nature of our operations, our staff, clients and associates believe so much in us. We are so transparent that even our financial supporters have so much belief in our ability to deliver on our promises. Unique Factors that stand your organisation out: The things we do are governed by core values and beliefs, which include integrity. The direction we are taking is to redefine the service level in the automobile industry, so that customers will have real value for their money. Our cars are top of the range and our prices are competitive. This will go a long way to define who we are and the kind of organisation we are trying to build. Our team maintains a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect generated through positive relationship with associates, clients and all stakeholders. Our mission is to create, retain and sustain competence in partnership with our customers by delivering service and maximizing profit for all partners involved. We have a very good knowledge of the industry and our knowledge base is our competitive advantage over who our competitors are. At our office in Awolowo way, Ikeja, we have established a dedicated customer care desk to handle all our customers’ complaints with a swift response on 017605014 and 08035221077.

ate and appraise performances. When and how do you think we can have a Made in Nigeria car? The issue of a Made in Nigerian car is long overdue. The idea behind it is that, apart from lifting the image of this country, it will give people the opportunity to buy brand new vehicles at affordable prices. The most important factor towards the actualization of that dream is the constant availability of power. If there’s no power, it’s not possible. No economy can have any meaningful growth without constant and uninterrupted power supply. Can you imagine that despite the huge earthquake that ravaged Haiti they still had uninterrupted power. Made in Nigeria car will always be a mirage without power. This is one of the major reasons why many multinationals are relocating to Ghana where there’s regular power supply. We can only achieve success in power if a ban is placed on generators. What can government do differently to get things right? If the government can formulate and sustain policies that will help the business community, the entire country will be better for it. This can be done by strengthening the Naira against the dollar, provision of infrastructures, and create employment opportunities for our youths. The import duty should be reviewed also to encourage enterprise development in Nigeria. It is very easy for people to wake up and start criticizing the government for what have done or what they have failed to do. If we understand the extent of dearth of our infrastructures over the years, we’ll begin to appreciate the efforts being put in place by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan. Although, we’ve not gotten where we are supposed to be, but I think the government is making slow and steady progress especially in the provision of power, security and freedom. We are very impatient with ourselves, take for example what happened in South Africa where we lifted the Cup of Nations after 19 years; nobody gave the team a chance, but they succeeded because of their tenacity. I believe that with the right support from every Nigerian, the government will succeed. Governor Babatunde Fashola has equally exhibited the Nigerian spirit in the transformation of Lagos state. They need to be commended for their efforts even though a lot needs to be done. What are the focus/projections for the organization? I must confess to you that this brand will be well known globally. At the moment, people identify with us, but there’s a level we are taking this firm to. We have strategic alliance with partners abroad. In the next five years, I want to have one of the best equipped showrooms in this country that will meet global standards. Our focus is to replicate what we have done in the automobile industry to the real estate development and oil and gas industry. We have carefully strategized to equip everybody in this organization for the global challenge ahead. I encourage my employees to develop their competencies while giving them ample opportunity to express themselves. We will get there because I try to earn their trust and confidence by being friends with them, with that we will be able to flow together.

How do you stay in touch with people at all levels in the organization? With all humility, I’ll tell you that my management style is an What are the critical factors for interactive one. I personally get in touch with everybody irrespecbusiness success in Nigeria? tive of his position, because I believe that when you get close to The prospects of enterprise people, you’ll be able to know their strengths and weaknesses development are enormous in which will enable you take strategic decisions for the overall benthe country considering our efit of all of. In this organization it is always difficult to identify potentials. The major factors the CEO and the workers, there’s no bossy kind of attitude here. of success are arguably knowl- That is our style and a key attribute of a good leader. edge, integrity and vision. Action inspired by, knowledge What advice will you give to young and upcoming entrepreis very important to success. neurs? Success can only be achieved Aspiring or upcoming entrepreneurs should understand that through the application of there is dignity in labour. They must psychologically prepare ones knowledge. Integrity is themselves away from the path of least resistance. Sometimes the also very important. If you result may be delayed. They have to be persistence without being have a clear vision of where stupid. They should know that whatever venture they get themyou are going, you must get selves into, it must succeed provided they are ready to pay some there in the fullness of time. personal sacrifices. The support system should try to encourage The key to any business sucyoung entrepreneurs. Training is also an integral part of success cess lies in understanding the in any venture they go in, be sure to have a good knowledge of secrets of the business and the the business you are going into and above you should love and environment. It is the bedrock enjoy whatever you want to do. of strategy itself. You can’t How do you maintain work/life balance? craft a strategy that is indeI have no challenges at home. I have a wonderful and capable pendent of the environment. Understanding your business wife and children. My time at home is qualitative because in whatever I do, I put my family first. It is not the number of hours environment helps you to one stays in the office that matters, it is the quality of your output define competition, to evaluthat makes the difference.

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24 | EXECUTIVEBRIEF

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, Febuary 22, 2013

Executive Management By Kip Marlow emember the KISS method? Keep it simple stupid. Heard those words before? Well it applies to entrepreneurship too. Keeping things simple may be very difficult to do when you’re in the midst of the “fog of business”, but it’s something we should all strive to achieve. The 4 P’s include finding the customer’s point of pain, have a passion for your business, perform like you promise, and price equal or lower than the competition. These should be the bywords for every small business in today’s very competitive marketplace.

The 4 ‘P’s of Entrepreneurship

pete and succeed? How novel! The thought of asking this question to a current customer or potential client rarely comes into play for entrepreneurs. But it should. When you can find that point of pain and solve a problem, both you and your customer benefit. A partnership is formed and more products can be developed out of the process.

2. Passion: Many small business owners have a passion for what they do. However, that passion can dissipate over a period of time. After a while it recedes into owners actually hating their businesses. When the passion is gone, the company may be 1. Pain Point: Find your cusgone too. Find a way to keep tomer’s point of pain. What the passion 24 hours per day, does she need to make her 7 days a week. Take vacations, business and life easier? A get a good mentor, and don’t friend of mine actually asked try to do everything yourself. a potential customer what A good walk on the beach pained him in business. and some sage advice can What does he need to com-

keep those juices flowing. 3. Performance: In today’s fast paced small business world, performance is part of your brand. If you perform well in all aspects of the business, keep your promises, and make a better product, you will be successful. If your product is “subpar” and delivery is continually late, forget it. The business is doomed. 4. Price: Your pricing should be equivalent or less than the competition. It’s not easy to do, but design the products to be better than the rest, and delivered at a lower price. Innovate! Find that point of pain, have a passion for your business every day, perform well, and price everything right. Those are the 4 P’s. Then remind yourself that if you abide by these, you will be successful.

Executive Finance

Infotech4dexecutives

5 Digital Solutions That Can Help Your Business By John King n this day and age many enterprises really need to embrace digital technology just to stay in touch with their competition and provide an up-to- date, aggressive service to their clients and customers. We are bombarded by the expanding digital world on a daily basis and are sometimes unaware of what is on the market, along with the added benefits that may be offered to organisations of all sizes. Listed here are 5 facets of digital technology that companies in this day and age should know about:

IPTV - IPTV ( Internet Protocol Television) is undoubtedly an excellent tv system which is delivered using an Internet Protocol network. You will discover literally numerous remarkably useful instances of this technology which include; settling your hotel bill by way of the hotel room Tv Set, the BBC’s iPlayer, the way in which education uses IPTV to send video and audio to Personal Computer terminals within a college or university and the way that hospitals provide TV solutions to their patients. IPTV is all over the place and could possibly benefit your company in some way. The price

tag on IPTV products and services have lowered significantly in the last three years or so, so now is a wonderful time for you to hop on-board.

these to work for featuring advertising, information, recorded video, live streams and corporate branding. These signs offer real value to many different industries.

Commercial Satellites - As a primary part of their provision of television solutions countless companies will need a specialist, commercial satellite installation. A professional system is more than just planting a big dish on the roof of a building. Many excellent options would be offered by a top grade satellite installation company for example a ‘landlord managed system’, which gives landlords total control over the dishes and a way to bring in profit from them. A ‘hidden dish farm’ is an additional example which offers the full array of satellite television channels without a dish in site!

Audio Visual Systems Whenever you and your employees are utilising audio visual equipment, chances are that this will take place when in front of an audience. As a result, good quality, reliable Audio-video devices are important for many companies as there is nothing worse than a system that fails mid presentation. There are many situations and industries that require a good AV system for example conference facilities, meeting rooms and even City trading floors.

Digital Signage - Digital signage is the hi tech way of displaying a combination of video, images, textual content and live Television to screens and displays. No doubt you’ve looked at these while not realising that it is a digital sign. Airports, train stations, sporting events etc. all put

Video Conferencing - As 55 % of communication is determined by verbal hints, video conferencing is second only to being there. Consequently, this is one type of digital business solution that is being accepted by large numbers of people daily. The quality of video, having no time delay and the ease of use have helped to make this a truly serious business device for a lot of organisations, especially since the charges involved have come down considerably.

All Factors of Wealth and Reality Creation

By Enoch Tan

same people were very surprised increased all the more when when suddenly a sum of money it does return. here are so many factors came to them from some unex- Faith and Believing - Faith is that affect the building or pected source to replace the positive expectation. Faith is degeneration of wealth. The result of wealth is a combina- money they just gave away. The an action. Your imagination truth is, if you hold on to your is your mental image in tion of all these factors. Take money, you risk losing the very action. Faith is also a feeling. one of them out and you thing you are hoarding. On the Your emotion is energy in would reduce your ability to other hand, if you trust good motion. Right mental image create what you want drastithings flow to those who give is right creation. Right feeling cally. Most people when talkfreely, you will always have is right vibration. Visualizing ing about creating wealth and Feeling are two importend to mention only some of funds available to suit your needs. tant components of wealth the factors and not the rest. A gift with reservations is not a and reality creation. Out of That is why it is important to gift, it is a bribe. There is no the abundance of the heart see things in an integrated promise of increase unless we mind, the mouth speaks. way than in a partial way. give freely. Let go of the gift What you believe in your subCharitable Giving - Nothing entirely. Recognize the universal conscious mind, you confess speaks to the Universe louder, scope of the law. Then the gift with your tongue. Words of your belief in abundance has a chance to go out and to have power. Where the word than giving. And when the come back multiplied. There is of a king is, there is power. Universe hears, more will be no telling how far the blessing Words bring our intentions added unto you. Not as a may travel before it comes back. closer to physical manifestareward, but because you truly It is a beautiful and encouraging tion by turning thought believed in abundance. Giving fact that the longer it is in vibration into sound vibratells the Universe that you returning, the more hands it is tion. What the priest says believe you are provided for. passing through and the more about the value of a thing, so For even as you empty your hearts it is blessing. All these shall its value be. What you purse you fear not, demonhands and hearts add someappreciate, appreciates in strating faith that you will thing to it in substance. It is value. What you decree, it remain whole, that your coffers will be replenished, and that your love for whomever you gave, is what’s most important. Verily, as you believe these things to be true, you will experience such truths, and abundance shall be showered upon you as if the heavens had opened up. Most times, we think that we don’t have anything to give. Yet, if we look more closely, we’ll see that even the little we have could be shared with others. Let us not wait for a time when we think we’ll have lots and then we’ll give. By giving and sharing the little we have, we open up the storehouse of the universe and permit rivers of good to come our way. Take a chance on this universal principle. Take a chance on yourself. Universal principles always work.

Have you ever experienced a situation where you were asked to donate money to a particular cause, and looking at your shrinking bank balance you were torn between giving money or not? Many people have experienced being in this exact situation, but after deciding to go ahead and make a donation, these

Action is the foundational key to all success. Pablo Picasso

VISUAL ARTS

For West African artists, a new leap beckons in Dubai By Tajudeen Sowole

After a recent resurgence at home and gradual inroad into the art market of the west, contemporary art from West Africa tests the waters of the Middle East. NTERESTINGLY, the next testIartists ing ground for West African is the new blue-eyed boy of the 21st century’s business and leisure travel hub, Dubai. Under Marker, a sub-event of Art Dubai Fair, five artists via art advocacy organizations across West Africa will from March 20 to 23, 2013 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai be the focus of visitors. Art Dubai Fair has been rated as a major yearly international art gathering in the Middle East, with as much as 500 artists and 75 galleries from 32 countries participating every year, it attracts an estimated 22, 000 visitors. The 2013 edition of Marker, according to the organizers, is making its third appearance in the seven-year old Art Dubai Fair, and has been dedicated to art from West African. It’s Africa’s debut appearance at the fair. Although Marker appears more like an exposition and cultural contents exchanges, it could, indirectly boost the increasing value and appreciation of art West African art. In recent years, Europe, particularly the U.K has hosted several art shows, which focused African art. In fact, there is a yearly art auction, Africa Now by Bonhams, dedicated to African art. CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Theatre: The prize of benevolent acts on MUSON stage

P. 26

Broadcasting: Making public broadcaster commercially viable

P. 29

Visual Arts: Art Dubai Fair hooks West African artists

P. 36

Tourism: Cultural bond built on carnival

P. 38

Heritage: Traditional land lease in Isiekenesi

P. 40

“

There was a lot of skepticism of my ability to live the character (Headmaster) in the rested TV soap, The Village Headmaster. But as we got along, there was a consensus that I fitted snugly into the role and that was it. But I must add that I found it very challenging and I found the entire programme incredible. It was one incredible drama series. Every one wanted to see it. At that time, people rushed home to watch the soap and it continued like that until it was dropped. And it’s sad that it was dropped because it served as bridge between the citizens and the government. There was so much to learn from the programme. I was reading somewhere about the effort to get it back on air. I am really looking forward to it. We need a programme like that as a growing nation.

Return of The Village Headmaster…

”

Justus Esiri’s unfulfilled dream

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

ARTS

Theatre

The Magic Flute… A triumph of good over evil By Omiko Awa HE presentation of The Magic Flute (Die ZaT uberflote) by the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), last week, may have opened the stage for different theatrical performances this year. Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but produced and directed by Thomas Kanitz, the opera, which held at the Shell Nigeria Hall, depicts complexities of life as well as the intrigues of those people look up to as mentors, including leaders that play, trick on people to achieve their selfish ends. Opening with Tamino, a handsome Prince, crying for help, as a very big snake pursues him. He falls and faints from fatigue. And just as the snake is about to attack him, three ladies in the service of the Queen of the Night appear and kill the monster. The ladies find the unconscious Prince extremely attractive, that each tries to convince the other to leave so that she may have possession of him. After much argument, they left together to tell the Queen of their encounter. Papageno, the bird catcher, then meets the Prince and boasts of how he killed the snake to save him (the Prince). Pleased with her attendants and fascinated by the handsomeness of the Prince, the Queen of the Night, gives her ladies a portrait of her daughter, Pamina, who is enslaved by Sarastro, a man rumoured to be a wicked sorcerer. Seeing the portrait, Tamino falls in love instantly. Knowing that Papageno lied of killing the snake, the ladies in the service of the Queen punished him by padlocking his mouth. Grieving over her enslaved daughter, the Queen charges Tamino to rescue Pamina, which he accepts; and to carry out this Herculean task, the ladies give him a magic flute and unlock Papageno’s mouth. Papageno, who is to go with the Prince, also gets a bell while three boys/spirits are assigned to guide them to Sarastro’s Temple. In the Temple, Sarastro’s slave, Monastato, pursues Pamina with unwelcome attention, but is frightened away by Papageno, who tells Pamina that Tamino loves her and intends to save her from her captor. Tamino meets the high priest, who tells him that Sarastro is not

a tyrant or a wicked sorcerer, as the Queen portrays him, but a man of wisdom and noble character. Enthralled by Pamina’s beauty, Papageno tries to escape with her, but is prevented by the appearance of Monostatos and some slaves. To have his way, Papageno plays his magic bell and Monostatos and the slaves begin to dance. Sarastro immediately appears, and overwhelmed by his majesty, Pamina confesses that she was trying to escape because of Monostato’s advances towards her. Knowing the desires of Tamino and Papageno, Sarastro commands the twosome to come to the Temple of Ordeals, where they have to prove that they are worthy of the higher happiness they both long for. In the first two phases of their trials, Tamino and Papageno take a test of silence; one from which Tamino emerges more successful. Undeterred, Papageno plays his magic bell and sings a ditty about his desire for a wife, in which an old woman appears and demands he pledges engagement with her. She warns that if he doesn’t, he will remain lonely forever. Reluctantly, Papageno promises to love her faithfully and immediately, she transforms to a young pretty lady — Papagena. The lady disappears as Papageno moves to embrace her. Meeting Tamino during his silence test, Pamina misinterprets his attitude for his love gone cold and in despair decides to kill herself, but the spirits restrain her, telling her all will be well. Pamina not interested at killing Sarastro as the mother (the Queens desires) summons courage and unites with Tamino. They both go through the final phase of Tamino’s trial together, protected by the music from the magic flute. Giving up hope of winning Papagena, Papageno chooses to hang himself, but at the last minute, the three spirits appear and remind him to use his magic bell to call her; this he does and Papagena appears. And they become husband and wife. Overcoming their ordeals, Sarastro welcomes the young lovers —Tamino and Pamina — into the Temple of Light. Vexed that her evil plans to kill Sarastro

Scenes from the play and destroy the Temple did not come to pass, the Queen of the Night with her three attendants and Monostato plot to destroy the Temple. Their plot is thwarted and they are magically cast into eternal darkness. Presented in German with Prince Jacob Akindele, as narrator in English, the opera, a triumph of courage, virtue and wisdom saw the cast deliver their roles flawlessly, as if German is their second language; thanks to MUSON school. Though, said to be adapted to suit the Nigerian and, by extension, the African culture, the opera, going by its presentation, only succeeds in the use of costumes, as the names of the dramatis personae and places are in German. Another point of note is that through out the scenes, the cast wore the same costume, even when the roles they are playing demand a

change. Variation of costume would have added colours to the presentation, especially as the opera is about something that happened in a foreign land. Aimed at showcasing the Nigerian culture by introducing different ethnic group’s attires, it would be proper to point out that Tamino (Guchi Egbunine) was not properly dressed in the Igbo attire he wore on the stage. The long white robe could either be worn on a wrapper with inner shorts as underwear or with a pair of trouser. Donning it with a wrapper and a trouser at the same time is an aberrasion of the Igbo culture, which the opera intends to project. Since the opera is adapted for the African audience, the stage, especially the big poster at the background should have also reflected that, that is, having a pictorial of an African Shrine as a Temple.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

ARTS 27

Revue There was a lot of skepticism of my ability to live the character. But as we got along, there was a consensus that I fitted snugly into the role and that was it. But I must add that I found it very challenging and I found the entire programme incredible. It was one incredible drama series. Every one wanted to see it. At that time, people rushed home to watch the soap and it continued like that until it was dropped. And it’s sad that it was dropped because it served as bridge between the citizens and the government. There was so much to learn from the programme. I was reading somewhere about the effort to get it back on air. I am really looking forward to it. We need a programme like that as a growing nation.

By Shaibu Husseini E enjoyed a comfortable listing among the H very few professionals in the veteran class who have consistently been winning the hearts of moviegoers with grace and charm. Until he passed on last Tuesday after he reportedly complained of “weakness and pains’’ and was taken to a medical facility in Surulere, Lagos for prompt medical attention, Esiri who is described by younger colleagues (but not to his hearing though) as a ‘grand good old man of the movie’ enjoyed the reputation of being one of the not too many iconoclastic performers on the movie runway who is well regarded as a core professional and one of the very few actors with a strong screen presence. Indeed, Justus Esiri whether in Nigeria or on the continental acting turf needs no introduction. Awarded the national honours of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2007 by the Federal Government ostensibly for his immense contribution to the development of the motion picture industry, Esiri who would have been 71 in November having been born in November 1942 was undoubtedly one of the most popular faces in the Nigerian movie industry and one of the few actors in the professional class who have had a remarkable career, earned their spurs and who have enjoyed super roles on television and on screen. From his break on television The Village Headmaster to Forever one of his numerous home video hits and to the more recent Assassin Practice which is currently showing in cinemas across the country, the focused and likeable Germany-trained acting uncle to a number of young actors whose acting career spanned over four decades deservedly enjoys a good rating as an actor. Besides, he was well regarded as a veteran actor and respected as an outstanding thespian of the television, home video and celluloid. Born in Oria, Abraka in Delta State, Esiri had his early education in Warri. From Warri, Esiri’s thirst for knowledge saw him heading to Germany. He qualified as an Engineer in 1967 at the Professor Weners Institute of Engineering after a stint at the Maximillian University in Munich, Germany. Esiri career swivel chair negotiated a sharp bend in 1968. He detoured into motion picture production and worked as a staff of the Schiller Theatre, Berlin, Germany for nine years. He had earlier trained at the Ahrens School of Performing Arts when it was clear at that time that it was acting or nothing else. Married and blessed with children, Esiri, father of the dentist-turned singer, Onoriode Esiri a.k.a. Dr. Sid of the Pop Champagne fame returned to Nigeria after that stint at Schiller and his sun set on motherland soon as he did. The authorities found him competent to be part of those to supervise some of the side events of the second World Black Festival of Arts dubbed FESTAC, which Nigeria hosted in 1977. Esiri coordinated creditably the Modern Dress exhibition, which was staged in Lagos as part of FESTAC. That outing earned him some commendations. After that outing, Esiri’s sun shone brightly. He hopped on to the acting turf, worked in between as a news translator and newscaster with the Voice of Nigeria, worked in advertising, before he eventually made up his mind to stick to what has assumed a first love for him, acting. An actors’ actor of immense credits whose movie and award pouch is filled with plaques and titles of well regarded movies, Esiri star of Dark Soul, Last Desire, Love After Love, Miss Nigeria, Apostates of Hell, Double Affair, The Price, Indecent Desire, Big Heart Treasure and Keep My Will among many others rode into prominence and became something of a constant visitor in many homes on the back of the long rested television soap The Village Headmaster. As Village Headmaster, the role he lived on the gripping television soap, which ran for so many years on national television, Esiri stood out. The hat wearing acting elder showed depth and he deftly delivered, a reason the name ‘Village Headmaster’ stuck with him. An old boy of the prestigious Urhobo College, Effurun who though studied Engineering but never practiced for a day, Esiri who is undoubtedly bonded to the arts, hinted that the lot fell on him to interpret the character of the headmaster, who in the soap was the link between education and tradition when others that were auditioned for the role did not measure up to expectation. After so many trials, someone suggested that he be invited to ‘just try’. What was supposed to be a mere trial soon ended up the real take. He was engaged to play the role and he put an unequalled performance.

has achieved. He therefore canvassed a situation where emphasis would be placed on experience, training and skill enhancement as well as acquisition. “We need to improve on all these areas I have mentioned. We must insist that people particularly the young ones, hone their skills. Only then can they succeed in showbiz. There is no two ways to it really. There is no profession that doesn’t demand a reasonable level of training and adherence to ethics so why would anyone want to practice as a film maker without being trained? So, we must insist on training and encourage the establishment of sound training institutions and not the ones that are set up to make money. We must be sure of the facilities on ground and the faculty and we must unite and speak with one voice. “At the moment, we are speaking with so many voices. We need an umbrella body that will regulate our practice. The Nigerian Film Corporation and others like the Censors Board should be for the development of the industry and implementation of policy decisions as it affects the industry. But there should be a council for the regulation of practice as we have in advertising and allied industries. That was what we set out to achieve with CMPPN, but unfortunately some young people thought we the elders were too over ambitious, they scuttled the plan and went their different ways. Today, everyone calls us to a meeting with government instead of our attending with our representatives on the council. We need the council. We need the film policy to be implemented because it makes provisions for “There was a lot of skepticism of my ability to Nollywood, Esiri who was at a time President of all this structures that will ensure the full exploitation of the gold mine,” he had said. live the character. But as we got along, there was the Conference for Motion Pictures When Esiri is not working, he says he spends a consensus that I fitted snugly into the role and Practitioners of Nigeria (CMPPN), a body now that was it. But I must add that I found it very defunct, but which the promoters were hoping time on the golf course, but that is after attending to other businesses and or family challenging and I found the entire programme would transform into a council for regulation demands. He said about his family: “I have a incredible. It was one incredible drama series. of practice in Nollywood, would describe it as Every one wanted to see it. At that time, people “a gold mine that has not been fully exploited. wonderfully family that I always want to be with all the time. They are all grown up now rushed home to watch the soap and it continued Although he acknowledged in his very last but each time I am free, I like to just stay like that until it was dropped. And it’s sad that it interview in the Guardian conducted during around and call them up and we talk and was dropped because it served as bridge between the interactive session the Secretary to the citizens and the government. There was so Government of the Federation Ayim Pius Ayim bond. Of course, you know that my son (Dr. Sid) is into this now and he is doing very well. much to learn from the programme. I was readheld with Nollywood on the proposed centeing somewhere about the effort to get it back on nary celebration, that the industry was expand- So proud of him and to know that I didn’t influence his taking to entertainment. I gave air. I am really looking forward to it. We need a ing, Esiri who is always smartly dressed programme like that as a growing nation.” bemoaned the fact that excellence has not been them a free hand to be what they wanted to be Anytime he is asked to volunteer a word on achieved in Nollywood in spite of all the feats it because I was given that chance too.’’ Till death, Esiri had nostalgic feeling for some of his earlier screen runs particularly The Village Headmaster but he would not consider any of the over one hundred movies he starred in, challenging. “To say one particular one was challenging would be like saying that you love a child over the other. May be works that are memorable, but as a rule, I don’t take up roles that do not task me.” A warm natured person to be with and a strong advocate for professionalism, what can pass as a well deserved icing on Esiri’s career cake came when in 2007 the Federal Government named him alongside another equally illustrious thespian, Chief Adebayo Faleti as recipients of the national honour of the Order of the Officer of the Niger (OON). The recipient of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) crest for acting in 2006 had this to say on the award which he said came to him as a surprise. “I thank the government for the recognition. I wept for joy the day it was announced. What a way to be recognized and appreciated. I thank the Government for the recognition. I can’t express my gratitude enough.” Veteran producer and writer, Paul Emema with the veteran actor at the candle light session for Enebeli… last January

Justus Esiri:

Exit of ‘grand good old man of moviedom’

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

28 ARTS

Pete Eneh

APCON Registrar, Garba Bello Kakanrofi (left) Esiri; and others at a function in Abuja recently

Ibinabo Fiberisima, RMD, Grace Amah and veteran actress, Chinyere Okoronkwo… at the burial of Enebeli

Esiri and son, Onoriade Esiri

Harvest of death in Nollywood By Shaibu Husseini RESIDENT of the Actors Guild of Nigeria P (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberisima has set up a prayer group on blackberry. Also, she is canvassing the setting up of an all entertainment practitioners prayer forum. Concerned about the spate of death in the entertainment industry particularly the Nollywood divide, Fiberisima, who has spent more time since she assumed headship of the actors’ body superintending over obsequies than she has spent setting the AGN on the right path as she promised, thinks it is necessary for her colleagues and practitioners alike to get together and in her words “pray for God to be merciful to entertainers, share the grace of God and start to show some love and care to one another.’’ In one of the group discussions, Fiberisima canvassed a day of national prayer for the entertainment industry ostensibly to avert the so many cases of sudden death that have plagued the industry in recent time. She has also been in the forefront of agitation for the establishment of a welfare scheme for actors and practitioners alike. With such a scheme in place, she would always argue, practitioners will no longer go “cap in hand begging for assistance” for any ailing member. To show her commitment, she has introduced an insurance scheme and health plan for actors, while she has embarked on touring all state chapters of the AGN to encourage them to get on the scheme. Problem has however been low response from actors some of whom complain of ‘low earning’. Low earning? Observers have found that a strange excuse to give considering that actors ride in posh cars and live in high profile areas. “Those who are driving posh cars and living in choice homes and areas know what they are doing to make money,’’ remarked a veteran actor. “They can’t swear that they bought those cars and houses from their earning as actors. How much do they earn per job and how many jobs can they possibly do in a year to buy, let’s

Enebeli

say, a range rover? They know what they are doing by the side. We don’t earn much as actors. The highest you can earn now as an actor is between 400 thousand naira and 500 hundred thousand naira and you must be a top actor to earn that. “Those of us considered old are paid 50 thousand and sometimes even 30 thousand, which we finish spending before the job is completed. So how can we buy houses and cars with 30 thousand naira,” he lamented. A lot of the other actors shared that sentiments but others — some A-list actors who don’t want their names mentioned attribute the travail of most actors to lack of planning. In the words of one of the popular actors: “we think it will always be good, so when we make monies we blow it on drinks, fashion, women and general things that wont add up to our existence and before we know what is happening, the jobs will no longer come in and then we are broke and down and when something happens we begin to run around for help. So as you lay your bed, you sleep on it.’’ Fiberisima shares in this actors’ sentiment but she thinks that the industry has grown well enough to have a system in place that will cater for members when they are out of jobs. She said. “The plan is to form the actors’ equity which is a contributory scheme that will enable you draw from when you are out of work. It falls in line with saving for the dry season, which you said some actors talked about. I think we need to begin to care for ourselves and show love to one another. It is one death too many for us actors.’’ Indeed, movie practitioners have spent more time mourning than they have spent in being on location. It has been from one candle light procession to another since late last year. Nollywood had hardly dapped the tears occasioned by the sudden death of popular actor Chief Pete Eneh when news broke that light had dimmed on the veteran stage and screen actor, Enebeli Elebuwa. Chief Eneh who had his left leg amputated after he battled with a leg infection passed on in November in Enugu where he was based. Eneh,

popular for playing the elder, uncle or king in most Nollywood films was buried in January, a few days after, Enebeli, a very distinguished member of the motion picture industry was interred. Enebeli passed on in India after a long drawn battle with stroke. The Delta state born actor and former staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was bedridden for several months after he reportedly suffered severe stroke attack. Help came for him from the Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Udughan who approved that Elebuwa be flown abroad for treatment. His demise meant that the actor, who has put in over three decades in the acting profession, did not survive the stroke that kept him off the screen. The crowd that turned out at the candle light ceremony organized by the Ibinabo Fiberisima led Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) with support from the Delta State government in honour of Elebuwa at Ojez Restaurant in Lagos was unprecedented. In that crowd was the indubitable elder actor of vast credits Justus Esiri. The elder actor had come to pay tributes to a man he described as a “long standing friend, colleague and brother.” He talked about how they met and how they have ran along as colleagues. It is ironic that a man who was paying tributes the other day will be the man who others will line up to pay tribute to when his obsequies is announced. Justus Esiri is late. He passed on late on Tuesday night after a brief illness. He would have been 71 in November. Esiri’s death is coming almost five days after the AGN announced the sudden death of its former three time state chapter Secretary Lugard Onoyemu. Lugard reportedly died at the practice pitch of the national stadium in Surulere Lagos while preparing for a novelty football match between the AGN and SUN newspaper, which the AGN had fixed as part of its AGN week. Tributes have continued to pour in for both Lugard and Esiri. Founder and chief Executive Officer of the African Movie Academy Awards

(AMAA) Peace Anyiam Osigwe have described the death of Esiri as ‘shocking’ and one death too many. She said Esiri was a thorough bred professional who was committed and passionate about the arts. “He was a professional to the core and was at home with acting’ Osigwe said. Esiri’s colleague on the set of the Village Headmaster, Dejumo Lewis who sat not too far from Esiri during Enebeli’s candle light event almost refused to pay tributes to a colleague he described as a ‘wonderful being’. He recalled how Esiri conducted himself during their days on the set of the Village Headmaster and how he played the role of the Village Headmaster delightfully. “You cannot fault his delivery. When you say someone is a consummate actor, then it’s Justus Esiri,” he said. President of the AGN Ibinabo Fiberisima recalled her last moment with the elder actor. She said: ‘‘it was at Enebeli’s candle light ceremony. He walked up to me, embraced me and said, ‘thank you for all you are doing for us. Thank you for bringing us together and for even thinking of a welfare scheme for actors especially we the veterans.’ I was so touched and moved that I knelt to thank him too for coming out to support what we are doing. I mean someone of his stature and achievement will say, I don’t want to mix with these young ones but he came and had been up and doing and he has never stopped at advising us to come together to speak with one voice. He told me he is not happy with the so many discordant tunes in the industry but was glad that I am beginning to bring actors together so we can rebuild AGN. And as soon as I announced that veterans amongst us should let us have their contact details, so we can check and care for them, he was the first to volunteer all his details. It is painful he’s passed on now because this is the time I need him most. He is a stabilizer. I recalled how he travelled on his own expense to Benin to monitor the AGN national election, which didn’t hold and how he tried to broker peace. We will miss Uncle Justus,” she surmised. No words yet on the burial arrangement for the actor. One thing that is sure is that whenever a date is fixed, the industry will rise for the consummate and intense actor who also fits to be called a world-class actor

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

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Broadcasting ‘How to turn around NTA’s commercial fortunes’ By Emmanuel Onwubiko HERE is so much talk in political circles about T transforming certain publicly owned agencies to become fully commercially viable and selffinancing. In the National Assembly for instance, the thinking is that several government-funded services are viable enough to generate resources to carry through their in-house activities and contribute meaningfully to the central treasury of the federation for onward sharing and allocation to the tiers of government. But in all of these national conversations, there seems to be a salient error of judgment regarding how all of these publicly owned services are expected to derive maximum commercial benefits from their core mandates that may not fundamentally endanger public good. Some of the exponents of the view that almost all government funded agencies should become fully commercialized may not have given serious thought to the fact that some of these federal government publicly funded agencies such as the NTA play such a social responsibility role that it may be impossible to expect that it can become fully self funding without endangering the fundamental values for which it was set up in the first place to promote. NTA is the government owned public broadcaster with a mandate to inform, educate and entertain the populace. Unlike the British Broadcasting Corporation, [BBC] the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was not at inception authorized by legislation to collect licensing fees from Nigerian households which makes it imperative that government of Nigeria accepted to take the responsibility of providing certain basic operational subventions to enable it carry out its mandate. The BBC is a semi-autonomous public service broadcaster that operates under a Royal Charter and a License and Agreement from the Home Secretary. Within the UK its work is funded principally by an annual television license fee, which is charged to all British households, companies and organizations using any type of equipment to receive live television broadcasts; the level of the fee is set annually by the British Government and agreed by Parliament. Back to our national conversation on why the

Eugenia Abu

Musa Mayaki Nigerian Television Authority should be given better funding so as to continue to remain relevant and effective, we may like to know that previously, NTA had only one network channel which transmits in over 80 stations across Nigeria. Specifically that single network was used to broadcast a variety of programme types including News, entertainment, educational, children and current affairs. Viewers are now sophisticated and have demanded better broad range of choices of programme, and NTA management worked very assiduously to launch new specialized channels namely News, sports, educational; parliament; three language channels and entertainment. To achieve these lofty dreams, the NTA management installed a suite of broadcast automation soft ware and hardware known as wonder cube. Wonder cube is a suite of software applications meant to computerize and automate various aspects of the television broadcast chain. The NTA wonder cube system consist of; a six channel automatic play out system; newsroom computer system; a media asset management and archiving system; a compliance recording system and an

ingest system. Since 1977 when it was inaugurated, the NTA has set up stations across several parts of Nigeria some of which went off air due to poor subvention by government but due to the managerial acumen, the team headed by the acting Director General Alhaji Musa Mayaki has brought back to life most of these stations. “Well, what I met on ground on assuming office was a network that was actually not there. We had a number of stations that were down within the network, such that it was impacting negatively even on our revenue. This is because, when advertisers want it on network, they monitor and they tell you that this station or the other station did not join or were not on, and that they were not going to pay for it. Really, when you come to think of it, they are actually paying for the network. So there were so many stations that were not on board. We were just calling ourselves ‘Africa’s Largest Network’ when in actual fact, the network was collapsing gradually,” he averred. It is therefore imperative that additional fund be provided to NTA for the purposes of achiev-

ing full scale transformation of facilities to meet the demands of the Nigerian citizenry. In preparation for the digital switch over by 2015, the management of NTA has since the tenure of the last Director General Alhaji Usman Magawata got a technical partner by the name of star communications Network Technology of Beijing China and this has yielded the building of a pilot Digital terrestral transmission platform with the blessing of relevant government agencies. It is the view of a cross section of Nigerians that the Federal government must take responsibility for providing operational financial lifeline to NTA until such a time that the enabling environment is in place for the broadcasting firm to become fully commercialized and self funding which will surely take good enough time for the infrastructure to be put in place. The Nigerian government should borrow a leaf from the British government by creating avenue by which additional fund could be generated by the Nigerian Television Authority such as is the practice in Britain. NTA took the opportunity of the Africast 2010 to demonstrate mobile television on a variety of mobile devices even as we all know that if granted the necessary licenses, NTA’s mobile television shall be deployed on a variety of devices including mobile phones; mp3 players; car television among others. The relevant government should facilitate the rapid granting of these licenses without let or hindrance. NTA have assured Nigerians that for mobile phones, the mobile television shall be deployed on both GSM and CDMA phones and users shall not be restricted to any network. The Federal government and the National Assembly should ensure that the NTA is not starved of fund particularly because of the strategic role the broadcasting firm plays in stabilizing Nigeria through rich programme of enlightenment, education and entertainment. NTA has so far provided employment opportunities to about six thousand Nigerian youth and regularly engages in capacity building of these young Nigerians for greater productivity.

Liberty Radio partners BBC, VOA for better service delivery then I have been active in the politics. But somehow with the government of the Peoples Democratic WNER of Kaduna-based Liberty Radio and former state chairman of Party (PDP), I have not been active in politics.” the defunct National Republican Besides, stressing his involvement in Convention (NRC), Dr. Ahmed Tijani the media industry, Ramalan said the Ramalan has said that he would not partnership with VOA and the BBC will venture into political activities for now avail training opportunities for staff, after paying his political dues in those years of two party system in the country. while news content which must be appealing to the listeners will be furRamalan, who is the Executive Chairman of the state private electronic ther improved upon. He stated that so far, only about 30 percent of the stamedia outfit spoke with Journalists tions content is presently being recently at a briefing to mark one year released. anniversary of the radio station. Dr. Ramallan further recounted how According to him, Liberty Radio has the collapse of the stations transmisentered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two interna- sion 105 mask costing about 49 million naira almost made him back-out from tional Radio Stations, the British the industry but later decided to forge Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and ahead in spite of the set back. Voice of America (VOA) to partner with According to the Liberty Radio them in terms of collaboration in Chairman, “within the year under enhancing service delivery. review, Liberty Radio has left no stone Besides, Ramalan debunked speculaunturned in its social re-engineering tion that he set up the radio station in drive aimed at good governance and order to further his political ambition, civil obedience, security, peaceful intersaying that unless God dragged him religious and ethnic co-existence, into politics again, he was already quitnational unity and gender equality ting it for the younger generation. He explained that he had paid his dues among others”. “Liberty radio being a private sector in civil service work, politics, and Labour-related matters stressing that he driven enterprise sees its current first position rating as not only a result of was now comfortable with media busilistenership curiosity as being proness and the shipping business he was posed by some, but one of continued engaged in since 1976. critical self appraisal and constant “I have been a politician all my life, monitoring and evaluation aimed at right from when I was the State continuously raising the bar for other Chairman of National Republican stations in our fully digitized broadcast Convention (NRC). I was a member of the national executive committee. Since footprints” he stated.

From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna

On how he intends to expand the operational reach of the station, he said, “in radio, you must expand because you need to meet your listen-

ers’ needs, like you know we have a radio station which is 91.7 that broadcasts in English and Hausa. We have 70 percent of our content in English,

and 30 percent in Hausa, but in my feasibility study, my intention was to have an English station because I wanted a viable station not just for

...As curtains fall on Social Media Week today By Victor Olushola HE global conversation that examines the cultural and economic impact of social media on people’s lives will climax today with series of events, whose memory will continue to linger on. It began on Monday, February 18 interrogating the theme, Open & Connected: Principles for a Collaborative World. Already, the 2013 Social Media Week has lifted the profile of Lagos as the programme is running simultaneously in 10 cities around the world, including Copenhagen, Hamburg, Miami, Milan, New York, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington DC. After a 5-year run, Social Media Week now make its debut in Africa thanks to the vision of co-producing firms, Dragon Africa and AFRIKA21. “I am truly excited to have succeeded to bring this event home to Lagos, the largest black city in the world. I believe that we Nigerians are viral in social media and this event will showcase all the innovative ways we are using social media to impact our daily lives. It is only proper that this event should be coming to Lagos as its first African destination,” noted Founder Dragon Africa and Chairman, SMW Lagos, Obi Asika. According to Executive Director of Social Media Week Lagos, Ngozi Odita, “By programming keynotes and panels that look at how Africans and Nigerians in particular are incorporating social media in their unique social, political, and creative landscapes, the project is exploring how important being connected to the world is for 21st century Africans.” With exciting events such as the SMW Lagos Live concert series, which showcased the good music in

Nigeria, to An evening With Leaders, as well as Billboard Music Conference, the organizers have succeeded in creating “an experience of a lifetime.” The SMW Lagos Live series partnered with the music industry’s biggest labels to bring the most amazing event every night of Social Media Week! Participants at SMW were thrilled by the Now Muzik/Hypertek showcase (starring 2Face Idibia, Timi Dakolo, J Martins, and Dammy Krane) on Monday, Chocolate City Live (DJ Caise, MI, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, Brymo, Pryse, Victoria Kimani, and Nosa) on Tuesday, EME all-stars (Banky W, Skales, Wizkid, Shaydee, Niyola, and DJ Xclusive) on Wednesday while the Channel O all stars were at hand yesterday’s night. At the MACES Hub, Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, the venue of SMW, Bez, Freedom Hall and Naijazz all-stars will round off the series tonight. “I just want to thank our partners at Now Muzik & Hypertek, Chocalate City, E.M.E, Mavin All Stars, Naijaz, Bez, Freedom Hall and all the hot artistes who have participated in the Channel O All Stars Night. Every night at Terra Kulture, people have been experiencing the best of the best as all events are being livestreamed. Experience tonight will not be different,” said Executive Producer SMW Live Series, Tola Odunsi . SMW was launched in 2009 as a platform for the discussion of the cultural, social and economic effects of social media on the global community. The week-long event is a mixture of workshops, panels, networking events and mixers through which individuals and organizations are encouraged to connect and collaborate through the sharing of ideas and information.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Events

In partnership with Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

TheGuardian Author’s Talk #1

The Grand Opening of the Grill House Villa & Bravo Lounge

Date(s): 23/02/2013 Location: 32 Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos Promoter: Grill House Make it a date this Saturday at the grand opening of the Grill House Villa and Bravo Lounge. A guest artiste is scheduled to perform at the event while you sip on cocktails and munch on finger foods. More info: www.afritickets.com

Date(s): 23/02/2013 Location: The Newly Renovated Lagoon, Lagos Nigeria Promoter: YALDA YALDA, a youth organisation established at Harvard University in the US in 2004, will be hosting its “Adopt an Idea” Fundraising Gala on the 23rd February, 2013 in Lagos, Nigeria.

More info: www.afritickets.com

Comedy Goes 2 Church Wole Oguntokun’s Anatomy of a Woman

Date(s): 24/02/2013 Location: Terra Kulture, Plot 1376 Tiamiyu Savage Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos

Date(s): 24/02/2013 Location: The Victory Dome, Davids Christian Center, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos Promoter: Acapella Its the birth of a new Era an experience like never before! Time - 4pm prompt Come let's laff in a Godly tone. Godly tone. More info: www.afritickets.com

Promoter: PAWS & Terra Kulture Wole Oguntokun‘s Anatomy of a Woman stage play, directed by Kenneth Uphopho will have its final stage appearance for February this Sunday. More info: www.afritickets.com

Date(s): 23/02/2013 Location: Goethe-Institut Nigeria, 30, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island Promoter: Goethe-Institut Nigeria The Author’s Talk provides young and emerging writers a platform to present and discuss their works to an audience of publishers, journalists, lovers of the Arts and interested guests. Nigerian authors will have the opportunity to make contacts, and exchange. The reading is aimed at all those who are interested in the world of books and literature. Presenters include Chuma Nwokolo, Onyinye Muomah, Terh Agbedeh, Victor Ehikhamenor and Chinelo Onwualu. The Moderator is Ugoma Adegoke. Admission is free for all. More info: www.afritickets.com

LPM February 2013

Date(s): 24/02/2013 Location: Imperial Chinese Cuisine (Club Paper) Plot 274, Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos Promoter: LPM It’s going to be a celebratory edition of LPM this February 2013. LPM will officially be 4. At this month’s edition you will get the opportunity to shop from Akpos Okudu, LaBennis, Cam Cam Sweets, Nature’s Haven, Estitos and many more top rated vendors. Admission is free for all. More info: www.afritickets.com

36 ARTS

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

VisualArts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 oUNG, up-and-coming Nigerian artist, Taiye Y Idahor joins Ghanaian master, Ablade Glover and others such as Soly Cisse (Senegal) Abdoulaye Konate (Mali) and Boris Nzebo (Cameroun) in what the orgnisers of Art Dubai described as exploring “the nature of evolving cities in West Africa and the way in which this change impacts society.” Designed as five artspaces, works of the artists have been selected from Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA, Lagos, Nigeria); Espace doual’art (Douala, Cameroon); Maison Carpe Diem (Segou, Mali); Nubuke Foundation (Accra, Ghana); and Raw Material Company (Dakar, Senegal). Instructively, Glover and Idahor, indeed, represent the dynamics of art across West Africa; each comes from the two extreme ends of generations of artists whose works are currently uplifting the status of African art. Glover is among the masters who have been celebrated over the decades and Idahor is of the new generation artists, impatiently eager to rub shoulders with the established signatures. For example, in a Lagos art scene characterised with diverse and competitive art spaces, it could be tasking for a young artist to create an identity. For Idahor, she had twice made a statement during two group exhibitions Water E No Get Enemy and Colours and Creativity. In the African Artists Foundation (AAF)-organised Water E No Get Enemy, Idahor’s analogical view, from a life-size sculpture of a lady, indicts the mass media, particularly advertising industry for increasing exploitation of women’s fragility. For Marker 2013, Idahor’s work titled Head Series, viewed via soft copy stresses her creative incendiary in a collage form that plays around Nigerian women’s gele (head dress) identity. Long before Lagos started its recent gradual steps towards becoming the art hub of Africa, Glover’s art was well known in Nigeria. In fact, he joined a selected group of Nigerian masters such as surrealist, Abayomi Barber; printmaker, Dr Bruce onobrakpeya; and realist, Kolade oshinowo, for the exhibition An Evening with the Masters organized by Terra Kulture Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos to mark Nigeria’s 50th Independence Anniversary in 2010. During a chat, shortly after the show, Glover exuded the prospect in having young and old masters work together as he noted that there existed “a very good relationship between the masters and the younger artists”. Three years after, the prospect is becoming a reality, and in far away Dubai where Marker appears like a stronger forum for African artists of all generations to start a new journey. Few days ago, the Director of Art Dubai Fair, Antonia Carver, during a chat via e-mail recalled that Marker was launched in 2011, as a medium to connect arts of other places – not properly represented in international art events – with that of the UAE and the Gulf. In three years, Matker, she explained, has beamed light on “general selection of spaces from the Middle East and Asia, and then in 2012, focused on Indonesia.” However, Africa, she acknowledged, has been within that radar of the organisers. “We knew from the beginning that in 2013 we wanted to focus on an aspect of the African arts scene. And when we got into the research period, a couple of years ago, we realised that there were such incredible artspaces and artists in the West of the continent”. Saddled with the curatorial responsibility of Marker is Bisi Silva, who works in collaboration with the five art organisations that promote the selected artists. And typically the Nigerians’ style of celebrating their own wherever, quite some art enthusiasts and connoisseurs from Lagos have expressed interest in attending the Art Dubai Fair 2013, sources said. Speaking on the curatorial content, Silva noted that the flexibility of the theme has inspired the arts organisations and artists involved to a themefriendly space. “The theme allows each contributor to approach it from a local context. At the same time, visitors to the fair will discover several common threads that link the works - the vibrant dynamics of the cities as well as the tensions that arise when the modern collides with the traditional, the urban displaces the rural and the boundaries between the public and private become blurred.” Silva assured that Marker opens up possibilities and opportunities for artists and art organisations from West Africa to engage with their contemporaries in the Middle East and Asia. “Making their work and artists known in other regions, and creating new audiences is a strategic move for any organisation, which will hopefully result in new

For West African artists, a new leap beckons in Dubai

Taiye Idahor’s Head Series (Newspaper, film cartridge and acrylic paint on wood, 61x61cm, 2012), courtesy of CCA, Lagos. collaborations and partnerships.” She listed varieties of genres such as painting, photography, sound art and other experimental media as some of the works to expect at the event. Supporting the visual contents to maximize the prospect of the fair is an interactive session, Carver disclosed. She said the session Global Art Forum “features a panel discussion on Lagos and the influence the city has had on writers and artists.” Listed among the discussants with Silva are writer Tolu ogunlesi, sound artist Emeka ogboh and director of Raw Material Company, Koyo Kouoh. Still on the visual contents, Carver said a Nigerianborn, and London-based artist, Mary Evans “has been commissioned to create a site-specific work at the fair, as part of our non-commercial Art Dubai Projects programme.” Really, connecting the mainstream art markets and the intellectual exchanges in art of West Africa and the Gulf appears like the ultimate goal. However, the five arts-paces seem like a starting point in bringing the rich art and culture of West Africa to the Middle East. And as artists are the focus this year, where exactly do the mainstream art galleries of West Africa – as crucial as they are – come into this exchange? “of course, there is a long relationship of trade and business between the Gulf and different parts of Africa. We now see increased exchange between the UAE and West Africa – and wherever there is a relationship of trade, then there is also an exchange of ideas and traditions – and so it’s an ideal time to kick-start a long-term exchange through contemporary art,” Carver explained. Art Dubai is organized in partnership with Abraaj Capital and sponsored by Cartier. The International Press Consultant of Art Dubai Katrina Weber Ashour recalled that over the last six years, the fair has proven to be “the leading international contemporary art fair in the Middle East and South Asia, becoming a cornerstone of the region’s booming art community. In 2012, it welcomed 22,500 visitors and hosted 75 galleries from 32 countries.”

Untitled by Soly Cissé (pencil and acrylic on paper, 72 x 102, 2012), courtesy of Raw Material Company, Dakar, Senegal.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

ARTS 37

Ohiwerei’s Allow, a bridge across periods, themes BBy Tajudeen Sowole NE of the very few Nigerian artists in the O Diaspora who is still active at home, Pita Ohiwerei is back again to share the value of not being lost into the creative wilderness abroad. Ohiwerei, whose new body of work titled Allow is showing from Thursday, March 7 to Tuesday 12, 2013 at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, has been making his art relevant in Nigeria almost every other year since he relocated to the U.S. over 10 years ago. The artist’s consistency is indeed a rare courage when most of Nigerian artists in the Diaspora have, practically, been anonymous in the home art space in the past two decades. It would be recalled that the tumultuous political era of the June 12 1993 Presidential election annulment had an exodus of Nigerian artists moved to the U.S. and U.K. Although Allow is Ohiwerei’s second solo exhibition in Nigeria, in the past six years, he has been home for workshops, group shows and other events where his art has contributed to the growth of the visual arts subdivision of Nigeria’s recent cultural explosion. As the Lagos art scene gets stronger every year, creating more choices for art collectors, visitors to Ohiwerei’s Allow would vividly remember the artist’s works in several group shows as well as non-profit art ventures. After his solo last Simple Pleasure in 2006, he had exhibited in nearly all the group shows of Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria (GFA); participated in Lekan Onabanjo-led art workshops sponsored by Fullworks Foundation for his Alma Mata, Auchi Polytechnic as well as Promises Kept, a fundraising art exhibition for a foundation in memory of Late art patron Sefunmi Osioke Oyiofe. From his past theme such as Simple Pleasures, and several other group exhibitions, Ohiwerei’s soft canvas has been well pronounced. However, Allow, he said, is another period of his art, though still retaining the softness identity; it says much about the artist’s thoughts on what he explained as freedom to expand the scope of his art while making the well-established identity and signature stronger. “It’s about moving beyond the familiar terrain”, he stated after a break at a friend’s studio in Lagos suburb, few days ago. In 2006, the artist’s canvas strengthened his 14 years-old technique christened scratchee. For Allow, the softness of scratchee remains, but something more exciting and rhythmic has been added: it’s a patterned and textured surface, which exudes illusionary movement of the images. This much he stresses in one of the works titled Happy Day, a capture of children playing at the beach. It could have been just as common as any regular or similar depiction of children having fun, but Ohiwerei’s expressionism stirs animation of resplendence. And as simple as the theme appears, the attraction for him, he disclosed, “was the happiness of the children, despite not being from a privileged home.” The work is, apparently, the artist’s current period of a similar version Wave Knees II (oil on canvas, 30 x 40, 2009), which is on display at one of the world’s lead-

ing art fairs, U.S-based Art Off the Main’s virtual gathering. Having the dual advantage of growing up in Nigeria and living in the U.S., Ohiwerei seems to appreciate certain family values back home, particularly in participatory domestic chores. In Allow, he dedicates a series titled Saturday Morning to this nostalgia, depicting youth at domestic laundry. Although the textured and patterned surface appears like Ohiwerei’s new period, but a revisit of the scratchee still comes in one of the Saturday Night Series as well as Honeymoon. However, the softness identity of the artist, despite thickened surface of his canvas remains. This is one factor that is not likely to change in his art. In a stressful environment such as Nigeria, mostly urban like Lagos, the softness of his work, he explained “is a form of therapy to calm nerves” after the stress of a day’s work. When artists move from one period to another, it’s often difficult to distill progression of contents as the shadow of the past still hovers around. While noting that it’s difficult to make a drastic departure from the past, Ohiwerei added: “at this stage of my journey, my quest is to allow the works guide me each in its unique way.” Currently based in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohiwerei is a model and inspiration for young artists who might fear that art would not pay their bills. In fact, during one of his past visits to Nigeria, he disclosed how he worked in collaboration with African Artists Foundation’s Azu Nwagbogu to use his art as inspiration to encourage the children of the less privileged people “and create another generation of artists.” Since Ohiwerei graduated with a distinction at Auchi Polytechnic, his most prominent and perhaps longest period is the scratchee technique. Purely a palette knife work, the technique, similar to water surface breaks has brought an identity of some sort to his work. His website notes: “Scratchee creates simple, yet interesting, colour impressions that emit tingling and misty illusions. The scratchee effect gives a peculiar three dimensional visual to his landscape paintings that gives the observer the impression that one can jump right into Pita’s paintings.”

Happy Day, from Pita Ohiwerei’s Allow.

Honeymoon by Pita Ohiwerei.

Pita Ohiwerei

How OMO art competition boosted child development, rained prizes By Florence Utor N support of the growing Isector awareness in the creative and the development

Winner of the Lagos competition Ochalefu with the cheque and his winning work held above him

of the Nigerian child, OMO detergent has collaborated with Children of Africa magazine and organised an art contest tagged, Imagine and Achieve art Competition, which took place in 15 states across Nigeria. The aim, according to the coordinator, Kunle Alaba was to explore the creative abilities of the Nigerian child. “Creativity is a thing of he mind, if you can imagine it, you can achieve it. From our research with children across the nation and the world, we discovered that right from their tender age, most children have a glimpse of what they want or are already fantasying on what they would like to become in the future,” Alaba said. Realizing the need for this crucial role, the Lagos final

had one child each from 1,800 schools across Lagos, representing them from the 326 schools that entered the competition. The competition, which began at 10 am at the University of Lagos Sports Centre was fierce as each student had to make a collage of whatever they wanted to become in future, using OMO packs. At the end of an hour and ten minutes, the contestants came up with brilliant works, which gave the judges a tough time selecting the best. However based on creativity, composition, rendering, balance and courage among other things. However, Ochalefu Jeremiah from Ahmed Memorial Primary School, who drew a judge emerged the overall winner with a cash prize of N1000,000. While Etim Okon took the second prize of N50, 000 and Bright Dick, the third prize of N30,000. Other winners went home with bicycles

and school bags. So far, 70 bicycles, 5, 000 school bags and hundred of thousands of books and pens were given out at the preliminaries in the 15 States. “OMO has been inspiring these leaders of tomorrow by telling them to put blue prints in their minds so that they can be focused in life,” Alaba stated. There is no doubt that the arts are hugely successful, internationally admired and rightly self confident, creating jobs, generating revenue, earning foreign currency, extending opportunities and generally doing what art and culture does – enriching the life of the nation and developing the human potential of each and every individual, playing a great role in child development, yet, a lot of parents in Nigeria wont hear their wads talk of becoming artist. Indeed, the arts also provides a great platform that helps in bringing out the potentials in children, which cannot be achieved if these kids are not

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

38 ARTS

Tourism Nigeria, Trinidad... strengthening cultural bond through tourism By Taiwo Oladokun HE active participation of a large contingent of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) at the 2012 ediT tion of the Abuja Carnival was a demonstration of the fact that relations between the Caribbean country and Nigeria are growing fast. Known for their carnival tradition which spans centuries, the interest of T&T in the Nigerian carnivals points to the huge potentials this cultural product holds for Nigeria and her people. Determined to consolidate on the gains of the relations which have risen in profile in the last two years, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, led a Nigerian delegation to the T&T capital, Port of Spain, to participate in the 2013 Carnival. And participation in this sense refers not only to joining in the revelry and ambience of celebration and culture showcase, it was also an avenue to discuss serious issues relating to the organization and growth of carnivals globally and the specifics of the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago in that area. Thus, the Nigerian delegation engaged officials of the Culture Division of the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism and stakeholders in carnival business and organization with a view to gaining deeper insights into carnivals and their socio-economic impacts around the world. Interestingly, Nigeria is not alone in this pursuit as Government officials from Kenya and Uganda were also in Trinidad and Tobago for the same purpose. Kenya for instance, is planning her 50th Independence Anniversary and has decided to hold a big carnival as part of the celebrations with the intention of holding an annual national carnival afterwards. The same goes for Uganda whose artiste and singer, Angela Katatumba, (also at the meeting) was invited to participate in the carnival and even sing the national anthem of Trinidad and Tobago. Such is the importance that some African countries now attach to carnivals which, apart from the huge economic prospects they offer, are also a platform for cultural showcase and propagation of national unity. At the meeting chaired by the Trinidadian Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism Dr.Lincoln Douglas, issues such as content, packaging, ownership, sponsorship, technical collaboration and cooperation were dominant. It was observed that any cultural product or feature that ignites the passion of the people should determine the contents of any carnival. For instance, calypso music has been used as the engine room of the T&T carnival for ages because that is what the people are passionate about. At every corner and any time during the carnival, this brand of music, which has become the identity of the Caribbean around the world, is blared on huge sound systems with old and young Trinidadians swinging and jumping to the sounds. Carnival officials in Trinidad who have witnessed the Abuja, Calabar and Port Harcourt Carnivals identified cultural staples such as the Durbar and the Boat Regatta as items that can be used to drive carnivals in Nigeria. On the issue of ownership, participants agreed that carnivals are owned by the people and called for concerted efforts to ensure the active participation of all categories of citizens in the process. One way of achieving this is to propagate the idea of using carnivals as a means of preservation of cultural identities and not a mere cultural activity. This approach has been a huge success in Trinidad and Tobago as all regions of the country as well as every neighborhood in the regions participate actively in the carnival with activities peculiar to these regions. For example, the Nigerian delegation witnessed spectacular display of Traditional Mas ( Masquerades) on Cipero Street in San Fernando and on Waterloo Main Road in Carapichaima as well as a vivacious display of energetic dances and colours at the Paramin Blue Devil Festival on the hilly neighborhood of Paramin. At every turn during the carnival, the participation of the people is total as the whole country is connected to that moment of national unity in an atmosphere of flamboyant cultural expression.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke with Ministry officials and Heads of Parastatals and Agencies at the 2013 National Carnival of Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain.

DG CANIRIV, Sam Dede, a Trinidadian carnival official and Artistic Director, Abuja Carnival Prof. Rasaki Ojo-Bakare discussing a point of interest at Waterloo Main Road, Carapichaima, Trinidad, venue of the display of Traditional Mas of the 2013 National Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.

Sponsorship is a challenge to sustainability of carnivals all over the world but the meeting observed while this may be slow in coming, sponsors will eventually buy into the process as the carnival grows and mass participation improves. According to the Chairman of National Carnival Development Foundation T&T, the carnival did not attract private sponsorship immediately but merchants started to fund it in the 19th century when they noticed that sales went up during the event. The meeting also agreed that Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago have been benefiting from technical cooperation and collaborations between the two countries. The exchange of carnival experts from both countries has continued as carnival officials from Cross Rivers State were on ground to serve as adjudicators on the invitation of the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago. This is an indication that the synergy initiated by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, is yielding encouraging results not only for the Federal Government but also for states where carnival is gaining popularity and contributing to the economy. The Minister did not stop at expressing his happiness with the gains of the collaboration and the level of talks on the issue of carnivals in the last one year, he also praised the progress being made with the establishment of the NigeriaTrinidad Joint Commission which as an offshoot of the cultural relations between the two countries. The purpose of the Joint Commission is to widen relations and explore other areas of partnership and collaboration for the benefit of citizens of both countries. The inaugural roundtable of the Joint Commission was held in Port of Spain in 2012 while the second edition is scheduled to hold in Abuja about the second quarter of 2013. The Nigerian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago indicated that preparations were in

Trinidadian Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism, Dr. Lincoln Douglas, his wife and Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke setting out for the parade of the Bands at the 2013 National Carnival of Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke and the Trinidadian Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism leading the Nigerian delegation to Queen’s Park Savannah, venue of the Parade of the Bands at the 2013 National Carnival in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

progress towards the meeting. In addition to the participation of citizens in the carnival process, the patronage of international tourists is also important. And armed with flyers and other promotional materials of Abuja Carnival, Artistic Director of Abuja Carnival, Professor Rasaki Ojo-Bakare seized the opportunity of every event during the visit to distribute the materials inviting the world to the 2013 edition. The Calabar and Port Harcourt Carnivals were also promoted. In all, it was a fruitful outing for Nigeria with useful policy guidelines coming from officials of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and its parastatals including the Director of Culture, Mr. George Uffot , Deputy Director (External ) Mrs. Dayo

Keshi and Senior Special Assistant( Technical and Special Duties) to the Minister, Mrs, Chika Balogun. Also on the Nigerian delegation were Special Assistant to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Ferdinand Agu, DG CBAAC, Professor Tunde Babawale, DG NCAC, Mr. M.M Maidugu, DG NCMM, Yusuf Abdalah, DG NGA, Abdulahi Muku, Executive Secretary NICO, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma DG NIHOTOUR, Dr. Munzali Dantata and Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria, Martin Adaji. Others are DG Rivers State Carnival, Sam Dede and the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism as well as carnival officials from Cross River State. . Dr. Oladokun is Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

ARTS

Culture And Tourism in 2012... so little, so much By Oji Onoko N his review of the activities in the Culture IGuardian and Tourism sector in 2012 published in The recently, Hassan Momoh dismisses the hue and cry of administrators of lack of funding as reason for poor performance in a year he believes the Ministry was at “its lowest ebb”, hinging it instead on “lack of effective leadership, supervision and monitoring of the Culture and Tourism agencies to ensure that they are well managed”. He argues further that “rather than perform to the best interest of stakeholders and the creative industry, the parastatals struggled for control of territories with a few of them not sticking to their mandates as enshrined in their enabling Acts and Decrees”. On this premise, his scores nine of the parastatals under the Ministry abysmally low with only two getting his pass mark. He is equally not impressed by the efforts of the current Minister, Chief Edem Duke to reposition the sector. This rejoinder is not really to join issues with Momoh but to put forward an alternative view from the perspective of a participant observer. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism was created by Olusegun Obasanjo shortly after he was sworn in as President in 1999. This was applauded by practitioners who felt both culture and tourism were now truly united. Nobody also frowned at the addition of National Orientation to the Ministry some years later. But sticking out as a sore thumb from the start, has been the issue of poor funding of the sector. In his paper titled, “Proper Funding of the Culture Sector and its Implication for Our National Heritage” Senator Makanjuola Ajadi, then Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, presented at NAFEST 2003 in Owerri stated: “Since its creation, the Ministry has been faced with inadequate and poor funding. This situation constantly places the Ministry which has four departments and 10 parastatals at the bottom of the budget as it is allocated less than 1 per cent of the annual national budget! More worrisome, is that annual capital releases even with the low budgeting have ranged in the last four years from zero per cent to 50 per cent maximum of the budget appropriated. It is important to note also that there was no take off grant for the Ministry when it was created in 1999.” It is instructive that 10 years down the line, the situation has remained the same, even worse. So we should commend the administrators who devise ingenious ways to prosecute programmes with scant resources. Again, not since Alabo Graham Douglas and perhaps Adetokunbo Kayode has there been a Minister with so much verve, so much passion and so much commitment for the Culture sector as the current Minister, Chief Edem Duke. He is right when he says that lack of adequate funding is hampering the sector and his desire to see to the full implementation of the National Cultural Policy; National Endowment Fund for the Arts and the National Tourism Masterplan among others in his bid to reposition the sector. It is therefore a bit uncharitable for Momoh to aver, “that the Minister and his team lack the commitment to propel the sector towards renewal and growth”. On the contrary, that is exactly what they are doing with limited resources. As Dr. Shamsudeen Usman current Minister of National Planning put it way back in 1989 in a paper titled, “Financing Indigenous Technologists, Craftsmen and Investors”: All business big or small require funds

DG, National Gallery of Art, Abdullahi Muku; and His Royal Highness,Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe arriving for NGA 11th Distiguished Lecture Series in Calabar… last October to get started, to operate and to grow. It follows therefore that the nine parastatals Momoh rated so low actually did so much with so little resources. The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, is definitely not a “personal enterprise” as it marches on under the direction of Otunba Segun Runsewe to achieve its mandate while the National Institute for Hospitality, Tourism and Recreational Services, NIHOTOURS is perhaps desirous of reviewing its legislation in order to strengthen it for better service delivery. The National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, under Mwajim Maidugu , is not only about NAFEST and the African Artexpo as it holds other programmes in its zonal offices. And the performing section headed by a director actually co-ordinates the activities of the drama division of Art Councils in the various states of the federation and not in competition with the National Troupe of Nigeria which in any case has not lost its spark as Momoh would want us believe. Indeed, the Artistic Director/CEO, Martin Adaji as well as the Director, Dance, have created new set pieces that have done the country proud in international engagements. Last month for instance, at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Lagos, during the 50th birthday celebration of the recently disengaged Editor of Sunday Guardian, Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo, agile and young drummers and dancers thrilled the high profile audience. For the National Gallery of Art, NGA, the Director General, Abdullahi Muku who has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology (not Business Administration please) from Ahmadu Bello University and Masters in Public Administration from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is working hard to ensure that artists reap from

Interestingly, the core Culture Ministry, on October 30, 2012 officially commissioned 12 cultural industry centres built across the country at the Cultural Industry Centre, Gidan Ajia, Orozo, in the outskirts of Abuja. The ceremony was the climax of a series of activities by the Ministry to empower the youth and women in line with the agenda of the present government of generating employment and creating wealth. their talents and has been canvassing for the enactment of public building embellishment Act. The spin off from this would mean more artists getting commissions to adorn public buildings with artworks. In 2012, the Rivers, Niger, Plateau among other state offices held exhibitions and promotion of the works of local artists. There was also an international Art exhibition in Abuja which featured five countries; National Visual Art Competition; the Annual Lecture Series as well as the International Artexpo, Lagos, which is being reorganised for better effectiveness. As for the National Theatre, the General Manager/CEO, Kabir Yusuf is changing the face of the edifice and having a rapprochement with artistes. There is also no doubt that Mike Omeri, DG, National Orientation Agency, NOA, is getting

it right after all. Most government agencies today rush to collaborate with NOA for the promotion of their activities and programmes. The same can be said of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments which recently repatriated some of our prized artworks from abroad. The feat of National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO, and Centre for Black African Art and Civilisation, CBAAC, headed by Dr. Barcays Ayakoroma and Prof. Tunde Babawale respectively does not bear repeating here as Momoh already said they did well... Interestingly, the core Culture Ministry, on October 30, 2012 officially commissioned 12 cultural industry centres built across the country at the Cultural Industry Centre, Gidan Ajia, Orozo, in the outskirts of Abuja. The ceremony was the climax of a series of activities by the Ministry to empower the youth and women in line with the agenda of the present government of generating employment and creating wealth. The Cultural Industries were deliberately located in mainly rural communities to benefit the women and youth who otherwise would not be reached and also to expose the creativity and entrepreneurship values of artistsand arts enterprise at the grassroots. The Cultural Industries are located at: Ibi and Bali, Taraba State; Inyi, Enugu Sate; Abeokuta and Odeda, Ogun State; Auchi, Edo State; Owo, Ondo State; Sokoto, Sokoto State and Gidan Ajia, Orozo, FCT. Who says more money is not needed to oil the wheel of the culture sector? Onoko, a journalist, is based in Abuja

IT expert joins Manifold Group to boost service delivery S an internationally recognized A Information Technology group, Manifold Computers Limited has continued to identify human capital resource as basic ingredient of driving further innovation in the IT world. Already, the firm has distinguished itself as best in Technology products, services and solutions, maintaining a tradition of quality in IT business and support business to deliver value for money to its ever growing customers. And to remain as the cutting edge, it has engaged Victor Igwe as the General Manager – Business Development to oversee all activities of Sales and Marketing. He joins the Manifold team from Hewlett Packard (HP) where he was the Enterprise Account Manager Image and Printing Group. At HP, he led the HP IPG business in the West African Region to achieve Sales and Marketing targets with high cus-

tomer satisfaction. Manifold Ventures Limited (MVL) was incorporated in 1986 as a Computer Hardware Retailer. In October 2001 with over 15 years in the industry, MVL moved on to the next level by incorporating Manifold Computers Limited as a wholly owned subsidiary. The mission was to ensure a special focus on provision of Information Technology Management Solutions and Services Manifold has made a tremendous effort in improving quality service delivery by establishing affiliations with reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), laying great emphasis on Corporate Governance, Technical Expertise, On-Time delivery and Professionalism. Igwe, a graduate of Government and Public Administration from the Abia State University where he obtained his first degree and also a Master’s degree in Information

Technology from the University of Lagos. He has also attended various courses and trainings in both local and foreign institutions. His expertise can be seen when he won the first Desktop Application Virtualization Solution for one of the leading Banks in Nigeria Deploying over 400 Units of the HP Thin Clients. In line with the banks cost optimization project initiative. The new GM would be responsible for the sales team leadership, driving the revenue, expanding the Manifold brand and gaining higher visibility as an IT Services and Solutions Company of choice across verticals. Nigeria like most countries has its own fair share of challenges in the Information Technology industry; however with the recent incorporation of Manifold Enterprise Solution Limited, to concentration

strictly on IT solutions and services within the Group, the firm has been able to improve service delivery and support to clientele. Manifold boasts of excellent partnership with the industry’s leading OEMs - Gold Partnership – HP/, Certified Professional Solutions Provider – VMware/ Premier Partner – APC/ Authorized Business Partner – Dell/ Authorized Business Partner –IBM/, Certified Solution Provider Microsoft/ Authorized Reseller Polycom amongst many others. Victor’s experience in Information Technology will provide the needed platform for the sales team which would allow them to further engage and expand our market share driven by our mission statement; “Delivering exceptional value added services to our clients while assuring optimal returns for all Stakeholders”.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

40 ARTS

Heritage

Cultural dancers at a traditional festival

Traditional land lease in Isiekenesi By Alloysius Nduka Duru SIEKENESI is located in the present day Ideato south local government area of Imo State. It Icomprises of six autonomous communities namely: Isieke, Umuojisi, Aimagu, Awalla, Umuaghobe and Okohia. The origin of land itself is subject to mythology. The Igbo creation mythology has three schools: the Nri Awka myth, the Amaigbo orlu and the Nnewi myth. Land lease is an agreement between two or more parties for the temporary use of a piece of land for farming purposes in return for an agreed sum and time period. However, there are situations where there is no monetary exchange especially in cases where the parties are mutual friends or the land-owner decides to be benevolent to someone who lacks farm land and cannot afford the sum to lease one. The lease is extended to friends and in-laws. Land lease can be between individuals or communities; it can be between a community and an individual where the land in question is communally owned. Land lease was a common system of land tenure. There are two major reasons why people engage in this system of land use: economic and subsistence motives. Economically speaking, the system of land distribution in Isiekenesi is such that, families and to some extent, certain individuals have not, while some are in possession of large portions of land. There is gross shortage of land available to an individual for commercial farming. The need for an individual to acquire vast land for production of agricultural produce gave room for land lease. Another reason for land tenure is the use of land as collateral for securing loan from individuals by land-owners.

Land owners who are in dire needs resort to this process to obtain needed funds. Another reason is the inability of a land owner either as a result of ill health, lease such land out to any interested party in return for either cash or part of the harvest from the farm. Some individuals who lack farm land for subsistence means can also solicit for this type of land tenure. Types of land lease There are several types of land lease based on the agreement entered into; there is a very short lease agreement that covers a short period of time. Such agreement can be for just one farming season or two. Other type can be for long time as long as the loan remains unpaid. Another variant of lease is one in which the lease can harvest the proceeds from the tree for the specified time to enable him to recoup the sum that was exchanged. There is land lease that is based on mutual understanding between the parties involved. For this type, there is no monetary exchange, rather it is a factor of the benevolence of the land owner. It could be to his relation, inlaw, or friend. There is another type of lease in which the land-owner due to ill health or incapacitation can lease his land out to another, with an agreement of a sharing pattern of the harvest from the farm. Conditions for land lease There are certain conditions attached to land lease agreements, it is however, dependent on the relationship and understanding between both parties. Such condition includes no growing of, or erecting of permanent crops or structure on the leased land. Another is, all economic trees that are on the land such as palm trees, bread fruit, mangoes, pear etc still belong to the land owner and as such can only be harvested by the owner, except on the understanding of both parties. No

sub lease to any other party without the consent of the owner. Border lines must not be shifted or tampered with. The lease holder must not be buried on such land; this is to forestall claims to the land. In the case of use of land as collateral, the sum involved must be paid back before such land returns to its owner. There must be witnesses to the agreement, at least one person from each participating parties. Land lease procedures When a land owner is in need of cash to offset a pressing need, he will first identify an individual who is able to raise the amount he requires, in returns the land owner will give his land as a collateral pending when he can repay the loan. The land owner in company of one or more trusted relation or friend, visits the creditor with a keg of palm wine. The lender welcomes them with kola nut as a sign of hospitality and peace. The visitor explains their mission. If the lender is interested he will ask for another visit from the party, this is to enable him consider the offer, authenticate the character of the borrower and the land in question. On the second visit, the lender and witnesses proceed to the land to authenticate its size, border lines etc, in relation to the sum requested for. When all matters relating to the deal are resolved, the group retreats back to the lenderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home to finalise the agreement. There will be the exchange of money and land in the presence of the witnesses, drinks (palm wine) and local salad (ghia-ghia) will be served. In most cases, it is the borrower that sponsors the entertainment. At the end of the refreshment the elder present will pour libation for ancestors to make them also witness to the

agreement. All the necessary conditions to the lease would have been ironed out in the course of the negotiation. Merits and demerits One of the good attributes of traditional land lease is that it is a safe means of acquiring land by the land less individuals for farming purposes. Secondly, it is a safe means of securing a loan with no fear of losing oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s land. This process stimulates economic growth by making fallow land available for production especially by those who need such land. One major flaw of traditional land lease is that agreements entered are not documented but based on verbal consent, this can create disagreement, leading to claims and counter claims. Another demerit of the process is the question of the monetary units; monetary unit varies over time due to changes that made them not being legal tenders over time. This has caused problems of valuation of the real worth of such denomination where they have been used for such transactions. A case in point is a situation where such was entered in the 1930s when the manila and cowry where still accepted as legal tender, the land owner died without redeeming the land. The said land was leased for two sacks of cowries. The inability to offset a borrowed sum most often tied down peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s land for years, depriving them of the use of their land even when the lease holder has been using the land. At other instance, if the borrower is unable to offset the loan can decide for outright sale of the land by demanding for more. Though this was a rare occurrence. Duru discussed this topic with the National Museum Study Group, Port Harcourt recently.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

ARTS

Literature When Clerics Kill… travails of womenfolk By Anote Ajeluorou ORLD renowned novelist Chinua Achebe W may have made famous the supremacy of mothers or women in Igbo cosmology in his famous novel Things Fall Apart. But in reality women playing mediatory role in African societies seems a fairly widely used weapon that comes readily when men’s madness has exhausted itself in senseless blood-letting. Playwright and poet Shehu Sani has not failed to employ this potent weapon to ensuring harmonious existence in his new play When Clerics Kill (Kraft Books Ltd, Ibadan; 2012). Indeed, the religious ferment in parts of the country, especially in the North, with Jos, Plateau as poster picture, where Islam and Christianity have locked horns in the recent past, with a dose of tribal supremacy thrown in, has provided Sani with potent handle to address salient issues of hate and intolerance as encapsulated in the professions of some of the adherents of these two faiths. Also, the lack of political will by the political class to act decisively to avert the incessant blood-letting just for political capital is brought to the fore. The unsavoury activity of security operatives in further fuelling these crises does not escape Sani’s creative lens. Sani’s When Clerics Kill provides a spectrum of views from different segments of society regarding their involvement in the needless religious and tribal crises that soon turn a killing field. Between the Christians and Moslems, there’s growing animosity on the basis of their teachings; this is not helped by the coming into town of fiery clerics from both religions. While Pastor Gatari Ishaya sees the Moslems as settlers in the land of his ancestors who want to forcefully convert them to their religion and should be curtailed, Sheikh Jabbar sees the Christians as infidels who indulge in sinful acts, people that must be converted for the purity of the land. They need a Jihad to rein in the wild excesses of their hosts and everybody else. Supporters of both clerics like John and Sagir soon fall for the subversive preaching of these

two dangerous clerics. And before long, matters come to a head and violence erupts to shatter the peace that had existed between them. Of course, the arguments are well-worn and Sani has merely provided a dramatic moment to thresh them out once again for those not yet conversant with them. Not least in the line of argument is how government capitalises on the gullibility of the poor to continue to inflict pain on them by not doing enough to provide jobs for the youth that become ready tools for them to use to perpetuate election fraud. Indeed, Sani puts the vulnerability of the entire poor masses in the hands of a mindless political, elite class in the sun to dry. Even their feeble effort to stem the tide of violence is laughable. While the orgy is going, the governor, whose state is on fire, is more concerned about the political implication arresting bigwigs – politicians and clergy - on both sides will have

on his re-election bid, as he says: ‘Don’t forget and don’t ignore their political value. They helped us win elections and we have an opposition that is ready to cash in on any crisis. I can’t risk arresting any emir or chief for whatever reason. Just bear this in mind’. This response from the governor to one of his aides is typical of the political manipulations or inaction of those in power to crisis situations. The usual thing is to throw more money into such crisis in the name of security. As one of the governor’s aides reminds him, monies meant for education and other infrastructural projects have been diverted to security with the result that more violence is being reaped, with the government looking on and wringing its hands helplessly. However, women’s intuitive way of looking at a world perverted by men’s bigotry comes to the fore. Sani deftly employs John and

Sagir’s wives as counterpoint to a world made mad by men’s inability to reason properly, especially men with a poor sense of pride and religious zealotry. The two women, one Christian and the other Moslem, after vainly attempting to dissuade their respective husbands from embarking on acts that would erode the peaceful coexistence of the community, team up to act. But John and Sagir are diehard followers of two crazy clerics set on collision course. When violence erupts, John and Sagir have broken heads to show for their foolishness. In their final exasperation with the idiocy of their husbands, with the unwarranted violence threatening to disintegrate the community, Martha and Tani summon other elements in the community that abhor violence and take up placards against those inciting violence as last measure to restore peace in the community… Sani’s When Clerics Kill presents a sobering, murky account of events that leads up to violence that has origin in religious and tribal bigotry, irresponsible government and security operatives that take laws into their hands. But Sani’s play falls short of a fully realised dramatic piece, with heightened suspense and all. What he succeeds in doing is merely provide a catalogue of arguments for both sides of the feuding parties. Indeed, his arguments are well-worn and no new, fresh insight is provided to give the reader or viewer something to think about except bringing in women as final peacemakers, when men’s back have been broken and put by fireside to heal. Also, the play suffers from poor editing. Noticeable are poor sentence structures and grammatical errors that good editing ought to remove. Sometimes, even punctuations are poorly done, with comas being used instead of a full stop. Craft Books Ltd, with its Kraftgriots poetry imprint, ought to do better than this in editing and proofreading since it is about the most patronised publishing outfit by creative writers in the country.

ANA Ogun members during the election N international award winning A journalist, Public Relations expert and writer, Mr. Tony Agbugba, has been elected the new chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Ogun State Chapter. Mr. Agbugba who was formally the acting chairman, was unanimously given the mandate to lead the association for the next two years recently at its February meeting/reading held at the Simeon Adebo Library, Abeokuta. He takes over from Tope Olaifa (Mrs.), a lecturer from the University of Agriculture. Other members of the new executives, includes Mr. Wale Aderinnale as Vice Chairman, Rev. Dotun Adekoya, Secretary, Yinka Kareem, Assistant Secretary and Mr. Theophilus Edokpai as Public Relations Officer. The rest are Damola Morenkeji as Treasurer, Ibikun Adeeko,

ANA Ogun gets new officials Financial Secretary and Miss Tosin Adeosun as Auditor. In his acceptance speech after the election which was supervised by the National Assistant General Secretary of ANA, Mr. Mature Tanko Okodua, Mr. Agbugba pledged to reposition ANA Ogun and make it one of the most formidable chapters in the country. “The immediate challenge would be to build a formidable ANA Ogun that would be responsive to the yearnings of its members and place utmost premium on financial prudence. We need to encourage our writers to come out with great books that would be well patronized. We must constantly abreast ourselves with relevant contemporary events relating to the welfare of writers in this coun-

try and ensure that we are accorded our due place in the task of nation building,” he said. Members of the association also took time to share readings and opinions on their concept of love and valentine. Meanwhile, building a formidable ANA Ogun that would be responsive to the yearnings of its members and place utmost premium on financial prudence has been identified as the immediate challenge. “We need to encourage our writers to come out with great books that would be well patronized. The year ahead is pregnant with opportunities, great exploits and lofty heights to attain. Nothing is too difficult to achieve if we set our hearts at it. The millions of

citizens of Ogun State are looking up to us to beam the light; the fertile but vulnerable minds of our students in the various educational institutions are waiting to be cultivated and nurtured. The various government agencies, the corporate world and other relevant stakeholders are ready to open wide their gates by way of sponsorship. It is left for us to put our house in order and reach for the sky. But we will need to make sacrifices. Very importantly, the time is nigh for us to have a permanent office accommodation/Writer’s resort. The support of our esteemed Patrons and every one of us in this regard cannot be overemphasized.

Tony Agbugba

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

42 ARTS

ArtHouse Life In My City Arts Festival takes firm root in Lagos, plans exhibition in July HE registered trusteeship T (Life In My City Art Initiative) of the yearly Life In

Mr. Mayo Okunola, General Manager, DStv (left), presenting the cash prize equivalent of $10 000 to the 1st DStv Rewards winner, Mr Segun Adeyemo; alongside Mr Segun Fayose, Head Of Public Relations, MultiChoice Nigeria during a presentation ceremony held at the MultiChoice Nigeria Head Office in Victoria Island yesterday

YALDA hosts fundraising dinner for young African innovators OUTH Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa (YALDA), an Y international non-profit organization will be hosting its “Adopt an Idea” Fundraising Gala Dinner on the 23rd February, 2013 at the newly renovated Lagoon, in Lagos. The organization was established to increase the capacity of African youths in order to help them develop positive leadership skills and espouse honest work ethics. Some eight young innovators identified during YALDA 2012 International Conference will present their unique ideas to the invited guests who are truly committed to Africa’s development at the event. Ms. Kalaya Nadina Okereke, a former YALDA Harvard Executive Director and YALDA’s Conference Chairperson said this recently in a press statement, adding that, interested persons or organisations in the development of African youths can also participate in the programme. She also revealed that jazz legend Hugh Masekela, will be the distinguished guest performer and a recipient of the YALDA African Star Champion Award. “We have prepared a detailed proposal for those who want to find out more about the event and how they can be part of this ground-breaking initiative, which is positively impacting the lives

of African youth all over the continent,” she added. Okereke also said there are four types of tables for 10 people each available for purchase and individual tickets for the event. These are: Chairman/ Chairperson Tables (exclusive VVIP and very limited in number); CEO Tables (VIP tables and limited in number); Manager Tables; Supporter Tables; and Individual Tickets. YALDA was established in 2004 by African students that were studying at Harvard University. It was created in order to create a resourceful networking database for those with a strong interest in Africa.

every Wednesday and Thursday.

Samba superstar reality show to begin soon AMBA music and movie group, has introduced another aspect of enterStainment to their already existing programmes, a reality show tagged Samba Superstar. The show billed to begin in May, is the company’s vision to youth Development and empowerment. ––Compiled by Florence Utor

My City Arts Festival (LIMCAF) in Enugu, has created a zonal centre of the national youth art competition for Lagos with effect from this year. As a result, there will now be a special Lagos zonal exhibition of the best entries from the ‘Centre of Excellence’ at a venue to be announced later. This disclosure was made at an interactive session with the festival’s friends and stakeholders including art editors, artists, photographers and officials held at the Alliance Francaise centre in Yaba Lagos recently. Addressing the gathering, the Artistic Director of the Festival, Mr. Ayo Adewunmi gave a detailed presentation of the history of the festival now in its 7th year and explained that the organizers had since recognised that Lagos as the art capital of Nigeria must be given the pride of place it deserved in the scheme of things as far as the festival was concerned. But this had not

The Sun newspaper holds annual sun awards th

NCE again the 10 edition of the Sun’s yearly awards comes up on the 23 of O February at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, at 4pm. King Sunny Ade and his African Beats and Sugar band will be entertaining guests’ as well as lots of comedy.

Awotunwo now on TV stations ONTENT provider, Top media has commenced a new Yoruba series C drama titled Awotunwo, which will be showing on selected television channels across the country. Over one hundred episodes have been recorded to ensure long period of last- His Imperial Majesty, Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, being presented a plaque by the Lagos ing entertainment weekly. Awotunwo Country Club trustee while the club’s president looks on during the club’s New Year party held is currently showing on Galaxy TV recently in Lagos.

Book Review the heart is a most IButNDUBITABLY, vital organ in the human body. only few people are aware that this love-shaped organ in the chest region is so tenuous it could snap, if badly managed. On regular basis, one hears of high caliber personalities yielding to the cold hands of death under circumstances that are befuddling. Someone could just slump in the public place and die. Why? Postmortem examinations have often linked their deaths to heart failure or what is also known as heart attack. However, in medical parlance, diseases associated with the heart are called cardiovascular diseases. But they do not also occur like the simple drop of fruit from a tree. Certain factors must have precipitated such life-threatening ailments. These factors range from sheer negligence to wrong consumptions. And these are what this new book, ‘Heart for Life’, published by MITH

Ways to save the heart Health Support Ltd, which can be reached on mithealth101@gmail.com, copiously addresses. The new book is currently being marketed by CSS Bookshop in Broadstreet Lagos and Dayspring Bookshop at 32, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos. What is more? Its author, Mrs. Folashade Daniel, a medical doctor of 24 years, who bagged a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, is sure-footed, having spent these longish years attending to heart patients. In his foreword to this 109-page book, a medic of remarkable prowess, Professor David Oke, remarks, “As at 1990, cardiovascular disease was estimated to cause five million and nine million

deaths in developed countries and developing countries respectively. “It is (also) projected that six and19 million deaths will occur by the year 2020 respectively.” He is thus of the conviction that the book “has provided much information about cardiovascular risk factors, the process of heart attack and its prevention.” The book, which has nine chapters of two sections, in the introduction section, notes that “while every part of the body is very important, there is one vital machine that pumps blood (and) supplies nutrient to other parts. “This machine is called the heart. It is expected to be in a functional state from the day we are born to our last day on earth. It could work for over 100 years. However, if it is not maintained adequately, it packs up early.”

Chapter 1 of the book dwells on various heart diseases ranging from coronary heart disease (CHD) or coronary artery disease (CAD) which causes angina and heart attack, to aschaemic cardiomyopathy, an aftermath of a heart attack. The succeeding chapters dwell on the working of the heart, the process of heart attack, symptoms of heart attack, prevention of heart attack and medication, respectively. The central focus of the book apparently is about what to do to keep the heart in a healthy state: the diets that can keep the heart functioning well, the need for physical exercise and the need to shun smoking, as it poses a debilitating effect on the heart’s functions. The book, made attractive with requisite graphic illustrations with apposite colours, is also well edited as it has no typographical error. Through and through, ‘Heart for Life’ is a must read.

been possible before now because of logistic challenges in Alliance Francaise Lagos. The French cultural centre has been a major partner for the LIMCAF providing the logistic framework for the festival since its inception in 2007. Mr. Adewunmi explained that a situation whereby entries by artists in Lagos had to be taken to Ibadan for adjudication and exhibition, as had been the case since 2007, was an obvious anomaly detrimental to the growth of the festival. He expressed gratitude to the Director, Lagos who is also Delegate General of the Alliance Francaise network in Nigeria, Madam Christine Deuve, for making the new arrangement possible and for making herself and her staff available to help create and sustain the new Lagos centre of LIMCAF. A statement by Kevin Ejiofor, Executive Director of the festival noted that the implication of the new Lagos centre was that Lagos would now serve as both a collection centre and an exhibition zone and will therefore host a special exhibition of the artworks selected from the Lagos area before the grand finale in Enugu. Chief Robert Oji, Chief Executive of Rocana Nigeria, an outdoor advertising company, founded the initiative in Enugu in 2006. The first festival was held in 2007. The objective of LIMCAF is to contribute significantly to the economic empowerment of the youth through art and also to provide opportunity for young people to make meaningful statements on issues of significance within their living environment. Ultimately, the organisers hope to establish a thriving art international tourism destination in Enugu to compliment current efforts in this regard in Lagos and Abuja.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

For The Record Economy, politics and human rights: Whither Nigeria? (2) Being continuation of text of the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Lecture, delivered by Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, January 15, 2013. (The first part was published on Thursday, February 7, 2013.) N 1994, shortly after taking over power, General Sani IInAbacha established a multitude of security agencies. all, he licensed 16 of them under his Chief Security Officer (CSO). Among these, a “Counter Terrorism Agency” under the command of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Zakari Biu, was established to watch over reputed regime enemies. Another entity, the “Strike Force” undertook operations to eliminate such people. Advocates for democracy and human rights became terrorists. Such entities as the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Committee or the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR); Campaign for Democracy (CD); and the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) became enemies of the State. Their leaders and their associates were targeted for persecution or elimination. Some met untimely, unexplained or violent death. While he was busy at this, General Abacha also managed to appropriate to himself an estimated 3 5% of the country’s GDP, including “$2.3 billion from the treasury, awarded contracts worth $1 billion to front companies and taken $1 billion in bribes from foreign contractors.” We lacked the institutions to find out how much or make him accountable. Around the same time, the word “terrorist” crept into the agitation in the Niger Delta. By 1994, the activists of the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) were described in some quarters as “terrorists”. The Internal Security Task Force (ISFT) established by the government to address the situation in Ogoniland was reportedly authorized to undertake “wasting operations coupled with psychological tactics”, a euphemism for State terror, including extrajudicial killing of civilians. The approach of the Abacha regime to the Niger Delta produced two consequences. First it resulted in replacement of civic advocacy by armed groups. Second, it created a conflict economy in which, among other things, some security sector managers developed an appetite for open ended expeditionary operations for pecuniary benefit and some of their operatives traded in ordnance to armed elements. This would render the courts and similar pacific mechanisms of dispute resolution unappetizing and unduly expensive. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah recalls in his 2011 book, Witness to Justice: An Insider’s Account of Nigeria’s Truth Commission, a case between two businessmen from Ihiala in south eastern Nigeria, in which one of the parties, a civilian, easily procured from senior military officers “3 huge bombs and explosives, 2 cartons of live rounds of 7.62mm military bullets and a 25kg bag of dangerous bomb making agent – potassium nitrate.” One of these men became an elected federal law maker in 1999. His impunity was complete. It is now evident that the murder of Dele Giwa in 1986 was a game changer for public safety and security and the evolution of the law’s institutions in Nigeria. Where, until then, violent murder was associated with criminals, Dele Giwa’s killing was the first in popular conviction to be widely blamed on the State. The determined effort of then regime to frustrate any effort to ensure accountability for his killing began a process that ultimately compromised Nigeria’s criminal justice and judicial systems almost irretrievably. Over time, this inspired deeper criminalization of the State, tragically democratizing access to the means of mass violence in the country. Through these means, the Nigerian State compromised the foundation of its claim to a monopoly of the means of violence – the defence of those who live within its territory. This lack of legitimacy would spread to the institutions of the law. The return of elective government in Nigeria may have ended the terror of the doorbell but has also seen a deepening crisis of unsafe streets and neighborhoods. Above all, it dramatized the human consequences of this institutional collapse in which the

Odinkalu

judicial and legal process has also been a victim. By 2003, the institutional collapse had become so significant as to compel Nigeria’s leading authority on constitutional law, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, in 2007 to accuse the Supreme Court of having played a “discreditable part” in this process. If today many Nigerians are either reconciled to mass violence, ambivalent about it or have turned to vigilante methods or narrow identities as a response to it. Increasingly, the State is no longer trusted to do what it exists to do. As a result, people have turned to their neighbourhoods and identity formations subverting in effect the project of a common citizenship and common humanity on which all strong states are built. The only persons who now matter are those who carry guns or have the means to do so. PUSH FACTORS THAT THREATEN OUR “FINE CHINA” The result? Our “piece of fine China” is precariously balanced and threatened by the despotisms of decentralized mass violence and predatory political economy and yet the consequences of having it “dropped on a tile floor” are simply impossible to contemplate. From this narrative, many candidates struggle for attention among the factors that could trip us up and send our “fine China” splintering. I will briefly address three before concluding: our shared marginalization complex; the challenge of democratized violence and the externalities of living in a dangerous neighbourhood. (a) MARGINALISATION COMPLEX AND “BANTUSTANIZATION” OF NIGERIA The standard response to these pathologies revealed by our history is a “materialization” of

Where, until then, violent murder was associated with criminals, Dele Giwa’s killing was the first in popular conviction to be widely blamed on the State. The determined effort of then regime to frustrate any effort to ensure accountability for his killing began a process that ultimately compromised Nigeria’s criminal justice and judicial systems almost irretrievably. Over time, this inspired deeper criminalisation of the State, tragically democratising access to the means of mass violence in the country.

Nigerian politics attended by competitive allegations of marginalization, plunder and multi dimensional violence. In the last quarter of 2012, Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim, in a series published in the Daily Trust, examined these competitive claims of marginalization across the country and concluded: in all of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, the story is very similar – due to domination, the “people” have been marginalised. Two broad issues are posed when ethno regional domination emerges as a political issue in Nigeria. The first issue is the control of political power and its instruments such as the armed forces, the public service and the judiciary. The second is the control of economic power and resources. Both are powerful instruments that are used to influence the authoritative allocation of resources to groups and individuals. Rather than forge a common dialogue among Nigerians, the capture of our politics and patrimony by a self regarding elite seems to have set us asunder. Today, everyone is focused on where the President or Governor comes from rather than what these important institutions of our country accomplish or achieve. The only good politician or leader is the one from my sect or worship group, ethnic group or neighbourhood. We have become the advertisement of Tagore’s country “broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls”33 and have retreated behind identity frontiers, reducing the country increasingly to a collection of Bantustans, to which “indigenes” are banished and into which trespass by “settlers” is contingent on a whimsical license from the indigenes. Each side appears to reserve the right to determine at their whim, who or which among the other community can live or die by a thousand cuts. Thus, episodically and progressively, we mete out murderous inter community and ethnic violence to one another with no hope of finding out who the perpetrators are or bringing them to account; and state governments can expel workers from their public service because they are non indigenes and nothing happens. Many people trace the crisis of the Bantustanization of Nigeria to the proviso to Section 147(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which obliges the President in appointing Ministers to designate “at least one Minister from each State, who shall be an indigene of such State.” The Federal Character Commission Act empowers the Federal Character Commission to, among other things: work out an equitable formula, subject

to the approval of the President, for the distribution of all cadres of posts in the civil and the public services of the Federation and of the States, the armed forces, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, bodies corporate owned by the Federal or a State Government and Extra-Ministerial Departments and parastatals of the Federation and States. In addition, under S. 17(2)(k), the Commission is empowered to define who the indigene of a state is for the purpose of benefiting from federal goodies under S. 4(1). There are multiple problems with this. First, the competing claims of “indigene” against “settler” and vice versa are characterized by un theorized etymologies and arbitrary or, at best, poorly documented claims of original settlement in relatively new (about a century old) settlements, garnished sometimes by myths and legends that can often sound, in the words of one author, like “the concoctions of the mind of a not so clever diviner.”35 Second, the constitutional position that each state must produce a Minister is itself poorly theorized. In Presidential politics, the essential difference between the Executive and the Legislature is that electoral legitimacy is unified in one person in the former and atomized among all functionaries in the latter. The authority of every executive officer in the executive is derived from the legitimacy of the President or Governor unlike Parliament where every member is elected. As a result, Ministers do not and cannot represent any people except their appointor whose programmes and policies they are appointed to execute and there is no reason for them to be allocated by the State rather than by the needs of public service. While where a Minister comes from may matter to some people, the fact is, in the end, few would care about where a Minister comes from who delivers tangible gains to their community. Consequently, thirdly, the allocation of a Minister per State reduces ministerial appointments in particular and public service generally to another perquisite of Nigerian public life rather than a pedestal for public service that it is supposed to be. The goal of Ministerial life is thus reduced to merely getting the office with no regard for what is done with it. This in turn feeds a murderous zero-sum psyche in which the only way to increase the odds of getting picked is by eliminating as many people as possible from consideration. This mindset underpins the abuse of office that has historically characterizes many a ministerial career and the blood-letting that attends this indigene-settler problem. There must be a limit to the replication of Ministerial portfolios or the manufacture of unviable States. Far from enhancing benefits to indigenes or settlers, the Bantustanization of Nigeria has deepened our collective immiseration by handing our public exchequer to what one notable scholar has called “crooks”. I should explain by way of background to this point that a functional state is founded on the dispersal of power, kinetising of its institutions of accountable government, and competitive electoral politics for periodic renewal of government’s mandate expressed through the votes of citizens. State building is, therefore, founded on a tripod of three values: legitimacy, accountability, and capacity. These three are essential for sustaining the authority, revenue generation and service delivery capabilities of the State. When they fail, government can be predatory. Explaining the anatomy of government by crooks, Paul Collier points out: If politicians can still face a reasonable chance of winning without bothering to deliver good performance, then….the sort of people who seek to become politicians will change. If being honest and competent does not give you an electoral advantage, then the honest and competent will be discouraged. Crooks will replace the honest as candidates. (b) THE DEMOCRATISATION OF VIOLENCE It is quite clear to any interested and objective observer that “governance deficits and pervasive insecurity…. are inter linked and mutually reinforcing.”37 Steven Pinker has marshalled compelling evidence to show that the course of human progress is defined by a progressive diminution of violence through legal regulation of its deployment and accountability for its unlawful use.38 “Declines in violence”, he argues, “are a product of social, cultural, and material conditions.”

TO BE CONTINUED

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

AutoWheels Auto-makers and the future game plan

The new future BMW HE glitz and glamour of T the year’s first big auto show is still reverberating around the automobile industry, and with the American economy advancing, optimism is the order of the day in Detroit. But behind the scenes, there are some real worries around the world about just how strong the auto market will be in the future. This weekend, Jalopnik.com, the auto enthusiast Web site, raised a question that many companies have been asking themselves: What if the auto market is at Peak Car? Translated, that means, what if the biggest car countries of the world have maxed out on consumer demand for automobiles?

Jalopnik based that question on a story last week from Quartz, the business site run by The Atlantic Monthly. It suggested that the world is basically on the verge of global gridlock. It suggested the world’s auto companies are facing a future in which they become “enablers of mobility,” helping nations develop systems to move people around, rather than sell them individual conveyances. Purists, like those who read Jalopnik, scoff at that idea, saying there will always be demand for vehicles that set their owners blood on fire. But it’s a question that many people who study transportation have been pondering for some time now. “For generations, American

car buying has been guided by one grand philosophy: which one do I want? But now, another question has begun to percolate: do I need a car at all?” In recent years, it has only become more convinced that the job for the world’s biggest auto companies will simply get harder. All around the United States and Canada, people are thinking seriously about giving up their automobiles. Of course, this is impossible to do if you’re a farmer in the Great Plains or a contractor in Texas, where you simply have to be able to load up a pickup. But in American and Canadian cities, the emphasis is much less on building new roads, and much more

2014 Volvo S60, XC60 redefine with more safety gear By Taiwo Hassan olvo has removed the virtual cover from its 2014 S60 sedan and XC60 SUV, revealing numerous interior and exterior updates. Volvo refers to this midlife freshening as the most extensive in its company history, although it is well within the updates we have seen from other automakers. Both vehicles receive a facelift for the upcoming model year. The S60 now hides its windshield washer nozzles, and the chrome grille surround has likewise vanished. New headlamps, wider grille, LED tail lights, wheels, and integrated exhaust tips give the sedan an updated appearance. The XC60 wears a new hood and headlamps, and black trim has been removed for a more monochrome exterior appearance. (See our last S60 and XC60 road tests.) Inside, both vehicles benefit from new upholstery colors, wood inlays, headliner, and metal accents. More notable, Volvo has upgraded its entertainment offerings with Sensus Connected Touch, an infotainment system that features a glove-friendly touch screen, smart-phone connectivity, and

voice-command control. This system enables Internet searching and audio streaming, Google Maps navigation, and a variety of integrated applications. Volvo promises that fuel economy has improved. Good news, as fuel efficiency has not been a brand hallmark. In addition, available paddle shifters promise to make the automatic transmission more engaging to command. On the safety front, Volvo is offering permanent high beams that automatically dim when a car approaches and an enhancement to its active headlamps to better illuminate around corners. Northern drivers will appreciate that a heated windshield will be offered on models fitted with a rain sensor to help clear ice on winter mornings. In total, the changes sound rather minor, but refinements and more equipment is always welcomed, so long as pricing is kept in check. When we tested the S60, we quite liked the basic hardware, citing lively acceleration and agile handling. We’re glad Volvo hasn’t messed with the sedan’s dynamics, but a bit more suspension refinement on the XC60 would have been welcomed.

on building bike paths. In Michigan, the county has put on a strong push the past year or so to protect pedestrians. The campus at Stanford University in Palo Alto seems to have almost more bicycles than students. People are clamoring to use public transportation in places from Chicago to Los Angeles, where downtown residents just voted to bring back streetcars. Bike rentals abound everywhere from Boston to Chattanooga. And everywhere, people want to live places where they can walk, whether to work or just go for a stroll in the evening. Meanwhile, more women than men are now buying automobiles, and their choices are sharply different 2014 Volvo XC 60 SUV

2014 Volvo S60 Sedan

from those that male buyers make, as reported in Forbes last year. These social trends may be just as significant for the automobile industry as the original shift to horseless carriages a century ago. Back then, people felt hampered by their lack of mobility and itched to get out of cities into leafy green suburbs, where they’d have room to breathe. Now, young consumers and even middle-aged and older ones are rethinking the lifestyle that has them go from inside a house to inside a car. The possibility of Peak Car is seismic, and it portends change not just for Detroit but also for automakers in Europe, China, Japan, Brazil and elsewhere.

Quartz, in its story last week, isn’t predicting the end of the automobile. But it believes automobile companies will have to integrate themselves into a transportation system for a highpopulation, low-emission future. I think the challenge is even more significant. Auto companies, who are used to playing on peoples’ emotions and sense of independence, now have to find new ways for consumers to consider making them part of their lives. In the past, they had to build a case for choosing their vehicle over someone else’s. Now, they have to build a case for owning a car at all. And their secret fear is that they may not be able to do so.

AUTOWHEELS 45

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

McLaren’s P1 Supercar built-in 903-hp plug-in hybrid Y the time we actually B see the McLaren P1 in the carbon fiber next week, there won’t be many details left not already announced by the British supercar maker. Today, McLaren leaked out the power and engine specs of its new supercar, announcing the P1 would offer 903 hp thanks to a combination of a twin turbo 3.8-liter V-6 and a massive battery pack that can be charged from the outside making it the world’s fastest plug-in hybrid. McLaren says the 3.8 liter V6 will churn out 787 hp on its own, while the electric motor and battery pack add an additional 176 hp, all of which routes through the 7speed dual-clutch transmission to the rear wheels. The battery pack, which adds a surprisingly small 211 lbs of weight to the P1, allows the car to drive 6 miles on electricity alone and if depleted, can be charged from an outlet.

To make the connection with its Formula 1 machines, McLaren says the P1 will come with an F1-like electric boost dubbed the Instant Power Assist

System, a button on the steering wheel that commands the electric motor to provide all of its power instantly. All this in a car that

McLaren suggests could get about 25 mpg in everyday driving. Which is the real point of all this electric technology: McLaren and other supercar makers aren’t

afford the P1, the upcoming Ferrari Enzo successor and Porsche’s hybrid 918. As the P1 shows, top speeds alone are no longer sufficient to make a supercar super.

By Taiwo Hassan

Firm sets up auto service centre

Mclarens P1 car

Hyundai Nigeria appoints independent sales agent By Taiwo Hassan YUNDAI Motors Nigeria Limited, authorised distributors and marketers of Hyundai automobiles has named Real Point West African Limited in Warri Delta State as one of its sales agents in Nigeria. This brings to 13 such Hyundai sales and service facilities spread across strategic locations in Nigeria. Managing Director, Stallion Motors Limited, custodians of Hyundai in Nigeria, Parvir Singh, said the appointment of an independent sales agent is crucial to the growing clientele of Hyundai brand in Nigeria and the urge to carve a niche for stylish and efficient Hyundai models. “Hyundai has become a prestigiously brand and a toast of automobile freaks worldwide due to its exceptional performance, reasonable pricing and emotional elegance which are aimed at providing new values and experiences to yet more customers. “The essence of pushing boundaries is to emphasise Hyundai brand direction

immune from tough fuel economy rules in Europe, the United States and Asia, and adding a dash of greenish technology appeals to the billionaires who can

geared towards providing new values and experiences to yet more customers of today through ways that are unique to the brand and go beyond customers’ expectations,” Singh added. He also said that the company was not just motivated by the volume of sales, adding that “In whatever we do, our responsibilities to our cus-

tomers, society and environment are paramount.” Singh however reassured customers of excellent service delivery, stating that the newly appointed agent is remarkably equipped to operate optimally without sacrificing Hyundai’s basic principles of customer satisfaction. An autonomously managed

shop, Real Point West African Limited has state-of-the-art diagnostic and repair equipment for after sales support. The facility like every other Hyundai outlets has cordial relationship with finance institutions that can help customers finance any choice Hyundai model after pledging the mandatory down payment.

FRSC boss, Chidoka, to deliver keynote address at ABC’s 20th anniversary By Taiwo Hassan HE Corps Marshal of the T Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osita Chidoka, will deliver the keynote address at ABC Transport’s 20th anniversary event scheduled for March 1, 2013, at the Sheraton Hotels, Lagos. According to a press statement from ABC Transport, the FRSC boss was chosen for the occasion because of his enormous contribution to the development of safety on Nigerian roads in recent times. Chidoka, a graduate of Business Management from the University of Nigeria

(1995) holds a Masters degree in Transport Policy and Logistics from the George Mason University, USA, a graduate Diploma in Maritime and Ports Management from the University of Singapore (2002) and a certificate in Global Strategy and Political Economy from Mansfield College, Oxford University in 2004. His experience spans areas of public policy, economy and politics. Under his leadership the FRSC has evolved into a dynamic government institution applying the best internationally recognised practices as well as introduc-

ing many innovative safety policies and practices that have drastically reduced the number of road traffic accidents on Nigerian highways. ABC Transport had kicked-off her 20th anniversary celebration with a press conference on February 5, 2013, at the company’s terminal 3, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos. The event highlighted the unveiling of seven new coaches buses and donation of three demonstration buses to the automobile/mechanical engineering departments of Lagos State University, Imo State University, and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede.

N line with its global philosophy, Kia Motors has launched “The Kia Care,” a national service package design to offer recommended periodic maintenance schedule across its network in the country. According to the company, the scheme is available across all the models and is valid for a period of three years or 60,000 Kms whichever comes first. It ensured that vehicles are maintained as per schedule thus, increasing their performance levels and lower operational costs. Maintenance parts include filters, oils, spark plugs, brakes, clutch, among others, are inspected and replaced as required under schedule. “This is a new direction in innovation for Kia and a real cost saver for customers. We want the Kia brand to stand for more than just delivering great products with great quality and best warranty; we want Kia to be known as a brand that stands for delivering value for money service excellence. Kia care is a fantastic programme and this allows buyers to guarantee the lowest possible service costs throughout their ownership.” said General Manager

of After Sales, Kia Motors, Tatpati. Kia offers standard warranty of three years on passenger range products, however a five years warranty is offered on premium products like Cadanza, Mohave and Quoris. But the recently launched Quoris comes with five years maintenance free programme and warranty. KIA Motors has over 20 dedicated after sales service outlets with a team of over 400 trained service members across Nigeria. The company has put in place latest pneumatic equipment and workshop facilities to cater to maintenance services’ less than 90 minutes. The National Training Center at Lagos for Nigeria keeps developing new training programs to upgrade their technicians in the latest technology, which includes air suspension, electronically controlled brake systems, engines and automatic gearboxes. Every year over 200 technicians are trained in various courses on Kia Technology, while some technicians are sent abroad for trainings.

Volvo to become world’s largest heavy duty truck manufacturer By Taiwo Hassan B Volvo has signed an agreement with the Chinese vehicle manufacturer Dongfeng Motor Group Company Limited (DFG) to acquire 45 per cent of a new subsidiary of DFG, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles (DFCV), which will include the major part of DFG’s medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles business. At completion of the transaction, the Volvo Group will become the world’s largest manufacturer of heavy duty trucks. “This is a very exciting venture that will combine the best of two worlds, strengthening the positions of the Volvo Group and Dongfeng and offering excellent opportunities to both parties,” says Volvo’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Olof Persson.

• Signs strategic alliance with Chinese company, Dongfeng Motor Group “Combining Dongfeng’s strong domestic position and know-how with the Volvo Group’s technological expertise and global presence will offer DFCV excellent potential for growth and profitability in and outside China.” Completion of the transaction is subject to certain conditions, including the approval of relevant anti-trust agencies and Chinese authorities. The purchase consideration amounts to RMB 5.6 billion. The ambition is to complete the transaction as soon as possible and completion is expected to take place within approximately 12 months from today. The transaction with DFG follows the recent agreement between DFG and Nissan Motors, in which DFG pur-

chased the medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle operation from the joint venture DFL (owned jointly by DFG and Nissan Motors). The major part of the re-purchased commercial vehicle operation will be included in the new company, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles (DFCV). According to the agreement between DFG and Volvo, Volvo will acquire 45 per cent of Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles for a total amount of RMB 5.6 billion, subject to adjustments, to be paid on closure of the transaction. Payment of the purchase price will increase Volvo’s net debt by approximately SEK 6 billion. The Volvo Group is the world’s third largest manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks with 180,000 units sold in

2011. Dongfeng was the second largest producer of heavy-duty trucks in 2011, with total sales of 186,000 units, of which approximately 142,000 units were produced by the part of the company that will be included in DFCV. “We are pursuing a clear strategy to achieve our vision of becoming the world leader in sustainable transport solutions,” says Olof Persson. “With this agreement in place, we take a crucial step toward reaching a number of our key strategic objectives such as size and growth in Asia.” In 2011, DFCV reported net sales of approximately RMB 39 billion (pro forma) and operating income of approximately RMB 1.2 billion (pro forma). DFCV has approximately 28,000 employees and

sold 142,000 heavy-duty trucks and 49,000 mediumduty trucks in 2011 (pro forma). For the first three quarters of 2012, DFCV’s net sales amounted to approximately RMB 22 billion (pro forma) and operating income to approximately RMB 0.3 billion (pro forma). During the same period, 81,000 heavy-duty trucks and 35,000 medium-duty trucks were sold by DFCV (pro forma). At the end of the third quarter of 2012, DFCV had net financial debt of approximately RMB 500 million (pro forma). The AB Volvo holding in DFCV is expected to be reported as an associated company and consolidated in accordance with the equity method, oneline consolidation, within the Trucks segment. During 2012, the Chinese

market for heavy-duty trucks totaled approximately 636,000 vehicles, while the corresponding figure for the medium-duty market was 290,000 vehicles. DFCV occupied a leading position in China in both the heavy- and medium-duty segments, with sales of 102,000 heavy-duty trucks and 45,500 mediumduty trucks, corresponding to market shares of 16.1 per cent and 15.7 per cent, respectively. “China is the world’s largest truck market with a total market for heavy trucks equivalent to the European and North American markets combined,” says Olof Persson. “The partnership between the Volvo Group and DFG will strengthen DFCV’s already strong position in China and provide the company with the right conditions for successful international expansion.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

BusinessTravel New safety device berths for the airlines By Wole Shadare

With this, there is no more hiding place for airlines, as a device that would help to monitor situation during flight operation is quickly being embraced by the operators. o put pay to speculations on the actual cause T of accidents the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and airline operators are embracing a new system that would assist them to know the exact or probable cause in the event of mishap. At the moment, Aero, IRS, and Brass Airlines are some of the airlines that have installed Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) in their aircraft. Arik, according to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is on the verge of having the system on its aircraft, while First Nation Airways is undergoing delay in returning to operation as a result of plans to have the equipment on its two A319 airplanes. Had the equipment been embraced by Nigerian carriers way back in 2005 and 2006 when aircraft were falling from the sky, perhaps, the controversy trailing the report of Bellview plane crash on October 22, 2005 in Lisa, Ogun State would not have arisen in the first place as the equipment would have helped to know what exactly happened to the ill-fated aircraft. The black boxes could not be found and the Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AIB) first “Final Report” would not be different from the second “Final Report”. Two final reports on one accident is not only ridiculous but highly embarrassing to the nation and ridicules the whole essence of accident investigation, most especially when the vital components to unravel accidents were looted or destroyed at the site of the accident. The AFIRS is a revolutionary new technology that combines on-board logic and processing on the aircraft with ground based servers that interpret and route messages from the aircraft to parties on the ground that need to know such as the airline, operation centres and regulators. The equipment costs $60, 000 each. For an airline with six airplanes, it would cost $360, 000. For Arik Air, which has about 18 aircraft, it would cost about $1.1 million. Cumulatively, scheduled domestic airlines, charter operators and private jet owners may spend over $25 million to have the technology in their aircraft. The animation feature can also be used to reconstruct or simulate a flight scenario, which can be used for investigative purposes by addressing the immediate challenge of locating

A cockpit of an aircraft and decoding black boxes. When an event is detected and triggered not only is an alert sent from the aircraft to interested parties, but the facility also starts to stream black box, Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data off the aircraft in real-time to ground base servers. Streamed FDR can be used to validate, corroborate and compliment preliminary investigative findings at crash site just hours after accident. It also provides a record of the event in situations where the black-box data is destroyed not retrieved.

The system performs real-time triggered alerting and black-box data streaming in the event of an emergency on the aircraft. The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren disclosed that the equipment on board airplanes streams real-time, visual situational awareness of the aircraft through the ground base servers that send the message alert to the airline, their operation centres or the civil aviation authority where the aircraft under duress can be seen in their flight track-

ing software such as Sabre’s Flight Explorer. Speaking to The Guardian, Demuren explained that when the Dana Air accident occurred, people wanted to know the cause of the accident, adding that, “if they had known the true cause of the accident nobody would have worried”. “If I had known the second day that this was what caused it; no problem, things would have been clear. But because we don’t know everybody started to speculate. I told them then that aviation safety is data driven. I refused to agree with their speculation. I cannot speculate in life”. The accident he said led the agency to mandate carriers to acquire the device, stressing that this technology has been there for a long time and not a new device. His words, “Those of us who have contact with both civil and military aviation, we know this very well. Some of the military aircraft cost up to $1billion. You cannot go for a flight one day and lose it; it costs a lot of money. So how do we fly them? They have gadget on the ground that tells them everything that happens on board. There is a technology that is on the ground and we now have it”. Demonstrating how it works, he said, “The equipment is put on board the aircraft. This equipment picks all the data that is going into flight data recorder and directly transmits down to the ground while the aircraft is airborne without pilot’s input. So if there was high temperature it will transmit it down. If there are exigencies it transmits everything down. The second thing it will do is flight data recorder filming. It will film all those data. So there are two functions. One is alerting. It alerts you when there is any exigency; number two it will be filming and send them to the ground”. “That is what we have planned to do with all Nigerian aircraft. As I am speaking with you, Aero, Brass, IRS have them on their aircraft. First Nation are almost through with there’s. Aero is doing well. Arik don’t have exactly, but Arik need to do certain things, to subscribe to Boeing for the programme”, he added. The system, according to the NCAA chief, would help them to understand the problem of human factor in air operation. Also speaking on the issue, the International Safety Programme Director, Airbus, Mr. Marc Ballion, said, AFIRS would automatically be fixed on all Airbus planes from 2015. He said with this installation, speculations arising from probable causes of aircraft accident would be over, stressing that before the airline could come out with the latest technology; it took two years of intensive research.

Bellview: Two reports, many controversies By Wole Shadare and Chika Goodluck-Ogazi INCE the ‘official’ release of accident reports by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), one report stood out for scrutiny. The report was the one that involved Bellview Airlines that crashed in Lisa, Ogun State, killing all 117 passengers and crew. There are allegations that the report may have been compromised or doctored after four years when the report was submitted and this has brought to the fore why it takes so long to make accident reports public. Four years was too long to keep an important document secret. In other climes, such reports are immediately made public which helps to forestall the type of situation that is playing out over the Bellview. Nigerians remain absolutely committed to finding the true cause of this tragic accident through open and transparent process. Bellview has already faulted the report and has come out with what it said, “violated the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13 and best industry practice”, claiming further that “there cannot be two final reports”. The current report has been generally not in compliance with ICAO Annex 13 standard recommended practices which require AIB to submit the final report to the operator as the report the carrier claimed to have received in 2020 was fundamentally different from the report now in circulation. Experts said Annex 13 also mandate AIB to attach to the report as an appendix its written position which it said was made available to AIB in 2010. Not a few said it was ironical that the AIB stated that the true cause of the sad accident is still ‘unknown”, arguing that the agency still went ahead to make speculative allusion, adding that accident report, ”should not be speculative about the cause of the accident”. Spokesman for Bellview, Terver-Uzer Luke in one of the reports

handed to the airline four years ago said, “The captain of the illfated flight, Lambert Imasuen had 1053.54 hours experience on type in addition with over five thousand hours and not the 153.45 hours as erroneously stated on page 8 of AIB report in the second report released to the media last week. He explained that the captain was trained in the United States under the US FAA approved training programme facility. Imasuen before he died had a valid First Class Medical certificate despite the allusion made by AIB. While the new AIB report had indicted Bellview, stating that investigation revealed that the B737-200 airplane had technical defects, noting, “the airplane should not have been dispatched for either the accident flight or earlier flights”, the other one that was earlier released and distributed to the airline, Boeing, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority in 2009, clearly states that, ‘Investigation revealed that the airplane had mechanical anomalies, but none that would have prevented continued flight”. The absence of forensic evidence according to the report prevented the determination of the captain’s medical condition at the time of the accident. Speaking on the issue, President Aviation Round Table, Captain Dele Ore said Bellview was only exercising the right they have under Nigeria constitution and under the ICOA recommended practices under annex 13, on aircraft accident investigation, that allowed them to have a report of the investigation and fair comment before making it public. But I think I want to say that the report is contrary to the normal accident investigation purpose, because this report is indicting and will destroy the culture of accident investigation, because in future people will not come up with facts and information when accidents occur because of fear of being blamed”. “Things have moved beyond the past because what we have today is far beyond what we had before. We should be careful

because if we throw stress into the system it will cause more accidents”. “Even looking at the report anything they said (Accident Investigation Bureau) was speculative, the only thing we know was that then (when the accident happened) the regulatory authority did not do their job, but that is a long time ago, it’s like beating about the bush. What is at the disposal of AIB is what they have; it is not internal politics but people trying to prove that they are working or they can do the job”. “The report is not different from what we already know. The report of the investigation, rather than meeting its purpose, is contrary to what they are meant for today. It was suppose to avoid the reoccurrence of that accident in the future. The reason for the accident investigation report was to correct the mistakes of the past, not, what is going on now”. Ore was particularly pissed with how long it took the agency to release the report, saying, “It has been delayed for too long that we are not really gaining anything from it. During the time the accident happened, there are many things that was wrong in the aviation sector”. “However things have moved beyond the past, what we are having now is a big improvement from what we were having then. The NCAA is more organised, responsible and autonomous regulatory body, than in the past. “I do not agree to what is happening now, this report has taken them so many years to publish, since 2005, so many things would have been forgotten, one may not be able to recollect all that has happened”. Speaking in the same vein, former Commandant, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd) carpeted AIB for the report, saying what it published were remote causes laced with speculations and not the actual cause in as much as it failed to publish the transcript of the cockpit voice recorder and that of the air traffic controllers to aircraft communication transcript.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

BUSINESS TRAVERL 47

Etihad commences daily operations to Lagos By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi TIHAD Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, said it has upgraded its Lagos flight operations to daily, aimed at meeting growing demand of passengers travelling to and from Nigeria. The airline has earlier launched its service between Lagos, West Africa’s most populous city, and Abu Dhabi on July 1, 2012, with six flights a week, enhancing the links between Nigeria, Africa’s

third largest economy, and the United Arab Emirates. The new daily service will be introduced on March 31, 2013, coinciding with the start of the airline’s new summer schedule, and will significantly improve connections between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, and beyond to key destinations across the airline’s network in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, India, Malaysia and China. The General Manager and West Africa Nigeria, Maurice Phohleli said: “We

have received a very positive response from the Nigerian market since launching our service six months ago. Clearly, the people of Nigeria appreciate the superior product and service of the *World’s Leading Airline and we are proud to serve them. “Our passenger loads are strong and we are confident that this route will continue to support the growing flow of business and leisure travellers who fly from Nigeria to the United Arab Emirates, and onwards over the air-

line’s hub in Abu Dhabi to key commercial and tourism destinations in the GCC, North and Southeast Asia and markets in the Indian Subcontinent”, he added. According to the airline, the service comprised a mix of morning and evening departures, is operated by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft configured to carry 22 Pearl Business class and 240 Coral Economy class passengers. It stated that Etihad Airways recognises the importance of the West African region and is committed to expand-

ing its footprint across the continent. In November 2012, Etihad Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, re-introduced a weekly freighter service between Abu Dhabi and Lagos which was complemented with the addition of 16 new interline destinations across West Africa. The airline also noted that Etihad Airways currently flies to eight destinations in Africa and the Indian Ocean including: Johannesburg, Khartoum, Casablanca, Cairo, Nairobi, Lagos, Tripoli and Mahé in the Seychelles.

standing in a light-hearted way amongst travellers,” He added: “As we researched the phrases it became apparent that although many may sound unusual to non-native speakers when they first listen to them, when the translated meaning is given the sentiments resonate interna-

tionally. ‘Share a Smile’ is meant to do just that, encourage “globalistas” to learn about different cultures in an amusing way. The campaign is a celebration of how a kind word or phrase can connect friends and strangers alike across the world.”

Emirates Airline launches entertainment package for passengers By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi MIRATES Airline has E unveiled a new campaign showcasing the lighter side of language, named “Share a Smile”, where the airline has created 29 videos in 14 languages featuring members of its cabin crew expressing quirky and unusual expressions and greetings from around the world. The campaign was created by Emirates to help “globalistas” connect with each other through watching the videos and sharing them with their friends and family. “Share a Smile” is the latest step in Emirates’ global brand campaign Hello Tomorrow, launch in April 2012 which aims to inspire people across the world to explore and connect with each other across cultures and borders. Through the set of lighthearted 15 second animated videos designed to make people smile, Emirates’ multilingual crew explain the meaning behind popular local

A Lounge of Huntley Hotel, Los Angele, California phrases like ‘Don’t make an elephant out of a fly’ (Russian), ‘You’re so pretty it made a bang’ (Cantonese) and ‘You’re the cat’s whiskers’ (English). There is also a compilation behind the scenes out-takes video showing the fun the crew had making the films.

The Executive Vice President Emirates Airline and Group, Maurice Flanagan said: “Emirates ‘Share a Smile’ has been created to showcase not only the breadth of linguistic skills amongst our international and multi-lingual crew, it is also intended to help build cultural under-

Ethiopian Airlines expands flight operations to Malawi, Zambia By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi

THIOPIAN Airlines, the E fastest growing airline in Africa, has announced further expansion of its service to the continent with new flights to Blantyre, Malawi and Ndola, Zambia. Blantyre is the commercial and industrial capital of Malawi.It will be Ethiopian Airlines’ 44th destination in Africa and the second in Malawi next to Lilongwe. The new schedule of three flights per week will begin on March 31st, 2013. Ndola, the third largest city in Zambia, is the industrial and commercial centre in the copper belt of the country. Ndola will be Ethiopian’s 45th African and the 72nd international destination. It will also be its second destination in Zambia next to Lusaka.The new schedule of three flights per week will again begin at the end of March. The Chief Executive, Tewolde Gebremariam said, “Ethiopian, as a flagship carrier of Africa, is pleased to add Blantyre and Ndola to its wide route network and to offer passengers to and from these cities the best possible connectivity through its Addis Ababa hub”. Passengers travelling to and from Blantyre and Ndola will enjoy smooth connections to destinations in Ethiopian Airlines’ route network such as Washington, D.C, Toronto, London, Hong Kong, and Dubai, among many others.

FAAN must respect the rule of law, sanctity of agreements, says Akande For over a decade, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and AIC, the firm that won concession to build a five star Hilton hotel and a shopping mall are embroiled in a controversy which many said had stunted airports development in the country. In this interview with WOLE SHADARE, General Manager of the firm, Chief Niyi Akande decried the alleged stalling of the multi billion-naira project. Excerpts eyond the legal quagmire, do B you see a political solution to solving this dispute? We don’t rule out political solution. We believe in the rule of law. We are not asking them to do us a favour, what we are saying is for us to respect the rule of law and respect the sanctity of all agreements. We are not ruling out political solution. There are allegations that FAAN has the penchant for repudiating agreements, what advice do you have for them? The Federal Government should prevail on civil servants to respect the rule of law and also respect all contract agreements they entered into with the private sector, to encourage investments and to encourage Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the interest of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government. FAAN recently claimed that the court only maintained that the court only asked it to pay your firm, AIC about $75 million and not the land in dispute. What is the true position of this dispute? I have you copy of the contract award; it is not what I manufactured, but what the agreement says. The court of Arbitration says the 50 years lease is still subsisting. After that project has only being delayed

by FAAN up to ten years by that period. So, the damage that was awarded was for the loss of profit for those ten years. If we say we are not interested, we will be talking of compensation for 50 years, but we are going ahead with our $1 Billion development of our hotel on that land. We are still holding on to that 40 years remaining on the lease agreement we have with FAAN. The money FAAN is talking about is only in respect of the ten years delay they have caused us. FAAN raised the issue of security, which cannot be glossed over considering what is happening in the country. Don’t you think the argument is valid? You are all conversant with the piece of land we are talking about here. That land is a minimum of 500 meters from the terminal. We are also conversant with MMA2. MMA2 is on the taxiway of aircraft, so how does that or our own constitute security problem? The hotel does not compromise any airport security. What am saying is that if you are coming to equity, you must come with clean hands. FAAN took everything into consideration before they allocated the land to us. They signed a lease of 50 years plus additional 25 years. They pleaded this in the court of arbitration and they were not able to convince the arbitrators. It was an excuse they thought of to perpetrate illegality. What of if FAAN comes tomorrow and say leave that place for another place because of security, and give you an alternative land within the same airport, will you accept that? That was what they said at the arbitration, they have never offered us an alternative land. If they do, that would have been on a negotiation basis. What they initially said was that they have problem of parking. If they had come to us and sat down with us to discuss and plead with us, we would

Akande have considered that but they did not do that with us. They believe in using force and FAAN does not respect the rule of law. The approach you take to negotiate is different from when you use force. If they come to us to negotiate, that will be discussed and negotiated between the two of us. We are law abiding. They have to come to us and we discussed. You cannot disobey the law and say you want to negotiate with us. Let them obey the law. We are respectable Nigerians and our chairman, Chief Harry Akande is respectable citizen, a chieftain of the ruling party. When actually were you supposed to have commenced construction on the site? Could you please give a little background of this project? In 1978, the Federal Government wanted to build a hotel and they approached AIC as the consultant to design and to bring in an international hotel manager. We designed and brought in Marriot and they did not pay us a kobo. The Federal Government was unable to continue with the project. It was not our intention to build the hotel at that time. We

designed the proposed hotel for them but they could not come up with the money. How much would it have cost if they had allowed you to build the hotel? When government wanted to build it themselves in 1978, it would have cost them $33 million. In 1998 when we were given the lease, the hotel would have been built for $55 million, but now, if you look at the increases in prices, inflation has come in. Most of these things are dominated in foreign currency. What is naira rate in 1998 and what is the rate now? Naira was stronger then. The differences in the cost of inflation. If they had allowed us, we would have completed and the hotel would have been ready in year 2001; we would have been making money and they would have been earning money also. The last calculation we made when we went to the court of arbitration, the amount went came to about $203 million. We brought experts, English quality surveyor who has been in this country for many years and he has building here. He attested to it, he did the calculation and say by the time we finish in the court of arbitration, the cost was in the region of $220million, so we are asking for the difference between $55 million and $203 million. Don’t you think something is wrong somewhere considering the problem high threat to concessions in the aviation industry? I don’t know what happened with Maevis’s concession, we don’t know about that of Bi-Courtney, I know that in 1998, FAAN advertised and invited bids for interested parties and AIC was one of those companies that submitted bid. They gave conditions like it is in the document we gave to the media before they could consider. We did feasibility study by internationally recognised consulting com-

pany designed and to have the building managed. He had to hire international lawyers to go through it to ensure we had the best agreement. After that, FAAN then went through all the bid and adjudged AIC’s bid as the one that was most responsive and the one they were highly satisfied with. They were the ones that gave us the site of where we are to site the hotel. Even in their own letter in the approval, they stated that there was serious bidding and we emerged the preferred bidder. FAAN claimed that the agreement was signed in error, what is your opinion on that? That again brings us to the sanctity of contracts. I will show you the letter they wrote to their minister. If you look at the FAAN Act, the Act that set up FAAN, there is a provision that says, FAAN has the right to lease out land but they will not give you title, but they will give you a lease of agreement. It is in line with the Act that set up FAAN. It is the same law that says if you give out land to a private person; you cannot take from one person and give it to another person unless overriding public interest. If FAAN wants to take it from AIC and give it to their friends, or a Chinese company, whom they said they have an agreement to build a hotel there. Like I said, the rule of law and sanctity of contracts must be respected. If they said the land was given in error, it means that the management of FAAN is there in error. This is an agreement that was approved by their board, their own surveyor and we registered the agreement with Lagos State government. FAAN is just too full of contradictions. What FAAN is doing is sheer arrogance. Let them respect the rule of law and sanctity of agreements. We are not asking them for any favour.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

FridayWorship “Surely, the religion with Allah is ISLAM,complete submission”... Qur’an 3:19

Reflections on asteroids, other earthly calamities and tragedies In the name of Allah, the Beneficent the Merciful “See they not that they are put in trial once or twice every year (with different kinds of calamities, disease, famine)? Yet, they turn not in repentance, nor do they learn a lesson (from it)-” (Quran 9:126) By Afis A. Oladosu RETHREN, a closer contemplation of our B reality today shows that humanity suffers two types of calamities: voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary calamities are self-inflicted ones. The involuntary ones refer to portents and occurrences in the phenomena, which are beyond human interventions. Voluntary calamities which humanity suffers today are reminiscent of that which befell our progenitors, Prophet Adam and Hawa (upon them be peace and blessings of Allah) in paradise. They were shown clues about the abyss but they chose to descend into it. Our forebears were shown what they should avoid but they opted to embrace the forbidden. Eventually they enjoyed Divine redemption. Brethren, today’s humanity appears destined to travel the same pathway. The sons and daughters of Adam and Hawwa have chosen to unlearn the lessons in the circumstance of their progenitors. Thus, what is forbidden today by law, just as it was during the primordial times, has become the most-soughtafter. For example, we all know lying is abhorred by the Almighty, yet falsehood has become fashionable. We all know adultery and fornication is an anathema in the reckoning of the Almighty, yet indulgence in sexual debauchery among the high and the low has become the order of the day. In fact, the higher the position and opportunity life offers some among us the farther they go, and ironically too, away from modesty and morality. One way by which we cause voluntary fractures in our society is evident in the philosophy, which undergirds our educational system. Brethren, most public schools today are premised on the so-called secularist theology. What matters today is how to produce scientists. We have refused to recognize that men need to be men, and righteous ones for that matter, before they become scientists, engineers and physicists. We often forget that science without knowledge of the Almighty is science for the sake of the devil and earthly principalities. When a society says an atom is greater than the Almighty, when a society decides to take the Almighty from the school, such should not turn round to call on the Almighty when the devil becomes the king of its empire. Brethren, one other reason we witness tragedies and calamities in our world today is pretence to lack of knowledge of the existence, in the phenomena, of the law of cause and effect. By the design of the Almighty, only the earth is capable of bringing forth plants and fruits, not the skies; only the skies is able to bring down water; only the sun can bring forth heat and temperature. The Almighty (may His Name be exalted) backs this up by enacting eternal laws, which strengthen these Natural Laws. Once the elements that hold the phenomena is upset, it is expected that the other rule would naturally follow. For example, when a man decides to jump, headlong, from a three- storey building, such becomes a voluntary infraction of the Divine Law of Gravity and a free choice for self-liquidation. When a society decides to treat corruption with kid’s gloves, when every case of corruption is treated as “family affair”, when accusations of

graft and sleaze dealings are bogged down in the morass of counter-accusations, when someone who steals a billion naira from the national treasury is asked to pay one naira as fine, what should follow these “causes” would include retribution and anarchy. Brethren, nations before us existed for centuries despite their choice to disbelieve in the existence of the Almighty; but they perished the moment the scale of justice was tilted in favour of the rich and the powerful. Yesterday, a man in our village stole a goat and he was imprisoned for 10 years; today a big man steals billions of naira and he is asked to ransom himself with less than a million naira! Brethren, the above represents a perspective. The other perspective is involuntary calamities. Only a couple of days ago, what scientists call a meteor hit some parts of Russia, causing large-scale destruction of properties. The event only confirmed the Quranic perspective to the origin and end of the world: that the world belongs to Him alone and that whenever it is time for Him to bring it to an end, all the satellites in orbit, no matter the technology that produced them, would have no deterrent effect against His Will. But the problem, dear brethren, is that some of us see nothing extraordinary in these events while some among us are capable of appropriating their inner meanings. Yet some others among us would need to have four eyes in order for them to see beyond their noses. For example, everyday we see the wise that is manacled in poverty; we behold the foolish and the ignoramus who commands millions of naira. To those who cannot see beyond the apparent, the world of the Almighty is full of evil. In fact to such people, the Almighty does not actually exist! But men and women of understanding know that the world is not all evil. We know that the world is equally full of beauty, health, progress and prosperity. We also see goodness among people. We encounter faithfulness, sincerity, charity, love and the spirit of sacrifice. In fact elements of goodness are more in creation than those of evil. There are more people who are healthy than those who are sick. Imagine a situation where the opposite were to be the case: that there are more sick people than healthy ones. How many hospitals, medics and caregivers shall we need? Is it also not true that there are more haves than haves-not? Is it not true that there are more God-conscious beings than the corrupt, the dissolute and disbelieving ones? All these point to one thing: as far as the Sunnah, the way of the Almighty is concerned, goodness is the rule and evil is the exception; virtue is the norm and sin is the aberration. Ask yourself: which is the norm in your life: is it goodness or evil? But just before we close, let us ponder this question more dispassionately: why does the Almighty allow sufferings? Why has He not created a world without any difficulty or pain? (Q64:11) Brethren, the Almighty permits suffering as a reminder to us that this world is not a permanent abode. Neither the good things of this world are forever, nor are the bad things eternal. (Quran: 21:33-35) Brethren, calamities sometimes occur when people see corruption and do not stand up to correct the wrongdoers or stop them from their wrong doings (Q11:116). They sometimes take place as Divine method of testing our patience and steadfastness. (Q2:155-157) They equally occur as tests for others who are hale and hearty. Our teacher enjoins us thus: “Leave the world to those who hanker after it, as they leave the Afterlife to its seekers. And be in this world as the bee: it eats only good, produces only good, and when it rests upon anything it neither ruins it nor deflowers it.” guardianfridayworship@gmail.com

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Opinion 2013 budget: Resolving the impasse By Olusola Adegbite N assortment of invigorated back and forth A arguments and submissions of learned minds have since appeared on various media platforms ricocheting against one another. It has to do with the current constitutional impasse that the non-passage of the 2013 Appropriation Bill commonly referred to by the people as Budget has since engendered. I obligingly feel constrained to lend my voice. Lining up on one side is the group, which submits that the President is not bound by the provisions of Section 58(4) of the Constitution, but rather by Section 59(4) and that flowing from that, the President does not come under the full command of the use of the word “shall”. In order words, they submit that the combined provisions of Sections 58(4) and 59(4), merely make it discretionary for the President to sign the Appropriation Bill within 30 days and that in any case, even if his assent fails to attend the Appropriation Bill within 30 days, he can still conveniently sign thereafter, and such in their opinion will not amount to an illegality. However, arrayed on the other side, is a second group, which argues that the President is not only constitutionally but mandatorily bound by the provisions of Section 58(4) of the Constitution, particularly as it relates to the pre-eminence of the use of the word “shall” and that the plethora of case-law and retinue of judicial decisions particularly from the Supreme Court on the mandatory nature of the word “shall” gives no room for further argument on the matter. They submit rather stoically that where the President purports to assent to the Bill a day after the mandatory 30 days, he would be seen to have committed an illegality. I am grateful to all intellectual gladiators for their rich cross-fertilisation of opinions and contest of arguments; however with profound respect to all shades of opinion, I adopt the latter position as mine. Not only do I consider it legally sound, but most importantly, the intellectual nourishment it offers has the right ingredients to power an amazing renaissance of constitutionalism in our country. Permit me to start by saying that the force of logic is the most potent and beneficial of all, more potent and beneficial than any other, the logic of force inclusive. The provisions of Sections 58(4) & (5) and Section 59(4) of the Constitution are clear and apt. Section 58(4) provides “Where a bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall within 30 days thereof signify that he assents or that he withholds assent”. Section 58(5) provides” “Where the President withholds his assent

and the bill is again passed by each House by twothirds majority, the bill shall become law and the assent of the President shall not be required”. Section 59(4) provides “Where the President, within thirty days after the presentation of the bill to him, fails to signify his assent or where he withholds assent, then the bill shall again be presented to the National Assembly sitting at a joint meeting, and if passed by two-thirds majority of members of both houses at such joint meeting, the bill shall become law and the assent of the President shall not be required”. The above provisions having being stated, let us attempt a legal analysis. A careful scrutiny of the force of logic leaves one without doubt as to its actual validity. It is a thought-process anchored on a structure of premises, later narrowed into a sound conclusion, while such a conclusion prides itself as having derived its ultimate authority from the body of premises. Usually, a general premise is followed by a secondary premise, perhaps a third premise, and in a rich flow analysis all these cascades into a conclusion. It is this rich organisation of thought that has for ages stood as the foundation of analysis the world over, legal analysis inclusive. The relevance of this to the matter at hand is clear. Flowing from the above submission, the considered view of this writer is that Section 58(4) & (5), as cited above is one that without equivocation caters for all kinds of bills that would come before the National Assembly, the Appropriation Bill inclusive (this emphasis is of importance). To that extent, no bill is excluded by the provision of Section 58(4) and (5). It is important to establish this. This section prescribes a mandatory 30 days time-frame for presidential assent and it is deep-rooted legislative pronouncement anchored powerfully on the word “shall”. The unquestionable power vested in the use of the word “shall” has been settled by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Thus, if the above provision were to be paraphrased, it would simply mean, without any shade of equivocation, that all bills no matter their nomenclature presented to the President shall be assented to within 30 days. Section 59(4) now comes into the picture. In this instance, it does not stand on its own, rather it operates as a back-up provision, to buttress what had earlier been stated in Section 58(4), this time loudly pronouncing it as it principally relates to the Appropriation Bill. Given the nature of importance that an Appropriation Bill holds, it was necessarily important for the makers of the law to further strengthen its existence in Section 59(4) by holding that even

as all bills shall be assented to by the President within 30 days, which doesn’t leave out the Appropriation Bill, where that fails to happen so, so and so must necessarily follow. Thus, Section 58(4) is nothing but a forerunner provision to Section 59(4), just like John the Baptist was a forerunner to our Lord Jesus Christ. It is trite and salutary law that you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand, as there will be nothing to support the something. Section 58(4) is the something on which section 59(4) stands confidently. Given the core importance of the Appropriation Bill as the lifewire of the nation, more importantly as a document whose passage cannot be left in abeyance, the Constitution goes ahead to provide in Section 59(4), that where the President, within 30 days fails to signify his assent, the bill is presented to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and thereafter passed into law. It is totally inconceivable that the spirit behind the phrase “where the President, within 30 days fails to signify his assent”, would mean for it to be simplistically interpreted as giving the President the latitude to give his assent a day after, or perhaps so long after the mandatory 30 days. Thus, the logic rooted in Section 59(4) is a constitutional reassurance of the right of the Legislature to the full exercise of its powers, where the President for whatever reason fails to signify its assent. If the Constitution had not earlier mandated the President to assent to the Appropriation Bill within 30 days, why will it further give a direction where the President fails to do so within that time? The logic therein presupposes that the situation of failure to assent referred to in Section 59(4) can only arise because of the mandatory stipulation of time earlier provided. It is pertinent to assert that constitutional provisions are not enacted to exist and be interpreted in isolation of each other, perhaps as strange bedfellows. Rather, it is elementary law that a specific provision of the law, necessarily follows from the general rule. It amounts to nothing but standing logic on its head, to assume that it was the intention of the makers of the law from the outset to give any President in Office, “time infinitum” within which to assent to any Appropriation Bill, the contending issues notwithstanding. Obviously, the issues militating against the passage of the 2013 Appropriation Bill are clear; however this apparent clarity does not suggest that any solution is in the horizon. This is because there are simply too many imponderables involved to permit any easy conclusion, except that we can still sufficiently infer that there is just one thing

central to the whole shenanigans – Power. That is the burden our politicians have since become. As always, it is on the altar of the peoples’ livelihood and sustenance that they find it convenient to flex their muscles and massage their ego, which inordinately tells our national story upside down. Of course we are not the only country with a Constitution, though we appear as one country whose rulers rejoice when that Constitution is dragged in the mud. Reinstating the truth, which we all know, the spirit of our Constitution (with Section 58(4) and (5) and 59(4) in perspective) is for the most part understood by these politicians, though they prefer to largely ignore it, for it profits their political game-plan to do so. And in its place, they play to the gallery with supposedly ambiguous letters of the law to achieve personal interest while in public office. Unfortunately, the menace of such political behaviour, if anything, has become more ominous to our nation than ever before. It is a significant fact, frequently not realised by the people, that again this new episode of Legislative-Executive recklessness once more underscores their seeming powerlessness (assuming, but not conceding it is so) as the real custodians of the collective destiny of our country in the midst of ruthless and indifferent power-mongers. Tragically, it is not anything preordained or celestial that now confronts us as the reason for our stunted national growth. It is the instrument of silence and apathy that the people have since fashioned. I make bold to say that in the ongoing Arab spring, the Egyptians have been very exemplary, taking their destiny in their hands and demanding for better governance on a daily basis. Now when Egypt turns out a better country tomorrow, Nigerians will be the first group of people to flood Egypt in search of greener pastures and then quickly lament when they are labelled as second class citizens. Chiefly, the ever-present threat to our democratic journey lies ominously in the vast and inscrutable forces in government, who are persons without a yard of love for their fatherland, concerned only with the safeguard of their political interest cum ambition, their growing heap of illgotten wealth and their primitive pursuit of vanity. Unarguably, no better time offers itself for us to question our apparent sense of abandonment to hopelessness than now, save that, we seem to have come to enjoy being taken for this ride as always. • Adegbite, a lawyer, writes from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The gathering storm By Anthony Akinola WAS not one of the most enthusiastic supporters of PresiII am dent Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 elections even though now one of those wishing him to succeed for the sake of all of us. Even when my support or non-support would have hardly been noticed, the position I took was a principled one. I sided with the pro-zoning sentiment of his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), not least because I am an adherent of zoning as a mechanism for reconciling the divisions we are never going to be able to wish away. President Goodluck Jonathan forfeited the sympathy of most honest observers of our politics when he denied the existence of zoning, which we all knew to be the driving philosophy of his political party. He could still have argued his way through without having to do that. His major sponsor, former President Olusegun Obasanjo connived in this conspiracy of denial only to say “zoning was alive and kicking” after Jonathan had secured his party’s nomination. The price of political dishonesty could be gruesome in a most divided nation such as ours. The late General Andrew Owoye Azazi, erstwhile National Security Adviser, attributed political notions to the crisis we have had to contend with in the north of our political divide. It would be wrong for any section of our society to want to seek to dominate the political process. I was one of those who challenged what we used to refer to as “northern hegemony”.

However, it would also be wrong and unacceptable for any group or individual to want to thwart whatever mechanisms we have put in place to redress the imbalance in our federation. Call it “moral authority”, the position one takes on an issue must be consistent regardless of the swing of the political pendulum. In a nation where contest for the presidency has hardly been about ideological rivalry but a show of strength between ethno-religious groups, the contest for the presidential elections of 2015 may have begun in earnest and another storm of discontent gathering pace. “No vacancy in Aso Rock” says the posters that welcomed us into the New Year, an assumption that would be vigorously – hopefully, not violently – challenged. Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State says there is a pact between incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP governors that there would be a vacancy in Aso Rock, come May 2015. According to him, Goodluck Jonathan agreed to serve only one term in office, going by the dictates of the PDP’s zoning arrangement and compromise in the aftermath of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s demise in 2010. If, indeed, there was a pact, it could still depend on whether or not Goodluck Jonathan would want to honour it. It would also depend on whether or not the national constitution endorses his eligibility to seek re-election in 2015. The special assistants may have spoken, and the poster may also have said things, but the truth of the matter is that President Jonathan has not categorically contradicted himself on the 2015 election; he is on

record as having said he would not be seeking re-election. But things do change in politics, and what about those hardened promoters barking orders that could give courage to an otherwise timid boxer? I fear for 2015, as I ponder on why those “all too-know” American pundits have identified it as “annus horibilis” for our nation. Their warning of an impending crisis was made a few years ago, but did they realise then that 2015 would be an election year? There could be a time in the life of a nation when the patriotism or sacrifice of one individual alters the course of a dangerous history, would Goodluck Jonathan be able to ignore whatever rights he has under the Constitution and say “I did it for party and nation?” The PDP could be in for a major crisis, and so also could our nation, but welcome to APC as one possible cure to the headaches we are all bound to have. One is quite excited about the merger of the “progressive” political parties into a single umbrella – the All Progressive Congress. I had as far back as 1983 defended a thesis at the Department of Political Science, Howard University, arguing that the centralising influence of the presidency would compel a two-party system in Nigeria – “Party Coalitions and the Trend Towards a Two-Party System in Nigeria”. The then editor of Spectrum Books Limited, the late Mr. Asudo, showed great enthusiasm in wanting to publish it in book form but that possibility was frustrated when the military struck in December 1983. Hopefully, our nation will endure the storm of 2015 and a possible two-party system will bring order to its democratic process. • Dr. Akinola wrote from Oxford, the United Kingdom.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Opinion Killing discourse over el-Rufai By Abimbola Agboluaje COMMON thread to the indignation that greeted Mr. Nasir A el-Rufai’s now infamous re/tweet is “can a Christian say something insulting about Prophet Mohammed (SAW) without Muslims embarking on a killing and burning spree?” (The SAW is mine). This raises the question why people educated enough to curse and fume in English on Twitter and Facebook would want to act like impoverished feral youths or Mullahs who owe their social positions and living to the ability to set citizens against each other while pretending to defend Allah. And many did act like Almajiris by going on a verbal rampage once they heard or imagined a Muslim politician had insulted Jesus Christ, describing el-Rufai as “anti-Christ” and Muslims as “bloodthirsty devils”. They failed to reflect on the possibility of el-Rufai actually insulting Jesus Christ or what his motives could have been. The reaction to the el-Rufai re/Tweet tells us a lot about the problem with Nigerians and Nigeria, and nothing at all about el-Rufai. We are so divided and mistrustful that we are mentally on alert for real and imagined slights, a fertile state of mind for those who profit from setting Nigerians against each other to sow discord. What started as a debate about the corruption, misrule, squandering of the $20 billion savings in the Excess Crude Account (also known as the Excessive Corruption Account) between 2007 and 2010 instantly became a spat between Christians and Muslims and northerners and southerners on social media. In the Boko Haram state of mind, Nigerians assume the worst about each other’s intentions. No one is to be given any benefit of doubt. Mallam el-Rufai came into public consciousness as a politician- cum-public servant of the ilk described as “technocrat”, not as the Governor of a Sharia State. There is no evidence that he favoured his co-religionists, more than it is the norm for politicians and bureaucrats, while serving as Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. After leaving public office, he has become one of the most incisive government critics, working within activist networks dominated by southerners and

Christians. For a long time, el-Rufai wrote a column, not in a northern newspaper but a Lagos-based daily in which he hurled nothing more explosive than economic policy fatwas at the government (his opposition to the eradication of the fuel subsidy is irreconcilable with his free market faith). The person he was defending, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, is a fervent Christian married to a pastor. The question is: why would someone who may be canvassing for votes to become Nigeria’s president in future chose to improve his chances by insulting Jesus Christ?! Even if el-Rufai had a reputation as a Muslim fundamentalist, there was really nothing in the re/tweet that could be construed as an insult to Jesus Christ or to Christians. Except by people who have been programmed by politicians and religious leaders with selfish interests to dedicatedly scour for and discover slights to their religion or ethnic group even in the most innocuous words. The el-Rufai re/tweet could have been read as “Jonathan’s aides would insult even Jesus if He criticised their corruption”. El-Rufai didn’t invent the outrageous claim about the head of the Church and Mary Magdalene. There are scores of films, websites and books exploring, suggesting or claiming this as a possibility. To an “unprogrammed” reader, the re/tweet only compares President Jonathan camp’s allegations against Oby Ezekwesilli to the ridiculous, wild allegations made about Jesus Christ. Nobody but President Jonathan’s aides that the tweet classifies with the loonies who insult a personality as holy as Jesus Christ should take offence. Even if the tweet is construed as an insult, there was little to indicate that el-Rufai approved of it. But in the Boko Haram mental state, the caveat that the “retweet is not an endorsement” is promptly suspended. Some Nigerians – Christians and Muslims – accept that elRufai didn’t intend to insult Jesus Christ but still blame him (el-Rufai) for recklessness. He should have known better the tweet was bound to cause offence. This is baseless; it sets such low standards for public discussion and defends the rights of people who are on the lookout for ethnic or religious slurs to misinterpret and wrongly accuse others. The majority of Nigerians on Twitter have at least a secondary school education and can afford a N15,000 smart phone. They

should be criticised for rushing to join digital mobs orchestrated by a minority of ethnic or religious bigots. (It is quite possible that they have been so thoroughly programmed they don’t need further goading to rise against imaginary insults). If we start to caress the brittle sensitivities of even educated Nigerians, we would never be able to confront and curtail the excesses of impoverished Almajiris and clerics whose beards or robes catch fire at the slightest provocation. A society where one self-censors his metaphors and analogies is not a healthy society. Canny politicians will learn to nip discussion of public affairs in the bud by twisting their opponents’ words to imply religious or ethnic slurs if Nigerians keep lapsing into verbal or physical rages at the slightest hint of offence. It is disappointing that newspaper headlines scream about el-Rufai’s “blasphemy”, and not one prominent person dismissed the outrage as the rubbish that it was. Rather, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the presidency of which increasingly seems to be a full-fledged Federal Cabinet position, as usual didn’t waste the opportunity to aggravate the situation. Were it possible in a democracy, religious associations and their ethnic counterparts ought to be banned as once suggested by the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. All they do is set Nigerians against each other and get richly rewarded for defending us, perhaps getting rewarded for helping to maintain centralised misrule. It’s a great pity that even Nigeria’s Internet generation is not immune to their ways. Boko Haram (and Almajiris who are liable to go on killing and maiming sprees after elections) is best seen as a problem for all Nigerians and not a malaise of a religious community, region or ethnic group. Their main victims remain “their people”. Those whose response is to claim an equal right to be as intolerant as the dreaded sect – and by so doing set Nigerian Christians against their Muslim co-workers, neighbours and friends on Twitter and Facebook – are becoming the Boko Haram with university degrees. • Agboluaje is a visiting member of The Guardian Editorial Board.

APC: Are the parties compatible? By Jide Akinbiyi T is generally agreed that the performance Ileaves of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration much to be desired; that the country now needs a more dynamic, more efficient, better organised and less corrupt government for it to make any real progress. For this reason, the idea of a new political body that promises to change the deplorable socio-economic situation in Nigeria and give us a better government, deserves some consideration. The merger of four political parties, the ACN, the CPC, the ANPP and APGA is not the first time opposition parties in Nigeria would come together for the purpose of unseating an inept and corrupt Federal Government, which has been our misfortune since independence. All past efforts have failed in their mission, not so much because of the overriding power of the reigning party in rigging itself back to power but because of internal differences and the incompatibility of the merging parties. This time around, one would want to know if the parties involved have thrashed out those differences to make their merger a workable arrangement. We need to go into history and locate why opposition parties have failed in their coalition against the party in power. The first attempt was in 1964. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), which had been a junior partner in the Federal Government with Sir Ahmadu Bello’s Northern People’s Congress (NPC) since 1959, decided to team up with Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s opposition party, the Action Group (AG) in the general election of that year. The NCNC and AG then formed the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) to unseat the NPC. At the end of the

election, the NPC had succeeded in rigging itself back to power. Without any hesitation, NCNC leaders went back to the NPC in a new coalition government. They told the nation that the alliance with the Action Group was a mere political alliance, but the coalition with the NPC was to form a government. Again in 1983, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Nigerian Peoples Party whose members had been in President Shehu Shagari’s NPN Federal Government since 1979 decided to team up with Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN); Waziri Ibrahim’s Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP) and Comrade Michael Imoudu’s Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the purpose of unseating Shagari’s government in the presidential election of that year. They came together under the banner of Progressive Parties Alliance (PPA). But they could not agree on who would be their presidential candidate. Awolowo wanted to run, so did Azikiwe and Waziri. At the same time, Shagari who was sure of his victory assured Dr. Azikiwe and his NPP that he would give them ‘juicy’ positions if he was returned to power. Being thus wooed away from the PPA, Dr. Azikiwe described himself as a beautiful bride torn between different suitors. In the end, Shagari won the election and fulfilled his promise by appointing NPP members into his cabinet. Let us now consider the present merger, the APC. Are they strong enough to unseat President Goodluck Jonathan? Are they indeed compatible to be able to muster that strength? I have very strong doubts. In the first instance, party coalition or merger works better under the parliamentary system of government. That was what we had during the First Republic with the NPC and NCNC coalition. A similar coalition of two parties obtains in Britain today. It had similarly worked in India where the parliamentary system has never been abandoned since

the country’s independence in 1947. The interesting thing about the parliamentary arrangement is that it is less rigid and a party to the coalition can pull out and team up with another party in parliament to form a new government. This is not possible under the strong executive presidential system that obtains in Nigeria, the United States and many other countries. Once the parties to a merger agreed on a presidential candidate, the government belongs to him if he wins the election. The law does not recognise parties to the merger, but the President as the chief executive of state. Any agreement by the parties to the merger is not legally binding on the elected President. He is limited in his powers only by the legislative powers of the National Assembly and by the ruling of the courts. Not even the Vice President who might be a member of the other party in the merger could have a hold on the President as we have in Zimbabwe today. In the light of this and in the context of the present merger, what the masses behind the parties to the merger are looking forward to is to know their presidential candidate. It is now clear that the CPC decided to go into the merger because it needs it to capture power at the centre, a goal, which its leader, General Muhammadu Buhari has failed to achieve in past three attempts. Therefore, to the CPC leadership, its followers and the people of the far north, the merger means so much for the possibility of ‘power returning to the north’. On its part, the ACN simply wants a more dynamic, truly progressive and less corrupt government at the centre. Unless its leaders are prepared to concede the presidency to Buhari’s CPC, the merger would collapse. However, if ACN concedes, the party would be paving the way for General

Buhari to succeed where he had failed thrice. In this, they could not be sure of carrying along the people of the south-west who in their own wisdom and political judgment, had flatly rejected not only the candidature of General Buhari but also that of ACN’s own candidate, Nuhu Ribadu and voted overwhelmingly for PDP’s Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. A close study of voters’ behaviour in that election offers enough lessons to politicians, especially ACN leaders that the people of the southwest are sufficiently enlightened to take their own electoral decisions regardless of politicians’ sentiments. ACN leaders should reflect on why the southwest electorate, which voted overwhelmingly for their governorship and assembly candidates, turned round to reject their presidential candidate in favour of the PDP’s, whereas they rejected PDP candidates in all other elections. This is food for thought and I would want them to do their homework properly and carry their people along before going into the unknown. Finally, I do not believe that the ACN really needs this merger, but the CPC and the north are desperate for it. What is more important for the party is to consolidate its position in the southwest and give the rest of the country good examples in governance. The party has a lot to benefit from the faults now tearing the PDP apart in many parts of the country. With its strength in the southwest, the ACN can continue to win more adherents in places where the PDP has failed the people, and indeed be the viable alternative. What is paramount in the minds of most Nigerians today is the constitutional restructuring of Nigeria into a more meaningful and effective federation. An ACN, properly entrenched in the southwest, can be the strong voice in the realisation of that highly desirable goal. • Akinbiyi is a veteran journalist.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22 , 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 21/2/2013 PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

CAPITAL MARKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 21/2/2013

PRICE GAINERS

LOSERS

NSE set to launch more Exchange Traded Funds By Helen Oji O further deepen the Nigerian capital market, the Chief Executive Officer of The Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema has announced that the Exchange has concluded arrangements to launch more Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) before the end of the year. This is in addition to other derivatives to be rolled out in 2014 and 2015. Speaking at the just concluded 2013 Standard Bank West Africa Investors’ Conference in Lagos on Wednesday, the NSE boss described the opportunities in the market and Nigerian economy as very huge, while assuring stakeholders that the Exchange would align with the government’s privatization programme and

power sector reform in order to attract more companies to list on the Exchange. He added that there has been a doubling of the daily trading band, while the introduction of market-making initiative has helped to boost liquidity in the equities market.

The Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Oladele Sotubo, who noted that the Standard Bank West African Investors conference has become the flagship investors’ conference in West Africa, explained that the initiatives aimed at nurturing the

Nigerian capital market and economy back to full recovery by facilitating direct information exchange between institutional investors and the executive management of companies listed on NSE, as well as nonlisted companies. He added that it was also meant

to facilitate the inflow of capital into the country by fund managers with keen interest in investing in Africa. “Besides the direct impact which these exchanges make on the Nigeria capital market, the conference provides both local and international investors with oppor-

tunities to meet with some of the companies they have investments in, or in which they hope to make investments. It also serves as a bridge to connect these investors to opportunities inherent in Africa’s investment potentials,” Sotubo stated.

lowing strategic opportunities and benefits to shareholders, employees and customers, amongst others, like reduction of overhead costs associated with maintaining Flour Mills and Niger Mills as two stand alone companies; increased installed capacity for Flour Mills; and expansion and diversification of current product lines, apart from flour milling for example, pasta manufacturing,”

he said. The process of flourmills merging with its subsidiaries, according to market analysts was a strategic step to strengthen the food product sub-sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Precisely, Flourmills merging its subsidiaries would not only boost its share price in the market but would also enhance its leadership position in the industry.

Niger Mills merges with Flour Mills By Helen Oji LOUR Mills of Nigeria Plc has announced that Niger Mills has merged with the company as part of the effort to amalgamate the operations of the two companies. According to the company, the merger is expected to result in future savings and the optimisation of overhead costs particularly administrative costs relat-

ing to maintaining two distinct entities. Group Managing Director of Flour Mills of Nigeria, Dr. Emmanuel Ukpabi, in his opening remarks at the company’s scheme of merger in Lagos, said that the shareholders that Niger Mill was a subsidiary of Flour Mills Group of companies, adding that the group has 99.97 per cent equity holding in Niger Mills.

He said that shareholders of Flour Mills should note that the advantages of the merger remain compelling from a cost minimization standpoint as it targeted at reducing the effects of duplicating overhead costs for the two companies. Ukpabi said: “The boards of directors and management teams of Flour Mills and Niger Mills believe that the merger will provide the fol-

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

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Sports

TENNIS CLASSICS WEEKLY An innovative magazine, takes a look at how Tennis can create an intriguing interactive experience... Debuts in The Guardian from Friday, March 1, 2013... weekly

Teams vie for final places in Ochei wheelchair basketball tourney

NSC outlines conditions for re-election of Federations’ board members From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja OR any of member of the Fsports outgoing board of the federations to retain his position in April, he must show concrete evidence of positive contributions to the development of the sports. There must also be proof that the members utilised the federations’ accounts towards the development of the sports before the NSC will approval funding for them. Speaking during an equipment presentation by the world volleyball ruling body (FIVB) to Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director General of the NSC, Patrick Ekeji noted that most of the sports federations were weak and performed woefully because of their composition, adding that the era of putting people in sports federations arbitrarily because of their affiliations was a thing of the past. He disclosed that the commission decided to redefine its position and conditions for the composition of the various sports federations immediately after the last Olympic Games. “There will be marked devi-

the possibility of his top striker, Emmanuel Emenike, featuring in the March 23 World Cup qualifier against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Calabar. Reacting to news making the rounds that the striker will be out for eight weeks following an injury he copped in the 2013 Nations Cup 4-1 semifinal defeat of Mali, Keshi said he feels the reports may have been exaggerated and will be waiting for final words from medics from both the national team and the Spartak Moscow of Russia. “Emenike is a very important component of our national team set up and we

EAMS will be aiming for T places in the final of the second edition of the Sir Victor

ation from what it used to be in the past. What will certainly come out of all of these is that federations will have to produce verifiable proofs in order to assess the funds made available for them. This means that all sports federations must account for the previous funds they received before getting new ones. “We are expecting that board members will rather make sacrifices and take their federations where it will be clear that if they request for the next level of funding, they will get it. “We at the NSC will play the role that we are established to play to ensure that we improve on our efforts to win medals in international events, especially at the Olympics Games, where we performed below expectations at the last one.” Ekeji said the bane of Nigerian sports was the way memberships of federations were constituted, saying, “we are insisting that the proper thing must be done to ensure that only committed individuals are given the opportunity to serve in the federations.”

Keshi hopeful of Emenike’s recovery Eagles Head Coach, SsaysUPER Stephen Okechukwu Keshi he has not given up on

By Adeyinka Adedipe

have to be concerned if he is in form, injured or otherwise and that is why we are a bit concerned about reports that he will not be available for the game against Kenya. “We can never give up about such an important player and we wish him the quickest of recoveries no matter what the medical team anywhere is saying,” Keshi declared. The Super Eagles coach praised the consistency of the top striker, declaring that even when he has several other options for Emenike, he’s also hoping that the player makes it on time to the set up ahead of the Kenya World Cup qualifier, as he’s trying to build a team that has started to gradually take shape.

Super Eagles’ star, Emmanuel Emenike (left) vies for possession with Mali’s Samba Sow during the 2013 African Cup of Nations Semifinal match at Moses Mahbida Stadium in Durban, South Africa… recently.

AIG Zone 4 tasks his men to win Police Games trophies, medals From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi

N preparation for the 10th biennial Police Games bid to hold in Port Harcourt from March 3 to 10, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 4 Headquarters, Makurdi, Michael Zuokormor has tasked his men to bring medals to the zone. Speaking while receiving the Games’ torch on its way to Port Harcourt, AIG Zuokormor said the Zone would field 163 athletes in 39 sporting events at the festival, reiterating that the biennial games was a tradition meant to produce talented athletes for Nigeria. While stressing the importance of the games as a link between the mental and physical fitness to the force profes-

sionalism, the AIG said his boss, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar attached singular importance to games, adding that he always stated, “the policeman must be physically and mentally alert to perform his functions at all times.” Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command’s swimmers say they will clinch at least eight of the 15 gold medals on offer at the games. In separate interviews with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos at their training session at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, the swimmers said that they were ready for the c o m p e t i t i o n . According to Yellow Yeiyah,

the team’s captain, the swimmers have trained well and were in high spirit to excel at the Games. “We are in good form and high spirit and will win nothing less than eight gold medals out of the 12 at stake at the competition,’’ he said. Cpl. Ademola Ayenuwa, who lamented the lack of training kits and grants, said it would not deter him from doing his best to win at the competition. He urged the NPF to ensure adequate kits and grants in subsequent competitions to motivate them to excel. “We did not get any training kits or grants but this will not deter us, the NPF should take note of this in subsequent programmes,’’ Ayenuwa pleaded.

NFF begins preparations for World Cup qualifiers From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Nigeria Football T Federation (NFF) says it was trying to put behind it the

Super Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi.

ovations that have followed the Super Eagles victory at the 2013 African Nations Cup in South Africa in order to concentrate on the qualifiers for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Noting that as African champions it would be disastrous if the Super Eagles failed to win a ticket for the World Cup, the NFF said it had put in place strategies to ensure that the country did not falter in the race to Brazil. Egypt has won the Nations Cup three times since 1998

without qualifying for the World Cup for any of the four World Cup finals since then. The Federation also hinted that it would write the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to seek a new date for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire in June, which it feared could clash with the FIFA Confederations Cup. NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, told journalists on Wednsday that the Super Eagles will move to camp early next month with the home-based players to commence preparations for both the March 23 World Cup qual-

ifier against Kenya and CHAN, which is the home-based version of the African Nations Cup. “We have to put behind us the exploits of the Africa Cup of Nations and forge ahead with the preparations of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, for which we must qualify. We will also work towards the FIFA Confederation Cup in June. “Obviously, the coach cannot be expected to be in two places at the same time. If there are clashes in the dates, I know that both FIFA and CAF will come together to rearrange the fixtures for the African champions.

Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Championship today at the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos. With the semifinal matches holding today after Benin Republic caused a major upset yesterday during the quarterfinal as the team against all odds defeated highly favoured Imo State team by 15 -12 to book a place in the last four. Also in today’s semifinal are Delta, Lagos and Edo states. To qualify for the semis, Delta defeated Ghana by 44-17 points while Edo booked a place in the semifinal with 104 points over Bayelsa and Lagos confirmed its superiority over Kwara with 59-2 points in a one sided game. President, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria, (WBFN), Bukola Olopade applauded the participating teams for their superlative display saying that the championship has shown that the future of the game in the country is bright and also expressed appreciation to the sponsor, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Sir Victor Ochei for assisting the special athletes. The final holds tomorrow.

ECOWAS ministers meet in Abuja over SCSA, others next week COWAS’ ministers of Sports E are billed to converge on Abuja next week to deliberate and take a common stance on issues bothering on sports administration in Africa. A letter signed by Special Assistant to the Director – General of the National Sports Commission, Abba Yola, said the meeting became “expedient for Nigeria to host the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA) as the current Chair of the African Union Council of Ministers of Sports (AU-CAMS).” Issues to be discussed at the Abuja meeting include the decision and resolutions taken at the AU-CAMS4 that took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in October 2011. Prominent among these is the Resolutions which seek the dissolution or otherwise of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa. According to the letter, “topics to be discussed during the meeting amongst others are, Hosting of CIGEPS Regional meeting slated to hold in Nigeria in March, 2013, MINEP V meeting in Germany, ECOWAS position on the winding up of SCSA, ECOWAS Games and ECOWAS countries’ performance at the Olympics. “Eight (8) countries from SCSA Sports Development zones 2 & 3 namely, The Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau and Liberia as well as six (6) Sports Technocrats had so far indicated interest to participate at the meeting.

56 SPORTS

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Lead investigator dropped on account of murder charge Prosecutors claim Pistorius fired to kill HE lead investigator in the T Oscar Pistorius shooting trial has been dropped from the case after it emerged he had been charged with seven counts of murder, as the Paralympics and Olympic star’s defence highlighted ‘disastrous shortcomings’ in the police investigation. Police detective Hilton Botha returned to the witness standon Wednesday at Pretoria magistrates’ court on the third day of Pistorius’ bail hearing, which came as Nike confirmed it had suspended its contract with the 26-year-old. The hearing has become a trial in all-but name, with the prosecution laying out in detail its case against the athlete, known as the Blade Runner. He is accused of the premeditated murder of law graduate-turned model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 29, who was shot dead in the early hours of Valentine’s Day at Pistorius’ Pretoria home. Pistorius, the first double amputee track athlete to compete in the Olympics, admits shooting Ms Steenkamp through a bathroom door but denies murder on the grounds he thought she was an intruder. A sworn affidavit from Pistorius read out in court claims upon realising his mistake, he broke down the door with a cricket bat before carrying her downstairs, where she died. Botha told the court yesterday there was ‘no way’ he believed Pistorius’ account of

the shooting. On Wednesday he was dropped from the case as seven counts of attempted murder were reinstated against him. The detective is due in court in May, alongside two other officers, accused of firing shots while attempting to stop a minibus in October 2011. Police Brigadier Neville Malila of the South African police service said officers learned on Wednesday that the charges against Botha and the two others, which had previously been dropped, had been reinstated by the director of public prosecutions. He told Sky News the seven counts of attempted murder only came to light late Wednesday afternoon and relate to seven people in the minibus. Asked to explain the charges, Botha told the court yesterday the case was dropped; he was not drunk and was chasing suspects. Pistorius’ lawyer Barry Roux reiterated his call for the athlete to be bailed, denying the prosecutor Gerrie Nel’s claim that he owns property abroad. ‘The evidence does not even show that the applicant committed a murder,’ Roux said. Pistorius is charged with the schedule six (premeditated) murder of girlfriend Steenkamp, an allegation strongly disputed by the defence, which claimed in its closing argument that no single piece of evidence dis-

proves Pistorius’ version of events. Indeed, the defence said Pistorius tried to save Steenkamp’s life, having mistaken her for an intruder at his house in Pretoria. To the contrary, the prosecution argued that Pistorius was guilty of the murder of a defenceless woman, for which he shows no realisation of his wrongdoing. It also claimed cast iron evidence surrounding the location of the gun, cartridges and two mobile phones would ruin the case of the defence. After both arguments were heard, an adjournment was called, with the hearing to resume at 8am today. In response, magistrate Nair put forward the argument that Pistorius might try to influence witnesses if granted bail, reminding Roux that the 26-year-old tried to blame somebody else when he accidentally fired a gun in a restaurant. Nair also referred to a previous incident when Pistorius told a love rival, “I will fuck you up”. Following a brief adjournment it was time for prosecuting lawyer Nel to state his final argument, which began by questioning what remained if the court accepted Pistorius’ version of events that he did not know it was Steenkamp he was shooting. Nel answered his own question, saying, “the planned murder of an intruder.” That would still remain premeditated murder, said Nel, who claimed no court would ever accept

We can be comeback kings, says Puyol • Xavi refutes failure tag ARCELONA trio Carles B Puyol, Cesc Fabregas and Dani Alves have all spoken of their disappointment at their performance during Wednesday night’s loss to AC Milan. The 2-0 defeat gives the Catalan side an uphill task to qualify for the last eight of the Champions League, knowing that an away goal from Milan would require four from themselves. Puyol seemed particularly bullish about his side’s hopes, citing that the home crowd will give them a boost in the second leg. “It’s time to mount a comeback in front of our fans,” he told the club’s official website. They were more aggressive, we have to improve in the return leg. We have to have confidence in this team, we can’t give up. We’re going to play at home in front of our fans, we aren’t going to give up.” Fabregas spoke more about the physical aspects of the game, and admitted that Milan were far superior in that department. He said, “we weren’t on our game physically, they were strong and it hurt us. We’re Barça and we have to play at the highest level, we simply didn’t play a good match.” Alves was equally frustrated with the outcome of the game, but was quick to compliment Milan’s efforts. “It’s not that we played terribly after the first goal. We

didn’t play well in general and that’s largely due to how well our rival played. We have to improve,” he added. “This is a difficult result. We have to fight back, go for the return game and work hard.” Meanwhile, Spain midfielder Xavi has accepted that the Blaugrana were below-par in their 2-0 defeat on Wednesday, but is refusing to overreact to a possible exit

from the competition. Xavi wants to help make history with a dramatic comeback in their Champions League second leg with AC Milan, but has refuted that Barcelona’s season would be a failure if they were unable to turn over the deficit. Xavi praised Milan’s terrific defending throughout the tie, but is ruing momentary lapses in their own backline, which allowed the Rossoneri to win the clash.

Pistorious at the hearing …yesterday.

FIVB pledges support for grassroots development, presents kits to states From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) has pledged to contribute to the grassroots development of the sport to ensure it becomes one of the best among its peers in the world. To this effect, the FIVB on Wdenesday donated volleyball equipment and kits to the 36 states of the country and the FCT in Abuja. The equipment, comprising 50 balls and four nets to each of the states, would be distributed to schools, where the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) believes it will begin its catch them young programme to ensure a bright future for the sport. Speaking at the presentation on Wednesday in Abuja, International Olympics

Committee (IOC) member and President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Habu Gumel, who represented the FIVB president, said one of the major challenges and constraints to the development of the sport in the Third World, and particularly in Nigeria was the lack of basic facilities and training equipment, adding that even though the requirements for volleyball games were easy to come by, it still posed a great challenge for schools and states’ associations. He noted that the present status of volleyball in the world indicated a positive reflection on many individuals and organisations, whose focus and concern have helped to lift the sport to a great height. Gumel, therefore, urged the

benefitting states to utilize the opportunity of the grassroots development programmes of both the NVBF and FIVB by enrolling in national volleyball championships, beginning with the one scheduled for Kano later this year, stressing that it was only through that way the sport could be developed in the country. In his speech, the Minister of Sports and chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdulahi, represented by the Commission’s Director General, Patrick Ekeji, praised the FIVB for donating the basic equipment to Nigeria, while urging the states to ensure the materials were put to proper use for the development of volleyball in the country.

Schalke consider Drogba appeal have confirmed SoverCHALKE they plan to appeal to UEFA Galatasaray playing Didier Drogba in their 1-1 Champions League draw on Wednesday at the Turk Telecom Arena. The Gelsenkirchen Club believe the Cote d’Ivoire

international is not properly registered to play in the European competition for Fatih Terim’s side. FIFA ratified the switch from Shanghai Shenhua despite the Chinese club’s protests, but it is possible their last-16 German opponents are protesting over a separate licence-to-play issue. “There are doubts about the validity of the permission to play for Drogba in the Champions League,” the Bundesliga club announced on their official Twitter account. “Schalke reserves its rights and is looking into this.”

The former Chelsea striker joined Galatasaray on an 18month contract in the last few days of the January transfer window, leaving Shanghai Shenhua on a free transfer as they had been deemed not to have paid his wages. Schalke general manager Horst Heldt claimed on Thursday “it would be irresponsible not to do this (launch an appeal).” Drogba did not have much of an effect on the scoreline on Wednesday as Burak Yilmaz’s opening goal was cancelled out by Jermaine Jones’ equaliser, and the two teams fought the remainder

Muntari hails win over Barcelona Muntari hailed AC StheyULLEY Milan’s performance after claimed a 2-0 win over

Barcelona Captain, Carles Puyol (right) trying to outwit AC Milan’s Pazzini during their UEFA Champions League game…on Wednesday.

Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last16 clash. The tournament favourites were condemned to a shock defeat at the San Siro with former Portsmouth stars Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng claiming the goals. And Muntari was quick to pay tribute to coach Massimiliano Allegri following the victory. “We played as a team, we lis-

tened to our coach and he did a fantastic job by putting us very well on the pitch,” he told Sky Sports. “We were very disciplined and we closed every angle Barca had so they could not penetrate. We were very disciplined, Barcelona is a top club in the world, they play fantastic football and have amazing players and if you play without concentration they will harm you and make you suffer but we knew what we were going to face and it went well so we are happy.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

SchoolSports NNPC/Shell All Nigeria Secondary Schools Championship

GCI, Sani Dingyadi join others in quarterfinals By Tony Nwanne OVERNMENT College, Ibadan and Sani Dingyadi Secondary School, Sokoto, are among the teams that have qualified for the quarterfinals of the All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Championship, also known as the NNPC/Shell Cup, which holds across the country between February 28 and March 3. The zonal preliminary matches of the 2013 edition of the competition were played in nine cities across the country, with 10 schools booking their tickets for the quarterfi-

nal stage. To make the quarterfinals, Government College, Ibadan, beat all comers in the Osogbo zone, which also had teams from Ondo, Lagos and Ogun states. Also in the quarterfinals is Henson Demonstration School, Benin, which qualified from the Ado Ekiti zone where Kogi, Osun and the defending champions, Kwara Football Academy, Ilorin also participated, and Annunciation, Ikere, which emerged from the Benin zone. Akunne Oniah Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha,

Orange dethrones red to win Greensprings sports meet UST like what they achieved JOrange at the Lekki campus, House (Jaja) also repeated same feat after dethroning Red house (Amina) to emerge champion at the inter-house sports competition of Anthony campus of Greensprings School. For two consecutive years, Red House dominated the annual competition shielding other houses from lifting the coveted trophy but with hardwork and determination, the title was finally wrestled from them last Thursday by Orange. In 2011 and 2012, Orange played was no near the top three but they finally broke the jinx by claiming 12 gold, five silver and 12 bronze medals to be crowned the new champion of the tournament. Prior to the grand finale held at the University of Lagos Sports Complex, Red dominated in some of the events already concluded with Orange occupying the fifth position on the medal table. In the football event for elementary class, Orange claimed gold, while it placed second in the senior secondary event but the cheer determination of the athletes was

enough to give the team the needed victory. Despite spirited effort by Yellow’s Stephen Okwudishu, his team could not match the strength of Orange. But Okwudishu was the cynosure of all eyes with his outstanding performance, which fetched him an Ipad as the star prize.

qualified from the Enugu zone, while Purple Crown, Enugu, qualified from the Yenagoa centre. From the Lokoja centre is Government Comprehensive Day Secondary School, Bauchi, while the Jalingo zone produced Government College, Maiduguri. Government Secondary School, Wuse, Abuja qualified from the Keffi zone, just as the Katsina centre produced Government Arabic College, Gwale, and Sani Dingyadi Secondary School, Sokoto. Two teams qualified from the Katsina zone because it had five teams instead of the four that played in other centres. According to the quarterfinals fixtures released by the organisers, Government College, Ibadan, will square up to Henson Demonstration Secondary School, Benin, in Oshogbo, while Port Harcourt will host the encounter featuring Akunne Oniah Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha, Purple Crown College, Enugu, and Annunciation Secondary School, Ikere.

Government College, Ibadan and Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode, trading tackles during the zonal preliminaries of the on-going NNPC/Shell Cup competition.

Kamsy is best athlete at Effortswill Sports meet By Adeyinka Adedipe IXTEEN year-old Abia Kamsy of Red House was adjudged the best athlete at the 9th edition of the Effortswill School, Ejigbo, winning five gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 800m, discuss and 4x100 meters relay. His heroics contributed to Red House’s (United State of America) victory at the event tagged mini Olympics, winning 49 Medals- 24 gold, 10 sil-

ver and 15 bronze medals. Second position went to Yellow House (South Africa) that won 17 gold, four silver and 12 bronze medals. Third position went Green House (Nigeria) who clinched 10 gold, 16 silver and 16 bronze medals. Blue House (United Kingdom) carted 7 gold, 19 silver and 14 bronze medals. The school proprietress, Bose Adeyemo likened the

event to a mini Olympic, which did not only features track and field but other events like football, table tennis, basketball, swimming. She noted that sports have become a rallying point, an avenue to make long lasting friendship and global cooperation among nations of the world, promoting world peace and healthy competitions among the world youth.

2nd Kandaval table tennis cup holds O match its promise with T action, sponsors of the inter-school table tennis tour-

nament tagged: Kandaval Cup, are staging the second edition of the championship today at Isheri Junior Grammar School in Lagos.

With the aim to help unearth new talents for the country, the one-day tournament, which is being bankrolled by Kandaval Communications Limited, a frontline sports programme production outfit will wit-

Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Kandaval Communications, Mr. Tony Obot (right); and his wife, Ola TonyObot, Principal, Isheri Junior Grammar School, Mrs. Mojisola Aluko, Tournament Director, Shedrach Oboh and a student during the presentation of trophy and equipment in readiness for the second Kandaval Cup.

ness students from secondary schools in Lagos jostling for top prizes. As part of the initiative, top national coaches will help to identify talents at the event, while the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Kandaval, Tony Obot has pledged the company’s commitment to improve the lots of the game. To help the participating schools and participants to tune up for the competition, the organisers have also donated table tennis boards, bats, balls and other accessories. Principal of Isheri Junior Grammar School, which is one of the participating schools, Mrs. Mojisola Aluko, lauded the company for the gesture and tasked other corporate bodies to take a cue from this gesture. Former national Coach, Babatunde Obisanya, who will be the special guest at this year’s edition, charges the schools to take advantage of the competition to showcase their best in order to reciprocate the sponsors’ gesture.

At Landmark sports day, Lily dominates By Tony Nwanne FTER winning several medals in virtually all the sports events, Lily House emerged the overall winner at the 4th edition of the Landmark College interhouse sports competition. The house, which had the highest number of medals to beat Zinnia House, one of their greatest competitors at the school events, who finally lost the first position to the winning house. Zinnia house claimed the second position with eight gold, four silver, and seven bronze, while Viola house emerged third in the overall competition with seven gold, six silver and one bronze. Meanwhile, starting from the match past event, Viola displayed a huge level of commitments in their display of color and attires that has a bit of cultural depiction, hereby emerging the

first position with 84 points. With the inclusion of the egg and spoon game competition, senior and junior categories, the atmosphere took another turn, thrilling and amazing parents and wards, who were on ground to cheer up the athletes to winning. However, in attendance at the event are notable and role model for the pupils of the school, parents and teachers, who were on ground to compel the athletes to success while on the field. Speaking at the event, the Principal of the school, Modupe Okebukola expressed huge satisfaction in the conducts of the athletes during the whole competition, adding that it has become imperative to indulge young lads in one sport or the other, which will in turn make them brace up for the future, both in and outside the class.

Yellow tops at Salvation inter-house sports meet By Joseph Okoghenun XCITEMENTS rule the air when Yellow House beats Red, Green and Blue houses to emerge winner in the Salvation International School (SIS) 10th annual Inter-House Sports Competition held in Lagos. The competition, which held at the University of Lagos Sports Complex, however, saw Red and Green houses emerging as first runner-up and second runner-up respectively to sideline Blue House to the last position. The pupils engaged in various sports ranging from 25 metre, 50 metre race, 75 metre race, 100 metre race to

obstacle race. Other sports included relay, skipping, picking the colours, bursting the balloon, covering the treasure, building the temple piping the ball, dropping the ball, football match, building the temple among others. Highlight of the event was a novelty match, which saw SIS teachers beating parents 2-1 to emerge winner. Salvation International School Administrator, Mrs.Olayinka Somoye said sport development was very important in the school’s curriculum to ensure that every child that passed through the school is well grounded in sporting activities.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Heroes Of Oshikoya:The golden girl from From winning inter-street to school competitions, Modupe Oshikoya’s rise to stardom went through a smooth passage for her becoming the first woman medalist in international athletics event for Nigeria. From her humble start at the Methodist Girls High School in Yaba, Lagos, the fleet-footed Oshikoya began her dominance of athletics in 1960s despite fierce rivalry with athletes from Reagan High School and Queen’s College. At several occasions, her bravery on track aided Methodist Girls to success. As a teenager, she worked her way into the national team in early 1970s but it was in 1973 at the All Africa Games held in Lagos that Oshikoya announced her emergence after claiming three gold medals in the women’s 100 metre hurdles, high and long jumps. Although, she was at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, where she could not make any impact. However, it was the 1973 feat that fired her up to claim gold at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand. From 1973 to 1978, she won five gold medals at the All Africa Games and for her, sports has been a blessing having enjoyed the Federal Government’s scholarship as an athlete to further her studies in United States, where she now resides. She, however, told OLALEKAN OKUSAN that it is disheartening that nobody paid quality attention to school sports, which shot her to limelight. OR Modupe Oshikoya, growing up in SoFportunity molu area of Lagos State afforded her the opto be exposed to series of sporting activities, while the support she got from her older brothers fueled her interest in athletics. The 1973 All Africa Games triple gold medalist recounted her sojourn into sports to The Guardian from her base in United States recently, “I grew up in Oguntolu Street in Somolu and in those days, I used to ride bicycles and took part in various sporting activities in order to be away from home. Having come from a polygamous home, sports helped me to be away from home and I enjoyed it a lot especially with my brothers. Even in my primary school, I was fond of running and jumping. Although, it was at home that I started jumping through the erection of sticks that we jumped over. I was only doing this for the fun of it because I wanted to avoid the trouble at home. In those days in Somolu, kids were fond of playing around and we were only doing this for the fun and excitement we gained from doing this. We never taught that it would take us far.” Even at elementary, Oshikoya had started competing in tournaments sponsored by 7-Up Bottling Company and most times, she was always winning prizes. “I could still remember vividly that we used to compete in an athletics competition sponsored by 7-Up and at the end of the event, we were given bottles of 7-Up and wristwatch. I used to take all these prizes home and I shared it for my family members. All

Oshikoya these were like fun to me because I never thought of taking it as a career,” she added. Getting admission to Methodist Girls High School in 1968 gave Oshikoya an ample opportunity to hone her skills in athletics with support from the school principal and coaches. ‘When I got to Methodist Girls in 1968, it was

easy for them to identify my talents because many people have known about my exploits in athletics. So for me, it was easy to make the school team. The encouragement from the school principal, Miss Walker as well as the support from our coach, Awoture Eleya really motivated most of us to excel in sports. We were

I grew up in Oguntolu Street in Somolu and in those days, I used to ride bicycles and took part in various sporting activities in order to be away from home. Having come from a polygamous home, sports helped me to be away from home and I enjoyed it a lot especially with my brothers. Even in my primary school, I was fond of running and jumping. Although, it was at home that I started jumping through the erection of sticks that we jumped over. I was only doing this for the fun of it because I wanted to avoid the trouble at home. In those days in Somolu, kids were fond of playing around and we were only doing this for the fun and excitement we gained from doing this. We never taught that it would take us far

well supported and it was in my first year in school that I made the senior team. We used to compete with schools like Queen’s College and Reagan High School. These two schools were our rivals. But I used to dump some of the athletes,” she said. The triple gold medalist for University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) at the 1982 National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) in United States won the heart of the national coaches that she got a call-up to the national camp in readiness for the 1968 Olympics in Mexico but she never made the team. Despite not making it to 1968 Mexico Olympics, Oshikoya had another chance to make the national camp in preparation for the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. “In my first year at Methodist Girls, I got a call-up to the national camp for the 1968 Mexico Olympics but I did not make the final team. Two years later I was again invited to the national camp for the 1970 Commonwealth

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

School Sports Methodist Girls to land of dreams Sports has been a great blessing to me although, I knew that I had to focus on my education because I cannot do sports forever. This is one of the things I had in mind while running. I was always thinking that one day I will quit and I cannot be a liability to people so I needed to further my studies so that I can make a living with my education and that is what I am using in U. S. now. If anybody is not thinking of going to school as an athlete, such person is just wasting his or her time because if anything happens what will such athlete does. I came to U. S. to get education and I enjoy doing sports but my education did not suffer. When you have education, you will remain relevant even after copping an injury. Sports itself is a good education for athlete because for you to be successful, you must be disciplined which we later become part of you in life Games in Edinburgh, Scotland and I made the team. This was my first international competition outside Africa. I had been representing the country in major competition within the continent and there was a great rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana. Ghana had top athletes like Anafo Afuye, who competed with most of us. In those days, wearing the colours of Nigeria was an honour and pride, which we cherished even up till today. So it was not something we took with levity as we were so cautions that we must protect the colours of our nation and this was what spurred us whenever we were on track,” she explained. For embracing sports, Oshikoya was given a cold shoulder by her parents who wanted her to focus on her studies. But when accolades and laurels started to roll in, they (parent) decided to support her. “I think one of the reasons my parents were against my taking to sports was that they felt that I would not be able to give birth. But with my performance, which they learnt about they later decided to leave me to do what I love,” she said. “Aside this, they wanted me to further my studies and for me education was very important. I used to listen to commentary on radio about the exploit of athletes like Jumoke Bodurin, Akinde and host of others and I desired to be like them. Even when I was running none of my parents watched me running but they just heard people talking about my exploits. But it was only my father that quite understand the importance of sports, so he never bother to stop me from running,” she added. However, Oshikoya had rivals like Amelia Edet in hurdles as well as Ogbodu in high jump events to compete with at national level. Explaining the extent of the rivalry, she said; “There was a keen rivalry between Amelia Edet and I in hurdles while Ogbodu was also a great rival with me in the high jump. So I had great athletes to compete with at national level and this indeed brought out the best in most of us at that time. So for any athlete to make the national team, you have to be at your best at all times because if you were dusted in any competition, your place in the national camp was not secure,” Oshikoya said. Despite being the best at Methodist Girls, Oshikoya was not getting preferential treatment from the school authority rather she was idolized by the students. “In school we were not getting any special treatment from the authority but the principal, who was an Australian ensured that we had special class whenever we were not in school and they also ensured that we do all our homeworks. The senior students loved me as a junior and most of the students wanted to be around me whenever I was in school. Also the dormitory dominated by the senior students was where I was staying as a top athlete in the school. These are some of the specials I enjoyed in school.” Fortunately for Oshikoya, she made the final list for the 1973 All Africa Games held in Lagos and this was the competition that shot her to the limelight after she clinched three gold medals. The 1973 All Africa Games brought the whole of Africa to Lagos being the second edition and the city of Lagos had never seen anything like that in terms of its size, grandeur, hoopla and costs. Traffic jam and hold-up got the better part of the Games. Bus trip from the Games Village to the National Stadium in Surulere could take 40 minutes to one hour! To prevent athletes from arriving late for their events, police escorts were provided and this exacerbate the traffic problem.

However, Oshikoya became Nigeria’s golden girl having won gold medals in the sprints and jumps while the Green Eagles won the gold medal in the football event with the contributions of Haruna Ilerika, Kenneth Olayombo, Victor Odua and a host of other talented local players. “For me it was a great moment and I will forever cherish this for the rest of my life. Having graduated from secondary school a year before the games and clinching three gold medals in 100 metre hurdles, high and long jumps was something that indeed brought me to the limelight,” she enthused. As if that was not a fluke, Oshikoya stunned the world when she jumped 6.46 metre to beat Canada’s Brenda Eisler and Wales’ Ruth MartinJones to second and third place respectively in the women’s long jump event at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand. The feat in New Zealand made Oshikoya the first Nigerian woman medalist in international athletics event. Also, the success at the 1974 Commonwealth Games earned her a Federal Government scholarship which facilitated her traveling to United States same year for her to further her studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In U.S. her talents continue to glow as she also dominated sprint and jump events at the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). Specifically, Oshikoya won gold for her school in 100 metres, hurdles and long jump. But as an America-based athlete, Oshikoya also represented Nigeria at the 1978 All Africa Games in Algiers and claimed gold medals in the high and long jumps event to add to her diadem at the games. With what is happening to the sport that aided her progress in life, Oshikoya said: “It is disappointing that nobody pays attention to school sports again in Nigeria because in those days, most of us were products of the school sports system. Unlike nowadays, where the athletes are not really picked from schools. I think there are too many politics in Nigerian sports and this has adversely affected its fortunes in recent time. While the right people are not running the sports as well. In those days we had dedicated sports administrators, who were interested in developing sports. Aside the administrators, the coaches were committed to what they were doing and there were regular competitions in schools across the country. But what do we have lately? Nothing as the only competitions we now look up is the National Sports Festival. “For me sports paved way for me in life aside the exposure I got through sports, it was through it that I was able to go to school in America and this alone has given me a lot in life. Sports has been a great blessing to me although, I knew that I had to focus on my education because I cannot do sports forever. This is one of the things I had in mind while running. I was always thinking that one day I will quit and I cannot be a liability to people so I needed to further my studies so that I can make a living with my education and that is what I am using in U. S. now. If anybody is not thinking of going to school as an athlete, such person is just wasting his or her time because if anything happens what will such athlete does. I came to U. S. to get education and I enjoy doing sports but my education did not suffer. When you have education, you will remain relevant even after copping an injury. Sports itself is a good education for athlete because for you to be successful, you must be disciplined which we later become part of you in life,” she said.

During presentation at the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 in Lagos… recently

Oshikoya

With the LOC chairman and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire at Eko 2012… recently

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

Golf Weekly

Health Minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu (left) teeing off while the Vice Chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Heinz Stockhausen (right) and another golfer wait to take their turn at the 13th Julius Berger Invitational Charity Golf Tournament at the IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja PHOTO: ENO-ABASI SUNDAY

Chigbo is new Julius Berger Cup champion, Igho, Ihonvbere also win Stories by Eno-Abasi Sunday HEN former Technical W Director of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Mr. Moses Anabui won his fifth title at the Julius Berger Charity Invitational Golf Tournament at the 11th edition of the championship and established himself as the single highest winner of the tournament, he said he does not mind stretching history as long as the opporitself. presents tunity But when he was beaten to the title at the 12th edition, he predicted that it would take an age for any player to

equal or surpass his record victories. of He was proven right when who Okatta, Emeka dethroned him last year could not defend his title at this year’s event. It was Dr. Amaechi Chigbo, who carried the day courtesy of the 35 stableford points he shot to cart home the giant trophy at the 13th edition of the event at the IBB Golf and Abuja. Club, Country While the likes of Chigbo and other participants swings, their enjoyed puttings, chippings and generally fraternised and shared banters, youths and the

downtrodden in far flung parts of the country where benefitting from proceeds tourney. the of Earlier beneficiaries of the charity tourney include the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul “Hope Centre” in Kubwa, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ School, Garam and the Daughters of Abraham Foundation, Abuja have benit. from efitted However, proceeds from last year’s event, which were doubled by the management of the sponsoring firm, went to the Abak Orphanage in Akwa Ibom

Odoh gears up for British Open qualifiers ORMER Professional FNigeria Golfers’ Association of (PGAN) Order of Merit leader, Oche Andrew Odoh said that he had stepped up preparations towards his participation in the qualifiers for the 2013 Open Championship in the United Kingdom. Odoh, who first attempted to enter for the qualifiers in 2008 but was not granted an entry visa to the country, told The Guardian in an interview, “since then, this is the first time I am trying to go that way again and I really want to be ready before putting myself forward. I strongly want to get myself in top gear before going there and not just go there to swell the ranks of Nigerians, who have played in the British Open qualifiers. Speaking on his preparations for the qualifiers, which comes up in May, he said, “so far, my practice routine has drastically changed and I am now beginning to do a lot more than I have been doing in the recent past. In other words, I have commenced a very strong regime of physical training to put myself in great

frame. I am generally working round the clock to elevate and get my game. “Next week, I will submit my entry form and wait for the organisers to send me the acknowledgement letter. Once that happens, I will commence the process of visa procurement. Fortunately, I have Mr. Olabisi J. O, who is the one supporting me and is in support of my going out there to try to qualify for the championship. “Before now, he had wanted me to try it out, so when I made mention of it to him, he was in total support of the idea. I am sure that no matter what the case is, I am going to get some level of support from him towards realising this dream. On my part, I am also doing the little I can to make it happen.” On his major focus this year, he said, “my biggest dream for now is to get into the world ranking, because it is very sad that there is no Nigerian there up till now. And I want to see that happen before this year runs out, if possible.

“However, for that to happen, you obviously have to play in some world ranking events. That means that I have to sacrifice some events here at home do some playing internationally. To realise all these does not just happen. In fact you need to work very, very hard.” Odoh added that he also plans to play a few events in the Sunshine Tour including “the Tswane Open and Telcom PGA Pro-Am, both of which offer world ranking points. I would be there for about three weeks, within which period I will also be undergoing some training programmes, working with a psychologist and swing trainer. In the events, if I can sail through the qualifiers, it will give me the opportunity of having a shot at the Rolex World Ranking system. “Locally, I will play as much tournament as I have the opportunity to play, because I will unfortunately miss some because of some international commitments for this year.”

State to give them general support for their facilities. The Yanyan Information Centre, Technology Nasarawa State also benefitted from the proceeds, which was meant to help them improve training young adults in information techskills. nology-related According to the company, the tournament, which metamorphosed into a charity event, which provides them with a veritable platform to give back to their host community through charitable donations, is a strong aspect of Julius Berger’s culture and business. Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch in his remarks was full of praise to participants saying they were very instrumental to the company’s efforts at

helping to bring joy to the downtrodden by contributing to the improvement of their health and education. According to him, “with this tournament, we bring joy and happiness to the poor. Through your donations, we support them in health and education. We are very happy to partner with you and the club to create this positive spirit. “Because of all these, we will continue to sponsor this tournament for a long time to come and we will do everything to make it better than what it is now. “At the end of the tournament, former Director Gereral of the Nigerian Television (NTA) Mr. Peter Igho won the Veterans Category. Igho, who is Director General of National Regulatory Lottery Commission, scored 35

points to beat Dr. Loveth Lawson on countback. Former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehidero finished third in this group points. 34 with In the ladies nett category (Handicap 19-36), 36 handicapper, T. Huels led the pack and was followed by H. Clients and Juliet Udoh in second and third place in that order. With 35 stableford points Grace Mrs amassed, Ihonvbere, a 14 handicapper led her peers in the Category One consisting of Handicap 0-18.A. Abimiku and Rachael Danjuma came in second and third here. In Men’s Category One (Handicap 0-12), Geoff Onyejegbu emerged winner with 38 points while Iyorchia Ayu and J. Sebhatu finished second and third respectively.

Firm introduces SNAG to Nigeria, stages free session leaders around the world as the country on Monday is LL is now set for the introA the superior method to teach conducting a train the trainduction of Starting New At golf fundamentals in a fun ers’ session for selected Golf (SNAG) programme in Nigeria. The initiative is at the instance of an indigenous firm, 2AT Limited, which has concluded plans to stage a free session for kids at the AstroTurf, Ikoyi, Lagos State. The formal introduction of the initiative, which holds tomorrow, will begin at 12 noon. According to promoters of the initiative, SNAG is the best first touch programme to effectively teach the game of golf to people of all ages and ability levels. SNAG also offers the versatility to learn and play in almost any given environment. In the last 10 years, it has built a premier learning system recognised by industry

and easy way, as it contains age appropriate equipment and programming. The programme is currently being used in the United States (The First Tee Program), Canada (Golf in Schools Programme), United Kingdom (Golf Foundation), Scotland (Club Golf), Belgium (Junior Golf Programme) and Japan (School Golf Programme) amongst other countries. It is also recognised by the sports world’s governing body, the Royal and Ancient (R&A) Club, St Andrew. One of the coordinators of the programme, Sam Emehelu in an interview with The Guardian said, “a master SNAG trainer, who arrived

Physical Education teachers and golf professionals before the open session with the public on Saturday 23rd.” He added that the exercise has the backing of the Lagos Amateur Golf Association, whose representatives are also expected to be at the event. “The main aim of the programme is to introduce our children to golf as we believe that starting children in golf at an early age, not only helps their future understanding of the game, but also encourages self-confidence, motivation and etiquette, which can impact on all areas of their life and personal development,” Emehelu added.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 22, 2013

TheGuardian

Friday, February 22, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Osagie Amusa-Eke HE year 2013 begins and nothing has changed in my beloved country. Hanging out a few days ago with a couple of friends of my generation, we couldn’t help analyzing (like most Nigerians do) that since we were been born (about 40 years ago) and have lived in this amazing country very little has changed. Apart from the fact that we now have a democratic style of government, all the problems of the country we have always known, are now firmly entrenched as a way of life: No electricity, no proper transportation system, bad roads, corruption, no rule of law, poor educational system, insecurity, poor health services etc. The list and complaints are endless. What really went wrong with this Nigeria Dream? How did this decay called corruption and ostentation become a Nigerian culture? We’ve heard numerous arguments that it was the Amalgamation of 1914, it was the first coup of 1966, it was the long years of military rule, our fathers’ generation were too greedy and so on and so forth. I remember studying Government in secondary school and reading and learning about the fight for independence by Herbert Macaulay and the likes of Zik, Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello. I wonder if these great men could have seen 50 years into the future what their reaction would have been. I always wonder why the government with so much wealth at its disposal doesn’t conduct regular quantitative or qualitative research that measures the mood of the population at every given time. I wonder in some way if this might help them be more proactive and innovative in the execution of governmental policies. Measuring the mood and spirit of a nation I believe would constantly give our leaders an idea of what policies will basically put people in a better mood and give them hope for the future (that is if the government is really sincere). At the moment I would say the mood seems to be one of hopelessness. Be it the unbelievable acts of kidnapping, the dreaded bombings of Boko Haram, the poverty in the country, the corruption level, transportation related deaths, the future just seems bleak. I come from a generation of Nigerians that grew up knowing nothing but military rule and the fear and envy of the green khaki uniform. The coming of democracy at a time we were reasonably enlightened was almost surreal because it just felt like ruling was the right of the military and they would never leave. Then came Obasanjo, a former general, a former military ruler straight out of prison and then handed the presidency. Surprisingly, those years even with all said and done about Obasanjo, were years in which there was a general mood of hope. You just felt anything was possible and you

I always wonder why the government with so much wealth at its disposal doesn’t conduct regular quantitative or qualitative research that measures the mood of the population at every given time. I wonder in some way if this might help them be more proactive and innovative in the execution of governmental policies. Measuring the mood and spirit of a nation I believe would constantly give our leaders an idea of what policies will basically put people in a better mood and give them hope for the future (that is if the government is really sincere).

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This Nigerian dream

could become anything you put your mind to. Even though that government could have done much more, for many of us we got things that before then seemed unreachable in our lives (mobile phones, banking credit, fantastic paying jobs, a local entertainment industry etc) the mood was, no need to escape from Nigeria, I have a good future here. Countless Nigerians returned home to the country after many years abroad. Many Nigerians had hoped and believed (and are still believing) that the continuation and the safeguarding of democracy and its institutions would bring even more good tidings to the people. But the mood these days is not a good sign. People are becoming more and more frustrated and desperate. Citizens don’t seem to know or understand what the plans by government are, how long will these plans take and how will they affect them. There is a disconnect between the government and the populace.

We keep on getting more bad news than good news. I personally am rooting for President Jonathan (at this point what choice is there, we voted him in). He needs to do something that will touch and affect every home in Nigeria in a positive way and he needs to do it quickly (presidential think-tank where are you?). The national mood needs to be lifted. We need to see light at the end of the tunnel, so all these years of suffering won’t be for nothing. We need to strengthen our belief that this land is ours and only on this land will we have life’s fulfilment, only on this land will our life’s hopes be achieved. Most Nigerians believe in Nigeria and want it to work. We just don’t understand why it’s so hard for our leaders to make it work. I hope the slow movement of this government is so because authentic plans are being put in place to make things work and we are not just going through another sham. It would be a disaster if at the end of this four-year term (and possibly eight years) nothing significant has

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Many Nigerians had hoped and believed (and are still believing) that the continuation and the safeguarding of democracy and its institutions would bring even more good tidings to the people. But the mood these days is not a good sign. People are becoming more and more frustrated and desperate. Citizens don’t seem to know or understand what the plans by government are, how long will these plans take and how will they affect them. There is a disconnect between the government and the populace. changed. And yes, one man (with executive powers) can make a change. This government as a very first step needs to use all the mass communication platforms at its disposal in a strategic manner to create an atmosphere of urgency towards the solving of our problems to give the people hope, because hope in itself is a sign of progress. We need to encourage original ideas that are unique to us. This is the only way we will move forward, not by always trying to copy what worked in other societies. We need to diversify from this oil economy. With our fertile lands, we need to make agriculture our lifeline. The number of youths nationwide this industry alone will employ is unimaginable. Where are our thinkers and philosophers? Are we saying we can’t come up with a system where the government and the private sector create in the next 10 years an agricultural industry that employs thousands, cultivates numerous products and has a huge international and local market? We need to start a war on public education, because without this we will just keep going round in circles. The ideas that will make us the greatest nation on earth, reside in those three year-olds in villages and towns across the country. We are now into 14 years of a PDP-led national government, and I tell our President that he has the opportunity to be the one to start our transformation, and it starts with us knowing his vision, understanding it and believing in it. He needs to sell this vision and carry everyone along (enemies inclusive). He needs to actively fight this corruption menace. Even if he can’t arrest the big men of today, he needs to put in place policies that will start to fight this menace from our homes, our schools. Change the psychology and culture of our young people. Stop this glorification of ill-gotten wealth and instead encourage and reward hard work and ideas. It is all so simple. Lead by example and the people will follow. Let not our children, 40 years from now be in the same predicament as or even worse than we are. I remember arguing strongly 20 years ago that Nigeria will be great in 20 years time. If only I too could have seen into the future. I fear the coming years as more youths enter the labour market in this age of enlightenment and are faced with the prospect of a desperate future. We have witnessed how poverty and unemployment has brought us ethnic and religious violence, fraud, kidnapping etc. As more youths become unemployed in 2013 and start searching for their various ideas of the Nigerian Dream, we wait and see what the future brings. • Amusa-Eke is a media consultant based in Lagos.