Binder1

Health workers begin indefinite strike ASUU: We won’t shift grounds –FG

ISE-OLUWA IGE AND MARCUS FATUNMOLE Chukwu

Vol. 3 N0. 691

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ealth workers will commence an indefinite strike in all Federal Governmentowned hospitals nation-

wide today.

The action follows a warning issued to the Federal Government by workCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Shekau’s death’ll weaken Boko Haram –Ex-IG Gunmen attack Kaduna police station, kill three P.2

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

PDP crisis: NEC meets, decides Tukur’s fate T

N150

OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

...five governors too

Buhari, Tinubu storm Abuja

FLOOD IN THE PHILLIPINES

he National Executive Council of the Peoples Democratic Party will tomorrow decide the fate of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, at an emergency meeting called to deliberate on the crisis rocking the party.

Apart from Tukur’s case, the meeting of the party’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Nebo

LEFT: Makeshift rafts ferrying workers through the submerged financial district in Makati City, Philippines, yesterday. TOP RIGHT: A man salvaging some of his belongings.

BELOW RIGHT: A man siting on a makeshift raft.

PHOTOS: AP

PHCN: Anxiety as only two firms may meet payment deadline P.6

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Shekau’s death’ll weaken Boko Haram –Ex-IG OMEIZA AJAYI, INUSA NDAHI, AZA MSUE, HENRY IYORKASE AND PRISCILLA DENNIS

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former InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Coomassie, yesterday said that government’s effort at tackling the menace of the Boko Haram Islamic sect has already begun to yield the desired result.

This followed claims by the military in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, that the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, may have died of injuries sustained in a duel with the Joint Task Force, JTF. Coomassie, who said this at the inauguration of the renovated Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, building complex at Area 10, Garki, Abuja, also noted that the wave of terror had subsided.

There are, however, concerns as to the veracity of claims by the JTF in Maiduguri that Shekau had died.

Although, Defence spokesman, Brig.- Gen. Chris Olukolade, did not immediately respond to media enquiries, a source close to the defunct JTF said the claim could be a ploy by the security forces to “bring out” Shekau.

The source said: “He has not been seen for quite some time after he was believed to have been fatally wounded in a gun duel with the Special Forces.

“However, it is not very

certain if he is dead but the announcement by the JTF would serve the purpose of bringing him out from his hideout, that is, if he is still alive. Naturally, he would want to react. “Even if he comes on Youtube now, the JTF can still decode whether such a message is doctored or recorded prior to his death.

“The second end that the announcement would serve is that the credit goes to the JTF if actually the man has died. Do not forget that the military has guarded this information jealously before now but the JTF decided to make the disclosure probably because it has been disbanded and their operation would now revert to the Army Headquarters”.

A security expert and former Director in the State Security Service, SSS, Mr. Mike Ejiofor, said the reported killing of Shekau could weaken the sect but that it might not signify an end to terrorism.

“The US killed Osama Bin Laden but Al Qaeda is still in existence. It is just that it is no longer as vicious and active as it used to be. It is going to be the same thing with Boko Haram.

Coomasie however urged Nigerians to assist in providing the police and other security agencies with relevant information to enable them rid the nation of terrorist elements.

“You can see that the Boko Haram menace has now subsided. The Federal

Government is now active and doing a lot of job to get rid of these people (sect members).

“With more intelligence and effective cooperation, we will return to the status quo where we lived in peaceful existence in this country.

“But it is the job of all of us, if you have information, authentic intelligence information, pass it to the police and other security agencies,’’ he said.

He also urged the government at all levels to continue to fund the police and assist it in the area of training and retraining to do their job and make the nation safe and secure.

Earlier, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, reiterated the commitment of the Force to providing an

environment conducive for effective policing.

Abubakar commended the officers and men of the force for doing their best in the current fight against crime and insecurity in the country but urged them to do more.

The Minister of Police Affairs, retired Navy Capt.

Caleb Olubolade, noted that capability to properly investigate crime was a major factor in achieving national security.

Olubolade said that proper crime investigation could result in a “safer and more secured Nigeria.”

In its reaction, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, also said that the killing of Shekau would not end the sect’s atrocities.

ACF spokesman, Mr. Anthony Sani, in a statement sent to National Mirror,

said that if the sect leader’s death had been categorically confirmed by security forces, it would ease government’s dialogue with other Boko Haram members.

ACF also said that government should learn from the death of Osama Bin Laden as activities of Al-Qaida still remained in force which forced America to close her 19 diplomatic missions in Middle East and North Africa.

The statement reads: “JTF said it thinks Sheik Shekau, bandied about as the leader of Boko Haram, has been killed. JTF was not categorical and so (it is) yet to confirm the killing. If confirmed, the death could ease the path to constructive engagement with the sect, considering the reports that Sheik Shekau has been the sand bag on

the path of the dialogue.

“This kind of response contradicts America’s claims that Al-Qaida had been weakened to the brink of defeat due to the death of Osama Bin Laden.

“So, the Federal Government should learn from that and pursue its strategy of stick and carrot. The reported death of Sheik Shekau should not bring about any complacency.”

Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, described the killing of Shekau, as a welcome development.

He said that the death of the terrorist leader could be the beginning of the end to spate of unnecessary killings in the country, even as he urged the military to ensure put a stop to terrorism in the country.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswan (2nd right); Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim (right) with members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at a meeting in Abuja on Monday night.

PDP crisis: NEC meets, decides Tukur’s fate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

highest decision making organ will also assess the success of the reconciliatory efforts by its National Working Committee, NWC, and ratify the August 31 date for its Special National Congress.

The party’s NEC held on June 20 proposed July 20 for the special congress, but the date was later moved to the 31st of this month.

President Goodluck Jonathan and governors, who are expected at the meeting, will also review recent developments in the party with a view to positioning the for the 2015 general elections.

Tukur, who may be

forced to resign his position after the meeting, has been under pressure from some PDP stakeholders, including governors, to quit and the pave way for peace in the ruling party.

The PDP national chairman has, however, declared that he will not leave, insisting that it is in the interest of President Jonathan that the party gets back on the track to peace ahead of the 2015 general elections.

In a statement he personally signed on Monday, Tukur said he was in good accord with the President and other stakeholders, blaming “some black legs in and out of the PDP” who had been funding negative media re-

ports on the activities of the party, both at the state and national levels to back the call for his removal.

The NEC meeting was confirmed in a statement by the PDP Acting National Secretary, Dr. Charles Akitoye.

Also billed to be discussed, according to the memo, is the crisis currently rocking the South-West zonal chapter of the party.

It was revealed yesterday that some members had obtained a court injunction from an Osogbo High Court in Osun State to stop the special congress scheduled to hold in the zone this weekend.

Prince Olagunsoye Oyin-

lola, the ousted National Secretary of the party, it was said, obtained the injunction restraining the PDP from conducting the South-West zonal congress on the grounds that he still had a pending matter at the Federal Court of Appeal.

The court had ruled that status quo be maintained pending the determination of the case.

Similarly, the sacked National Auditor of the party, Chief Bode Mustapha, is also challenging his removal from the party’s NWC at the Supreme Court.

He was sacked for violating the PDP’s constitution by holding the position of meant for a professional ac-

countant.

It is equally expected that the PDP’s NEC will strategise on the oncoming governorship election in Anambra and Ekiti states.

National Mirror also gathered yesterday that the plan to reposition the PDP ahead of the 2015 elections has become even important in the face of the recent registration of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. President Jonathan had been under pressure to dispense away with the services of Tukur as PDP national chairman.

The plot to sack Tukur got to a head last week when top presidential aides including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, recommended the removal of the National Chairman.

A source close to the Presidency said this development informed the convocation of an emergency NEC meeting for Thursday.

An influential member of the NEC, who is a Board of Trustees, BoT, member told National Mirror that Tukur has to go for PDP to find its bearing.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

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Photo News

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Arunma Oteh; Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, during the National Economic Management Team meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbenol (left) and Chairman, Wamakko Local Government, Sokoto State, Alhaji Ahmed Kalambaina, during the MDGs Conditional Grants Scheme in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

L-R: Operations Manager, Anglophone West Africa, MoneyGram International Plc, Mr. Kunle Olamuyiwa; Development Manager, Anglophone West Africa, MoneyGram International Plc, Mrs. Kemi Okusanya and Managing Executive, Anglophone West Africa, MoneyGram International Plc, Mr. Kofi Akyea, during the launch of MoneyGram Mobile in conjunction with e-Tranzact, held at the Ocean View Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Managing Director, BBDO Advertising Agency, Mr. Demola Olosunmade; Head, Brand Communication, Metro Taxi, Mr. Rotimi Wusu and Managing Director, Spronks Creations Ltd., Mrs. Aderonke Sobodu, at a news conference on forthcoming Nigeria International Wine and Spirits Fair in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Only 10 banks sound, says NDIC

UDO ONYEKA

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he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, has said that only ten banks operating in the country were sound as at end of last year.

The NDIC, which made this known in its 2012 annual report and statement of account released yesterday also revealed that the number of reported fraud cases increased by 43.7 per cent, from 2,352 in 2011 to 3,380.

According to the report, 10 banks were rated sound, nine satisfactory, while one bank was rated marginal, adding that the industry could be considered to be relatively stable in 2012 as there was no unsound bank in the industry as at the end of the year.

To ascertain the soundness of the banks, NDIC said it collaborated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to conduct a riskbased examination of the financial institutions.

“The NDIC, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,

...N4.5bn lost to fraud in 2012

conducted Risk-Based Examination of 16 deposit money banks, DMBs during the year. The NDIC led the examination of six of the banks, while the CBN led in 10.

“Furthermore, the two institutions conducted a maiden examination of the three banks acquired by Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, namely: Keystone Bank, Mainstreet Bank and Enterprise Bank during the year. While the CBN led the examination of Mainstreet Bank and Enterprise Bank, NDIC led the examination of Keystone Bank,” the report said.

The NDIC also said DMBs lost N4.52bn to fraud in 2012, an increase of N455m or 10.9 per cent compared with the N4.072bn loss reported in 2011.

It said DMBs reported 3,380 fraud cases involving the sum of N17.97bn with expected/contingent loss of about N4.52bn in 2012. The expected/contingent loss had increased by N455m

(10.9 per cent) as against N4.072bn reported in 2011.

The report said the banking industry was adequately capitalised in the year under review with capital adequacy ratio of 18.07 per cent compared to 17.71 per cent recorded in 2011.

“All the DMBs also met the minimum liquidity threshold of 30 per cent.

The asset quality significantly improved during the year as the ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans decreased from 4.95 per cent in 2011 to 3.51 per cent in 2012.

“The improvement in the banking industry’s asset quality was due to the purchase of the non-performing loans of DMBs by Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON and the enhanced credit risk management

by DMBs. “The overall effect was an improvement in the industry’s profit before tax, which increased from a loss of N6.71bn in 2011 to a profit of N525.34bn in

2012,” the report said.

The banking industry, the report noted, recorded significant improvement in its financial condition and performance during the year as revealed by all major financial indicators compared to the previous year, saying that the improvement reflected on the banking industry’s total assets which grew from N21.89trn in 2011 to N24.58trn in 2012, a growth of 10.91 per cent.

“Out of the total industry’s assets of N24.58trn, total loans and advances stood at N8.15trn, representing over 33 per cent (one-third of total assets).

Of the banking industry’s total loans, the sum of N4.48trn or 54.97 per cent was extended to the real sector of the economy in 2012 as against N3.88trn or 53.37 per cent and N3.51trn or 48.95 per cent in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

“Of particular note was the rising trend in the banking industry’s credits to the Agricultural Sector,

which stood at 3.60 per cent of total loans and advances in 2012 compared to 2.15 per cent and 3.11 per cent recorded in 2010 and 2011, respectively,” the report noted.

The NDIC said it paid a cumulative sum of N6.82bn to 528, 212 insured depositors of closed banks by December 31, 2012 as against N6.68bn paid to 527, 942 insured depositors as at December 31, 2011.

According to the corporation, the feat was achieved in spite of the long closure of the banks and the unwillingness of many depositors to file for their claims.

“Similarly, a total sum of N2.505bn was paid to 75,322 verified depositors of 95 out of 103 closed MFBs during the year as against the sum of N2.249bn paid to 72,062 verified depositors in 2011. Also, the sum of N73.58bn had been paid as liquidation dividend to 250,209 depositors of DMBs as at December 31, 2012.

“It is pertinent to indicate that a total of 14 out of the 34 banks-in-liquidation

prior to 2006 had declared a final dividend of 100 per cent of their total deposits, indicating that all depositors of the affected closed banks had fully recovered their deposits.

“From the foregoing, it can be observed that the Corporation continued to discharge its mandate of payment guarantee, supervision, failure resolution and liquidation in an effective and efficient manner during the year under review.

“The achievements attained in 2012 were due to many factors, which included the deployment of a robust performance management system, enhancement of the enterprise risk management system as well as enhanced capacity building in risk-based supervision, RBS, and other areas of operations, amongst others.

“In addition, the Corporation continued to partner effectively with all key stakeholders, particularly members of the Financial Services Regulation Coordinating Committee, FSRCC,” NDIC said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

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Health workers begin indefinite strike CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ers’ unions three weeks ago over unresolved crisis affecting the sector.

The workers, under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, made this known to National Mirror yesterday in a statement signed.

The statement was signed by the National President, Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, Dr. Ayuba Wabba; Secretary-General, Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Marcus Omokhuale; President, National Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, A. A. Adeniji and Acting General Secretary, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Yusuf Badmus.

The workers blamed the strike on the Minister of

Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, whom they accused of failing to implement the recent ruling of National Industrial Court, NIC, on the prolonged crises and refusing to honour a subsequent peace deal.

The workers had advised the minister “to give life to the NIC’s judgement by immediately complying with the ruling and decisions of the court within 21 days” failing which they could not guarantee industrial peace and harmony.

The unions and government had on July 16, 2012 agreed that the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, refer the conflicts to the NIC for adjudication, in pursuant of the powers conferred on him under Section 17 of the Trade Disputes Act Cap. T8 LFN 2004.

Issues brought before the court were: “Non-skipping

of Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS 10; National Health Bill; consultancy and specialist allowance and call/shift and other professional allowances.”

The Ministry of Health had allegedly written a circular, ordering reversion of non-medically qualified health professionals previously appointed as consultants and allegedly described skipping of CONHESS10 as illegal.

The court, headed by Justice B. A. Adejumo, had ruled that “the directive by the Federal Ministry of Health that non-medically qualified health professionals previously appointed as consultants be reverted immediately is invalid and hence unlawful…

“That concerning all members of JOHESU, who were appointed as consultants but whose ap-

pointments have now been reverted, the reversion of such appointments is hereby declared null and void and of no effect.”

The judges also held that “the directive by the Federal Ministry of Health that CONHESS 10 should not be skipped is declared null and void and of no effect” and that “the status quo that permitted the skipping of CONHESS 10 shall accordingly remain the norm unless it is appropriately negotiated by the parties.”

While the workers told the court that they would seek other means to pursue their disagreement with the Health Bill currently with the National Assembly, the court directed both parties to apply the clause of collective agreement reached on May 10, 2012 “to the letter”. The same applied to Administrative

Suspected pirates paraded by the Navy at Marina, Lagos yesterday.

Shekau’s death’ll weaken Boko Haram –Ex-IG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Benue State, Bishop Yiman Orkwar, said that more than 3,000 Christians and non-Christians had been killed by the sect in the last two years.

He said that the military, dispatched to keep the insurgency under watch, should ensure that the violence is totally brought under control and the sect is also eliminated to ensure that peace reigns in the country.

In Niger State, a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheik Alhassan Wasagi, said the killing of Shekau might not put an end to insurgency in parts of the country.

He noted that when a

leader of a group dies or is killed, the adherents of what the group believes in appoints another person to occupy the position and continue with their atrocities.

“To me, the death of Shekau does not mean the end of the activities of the Boko Haram in the country because we know that most times, when a leader is killed, the adherents will in turn appoint a new leader in his stead. So, in my opinion, killing him is not the end,” he said.

Wasagi said now with the death of one of the arrowheads of the sect, the Federal Government should intensify efforts to get to the root of the problem to find a lasting solution to it, adding that the killing of Shekau

could further escalate the situation, if not properly handled.

Similarly, the Niger State Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, now All Progressives Congress, APC, Umar Shuiabu, said the killing of Shekau was not a guarantee to countering the activities of the insurgents because “there are other people that will continue with it.”

He said that the Boko Haram insurgency was not about Shekau, stressing that the sect thrived because they “are being secretly sponsored by influential politicians in the country, which makes it dangerous.”

In Kaduna, heavily armed gunmen attacked a divisional police station in

Kajuru, the headquarters of Kajuru Local Government of Area of Kaduna State, killing three police officers.

A resident, who did not want his name mentioned, said the hoodlums, armed with sophisticated weapons, attacked the police station at midnight on Monday, broke into the cell, opened and freed all the suspected criminals being detained at the station.

Two of the policemen were said to have died on the spot while the third person who was among two others who sustained injuries died on the way to St. Gerald’s Hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna, for medical attention.

It was gathered that the policemen on duty at the CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

Allowance and Administrative Non-Clinical Allowance, which were part of the issues raised in the suit.

JOHESU requested, among other demands, that those earlier appointed as consultants would continue to enjoy the status with all benefits and the withdrawal of their letters of appointment was irregular, null and void.

It, therefore demanded that they should be allowed to return to their hitherto status with full pay and arrears.

JOHESU is currently seeking, among others, “the implementation of Presidential Committee Report on Harmony in the Health Sector; promotion of health professionals from CONHESS 14 to 15; request for implementation of 2008 Job Evaluation Committee Report; review of the retirement age from 60 to 65 years and reconstitution of boards of federal teaching and specialist hospitals with equitable representation of union and professional associations.”

In a related development, the Federal Government yesterday declared that it was not in a hurry to shift grounds on the face-off between it and Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. This is an indication that there might be no end in sight to the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the union.

The government had offered N30bn as “earned allowances” for the university lecturers with a proposal to release N100bn for infra-

structural development in the nation’s ivory towers.

ASUU had demanded N92bn for the payment of the contentious allowances but Minster of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, insisted last week that government could not afford to pay that much.

However, ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, said he was going to convene an executive meeting of the union, where details of the offer by government would be discussed.

But the government told ASUU yesterday that it would not increase the offer.

Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, who is heading a Needs Assessment Committee, conveyed the position of government to State House correspondents yesterday.

He said that the Federal Government would not increase the N30bn it had offered but would rather meet with the 61 universities to verify those who had earned the said allowances and discuss how to pay them with the amount on ground.

This, the governor said, was the outcome of the meeting held between himself, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala; the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqquayatu Rufai; her counterpart in Labour, Emeka Wogu; VicePresident Namadi Sambo and President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House yesterday.

PDP NEC meets, decides Tukur’s fate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Even some northern governors, especially Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Aliyu Babangida (Niger), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) have consistently demanded for Tukur’s sack for peace to reign in the party.

But Tukur has vowed not to throw in the towel. On Monday, he declared that he was not under pressure to resign.

Meanwhile, APC leaders, including Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will today storm the Federal Capital Territory for a meeting expected to chart a clear pathway towards achieving electoral success in 2015.

This is as the party has asked the Federal Government to honour its agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, in order to end the ongoing strike that has paralyzed academic activities in the nation’s public universities.

An impeccable source informed National Mirror that the meeting which is expected to hold in one of the hotels in Abuja will also attract stakeholders of the party from the states as well as intending defectors into the party.

The source said the APC leaders will make a policy statement over their determination to take over government from the ruling PDP.

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News

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

PHCN: Anxiety as only two firms meet payment deadline TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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s the deadline for the payment of the 75 per cent outstanding balance for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, by five power generation (Gencos) and 10 distribution companies (discos) expires today, only two out of the 16 preferred bidders may meet the deadline after all.

Investigation by National Mirror indicated that as at the close of business yesterday, only West Power and Gas, preferred bidders for Eko Distribution Company had fully paid the N15.7 billion being the 75 per cent outstanding payment.

Amperion Power that won the Geregu Generation Company’s bid was report-

ed to have made part payment of N5.9 billion with a promise to offset all outstanding payment before the close of work today.

A source at the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, who would not like to be mentioned in print, confirmed that other successful bidders were yesterday making frantic efforts to convince the Bureau that they will still meet today’s deadline.

The inability of most of the investors to show evidence of payment for the entities was said to be causing serious anxieties at the highest level of government even as top officials of the BPE were said to have stayed late in anticipation that new payment confirmation would be received from the bidders yesterday.

The National Council on Privatisation, NCP, and the BPE had on Monday reassured Nigerians that the power sector reform process is on course.

The Bureau in a statement said the deadline for payment of the balance of 75 per cent by the various preferred bidders remains Wednesday, August 21, 2013 as stipulated in the Request for Proposal, RFP, adding that “as at Friday, August 16, a total of 20, 304 of the 40, 000 staff of PHCN have so far been cleared and paid their severance benefits totalling N119, 176, 731,492.88k.

“The payment is being handled by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, OAGF, and commenced on Thursday, August 1, 2013.”

It will be recalled that all the preferred bidders for the 15 PHCN successor companies have earlier met the deadline for the payment of the mandatory 25 percent of the offer value of their bids as at the deadline date of March 21, 2013.

The Bureau had received $559, 445, 573.96 from 14 bidders for 15 successor companies.

Winners of the bids had last week met with the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, in Abuja where they, among other things, requested for an extension of the payment deadline and also pushed for fresh conditions for payment of the balance 75 percent of the bid sums, including that government must meet established “condition precedent.”

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Hon. Alawiye King; representative of the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye and Baale of Omole, Baale Taiwo Bakare, at the opening of the workshop for facilitators of adults and youth literacy programme organised by the Lagos State Agency for Mass Education in Lagos, yesterday.

EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

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he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has called on the Senate and the House of Representatives, to expedite action on the bill proposed by the electoral reform committee, for the establishment of an electoral offences commission.

Such initiative, INEC argued, will ensure the speedy prosecution of the numerous electoral offenders identified by the commission, to have violated extant electoral laws, during elections.

It will be recalled that the Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais panel on electoral reforms, had advocated the establishment of a special tribunal, to try electoral offences.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Shekau’s death’ll weaken Boko Haram –Ex-IG CONTINUED FROM PAGE5

time of the attack were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the attackers and had to run for dear lives.

But three of their colleagues were killed by the bullets from the sophisticated weapons of the hoodlums.

Some of the policemen were said to have disguised as the suspects in the cell by immediately pulling off their uniforms while others managed to escape to the nearby bush.

One of the residents wondered why, in spite of the numerous military checkpoints, the gunmen could attack a police station and escape without being apprehended.

The state command’s Public Relations Officer, Aminu Lawan, in a telephone interview, confirmed the attack, saying that the command was still assessing the incident and details would be made known later.

“We are still assessing the details and we will let you know when we are through.”

Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero, has condemned the attack, calling on security operatives to intensify investigation to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Yero, who visited scene of incident on Tuesday, also urged the residents of the area to be calm, assuring that the state gov-

INEC charges N’Assembly on electoral offences commission Speaking in Abuja during a workshop with youth and women groups on voters’ registration, continuous voters’ registration and the permanent voters’ cards, INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, observed that an electoral offences tribunal, will assist the commission in the prosecution of a litany of election-related offences, many of which the commission has not been able to prosecute, owing to lack of resources.

Jega further lamented the frustration faced by the commission, as some of the highly-placed offenders, obtained injunctions from courts of competent jurisdictions, to restrain the commission from initiating any trial.

He, however, expressed

optimism that this will be a thing of the past, once the bill to that effect was passed into law.

To demonstrate the seriousness the electoral umpire attaches to the pending bill, Jega said he personally got in touch with the Senate President, Mr. David Mark, as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, on the compelling need to hasten deliberations on the bill and its passage.

Meanwhile, Prof. Jega has promised to make the 2015 general elections a model, stressing that reported cases of ‘dead persons’ voting during elections, will be consigned to the dustbin of history.

To achieve this, the chief

electoral officer said; “Only legitimate holders of the permanent voters’ cards will be allowed to vote in 2015; no dead person will vote in any election again.”

Apart from the permanent voters’ cards, which he said, the commission will soon make available, Jega also said the commission “will carry out nationwide continuous voters’ registration exercise after the November 16, governorship election in Anambra State.”

It was also revealed that the commission has since ‘consolidated the voters’ registration exercise after the data clean-up and screening exercise, in order to optimise and make it more credible.”

According to Jega; “INEC would have eliminated all

multiple registrations by 2015, which will be devoid of any addendum.”

As a prelude to these measures, INEC said it has developed a five-year strategic plan, which included the ‘delimitation’ of constituencies, development of election management infrastructure, among others.

It also asserted, as part of its repositioning agenda, the use of modified voting system, introduction of new security measures for protecting voters’ identity and the development of a revised framework for collation of results and also the training and retraining of ad-hoc staff.

In a related development, Prof. Jega has cautioned politicians against using ‘war metaphors’ during election-

ernment was determined to tackle the activities of criminals in the state.

The governor also promised to settle the hospital bills of the victims being treated at the St. Gerald’s Catholic Hospital, Kaduna.

Meanwhile, the DHQ said it would prosecute arrested members of the Boko Haram sect held in various detention centres in Borno and Yobe states.

The Chairman, DHQ Joint Investigation Team, Brig.-Gen. Abdulkadir Abubakar, who disclosed this during a courtesy call on Governor Kashim Shettima at the Government House, Maiduguri, yesterday said that the arrested members of the dreaded sect would be prosecuted.

Abdulkadir said the team had classified the detainees based on their involvement in the insurgency and that their case files were being investigated to ensure justice.

He commiserated with the government and the people of the state over the colossal lost of lives and property, adding that they were mandated by the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, to do justice to all detainees through the constitutional means. Shettima commended the DHQ for constituting the team, adding that he was optimistic that the team would do justice to the detainees. eering.

This was even as he regretted that some politicians arm youths during elections, not minding whether some of them end up as drug addicts.

He said: “The attitude of leaders of parties has to be democratic; they need to have civility in the way they manage and run the parties.

“Youths are misused if not abused. This should not be allowed to happen. As youth leaders, you have a responsibility to ensure that youths and women are not used in negative ways.

“Politics is not a do or die affair. Electoral contest should not be seen as a war contest. And the bottom line is if politicians buy arms and drugs and give them to youths it will not augur well for our electoral process,” Jega reiterated.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Jonathan commissions renovated Force CID Building MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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resident Godluck Jonathan yesterday commissioned the newly renovated Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) complex at Area 10, Garki, Abuja.

Jonathan, represented

by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, said the project was significant and in furtherance of his administration’s resolve to effectively policing lives and property of all citizens across the country.

“It showcases the resolve of the government to provide an enabling environment for the security of lives and property of Nigerians and that the nec-

essary support infrastructure is also provided aimed at improving efficiency and welfare of the Police Force,” the President said.

He commended the Inspector-General of Police and his team for their efforts at repositioning the Force for greater service delivery.

Jonathan charged the Police Force on proper maintenance of the building, which he described as beautiful.

Jonathan, while reiterating the government’s support to the police, implored Nigerians to rally round the Force in their arduously task of protecting lives and property of the citizenry.

In his remarks, the Min-

ister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade, commended the IGP and his team for executing the project in record time.

He said that the building would provide the enabling environment for officers and men to carry out the task of checking crime and criminality in the society.

Earlier, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said the project was part of the police management team’s determination to provide decent and conducive environment for officers and men for effective service delivery.

The IGP, however, hailed the Federal Government’s support to the Force.

Attah, Clark’s wife, others named board chairmen OMEIZA AJAYI

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has approved the composition and appointments of the chairmen and members of the governing boards of 42 Federal Government parastatals and agencies.

The President appointed the Second Republic Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Adamu Attah, as the Chairman of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, as Chairman of the Board of

the Nigerian Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies.

Also prominent on the list is the wife of elder statesman, Dr Abisola Clark, who was appointed as the chairperson of the Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Jonathan also named former Deputy Chief of Staff to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prince Olusola Akanmode, as the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology and Senator Abubakar Girei, for the National Mathematical

Centre.

Former Minister of Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Bio, was named as the Chairman of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council.

Also appointed was Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife as the Chairman of the National Commission for Colleges of Education.

Mrs. Chioma Ohakim is to head the Board of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation while ace musician, Bongos Ikwue, was re-appointed as Board Chairman of the Nigeria Film Corporation, Jos.

EFCC grills ex-SGBN MD, Mbonu over alleged fraud OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, quizzed the former managing director of Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria, SGMB, Mr. Robert Mbonu.

The defunct bank is allegedly owned by the late Olusola Saraki family.

Operatives of the commission were said to have drilled the ex-bank chief to ascertain his level of complicity in the various financial infractions uncovered in the bank.

The ongoing interrogation, it was gathered, was related to EFCC’s interrogation of former Kwara State governor, Dr Bukola Saraki.

The anti-graft body had last week, questioned

Saraki over the handling of Kwara resources when he held sway as governor and his tenure as executive director at SGBN. Saraki, a serving senator, representing Kwara Central, is currently on administrative bail and is in the United Kingdom on medical-related issues.

Impeccable sources at the commission told or correspondent that Mbonu’s investigation bordered on one core area; that NGS Securities Limited, one of the companies allegedly linked to Saraki, used funds from SGBN to purchase shares at the Southern Sun Hotels, formerly Ikoyi Hotels in Lagos.

Another petition which is being used as parts of the interrogation and investigation was reportedly submitted by Sayyu Dantata, a businessman and relative

of Aliko Dangote.

He had alleged that a special deposit of $11 million, which he made at the bank was shared between Saraki and Mbonu during the time they held various positions at SGBN. It was also gathered that many employees of the defunct bank, who allegedly participated in the fraud had been invited by the commission as parts of the ongoing investigations.

The EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uhujaren confirmed that the commission was investigating the matter and that some staff of the defunct bank had been interrogated.

“I don’t really have an update about what transpired. The much I have is that some staffers of SGBN were at the commission’s office today (yesterday).”

NATIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION, THE PRESIDENCY FEDERAL SECRETARIAT PHASE 1, SHEHU SHAGARI WAY, ABUJA

INVITATION TO TENDER 1.0

INTRODUCTION:

Following the performance Review of Nigerian Athletes in the 2012 Olympic Games and sequel to the Hon. Minister/Chairman National Sports Commission's understudy of some Performing Countries' preparations for Sporting events, the National Sports Commission has considered the compelling need for establishment of High Performance Centre in Abuja with a view to providing conducive platform for preparation of Athletes for sundry Sporting events in order to enhance the Country's quest for harnessing laurels in International Sporting competitions. Consequently, and in line with requirements of the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Commission hereby invites interested and reputable Contractors and Companies with requisite competences to tender for the following Works and Goods for establishment of Human Performance Centre in the National Stadium Abuja, under the 2013 Capital Supplementation Budget: 1.1 · Lot 1. · Lot 2. · Lot 3

Works and Goods: Construction of Athletes Hostel and External Works at Abuja; Construction of Kitchen and Restaurant at Abuja; Supply and Installation of Rehabilitation, Strengthening and Conditioning Equipments to the proposed Human Performance Centre at the National Stadium, Abuja; · Lot 4. Supply and Installation of Performance Gymnasium Equipment to the Proposed Human Performance Centre at the National Stadium, Abuja; · Lot 5. Supply and Installation of Laboratory Testing, Field Testing, Performance Analysis and other related Equipment to the proposed Human Development Centre at the National Stadium, Abuja; 2.0 REQUIREMENTS: 2.1 Interested Firms or Contractors are expected to be Technically and Financially competent and must present proof of the following mandatory requirements: i.

Registration with Corporate Affairs Commission; ii.

Registration of VAT and evidence of Remittance; iii.

Last three (3) Years (2010, 2011 and 2012) Tax Clearance Certificate; iv.

Compliance with PENCOM and evidence of Remittance in respect of Staff contribution; and v.

Evidence of compliance with ITF contribution.

2.2 I. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.

Other requirements to be submitted are as follows: Evidence of previous experience in execution of similar Projects with copies of letters of awards and completion Certificates; Evidence of Financial Capability such as recent Bank Statement and/or Credit Lines from Banks and not letter of introduction.; Evidence of Acquisition/Lease of Equipment relevant to job execution; and Evidence of adequacy of Personnel (with details of qualification of key personnel) to execute the project; Registration with relevant professional bodies with cognate experience; and Evidence of competences in setting up Sports Science and High Human Performance Equipment.

3.0 METHOD OF APPLICATION: 3.1 Interested Bidders are required to collect tender documents from the Office of the Deputy st Director (Procurement) National Sports Commission, on 1 Floor Room 3A 1.56 Federal Secretariat, Phase I, Abuja, upon presentation of evidence of payment (Treasury Receipt) of Tender Fee of Thirty Thousand Naira (N30,000.00) only, per Lot in favour of National Sports Commission, either in Bank Draft or into the Commission's Account Number as follows: Account Name Account No. Bank Branch

: : : :

NATIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION 0023905565 GT Bank Wuse II, Abuja.

4. 0 SUBMISSION AND OPENING OF TENDERS: 4.1 The completed Tenders are to be packaged separately for both Technical and Financial Bids in three (3) copies each i.e. (1) original and two(2) copies in sealed envelopes clearly marked either Technical Tender or Financial Tender and both sealed in a third envelope marked with the appropriate Project Title, Lot Number and Company Name at the top right hand corner; addressed to the Secretary, Ministerial Tenders Board, National Sports Commission, Federal Secretariat, Phase I, Abuja and deposited in designated Boxes in the Minister's Conference Room of the Commission, on the First Floor, Federal Secretariat, Abuja, not later than 12.00 noon th on Tuesday 17 September, 2013. Late submission will not be accepted.

4.2 All Bidders should note that all Tenders will be opened immediately after close of Tender th submission deadline at 12.00 noon on Tuesday 17 September, 2013 in the Minister's Conference Room on the First Floor at the National Sports Commission Headquarters. Please note that only Technically qualified companies from shall be considered for Financial Evaluation. All Bidders and interested Civil Society Organizations are also hereby invited to witness the Tender Opening Exercise as stated above.

Signed MANAGEMENT

7

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Deji of Akure arrives, dismisses death rumour OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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he Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida, yesterday arrived in the country after a visit to the United States. He immediately dismissed the death rumour that had been peddled about him while he was away.

He said such wicked rumour was the handiwork of his adversaries.

The Deji, who arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos at about 2.30pm in company of his Olori, Dr. Mojisola Adesida and his cousin, Dr. Lanre Adegoke, said he was hale and hearty.

Speaking to airport correspondents later, the Deji said he would continue to work for the development of Ondo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

He said it was while he was in Houston, Texas, for the inauguration of the Akure Oloye Mekun chapter in Texas that the rumour started.

He said he received calls from the Governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other prominent sons and daughters of the state and beyond.

He said: “There was a death rumour about me,

but principally, I travelled abroad for the inauguration of the Akure Oloye Mekun chapter in Atlanta and we had another one on August 17, in Houston, Texas. It was in Houston, Texas that the rumour about my death first emanated.

“However, before departing the shores of this country, I informed all the relevant people and the governor of the state as protocol demands. But sur-

prisingly, I received calls from lots of people including the governor and Chief Obasanjo that I have passed on in the United States.

“It’s unfortunate that in this part of the world, we think of death for other people. It is a bad culture, but when there is a rumour of death of a living being, it simply indicates that the person will live longer. So, I will live long.”

Also speaking, his cous-

Task force impounds cash-laden bullion van MURITALA AYINLA

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L-R: Members of the Ogun State Elders’ Consultative Forum, Chief G. O. K. Ajayi; Olola Olabode Ogunlana; Ayora Kuforiji-Olubi; Prince Bola Ajibola; Olowu of Owu-ijebu, Oba Segun Adesina; Prince Tola Sofinwa and Onigura of Igura, Oba M. A. Dosunmu, at a special plenary session in Abeokuta, yesterday.

We’ll provide food for the South-West –Aregbesola ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said the state will provide food for the South-West states and capture a sizable chunk of the N3 billion daily food market in Lagos State.

The governor said with more than 60 tourism sites in the state, his government is poised to provide food for the South-West states.

Governor Aregbesola said this while delivering his address at a Trade, Investment and Culture Conference at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo. He said in his two and a half years in office, his administration has done its best to promote the tradition and culture of the Yoruba.

“Our goal therefore is to provide food for the South-West and capture a sizable chunk of the N3 billion daily food market in Lagos. By a stroke of fortune, our natural en-

in, Dr. Lanre Adegoke, advised rumour mongers to desist from the act and think of how they can develop the state in particular and Nigeria in general.

“He was invited abroad and I accompanied him.

When we were there, there was a rumour that he was dead, but like he said, traditionally, you want to prolong his life. He’s not dead, but you can’t be in a position of leadership without detractors.”

dowment also includes solid minerals, especially gold.

“In our development drive, we have focused mainly on four key areas.

These are culture and tourism, agriculture, information technology and solid minerals. We assure you that the South-West states will rely on us for their needs very soon.

“Osun is indisputably the custodian of the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, who are mainly domiciled in and originated from the South-West of the country.

“Ile-Ife, which is in this state and just about 30 minutes drive from this podium, is the cradle of Yoruba culture and civilization,” the governor told investors and others in the gathering.

He also added that Osun occupies a central place in Nigeria’s cultural tourism map, stressing that besides Ife, there are numerous other centres of cultural and tourism significance across the state.

“We have gold deposits in commercial quantity in many parts of the state that are waiting to be fully exploited. It is our goal to develop this in partnership with willing and capable partners,” the governor said.

He added that his administration will ensure that

the interactive platform will be a continuous one to demonstrate the seriousness of its commitment to the path it has chosen.

“It is my wish that the objectives of organising this conference will be realised and our efforts will ultimately benefit of all of

he Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences yesterday arrested the driver of a police registered bullion van loaded with cash, for violating the state’s traffic laws.

Although, the arrested driver claimed he heard sound of gunshot before violating the traffic law, the taskforce debunked the claim, insisting that there was no gunshot in the area when he drove against the traffic.

One of the police officers escorting the bullion van with registration number: PF 4582 SPY was also apprehended in the process.

Speaking with National Mirror, the Taskforce Chairman, Mr. Bayo Sulaiman, who led the team, said the driver was caught driving against the traffic around 12.00 noon on ACME Road, Ikeja.

Sulaiman added that the team had gone out on a normal routine operation to look for defiant commercial motorcyclists and reckless drivers.

He said: “There was no gun shot at all. I was part of the patrol team. Where did he hear the gun shot, vehicles were moving on that road, there was no pandemonium, it was just an excuse.

“He had no reason to have done that because the road was free. So, we tried to stop him but he sped away.

We chased him for several minutes, and succeeded in blocking his course.

“He attempted to hit me and some of my men, but at last, we were able to arrest him and the police escort, while we seized the bullion van with the cash and moved it to our premises in Alausa.

The taskforce boss said the police, like any other citizen are not above the law, adding that some innocent citizens had been killed by reckless bullion van drivers in the past.

Sulaiman said the driver, who was moving cash from an undisclosed bank at the time of his arrest had been charged to court while the officer had been handed over to police authorities for disciplinary action.

Ajimobi to review medical officers’ salaries

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yo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has pledged his administration’s readiness to review the salaries of medical and dental officers serving with the state government to reflect the prevailing economic situation in the country.

He made the pledge in Ibadan yesterday while receiving executive members of the Association of Medical and Dental Officers of Oyo State during a courtesy call on him in his office.

Governor Ajimobi also reiterated the commitment of his government to promote healthcare delivery through the provision of necessary medical

equipment to hospitals and giving adequate encouragement to medical personnel in the state.

He commended the association for supporting the government in its development programmes which he attributed to the peace and progress being witnessed in various parts of the state. He urged the association to come up with ideas that would bring further improvement to the healthcare delivery system in the state.

The governor said his administration would not relent in its efforts to better the lots of the people of the state, calling on all well-meaning Nigerians

to partner with the government, especially in the provision of basic health services as government alone cannot do all.

Earlier in his remark, Chairman of the association, Dr. Fola Oni, had commended the Ajimobi administration for improving the health status of the people of the state through improved environmental sanitation and effective waste disposal system.

Oni also called for the review of the edict establishing the state Hospitals Management Board, so as to create semi-autonomy for state-owned hospitals and to allow the board to play only administrative

roles in the health sector.

He also called for the review of the salaries of medical personnel in the state.

Meanwhile, the state government yesterday alleged that the barrier over the Mokola Flyover Bridge in the city has been pulled down.

It was destroyed by a truck which hit the barrier at about 2.30pm yesterday.

The driver of the truck has been arrested and is helping the police in their investigation, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Mr. Kayode Adepoju.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

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NDDC: Jonathan worried over conflicting Ondo, PDP nominees OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

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resident Goodluck Jonathan is worried following the two different lists of nominees submitted to his office by the Ondo State government and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for appointments into the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

It was learnt that while the state government recommended the current state representative on the board, Dele Omogbemi Citizen, Mr. Tomiwa Jayeola and the former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Chairman in Okitipupa zone, Amuwa Benson, PDP sent

the names of a former member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Otito Atikase, Dr Banji Ajaka and former member of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Yinka Orokoto.

Government was also said to have recommended a retired Director in NDDC, who was President Jonathan’s colleague in the defunct OMPADEC, for the position of Executive Director Projects (EDP).

PDP, in a letter signed by its state chairman, Ebenezer Alabi, recommended Ade Orisamoluwa for the Executive Director Finance and Administration (EDFA)

position.

However, an impeccable source said that whoever would be considered for the EDFA position must be a technocrat, preferably somebody who has vast experience in financial management.

Already, Ondo and Bayelsa states are desperately battling for the EDP, a position that is being keenly contested for by a cousin of former Bayelsa State Governor, Dipreye Alameyesagha.

The calculation of President Jonathan, it was gathered, is to pacify the loser state with the EDFA position and in anticipation of this, PDP is now pushing for the EDFA position as an alternative.

MURIC to Nigerians: Don’t trust FG AISHA TITILAYO

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he Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked Nigerians and the international community not to trust the Federal Government.

MURIC spoke following a statement by the Federal Government last weekend that it would hand over Boko Haram suspects to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, Netherlands, for prosecution.

In a press release signed by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC repeated its condemnation of all forms of violence and terrorism ravaging some parts of the country, adding that it took the Federal Government’s statement with a pinch of salt.

MURIC said: “The Federal Government, in the same statement, contra-

dicted itself by adding that the amnesty committee set up by it was on course. The Federal Government appears to be enjoying a prolonged game of paradox.

“The citizens are being deceived. From all indications, the Federal Government’s amnesty committee appears to have been sent ab initio on a wild goose chase. A minister recently threatened to make life difficult for a state governor and Federal Governor kept mute.

“All the five evils mentioned by Chamberlain, namely, ‘brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution’ have manifested in this administration.”

MURIC also flayed the Federal Government for reneging on an agreement it entered freely into with the Academic Staff Union of Universi-

ties (ASUU).

The group said: “The nation’s universities have been shut down for two months now and the Federal Government is not bothered.

“The Federal Government is simply saving tax-payers’ money for the 2015 campaign. The retention of power is more paramount to this regime than the future of Nigerian youths.

“We are not convinced that the Federal Government is interested in the development of education in this country. How many of those in the corridors of power have children or wards in Nigerian universities? The future of thousands of Nigerian youths hangs in the balance as the Federal Government dillydallies. The Federal Government should therefore listen to ASUU and fulfill its agreements.”

Fayemi spending N20bn bond on frivolities –Olubolade ABIODUN NEJO ADO-EKITI

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olice Affairs Minister Caleb Olubolade has described the N20 billion bond sourced by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi as an unnecessary burden.

Olubolade, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the state, expressed worry that Fayemi’s administration was spending the money on

projects that did not boost the state revenue.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Taiwo Olatunji, the minister said: “It is unfortunate that Ekiti State now has unnecessary debt burden of N20 billion for projects that do not yield revenues for the government.

“A serious-minded administration that plans well does not need to borrow any heavy loan just to rehabilitate township roads only in the state capital.”

Olubolade, however, promised that if elected governor, he would not borrow money to execute projects.

According to him, he joined the governorship race to ensure that the PDP did not only have a candidate, but win the 2014 governorship election.

The minister said his ambition was not to prevent any section of the state from occupying the governorship seat in 2014, but to ensure that PDP wins the election.

L-R: Art Director, Moka Art Gallery and House of Culture, United States, Mrs Charlotte Ka; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Vice-President, National Center for Arts and Technology, Maria Anderson; Iyaloja, Mrs. Awawu Asindemade and Twins Brothers Cultural Experts, during the opening of the Osun Trade Investment and Culture Conference in commemoration of Osun Osogbo festival in Osogbo, yesterday.

Niger Delta group asks Mimiko to account for oil funds OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

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group, the Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM), has called on Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko to explain how the 40 per cent of the oil derivation meant for the development of oil producing communities in the state were spent since the inception of his

administration in 2009.

The group said the Ondo State Oil producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), which was established as an interventionist agency to cater for the people, had derailed in its responsibilities The NDYM, which decried the alleged sack of some workers in Ilaje and Ese-Odo local govern-

ment areas, attributed the poor status of the state’s economy to the governor’s failure to patronise indigenous contractors for projects’ execution.

A statement signed by the NDYM President, Mr. Meduoye Asiki, and the Secretary, Kpilipoh Akpo Eddy, alleged that Mimiko’s administration had failed to implement life-impacting policies.

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South East

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Guber race: ‘Imposition of candidate will be counterproductive’ OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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head of this weekend’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primaries in the Anambra State governorship election, one of the two female aspirants, Agape Ifunanyachukwu Dike-Kramer, has said that the imposition of a candidate in the primaries will be counter-productive.

The aspirant, who said that the imposition of candidates is usually the basis of discontent in political parties, particularly, the

PDP, insisted that any imposition will be counterproductive and could cost the party the governorship election.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Dike-Kramer said; “All the aspirants have met and agreed that the process of selecting the party’s candidate for the election must be free, fair and above all, democratic.

“We have all promised to abide by the outcome of the party primaries and we are committed to the pledges made. I have no reason to doubt the integrity of the other contestants; they are

all men and women of integrity.

“We have as a party gone beyond the divisive attitudes of the past that have been pulling us back; we are united and prepared to go to the election with a united house. You will see what will happen in November.

“Everyone who participates in the contest for the PDP ticket will work together with the eventual winner of the ticket to ensure that PDP wins the election proper. This I can assure you will be our lot.”

The aspirant said the All

Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, does not stand a chance in the forthcoming election because they have failed the state.

“I don’t think APGA has done well enough to be allowed to continue in power in Anambra State. I say this with all conviction.

“When you compare the resources available to the state under the APGA government to what other past governments in the state had access to, and you put it side by side with the success recorded by the different governments, you will agree with me that APGA

has not done well in this state.

“If what APGA has done can be called achievement, then, I want to say that there is a party that can perform much better, and that party is the PDP. “I want to let you know that on issues like education, security, social welfare, job creation, health and the like, Anambra State has not reached the promised land. We are even yet to start the journey to the promised land.

“We are also interested in developing other sectors like sport, film production

and the rest as we have talents in Anambra State that are idling away. Sport is a veritable avenue to take away youths from crime and this we shall explore and make use of adequately.

“In PDP, we have discovered what our challenges are and we have done our home work to correct the challenges. As long as the processes through which our candidate emerges are clear and transparent, we have no problem in Anambra and I can tell you that I am set to emerge as the party’s candidate through a transparent process.”

Police arrest alleged notorious kidnapper

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L-R: Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu and National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, during a visit to the Governor’s Lodge, yesterday.

Orji decries misuse of higher institutions’ subventions

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bia State governor, Theodore Orji, yesterday decried the misuse of monthly subventions by the management of state-owned higher institutions at the detriment of the workers.

Orji made the remarks at the inauguration of the members of the Governing Boards of the Abia Polytechnic, Aba; College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu and the Glass Industry, Aba. He expressed worry that the management of most of the institutions preferred to build high-rise buildings as against the prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

“We have teething problems in Abia Polytechnic and the College of Education, because when government gives subvention they use it to build sky-scrappers rather than pay salaries.

“And say government has not given us subvention.

“It is the name of the government and that of the governor that are dragged in the mud, when salaries are not paid,” he said.

The governor, therefore, charged the management of the institutions to make workers’ salary a priority.

He noted that subventions were adequate enough to pay salaries, adding that the internally- generated revenue of the institutions was substantial to make them viable.

Orji charged the reconstituted boards to use their appointment to re-engineer the institutions by initiating actions that could transform them.

“You should go there and re-engineer the place and not go there to kill it,” he said.

nugu State police command yesterday said it has arrested a notorious kidnapper that has been on their wanted list for long.

Spokesman of the command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who did not name the suspect in a statement in Enugu, said he operated within the command and its environs.

He said the kidnapper was arrested by the antikidnap unit of the command around Ozalla in the Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesman said the suspect engaged the police in a gun duel before he finally surrendered to the superior power of the police.

He said the suspect had been on the wanted list of the command for a long time over series of kidnap cases.

Amaraizu said he was recently declared wanted for his involvement in the kidnap of a victim identified as Faith Omoboriowo at Nru village in Nsukka.

In another development, the police said a plumber whose identity was yet to be ascertained, reportedly fell into a soak-away pit.

The plumber fell into the pit when he went to work at the premises of Enugu North Mass Transit Park on August 16.

The police said the incident took place as the victim opened the slab to peep into the pit.

APC flays voters’ review exercise in Anambra CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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he Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday flayed the ongoing voters’ review exercise and registration in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had on Monday com-

menced the review of the voters’ register in the state.

The body said the exercise is geared towards conducting a smooth gubernatorial election on November 16, 2013.

However, the APC said the exercise is being tainted by lack of security and shortage of registration materials, as well as key personnel and computers

in key polling units in Nkpor, Obosi and other communities.

In a statement issued yesterday on behalf of the APC, the Publicity Secretary of the defunct ACN, Okelo Madukife, said reports reaching them shows that while the exercise was smooth in some places, others recorded some problems.

Ebonyi swears in two new judges ALIUNA GODWIN EBONYI

E

bonyi State government yesterday in Abakaliki, the state capital, said it has sworn in two new judges for the state Customary Court of Appeal, they are Justice Friday Ogbonnaya Ibiam and Justice Omaka Elekwe.

At the swearing in cer-

emony, Governor Martin Elechi, charged them to observe the rules of their office, since according to him, their elevation was a difficult assignment and calling, but that the job has to be done, adding that if Christ did not accept His cross, there would have been no salvation for mankind.

The ceremony, which took place at the Execu-

tive Chambers of the Government House, Abakaliki, witnessed the presence of all brother judges and other stakeholders in the state.

Governor Elechi said the judiciary is growing and expanding, but they should be careful so that it does not expand exponentially in order to maintain the dignity of that arm of government.

The APC identified the areas so far affected to include Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ogbaru and Idemili North Local Government Areas.

APC said: “Details before us indicate that pages of INEC papers were torn off by unknown persons in Ogidi. This was easy because these booths were unmanned by INEC up till 12.00 noon in some places, leading to people acting without direction.

“INEC machines and computers sent to Nkpor and Obosi were dysfunctional, leading to prospective voters coming to the centres and returning home without accomplishing their mission.

“Reports reaching us also indicate that only one machine a piece was provided to cover each of those densely populated areas of the state.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

11

PPMC, WRPC on warpath over sale of petroleum product SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

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he managements of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) are on war path over sale of a petroleum product.

National Mirror gathered that the management of PPMC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian

National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), had dragged WRPC, another subsidiary, before the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke and the Corporation’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Andy Yakubu.

It was learnt that the PPMC’s management accused WRPC of usurping of its exclusive function as the authorised marketer of petroleum products as enshrined in the law which created the

agency in March, 1988.

Investigation revealed that the PPMC was protesting direct sale of a by-product of crude oil known as Naphta by the management of WRPC led

by Mr. Paul Obelley.

Naphta, as a by-product of crude oil, is produced by one of the major unit of WRPC, Topping Unit (TU), as a feedstock for another strategic unit, Reforming Unit (RU).

The investigation showed that the shutdown of WRPC, especially the RU, created haulage bottleneck for Naphta at the refining complex.

It was gathered that Obelley, who could not put the refinery on the path of steady production, opted to directly sell Naphta to the public without recourse to the management of PPMC, which was statutorily allowed by law to distribute and market petroleum products.

With the daily sale of Naphta, millions of naira

Suspects arrested by the National Task Force at Igbanke being paraded for illegal trading of fire arms and ammunition in Delta State, yesterday.

Money laundering: Kinsmen blast A’Ibom LG boss TONY ANICHEBE

UYO

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insmen have described the arrest of Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State by the security agent in the United States as an embarrassment to Nigeria.

The local government chairman, Mr. Nse Ntuen, was on Sunday arrested for alleged money laundering in the United States.

The kinsmen, who spoke to National Mirror on condition of anonymity, lamented that though huge millions of naira accrued to the local government monthly, there was no tangible project executed or youth empowerment project initiated by Ntuen to justify the existence of the council.

The Maryland State Police Department on Sunday morning confirmed the arrest of Mr. Ntuen for smuggling $82, 000 into the United States without declaring it with the Customs officials both in Nigeria and the US. Ntuen was arrested at the BWI International

Airport in Baltimore.

An official of the Maryland State Police Department at the airport said the suspect only declared $5,000 when he got to the airport, adding that it was further security checks that indicated that he was still having some bundles of US dollars in his bag.

Ntuen was held for over five hours and was later released after the $82, 000 he admitted to have smuggled into the country was confiscated by the police.

A United States-based Akwa Ibom indigene, Adede Steven, said: “I witnessed how this event unfolded. The the gentleman was arrested at the airport for not declaring the excess money.

“He probably post a bailer, surrendered his passport to the prosecuting attorney.

No one is accusing him of anything yet. You have to understand the United States jurisprudence. Everyone is accorded equal protection under our law.

“This is not Nigeria where the innocence is thrown in prison while people like the accused gentle

man go free. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“The custom and immigration will have to proof in court that the gentleman broke the law. If he is smart, he better hire our very own attorney at law Mr. Hope Umana, to defend him.

“If he pleads guilty, that will save the state more embarrassment and media frenzy. One would have expected that Nigerian politicians will learn a lesson or two from previous criminals caught in Western airports.

“Nigerians will never learn to obey the law as stated. Looting Akwa Ibom treasury is not the problem for them, but being so arrogant leaves not much to write home about. I belief the governor should spare himself further embarrassment.

“If you travel to the United States, you will be given a form issued by the US Customs and Border Control. The forms will ask you to list all items you are bringing into the US, whether foodstuffs or clothing. In addition, you will be asked to declare any amount of money you have

above $10, 0000 on the form.

“The instructions clearly states that if you underdeclare, the excess amount would be forfeited from you.

These forms are usually given to you on board the airplane, about two hours before you land at the airport.”

A councillor in Essien Udim Local Government Area, who did not want his name mentioned, also flayed Ntuen for the alleged offence.

was being raked in by the management of the refinery.

It was learnt that besides the usurpation of its functions, the management of PPMC raised concern over transparency and accountability in the sale of the petroleum product by the refinery.

Investigation showed that the PPMC was further worried that the refinery solely determined the quantity of the Naphta produced and sold to the public.

Reliable sources in PPMC corporate headquarters in Abuja expressed concern that the proceeds of the unauthorised sale were being pocketed by some members of the management team of the refinery.

One of our sources told National Mirror that Obelley rebuffed complaint by the PPMC over the alleged sale of the petroleum product.

It was gathered that the outcome of the findings by the Managing Director of PPMC, Mr. Haruna Momoh, that the action of the Obelley-led management did not enjoy the blessing of the corporate headquarters of NNPC and Ministry of Petroleum Resources, apparently compelled him to seek the intervention of the minister and NNPC’s GMD. Further enquiries by National Mirror at PPMC’s headquarters in Abuja revealed that Momoh pleaded with Alison-Madueke and Yakubu to call Obelley to order by directing him to revert to the sale of the petroleum product to PPMC as stipulated by law.

A source, who did not want his name mentioned, said: “The management of PPMC was irked that the Warri Refinery embarked

on secret sale of Naphta under the guise that there was an haulage problem at the refinery because the Reforming Unit which is supposed to use the by-product of the Topping Unit is in bad shape.

“It is not the duty of Warri Refinery to sell petroleum products but that of the PPMC. The refinery is supposed to produce petroleum products and release them to the PPMC for distribution and sale as allowed by the law. Despite persistent complaints by the management of PPMC, the management of the refinery was adamant as it continues to sell Naphta within its premises.

“The management determines the quantity that it produced and sold out within its premises.

The business is shrouded in secrecy and how can anyone operate government business in secret?

It is a racket and since the management of WRPC was adamant, the PPMC had formally reported the matter to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke and NNPC’s GMD, Mr. Andy Yakubu.

“The response of the minister and the GMD will confirm the veracity of the insinuation in certain quarters that the shady deal enjoyed the support of some senior management workers in the NNPC.” Neither Obelley nor Momoh could be reached for their reaction to the report at the time of filing this report yesterday. Officials of the WRPC Public Affairs Department referred our correspondent to their superiors for comment.

Group denies seeking envoy’s recall TONY ANICHEBE UYO

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orried by a publication by an unknown group of alleged plan to recall the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Alhaji Ahmed Abdullahi Mallammadori, the Nigerian community in the country has cleared air on the matter.

Speaking yesterday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the President of the Nigerian in Diaspora Europe, Turkey chapter, Dr. Eno Wilson Udomisoh, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to dis-

regard the publication and attributed the call to those he described as disgruntled illegal immigrants.

Udomisoh, who doubled as President of the Nigerian Community in Turkey (NICOT), said the group had sent letters to all Nigerian Missions intimating them to ignore the publication.

According to him, the matter was already being properly handled by the appropriate body involving all Nigerians doing legitimate businesses in Turkey, adding that several queries had been issued to the illegal faction

that is laying claim to the leadership of the Nigerian community in Turkey.

He said the faction based in Istanbul had been warned through several letters by the Nigerian Community in Turkey/ the Nigerian in Diaspora Europe (NICOT\NIDOE) to stop parading itself as the authentic Nigerian voice in the country.

Expressing confidence in the leadership of the Nigerian envoy, Udomisoh urged the Federal Government to trust Mallammadori’s ability to effective represent Nigeria’s interest and its nationals.

12

North

WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

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overnor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State yesterday read a fresh riot act to students involved in cultism.

Speaking at the opening of the 2013 Conference of the Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology (COHEADS) in Ilorin, Ahmed expressed worry over cultism tertiary institutions’ campuses.

The governor said: “The will no longer be a

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ahmed to students: No hiding place for secret cult members hiding place for anyone involved in cultism in tertiary institutions in the state.

“I swear, if we catch you, I swear by heaven, we will deal with you decisively. There is no hiding place, except you act alone. If you are two, we will catch you. So, I urge you to be responsible because the country needs you “We have zero tolerance to cultism here. It does not pay anyone be-

cause it brings nothing, but sadness. It is an escapist means to meet up with society.

“Only those who are mentally weak involve in cultism. I was a student here, so we have seen it all. So, don’t allow anyone to lure you into it. We thank God some of them have renounced the act.”

He said the dream of making Nigeria a better place could be attainable by students and other stakeholders, advising the

youth to be focused, responsible and desist from cultism.

Ahmed urged members of COHEADS to focus on finding solutions to the critical problems of middle level manpower deficit confronting the nation, especially as it affects the nation’s education system.

The governor said: “Today, our labour markets are sadly saturated with unemployable graduates, youths who cannot clearly

express themselves, not to talk of possessing the required skills for selfemployment.

“As Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology, who determine the direction of our technological development, there is the need for you to refocus attention on quality education and business skills in order to prepare our youths for successful entrepreneurship on graduation.”

He, however, said that

his administration had created the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to oversee the development of vocational education.

Welcoming the COHEADS members, Rector of Kwara Polytechnic, Mr. Mashud Elelu, said his four year old administration had attuned itself to the demands of the school’s community, the host communities and given learning a new phase.

Court orders IGP to release three detainees

A

n Abuja High Court yesterday ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police to grant bail to three men who have been in detention for the past 11 months.

The three men - Solomon Adole, Sunday Jerome and Christopher Vincent - are Makurdibased businessmen.

Justice Jude Okeke gave the order after hearing an application filed by the business men’s counsel, Mr Diskson Omaiye, urging the enforcement of their fundamental human rights.

Okeke also held that the detention of the three without being charged by the police was unconstitutional.

He adjourned the matter till September 2, 2013 to deliver judgement in the suit for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights.

Earlier, Omaiye told the court that he had served the court processes on the two respon-

AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

N

igeria is endowed with a large expanse of arable land, particularly in the North, that has over the years proved a vital resource for agricultural production and other economic activities.

However, a lot of damage has been done to the country’s land through deforestation, which is contributing immensely to desertification. This occurs in the form of tree felling for

dents, but they were not in court and had yet to reply to any court process.

Omaiye is praying the court for an order that the continuous detention of the applicants without a formal charge for 11 months violates Section 35 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He also wants the court to declare that the arrest and detention of the applicants by the respondents without trial for 11 months is unconstitutional.

EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

A

s the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) bites harder, Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu and Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufai, have underscored the importance of university education in nation building.

Both Aliyu and Rufai spoke yesterday during the

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwabiala; Niger State Governor Babagida Aliyu and representative of the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Mr. Akinbola Agboaye, at the 3rd African Expertise Meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

‘Varsity education relevant to nation’s development’ 3rd African Regional Centre of Expertise meeting in Abuja.

Aliyu specifically called on state and federal governments to subsidise university education, saying the initiative would contribute to the development of tertiary education in the country.

He said: “People must depend on universities for knowledge; the days of universities cocooning themselves are over”.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Musa Ibeto, said that the nation’s endowment wealth in human and natural resources could afford free education for its citizens, at primary and secondary levels.

Aliyu said: “If the first phases are made free, tertiary education can be subsidised. Nigeria can afford to give free education at elementary and secondary levels and subsidise educa-

Why tree planting is necessary –Kwankwaso energy, bush burning and overgrasing by herdsmen.

In the same vein, the Sahara desert is advancing south wards at the rate of 6.0 percent every year. As a result, environmentalists say Nigeria loses about 350,000 to 400,000 hectares of land annually to desert encroachment.

This development has led to displacements of communities across 11 frontline states in the North. These frontline states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe,

Jigawa, Kano, Kastina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara. Thus, millions of people are facing threats of hunger and economic problems due to present scale of desertification.

It is against this backdrop that Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso re-introduced the tree planting campaign in the state to create awareness on the dangers of desertification and deforestation.

At a well attended cer-

emony held at Bandirwo in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, the governor flagged-off the distribution of 6 million assorted seedlings to schools, community development associations and the 44 local government areas.

Kwankwaso said: “Desert encroachment and deforestation remain threats to the environment. These twin problems affect human life, wildlife and the entire ecosystem. We must, therefore, plant as many

tion at the tertiary level. To do that, we must reduce the stealing in the public offices.

“I strongly believe that Nigeria can afford to give free education to its citizens, from primary to secondary and highly subsidise university education without any lecturer going on strike.”

To Rufai, no nation could afford sustainable economic progress without quality education.

She said: “Our universities must therefore see themselves as champions of our desire for progress and position themselves as leaders in addressing problems where they exist.

“It is unacceptable that a university that prides itself with the presence and acknowledge scholarship of Professors of Urban Planning would have its campus surrounded by sprawling slum.”

trees as possible to halt them as well as work collectively to manage the environment well.”

He urged the people to cultivate the habit of planting trees not just for economic and domestic reasons, but because of their medicinal value, as it was practiced in most developed countries.

The governor told the gathering that his administration drafted a plan to plant trees along streets in major urban areas not just for beatification, but for environmental sus-

tainability.

Kwankwaso stressed that Bandirawo was particularly selected for the launch of the programme in view of its vulnerability to desertification.

Governor Kwankwaso urged people in the largely agrarian state to prevent their domestic animals like sheep, goats and cows from destroying the seedlings planted, noting with dismay that stray animals not only destroy the much needed vegetation, but also cause unwarranted road accidents.

Wednesday August 21, 2013

I prefer kindergarten president to corrupt graduate –Metuh

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Is Nigeria tilting towards two-party system?

14

43

APC flays shoddy voters’ registration CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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he Anambra State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, yesterday frowned at the alleged shoddy preparation that characterised the ongoing voters’ review exercise and registration in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had last Monday commenced the continuous voters’ registration exercise geared towards conducting a smooth gubernatorial election on November 16.

However, the APC, which reacted on how INEC is handling the exercise, said it is sad that the registration was tainted by lack of ad-

equate security and registration materials, as well as inadequate key personnel and computers in key polling units in Nkpor, Obosi and other communities.

In a statement issued yesterday on behalf of the APC by the state Publicity Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Okelo Madukife, and made available to journalists in Awka, the party stated that reports reaching it showed that while the exercise was smooth in some places, others areas recorded serious teething problems, identifying the areas where there are hitches to include: Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ogbaru and Idemili North local

government areas.

Shedding light on its findings, the APC contended that “details before us indicate that pages of INEC papers were torn off by unknown persons in Ogidi. This was easy because these booths were unmanned

by INEC up till 12 noon in some cases, leading people to act without direction. The INEC machines and computers sent to Nkpor and Obosi were dysfunctional,

leading to prospective voters coming to the centres and returning home without accomplishing their mission. We also discovered that only one machine apiece was provided to cover each of those densely populated areas of the state.”

Saying that even in Awka, the state caopital, the situation is same, as many polling units were witnessing low patronage due to low level of awareness on the ex-

ercise, the APC consequently urged INEC to step up its level of public information on the voters’ registration exercise in the state and also tighten its field supervision to ensure that those who should benefit from the exercise are not denied these rights.

The party also urged INEC and the Police to ensure that enhanced and comprehensive security arrangement was put in place to ensure

the success of the exercise.

It said: “We advise that our elites and leaders should educate those who are misguided in tearing off INEC pasted registers to recognise that INEC is not an opposition party, but an umpire which deserves the cooperation of all to succeed,” adding that it hopes that in the days ahead, the exercise would witness an improvement.

New parties free to contest Anambra guber poll –Jega

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ewly registered political parties, the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, and the Independent Democrats, ID, have been given the green light to participate in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who disclosed this yesterday, said his commission has critically viewed the laws and “as long as they can meet the regulations, they are eligible.”

Jega added: “We have looked at the laws and with the current time table; the parties are free to field candidates in the Anambra governorship election.”

It would be recalled that the electoral umpire last Friday registered the PDM and the ID as political parties, in ad-

L-R: National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission, Amb. Mohammed Wali; INEC National Commissioner, Dr Suleiman Oniyangi; Country Director, UNDP-DGD, Dr. Mourtada Deme and INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega during a workshop for political parties on Voter Register and Continous Voters’ Registration in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

dition to the earlier registration granted the All Progressives Congress, APC. Saying that the extent to which the new parties could comply with extant laid down rules was the main issue, Jega added: “With structures in place and with the ability to conduct primaries, congresses and make nominations in compliance with the legal provisions, they could contest the election.”

APGA ward congress, a huge success –Congress Chairman

T

he Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA Ward Congress Panel, Mr Jolly Ngbo, has described the conduct of the ward delegate elections of the party in Anambra State as a huge success.

Ngbo, who addressed newsmen in Awka yesterday, said that the results of

the elections, which were still being collated, would be ready by tomorrow.

He said the party provided a level playing ground for its members, adding that successful delegates would be the true representatives of their wards.

His words: “We provided a level playing ground

for every member and formed sub-committees to monitor and report the outcome of the exercise.

From the reports we got, we had very successful elections in the 326 wards in the state.

“I want to assure you that the results of the elections will be ready from the national secre-

tariat and be made available here in Awka in three days,” he said.

Ngbo said that successful candidates from the ward elections would form the party’s delegates to the state primaries slated for August 26, where the APGA flag bearer in the November 16 governorship election would be elected.

14

Politics

Chief Olisa Metuh was until recently, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He was one of the members of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, who resigned recently but he wants to return to his position.

He argues that President Goodluck Jonathan has done well in office and explains why he will continue to take up the opposition. OBIORA IFOH brings excerpts: What stands you out among other contenders for the position of the PDP national publicity secretary?

While I encourage active participation

by Nigerians in governance or in the political process, nevertheless every position in the workplace comes with requisite qualification and experience expectations. The national publicity secretary of a great party like the Peoples Democratic Party is no different from other corporate entities with regards to that expectation. I possess both practical and institutional knowledge of the process necessary for the effective dispensation of the duties of this office. While other aspirants are hoping to be elected, so that they can learn on the job, I bring experience, I bring capacity, and I bring access to credible relationships that help in managing the image of our great party. As you know, I rose through the ranks of this party, from youth leader, ex-officio, national vice chairman (South-East) to national publicity secretary. I am no stranger to the workings of this party. While some appreciate these qualities, others antagonise me because of that, but I always welcome healthy competition.

You were national publicity secretary, why do you want to return?

When I assumed office on March 24, 2012, I made a commitment to myself and to my party to change the way we do business.

We moved from a reactionary apparatus to both innovative and proactive directorate.

My team was determined to rebrand this party and restore the confidence that was eroding by the day. I reorganised the publicity department into a full-fledged research and operation-based directorate and created tactical units, streamlined to operate under the direct supervision of the national publicity secretary.

With very minimal resources, we developed many units like the Media Monitoring and Surveillance unit, Event Planning unit, rebranded the umbrella magazine to a world class content oriented magazine, Ministerial Scorecard sessions and Research and Strategy unit. The Social Media unit was created to manage the PDP website as well as PDP Facebook, Twitter, Blackberry messaging, blogs and other social media handles which were created under my watch. Due to our drive, our Facebook participating followers moved from less than 300 to almost 18,000 in less than three months and the followership is still growing. We continued to reach out, using the social media even without any funding from the party. All these innovations have brought great dividends to our great

Wednesday August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I prefer kindergarten president to corrupt graduate –Metuh WE NEED A PRESIDENT WHO IS KINDERGARTEN AND NOT A GRADUATE OF CORRUPTION...

A PRESIDENT WHO IS NOT A GRADUATE OF VIOLENCE OR GRADUATE OF

DECEPTION, OR GRADUATE OF ETHNIC AND TRIBAL POLITICS Metuh

party. Reckless and unfounded attacks and blackmails against our party have declined tremendously. But we are not done; we have achieved all these in just 14 months. Our commitment and resolve to achieve more cannot be deterred by sabotage and elements of undemocratic process.

For me, it is not a question of just being the PDP national publicity secretary; it is that of building institutions. I have laid a solid foundation which has effectively curtailed negative media reportage against the party. The national publicity secretary of the largest party must have a sense of responsibility to help the nation to have a good image. We have more work to do. That is my drive and that is my commitment.

You have a large support base in the South-East and across the nation, but there are some individuals who are engaged in campaigns of calumny and even law suits against you. Why is that so?

You know that success begets envy. As you rightly mentioned I have the support of party members in the South-East and across the nation. That support comes from tested and trusted engagements over the years. When it matters, I have always stood tall with my people even at the expense of personal comfort. The records of my performance in all my previous positions are public record. The complexities of South-East politics are common knowledge to all, but I have been able to manage these conflicts for the greater good of our party. While I am not perfect by all means, I have always strived to be fair and consistent in my dispositions, that has brought me reverence from many stakeholders and attacks by a few. That is what democracy is all about. But you will agree with me that most candidates that are driven by content and quality do not engage in politics of calumny. Just tell the people why you are a better candidate. But unfortunately, you cannot say that when you don’t have a record. When people have no credible record of service, they resort to desperate actions to destroy others.

With regards to the various law suits, as you know, I am a lawyer and therefore encouraging citizens to seek redress in court.

However, engaging in frivolous legal actions amounts to abuse of the process and an attempt to deny a citizen of his/her fun-

damental right. But these are signs of desperate people and our people are no fools.

Our courts are equipped with men and women of reputable jurisprudence experience. The Supreme Court is equally taking steps to curtail these abuses.

Do you foresee any internal opposition against you?

I don’t understand what and who you describe as internal, but I do know that these desperate individuals will stop at nothing to advance their cause, including infiltrating the hierarchy of our party to perpetuate lies, unfounded allegations and even inquiries in my office activities seeking for anything to malign my person, my family and to undermine the good works we are doing for our party and our country. I am not perturbed by this; my focus is on the opposition, which is bent on undermining the good deeds of the President. If any member of our party allows himself or herself to be used by the opposition, to make unnecessary allegations, and unwarranted inquiries, that shows how much they love our party.

I hear that some elements are looking at my records to see how they can tarnish my image. There is nothing about my life, family, business and tenure as party official that has not been subjected to all kinds of scrutiny by these undemocratic elements, but thank God we are answerable for our actions and we are waiting for them. Some have questioned the publishing of the PDP magazine; that we were charging people money for interviews and I laughed. Let me tell you, we independently sourced for funds and printed the magazine without any singe financial assistance from the party. The party has not spent one kobo on the magazine. It is only PDP members who participate in the magazine that provide the funding. We rebranded the magazine and have been running it successfully. So, we are waiting for these undemocratic elements and I know God is with us.

However, I must state that the fight is not within the party and that is why I have not paid attention to them. The problem is outside the party. There are those who want to scuttle the progress of the party and bring down our government. But we will not lose focus. We will focus on the people and let them know that the PDP, as the ruling party is doing well and will continue to do well for the country. We have to prove to them that

President Goodluck Jonathan is doing well for the country and showcase that the PDP is the only option for the country. By the time we engage in negative campaign with these undemocratic elements, we lose the moral advantage of fighting for the general interest of the party and the people. So, I will refrain from focusing on intra-party matters. My job when I am elected by the grace of God is to engage on inter-party matters and focus on projecting the image and achievements of the PDP. My job is not to start fighting our members or to discredit our members. My job is portraying the party and our government in good light and to help the party to win more support from the people.

What innovations are you bringing in, especially with the registration of APC? We believe in integrity. We will say the truth and allow Nigerians to decide. We will not engage in any campaign of calumny or go about pouring vituperations on people. Ours will be to stand by the truth, say the truth and allow Nigerians to decide.

We will continue to showcase the achievements of the party. The PDP remains the only national party that is fighting for the interest of all Nigerians and we will continue to drum it in the ears of the people with all vigour. The PDP is the only party that is committed to the unity of this country. It is the party that has the best governors and the best legislators at the federal and state levels. Our ministers are doing well. The truth is that we have capable hands. Most of all, we have a President who is humble and forthright. We have a President who has done well, and by the time he leaves office, Nigerians will know that a great man has passed through this country.

Your party has been passing through a lot of crisis recently. Is there any solution in sight?

Our party is not having any crisis. What you see is ordinary politicking. It is normal in politics, especially as the general elections draw nearer. The PDP is a big party, we have millions of Nigerians as members all over the country and people are trying to get involved in one way or the other. So, it is normal politicking, but the party is so strong that it has been able and will continue to withstand such things. So, there is no cause for alarm. The National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has been able to steady the ship of this party and he is doing well.

Recently, the interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande described President Goodluck Jonathan as kindergarten president. What is your take on that?

I think the Presidency has already reacted to that, but for me, we need a president who is kindergarten and not a graduate of corruption. We need a president who is not a graduate of violence or graduate of deception, or graduate of ethnic and tribal politics. We need a president who is kindergarten and not a graduate of nepotism. So, if he is kindergarten in the sense that he is at the least level in corruption, that means he is fighting corruption. If it means he is at the least level in playing ethnic politics and promoting violence, then that is what we need.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Civil Service

15

FASHOLA SIGNS LAW ESTABLISHING PUBLIC SERVICE DEVELOPMENT CENTREE P.41

NLRC staff accuse IPPIS of short-changing them OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

S

ome members of staff of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission NLRC, Jos Zonal Office have accused some officials of the office of the Accountant General of the Federation of demanding gratification before they would capture them into the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, IPPIS. However, the AG’s office has responded the NLRC staff, asking to provide proof showing that its officials solicited any form of financial inducement.

Two of the affected staff who pleaded not to be mentioned as they were not officially authorised to speak on the matter alleged that on Monday August 5, members of staff of the NLRC were compelled to pay N1,000 each in order to be captured by two IPPIS officials.

“The reason they gave was that they were officially assigned to Kaduna and that the team assigned to cover Jos were scared of the security situation in the city and hence decided not to go. Now, the same staff that came to Jos had to go to Yola to capture our colleagues there, who were also asked to pay N5,000 each.

“Later it was reduced to N3,000.

Sokoto and Kano, we learnt also paid N1,000 each”, said the NLRC staff.

They said even though the Jos Zonal Coordinator pleaded with IPPIS officials to capture his staff for free, they remained adamant.

“His fear was that the data capturing will end on the 7th of August and if we did not do that, we would have some serious issues.. Sadly he said he did not have the powers to compel them to capture the staff.

“Because of the deadline, the entire staff had to pay N1,000 each to be captured. The IPPIS that came to Jos collected money because they claimed that they were not assigned to Jos zone and Yola.

I never believed those boys. So it means their coming to Jos was even unofficial. It may even affect us some day that is if their boss is not a party to their fraudulent act. What happens to dose actually assigned to Jos who refused to come?”, the NLRC staff said.

Cross River’s Lands, Housing Ministry revenue hits N1.1bn –Commissioner

P.16

L-R: Kebbi State Commissioner, Federal Character Commission Hon Muhammad Alkali, Bauchi State Commissioner, Alhaji Aliyu Giade and Acting Chairman, Hon Lawal Funtua during the inauguration of the Board of the FCC in Abuja recently.

PHOTO ROTIMI OSASONA

Towards a result-oriented public service

EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

T

he critical importance of the civil service to any government, can never be over-emphasised, more so that it is responsible for the formulation and implementation of government policies and programmes.

It is against this backdrop that civil servants are referred to as “men behind the mask”.

The civil service is, no doubt, the “engine room” of any successful administration, what with the fact that the intended manifestations of deliberate government actions, are realised through the functions they discharge.

Little wonder why their approaches to policy planning, are often a function of “cost-benefit analysis”.

A functional and result-oriented civil service is also identified by its impartiality, neutrality, permanence, independence

and discipline. These are the elements that distinguish the civil servant from the politician.

For instance, whereas, a minister’s appointment can be terminated at any point in time by the President, the appointment, promotion, discipline and dismissal of a civil servant, follow very rigorous procedures, which are amply spelt out by civil service rules.

In the face of this, however, civil service at all levels of government -federal, state and local - has often been bedevilled by bureaucratic “bottleneck”,”dysfunctions” and “redtapism”; three characteristics that have largely impeded and stifled the smooth implementation of policies.

Hence, the urgent and compelling need for constructive and deliberate reforms in this all-important critical sector.

This position was echoed by no less a personality than a “super-permanent secretary” in the Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s

regime (1967-75), Chief Philip Asiodu.

In a lecture organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, as part of its 2012 Mohammed Lawal Uwais Public Service Award Lecture, Asiodu had argued that “The Public Service led by the Civil Service is the main instrument for implementing the policies and decisions of the Government.” He added that”The members of the Public Service are often the only concrete manifestation of government for the citizens whether in the urban centres or in the rural areas.”

Asioudu, whose paper was entitled:”Public Service and the Transformation Agenda: Redefining the Rules of Engagement”, identified the “politicisation” of the civil service, as one of the fundamental problems confronting the sector.

The retired bureaucrat specifically identified the “promulgation of Decree 43 of 1988”, which seemingly transferred

Unemployed graduates protest alleged hoarding of job application forms Imoke

P.41

Dickson

the functions of the independent public service commission, to ministries, as the bane of the independence of the service.

While advocating for a return to the era of colonialism, Asiodu said: “Fortunately for Nigeria, the Ironsi and Gowon Military Administrations left intact the professional, nonpartisan,disciplined, meritdriven Civil Service developed over decades by the British Colonial Administration similar to the Civil Services inherited at Independence by the older Dominions like Canada, and Australia and newer ones like India, Pakistan, Ghana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, etc.”

He recalled that “the type of Civil Service suitable for Nigeria was discussed during the Constitutional Conferences leading up to Independence.

The British Government representatives had recommended to the Nigerian leaders the British system.”

Bayelsa HOS tasks labour on harmonious relationship P.42

16

From the Civil Service

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Aganga relocates to BOI headquarters building

...due to ministry’s leaking roof OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

W

hile no major havoc has been recorded since the onset of the 2013 raining season, one of the prominent cabinet members in the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has been a major victim.

Over the last four months, Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment has been forced to take temporary shelter at the Bank of Industry’s headquarters office, located at the Central Business District, Abuja due to embarrassments arising from roof-leakages.

It is no longer news that the Old Secretariat which houses the ministry that is expected to woo investors to the country, is in a state of disrepair externally and internally. Apart from the fact that the roof leaks whenever rain falls, the buildings there are not the types a country like Nigeria should be proud of as a gateway to hosting foreign investors.

Some of the staff, who spoke with National Mirror on the condition of anonymity, said that the building had not witnessed any serious renovation since 1985 when the ministry moved in, which is about 28 years ago.

The minister is said to have relocated temporarily to the BOI building where he now hosts some of his guests, including local and foreign investors, due to the embarrassing situations he had witnessed at its Old Secretariat, now under renovation.

One of the ministry’s staff explained an embarrassing moment thus: “Apart from the fact that the

Old Secretariat office is not befitting for a ministry saddled with the responsibility of attracting investors and hosting them, the roof leaks during the raining season.

“I could recall a moment when the Minister was hosting a group of foreign investors (I can’t really recall which country they were from) in his office, and rain started. Barely ten minutes that it began had rain started dripping in through the roof to the consternation of the guests.

Another staff stated that the minister had loathed the office since.

According to her, she is not surprised that the minister had to relocate to his present ad-hoc office to save himself from untold embarrassment which his continued stay at his old office without renovation, would have exposed to.

The Director of Press in the Ministry, Mr. Akpan Udoh, confirmed the relocation, but said that the move had not disrupted the activities of the minister, stressing that since the relocation, he had been attending to investors(both from home and abroad) in his temporary office.

He explained that the minister would go back as soon as renovation work on his office at the Old Secretariat is completed. He added that the renovation work of the office building had reached advanced stage.

Udoh explained, “The minister is not at his desk in the ministry because his office is now undergoing renovation. Before his eventual relocation in May, his office had been leaking and he could no longer attend to his visitors there.

As soon as the renovation is completed, he would be back.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cross River’s Lands, Housing Ministry revenue hits N1.1bn –Commissioner RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

M

inistry of Lands and Housing in Cross River State has recorded an improvement in its revenue profile from N200.6m which accrued into the coffers of the ministry from 2011 to N1.1bn in 2012.

Mr Raphael Uche, Commissioner for lands and housing revealed this in an interview with our reporter in Calabar, the state capital, recently.

Uche stated that the ministry revenue profile got the boost through the increasing demand for lands and residential areas in the state.

The commissioner pointed out that no allocation of state land was made in 2012 due to unavailability of government layouts. ``This means that no revenue was generated under this subhead, we have a total of 1600 applications pending allocation since 2007 when the last allocation was made,’’ he said.

Entrance gate of the Kaduna State Secretariat begging for attention with one side of the gate blown off.

PHOTO: AZA MSUE

He said that the state government on April 15, 2009, commissioned an Urban/Regional Consultants to prepare a master plan for Calabar and four other towns.

The towns designated as development areas include; Ugep, Ikom, Ogoja, and Obudu.

He said that the state Urban/Regional Development Master Plan was 85 per cent completed as work was still on-going. ``Our activities in 2012 included, Re-survey of layout for light industrial park, Akai Efa, Calabar, perimeter and topographic survey of model secondary school, Creek town in Odukpani, and perimeter survey of Crospil Estate,’’ he said.

He said that the ministry had embarked on the demolition of illegal buildings at Ekorinim village, Asuquo Inyang and Jebs road in Calabar metropolis.

According to him, the ministry had embarked on scanning of all Federal Housing Estates in the state, adding that the reproduction of a composite plan of landed properties in the Export Processing Zone, Calabar, had been completed.

Uche said that 493 building plans from Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Area Planning Authorities during the period in focus.

He also said that the ministry received 149 applications for statutory Certificate of Occupancy for private lease, out of which 68 had been recommended to Gov. Liyel Imoke for approval. ``The delay in the release of funds from the office of the Accountant-General, perennial electricity power outage, and lack of adequate man-power were few of the challenges facing the ministry,’’ Uche said.

NANS honours, passes confidence vote on NAPTIN DG CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

I

t was a double portion for the Director General of National Power Training Institute, NAPTIN, Mr. Rueben Okeke, when on August 6, 2013, a day after his birthday; the Senate of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, presented him with a certificate passing a vote of confidence on him for his outstanding performance.

As the Director General of the only power training institute in the country, Mr. Okeke, has steered the ship of NAPTIN, repositioning the manpower arm of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) since the last four years, but little did he know that the student body was monitoring

his activities.

The certificate reads in part: In recognition to your contribution to national development and youth empowerment, the Executives and Senate of NANS pass a vote of confidence on Engr. Rueben Okeke, the DG of NAPTIN. Speaking the occasion, NANS President, Comrade Yinka Gbadebo reiterated the NAPTIN’s contributions the youths development in the country stressing that the recognition was to honour to whom honour is due.

He said: “The National Association Nigerian Students is pleased to announce today August 6, 2013, the passing of vote of confidence on the leadership of the National Power Training Institute. We do appreciate your exceptional repositioning of NAPTIN and the

extra ordinary contribution to the training of students and youths who are interested in power sector.

“NAPTIN has been able to provide outstanding training to the power sector personnel and efficiently coordinated training activities in the sector as it took over the management of regional training centers of the power holding company of Nigeria” While calling for efforts towards training of members of NANS to prepare them for combating the power challenges in the various institutions across the country, the group also urged that the cost of admission especially for the electrical l and mechanical engineering graduates seeking admission into NAPTIN Graduate Skills Development Pro-

gramme be reviewed downward in order to make it affordable.

Gbadebo who disclosed that NANS had been watching developments in NAPTIN with keen interest because of the importance of power to the development of the nation, sought partnership with the institution with regard to training of members.

He urged the institution to provide NANS a role to play in getting students who would want to have their industrial training programmes in NAPTIN. In his remark, Engr. Okeke who described the recognition as a sweet surprise pledged partnership with NANS stressing that over 8000 fresh graduates are needed to support the power sector if the target of 40,000MW by 2020 would be realized.

Okeke, who described NAPTIN as extended education for graduates disclosed that some transmission plants were ready for commissioning and over 500 graduates would soon be employed in sector while over 1000 would have opportunities for internship in the institute.

Okeke disclosed plans by federal government to make electricity available for 24 hours in selected cities across the country, adding that a committee had already been inaugurated to work towards the realization of that feat.

The NAPTIN boss, who recalled that the institute was also recognized globally for its outstanding performance in Rome sometimes last year, noted the institute had been working tireCONTINUES ON PAGE 42

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

17

Obasanjo and Nigerian leadership crisis PUBLIC DOMAIN

DELE

SETEOLU

deleseteolu@nationalmirroronline.net (08033137577 SMS only)

F

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the country as jinxed as a result of bad leadership. He referred to General Muhammed Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Governor Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as references of bad leaders.

President Obasanjo’s comment on leadership in Nigeria deserves review and commentaries for these reasons. First, there is dearth of committed and ideological leadership in Nigeria. The current political leadership is self serving and often lacks legitimacy. The poor perception of leadership largely accounts for voters’ apathy at general elections and withdrawal from state actors and institutions. The current leadership lacks clear cut ideas on how to address the country’s socio-economic and political crises. The governing elite often rely on externally defined development and economic models that further deepen dependency in the country’s political economy.

The heavy reliance on the Structural Adjustment Program, Lagos Plan of Action, and New Partnership for Africa’s Development suggests foreign models, which had

been imposed on the country. The internecine struggle for political power, politically related assassination of opponents, election rigging and violence, recruitment of private armies, heavy monetization of politics signify the dearth of ideology and the prevalence of prebendal politics. The parties are also characterized by Bayart’s ‘strongmen’, who define the nature and context of power struggle within the party structures. These parties lack internal democracy and rely on non-democratic criteria to select candidates for elections.

Secondly, the pervasive level of political and bureaucratic corruption in Nigeria has been linked to leadership crisis.

Corruption and the resultant leakages in the economy are attributed to a predatory political class that exploits state power to expropriate private political and economic advantages. The absence of state autonomy in Nigeria enables the fractions of the class to struggle to capture state institutions. The political class lacks economic base and therefore, relies on the state for economic leverage. On the contrary, the state in autonomous capitalist societies is beyond class struggle.

Political corruption in Nigeria has largely reduced the impact of oil economy on Nigeria’s development. The state has not been able to diversify its economic base largely as a result of political corruption.

These leakages are found in the economy, oil corporations, bureaucracy, power sector, maritime, revenue collection, et cetera.

The state is replete with reports on different state organs, departments and agencies that fail to account for several billions

BAD LEADERSHIP, POOR GOVERNANCE, ETC ARE SIGN POSTS OF A MAJOR AND FUNDAMENTAL CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY of dollars. The consequences are increasing underdevelopment, rising poverty, absence of social provisioning, withdrawal from state institutions by the populace and a virtually collapsed real sector.

However, bad leadership, poor governance, etc are sign posts of a major and fundamental crisis in the country. The challenge is to rethink the Nigerian state and reduce its vulnerability to the control of fractions of the political elite. The nature of the of the state will not likely create a nationalist bourgeois class or governing elite; this class will likely emerge through ideology-based politics, internal economic and development models, disciplined party structures and hierarchies, a new model of politics that reduces the privileges of political offices and emphasize leadership.

The majoritarian representative system has encouraged zero sum politics and ‘politics of the belly’. We should consider the proportional representative system as a replacement. The majoritarian system has fostered politics of conflict in the polity. We should emphasize at this point that the country’s First Republic was fairly characterized by disciplined political leadership. The leaders of the parties, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr.

Nnamdi Azikiwe and Sir Ahmadu Ballo offered exemplary leadership.

The party structures offered the basis for competition among the regions, which resulted in giant socio-economic and educational leaps, especially in Western Region. The questions are: How did we lose the relatively focused leadership of the First Republic? What should we do to recreate the type of political leadership of that republic? Is there a relationship between the cabinet system and the relative development found in the republic? Should we explain the country’s increasing decline in terms of its skewed federal structure and the political cost of the Presidential system? These questions deserve critical appraisals to deal with the leadership deficit in Nigeria.

We should emphasize that the country have few exemplars in its political life; Alhaji Lateef Jakande, a former governor of Lagos State who implemented free education policy and built affordable, massive, low cost housing units; Chief Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, former governor of Ogun state and the late Chief Bola Ige, former governor of Oyo state.

Others are Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers State; Comrade Adams Oshiomole, governor of Edo State; Mr. Babatunde Fashola, governor of Lagos State; Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso, governor of Kano State, et al.

The greater size of the political class is corrupt, self serving, unfocused, intolerant, undemocratic, arrogant, intellectually hollow and ethically bankrupt.

Back to chaotic Nigerian life AGATHA NWOKOCHA

A

m back after a five months stay in Welden Augsburg, Germany.

It rained heavily on the day of my arrival. However, am glad to be back during the season of corn and ube (pear).

Hum, how I love it. In fact, l cannot account how much l had spent on both the boiled and roasted type of corn.

But come to think of it, there are more reasons for me to begin missing Germany so soon. Yes, a place where life is orderly, serene, managed and maintained by both government and individuals. Orderly for instance, with the accurate weather report, my train or bus ticket at hand and the time schedule, am able to plan precisely for the next day and achieve them ‘sweatlessly’. But not so here. The story is horrific, especially with the heavy down pour. Buses turn to shower bathrooms.

The roofs leak and windows are cello taped with polythene. Shame indeed.

The BRT is no help either. While we see many of them occupying the parks, locked inside is the so called “BRT staff ” comfortably sleeping on the driver seat.

When confronted by several knock at the window, he replies “Am waiting for instruction from my boss” What? I was mystified. “Who and where is the boss and what instruction?” The first two questions were ignored. “When to load and where to go” Wa oh! Very strange in-

DO YOU KNOW THAT AT MY ARRIVAL FROM

GERMANY, I STEPPED INTO A RIVER THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE MY APARTMENT?

deed. You mean there are no daily plans for an organisation like BRT? Sometimes last month in Munchen, a bus driver was immediately fired for reporting to bus station, 10 minutes late.

One of the passengers telephoned the authority concerned and the authority confirmed the information to be true and that was the end of that driver’s career.

The company’s spokesman told reporters that the action will serve as a lesson.

My initial reaction was that this man is wicked. Just 10 minutes? Come to Nigeria where you will get tired of firing people. Is it the nonchalant government workers or the private bus owner that he will fire? While the government worker perpetually waits for authorisation from his boss of whom he may be to himself, the private bus owner struggles to keep the bus daily on the road, goes home sad and exhausted with little or nothing, after settling the police, LASTMA and agbero. No wonder the epileptic state and leaky roofs with nylon proof windows.

One confessed to me: “I earn up to seven, sometimes nine thousand naira every

day. But l go home at most with two thousand naira. Am even thinking of packing the bus because l feed others with my property and sweat”. Sad indeed.

Still on this rain issue. By December last year, l proudly announced to you my movement to Lekki-Ajah. Do you know that at my arrival from Germany, l stepped into a river that is supposed to be my apartment? My properties were on floating spree. My cherished books.

Oh my 700 Euros i-pad that contained a year lecture destroyed. I was baffled and angry to my marrows. Tried to contact the landlord but he never picked his call even till now. As if watching a movie, l saw fountains flowing from my rooms.

The picture reminds me of my girlie days with my parents at Itire/ Ijesha face-me-l-face-you rooms. But that was over 30 years ago. And am sure Itire must have been transformed by now. No more scooping of water with buckets each time it rained. Even if it does exists, the cost of apartment there cannot be compared with Lekki/ Ajah of all places.

Hey! considering all l paid? l screamed and rushed out. Sympathisers came to my rescue with a not too surprise look, although they helped lift my already damaged properties from the mess.

These properties were later examined by an electronic engineer with the verdict that they were unrepairably damaged. I had to pay the aboki that barrowed them away to the refuse. One of my sympathis-

er advised me: “Next time, don’t rent an apartment during dry season”. What a lesson indeed. I’m passing the message to everyone ignorant of this fact.

The question is with experience like this, will l ever prefer Lekki /Ajah again?

There is really nothing special about this area as we have been made to believe. We experience acute blackout like other areas. It’s even worse because as a “Rich Zone” there are powerful generators in most buildings that are automatically connected to supply power when Power Holding fails. Now I ask, are there my likes here? Is a crime to live close to ones workplace? Please landlords or landladies, follow experts’ advice to the latter, build solid houses. It is needless to pay heavily and still have properties damaged due to poor visibility, inferior equipments and building plans.

I cannot stay wet both outside and inside my apartment in my country. That will be too bad. We may be savouring the August break, but the rain is still coming.

Nwokocha is of the School of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs.

Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

Editorial

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

Unimplemented UNEP report on Ogoniland

wo years on, the audit report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the grave damage occasioned by the activities of oil companies in Ogoniland has been left unimplemented by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. UNEP said restoring Ogoniland to its old self might take as much as 30 years. The pollution of the area through oil spillage for over 50 years was said to have penetrated deeper than can be imagined. At the official presentation of the report to President Jonathan two years ago, UNEP’s Director, Ibrahim Thiaw, said the assessment jointly carried out by the UN agency and the Presidential Implementation Committee for 14 months involved the examination of more than 200 locations, survey of 122 kilometres of pipeline rights of way, review of more than 5,000 medical records and the engagement over 23,000 people at local community meetings. Thiaw said detailed investigation on soil and groundwater contamination in 69 sites spanning hectares of land across local government areas in Ogoniland was equally undertaken. In all, over 4,000 samples were analysed, including water taken from

THE FG CAN DO BETTER AND AVOID BEING REPEATEDLY LAMPOONED FOR ITS SEEMING LACK OF POLITICAL WILL WHEN IT MATTERS MOST 142 groundwater monitoring wells drilled specifically for the study; and soil extracted from 780 boreholes.

A proposed Ogoniland Environmental Restoration Authority (OGERA) was to oversee the implementation of the study’s recommendations; while the Environmental Restoration Fund for Ogoniland, with an initial capital injection of $1 billion to be contributed by the oil industry and the government was supposed to be used to start the work.

Exactly a year ago, this newspaper did an editorial on the seeming abandonment of the report, believing that the government would seize the opportunity to revisit the document and take definite steps to check the abuse of the environment by transnational oil companies. Sadly, however, the Federal Government has demonstrated scant commit-

ment to working on the report since then. Indeed, no mention of the report has been made by the FG ever since except on rhetoric note, to public knowledge. No wonder some environmental rights groups, like Social Action, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and Ogoni Solidarity Forum (OSF), among others, converged on August 4 this year at Bori, the traditional headquarters of the Ogoni, to commemorate the second anniversary of the release of the UNEP report.

The groups roundly condemned what they called the ‘criminal silence of the Nigerian government and Shell’ on the implementation of the report two years after. Indeed, the document presented to President Jonathan on August 4, 2011 seems a validation of age-long claims by the Ogoni in their famous Bill of Rights, that Shell, in collusion with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), engaged with the least caution in activities that turned Ogoniland into a complete ‘ecological disaster’.

Government’s inaction two years after taking custody of the embarrassing report is a puzzle of the first order, especially when the Jonathan administration had given the impression of its readiness

to act on it as soon as possible. The president stated at the report presentation: “Let me assure you that we are not just going to put this report in our drawer and lock it up... We are going to act on it”.

He equally set up a Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC), jointly headed by the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the Minister of Environment to study the report and advise the FG on the next step forward. Following the recommendations of the PIC, the Presidency set up the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) on July 24, 2012 to clean up ‘the entire Niger Delta’. That was the end. From what is on ground, the HYPREP has done virtually nothing in Ogoniland or elsewhere; and no provision was made for the work of the HYPREP in the 2013 federal budget.

Our thinking, however, is that a president from the Niger Delta region, like Jonathan, should understand the import of that report better than outsiders’. The FG can do better and avoid being repeatedly lampooned for its seeming lack of political will when it matters most. It should dust up the report and ensure its implementation for posterity sake.

ON THIS DAY August 21, 1986 Carbon dioxide gas erupted from volcanic Lake Nyos in Cameroon, killing up to 1,800 people within 20-kilometer range. A pocket of magma lies beneath the lake and leaks carbon dioxide (CO2) into the water, changing it into carbonic acid. Nyos is one of only three known exploding lakes to be saturated with carbon dioxide in this way. Others were Lake Monoun, also in Cameroon, and Lake Kivu in Democratic Republic of Congo.

August 21, 1991 Coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev collapsed.

Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev (born March 2, 1931) is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the first (and last) president of the Soviet Union from 1990 until its dissolution in 1991. He was the only general secretary in the history of the Soviet Union to have been born during Communist rule.

August 21, 2001 Famine was reported in Tajikistan. The Red Cross announced that a famine was striking Tajikistan, and called for international financial aid for Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. A famine is a widespread scarcity of food, caused by several factors including crop failure, population imbalance, or government policies. This phenomenon is usually accompanied or followed by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic and increased mortality.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Health & Wellbeing We can eliminate typhoid in Nigeria

NPMCN trains 4000 medical specialists 21

22

Why diabetes control is difficult SAM EFERARO

D

iabetes is not a mild disease.

When not properly managed it has been identified as a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputations. It is also known to result in stroke, heart attack, and erectile dysfunction. Not only these, experts say people with diabetes are also at an increased risk of other medical conditions such as hypertension and raised cholesterol.

Unfortunately, experts say a majority of people living with diabetes still cannot effectively control the disease. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) says in spite of new treatment measures, 60 percent of those with type 2 diabetes currently have glucose levels above the recommended targets (HbA1c less than 6.5 percent), putting them at increased risk for serious complications such as cardiovascular disease – the leading cause of diabetes-related death.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or alternatively, when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.

For now, it is not curable but experts say it needs not be a death sentence either. If properly controlled, an individual with diabetes could be in good health all year round – all it takes will be a strict adherence to the glucose control guidelines – the “10 steps to better Glucose Control,” launched in 2005 by the Global Partnership for Effective Diabetes Management in collaboration with multinational pharmaceutical company, Glaxosmithkline.

The guidelines seek to create awareness on the disease and acquaint patients, doctors and health worker on the best way to

achieve a control of the disease.

The guidelines require, among others that: • the patient should strive to monitor his condition regularly • aggressively manage his blood sugar level, hypertension and blood fat (hyperglycaemia, hypertension and dyslipidemia).

• every new diabetes patient should see a specialist first who will initiate appropriate management procedure before referring him to a general practice medical practitioner • the patient and his doctor should not spare any management method to achieve a control. Such methods should include diet, drugs, exercise etc.

“If you can combine these, you will not see many cases of stroke, erectile dysfunction, blindness and many other complications diabetics often have,” an endocrinologist, specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the glands, told National Mirror.

Unfortunately, 8 years after the “10 steps” were introduced many Nigerians living with diabetes still find it difficult to achieve control, using the guidelines.

For instance, full adherence to the guidelines require that laboratories would be available and well organised to offer necessary monitoring checks for diabetes. Investigation by National Mirror reveals that this is still a problem in the country. According to a doctor, there are only few laboratories in Nigeria that could provide the HbA1c test recommended in the “10 Steps”. Glycated haemoglobin or glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test is used as a very good guide as to determine what the individual’s average blood glucose level has been during the past three months.

The 10 Steps The “10 Steps to Better Glucose Control” as developed by The Global Partnership for Effective Diabetes Management are: 1. Aim for good glycaemic control, defined as HbA1c < 6,5 percent* 2. Monitor HbA1c every three months in addition to regular glucose self-monitoring.

3. Aggressively manage hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and hypertension with the same intensity to obtain the best patient outcome 4. Refer all newly diagnosed patients to a unit specialising in diabetes care, where possible 5. Address the underlying pathophysiology, including treatment of insulin resistance 6. Treat patients intensively so as to achieve target HbA1c < 6.5 percent* within 6 months of diagnosis 7. After 3 months, if patients are not at target HbA1c < 6.5 percent*, consider combination therapy 8. Initiate combination therapy or insulin immediately for all patients with HbA1c > percent at diagnosis 9. Use combinations of oral antidiabetic agents with complementary mechanisms of action 10. Implement a multi- and interdisciplinary team approach to diabetes management to encourage patient education and self-care and share responsibility for patients achieving glucose goals.

A diabates patient administering insulin

Where available, the tests are expensive and well beyond the reach of a majority of diabetes patients in the country.

Endocrinologists however say people living with diabetes must strive to achieve some measure of control, even if they find it difficult to undergo expensive tests such as the HbA1c. This simply means ensuring that one’s blood sugar, or glucose, is kept to the desired range. This should be achieved

through appropriate medications (insulin or pills) as recommended by the doctor, right diet and exercise.

“People with diabetes should ensure they take enough fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. These provide extraordinary support to your digestive system and the liver. Daily exercise also helps to stimulate the respiratory system,” an endocrinologist told National Mirror.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Breastfeeding prevents diseases –Experts

…call for creches in offices AISHA TITILAYO

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ursing mothers have again been urged to engage in exclusive breastfeeding as it prevents a wide range of diseases apart from being the right of the child.

This advice was given by experts recently at the grand finale of the Breastfeeding Week organised by the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and sponsored by United Nations Children Fund UNICEF at the Surulere Local Government Council area of Lagos.

According to the Deputy Director of Nutrition, Lagos Ministry of Health, Dr. Abimbola Ajayi, exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life helps to keep babies healthy.

“It is not only for the benefit of the baby and mother alone but the nation as a whole because it increases the mental ability of the child. Among the benefits gained from this is the strong bond between mother and child,” he said/ She therefore urged husbands and family members to support exclusive breastfeeding. Dr. Ajayi also educated mothers on how to properly place the baby for breastfeeding. She said; “You block the flow of breastmilk when you place your fingers above and below the breast.”

She explained that what needed to be done when breastfeeding is to sit properly without the mother bending over the baby rather, she should sit right and position the palm under the breast. “Once the attachment is

right, the milk will flow.”

She also noted that the first milk to flow is usually watery, adding that it serves as water for the baby after which the real food begins to flow hence, mothers should stop changing their babies from breast to breast.

She further advised that mothers should begin to introduce supplementary food gradually after breastfeeding exclusively for six month. Also speaking, the Chairman, Surulere Local Government, Tajudeen Ajide urged fathers not to let their work deter them from giving their wives the necessary support and help. “We should always support our wives to do exclusive breastfeeding and help in bringing up the child in the right way.”

Hajia Aminah Muhammad of NTA Lagos said the programme which has been on for the past 5 years is about sensitising women to comply with exclusive breastfeeding. Speaking on the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria despite the level of awareness, she explained that it is a matter of mindset. “No matter how much you tell some mothers, they will still not yield.”

She revealed that some nursing mothers lament they don’t engage in exclusive breastfeeding because of their work.

“This is why we are trying to see that maternity leave is increased to 6 months so that mothers will be able to feed their babies well.” She also included that there is a reason for all work places to have creches where mothers can keep and breastfeed their babies.”

L-R: President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Prof. Victor Wakwe, Chairman Local Organising Committee, 8th National Scientific Conference and all Fellows Meeting of the college, Prof. Olusegun Ojo and the college Registrar, Prof. Wole Atoyebi at a press conference on the scientific conference recently at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex Ile-Ife.

Experts storm Enugu for African health DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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ssues bothering on early marriage, health-related challenges, abortion among others would be the central focus in Enugu next week Thursday as health experts including stakeholders in the health sector from across the world would converge in the state to discuss life issues in Africa.

Organized by the International Bio-Research Institute (IBI), the two day programme which would commence on Thursday with a conference on “Family and beginning of Life Issues in Africa” at the IBI headquarters

FG takes over Bauchi VVF centre MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he Federal Government formally took over the Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre, Bauchi, on Monday with a challenge by the Minister of Health, Professor Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu to state governments across Nigeria to commit substantial part of their Subsidy Reinvestment (SURE-P) Fund to the improvement of infant and maternal health.

Inaugurating a committee for the take-over of the centre, in Abuja, on Monday, the Minister said the decision would complement the efforts of the federal government in its fight against infant and maternal mortality in the country.

His words: “There is nothing to be proud of if we continue to establish VVF centres all over the country and then do nothing to provide health centres where our wives, mothers, daughters and aunts will

have safe delivery of their babies.

“I want to urge state governments to commit a proportion of their own share of the SUREP fund to areas of maternal and child health. The state governments should see what they can do in terms of training midwives, employing new ones and posting them to rural areas and encourage our people to make use of their services,” he added.

The Federal Government’s taking over of VVF Centre the Minister stated would bring about expansion of services for the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of VVF patients, “thereby reducing the backlog of VVF patients in Bauchi, the North East and the country at large.

“It will also serve as a training and research centre, increase job opportunities in the state as well as promote the health of women, which is key to the family and the society leading to na-

tional development, he stressed.

The committee is expected to assess the facilities on ground, identify gaps and areas of need and make recommendations for upgrade of the centre to a national centre.

The committee which is made up of both representatives from both the federal and Bauchi state governments is chaired by the Director of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Wapada Balami.

in Ugwogo-Nike, while there will be a peaceful march with placards, posters and banners along major roads within Enugu metropolis.

The march according to the organisers would seek to protest against those intriguing issues of the society that propagate the culture of death as there would be a major focus on life challenging societal dilemmas such as abortion, same sex marriage, child and mother trafficking, kidnapping, armed robbery, mercy killing, surrogate mother, family hood among others.

Promoter of the IBI, Prof Edmund Agbo said the conference which is being organised in collaboration with Steadfast Onlus Foundation, Rome, Italy, would attract speakers across Nigeria as well as from Italy, Mexico, United Kingdom and Cameroun.

He said the march for life which is coming to Nigeria for the first time had been held in other countries in Europe, Asia, North America, adding that with focus shifting to Nigeria, the rest of the world would appreciate the fact that though Africans may have cultural problems, they are not as barbaric as they have been painted.

According to him, such issues as child marriage, abortion and same-sex marriage had gone a long way in giving Nigeria and the rest of Africa a bad name as they are at variance with the cultural belief of the people, adding that time had come for stakeholders in the health sector to publicly condemn the phenomenon.

“This issue of child marriage is a major challenge facing us today. We must re-establish the concept of adulthood. It’s seriously threatening our system.

In the same vein, abortion is a major problem which has crept into our national life. If we continue to abort all zigots and unborn children, in the next 100 years, we will not have anybody left to either conceive or abort.

“Abortion should be discouraged and condemned in all ramifications. Any voluntary termination of pregnancy should not be tolerated. We must bear in mind that life starts from fertilization. If you by any means punctuate the foetus or zigot, then you have punctuated life.

Embryo also has right to life and this right must be protected and not violated,” Prof Agbo explained.

US agency approves new clinic trial for treating multiple sclerosis MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he US Food and Drug Administration, (FDA), has approved a new clinical trial of a groundbreaking strategy using stem cells for the treatment of MS (multiple sclerosis). The approval therefore allows early clinical investigation (phase 1 trial) of autologous

neural stem cells in the treatment of MS. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system (the spinal cord, optic nerves and brain). Common symptoms are numbness of the limbs, but more severe cases can lead to paralysis and blindness.

According to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, there are currently between 350,000

to 500,000 people in the US who have been diagnosed with MS, and 200 people are diagnosed with the disease every week.

The new regenerative strategy will involve using autologous, mesenchymal stem cellderived neural progenitor cells (MSC-NPs), which will be harvested from the bone marrow of 20 MS patients who meet the criteria for the trial.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

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Cholera: NIMR promises free intervention TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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s part of its contribution to reduce incidences of ill health and death in the country, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos, has offered free medical screening and treatment on cases of cholera

epidemic in the country.

The institute made the commitment as a response to the red alert issued by the Federal Government in four states of the south-west geopolitical zones that they should be wary of possible outbreak of cholera epidemic. National Mirror recalled an alleged case of cholera outbreak in Ogun

State, recently.

However, a release by the institute’s head of Emergency Preparedness and Response Research unit, Dr. Stella Smith, said with the repositioned-unit and well-equipped laboratories, the institute had the capacity to carry out analysis on samples suspected to be that of cholera in any part of the country.

“Therefore, communities and health facilities with cases of cholera epidemic can send samples to NIMR for verifications,” she said.

Smith explained that the analysis would confirm whether or not, the samples are actually that of cholera for the institute to determine their circulating strains and the

mode of achieving effective treatment.

She added that the effort would also contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals project of the Federal Government as it is only when people are healthy that they will be able to contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy.

Anti tobacco crusaders call for urgent passage of Tobacco Bill SINA FADARE

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orried by the recent statistics on tobacco use in Nigeria released by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, GATS, 2013 showing that over 3 million Nigerians are on the death toll due to tobaccorelated diseases, stakeholders in the industry have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, sign the National Tobacco Bill that has been on his table since 2011 in order to sanitise the industry.

The tobacco community in an interactive session with journalists cried out that failure of the president to sign the National Tobacco Control Bill to law, would affect “the future of Nigerians youths who are daily smoking into their early grave is in danger”.

Speaking at the occasion, which was organised by the Environmental Rights Action, ERA, the Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Mr Auwa Rafsanjani lamented that Nigeria which was a signatory to the United Nation’s treaty which enjoins member nations to control tobacco operation through legislation, had not domesticat-

ed the law in the country.

He regretted that while the National Assembly had passed the bill into law since 2011, the president still refused to give his assent and called on all well meaning Nigerians to speak out because millions of Nigerians are dying gradually due to lack of control in cigarette smoking in the county.

Similarly, Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi of ERA noted that tobacco firms in the country are exploiting the absence of this legislation to exploit Nigerians and attract her youths through subtle advertisement to embrace cigarette smoking at their tender age.

According to him “the tobacco sector does not bring any revenue to the coffer of the government but rather killing her greater tomorrow by attracting them to cigarette smoking with impunity and the government keeping mute on such a serious matter is very unfortunate.”

In her contribution, Mrs Hilda Ochefu of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, charged mothers to rise up and challenge the president on why he should be a part of those sending Nigerians youth to their early grave due to early exposure to cigarette smoking.

Research vital to universal health coverage –WHO

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he World Health Organization, WHO, has stressed the importance of research in the attainment of universal health coverage. This was contained in the global agency’s World Health Report, 2013 recently launched.

The World health report titled “Research for Universal Health Coverage” focuses on the importance of research in advancing progress towards universal health coverage. In addition, it identifies the benefits of increased investment in health research by low- and middleincome countries using case studies from around the world, and proposes ways to further strengthen this type of research.

WHO noted that “despite a multinational commitment to universal coverage, there are many unsolved questions on how to provide access to health services and financial risk protection to all people in all settings.

“Currently most research is invested in new technologies rather than in making better use of existing knowledge.

Much more research is needed to turn existing knowledge into practical applications.

“Many questions about universal coverage require local answers (e.g. how the system should be structured, healthseeking behaviours, how to measure progress). All countries need to be producers of research as well as consumers.”

President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Prof. Victor Wakwe presenting a plaque to the guest Lecturer, Emeritus Prof. Adeoye Adeniyi watched keenly by the College Vice President, Prof. E.A. Arogundade at the opening ceremony of the 8th Annual Scientific Conference and All Fellows Congress of the college at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, recently

NPMCN trains 4000 medical specialists SAM EFERARO

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mid statistics showing that the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMNC) has produced no fewer than 4000 specialists in various fields of medicine, a renowned emeritus professor of pediatrics, Prof.

Adobe Adeniyi says experts medial services are now available in Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres in different parts of the country.

Delivering the guest lecture at the 8th Annual Scientific Conference and All Fellows Congress of the college at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex, IleIfe last week, Prof. Adeniyi disclosed that NPMCN has, since its inception, produced 524 specialists in its Faculty of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 457 in the faculty of Internal Medicine and 434 in the Faculty of Surgery among others.

“By training our specialists locally, we have saved our nation billions of naira in foreign exchange and produced experts and scholars that man our hospitals and serve with distinction within the health care institutions.

“Experts service has become available in fairly good measure to the Teaching hospitals and Federal Medical Centers. Indeed, a significant majority 8590% of the specialist component of doctors in Nigeria today are products of our college.”

Professr Adeniyi who is also one of the pioneering Fellow of the college, further disclosed that the NPMCN had continued to have ‘profoundly positive’ effect on all aspects of health care services and delivery in Nigeria, especially the hospital sector.

“We have also played major roles in research, elucidating disease patterns in the country, breaking myths about rarity of some conditions that were believed to be non-existent but are just as commonly found in Nigeria.

“The standards set to train our post graduates were very high but the products were excellent and they hold their own the world over whether in the USA, Europe, Austratlia, South Africa etc.”

Also in his speech at the conference, the PMCN President, Prof. Victor Wakwe said the theme of the conference “the impact of Postgraduate Medical Education on the quality of

the Health care Delivery in Nigeria” was designed to enable each of the fifteen faculties of the college to showcase how they had impacted health care in the country. He also disclosed that the sub-theme would highlight how to broaden the scope of the National Health Insurance Scheme, how to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, how to improve child health “instead of marrying all our daughters at tender age” and how to improve oral health for overall healthy living.

In an earlier press briefing on the conference, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Prof. Olusegun Ojo had observed that the conference was being held at a time the nation was experience an upsurge in the incidence of non-communicable diseases.

He reiterated that the college, in its four decades, had proven its mettle in the international comity of postgraduate colleges of medicines adding that its graduates could be found in all parts of the world.

“Today, the larger proportion of the consultants and lecturers and professors in medicine in Nigeria are Fellows of the College,” he said.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘We can eliminate typhoid in Nigeria’ Over the years, typhoid fever has become a major disease that affects virtually everyone in Nigeria. A Senior Consultant at Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Dr Medunoye Iyinolorun, in this interview with Health Reporter, MARCUS FATUNMOLE, speaks on the causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment of the disease. Excerpt:

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here’s hardly any Nigerian who does not have some form of experience with typhoid fever.

From the medical perspective what manner of disease is typhoid?

Typhoid is a type of ailment that is due to infection by salmonella typhi. There are other bacteria similar to salmonella typhi; that is salmonella paratyphi. But, generally and clinically, we may not be able to distinguish between salmonella typhi and paratyphi. We call all of them typhoid fever. But, when we do a laboratory test, it will be able to show whether it is really typhoid due to salmonella typhi or paratyphoid, due to malaria paratyphi. There are about three or four serotypes. There are many serotypes of that paratyphi.

What are the major symptoms of typhoid?

The symptom of typhoid is not specific. If you have fever, body pains, weakness of the body, headache; those are the major things that the patients complain about. It is just like malaria; that is how typhoid also presents.

What is your opinion on self-medication? Is typhoid a disease I can treat at home?

We don’t encourage self-medication. If you have a car and your car is bad, when there is a mechanic who can repair it, you won’t take it to a vulcanizer. The best thing is to go to a medical practitioner, a doctor, for treatment; a person who can differentiate when you are sick. Typhoid actually affects the lymphoid tissues around that area and that is why we can have that problem there. Like I said, it is a doctor who will be able to recognize it.

Ok, let’s talk a bit about the treatment?

The infection by typhoid is recognized clinically by patient’s complaint of fever, headache, generally weakness of the body.

In fact, the person may lose appetite. But,

generally, typhoid is difficult to differentiate from malaria. Malaria is another condition that is simulated by typhoid.

Typhoid can be recognized, in the management, we do a clinical examination. We examine the patient; the patient may be feverish, he may be weak, he may not be able to talk. Like I said, malaria is another condition that is similar to typhoid. So, we do malaria parasite, if malaria is not there, if we can cut short the bacteria, that is the clear evidence that is due to typhoid fever.

But, most times, we’ve not been able to cut short the organism here. You may do serological test; the test for the somatic antigen and the H antigen which O antigen. The O antigen tells you whether it is recent infection and the H whether it is a previous infection. Generally, when the serological test comes out, one in 80 is suggestive. One in 160 tells you that the person really has the infection. But, one in 320 is sure that the person really has typhoid infection whether the salmonella typhi, or paratyphi. We classify them into A, B, C and D. In A is the salmonella typhi, B, C and D are the salmonella paratyphi.

After clinical investigation comes treatment which varies; depending on sensitivity pattern in the area. In some areas, or in those days, we used chloramphenicol as a treatment but nowadays, people have moved away from chloramphenicol because of the side effects of the drug. Commonly, our people use amoxicillin because the side effect is less than that of the chloramphenicol. Some people also use the ciprofloxacin family generally. Those are the common drugs that people now use.

How would you compare the percentage of patients you have diagnosed to have had typhoid with other basic disease conditions?

Malaria is commoner than typhoid. Like I said earlier, typhoid is hard to be distinguished from malaria and other viral infec-

Poor environmental sanitation: A major cause of typhoid

Dr. Medunoye Fatunmole

THE BEST THING IS TO GO TO A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER, A DOCTOR, FOR TREATMENT; tion. Other infections can come like malaria, fever, headache and one may think they are typhoid. You may not be able to differentiate between these diseases unless you do a test. In this environment, we still treat malaria more than typhoid. Conditions that are predisposed to typhoid infection are actually being combated by government. We expect that typhoid should be reducing. What are these things? Poor water supply, poor waste disposal method, poor sewage system; that is poor environmental management system. With the activities of government in those areas now, we expect government will produce water, and with that, the incidence of typhoid will be going down. For now, I don’t have a figure, but I treat more of malaria than typhoid.

Some people actually believe that it is not possible for an individual to recover fully from typhoid, using orthodox medicine. How true is this?

No, it is not true. You can treat typhoid completely and the person will be cured.

The problem we have is that sometimes, we have a carrier state, because the organisms can lump in the gall bladder. The person can be passing it in stool, in faeces and it will contaminate other people. There are drugs we use to treat the carrier stage. I will recommend orthodox treatment rather than alternative where we are not sure of the dose and the origin of the drug and there are many fake alternative treatments outside there.

How true is it that typhoid destroys the kidney?

I don’t think typhoid has any direct relationship with the kidney. But, there could be indirect relationship with the kidney.

One, when someone has typhoid, the person may not be eating well; he may not want to be drinking water. When someone does not drink enough water, it may lead to acute renal or kidney failure. If typhoid infection is left untreated and it becomes overwhelm-

ing, it is going to cause typhoid septicaemia which provokes some amount of reaction inside the body and which could involve deposition of hormone complexes in the kidney. These could lead to other problems in the kidney. But, there is no direct relation between kidney problem and typhoid infection directly, except indirectly from other reactions that may occur in the body.

How about perforated typhoid?

Typhoid affects the lymphoid tissues in the intestine. By the time the reaction goes, you have a foreign body in the body.

The body mobilizes its own military forces to defend itself. The lymphoid tissues are mobilized and the lymphocytosis in the intestine are parts of the lymphoid tissues in the body. So, when the bacteria affect that place, because of the reaction going on, it erodes that place and it perforates. That is a dangerous one actually. It may perforate through the intestine and the contents of the intestine will pour into the abdomen.

That is a dangerous one.

How long can typhoid be treated?

If you want to treat typhoid, straightforward typhoid, you treat it for 10 to 14 days. There are two major means of treatment which is either through surgery or conservative management. If conservative management fails, we resort to surgery. Conservative treatment can take up to a month while surgery is faster.

Is it possible for typhoid to be eliminated from Nigeria as it is being done to polio, Guinea worm and other diseases?

It is possible. In developed countries, typhoid is no longer a problem for them there. Like I said, if we increase our level of sanitation, waste and refuse disposition, sewage system, we control them very well including the water we drink, definitely the problem of typhoid will decline. With that, we will be able to control typhoid

Wednesday, June 21, 12, 2013 2013 Wednesday, August

National Mirror Mirror National www.nationalmirroronline.net www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Arts Lounge

My hometown is Ogbomoso –Elaine Orr

Garlands for Achebe in Ibadan

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NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

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he unique Nigerian cultural landscape is filled with historical outbursts that can keep filmmakers busy for generations to come. But while the basic element–story – is there, funds have been scarce.

And this has been a subject of debate at many film conferences in the country. Although, the government has made some ad hoc interventions, these have not been yielding the desired results.

This is the reason why, Bayo Awala,’s new project, Shijuwomi, which is a cinematic adaptation of Rasheed Gbadamosi’s book, ‘Behold My Redeemer’ offers a new glimpse to a spectacular way of bankrolling film projects in the country: crowd-funding.

This strategy allows ‘the collective effort of individuals who network and pool their money, to support efforts initiated by other people or organisations’. The typical crowd-funding efforts in the more developed Hollywood, may take the shape of partnering with websites such as Kickstart. com, but Bayo Awala through Telecine, a production company notable for numerous successful television projects intends to raise at least N100million.

What module did Telecine design to raise this fund to make the film? It has put on offer 2000 units of combined production units and financing units of N50, 000 each. By this, each Shijuwomi unit represents .05% of the total budget of the film.

Further, the production unit is made up of and represent 400 units or 20% of the Shijuwomi offer while the financing unit is made up of and represents 1600 units or 80% of the offer.

Of the 2000 available offers, however, Telecine the parent group, has acquired 400 units, making available only 1600 units free for subscription. With this, the Telecine company would retain 20%, while the pool of investors would hold 80%, which would be acknowledge on subscription through a system, Shijuwomi Credit Unit certificates.

Already, the project coordinators have put out details regarding the budget of the production which has items such as scripts, producer, directors, cast, welfare, production management, costume, make-up, location, lighting , equipment, post production and of course, publicity.

Three key factors however

Gbadamosi

Typical film location

Shijuwomi: Opening a new frontier in film funding Renowned filmmaker, Bayo Awala, has an adaptation of Rasheed Gbadamosi’s book, Behold My Redeemer, intended for the big screen under the title Shijuwomi. Aside giving everyone an opportunity to make this film a reality, it will open a new horizon in film-funding in Nigeria. make this project an investor’s dream, from what ‘Arts Lounge’ gathered. Aside the credibility of the personalities involved, the thematic relevance of the story as well as the profits projections which have been wellarticulated are mouthwatering.

Beginning with the former, the story was originally written

by Rasheed Gbadamosi as Behold My Redeemer. Gbadamosi, by all means a renowned name in the art sector has been part of the circle for many years where he has spawned a lot of theatrical hits.

Awala, the man behind the project is neither new to adaptations nor directing. As a filmmaker, he acquired a lot of experience at the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, where he directed such successful drama series as Winds Against My Soul, Adio Family, By the Road Side, The Turning Wheel, The Younger Ones, Jagua Nana’s Daughter, Tight Rope, Trauma and Doctor’s Quarters.

He has also shot documentaries for groups such as: Church Gate Group, Habib Bank, Owena Bank, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers. Some

of the television commercials shot

by Awala include: Boot Baby Productions, Lifebouy Soap. Chase Merchant Bank, Asepso, Family Planning, Omo Soap, Bounvita, Tree Top and Ever Ready battery, which he shot in California and Miami, respectively.

In the area of adaptations, Awala has also acquired the cinematic rights to some of the works of Daniel Fagunwa, the pioneering novelist, highly regarded as one of the pillars of literature in indigenous African languages.

Aawal, a church cleric, once talked about adapting a book into film with reference to D.O Fagunwa’s work thus: “So, we secured the copyright for all of D.O Fagunwa’s works. I also buy into the idea of going into published works.

Writing is a discipline and adaptation is a serious challenge. That is why this script has to go through various stages of re-writes because when you adapt, you want to remain faithful to the text that you have and you will also realise that certain things don’t work the way the writer intends and so you have to use your dramatic liberty to straighten out things. And in doing that, you are also worried about what the author will think

and so there may be the need for you to be clear that with the author, so that, he doesn’t wake up and say you have produced something else and not his script. So, we have the rights to the works, but I heard from the grapevine that some people want to produce another version of Ogboju Ode. We just want to sound out that we have copyright to the stories of D.O.Fagunwa — all five; and we are hoping that nobody will dare venture into such productions.”

The story line of Shijuwomi, which tells the story of Shijuwomi, a pampered girl child who was taken to England has a feel of intriguing plots. Shijuwomi, while in England attempted suicide, prompting the decision to repatriate her home where she meets Dr Ilori, a lecturer in Anthropology who eventually marries her. The marriage does not

Awala

however avail the desired harmony as Shijuwomi and Ilori are on a parallel scale in terms of pursuing their interests, forcing her to make another attempt at suicide.

Arts Lounge observes that the character Shijuwomi, is a metaphor for Nigeria and many African countries whose dreams of Utopia after freedom have all but evaporated, leaving behind hopelessness and frustration.

For the profit projections, Shijuwomi is being positioned to spawn four-folds of the initial investments as the producers hope to market the film through film festivals, cinematic exhibitions, DVD sales, product placement, product tie-in, merchandising, television rights, airline sales, new media , mobile phone video and video-ondemand. These projection from the local and international scenes are making the producers confident of reaping up to N490m at the end of the production term to disburse to the investors according to their subscriptions.

Of course, Nollywood must be waiting to see how this unfolds, but it sure holds the prospects for future film projects if everything works according to plans. Already this module is working in the United States with the likes of Spike Lee who is crowd-funding at the moment for his new film project.

ASIDE THE CREDIBILITY OF THE PERSONALITIES INVOLVED, THE THEMATIC RELEVANCE OF THE STORY AS WELL AS THE PROFIT PROJECTIONS

WHICH HAVE BEEN WELL-ARTICULATED ARE MOUTHWATERING

Arts Lounge

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

VOICES

LET’S

T AL K FAD

Piracy: Let’s not blame NCC yet YINKA OGUNDAISI

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ictor Akande, the Group Entertainment Editor of The Nation was as usual right in his submission in his recent column. He stated that if the New Distribution and Exhibition Framework, NDEF, could be fully implemented, it can create the much-desired legal distribution owners at different levels of our society and that the created legal distribution ownerships can serve useful purposes in the fight against the present endemic piracy that daily threatens the meaningful existence of our entertainment industry, particularly the movie segment.

However, it is important for us to realise that the mandate of Nigerian Copyrights Commission, NCC, does not include the creation of the copyright or in the case of movies, distribution owners. Unless and until they are created in all our communities nationwide, we will not be fair to blame NCC for not being effective in the fight against piracy. I admit that their occasional comedy of seizing and burning the so-called pirated copies of movies is irritating, but this is not about holding brief for NCC or putting the Censors Board in the dock. It is just that we need to clearly understand the scope of each of the governmental agencies meant to regulate, administer, promote and or support the industry. That way, we will know who to hold responsible for what. It is also not about trading blames but imploring that we match our expectations to the enabling legal mandates of each of the agencies.

Whenever a film is released for public distribution, there are two distinct and legally separable owners for it; the copyright owners that produced the film and the distribution proprietorship created by the valid distribution contract between the copyright owners and a licensed distributor of the Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB. Even if the production and the licensed distribution companies have the same owners, there must still be a written transfer between them as a formality. The three major aspects of a valid distribution contract are the period covered by the contract, the territory and the amount payable.

Ogundaisi

THE BASIS UPON WHICH NCC CAN

with

Fidelis Duker

MEANINGFULLY FIGHT PIRACY HAS TO BE PROVIDED BY THE

NFVCB

Before the release, the distribution proprietor must also place a public announcement in at least a national newspaper to establish their proprietorship and as a notice to the copyright owners to hands off the movie until the lapse of the agreed distribution period as enshrined in the distribution contract. Now in reality, it was the copyright owners, the producing company, that initiated cases of piracy and most of them neither had the distribution license by the NFVCB nor a working agreement with a licensed distributor; so it was a case of using illegality to fight illegality! Most of the time, the pirated movies were not censored by NFVCB! Even where the licensed distribution company was the one fighting the piracy, it was either there was no formal and legally-valid distribution contract between the copyright owners and the distributor, or where both the producing company and the licensed distributing company are owned by one person, the process of a formal transfer of the movie by the producing company to the licensed distributing company or interdepartmental transfer –IDT– in case of the same company that produced also holding the NFVCB’s distribution license, was usually not followed. Thus, it was still an imperfect and flawed platform of the fight. All these do not reduce the criminality of piracy but they make successful prosecution difficult if not impossible.

Secondly, since the major distributor had in effect delegated their distribution ownership and authority to the mass of retailers selling the movies at different communities, it was any of such empowered retailers in whose territory (ies) the infraction of piracy took place that ought to have initiated the legal proceedings of copyright infringement.

But again, there hardly was ever a formal contract between the major distributor and the retailers to establish their legal relationship. Where there was, there is still the problem of the retailers not having specified operating territories

by NFVCB to easily prove their rights as the authorised distribution proprietor of their area(s) and doing legitimate business where the piracy happened against the pirates. The operating guidelines to the licensed distributors stipulate that they must submit the list of their retailers across the country to the Board before the start of distribution or where that is not possible, to make the returns not later than two weeks after release.

But, this is observed more in breach!

Mr. Ogundaisi is a seasoned film practitioner and the originator of the film distribution framework.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

S

fidelisduker@yahoo.com; 08055662925(SMS ONLY)

Tribalism: The FFK style

ometimes, when the issue of tribalism is discussed, I always wonder why issues of national or state interest are trivialised to the point of tribal and ethnic sentiments as was the case of Chief Femi Fani Kayode, FFK, and Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, former Minister of Aviation and Former Governor of Abia State respectively.

It was so shameful that in the bid of Femi Fani Kayode to wipe up tribal sentiments after he was castigated as a tribalist after his article, he quickly did a defence rejoinder where he stupidly mentioned a couple of Nigeria women of Igbo descent as intimate friends, including Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain and wife of late Odumegwu Ojukwu, Bianca Onoh-Ojukwu.

This to a large extent drew the ire of the most Nigerians on social media.

In Nigeria today, tribalism has been elevated to the status of a national culture which dominates national discourse, controls how we think and talk, and determines what we oppose or support. It is promoted by the most educated and powerful among us, embraced by the young and the old, passed from generation to generation, and has even crept into our constitution. That is why the likes of Fani-Kayode will descend as low as to defend his position on the deportation of Igbos by saying that because he is close to some Igbo women, as such he is not a tribalist.

The question is what is responsible for this? Is our history to blame? Are our founding fathers responsible?

Is it caused by greed, corruption or competition? Why are other African countries which are as diverse as we are not half as obsessed with their diversity? I can go on and on and I’m sure I’ll hear as many answers to these questions as the people I ask. But the reality is that because of our different languages, there is that diversity in our fabric and therefore, you will see eminent Nigerians reducing a major issue on the altar of tribal sentiments.

However, the damaging effects of tribalism, I’m sure, are well known.

It promotes mediocrity, suppresses merit and encourages corruption by giving much needed cover and immunity to perpetrators. Tribalism stands in the way of national cohesion and consensus, creates a distraction away from serious national issues and often contributes to communal violence as has been the case with most of the communal clashes the country has experienced over the years. So, it becomes worrisome when the likes of Orji Kalu and FFK trivialise an issue like the relocation of some Igbos from Lagos to their state to a point where Kalu says the Igbos made Lagos and

A NIGERIAN WHO IS ASPIRING TO PUBLIC OFFICE WOULD SAY THINGS LIKE

“MY

TRIBE HAS NEVER BEEN GIVEN THAT

POST!” OR

“MY TRIBE IS MARGINALISED!”

Lagos is no man’s land and the likes of FFK engage in tribal historical debates on who owns or how the Igbo’s have destroyed Nigeria.

It is sad that this is not the time when the country should encourage tribal and ethnic sentiments that can put this country through another civil war. Student of history will tell you that the cause of the civil/Biafra war was as a result of tribalism and nepotism of that era and we all know that no country can go through two wars and remain together; we are still contending with the Boko Haram insurgents in northern Nigeria. One wonders why the likes of Fani Kayode will reduce an important issue like the relocation of Igbos to mere ‘kiss and tell’ epistle.

In my own understanding, tribalism flourishes in Nigeria mainly because it is an effective tool that gives the user an edge in the eternal struggle by the elite and educated classes to gain government patronage or appointments. After getting the appointment, tribalism is again used as a cover to abuse that office, and then to escape justice after leaving the office. A Nigerian who is aspiring to public office would say things like “my tribe has never been given that post!” or “my tribe is marginalised!”

Soon after, newspapers which are always willing accomplices pick up the mantra and make a lot of noise until he gets the appointment. The person then abuses that office and enriches himself while any criticism of him is dismissed as bad belle from opposing tribes and sundry detractors. Finally, any attempt to bring our appointee to justice after leaving office will be labelled with the help of some media as a selective persecution of his tribe.

It is a known fact that as we approach the 2015 general election, the tribal and ethnic card is playing out again because the different region including the ruling region are all claiming to the top post not minding if their candidate can perform well enough to contest the election. Sadly, that is the reality because the even the electorates vote often times based on ethnic, tribal or even religious sentiments.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

My hometown is Ogbomoso –Elaine Orr Elaine Neil Orr, who spent the better part of her early life in South West Nigeria, is professor of English literature at the North Carolina State University her home state in the United States of America. Although she has written other books, her first novel, A Different Sun, is about her growing up years in Nigeria and another novel is in the works about the country she remembers as home.

TERH AGBEDEH

N

igeria has a not very complementary image abroad perhaps because of the ‘one story’ narrative that the novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, has said so much about. But every now and then nuggets appear to colour the Nigerian story in good light. That is the case with Elaine Neil Orr’s novel, A Different Sun which she decided to write after her mother gave her the diary of an American missionary woman who lived in Ijaiye and Ogbomoso in the 1850s.

“Her name was Lurana Bowen, the first American missionary to Nigeria, along with her husband, Thomas Jefferson Bowen. He was the first pastor of Oke’lerin Baptist Church in Ogbomoso,” Orr said.

The diary, she explained, was full of brief and mysterious phrases which no doubt got her attention and made her want to know what this woman’s life had been, “the first white woman going to Ogbomoso, my home town”.

Of course, the only way to know was to do as much research as possible and then to make up a story, to fill in the blanks. Orr was to travel to Nigeria three times to follow in the Bowens’ footsteps and the result is A Different Sun. “My purpose in writing the novel was to explore the yearning that the American South has for West Africa. Why does a white American feel “called”

by God to go to Africa? My thinking is that there is a link between these continents. What is the link? What trauma has occurred historically between these continents?” she stated.

Orr said her white characters believe they have the theological answer to deliver to Africa since they are bringing Christianity. But in Yoruba land, they learn that people have already thought a great deal about God. Her intention for the book is to show this religious encounter.

“Finally, I wanted to show what the white characters learned in Africa. How were they awakened to their own insufficiency?”

She may have succeeded in this quest but for a long time, she could not decide on a title until her editor came to the res-

25

MIDWEEK JUMP British Council maps Nigerian creative industries

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he British Council Nigeria is ready to start the mapping of the creative industries in Nigeria beginning with a pilot programme in Lagos that will focus on the film, fashion and music subsectors.

Mrs. Ojoma Ochai, assistant country director of the British Council Nigeria said the venture will be very advantageous to policy making since evidence-based decisionmaking regarding the creative industries in Nigeria is key to its growth.

“We hope that by providing the much needed data on key subsectors through the mapping exercise, we can start to identify scale, opportunity, trends and patterns that will allow responsible stakeholders make short and long term deci-

sions that will impact the sector positively,” Mrs Ochai says.

A scoping of methodology in 2012 heralded the mapping exercise that resulted from a stakeholders’ forum in July 2011. The forum had agreed unanimously that, in order to stimulate interest, grow its profile and aid policy making, it was imperative that an economic study (a mapping) of the sector be undertaken to provide information on size, employment profile and other trends in the sector.

Lagos, the organisation said, was picked because it is one of the hubs of creative activity in film, fashion and music, which are themselves vibrant and high profile sectors and will provide data that make the case for further investment in the mapping process.

OYASAF Lecture holds today in Lagos

T Orr

I AM ALWAYS INSPIRED TO SHOW THE LIGHT IN

AFRICA, TO DISPEL THE IDEA THAT

AFRICA IS ‘DARK’ cue with the apt A Different Sun. “My editor found the phrase “a different sun” in a sentence I had written in the manuscript. We decided to choose it for the title. I am always inspired to show the light in Africa, to dispel the idea that Africa is ‘dark’,” Orr said.

The professor, who said she works on a big project like a novel during the summer months from May to August and tries to write three days every week on small writing projects, disclosed that it took her six years to finish A Different Sun. “My teaching does feed my writing, too. I teach courses in World Literature, with an emphasis on African Literature, and I teach a graduate course on the African short story. So I often do research for my classes that then inform my writing,” she said.

Although A Different Sun in published in America Orr said nothing would make me happier than to publish the novel in Nigeria.

“I hope that this interview may lead to some interest so that my literary agent can make a connection. Certainly, as I wrote, part of my audience was Nigerian. I kept thinking: how will Nigerians read this book?

I would love to hear responses and for this I need a Nigerian publisher!” she said.

The writer, who has started another novel that once again connects Nigeria and the American South and is set around 1960 in the Osogbo/Ede area and in North Carolina, her home state in the U.S. has written two scholarly books and a memoir about growing up in Nigeria, titled: Gods of Noonday: A White Girl’s African Life.

Orr believes storytelling is an avenue to discovery just as much as scientific invention is. “Adichie writes a story in which an Igbo woman and a Hausa woman take refuge together when there is a bloody conflict in the street. The story offers them common ground.

At least for one night, they sleep on the same cloth. If we discuss this story as seriously as we discuss the political news of the day, could we imagine a soccer team on which Muslim and Christian children play together, or a well-baby clinic, or a community well?”

he third series of the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation, OYASAF Lecture holds today with the title: ‘The Price of Art and its Implication on Art Practice in Nigeria’. The lecture is to be delivered by Professor Jacob Jari, who is Dean, Faculty of Environmental Design, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU Zaria.

The time for the event slated for the OYASAF Conference Centre, Okupe Estate, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos, is 10:30a.m. prompt.

Jacob Jari was born in 1960 to Ngas parents in Plateau State, Nigeria. He attended St. Murumba College, Jos and ABU, Zaria. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting and a PhD in Art History.

He was employed by his alma mater in 1989 and became a Professor in 2008.

The lecture will dwell on the dynamics of change in the 20th century Africa, which considerably transformed art forms that are typical of the earlier artistic traditions found in the various creative cultures that constitute the present day Nigeria.

Shyllon

GTBank Nollywood Studies Centre holds monthly forum

T

he August edition of the monthly Filmmakers Forum organised by the GTBank Nollywood Studies Centre is taking place today, August 21 at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Victoria Island, Lagos. This month’s speaker Thelma Ozy Smith will share from the topic: “Challenges of movie make-up in Nollywood” Smith, a freelance makeup artiste, has worked in the Nigerian film industry for about seven years. She is the CEO of “Lips ‘n’ Eyes make up” and the Secretary of the Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria, CDGN. She received her training under the late Mrs. Mayford and House of

Tara. She has worked on the sets of various films including Covert Operations, Married but Living Single, and Yours and Mine.

The make-up artiste plays an important role behind-thescenes in the film industry.

However, this contribution to the film process largely geso unnoticed by members of the viewing public.This edition of the Filmmakers Forum is dedicated to one of the groups that work behind the scenes:- make-up artistes and costumiers. The forum will seek to give an insight into the nature of the job that those of this group carry out and the challenges involved.

There will also be practical demonstrations of the art of the make-up artiste.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Garlands for Achebe in Ibadan

FAR AND NEAR

LSFVCB commences censorship of films MURITALA AYINLA

T

he Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board has said it would commence censorship and classification of cinematograph works including musicals, that would be exhibited within the state, just as it is poised to begin registration of associations and practitioners in the film and music industry.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr. Bamidele Balogun, who disclosed this, said the move was a renewed drive to fully implement its mandate as a regulatory agency.

He said it had become imperative for the Board to commence the censorship and classification based on the concerns of some Lagos residents particularly with regards to the content and production qualities of the films being produced and exhibited within the state.

According to him, ‘‘Some people have openly expressed their misgivings about the quality of the content and production of the films being exhibited within the state and as a body set up to

superintend the film and music sector, it is dependent on us to address those issues so that things should be done properly”.

He stated that the Board had decided that any film meant for exhibition in the state that did not carry the seal of LSFVCB would not only be confiscated, but the outlet selling such films would be sealed up. ‘Any cinemas that failed to register with the Board would not be allowed to operate within the state. That is what the law says’’.

The Executive Secretary disclosed that the body in the past had an agreement with the National Film and Video Censors Board where the two bodies jointly censored and classified films amongst other things but the agreement had expired and no longer in force.

Mr. Balogun said as a result of this development, the management of the state’s Film and Video Censors Board had been meeting with associations and bodies within the film industry to appraise them and encourage them to register with the Board adding that reactions from them had been positive.

Eko Oni Baje New Yam and Beach Festival plans pageant NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

C

astel Down Arts Centre, Lagos, organisers of the annual Eko Oni Baje New Yam and Beach Festival will kick off the 2013 event with a beauty pageant, Miss Eko Oni Baje at Ibeju, Lekki, Lagos on September 6.

According to the promoter of the art gallery and cultural promotion outfit, Ozo Chinedu Idezuna (Ezemuo), this year’s event, which will have its usual pomp, will particularly drive unity amongst the ethnic groups living in Lagos.

According to Idezuna, Lawrence Eze (Eze Ndigbo in Alimosho), Alahaji T.A Jegede (Chairman, Lekki Free Trade Zone) are among many dignitaries expected to attend the event along with Oba of Ibeju Lekki, who would serve as the special guest of honour.

The festival will also showcase numerous dance groups and cultural displays, including masquerades, traditional wrestling, best yam farmer competition, palm wine drinking and display of artworks to stress the cultural heritage of the many ethnic groups. Idezuna also gave

reasons why the yearly festival, has become very significant.

“For years, several outcries have echoed the need for Federal Government and the private sector to look inwards into the non-oil sector of the economy. This clarion call was seen as a way out of over-dependence on oil as the mainstay of the Nigeria economy. The searchlight beamed on several other revenue potentials especially tourism. This spurred the establishment of the Eko Oni Baje New Yam and Beach Festival with the aim of promoting tourism and culture .The beautiful and serene Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos became the takeoff point of a celebration of a united Nigeria with culture and tourism as a pivot .This initial idea of just an atmosphere to share yam as entrenched in Igbo culture of Nigeria.”

The yearly festival is now in its sixth edition.

Idezuna, Left with a guest

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Achebe

TERH AGBEDEH

H

EBN Publishers Plc, honoured the late Chinua Achebe on Tuesday, August 6 in Ibadan, Oyo State at an event tagged: ‘Achebe’s Literary Day’. Formerly Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria) Plc, an associate company of Heinemann UK, the company published the literary icon’s, Things Fall Apart.

The event, which took place at the Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan drew many a literati and students from secondary schools.

Chairman and Chief Executive of the company, Mr. Ayo Ojeniyi, while welcoming the guests, who came from far and near, said the honour was important not only because of Achebe’s contributions to the development of African literature, “but also because he is our author.”

Explaining that Achebe lives through his works, hr described him as a man of culture who projected his Igbo culture in most of his works.

“The literary genius achieved a lot during his lifetime, and that is why people have been celebrating him since his passage, and that is why we are also celebrating him,” Ojeniyi said.

Former chairman of HEBN, Sir Aigboje Higo, said the late Achebe fought against bad gover-

nance in the country, while also protesting against perceived injustice against his people.

Hence, he said, it was a good thing that the opposition governors in the South West and Edo State are performing wonderfully well. He however added that they should “first review their allowances and salaries downwards, which should be channelled to people-oriented projects in their respective states”.

Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Remi Raji, speaking for the UI Vice Chancellor, said it was on the campus that Achebe started his journey in literature.

“The late Achebe penned his most popular book, Things Fall Apart, on the campus of the university, and it is a good thing that HEBN has chosen this same university as the venue of the Literary Day in his honour,” he said.

He explained that the university had earlier in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA honoured Achebe at the ‘Stand Up for Achebe’ event, “and considering his contribution to the development of the African literature, we will continue to honour him”.

In the first lecture titled: ‘Achebe as a Novelist and Social Critic’, Dr. Chima Anyadike of the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, said the late Achebe used his literary career to focus on social issues in the country.

Dr. Henry Chakava, Chairman, East African Educational Publishers Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya, delivered the second titled: ‘Achebe as a Children’s Books Writer’. He said Achebe’s books, Chike and the River and How the Leopard Got His Claws, are for children.

The last titled: ‘Achebe as a Poet,’ was by Professor Raji, who explained that the late author uses a lot of poetry in his works to describe different situations and occasions.

A cultural performance took place afterwards before the Abuja-based poet, Ikeogu Oke, accompanied by a multi-instrumentalist, performed his poem titled: ‘No dirge for Achebe’.

Among those present were the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Pastor Taiwo Otegbeye; Professor Niyi Osundare, Professor Femi Osofisan and Mrs. Mabel Segun.

Saro: The Musical steps into the future of Nigerian drama TERH AGBEDEH

T

he stage in Nigeria will come alive with a major cultural project tagged: Saro: The Musical between October and December. The musical, a production of the Victoria Island, Lagos-based Terra Kulture Art Centre will then tour other parts of the world for most of next year.

Created and produced by Mrs. Bolanle Austin-Peters, who also runs Terra Kulture, she said Saro is the story of four young men, who determined to break from the yoke of frustration and lack of opportunities to explore their talents and realise their dreams, decided to embark on a journey to the land of opportunities, Lagos.

“A devastating experience lands them in the lap of destiny, success ignites them and love fuels them,” she said.

Austin-Peters explained that Saro: The Musical is conceived as a patriotic cultural project,

designed to serve as a response to the recent trend of Nigerian corporate organisations and the affluent importing theatrical packages from abroad without giving necessary encouragement or assistance to local talents to flower.

Terra Kulture is in the forefront of the promotion of live theatre in the country and in the past six years has hosted weekly productions. Many young artistes have taken the opportunities Terra Kulture provides to explore and expose their talents and as well as honing their performance skills.

“This mission is what has propelled us to embark on this major theatrical project that will serve as a platform for the promotion of our cultural heritage,” she said.

Rehearsals have since started and every other activity that will make Saro a musical to beat have been put in place. To help bring the project to life the best hands in the industry led by Makinde Adeniran as Executive Artistic Director and the Technical Director Teju

Kareem of ZMirage are on board.

“We have experts from the United States and South Africa handling the lights and stage.

We are also partnering with the Muson Centre where the show will be held. There is a 75-man cast composed of a 25-man orchestra and other actors. It is simply on a grand scale to rival Umoja, Sikulu and Fela! on Broadway,” the creator said.

Terra Kulture is an educational and recreational organisation set up in 2003 to promote the richness and diversity of Nigerian Languages, Arts and Culture. Today Terra Kulture, a private sector initiative is a resounding success recognised as a major cultural hub in Nigeria for expatriates, students, Hollywood and Nollywood stars, artists and members of the diplomatic corps.

In eight years Terra Kulture has organised over 100 art exhibitions, 80 plays, 60 book readings and over 2000 adults and children have attended our language classes and excursions.

27

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

It is gratifying that the Eagles’ latest game with Bafana has demonstrated the team’s strength in depth

Behold! Glo League’s young guns

30

- FORMER NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL, PASCAL PATRICK

Heartland recalls coaches

T

he management of Heartland FC of Owerri yesterday lifted the indefinite suspension slammed on Head Coach, Ramson Madu, and Head of Protocol, Tonex Chukwu, following a controversial home loss to Enyimba FC of Aba last month.

A club statement said the coaches recalled following a review of the report of the Panel of Inquiry which sat over their case as well as other issues surrounding the lost match.

“The decision which has been approved by the club Chairman, Chief Fan Ndubuoke, was based on the need for all parties to work together in the on-going effort to navigate the fortunes of Heartland to a comfortable position on the league table by the end of the season,” the

Veteran Segun Toriola will be the centre of attraction at the weeklong international event

Lagos Classics: Toriola, others unveiled for tourney YEMI OLUS

S

ix-time Olympian, Segun Toriola, was yesterday announced as one of the top Nigerian players that will compete at the maiden Lagos International Table Tennis Classics holding from August 26 to 31.

Other players Funke Oshonaike, reigning African champion Offiong Edem and Portugal-based Aruna Quadri.

An excited Toriola, who spoke to National Mirror at the event, expressed the desire to bring his experience to bear on the championship while helping the younger players to savour the challenges.

“I think the Internal Table Tennis Federation has waited to see Nigeria perform and I believe staging the championship is the beginning of many good things to

come to us,” Toriola, who will captain the Nigerian team, said.

“The international body would also want us to participate in more international competitions especially youth tournaments,” he added.

Other dignitaries who were present at the briefing are the Lagos State Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Wahid Oshodi who also doubles as President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), ITTF representative, Engr. John Oludotun Segun, former NOC Secretary General, Banji Oladapo and the Competition Manager, Mr John Peters.

President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Barrister Wahid Oshodi, also assured participants on adequate security for the competition.

“We have put in place a whole-

some arrangement that will make all the competitors feel at home in Lagos as we aim a successful event,” Oshodi, who is also Lagos State Commissioner for Social Development, Youth and Sports, said.

Players from 15 countries are expected at the classics, even as Competition Manager, John Peters said the organisers had considered new entries due to popularity garnered by the championship.

The men’s singles champion will go home with $5,000 while his female counterpart will get $4,000, as the first and second runners-up will receive $2,500 and $2,000 respectively.

Home-based players will fight for slots into the main draws on tomorrow and Friday while a seminar for the umpires will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

Heartland boss, Ndubuoke

Brazil 2014: Zambia ‘ll edge Ghana –Le Roy

F Le Roy

ormer Black Stars coach, Claude Le Roy, has tipped Zambia to qualify to the final qualifying round of the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifiers at the Ghanaians who host the Southern Africans in Kumasi on September 6.

Le Roy’s assistant at his Gha-

na job, Renard Herve, is now in charge of the 2012 African champion and will need a win to topple the two-time World Cup finalists at the top of the Group D table.

Ghana, who lies on top of the pool with a one point advantage, will go through to the third phase of the African qualifiers with a

statement said.

“Both coaches are to resume duties immediately but with a warning to desist from acts that tend to bring discord and rancour on the club and they have been strongly advised to work in harmony for the overall interest of Heartland FC. The Panel of Inquiry had submitted its report to the government on Sunday through the Heartland chairman immediately after the week 26 league game against Dolphins of Port Harcourt which the home side won 1-0.

Heartland Spokesman, Cajetan Nkwopara, however said that other members of the technical crew who were suspended indefinitely after another home loss to Kwara United would serve their suspension until the management reviewed their cases.

draw.

“Ghana have to draw at home and qualify for the next round and Zambia have to win but I think psychologically it is more difficult for Ghana than Zambia,’’ Le Roy said yesterday.

“I spoke to Herve, and I believe his side has everything to win in

this game but it is also important for Ghana who wants to make a third appearance at the tournament after playing at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

“Ghana want to be in Brazil to show that they are indeed the Black Stars but I think it will be difficult.”

Interestingly, Ghana lost 1-0 in the corresponding fixture played last June in Ndola.

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Sport

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tit bits...

Falcao AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcao says he’s happy with the Ligue 1 club amidst talks of his departure after a financial row between ASM and the French League.

“It’s a totally false article.

I’m very happy at Monaco and I believe in the project,” the 27-year-old said yesterday.

“Everything is false, I feel great at the club and I’m going to stay here.”

Gunners mull Casillas c

Marcelo

Real Madrid defender, Marcelo, has ducked questions about the axing of captain Iker Casillas for the side’s win over Real Betis on Sunday.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti chose Diego Lopez ahead of Casillas for the opening round.

“The manager has to choose eleven players to play and he chooses the players he thinks are best, it’s a question for the manager,” Marcelo said.

Buffon

Italy Coach, Cesare Prandelli, is happy to see Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon under pressure to keep his national team place.

Buffon, captain for club and country, is now 35 and just two caps short of equalling Fabio Cannavaro’s 136 games for his country.

“Gigi has to keep a look out over his shoulder because Lazio’s Federico Marchetti and Salvatore Sirigu of Paris SaintGermain are growing a lot,” the coach said.

Del Piero

Italy Coach, Cesare Prandelli, has opened the door for Sydney FC star Alessandro Del Piero to make the World Cup squad for Brazil 2014.

The former Juventus ace has not played for the Azzurri since 2008.

“At that stage I don’t need to plan, but build the strongest team possible,” Prandelli said.

“I am certain that Alex still has a great desire,” he added.

Pardew Newcastle Manager, Alan Pardew, believes the club cannot compete with the likes of Manchester City, insisting Financial Fair Play has done little to bridge the gap.

“We just can’t compete with City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal,” Pardew said.

“The teams in the Champions League positions with that extra revenue are beginning to be a concern and nothing appears even.”

Casillas

L

Mourinho intensifies Rooney search C

atest reports said Arsenal has launched a shock bid for Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. k The reports said the Gunners’ pursuit for G Casillas was a step up in C the move to replace errorth prone Wojciech Szczesny. p The Spain captain is

wo ar fea lis £1

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is difficult for me to talk about other players.”

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho is considering joining the battle for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after the Blues’ management tipped the manager yesterday to exploit the Uruguayan’s unsettled situation.

Suarez had earlier indicated his interest to go to Real Madrid shooter M d id who h needs d a sharp h h t after ft the exit of Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain who joined Napoli.

Kompany upbeat on return

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anchester City captain, Vincent Kompany, says he does not expect to be out for long after injuring his groin against Newcastle on Monday night.

City enjoyed a great start to the Premier League season under new boss Manuel Pellegrini, romping to a 4-0 victory over the Magpies at the Etihad Stadium.

However, there was one worrying moment for City fans when Kompany had to be taken off after 71 minutes and he will need to be assessed.

pr wa am th

‘‘Barry could leave City’

Rooney

helsea Manager, Jose Mourinho, ou urinho, says the door remains open to o doing a deal for want away Manchester nc chester United striker Wayne Rooney.

“Nothing has changed. At a certain c point I agree with Alan Pardew. ew w. The transfer window goes too far-the he third, fourth week of the season. That is too to oo far,” Mourinho, who was asked for an update pd date on Chelsea’s pursuit yesterday, said.

“But at the same point gives everyone erryone a chance to be in the market when th they hey are winning or losing points. We are trying try ying to bring one more player and we will try until the end.”

On Anzhi striker Samuel Eto’o, he added: “We have a Plan B and a Plan C. But it

known to be unsettled at the Bernabeu after losing his automatic place in the first team under Jose Mourinho and the Gunners are keeping a close eye on his situation.

Although Arsene Wenger is keen on Casilllas, the stumbling block could be his price.

City are a little short of defenders at present because Matija Nastasic has an ankle problem, although he may return to full training this week.

Micah Richards also sat out Monday’s match and

so midfielder Javi Garcia came on to line up alongside Joleon Lescott for the closing stages of the match.

City’s only other centreback option is Dedryck Boyata, who did not feature much under previous manager Roberto Mancini.

Meanwhile, Pellegrini has admitted that he would have to monitor Kompany’s progress carefully.

“We’ll see during the week with Vincent Kompany exactly what he has,” the gaffer said, adding, “We will see what the best thing is that we must do.”

anchester City Manager, Manuel Pellegrini, says outcast midfielder, Gareth Barry, wants to stay, but he will understand if the player alters that stance.

The England international has been strongly linked with a move to Everton, with the Toffees looking to land him on a seasonlong loan.

Barry has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and faces fierce competition for places.

City hasinvested heavily over the summer, with £30million spent on Ferdinando-who will be looking to fill the same position as Barry.

Pellegrini would prefer not to part with a player of Barry’s considerable experience, with strength in depth vital if the Blues are to challenge for top honours.

He will, however, not be standing in the 32-year-old’s way if he decides he needs to look elsewhere for regular first team football.

“In the position of Gareth we have also Rodwell, Garcia, Fernandinho and Yaya Toure,” the manager said.

“I spoke with Gareth. He wants to stay here and he does not have any problems staying here to fight for his position like any other player in the squad.

“If he wants to go because he has better options, it depends on what he wants to do.”

Barry

Fellaini

Fellai Emira

A

rsen Man ton Marouane F The Red joint bid for fielder and ines rejected ing” by the G It was U Moyes’ seco but the Red laini.

Everton’s the block o ines’ exits h has yet to s mer, accordi

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

catch

Casillas is 32 and everrudent Arsenal does not ant to pay big money for move knowing full well hey cannot sell him on.

The Emirates side ould consider a fee of round £8million but ars Madrid would not sten to offers below the 5m mark

ini on ates’ radar

nal is reported to rivaling nchester United for Evermidfield powerhouse Fellaini.

Devils had their £28m r Everton’s Belgian midleft-back Leighton Bad as “derisory and insultGoodison Park club.

United’s manager David ond effort to land Baines, s’ first approach for Fel-

s refusal to officially put n either Fellaini or Bahas alerted Arsenal, who spend anything all suming to the reports.

Sport S port

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

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We’ve no goal for Brazil 2014 –Queiroz I ran’s Coach, Carlos Queiroz, has already earned his place in the history books as the first Portuguese coach to have secured consecutive FIFA World Cup qualifications.

At South Africa 2010 he led Portugal to the Round of 16, and it is now time for Iran to return to the biggest stage in world football.

Despite coming in for criticism over the course of the campaign, Iran is now set to play a fourth FIFA World Cup in the country’s history.

“It was the result of two years’ work. The team kept itself united, with fantastic spirit and enormous conviction that we had to give our best at each game,” Queiroz told FIFA.com yesterday.

“With a little bit of luck, which is always needed, we got the points we required. It’s a fantastic achievement, and we even edged first place ahead of Korea. There was no doubt about qualification, it was definite. I’m very satisfied.”

The coach managed to shield the group from external pressures and pass on praise to the players. “The most important thing was the group that I’ve had over these two years,” Queiroz added. “We all stayed united, from the President of the Federation to the players, both on and off the bench. That was key to success and we never worried about the small things.

We ignored the critics because we were committed to our path. The players were fantastic, both technically and mentally.”

Despite this, Queiroz does not hide the fact that he had to impose certain important rules, always with the belief that the team is above the individual.

“It wasn’t easy because we needed to take some less popular decisions, but the message was clear: no one is above the interests of the team,” he said.

“That’s why we had to pick players with courage and the right attitude. I wanted players who would serve the team, not be served by the team. That’s how we created a squad with great self-esteem. And, of course, we’ve made millions of Iranians happy.”

So what is Team Melli’s objectives for the FIFA World Cup? “Realistically, can Iran win the tournament? Clearly no one believes that.

“We are far from a goal of that magnitude, as Iranian football still isn’t close to the great powerhouses of Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Germany, England or Italy. We have to accept that.

“We have to make a worthy, creditable contribution, one that will honour and make all the supporters in Iran proud. How are we going to do that? With a wide-ranging, intensive

p re p a r a tion,, as without that we won’t n’t be able to compete against inst the big teams. ms.

“Providing, Providing, afterr the World Cup,, Iran has taken en a step forward ity d in the qualof its will conts football, that stitute ute a successful tournament. The tournament rnament has to lead to Iran having better pitches, better turf, a better league, gue, better coaches and more attractive tive football. What we want from Brazil zil 2014 is for us to be significantly better er than we are today.

“In In a nutshell, our aim is to take an enormous rmous leap forward, put ourselves on the he same rung as Japan and Korea and take our place, definitively, among the top three Asian sides.”

Queiroz has already been to the new Maracana stadium, where he watched the FIFA Confederations Cup Final live.

“I went to Brazil to take the pulse of the World Cup,” he said.

“The environment is going to be very serious, really demanding and there’s no room for playing around or being amateurs.

S

sions so that when we arrive, we have a good hotel and a good training centre.

“You could already feel and smell what the next World Cup is going to be like. The Maracana showed what it’s going to be like. Brazil was a fair winner and Spain wasnot on top form.”

Surulere team wins Ramadan Cup

Invitation: Boateng gets Ghana condition

elf-imposed Ghana exile, Kevin-Prince Boateng, has been ordered by the country’s football association to confirm his availability for the Black Stars tomorrow before he will be named in the squad to face Zambia next month.

The AC Milan forward is keen on playing in the decisive clash against the Chipolopolo in Kumasi on September 6 after verbally agreeing to return to the Ghana fold following his retirement from international duties two years ago.

Reports said top Ghana Football Association (GFA) officials met the Germany-born star in the past few weeks and convinced him to return but have told him that he must officially rescind his retirement decision to quit.

According to FIFA rules, countries must inform clubs of their players of the decision to invite them for international qualifiers 15

“I a l s o went to see what the training facilities are like and start to make deci-

A FOLABI GAMBARI

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days before the match.

“Associations wishing to call up a player must notify the player in writing at least 15 days before the day of the match for which he is required,” Article 3.2 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of the Players stated.

“Associations wishing to call up a player for the final competition of an international tournament must notify the player in writing at least 15 days before the beginning of the 14-day preparation period.

“The player’s club shall also be informed in writing at the same time. The club must con?rm the release of the player within the following six days.”

Milan could also decline an invitation from Ghana since the club has not received a letter saying the midfielder is now available for international football.

ports City Central Mosque has defeated Idera Central Mosque Orile Iganmu 2-1 via penalties in the final of the 3rd Ramadan Cup Soccer Championship decided at the legacy pitch of the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, witnessed by a fairly large audience.

The championship was organised and sponsored by former footballer and incumbent Surulere Local Government, Hon. Alhaji Tajudeen Ajide Yusuf, in honour of the Iyaoloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, who died on June 15 at the age of 97.

The Sport City boys dominated play but could not convert their chances.

The occasion was also witnessed by staff of Surulere Local Government led by the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Ganiyu Baruwa.

Others were HOD Education, Gbenga Shogamu; Sport Officer, Miss Kemi Adeola, Revenue Manager, Alhaji Nosuru Musa, as well as veteran sports journalist, Robert Ndabai.

Former Nigeria internationals that include Tajudeen Disu, Henry Nwosu and Wasiu Adetoro also attended the final.

“The performance of our players really impressed me,” Disu, who is also Sports Manager of the council, said.

Meanwhile, presentation of the trophy has been postponed to a further date to enable former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, and Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheik Garuba Ibrahim, to be present at the ceremony.

Surulere LG boss, Ajide

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Sport

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Nigeria Premier Nig League

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cricket

with

IIKENWA NNABUOGOR ikenwa.nnabuogor@gmail.com

Behold! Glo League’s young guns This current season has seen some young players come out from the blues to stamp their authority for their respectively clubs. These young guns have shone brightly, grabbing all the headlines for their impressive displays this season. National Mirror takes a hard look at these players who could be heading to bigger things soon.

Okey Azubuike – Bayelsa United

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hree years ago, this 17year old midfielder was being chased by top Danish clubs after his commanding displays in the famous international youth tournament, Dana Cup and the GF Cup in Lyngby, Denmark, which also featured the youth teams of all the top Scandinavian clubs as well as Southampton of England. Azubike returned home to kick off his career at Niger Tornadoes after nothing came out of the Danish adventure. Today, Azubike is one of the most sought after youngsters in the GLO Premier League and the newly-promoted Bayelsa United are celebrating the exciting having won his signature under the noses of top spending Enyimba at the beginning of the season. Top coach Ladan Bosso had just been handed the top job at Bayelsa and convinced his former Tornadoes’ midfielder to join him and Bosso is happy to reap the dividends as Azubike continues to run things in the middle for the title-chasing side. Super Eagles’ coach Stephen Keshi noticed the youngster’s innate qualities and invited him to the Eagles squad ahead of international friendly against Peru in May 2012.

Isah Akor – Heartland Just last season this youngster was playing his trade in the lower leagues with Prime FC but it was in the Federation Cup that he got all tongues wagging with his goals. He grabbed five goals in the competition and ended top scorer and got all the top clubs on his trail but it was Heartland the won the race for his signature. The romance has since paid off this season as the 18-year old striker netted five times with just few games in the league to shoot himself to the fore front of the race for the top scorer’s award. Akor’s deft touches, quick feet and amazing

eye for goals were not left unnoticed by foreign suitors but the Kogi State-born striker returned empty-handed from adventures in Norway and Tunisia to continue his goal scoring business.

Though, his goals have flowed as expected, his goal scoring ability remains noteworthy.

Daniel Etor – Enyimba Enyimba acquired this diminutive youngster from Akwa United in the mid-season transfer window and he wasted no time in paying back the dividends. Etor is arguably the most fouled player in the league as defenders can only stop him by hacking him down. He has only played about six goals for the six-time league champions but his contributions have been immense. He has played a leading role in Enyimba’s resurgence that has seen them move from mid-table to the front line.

Matthew (in white shirt)

Kingsley Bobby Sokari – Enyimba Sokari had never played in the season until Enyimba grabbed him after he shone at the Secondary Schools Shell Cup competition last year. This youngster has proved he was a bargain buy playing in almost all the games so far in the season. The attacking midfielder has continued to power from the middle and feeding strikers like Emeka Nwanna, Ifeanyi Ede and returnee Bishop Onyeudo with regular pies to eat. He has also grabbed his own fair share of goals with the lion’s share of four goals out of the five he has scored, coming in the Federation Cup. The 17-year old midfielder is surely heading to greater things and it appears Enyimba will not hold on to him for long.

Jonathan Zikiye – Nembe City This extremely skilful left back is just 16! And he’s playing his first ever GLO Premier

Etebor

Akor

League this season and it appears he’s been there for long.

Poached from an academy in Bayelsa two seasons ago by Bayelsa United but switched to rivals Nembe City last season and helped the young club gain promotion. Zikiye has continued to show his class in the big stage and refused to show any kind of stage fright with the big boys.

He has also weighed in with two goals from his left back position.

Etim – Rangers

Matthew

The Akwa Ibom-born star came from same Vejle Academy as Bayelsa United’s Okey Azubike and has proved his mettle at Rangers since joining them this season from Kaduna United.

He’s spending his second season in the top flight. The young de-

fender is comfortable playing anywhere in the back four and his consistency has earned him regular play especially in the second round. Matthew would have shone brightly in the Confederation Cup had the Flying Antelopes not been disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.

But back in the home front, Matthew has continued to prove his mettle.

Oghenekaro Etebor – Warri Wolves Etebor needs little or no introduction in the GLO Premier League as the youngster has made statements with his goals this season. With 11 goals at last count, the 18-year old striker is breathing down the necks of Sunshine Stars’ Dele Olorundare and Bishop

Azubuike

Onyeudo of Enyimba in the hot race for the top scorer’s award. Blessed with excellent pace, Etebor’s eye for goals is legendary and no doubt, the Warri-born ace is headed for bigger things. He’s unarguably Wolves’ answer to goals this season and it will not be surprisingly is he grabs the top scorer’s award this season.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Business & Finance We are concerned about the continued delay by some insurance companies in the submission of the 2012 audited IFRS accounts and annual returns to the commission

Payment to workers of the Gencos will be concluded this week and then that of the Discos will commence next week

Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel

MINISTER OF POWER, PROF. CHINEDU NEBO

FG approves downward review of 3% freight levy FRANCIS EZEM

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he Federal Government has approved a downward review of the three per cent levy on freight imposed on all imports and export goods in and out of the country as part of measures to reduce the cost of shipping in Nigeria.

This review is part of outcome of a two-year brainstorming by stakeholders, which follows the setting up of a committee made up industry stakeholders such as the Nigerian Ports Authority, NIMASA, Shippers Council, shipping companies and shipping agents.

Section 15 of the Nigerian Maritime and Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act 2007 provides that the agency shall be funded from three percent of gross freight on all international inbound and outbound cargo from ships or shipping companies operating in Nigeria, among others.

Director in charge of commercial shipping of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mrs. Dabney Shall-Holma, who addressed the media shortly after a sensitisation meeting on the three per cent reviewed NIMASA benchmark rates held in Lagos, hinted that the Federal Government has approved the review.

According to her, the Minister of Transport, Mallam Idris Umar has approved the new benchmark effective September 1, 2013, which she observed might lead to a marginal decline in the revenue of NIMASA. She also disclosed that with the downward review of the rates, shipping companies and shipping agents operating in the country will have no choice than to review downwards their charges in imported goods, which are paid by the importers but later passed down to the final consumers of the goods.

She also noted that though NIMASA might lose part of its revenue to the review, Nigeria will be the biggest beneficiary of the review in the near future as it will reduce the cost of doing business and so make the country more competitive.

While admitting that the cost of shipping is very high in Nigeria compared to the Republic of Benin and Togo, she noted that there is a serious imbalance in Nigeria’s international trade business because of the low level of export.

According to her, for every consignment imported into

the country, less than one percent is exported, a development that make the shipping companies go back empty and so infuse all their cost into the inbound cargo since there will be little or nothing to carry when they are going back.

“The cost of shipping in Nigeria will drop by over 50 percent if Nigeria corrects this imbalance in her international trade business since a shipping company will take the same volume of export as the import, which helps to crash the freight rate”, she had insisted.

G

uaranty Trust Bank Plc yesterday announced a profit after tax of N49.02bn for the half year ended June 30, 2013, an increase of 9.1 per

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L-R: Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. David Okeme; Category Manager, Fabric Cleaning, Mrs. Nnena Osi-Anugwa, and Vice President Operations, Mr. Anil Gopalan, at the relaunch of Omo Multi-Active detergent in Lagos recently.

Guaranty Trust Bank posts N49bn profit in half year JOHNSON OKANLAWON

Arik Air

cent when compared to N44.9bn recorded in the same period of 2012.

The bank’s gross earnings rose by 9.4 per cent to N124bn in the review period, from N113bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2012.

According to the result presented to the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges, profit before tax stood at N57.4bn, up from

N53.64bn recorded in June 2012.

Analysis of the company’s balance sheet showed a total assets and contingents of N2.50trn as at June 30, while customer deposits rose to N1.25trn and shareholders’ funds stood at N296.9bn.

The bank’s non-performing loans remained low at 3.41 per cent, while return on equity

and return on assets stood at 33.8 per cent and 5.45 per cent respectively.

A statement from the bank said that aninterim dividend payment of N7.36bn to shareholders (25 kobo per ordinary share of 50 kobo each) is being proposed to shareholders.

The Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Segun Agbaje, attributed

the success during the half year period to the continued support of its customers, hard work of its dedicated staff and strong corporate governance standards.

He explained that a major objective for the bank this year is adding value to its stakeholders through excellent customer service delivery, innovative products and value adding services.

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BOA reiterates commitment to adequate agricultural financing

FG built over 8000 houses in 2012 -Minister

FG to return redioactive materials from Ajaokuta Steel to Russia

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

BOA reiterates commitment to adequate agricultural financing

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he Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that farmers have access to agricultural financing at an affordable interest rate.

The Managing Director, Dr Mohammed Santuraki, gave this commitment in Abuja yesterday at a three-day Agricultural Lease Financing Workshop organised by BOA and the Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria, ELAN. Represented by the Executive Director ,Corporate Services, Mr Sam Eyinbe, Santuraki said that agriculture lease financing was gradually becoming popular in the sector.

He explained that a study of

the agriculture sector revealed that there was indulgence and drudgery in the sector.

He observed that the major equipment that could attract youths to agriculture was not there, adding that this was the primary aim of the workshop. ‘’A corporate study of farming in Nigeria also reveals that that we are lagging behind in many areas of agriculture. ‘’Farmers also lack the financial capability to procure modern farm equipment and some of these equipment are under-utilised where you have it,’’ he said.

Santuraki noted that Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Develop-

ment, had taken steps to return agriculture as the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

He gave an assurance that at the end of the workshop, participants would understand the importance of agriculture lease financing.

Earlier, the Chairman, Board of ELAN, Mr Kehinde Lawanson, observed that agriculture lease financing would complement some of the many reforms in the sector.

He expressed the hope that the recapitalisation of BOA would help ensure lease financing in agriculture.

According to him, one of the ways of financing agriculture is equipment leasing, because mod-

L-R: Managing Director Grand, Central Africa, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu; Commissioner for Education, Cross River State, Prof. Offiong Effanga Offiong, and Chairman, NUT/NLC Cross Rivers State, Comrade Njom .O. Nyambi at the recent flag-off ceremony of the Cross Rivers State Teachers’ Computer Acquisition Program (T-CAP) being managed

by Infographics Nigeria Limited in Calabar yesterday.

Aviation: Nigeria can’t stop expatriates –Mshelia OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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he Chief Executive Officer, CEO Westlink Airline, Capt Ibrahim Mshelia has said that Nigeria cannot stop the influx of expatriates into the country’s aviation industry, saying that the sector is internationally regulated.

Mshelia argued that inasmuch the expatriates are working legally in the country, it would be difficult for the players in the sector to stop them from working here. He however, but called for creation of an enabling environment for all players in the sector by the Federal Government.

Speaking with National Mirror at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos last weekend, Mshelia noted that since the policy of the government accommodates and recognises expatriates in the sector, then, they have the legal right to work in the industry, maintaining that expatriates are being employed by Nigerians.

He said, “To say a foreigner cannot come here to work is totally wrong. They can come here

and work because we have our citizens working elsewhere too, but if it gets out of proportion, then we can complain. Provided they are here legally, because international civil aviation is what we are practicing here, it is well and we are member state of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO. “If other countries will allow your citizens to fly in their countries, then, you should be able to allow their citizens to fly in your own country, too, but then we have to look at the policies of government.

If it does not conform to the policies of government, then, something is wrong and that is why the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has the right to look at it and see where an adjustment is required. Some of the expatriates are indeed expatriates while some of them might not be necessary.

“There are lots of things we can do to check the influx of expatriates into the sector. First, we should create an enabling environment for our people. Right now, that is some of the issues I think the new policy is seeking to address because the foreigners

are being employed here by Nigerian companies.”

On the non-inclusion of experts in the sector in government policies formulation, Mshelia blamed the players in the industry for this.

He noted that when policies are being formulated for players in the sector, most of the industry stakeholders stay away and would not respond to documents sent to them by Government for their inputs.

He, however, urged professionals in the industry to contribute their quota to the development of the sector, maintaining that if they continue to stay away from the government, whatever decision is taken is binding on them.

“One thing that I have known in Nigeria especially in the aviation industry is that whenever the government says ‘let’s sit and make policies’ and send documents to people to contribute, you find out that most people do not spare their time to make the contributions. So, those who are driving the seat of government decide and say ‘ok, put this and this together and send it out’.

ern agriculture equipment have become sophisticated and more expensive.

He encouraged participants to see the event as an avenue to tap into the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

In his remarks, Mr Robert

Bob-Homans, the lead facilitator, noted that great opportunities existed in the sector.

He gave an assurance that at the end of the workshop, participants would be well equipped to drive agriculture, using lease financing to empower farmers, who have been handicapped by the lack of resources.

IFRS: NAICOM to confront defaulting insurers MESHACK IDEHEN

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he National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, is worried that three quarters of insurance companies under its supervision that are yet to submit their International Financial Reporting Standards compliant, IFRS, reports for last year up till this time of the year.

Consequently, the commission said it will convey a meeting with the chief executives officers and chief finance officers of insurance firms that are yet to submit their 2012 audited financial reports and returns.

The Director in Charge of Supervision at the commission, Mr. Nicholas Opara, said in a statement yesterday that the continued delay by some insurance companies in the submission of the 2012 audited IFRS accounts and annual returns to the com-

mission, is not in the best interest of the industry saying the commission is inviting the CEOs and CFOs to a meeting in order to address the possible challenges.

He said the meeting will provide the invitees the opportunity to share from the commission’s experience, those problems areas observed in the course of the review of 2012 IFRS accounts, particularly the conversion processes which includes the basic reconciliations of NGAPP accounts to IFRS. It would be recalled that NAICOM recently said only five out of the 49 insurance and two re-insurance companies under its supervision had their 2012 financials approved by the commission, saying twenty-nine insurance companies were yet to submit their 2012 financial reports for the year ended December 31, 2012, while 17 others were at various stages in the approval process as of July 2013.

HASAL MFB bags Citibank/GBF’s ‘Most Innovative MFB Award’ 2012 TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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ASAL Microfinance Bank Limited, one of the leading MFBs committed to financial inclusion strategy implementation in the country, has bagged the Citibank/GBF “Most Innovative Microfinance Institution” award for the 2012 financial year in the country.

The award, which was conferred on the Bank at the just ended 7th Annual MSMEs Finance Conference and D-8 Workshop on Microfinance for SMESs organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria in Abuja, was coming at the heels of several other awards won by the microfinance institution locally and internationally within the last two years for its contributions in the area of ICT-driven, customer friendly financial services at the grassroots.

The award was presented to HASAL MFB’s Managing Director, Mr. Rogers Nwoke by Chief Collins Chike Chikeluba, a Director of the Central bank of Nige-

ria on behalf of the CBN Governor.

The Citibank/Growing Business Foundation award was given in recognition of HASAL’s “inventive strides in promoting branchless Microfinance banking to the people at the bottom of pyramid through technology via the use of Point of Collection (POC) and Point of Sale (POS) terminals”.

Responding, Nwoke thanked the CBN, Citibank and the Growing Business Foundation for the recognition, which according to him, is for the entire microfinance banks who have not so been recognised in the pa st.

He specifically thanked EFInA for their Innovation grant which supported the bank to launch the product two years ago, promising that the bank would not relent in its commitment to take microfinance services to rural communities using relevant technology.

Driven by a mission to provide unique services to its clients, HASAL have introduced several products that have changed lives and met customers’ need.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

FG built over 8000 houses in 2012 -Minister OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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he Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amma Pepple has disclosed that the ministry has been able to deliver 8,069 houses of various categories at affordable prices for the public in the last two years.

The minister also said that her ministry generated the total revenue of N1.3 billion in the 2012 fiscal year.

The minister made this disclosure yesterday while briefing the members of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

Following incessant incidences of collapsed building across the country, the minister disclosed that a new National Building Code would be presented to the

public tomorrow.

According to the Pepple, the Building Code is supposed to be reviewed by the government every three years but the one in use in the country was last reviewed in 2006.

She however pointed out that the nation is facing incidences of collapsed building not for dearth of requisite law to regulate activities of professionals in the sector, but for the fact that the major challenge in the sector is the enforcement of existing laws.

According to her, the ministry has put in place stringent measures to ensure the prosecution of impostors in the housing sector just as the Nigerian Society of Engineering, NSE, has been mandated to sanction any of its erring members involved in the incidence of collapse building anywhere in the country.

While reiterating the deter-

mination of the ministry to ensure adequate delivery of housing to the teeming public in line with the PDP manifesto, Pepple disclosed that 62.7 per cent of the total N41.9 billion 2013 budget has been released to the ministry.

The minister also urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the consideration and passage of the Social Housing Bill currently before it even as she pointed out that such could only be implemented in the country when the government is ready to provide enough subsidy for housing delivery.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the party urged the minister to redouble her efforts in ensuring the provision of affordable houses for the people. Tukur also pleaded with Pepple to encourage the use of local materials for the construction of houses in the country.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PricewaterhouseCoopers beats 35 firms to clinch Edo consultancy job SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

P

ricewaterhouseCoopers, a renowned consultancy firm has won the Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) consultancy contract, according to the information obtained at the Government House yesterday.

The project, a joint collaboration between Edo State Government and the World Bank, is aimed at ensuring youth employment, access to socio-economic services, public financial management reforms and project coordination and implementation support.

The project will also aid the state to increase its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in a sustainable way by Broadening the tax/revenue base; verify ex-

Globacom lauded for youth-centric product KUNLE AZEEZ

N

Public Relations/Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju; Representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Director, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Kofoworola Alli and Coordinator, Indomine Fan Club, Mrs. Faith Joshua, during the Annual Indomine Teachers’ seminar in Lagos, recently.

NEPC to train SMEs on food export to US OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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he Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, has perfected plans to train Small and Medium Entrepreneurs, SMEs, operators involved in foods production on how best to package them for exports.

A statement from the agency said that the NEPC Board Chairperson, Mrs. Grace Clark disclosed this at the just concluded Institute of Food Technologists (IFT 13 – Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) Food Labeling and Food Expo which was held in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Clark, who led a delegation of some Nigerian exporters to the event, which drew over

1, 150 exhibitors, said Nigeria’s participation was borne out of the need to expose the country’s SMEs in the food produce sector to modern trends and technology involved in the export of food to the US market.

According to the statement, the board chairperson pointed out that the training programme and food expo provided a veritable platform for quickening the acceptability of Nigerian food exports to the global market, which presently is valued at about $4.2 trillion.

Clark also observed that given Nigerian population, the market had a tremendous potential for partnership with US firms in food processing, handling and distribution.

She said,“It is in fulfillment of President’s Goodluck Jona-

than’s Transformation Agenda to diversify the economy from oil to non-oil that the Council facilitated the participation of some Nigeria SMEs to the capacity building programme and expo.”

The chairperson also commended the efforts of the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mr. David Adulugba, at ensuring manpower development in the Council.

She expressed the Board’s confidence in Adulugba’s effort and hoped that the laudable export development programmes initiated under his leadership would continue to boost export trade.

The event was organised in collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture/ Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS).

isting tax database of Edo State; strengthening tax administration to improve collection and facilitate the shift in tax structure from a reliance on higher tax rate to a broader tax bases and improving efficiency and transparency in tax/revenue collection and data management process.

To ensure transparency in selecting a consultant for the project, Edo State Government had advertised in some national dailies in October, last year and received bids from 35 firms within and outside the country.

In applying the criteria for selecting the most qualified consultant for the Project as spelt out by the World Bank, the thirtyfive bidding firms applauded the choice of the six firms that were short listed, based on the merit of proposals submitted.

igeria’s indigenous telecoms operator, Globacom Nigeria, has hit Abuja with its revolutionary youth product, Glo Bounce, even as it continues to receive commendations from students on the youthcentric products.

In a statement, the company said just as in Lagos, where student union leaders of the University of Lagos, Lagos State University and Lagos Polytechnic hailed the launch of the package and recommended it to students across the country, student union leaders of three higher institutions in Abuja commended Globacom for introducing the Bounce package.

According o the statement, the union leaders, who were from the University of Abuja, Dorben Polytechnic Abuja and College of Education, Abuja, said Glo had, through the product, once more demonstrated that it was the most innovative telecommunications operator in the country and that it had the interest of students and youths generally at heart.

The student union executives also described it as a pocket-friendly product which would greatly assist Nigerian students in their academic and social life.

Student Union President of FCT College of Education, Mr. Adamu Osanotu, said, “Glo is a youth-friendly telecoms provider.

MTN boosts SMEs with cloud services KUNLE A ZEEZ

N

igeria’s leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Company, MTN Nigeria, has recently launched MTN Cloud Services in the country for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

The company said the launch made it he first telecommunications operator to offer Cloud services to small businesses in the Nigerian market.

Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, Mr. Babatunde Osho, said “It is a range of prepaid cloud-based services designed to offer Human Resource Management, Customer Relationship Management and other enterprise software over a secure

internet connection. And this without any of the associated IT infrastructure costs,” According to him, with the launch of the services, SMEs in Nigeria will now be able to enjoy enterprise solutions without the usual attendant cost.

Osho said technology has become a key differentiator and enabler for businesses and as such offerings like MTN Cloud Services can prove to be a critical success factor for SMEs due to their flexibility and pay-asyou-go cost structure. He said the services would enable small businesses to increase their productivity and by implication, profitability.

“No matter what you need, MTN Cloud Services can help take your business to new heights,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

35

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Energy Week

udemea@rocketmail.com 07031546994

FG to return radioactive materials from Ajaokuta Steel to Russia Twenty four long years after the Federal Government signed an agreement to construct the Ajaokuta Steel Plant in 1979, the plant has not been fully completed. UDEME AKPAN and CHIDI UGWU who examine the implications of the development report that some imported materials earlier for the use of the plant are to be shipped to Russia because of their radioactive nature.

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hen the Federal Government sealed a global contract for the execution of Ajaokuta Steel plant with Messrs Tyajzhpromexport, TPE of the defunct USSR on July 13, 1979, it was desirous to construct and operate an integrated steel project to produce cast steel using the blast furnace technology.

This, to a great extent looked possible as some raw materials, including iron ore, coking coal, limestone, scraps, bauxite, dolomite, refractory clay and manganese were confirmed to be available in Nigeria and Russia.

These materials were to be processed in the three rolling mills within the plant designed for the production of saleable billets, beams, channels, angles, broad flanges, rounds, hexagonal, strips, wire rods and reinforcement rods. The ASCL was to produce by-products such as dehydrated tar, ammonium sulphate, fertilizer, benzene, toluene, xyelene, naphtha, etc.

More than that, the plant has a captive Thermal Power Plant, TPP which has the capacity produce 100 megawatts, mw of electricity. It also has an engineering complex, made up of eight shops, namely, Foundry and Pattern Making, Forge and Fabrication, Machine and Tools, Power Equipment Repairs, Rubberizing, Lubricant Reclamation, Electroplating, and an Express Laboratory.

Despite the countless pronouncements and numerous visits of past and present leaders of the nation, the ASCL which was originally scheduled for completion in 1986 remained uncompleted, barely 24 years after the contract was signed with the major contractor. Investigations showed that some factors, including lack of funds, lack of commitment and corruption of public officers accounted for the inability of the nation to complete the plant on schedule.

This has affected the nation in many ways. For instance some raw materials components imported and locally assembled in preparation for planned commissioning and operation of the plant were wasted. This compelled the government to enter into various agreements, including joint venture, concession and even outright privatisation. But none of the options seemed to have assisted to rescue ASCL from stagnation.

Consequently, the nation continues to depend on other nations for its

Ajaokuta steel

SOME RAW MATERIALS COMPONENTS IMPORTED AND LOCALLY ASSEMBLED IN PREPARATION FOR PLANNED COMMISSIONING AND OPERATION OF THE PLANT WERE WASTED steel. In other words, the nation which finds it difficult to produce its steel creates jobs opportunities and sustain domestic demand for steel and related products have over the years assisted to sustain steel plants around the world through massive importation of steel.

It has also created numerous job and business opportunities as well as stimulated industrial revolution in such nations.

This and other negative consequences have attracted the comments of some stakeholders. For instance, the Chairman, ASCL of Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ISSSAN, Comrade Abdulkareem Jimoh at a recent conference in Lagos called on the government to engage the original contractor to carry out a technical audit of the plant and complete it.

The Federal Government was also tasked to put in place, infrastructural facilities such as railway lines, dredging of the River Niger, etc. in order

to make ASCL function effectively, efficiently and profitably. The Federal Government was also tasked to operate ASCL when completed for at least 24 months before considering public-private- partnership (PPP) for the sustainable operation of the plant.

Incidentally, the government seemed to have started implementing some of the recommendations. For instance, the technical audit has been completed. The dredging of the River Niger is ongoing. More than that, the Federal government has inaugurated a 10 man inter-agency committee on the disposal of radio-active source substances at the ASCL. The radioactive elements were imported from former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, USSR many years ago for use in various specialised facilities in ASCL plant, but some which were left unused, are now posing environmental hazards, and necessitating repatriation back to the country of origin.

The minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch Mohammed Musa Sada, said the inauguration followed the approval by President Goodluck Jonathan in April 2013, to set up committee which would commence the process of repatriation of the radioactive substances to their countries of origin.

Members of the committee include, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Linus Awute, as the chairman, Sole Administrator, Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Engr.

Isa Joseph, Acting Director General, Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Dr. M.O. Ogbaradukun, Director General, Centre for Energy Research and Training, ABU Zaria, Dr. Muhammed Dewu and Director, Legal Drafting, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hamza Tahir.

Sada, who inaugurated the committee, stated that the terms of reference are to establish the country of origin of the radio-active sources, establish necessary liaison with relevant country or countries to facilitate repatriation and determine the methodology for handling the safe CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

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Energy Week

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG to return radioactive materials from Ajaokuta Steel to Russia CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 evacuation of the substances.

Other terms include establishment of the probable cost implication for the repatriation exercise and submit a report of the excise to the Federal Government of Nigeria. According to the Director, Steel and Non-Ferrous Metal Department in ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Engr. Abdullahi Also, who is a member of the committee several inconclusive efforts have been made to the past, to safely, dispose the radio-active sources.

Giving a background to the origin of the radioactive elements, Engr. Also, said that ASCL awarded a contract for the construction of steel plant to Tyazpromexport, TPE of the defunct Soviet Union. He recalled that between 1983 and 1988, TPE imported into the country some radioactive sources (including mostly an element called caesium or CS135) which is radioactive and were used for ascertaining the quality and soundness of some special welding work. He noted that some of the radioactive sources were left unused when the contract slowed down and was eventually determined in 1995, but efforts by ASCL to safe keep these radioactive sources through one of the Civil Lot contractors Messrs Dumez Nigeria Limited were inconclusive.

After, this effort failed, the management of ASCL in 2004, notified the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) of the existence of the radioactive sources within the Ajaokuta Steel Complex stressing that presence of the sources pose safety and security risks as some them could be used to make radiological dispersive Devices, RDD and contaminate the environment. According to Also, the importation and deployment of these sources

Jonathan

Sada

THE PRESENCE OF THE MATERIALS POSE SAFETY AND SECURITY RISKS AS SOME THEM COULD BE USED TO MAKE RADIOLOGICAL DISPERSIVE

DEVICES, RDD AND CONTAMINATE THE ENVIRONMENT

were not subject to any authorization because there was no such legal requirement in the country at the time they were brought into Nigeria.

However, the NNRA had insisted that the extant policy for management of spent or disused radioactive sources is to repatriate them to their original manufacturers or suppliers,

but the collapse of the former Soviet union has occasioned many political and administrative changes leading to the Russian Federation not accepting to take back the materials arguing that it was not part of the agreement of purchase.

Also, in 2008, the NNRA in collaboration with the International Atomic

Russian President, Vladimir Putin

Energy Agency, IAEA, United States Department of Energy, USDOE and the National Nuclear Security Committee, NNSC carried out an inventory and characterised all the sources which confirmed a total of 243 legacy sources at ASCL. These are said to be significant, thus justifying government concerns.

From all indications, the insistence of Nigeria to ship the radioactive materials to Russia and the refusal of the former Soviet Union to willingly take delivery of the controversial consignment may likely set the two nations on a collision course. The world is however waiting to watch how events will play out in the coming months.

Minister tasks operators on nuclear regulations compliance CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he Minister of Petroleum Resources and Chairperson of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke has called on operators and service providers in the oil and gas industry to ensure strict compliance with regulations of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, NNRA. The minister gave the directives while delivering a Keynote Address at the Technical Meeting on Regulating Nuclear Application in the Oil and Gas Sector- Challenges and Stakeholders Expectations, organised by the NNRA in Abuja over the weekend.

Alison-Madueke noted that as the biggest importer of radio-active materials in the country, petroleum industry operators must conform to basic safety and security standards.

She said some companies have close to 200 radioactive sources in some instances noting that these sources are High-Risk sources and may cause serious concern

if control over them is lost or inadequate.

“It was for concerns such as these that, amongst others, led to the promulgation of the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act (Act) in 1995 at the behest of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the subsequent establishment of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) in 2001.

“Since its inception, the NNRA has been supervised by - the Ministry of Petroleum Resources,’’ she stated.

According to Alison-Madueke, the Regulatory Authority has responsibility for Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection Regulation, adding it is also saddled with the mandate of ensuring the protection of life and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

She noted that the need for the NNRA to safely regulate nuclear applications by bringing them effectively under control cannot be overemphasised.

The minister said compliance with NNRA regulations will also ensure the safety and health of personnel involved with their usage, as well as the safety of other members of the public.

The minister added that as an im-

Allison-Madueke

portant and respected member of the IAEA, and as a party to a number of binding and non-binding international treaties, conventions and agreements - is under obligation to properly regulate and control nuclear materials and radioactive sources.

“This is not only for the safety of the Nigerian public, but also to prevent these materials from diversion to illicit

uses,’’ Alison-Madueke explained. .

She said the NNRA has taken steps to emplace a proper regulatory framework, within the context of its enabling Act, to effectively fulfil its major regulatory functions. She informed that this has been achieved through a system of registration, licensing, and inspection of practices involving ionizing radiation and the overall enforcement of compliance with the provisions of the Act. She listed the safety and practice specific regulations guidelines achieved by the NNRA to include: Nigerian Basic Ionizing Radiation Regulations (2003),Nigerian Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources Regulations, 2006, Nigerian Transportation of Radioactive Sources Regulations, 2006, Nigeria Radiation Safety in Industrial Radiography Regulations (2006), Nigeria Radioactive Waste Management Regulations (2006), Nigerian Radiation Safety in Nuclear Well Logging Regulations, 2008 and Nigerian Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials Regulations, 2008.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

37

OPEC daily basket price crashes to $107.80 per barrel UDEME AKPAN

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he price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes has fallen from $107.96 to $107.80 per barrel, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Despite the fall recorded over the weekend, many oil producing and exporting nations, including Nigeria would still be in a position to generate adequate foreign exchange for the implementation of their 2013 budgets.

But the control of members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, including Nigeria will continue to reduce as the United States and others pump more crude oil to the volatile oil market.

Specifically, Non-OPEC supply is expected to rise by 1.0 mb/d in 2013, following a minor upward revision as well as higher-than-expected United States output.

The latest authoritative OPEC report which made this known over the weekend also stated that: “In 2014, non-OPEC oil supply is forecast to grow by 1.1 mb/d, supported by projected increases in the US, Canada, Brazil, the Sudans, and Kazakhstan.

The report further stated that: “OPEC NGLs and nonconventional

Oil vessel oils are projected to increase by 0.2 mb/d in 2013 and 0.1 mb/d in 2014. In July, total OPEC crude oil output averaged 30.31 mb/d, according to secondary sources, representing a drop of 0.10 mb/d from the previous month.

It stated that the demand for OPEC crude in 2013 is forecast to average 29.9 mb/d, almost unchanged from the previous report and 0.4 mb/d lower than in the year before.

The report has it that in 2014, demand for OPEC crude has experienced a slight change since the previous report to stand at 29.7 mb/d, representing a decline of 0.3 mb/d compared to the year before.

It stated that improved pipeline networks and the use of rail links have facilitated the efficient movement of crude from inland to refiners on the coasts, thus assisting to unlock a glut at America’s oil-storage hub at Cushing, Oklahoma.

The report quoted the US Energy Information Administration as estimating that new projects would provide 1.15 mb/d of additional pipeline capacity to deliver crude

from Cushing to the US Gulf Coast, with another 830,000 b/d to move crude directly from the Permian Basin in Texas to the US Gulf.

It maintained that starting in 2011, the rail volume increased and the total amount of crude oil and refined products being transported by rail was close to 1.34 mb/d during the first half of 2013, up from 927,000 b/d during the first six months of last year.

The report stated that: “WTI also got a further boost as refiners in the US consumed more crude than at any time in almost eight years. During the week ending 12 July, refiners have processed more than 16.2 mb/d, which corresponds to a refinery utilisation rate of almost 93%.

It maintained that inventories in Cushing rose to almost 52 mb at the beginning of the year as a result of oversupply before falling to around 42 mb at the end of July.

Nebo advocates synergy between PHCN workers, successor companies CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he Minister of Power, Professor, Chinedu Nebo, has called on preferred bidders of the distribution companies DISCOs to endeavour to work closely with the outgoing management of the companies to ensure a seamless transition in the privatisation exercise.

Nebo, who addressing preferred bidders of the DISCOs during a Roundtable session in Abuja, noted

that such synergy would not allow for quick identification technical experts but would assure avoidance of system collapse during the transition period.

Nebo said that while some workers may want to go as soon as they collect their money, others may be willing to be retained, stressing his ministry had already given directives to all chief executives of the DISCOs to cooperate with the preferred bidders in terms data sharing.

He said, “I do hope that some of the preferred bidders are actually working with the management of the DISCOs to ensure a seamless transition from public sector

driven DISCOs to that of private sector driven. So that, you at least know those you would retain to make sure that the system does not collapse in your hands. ‘‘We have given instructions to all the chief executive officers to work with you to ensure seamless transition. This synergy means that you have all the data you need. We do know that many of the workers would like to collect their money and go, but there are many who would like to be retained.

Many who would like to be retained might not find a place but also many would still find a place you are not go-

Energy & Oil Prices

Source: Bloomberg

OIL ($/bbl) Nymex Crude Future Dated Brent Spot WTI Cushing Spot

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

85.95 111.01 85.54

0.41 0.90 -0.74

0.48% 0.82% -0.86%

07:42 07:52 10/29

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

310.55 275.30

-0.97 -0.38

-0.31% -0.14%

07:37 07:41

OIL (¢/gal) Nymex Heating Oil Future Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future

NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu)

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

11:19

New York City Gate Spot

3.77 3.43 3.57

-0.03 0.09 0.11

-0.84% 2.69% 3.18%

07:43 10/29 10/29

ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour)

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

% CHANGE

09/24

Nymex Henry Hub Future Henry Hub Spot

Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot

32.95 35.23

-0.40 -0.76

-1.20% -2.11%

10/26 10/29

BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON

30.25

2.04

7.23%

10/26

Source: Oilprice.com

ing to manufacture workers. Those who are to retained need to be done as soon as possible so that there will not be a situation where some of those who are technical experts are not there when you finally takeover.”

Federal Government has commenced payment of severance package to PHCN workers signalling the gradual hands off of the governments on some of the successor companies of PHCN. Over 20,304 staff of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have been cleared as beneficiaries of severance benefits as the federal government unbundles their former employer.

Federal Government on Thursday commenced payment of about N34.585 billion to 3,938 of staff of GENCOs and PHCN workers through the Office of Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).

Just recently, another 16,366 staff of DISCOs have been cleared by the auditors and are ready for onward transmission to the OAGF for payment and the amount is N84.5 billion.

Ch Comm PHCN Godsw fully, by the as it i It i and E cently in the their Th newsm

38

Energy Week

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Shell, Transcorp pull out of Chevron asset bid

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hell Nigeria, the country’s largest operator and Transcorp, an ambitious firm controlled by the flamboyant “Afrocapitalist” Tony Elumelu, are two of the high profile companies weeded out in the first round of the bid for Chevron’s 40% stake in three Oil Mining Leases(OMLs) in Eastern Niger Delta.

The acreages are OMLs 52, 53 and 55, which contain proven oil and gas reserves of 555MMBOE, according to Chevron’s Information Memorandum, quoting the Nigerian Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Also disqualified were Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, which entered the bid with South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO); Oryx, owned by the Swiss investor Jean Claude Gandur; Frontier Oil, which just commissioned a large gas plant in the country’s south east and Pillar Oil, a marginal oilfield producer.

One surprising survivor is Sogenal Limited, which is neither known to have a large capital asset, nor has ever produced a single barrel of oil.

Two of the 11 remaining bidders in the current round are, expectedly, Seplat, Africa’s largest homegrown hydrocarbon producing company and First Hydrocarbon Nigeria, a local subsidiary of London listed Afren Plc. Three other survivors are Seven Energy, Britannia U and Amni International Petroleum. Seven Energy holds equity in a string of assets in the basin, including interests in Seplat operated OMLs 4,

Sunmonu

38 and 41; Britannia U is the operator of the 2,200BOPD Ajapa marginal field in Chevron held OML 90, located in shallow offshore western Niger Delta.

Amni has operated and non-operated assets in Southeast offshore Niger Delta and has invested heavily in some of the consortia who’d bought the country’s power generating companies.

The presence of Sogenal and Britannia U among winners of the first round has thrown up questions regarding how the winners were selected. “We put in over $700million as bid, we are a producing company with some track record, and we bid for the three leases as a package, so we think we are eminently qualified”, said one company which claims it has stronger oilfield footprint than some of those who

won.

The weeding was made after all the indicative offers were received on July 29, 2013, a month and half after Chevron kick-started the process by inviting 20 companies. Between June 15 and July 10 however, other companies had made it, kicking and screaming, into the bidders’ list, shooting the number to 36.

Shell’s willingness to acquire one of the acreages has been widely reported in the media. The move is considered extraordinary, coming from a super-major.

As a rule, companies interested in acquiring acreages from which majors are divesting in Nigeria are local firms and international independents, often as consortia. But Shell’s interest highlights the fact that the company is interested in large gas reserves to feed its ever growing impetus to export natural gas around the world.

Shell and Chevron have for the past six years worked on joint field development plans for the straddling gas reservoirs in the Ohaji South field in Chevron’s OML 53 and Assa North pool in Shell’s OML 21.

As such, Shell’s bid was for OML 53, which reportedly holds proven reserves of 299MMBOE (source again: Chevron’s Information Memorandum, quoting the Nigerian Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)).

It is not clear whether the Shell bid was rejected for its low price (reportedly $100MM) or because the company did not bid for the three blocks as a package, which Chevron would have preferred.

LUPAN tasks FG on fake, low quality lubricants UDEME AKPAN

T

he Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria, LUPAN has tasked the Federal Government to eliminate the existence of fake and low quality lubricants because of their negative impact on the nation.

The Executive Secretary of the Association, Mr. Emeka Obidike who disclosed this in an interview with National Mirror stated that there were so many fake and low quality products in the country.

He said that while some of the lubricants were locally produced, others were imported into the nation with no known address or manufacturers.

Obidike said that a laboratory analysis has already showed that they were not produced based on specified or approved mix of additives.

Consequently, the Executives Secretary remarked that the fake and low quality lubricants constituted serious sources of damage to automobiles, generators and other appliances.

Obidike maintained that the lubricants have flooded the domestic market to the extent that unsuspected buyers prefer them to high quality products produced by LUPAN members, apparently as a result of their relatively cheap prices.

He remarked that the proliferation of the fake and low quality products constituted a serious disincentive to investors who have already invested in the local production of

lubricants in the nation.

Obidike said that this has affected the operations of LUPAN members who set up plants, employ and train labour, thus assisting the Federal Government to tackle unemployment in the nation.

The Executive Secretary who called on the government to ensure the lubricants are eliminated from the domestic market also made a strong case for introduction of policies, capable of discouraging their penetration in the domestic market.

Obidike said that LUPAN has already appealed to the government to review downwards to five per cent import duty on Base Oil, which he said remained a major raw material that is used in the production of lubricant.

He called on the government to impose higher tariff regime for imported lubricants in order to protect local producers as well as remain competitive in the market.

Obidike remarked that: “Our challenges

Lubrication plant

are influx of sub-standard lubricant in the market. Over the years, we have tried to draw government attention to it. The second problem is the issue of high tariff. Government should be able to step up and tackle it. The imported lubricant are enjoying the same 10 per cent duty tariff with our major raw materials, which constitute about 90 per cent of our raw materials in lubricant production.

He said that: “By the time the imported product arrived at 10 per cent and we are also paying the same 10 per cent on raw materials, we will not be able to compete with the imported lubricant.

Obidike remarked that: “We want government to increase tariff on imported finished lubricant to encourage local production of the product. We also want government to reduce import tariff on base oil and other additives use in the production of engine oil in the country.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OPEC to trim exports on refinery maintenance

T

he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries will reduce shipments this month while refiners in the United States and Europe conduct seasonal maintenance, tankertracker Oil Movements said.

The group, which supplies about 40 percent of the world’s oil, will cut exports by 190,000 barrels a day, or 0.8 percent, to about 23.7 million barrels a day in the four weeks to Aug. 31 from the period to Aug. 3, the researcher said today in an e-mailed report.

The figures exclude two of OPEC’s 12 members, Angola and Ecuador.

“Exports are simply dropping through the rest of the summer, the direction is right” for the time of year, Roy Mason, the company’s founder, said today by phone from Halifax, England. “Westbound sailings are edging down a bit. The east has quite some way to go” before maintenance impacts shipments.

Refiners typically trim imports at the start of the third quarter while performing maintenance as summer demand for gasoline and diesel ebb. Brent crude climbed to a four-month high of $111.53 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London as clashes in Egypt and labor strikes in Libya raised concern that exports from the region will remain unstable.

Middle Eastern shipments will drop by 1.1 percent to about 17.3 million barrels a day to Aug. 31, compared with about 17.5 million in the month to Aug. 3, according to Oil Movements. That figure includes nonOPEC nations Oman and Yemen.

Crude on board tankers will decline 4.3 percent to 481.7 million barrels, data from Oil Movements show. The researcher calculates volumes by tallying tanker bookings, and excludes crude held on vessels for storage.

IFC promises 1500mw of electricity to Nigeria

T

he International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank said it will support investments in Nigeria that will add 1,500 megawatts of power generation capacity to the national grid between now and 2016.

Specifically, the IFC said such investment would go a long way in providing electricity for about 8.0million people in Nigeria.

At a conference in Lagos at the weekend, IFC’s Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa,Latin America and the Caribbean,Jean Phillipe Prosper,said the Corporation has signed a mandate to provide financing to mobilize funds for one or more power generation companies.

He said the Corporation aims to provide similar support for two or more and also plans to support to close to three power distribution companies in the country .

The project is built into IFC’s Energy Business Plan,while it is also considering participation in the country’s gas-to-power project.

According to him, under the Energy Business Plan, each World Bank institution will leverage its competencies and products to provide solutions to projects that encourage their viability and contribute to the sustainability of the power sector.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Abia tasks National Assembly on PIB UDEME AKPAN

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traditional ruler has urged the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, into law without further delay because of its importance to the nation.

The Attah of Eket, His Royal Majesty, Obong E. C. D. Abia who made the call in a presentation on PIB in Port Harcourt, Rivers State stated that the bill was too important to be delayed.

Abia commended the Spaces for Change for organising the just concluded conference which enabled many stakeholders in oil and gas producing communities and others to make input into the PIB. He said “Typical of the management of oil and gas Resources in the Niger Delta, some of us have not seen the draft bill and what we know of it is from the pages of newspapers. But for Spaces for Change, we would never have had the opportunity of making any contribution to the bill.’’

Abia remarked that: “We further commend Spaces for Change for producing the Petroleum Industry Bill Resource handbook which has given us a significant insight to the Petroleum Industry bill and enable us to make informed opinion.

He stated that the production of hydrocarbon in Nigeria in such a significant scale that it is ranked number one in Africa and twelve globally, should be regarded as a blessing to the country, but because of mismanagement of the resources, it has turned out to be a curse.

Abia remarked that to the people of Niger Delta, the impact of oil production is the worst in the whole world, completely destroying the source of livelihood of the people while enormous wealth is being extracted from the Region.

He stated that: “No one with conscience

Senate President, David Mark

should grudge the token that is passed to the region or any attempt to bring equity and fairness to the communities from which the wealth that fuels the development of our country is sourced.

The traditional ruler remarked that the PIB is a bold and courageous attempt to correct the ills of the past in the sharing of the wealth upon which the country depends and which is extracted from the Niger Delta.

He maintained that: “Yet the principle upon which this is based is applicable to any region or state where hydrocarbon is also found.

Abia stated that the need to be fair with the people of the Delta has long been recognized by most Nigerians, adding that what the bill seeks to do is how best this should be done.

He stated that: “True, we have had OMPADEC, then NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta. Hardly any of these had or has succeeded in ameliorating the hardship and extreme poverty of the people.

The reasons are obvious. All these institutions are too far the people they expect

to serve. They are riddled with corruption and waste of resources.

Abia stated that they lack focus in their operation, often competing with State and Local governments, duplicating their functions.

He stated that while at the Federal level Niger Delta is marginalised; at the local level the Oil Producing Companies are also marginalised.

The traditional ruler maintained that: “It is very common in a state to see the resources meant for oil producing areas used for the sole development of other areas and the oil producing totally neglected.

The simple reason for this is that whether at the national or state level, oddly, the oil producing communities finds themselves in a minority position, without political influence.

He stated that the PIB seeks to correct these negative factors by focusing on the oil and gas producing communities.

He remarked that: “What remains is using the experience of past initiatives that failed to deliver, to fashion a framework that is focused and managed to the people themselves.

He stated that: “Its functions and objectives should be carefully spelt out so that it does not duplicate the responsibilities of the state or local government. If it is to fast track the economic and social development of the people then it should concentrate on manpower development, poverty reduction, economic development and employment.

Abia maintained that the new initiative should build and equip schools and libraries, especially technical schools.

He remarked that it should give scholarships and facilitate the establishment of commercial farms and processing of farm produce that thrive in the Niger Delta region, such as palm oil, cassava and rice.

NDDC cautions contractors against poor quality projects

T

he Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has warned contractors handling its projects to follow specifications and deliver top quality jobs that meet the needs of beneficiary communities.

Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Dr. Christy Atako, issued the warning while inspecting the commission’s hostel project at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

Noting that the concern of NDDC is the delivery of projects that will make the people of the Niger Delta region happy, she said, “We want to enforce strict adherence to standards and project specifications. We will not tolerate contractors doing shoddy jobs”.

The Acting Managing Director and CEO expressed dissatisfaction with some aspects of the finishing in the hostel and asked the contractor to rectify the defects within two weeks.

However, at the Mother and Child Hospital project site in Port Harcourt, she commended the contractor for working at a fast pace. She advised the contractor to make conscious efforts to equip the youths with skills they could use else-

where after the completion of the project.

She also inspected the ongoing IzombeAgwa-Obokofia Road project in Imo State.

Responding to allegations that the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission had taken over the execution of some part of the project, the NDDC Acting Managing Director and CEO stressed that the Commission is happy to have partners.

She said “We are not competing with any organisation. We should be complementing one another. It does not matter whether it is NDDC or Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission that is doing this project. What matters is developing the Niger Delta.”

Atako has also called on contractors handling the construction of the NDDC prototype university hostels across the Niger delta to re-double their efforts to complete the projects for the benefit of students.The Acting Managing director, who addressed the contractors at the NDDC corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, commended them for attaining up to 95 per cent of job but charged them to brace up and complete them for commissioning within two months.

She also called on contractors han-

dling other projects to ensure speedy completion of their contracts.

She stated that: “I have looked at the records and I am very excited about what you have done already.

But if we must have value for what we have spent so far on these hostel projects, they must be completed and handed over to students facing dearth of accommodation within one or two months.”

Atako is said to have started work soon after she was named the Acting Managing director of the commission

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, conveyed the President’s decision to the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Dr. Tarilah Tebepah, in a letter he read at the Board’s valedictory session last week.

According to the SGF, Atako’s appointment takes effect from August 7. He directed the outgoing Managing Director/CEO to handover all the commission’s property in his possession to the Acting Managing Director/CEO.

39

More guests to attend UNIPORT conference

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ore distinguished personalities in the nation’s oil & gas industry have indicated interest to attend the forthcoming 2nd International Conference on Petroleum Refining & Petrochemicals being organised by the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in collaboration with Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited (IEPL), a world-class company.

The event, already endorsed by Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources is holding at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, on 28th and 29th August, 2013. The theme of the conference is “Creating wealth through diversification, transformation and development of our refineries and petrochemical industries”.

Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. H. Odein Ajumogobia has accepted to be a special guest and would deliver a goodwill message. Former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. T.M. John is a keynote speaker. He will address the theme of the conference: “Creating Wealth through Diversification, Transformation, and Development of our Refineries and Petrochemical Industries”.

A statement issued by Prof. Godwin Igwe, Executive Conference Chairman, and Director of the Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemicals of UNIPORT, said that one of the lead paper presenters will be Engr. N. John Erinne, immediate past President of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers. He will tackle the area of “Realising Nigeria’s Petrochemicals Potentials”.

Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has also accepted to be a special guest and would also deliver a goodwill message. Minister of Science & Technology, Prof. Ita Bassey-Ewa has also accepted to attend the conference.

Some other top experts are also attending the conference from US and South Africa.

Prof. Igwe had earlier stated that four other top personalit4ies had earlier agreed to attend the conference and present papers. They include the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Mr. Reginald Stanley; Group Coordinator of Corporate Planning & Strategy (CP&S) and Director of NNPC Transformation, Dr. Tim Okon.

The others are the Director General/ CEO, NOTAP, Federal Ministry of Science & Technology, Dr. Umar Buba Bindir; Managing Director of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited (IEPL) Mr Manish Mundra; and Chairman of the Governing Board of CGRP, Engr. Tony Ogbuigwe who is also the Group Executive Director of Refineries and Petrochemicals at NNPC. Igwe said that the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Joseph Ajienka is excited about this array of distinguished personalities who have indicated interest in the conference which he has promised would meet global standard.

Already, the Federal Government has CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

40

Energy Week

More guests to attend UNIPORT conference CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39 endorsed the University of Port Harcourt second International Conference on petroleum refining and petrochemicals because of its expected impact on the development of the downstream sector of the industry.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is said to have endorsed the event scheduled to hold at the prestigious Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt from August 28-29, 2013 due to its importance to the petroleum industry and the nation.

Alison-Madueke who was informed about the event organised by the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in collaboration with world-class Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals instantly endorsed it in Abuja last week.

The minister’s endorsement was communicated to the organisers after she briefed about the elaborate plans to hold the world-class conference for which many international scholars and project experts have also offered to deliver papers.

Alison-Madueke, Nebo, others for PIB confab in Lagos

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he Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, legislators and other top officials of the petroleum and power industries as well as regulators will converge in Lagos on Thursday to chart course for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and other issues.

The event, which is the annual August conference of the National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC), themed “PIB: Harmonisation and Implementation for Economy Growth,” will hold on Thursday August 22 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos by 9am.

The Secretary of the Association, Yunus Yusuf in a statement, said Alison-Madueke will be the special guest of honour while the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will deliver the keynote address.

Nebo will speak on “Driving Capacity Growth in Liberalised Power Sector,” while the PIB Team lead, Ministry of Petroleum, Engr. Abiye Membere, will deliver the lead paper.

The Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Engr. George Osahon, will speak on “Expectations and Challenges of Effective Regulation in Deregulated Regime,” and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Ernest Nwapa, will talk on “Three Years of NCDMB: Achievements and Challenges.”

The Chairman, Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Sen. Emmanuel Paulker,will present a paper on “Balancing National Interest with Investment Incentives. Other speakers include the Managing Director, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Austin Avuru, and the Chairman, Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), Mr. Mark Ward.

The Chairman of the occasion will be Dr. Tony Chukwueke, Director, Transcorp Energy Limited and former Director, DPR.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NIPCO MD harps on local content in petroleum industry UDEME A KPAN

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n integrated downstream company, Nipco Plc, has stepped up its human capital development initiatives to boost its manpower in line with the oil and gas industry local content development act 2010 which harps on effective harnessing of indigenous capacity in the nation’s hydrocarbon industry.

The initiative which is a fall-out of the avowed commitment of the company with regards to adding value to the Nigerian economy by stimulating growth of indigenous capacity especially in the oil and gas industry .

Nipco Managing Director, Mr Venkataraman Venkatapathy who disclosed this at a training programme to equip the staff properly on Safety and Security challenges in Downstream Operations said the feat has become imperative to enable the staff operate effectively and efficiently in a truly competitive business environment.

He told to the participants’ at the event that Nipco will continue to support capacity building of the workforce in line with the Nigeria Content Development Management Board [NCDMB] guidelines even as the company’s staff remained the bedrock of its steady growth over the years.

He said the two- day training programme facilitated by Hybrid Consulting Limited is designed to give a broader awareness to all participants on contemporary issues in safety and security management in downstream operations as part of her efforts at meeting challenges in these areas.

Men at work The managing director asserted that the company’s workforce have not only remained a major pillar but had also continued to maintain productive work ethic which has helped the organization sustain its key position in the industry with satisfactory service delivery to its numerous publics.

Management, he said, will continue to place high priority on staff training and development, seek and retain the best talents in its continued pursuit of operational and service excellence.

Mr. Venkatapathy stated that a robust performance framework has been put in place by the company to ensure that all staff are properly managed and supported to deliver higher levels of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

“We are convinced that our investment in training and human capital development will translate into greater productivity higher performance and im-

pact positively on the overall operations of the company”, he declared.

The M.D whose message was delivered by the company’s Assistant General Manager HR/ADMIN, , Mr. Magaji Mohammed enjoined all participants to make best use of the programme deliverables especially with regards to safety and security management as loss control strategies.

Training facilitator, Dapo Omolade said there is a symbolic relationship between safety and security in a regulated industry like the oil and gas especially in the realm of loss prevention in work places.

According to him, loss in the downstream sector could take different forms with an all encompassing effect on every facet of operations anytime it happens, thus making it imperative for an enduring loss control strategies.

No oil spill in Funiwa field – Chevron C hevron Nigeria Limited, the operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, has described as false any report of spill in its Funiwa field located in CNL’s Eastern Operational areas, in Bayelsa State of Nigeria.

Said Deji Haastrup, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs; “Any report of spill in our CNL Funiwa field is false in its entirety and we advise all enquiries about CNL operations to be directed to us instead of third parties.

Haastrup said that this clarification has become necessary in view of reports by some news media alleging that there

Funiwa Oil field

has been a spill in CNL’s Funiwa field.

He emphasised that CNL conducts its operations to ensure the safety of the people and the environment at all times.

He stated that: “CNL reiterates its commitment to effective environmental management in line with one of its core values of protecting people and the environment in all its operations.”

The company operates under a jointventure arrangement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and has assets on land, swamp and near-offshore concessions covering approximately 2.2 million acres (8,900 sq km) in the Niger

Delta region.

Chevron has extensive interests in deepwater Nigeria. The Agbami Field is one of Nigeria’s largest deepwater discoveries. The company also has an interest in another deepwater development, the Usan project.

It stated that: ‘We are applying our expertise and advanced technology to meet the energy needs of growing African and Latin American economies. Our operations include oil and natural gas, LNG, gas-to-liquids and deepwater and heavy oil exploration and production.

Chevron is the third-largest oil producer in Nigeria and one of the largest investors in the country. We have extensive interests in deepwater Nigeria, including the Agbami Field, one of Nigeria’s largest deepwater discoveries.

The Agbami Phase 2 and Usan deepwater projects began production in 2012.

And the Escravos gas-to-liquids facility is expected to begin production in 2013.

In Latin America, Chevron has operations or interests in six countries. In Brazil, our second deepwater development, Papa-Terra, is expected to start up in 2013.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Civil Service

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

41

Unemployed graduates protest alleged hoarding of job application forms OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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undreds of unemployed graduates have staged a protest in Abuja against the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Deaconess Joan Ayo accusing her of deliberately hoarding application forms in order to restrict the number of applicants for vacancies in the federal civil service.

The protesters who blocked the road adjacent to the Federal Civil Service Club in Mabushi Abuja said they had tried to obtain the application forms to no avail, hence their resort to self-help.

The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) had few days ago invited qualified applicants “with good character and integrity,” who are interested in making career in the Federal Civil Service to simply apply in any of the vacant positions in the Federal Ministries of Environment, Information, Trade and Investment and Justice as well as the Bureau of Public Procurement.

Giving a deadline of September 17, the commission, in the advertorial signed on behalf of its chairman by Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mustapha L. Sulaiman, had encouraged applicants to access Application Forms on-line on the FCSC Website: www.fedcivilservice. gov.ng.

In the alternative, applicants could also collect FCSC Forms from the FCSC Headquarters, 4 Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja or from the Chairmen of the States Civil Service Commissions in the Following Geo-political zones:(a) NorthWest (Kaduna) (b) North-East (Yola) (c) North-Central Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mabushi (Abuja) (d) South-East (Owerri) (e) South-South (Port Harcourt) (f) South-West (Ibadan).

On Monday however, applicants took to the street disrupting traffic, but for the prompt intervention of policemen who brought the situation under control.

Most of the applicants who spoke to our correspondent called for the sack of the entire FCSC Chairman and her Commissioners, claiming that the FCSC has continued to frustrate

job-seekers in the country by placing unnecessary obstacles on their way.

Audu Ibrahim, one of the applicants said they had gone to the headquarters of the commission in Wuse where they were referred back to the Civil Service Club in Mabushi. He said although he cited the forms at the headquarters, it was not clear why officials of the commission refused to issue them out. “Some of us have worked before and even risen to certain level. We are not kids. It is our considered opinion that the entire commission be sacked.

They seem too old to innovate ideas. They are practically too old for the rigour of managing the civil service. Besides, the commission has to even be expanded to have more staff who can handle series of issues.

Their staff strength, for now, is too small”, he said.

Philemon Mannock, also an applicant, told National Mirror that he left his house by 5am in Gwagwalada in order to get to the Club as early as 6am so he could get the form without stress. “It is 4pm now, and I am still here. No form and there is no one to clarify issues. We do not even know what is happening. They (government) have to stop treating us like animals. It is not easy to be a graduate and they must accord us some respect. You can remember how in 2001, students of the University of Jos fought their attackers during one of such vicious crisis, using their knowledge of science. The day we take to terrorism, the dog and baboon would be soaked in blood.

Meanwhile, Security operatives drawn from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps yesterday took over the Federal Civil Service Club yesterday to forestall a breach of the peace as protesting job seekers again took to the street alleging plots to deny them employment.

The protest had began on Monday, with the applicants threatening to cause chaos if the government would not accede to their requests.

As early as 7am yesterday, the security operatives had already taken strategic position around the club.

The applicants however claimed that two days into their protest, the Federal Civil Service Commission was yet to clarify what the problem was.

...want Civil Service Commission chairman sacked Applicants had earlier protested on Monday against the non-availability of application forms.

Again when our correspondent contacted the Head of Press and Public Relations in the commission, Mrs Olubunmi

Badejo, her phone was switched off while a text message sent to her mobile phone was never replied.

Applicants queuing at the gate of the Federal Character Commission in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Fashola signs law establishing Public Service Development Centre

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agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Monday signed into law a bill establishing the State’s Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) with the assertion that a restructured and energized staff development centre would take the State nearer its set goal of achieving excellence in public service.

In his remarks before assenting to it, Governor Fashola said the law also reinforced the belief of his administration in an “Action Government” rather than “Action Governor” adding, “It reinforces the values we place on the human capital that is available in the State.

“The only way we can achieve our goal is to build strong institutions managed by well trained people with the right attitude and the right exposure and the right commitment”, the Governor said, adding, “This is our own school of governance for want of a better word”.

According to the Governor, “This is the school that has helped in remaking LASTMA, KAI, remaking our Teaching Service and remaking our Civil Service in general. It is the school that has given us the developmental capacity that we have had thus far and if we reinvest in it, we only invest in

our selves and the future of our State”.

“What we are experiencing or what we are about to do today are the institutional framework amendment and the structural framework amendment that are necessary to empower the school further”, the Governor said adding that what has happened in the school over the last four to five years has been an investment in its infrastructure and its capacity to deliver its mandate.

He said over the years, Government had also invested in the refurbishment of the school’s training centres and the provision of so many instructional materials adding, “So this is a bill that I am also glad to assent to because I know the capacity that it has in taking us closer to our objective of a brighter and rewarding future delivered by well trained men and women who serve in the Public Service of Lagos State”.

Earlier in his introductory remarks, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said the PSSDC was not a new institution having been set up first in 1994 adding that it has since proved to be one of the most essential ingredients in the success that has been recorded in the State’s Public Service.

“The main dream of the founders at that time was that it would contribute to the development and training of staff in the State’s Civil Service”, the Commissioner said recalling that from 1994 to now a lot of things had changed in the place.

“There is a need to upgrade the Centre and make provisions that will allow it to function in such a way that will contribute optimally to the development of the modern Lagos State Public Service”, the Commissioner said adding that the centre would partner with all the relevant agencies and ministries of government within the State in the design and implementation of qualitative, well-defined and structural training programmes.

Also present at the occasion were Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule, Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase, Special Adviser, Political and Legislative Bureau, Mr. Muslim Folami, Chairman House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Hon. Segun Olulade, other Lagos State House Assembly members.

42

From the Civil Service

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abia Perm Sec urges Nigeria to exit group of backward nations GEORGE OPARA ABIA

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permanent secretary in Abia State, Mrs Victoria Chigbu, Ministry of Education has said that Nigeria should make frantic efforts to exit the group of educationally backward nations.

Chigbu said this yesterday during a training workshop organised by UNESCO in collaboration with National Mass Education Commission (NMEC) for adult education instructors held at the Kolping Society, Umuahia.

The permanent secretary, who was represented at the event by the Director of Curriculum in the Ministry, Mrs Ngozi Nwagbara said that adult literacy was key to achieving that.

“This workshop has come at such an auspicious time when Nigeria as a nation is making frantic efforts to exit the E-9 group made up of nine countries of the world considered most backward in education,” she said.

She added that the nine countries that made up the group were harbouring 70 per cent of world’s illiterate adults.

She explained that the country with its abundant human resources had the capacity to achieve any set goal in the sector.

“It has become even more imperative in this Global Village and digitalized era where the frustration resulting from the limitation posed by illiteracy is growing by the day,” she said.

Chigbu said that the state government would partner with relevant government agencies to ensure that the task of achieving education for all by 2020 was attained.

Earlier, Mr Anyanwu Joseph, Executive Director, Abia State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education said that the workshop was aimed at training 120 facilitators in the state.

“This will certainly improve the literacy level in the state,” Joseph said.

Orji approves list of 21 commissioner nominees GEORGE OPARA ABIA

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overnor Theodore Ahamefule Orji yesterday has made list of 21 commissioners’ nominees through Professor Mkpa Agu Mkpa, secretary to the state government who subsequently forwarded same to the state house of assembly for screening.

With the list of nominees made available to the press, nine out of the 21 nominees were drawn from members of the immediate past state executive council. Four women made the list while the twelve other nominees are a combination of new technocrats and individuals who had served the state in different portfolios in the past.

Since the declaration of the 21 nominees, the list was received with mixed feelings. And there has been palpable panic everywhere in the state as the state government house has become a mecca of sort where politicians are seen making frantic efforts to

know whether their names made the list or to pressure some Orji’s kitchen cabinet to ensure the inclusion of their names.

It could be recalled that Governor Orji dissolved his cabinet about three months ago. Officials of government who pleaded anonymity told this paper that the list may not go without some changes due to certain afterthought considerations.

However, as at press time the state legislature has not fixed dates for the screening of the nominees.

Orji

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. McJohn Nwabiala; Minister of Education, Prof. Rukayyatu Rufai; Assistant Director, Legal Unit, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Patricia Ojakovo and Rector, African Virtual University, Dr. Bakary Diallo, during the signing of memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Education and African Virtual University in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Bayelsa HOS tasks labour on harmonious relationship EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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he Bayelsa State Head of Service, Sir Frazer Okuoru has urged the organized labour in the state to work harmoniously with government for the growth and development of the state.

Okuoru spoke in Yenagoa, the state capital, at the weekend when the leadership of the State Joint Public Service Negotiating Council 1, 11, and 111 visited him in his office.

The Head of Service reminded that the Joint Negotiating Coun-

cil was the body that mediates in the welfare of Civil Servants with the government, urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council of the state to work cordially for the success of the Service.

While advising the Joint Council to perform its functions within the confines of the laws that governs it , Okuoru said government was ready to formally inaugurate the State Joint Council as soon as the Council organizes itself.

Earlier , the Chairman of the State Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Patrick Weridong-

han said they visited the Head of Service to inform him of the knotty issues within the Union that had been amicably resolved.

Weridonghan said the State Joint Council was the statutory body responsible in liaising between Labour and government on issues of general welfare such as promotion of civil servants, payment of salaries, gratuities ,among other items.

The Chairman appealed to government to consider members of the Joint Council for appointment into committees relating to the welfare of civil servants.

Commissioner lauds retiring Perm Sec EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA.

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ayelsa State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chief Alfred Akierite,at the weekend lauded the virtues of the retiring permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr. Franco Ayibadomo for his humility.

The commissioner described the Permanent Secretary as a hard-working man and team player, who gave his best for the development of the ministry.

Akierite spoke in Yenagoa at the send-forth party organised in honour of Ayibadomo, who was proceeding on retirement after

serving the mandatory 35 years in the Civil Service.

While describing Ayibadomo as a humane character,the commissioner observed that he had always given valuable advice when needed.

“He always did his job with smiles, even during hard times,”he said.

Earlier, the Director of Budget, Mr. Felix Odubo noted that since Ayibadomo’s appointment as Permanent Secretary he related well with all the people he interacted with.

Odubo said it was a privilege working with the retiring Permanent Secretary, stressing that he had learnt so much from him dur-

ing his stay in the ministry.

In his response, the retiring Permanent Secretary, Chief Franco Ayibadomo ,appreciated the Commissioner for relating with him cordially and urged. him and members of staff to extend same to his successor.

He said :”The cooperation extended to me by the Commissioner and staff of the ministry was instrumental in no small measure to whatever success I recorded while at the ministry.The Budget Ministry is an office that serves the entire state.I urge the staff to continue to maintain the tempo, in the interest of the development of the state.”

NANS honours, passes confidence vote on NAPTIN DG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 lessly to ensure that Nigerians are trained to fill relevant positions as the power sector is being deregulated.

He disclosed that about 243 youths would graduate from the institute by October this year, adding that ministry of power is also

brining about 2000 youths training in the nearest future.

According to Okeke, NAPTIN is currently on expansion mission establishing training centers in all the geo-political zones of the country.

“We have just established that of Kano, Enugu and Gembu in Taraba state is also coming on stream to en-

sure that whoever needs training in power sector does not need to travel far away from his location.

“For now, nearly all graduates coming out from the universities have room to work in the power sector, because we are looking at almost 8000 plus fresh graduates to support Mr. President’s transfor-

mation agenda as far as the power sector is concerned. We are looking at 40,000MW by the year 2020 and for us to get this 40,000MW you have to have matching personnel both in operation, maintenance and even in the construction of the design. Power sector is being deregulated by the government which is

the best thing that has happened in this country in order that we can get this light 24/7. These private investors coming in must have a ready market where they are going to recruit and create employment opportunity for our engineers that are coming from the universities.” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday August 21, 2013

43

Is Nigeria tilting towards two-party system?

T

he ovation that heralded the registration of All Progressives Congress, APC, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was a signal that there was a missing link in the political furnace of the country.

Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been the domineering political party in the country, others are just managing to survive. Against this backdrop, it is usually a PDP versus others in the past elections with the opposition, most of the time a roaring lion with poor geographical spread.

It was the former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida that first introduced the two party-system into the political lexicon of Nigeria, through the formation of the National Republican Convention, NRC and the Social Democratic Party, SDP. They were described as a bit to the right and a bit to the left, respectively.

The two parties were almost equal in strength and character hence the election naturally produced a credible result.

The option A4 which allowed candidates to emerge from the grassroots gave it the needed credibility.

Today, it seems the country is moving towards a two party system due to the merger of some political parties that formed the APC. This is in tandem with what operates in the United Kingdom and United States of America where there are two major prominent parties and the less strong parties.

Though political analysts see the two party-system as a political choice that gives opportunities for exploring better and credible alternative platforms during periodic elections, some politicians see it as a gag to democracy in the sense that democracy should provide opportunity for individuals to belong to any political party of his or her choice, not the compelled one under the two-party system.

Speaking shortly after the registration of the APC, the interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande pointed out that the party will be an alternative to the ruling PDP, adding that it will strengthened democracy and give room for a credible alternative.

Two schools of thought emerged on this controversial issue. While the first school argued that against the backdrop of our political antecedent, it is expedient to have a two-party system where if one does not meet the aspirations of the people, there will always be an alternative party to go.

Those who believe in this argument hinged their postulation on what happened during the SDP and NRC era when Nigerians witnessed one of the freest elections with the A4 option.

Championing this line of thought was the former Head of State and the pathfinder of the two-party system, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who claimed that two-party politics was necessary for the growth of the country, as well as for its unity.

The Niger State-born Army General-turned politician, pointed out that whether the country likes it or not, the two-party system has come to stay. His words: “I believe in two parties and I see signs of the possible emergence of a two-

The recent registration of the All Progressives Congress, APC, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, after protracted political intrigues has come as succour to the progressive wing of the political elite, as well as indicate a drift towards a two-party system, SINA FADARE reports.

Bamanga Tukur, PDP chair

Akande

party system, I welcome it, it is good for the polity, it is good also for the unity of this country.”

He explained that he has studied the development of party politics in the country since the First Republic and noted that the country always had the tendency of moving towards a two-party system.

“You heard about the National Alliance Parties coming from the North and aligning with those from the South, NEPU aligning with NCNC and so it started during Shehu Shagari time,” he said.

He recalled with nostalgia that when his government created two parties in 1989, many people criticised it that the idea had little chance of success, adding that some people even argued that the parties would turn out to be polarised on Christians versus Muslims lines, as well as North versus the South, but things did not turn out as people thought, instead everybody blended.

Speaking in the same vein, one of the leaders in the APC merger and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu noted that the two-party system will bring sanity to the political system and it will encourage alternative government if one is not performing.

He said: “The confirmation of the registration of the party by INEC signal led the commencement of a new phase in the struggle to bring true democratic change to Nigeria. This is not just a merger. This

is the first ever merger in the history of Nigeria and it represents a paradigm shift in the politics of our country. Together, we must own it. As Nigerians, we see history unfold before our eyes and we must rise up to answer the call of history to liberate our people.”

Tinubu’s assertion tallied with that of Prof. Itse Sagay, a legal icon and a chieftain of the PDP in Ondo State, Mr. Saka Lawal. The duo noted that it should be encouraged because it gives room for development.

Sagay, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, described the two- party system as the best option for Nigeria, adding that there is nothing wrong with two-party system, particularly in Nigeria, where the ruling PDP considers power as its birth right because other parties are not strong to capture power at the centre.

He argued that the coming together of some opposition parties has changed the political structure of the country, noting that Nigerians can now boast of two formidable political parties to make their choices from.

He said: “There is nothing wrong with two party systems. It guarantees stability in the polity and as well makes it easier for power to shift from one party to another and from one region to the other.

“With APC coming on board as a national party, the abuse of power and the excesses of PDP would be reduced since

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH TWO-PARTY SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY IN NIGERIA, WHERE THE RULING PDP CONSIDERS POWER AS ITS BIRTH RIGHT BECAUSE OTHER PARTIES ARE NOT STRONG TO CAPTURE POWER AT THE CENTRE

the party is aware that the electorate have alternative in the next poll.

“Two party systems will liberate the country from political imprisonment that the PDP had subjected her to in the past 14 years. With a formidable opposition like the APC, there is the assurance that power can be wrestled from the ruling PDP, whose stock in trade are misrule and reckless display of power.”

Lawal on his part said that the merging of key opposition parties would keep the PDP on its toes. “If the PDP is in power now, it has sold transformational ideas, may be in the next four years, if Nigerians find out that it has not lived up to expectation, the APC will unseat them.

Also, if APC is there and they roll out programmes and they are not living up to expectation, at the end of four years, of course PDP will unseat them. It is now two parties based on ideologies. Tell us what you want to do. After four years, Nigerians will come out and assess you based on your performance,” he said.

He added: “Two-party system is the best for Nigeria. I am a student of Political Science. All over the world, go and look at developed nations, you will see that they practice two-party system, which will make you to be either in the right or left. The middle position may be when you want to form a cabinet; you may need to go into an alliance. But again, if you look at it, two-party system is the best for Nigeria.”

However, the other school of thought argued that for a developing democracy like Nigeria, there should be a multiparty system where every electorate will have opportunity to pick any party of his or her choice without any limitation.

They argued that based on this; there would be robust politicking which will aid development of democracy.

A former Minister of Transport and Aviation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, who shared this line of thought, noted that two-party system is not good for the country’s democracy.

“I do not support a two-party system; that will be undemocratic because you don’t regiment it. When you start regimentation, then you are not defining democracy properly.”

The PDP chieftain pointed out further that “as many as possible, let them (political parties) come up, then we will go for elections, the people will now decide with their votes who will govern them.”

Similarly a human rights activist and chairman of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, Comrade Debo Adeniran said that two-party system is against the basic tenets of democracy, adding that it is more or less a new wine in an old bottle.

Speaking to National Mirror, the human rights crusader pointed out that no matter whichever of the political systems the country chooses, as long as there is greed and avarice on the part of the leaders, the country may not witness the expected growth.

“The problem we have in this country is not that of political system per se, but the political elites who are so greedy, selfish, self entered, corrupt and not ready to serve humanity. That is why the country is finding it difficult to grow,” he said.

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Politics

Wednesday August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Meet ASUU’s demand without delay, APC tells FG SINA FADARE

T

he All Progressives Congress, APC, has asked the Federal Government to honour its agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, in order to end the ongoing strike that has paralysed academic activities in the nation’s public universities.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said no government worth its salt can afford to play with education, because it is the path to national development.

It said ASUU was not

making any fresh demand beyond the agreement it reached with the government in 2009, adding: ‘’Agreements are meant to be honoured, and breaching them comes with some consequences.’’

APC said the strike which has kept students in public universities at home for weeks is a further blow to the country’s education system, which has deteriorated so much that no Nigerian university is currently listed in the top 100 universities in the world, while only a few made the top 100 in Africa.

Mohammed said: “The N87 billion that ASUU is demanding represents earned allowances hence cannot be

renegotiated. In any case, this amount pales into insignificance when placed side by side with the N1 trillion that has been spent on federal legislators in the past 8 years; or the frivolity involved in a government minister travelling to China to negotiate a $1 billion loan in a chartered jet (with its attendant costs) and with a retinue of staffers who earned generous estacode in hard currency.

“It is an indication of the kind of priority that this Federal Government attaches to education that while it has refused to meet its own side of an agreement it reached with ASUU since 2009, it could pay out N3 trillion in non-existent

fuel subsidies to fat cats, spend N10 billion annually to maintain the jets in the presidential fleet and do little or nothing to prevent the stealing of 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day, which translates to $120 million in a month, money that surely ends up in some people’s pockets. ‘’What we are saying is that if the Federal Government would reduce its profligacy and cut waste, there will be enough money to pay teachers in public universities, as well as fund research and upgrade infrastructure in such institutions. Hungry teachers can neither teach well nor carry out research. And poorlytaught students can neither

L-R: Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Institution and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Muhammed Aliu Lade; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Chairman, Governing Council, Kwara Polytechnic, Prof. Shehu Jimoh at the 126th regular meeting of the Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria, in Ilorin yesterday.

Rivers crisis: Party dissociates self from faction’s statement SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

T

he national leadership of the Accord Party, AP, has dissociated the party from a press statement on the political crisis in Rivers State purportedly issued by its faction under the leadership of Mr. Mohammed Nalado.

The National Secretary of AP, Dr. Samson Isibor, in a statement issued in Benin City, said the Nalado-led factional executive has been sacked by the party since July 29, 2010.

Isibor also accused the sacked Nalado executive of impersonation, since the former executive was given the boot for alleged gross misconduct by more than two-thirds of the party’s National Executive Council, NEC, and National Working Committee, NWC. He said: “For Nalado to seek cheap recognition

and favour from the Presidency, he impersonated and issued a statement on the crisis purported to have emanated from us. However, INEC and the public are aware that since the 29th of July, 2010, the Mohammed Nalado-led national executive seized to exist because they were removed from office by more than two-third of the National Executive Council and National Working Committee members.”

Isibor further stated that the sack, which was presided over by the chairman of the Board of Trustee of the AP, Chief Augustine Maize, was done in accordance with the constitution of the party.

“They were sacked for gross misconduct and anti party activities, including misappropriation of N92.8 million of our funds. Nalado and his cohorts were subsequently arraigned

before ICPC which is currently investigating them.

The same Nalado and his disgruntled clique bribed INEC headquarter staff with N4.5 million for them to be recognized,” he added.

In the contentious statement, AP had advised President Goodluck Jonathan “to play a fatherly role by ending the crisis in Rivers State before it engulfs the whole nation or risk imprisonment.”

excel nor propel their nation to great heights.”

Expressing shock and disgust at the demonstrated non-chalance attitude of those who should be working round the clock to resolve the crisis, especially the Minister of State for Education, Nyeson Wike, the APC said: “This is shameful and totally unacceptable. We are not surprised, because most government officials have sent their children and wards to

INEC flays money politics

C

hairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday in Abuja insisted that the commission would not relent in its efforts in monitoring campaign expenditure by the political parties and their candidates.

Jega, who made the remark at an interaction with women and youth leaders of all the political parties, said that all the necessary structures are being laid to effectively monitor campaign expenditure by candidates and political parties as the 2015 general elections approaches.

Saying that the measure will prevent the destruction of political process and minimise the use of money, Jega explained that a ceiling has been imposed on candidates’ expenditure during electioneering.

His words: “Regrettably, the commission has not been able to monitor campaign expenditure, but as we are approaching 2015, we should be able to monitor it effectively and be able to determine if candidates have exceeded the limits or not.”

He also said that lack of internal democracy in the parties has negative consequences on the nation’s democracy, saying that the attitude of party leaders should

New parties‘ll add more value to democracy, says IPAC

T

he Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, yesterday said the newly registered political parties will add more values to Nigeria’s democratic process rather than serve as threats to the existing ones.

The National Chairman of the council, Alhaji Yinusa Tanko, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja that “registration of new political parties by the

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is a welcome development; we have been an advocate of multi-party system.”

He added: “As long as the political parties abide by the rules and guidelines laid down by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), they are welcome. We hope that their campaigns will be based on pressing issues in the country and not on personalities, marginalisation, religion

or tribal sentiments.”

Noting that the various political parties canvass different ideologies, Tanko added that Nigerians stand to benefit from the dividends of democracy when there are many parties focusing their attentions on different needs.

In his remarks, the National Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Gilbert Agbo, said INEC’s role should be the enhancement of the capaci-

foreign universities, hence they do not give a damn if the children of others are in school or not.”

The party added: ‘’Education is the key to national development. This is why UNESCO has recommended an allocation of at least 26 per cent of national budgets to that critical sector.

Therefore, talking about national growth and development without adequately funding education is a pipe dream!”

ties of the political parties not just de-registering old and registering fresh ones.

His words: “It makes no sense that you send some political parties out and bring some on board; that is wrong. It is a learning process, but you don’t legislate on how many political parties should exist; if a party is registered on constitutional provision and de-registered, it is because of other provisions of the Electoral Act.

change by showing civility in the way they manage the parties, adding that imposing candidates for elective offices should cease.

He said: “If they act as military garrison commanders in their parties, it can lead to serious problems in strengthening our democracy as the imposed candidates will resort to negative tendencies, and neglect good democratic practice.”

While charging the women and youth leaders, especially to show decorum in the way they play politics and eschew violence in their participation in electioneering; Jega expressed regret that youths are abused in the Nigerian political process.

According to INEC boss, the energy of the youths needs to be channelled towards positive actions, such as embarking on campaigns on issues rather than personalities.

In her reaction to Jega’s address, the acting Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mrs Oyibo Ahaneku-Nwaneri, said that the interaction had become necessary and timely as the commission needed to check excessive use of money from undisclosed sources.

Ahaneku-Nwaneri noted that the monies coming from undisclosed sources could tie the hands of candidates in exercising their discretion at all times, adding that there should be a ceiling on the amount of money a party or its candidate could spend on electioneering.

Also speaking, the chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Dr. Yinusa Tanko, said that Nigerian politicians should put a stop to excessive spending as a mark of patriotism and demonstration of good citizenship.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

45

Most modern houses in Nigeria will not pass the test for tropicality Professor Ikechukwu Okani Mee, an environmentalist and former Head of Department, River State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, River State is a promoter of green architecture. In this interview with DAYO AYEYEMI, he spoke on the challenges posed by climate change to the Nigerian economy, particularly the housing sector. He also spoke on the need to promote green architecture in building design and construction.

How do you see the issue of climate change and efforts of government to tackle it?

Climate change is the consequence of indiscriminate infractions of the climate coefficients. This issue is becoming a global problem, gradually transforming into a complex of global crises.

Climate change is synonymous to global warming, since climate identifies with average temperature conditions; just like, global- warming refers to intensifying global temperature. The causes of either are similar, if not the same.

People are calling for climate change action. What is your reaction?

The increasing spate of calls for Climate Change Action, CCA, is a spontaneous admittance that the earth together will all it embodies is going through comic fever.

The world should take Climate Change Action more serious than ever. So far, all the global protocols and summits by world nations and international bodies seem to swing on the grid of politics; even the so-called carbon trading. Come to think of it, if carbon gases are the chief causes of climate change, how can the world contain the surge and scourge of climate change and global warming by trading on the same carbon gases?My candid reaction to the global climate change action plea is that every hand should be on the deck to support the aims of government in tacking the consequences of global climate change.

You talked about green architecture, what is it all about and how can Nigerians benefit from this?

Green architecture is the process of making building with sustainable and environmentally friendly materials with minimal energy use both within the building and outside or in the mediate environment.

Green architecture is sustainable because it is derived from the original elements within the environment, where it serves relevant purposes and is readily affordable. That is why it is adjudged sustainable. It is also environmentally friendly since it suits the needs of the people. Again, it uses minimal heat energy or it is made to use reduced heat energy.

Any materials can pass for green architecture project provided they meet the conditions listed above, namely: sustainability, environmentally friendly and minimal energy use. As long as a building material meets these three conditions and passes the tests, it is green architecture friendly.

Green architecture has advanced like every other aspect of science and technology to meet the taste and demands of the modern man. In the past, it was only wood, straw and thatch that were in use for building houses.

That was ancient architecture which is natural to each people.

But the present generation has advanced. Many other forms of buildings which stand above the use of mud, wood and thatch are manifest, via manufacturing. Since the invention of cement, architecture has taken another

Okani

MAJORITY OF HOUSES IN NIGERIA TODAY ARE NOT MEANT FOR USE IN OUR

TROPICAL CLIMATE.

THEY ARE

WHAT OBTAIN IN THE POLAR CLIMATE, GOOD FOR THE

ESKIMOS , BECAUSE THESE HOUSES LACK ADEQUATE VENTILATION PROVISIONS dramatic of phase and more research findings are adopted to make homes environmentally attractive, exotic, aesthetic friendly, sustainable and the use of mineral heat-energy.

People who live in the semi-arid and arid region of the world need green architecture mostly than those who live near the sea or more humid climates as well as forested zones of the earth. More than one fifth of the earth’s surfaces are deserts and semi-deserts. These are in need of green architecture most. The people of Peru, who live in Atacama desert (the most arid region on hearth) are in greater need of green architecture.

It is a fact that green architecture can checkmate and wipe out desert regions across the earth because a successful green architecture especially in the semi-arid and arid region automatically provides oasis. The more green architecture, the wider the expenses of green environ-

ment, the more the desert lose their frontiers .

What does it cost to adopt this system in our building process?

Green architecture does not cost fortunes to build.

It all depends on taste, interest and purpose. At least, a standard 4- bedroom bungalow will cost approximately N3.6million (excluding land purchase) When Nigerians, both north and south adopted cement block and zinc houses, I t was gradual! Before cement blocks and zinc (corrugated iron- sheets) arrived in the 1920s or earlier, people made do with mud, wood and thatch. When cement block and zinc house came they rejected it initially because it was more expensive and the cement houses were warmer, especially during dry season. Want of associating with the high society standard drove them to adopt the “oyinbo” house after wards. If Nigerians could adopt hot buildings which they consider more expensive, then they will easily adopt more comfortable cooler structures, especially in the face of current global climate change, consequent upon the intensifying global warming.

Is anything wrong with the way Nigerians designed and built their houses before now?

There is something very wrong in the ways and manner Nigerians, both the elites and non-elites designed and built their houses.

In the first place, most so-called modern house in Nigeria will not pass the test for topicality because they lack attributes of buildings meant for people in the tropical CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

Executive Discourse

46

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Most modern houses in Nigeria will not pass the test for tropicality CONTINUED FROM 45

A LIVABLE HOUSE SHOULD BE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WITH EVERYTHING THAT CAN ALLOW COMFORT AND

GOOD HEALTH, AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACHIEVING MAXIMUM HAPPINESS THERE IN.

A

GOOD HOUSE SHOULD

HAVE A GOOD SHARE OF GREENS AROUND IT TO CHECKMATE INSULATIONS FROM THE SUN AND ARIDITY climate. Ever before the eruption of global climate change, most Nigerians have changed the climate through wrong housing plans and construction because these were destined to heat-waves by the way they were designed and built.

Majority of houses in Nigeria today are not meant for use in our tropical climate.

They are what obtain in the polar climate, good for the Eskimos , because these houses lack adequate ventilation provisions.

The formation seems to exclude enough air circulation which is what obtains in the arctic and Antarctic region due of cold weather.

Even in the semi-arid and arid environment of the north of Nigeria and other tropical countries, the same pattern of housing is adopted.

It is not good enough using cement formations for housing in the tropical climate. Cement we understand is a combination of good conductors of heat energy, and powerful emitters of same current.

Then, how should people build their house?

A livable house should be environmentally friendly with everything that can allow comfort and good health, as well as opportunities for achieving maximum happiness there in. A good house should have a good share of greens around it to checkmate insulations from the sun and aridity. But no, people plaster the house from the roof to the floor with cement. The advanced house-owners seeking for highclass can even coat the whole environment with cement. When they suppose to cover the environment with trees and lawns to wards off heat, they replace green culture with cement concrete culture.

For such cement houses, when the sun is on during the day, the house will absorb enormous heat energy, which is released at night. This has been why most houses in Nigeria generate heat during the night.

The pattern of designing houses by Nigerians is not a standard! There are no enough spaces between one house and

another. The whole structures are fitted too close to one another and the plots of land are too small to allow appurtenances.

There is no adequate air circulation outside and inside the houses.

Many consideration regarding adequate parameters for building good tropical and sustainable houses are no longer foremost priorities by builders and house owners. Parameters such as standards stipulated foundation depths, standard specifications that access the properties of engineering materials of certain basic items, such as wood, metals, engineering technicality, and quality of the finishing etc. Negligence of local raw material for engineering purpose is not environmentally friendly and not cost effective.

Nigerian house owners and builders should eliminate outdated style, such as the so-called face me I face you, lockup or heavy density house from public occupancy. It is slave cottage system of housing that reminds right-thinking persons of those blackish evil days of tran-Atlantic slave trading when dehumanized humans were caged in long cages with opposite halls awaiting purchase and journey from the Slave Coast to the Americas. A law should be made to put a final stop to designing and building of such houses in the environment, which has remained a faux pass in modern real estate industry.

With the present reality about global climate change, how do we build houses with alternative materials?

In this adversity of incumbent global climate siege, it is easier to make com-

ments on how we should build houses with alternative materials, yet the challenge of putting away the old taste and interest and embark the new remains the problem. Yet, it is simple. I have earlier stated that we have gone miles away from normalcy of not using materials that are relatively native which is environmentally friendly and also sustainable, besides inclusion of numerous ventilation methods that allow wide and easier air-circulation in the buildings and also making the outside surroundings more green than brown and grey.

The use of cement formation for construction purpose should be of secondary consideration for obvious reasons.

We must learn to design our homes to reflect where we are on the grids of the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Latitude. The latitude and continentality, ocean currents and the winds, humidity and others coefficients should be considered of foremost consideration during design.

Take for instance; it is naturally better to study the direction of the winds and position. Much ventilation access in those direction so that the house or home will always get good exchange of breezes.

We should put cultural setting, availability and sustainability of local materials into consideration when making designs of houses. The house or home should reflect the people, the culture style, taste exoticism and wealth of natural endowments. There should be diversities and remarkable difference in the outlay and design of houses by various or diverse people of the earth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; culture of arts science and technology which reflex

in the people will also be made manifest on architecture. The design and construction of Arctic and Antarctic houses in the blaze of pure tropical climate of Africa is an aberration and a mockery of tropical culture. It is a worse transfer of arts, science and technology. This has made the African environments a poor replication of the Europe and Americas. It is high time the hot climate begin the use of alternative building materials originating from our local endowments- I mean materials that are sustainable, environmentally friendly, cost-effective and use minimal exchange of energy.

These materials include wood-blocks, ant-hill dust, red-soil blocks, saw-dust block and panels, saw-dust block-panel, clay bricks, wood-blocks, wood-panels, both for walls and roofing, formatted metals, glass, cement formation to achieve durability sustainable and environmentally friendly qualities and prospects.

Any other engineering material can pass for alternative building, providing such materials are tested and proven to meet the standard of alternative or green architecture prospects. Wood materials for this venture should be treated to resist; fire, damp/moisture, pest attack, while metals and glass be treated to resist heat, rust and brittleness.

Nigerians should borrow a leaf from the eastern countries, such as china, Japan Indonesia and Philippines. The knowledge of hanging- farms which requires building house with concretes and making to topmost floor into gardens and farms is fast gaining cultural approval in these counties. Hammurabi, the wise king of Babylon did so 400BC in Sunicria (Babylon) when he put up the hanging garden to welter the sun insulation of the Sumerian or Babylon desert now Iranian and kashegar deserts) the seventh wonder of then an world The fact is that if people plant four trees where one tree is felled, there will always be enough green to prevent aridity. Yet we can develop wood-block and wood-panels from saw-dust that liter every saw-mills in the cities and villages of Nigeria. If every nation develops wood-blocks and woodpanels, there will not be less need for indiscriminate felling of trees.

How do you see real estate sector in the second half of this year?

The real estate sector is as important an essential to the society as food, sleep, emptying the bladder, clothing and more. A human being must live or own a house where he lives. If he fail to fulfill this essential or necessities of life, he would be tagged a lunatic. Yet many people are homeless, especially in the cities.

In the second half of this year, the real estate sector has not really improved well.

Like I said earlier, a lot of people are not housed anywhere. The availability is low and the price of house is very high.

A three-bed room apartment that goes for N350,00 per annum now requires as much as N750,000 to acquire in Ikeja. In Abuja, it is even more than that. Before the second half of this year, a plot of land in Agege in the outskirts of Lagos cost N10 million, but now, one have to keep as much as a N100 million to acquire a plot.

Now, most plots around Ajah, and Ikoyi cost N200 million.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

47

Berger Paints’ N543m rights issue opens today J OHNSON O KANLAWON

B

e r g e r Paints’ R i g h t s issue of 72.5 million ordinary shares of 50k per share at N7.50 to its existing shareholders opens today across the country.

The rights are being offered on the basis of one new share for every three held as at May 31, 2013 A statement from the company yesterday explained that the net proceeds of the offer amounting to N543.4m will enable it finance the modernisation of its manufacturing operations.

The Chairman of the

company, Mr. Clement Olowokande, was quoted as saying that the modernisation effort was the main thrust of a strategic plan to ensure that the company continues to operate at the forefront of paint technology by replacing its aging manufacturing infrastructure.

He said the moder nisation of the company’s factory operations would lead to improved efficiency that will positively impact on tur nover and profitability.

According to him, the company also plans to commit substantial investments on major improvements of its distribution channels.

He said the company

has taken several initiatives and entered new partnership that would greatly enhance its products and services in the Nigerian paint and coating industry in the period ahead.

Olowokande noted that the company has always been the standard-setter in the industry with enviable records of pioneering wide range of popular special products.

He said he was confident the company would record significant growth and improvements in its operations in the years ahead in order to create better value for shareholders.

He, however, urged all shareholders to

participate fully in the rights issue to ensure they continue to maintain their positions in the company.

At the completion board meeting of the company in Lagos recently, members of the board of directors, issuing houses to the rights issue, stockbrokers to the issue and other parties signed the final documents of the rights issue in the presence of officials of Securities and Exchange Commission and Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The completion board meeting paved way for the opening of application list for the rights issue on August 20, 2013.

Source: NSE

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 36,558.50 points Market capitalisation 11.60 trillion

Index slides 0.6% on profit taking OLAONIPEKUN AWEDA

T

rading in equities continued on bearish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as speculative investors sold their holdings.

Specifically, the All Share index fell by 0.66 per cent to close at 36, 558.50 points, compared to the decline of 0.50 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 36,800.68 points.

Market capitalisation depreciated by N76.7bn to close at N11.58trn, greater than the loss of N59bn recorded the preceding day to close at

N11.65trn.

All the sectorial indices shed substantial value except the Insurance index, which gained 0.19 per cent to close at 140.84 points. The Alternative Securities Market index remained flat at 962.31 points.

The Banking index depreciated by 1.27 per cent to close at 398.03 points, followed by the Oil and Gas index with 1.18 per cent to close at 190.75 points.

The NSE 30-index fell by 0.76 per cent to close at 1,709.32 points, while the Consumer Goods index dipped by 0.66 per cent to close at 1,025.01 points.

The Lotus Islamic index shed 0.12 per cent to close

at 2,527.75 points, followed by the Industry Goods index with 0.39 per cent to close at 2,188.76 points.

Multitrex Plc topped the gainers’ adding of six kobo or 10 per cent to close at 66 kobo per share, followed by Vono Products Plc with six kobo or 9.68 per cent to close at 68 kobo per share.

Transnational Express Plc appreciated by 11 kobo or 9.57 per cent to close at N1.26 per share, while John Holt Plc gained 11 kobo or 9.48 per cent to close at N1.27 per share.

Jos Breweries Plc rose by 12 kobo or 9.45 per cent to close at N1.39 per share.

Conversely, Champi-

Stock Updates GAINERS on Breweries Plc fell by N1.93 or 9.97 per cent to close at N17.42 per share, followed by International Energy Insurance Plc with 18 kobo or 9.84 per cent to close at N1.65 per share.

Nigeria Police Microfinance Bank Plc depreciated by eight kobo or 9.64 per cent to close at 75 kobo per share, while Courtville Plc dipped by seven kobo or 9.33 per cent to close at 68 kobo per share.

Prestige Insurance Plc dropped by four kobo or 7.27 per cent to close at 51 kobo per share.

A total of 198.2 million shares worth N1.88bn were traded in 5,243 deals.

H1: Conoil’s turnover hits N79.6bn, profit rises 255% JOHNSON OKANLAWON

C

onoil Plc has announced a profit after tax of N1.59bn for the half year ended June 30, 2013, an increase of 255 per cent when compared to N450.9m recorded in the same period of 2012.

The company’s turnover rose by 4.5 per cent to N79.6bn in the review period, up from N76.2bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2012.

According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, pre-tax profit increased by 129 per

cent to N1.98bn in the half year, from N863m recorded in the 2012 half year, while earning per share was up by 253 per cent to 230 kobo per share, from 65 kobo per share in 2012 half year.

Analysis of the company’s assets showed 5.8 per cent increase, from N15.7bn in 2012 half year to N16.6bn in the review period.

A statement from the company yesterday attributed the performance to the adoption of robust growth strategies, efficient management of resources and total elimination of waste in its operations.

According to the statement, the company has strengthened and repositioned its core businesses, with huge investments in retail network expansion, which involved building mega stations across the country.

It said, “For us, the downstream remains fundamentally attractive now, in the medium and long term. With our clarity of direction and focus, our company’s long term success is assured.

“We will sustain our improved performance and realize our aspiration to become the leading petro-

leum products marketer and one of the most profitable quoted companies.”

The statement explained that the company will continue to benchmark against best global standards and practices to ensure that the business is managed in the best interest of all stake holders.

It, however, assured its shareholders of its optimism to sustain and grow the impressive performance in the remaining six months of the year, adding that there will be ruturns to shareholders at the end of the current financial year.

COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

MULTITREX

0.60

0.66

0.06

VONO

0.62

0.68

0.06

TRANSEXPR

1.15

1.26

0.11

JOHNHOLT

1.16

1.27

0.11

JOSBREW

1.27

1.39

0.12

THOMASWY

0.67

0.73

0.06

ROYALEX

0.52

0.55

0.03

UPL

4.10

4.29

0.19

NEM

0.73

0.76

0.03

WEMABANK

1.01

1.05

0.04

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

CHAMPION

19.35

17.42

1.93

INTENEGINS

1.83

1.65

0.18

NPFMCRFBK

0.83

0.75

0.08

COURTVILLE

0.75

0.68

0.07

PRESTIGE

0.55

0.51

0.04

STERLNBANK

2.63

2.46

0.17

LIVESTOCK

4.20

3.93

0.27

FIDSON

2.12

2.01

0.11

ZENITHBANK

20.99

20.00

0.99

OANDO

11.40

10.97

0.43

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Days

20,647.81

10.99

22-Aug-13

182 Days

30,000.00

9.45

22-Aug-13

-

-

-

-

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

160-Days

73,084.96

10.60

22-Aug-13

83-Days

44,301.13

12.19

22-Aug-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

N/A

$258m

19-Aug-13

$300m

N/A

$300m

14-Aug-13

48

Capital Market

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at August 20, 2013 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Wednesday August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

Ex-Pakistan’s leader Musharraf charged with Bhutto’s murder

50

“We are arguing, but we are arguing inside the room” –ISRAELI CHIEF NEGOTIATOR, TZIPI LIVNI

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood leader arrested PAUL ARHEWE,

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

T

he most senior leader in Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Badie, has been arrested in Cairo, yesterday, BBC has reported.

Badie, who was wanted over alleged incitement to violence and murder, has been temporarily replaced as “general guide” by his deputy, Mahmoud Ezzat.

In another development, Egypt’s ex-vice president Mohamed ElBaradei is to face trial on charges of breaching national trust after resigning last week.

Almost 900 people have been killed in the country since Wednesday.

Among them are 36 Islamist protesters who died in a prison van in Cairo on Sunday.

Mohammed Badie had been on the run since the Egyptian security forces cleared the two main Islamist protest camps in Cairo last week . His 38-year-old son, Ammar, died in the violence.

The authorities were quick to release television pictures showing him in custody - a tired-looking man with a neatly trimmed grey beard.

The army wants the images to demonstrate the scale of its victory over the Muslim Brotherhood, and hopes the humiliation will weaken its voice in any future political negotiations.

Like many senior Brother-

Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie sitting at a police station after he was arrested by security forces in Cairo, yesterday.

PHOTO: REUTERS

hood activists Badie himself is no stranger to prison - he was first jailed as far back as the 1960s. But his movement is under crushing pressure from the military government and its ability to function as an underground grassroots organisation will now be severely tested.

The UN’s human rights agency OHCHR has said the deaths of the detainees are “deeply disturbing and need to be fully investigated”.

Spokeswoman Liz Throssell said all those detained must be “treated humanely” and according to international law, and appealed to Egypt to allow UN human rights officers in to assess the situation.

Egypt is under a state of emergency as the military-backed

interim leaders crack down on Islamists opposed to the army’s ousting of Mohammed Morsi.

European Union foreign ministers will meet on Wednesday to decide whether to cut some of the billions of euros in aid pledged to Egypt.

Hundreds of members of the Muslim Brotherhood - the movement from which Morsi comes - have been detained, including Badie’s deputy, Khairat al-Shatir, who was arrested in the days following Morsi’s overthrow on 3 July.

Badie, 70, had initially been a prominent figure at the Brotherhood’s protest camps in Cairo, but went into hiding as the militarybacked interim government increased its efforts to shut down

Zimbabwe’s Tsvangirai may be charged for judiciary insult

Z

imbabwe’s opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai may face contempt of court charges for “disparaging remarks” he made about the judiciary.

High Court judge Chinembiri Bhunu said prosecutors would be informed.

His comments came as Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party lost two court cases relating to the disputed 31 July election.

Tsvangirai

The Constitutional Court said President Robert Mugabe’s re-election was “free, fair and credible”.

Mugabe won with 61% of the presidential vote against 34% for Tsvangirai.

The two had been part of power-sharing government formed in 2009 under pressure from regional leaders following elections the year before marred by violence and allegations of rigging.

The Constitutional Court made its ruling on Tuesday despite the MDC withdrawing its case last Friday, alleging it would not get a fair hearing.

The MDC’s separate case before the High Court seeking full details of the results from the electoral commission was also dismissed on Tuesday.

Justice Bhunu said the High Court did not have the jurisdiction to rule on the matter, adding

the case had no merit because of the applicant’s “gross conduct in soiling the dignity and integrity of this court”.

Tsvangirai, who served as prime minister in the power-sharing government, had said there was little difference between the judiciary and Mr Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party as judges had been appointed while he was in office without him being consulted, as required by law.

Such “scathing and disparaging remarks concerning the entire judiciary of this country” would be referred to either the attorney general’s office or the National Prosecuting Authority for them to consider pressing contempt of court charges, Justice Bhunu said.

Mugabe’s defence lawyer, Terrence Hussein, told the BBC: “This is serious, the expectation

the protests.

He is facing charges of inciting violence and murder over the deaths of eight anti-Brotherhood protesters outside the movement’s headquarters in Cairo last June.

Officials said he had been detained in a flat in Nasr City in north-east Cairo, near the site of one of the protest camps bloodily broken up by security forces last week.

The interior ministry released footage of him apparently taken shortly after his arrest.

The Brotherhood’s political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party, said Mahmoud Ezzat - currently the movement’s deputy leader and who is also subject to an arrest warrant - would temporarily take over from Mr Badie as “supreme guide”.

Egypt is officially observing three days of mourning for 25 policemen killed by suspected Islamist militants near the Rafah border with Gaza in Sinai on Monday, in one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in several years.

In a separate incident, another police officer was killed in the north Sinai town of el-Arish.

Sinai is home to a range of militant groups, some linked to al-Qaeda, and while state media have not connected the killings to the Brotherhood, it has added to the sense of crisis, says the BBC Jeremy Bowen. is that the relevant authorities will look into the case.”

Mugabe, 89, is due to be inaugurated for another five-year term on Thursday.

The MDC said that more than a million voters were prevented from casting their ballots - mainly in urban areas considered to be its strongholds, allegations backed up by a 7,000-strong group of local observers, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network.

But the African Union has said that any irregularities were not enough to overturn the margin of victory.

Meanwhile, the United States has refused to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe despite a call by regional leaders for the West to do so.

At a meeting of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) over the weekend, Malawi’s President Joyce Banda said “Zimbabweans have suffered enough”.

WORLD BULLETIN

Obama lauds Mali for credible poll

President Barack Obama yesterday congratulated Mali on holding “peaceful, inclusive and credible” elections earlier this month, a key step toward resuming aid to the war-torn West African nation.

The United States suspended aid to Mali in April 2012, following a coup that was prompted by an uprising by Islamists and Tuareg separatists.

Mali’s constitutional Court yesterday confirmed Ibrahim Boubacar Keita won Mali’s presidential election with 78 percent of the vote.

Keita is expected to be sworn in by Mali’s supreme court on September 4.

The United States can begin the process of lifting restrictions on aid once the new government is formally in place next month.

“Through the interim government’s management of a peaceful, inclusive, and credible electoral process, and with the extraordinary turnout of the Malian people, this election has helped restore Mali’s democratic tradition,” Obama said in a statement.

Kenya, China sign $5billion deals

Kenya has signed deals worth $5bn (£3bn) with China to build a railway line, an energy project and to improve wildlife protection, officials say.

They were signed during Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s first visit to China since his election in March.

Kenyatta’s “vigour” would lead Kenya to “greater accomplishments”, China’s President Xi Jinping said.

Kenyatta has a strained relationship with the West as he is facing violence-related charges at The Hague.

He is due to go on trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) later this year for allegedly fuelling violence after disputed elections in 2007, charges he denies.

During Kenya’s election campaign, the European Union said it would have limited contact with him if he was elected president.

Libyan troops clash with striking oil workers

Libyan authorities have clashed with striking oil workers and blocked attempts by strikers to sell oil themselves at the country’s largest crude terminal.

The head of Libya’s Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG), Edris Abokhamada, said he had contacted the defence ministry for reinforcements after clashes on Tuesday at the Zueitina oil port, which has been shut since mid-July.

“The protesters are still inside the port but the citizens want them to leave,” Abokhamada told the Reuters news agency. “The Zueitina port protesters fired on civilians when they asked them to leave.

One is injured.”

50

World News WORLD BULLETIN

Journalists to be charged for UK corruption

A former journalist at the UK’s Daily Mirror tabloid and a veteran editorial director at Rupert Murdoch’s Sun newspaper are to be charged with making illegal payments to public officials, British prosecutors said on Tuesday.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Greig Box Turnbull would face two charges of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office in the first such charge for a journalist from the Trinity Mirror group.

He is accused of making payments to prison officers for information to generate news stories over a seven-year period.

Graham Dudman, an editorial director of News Corp’s Sun newspaper for more than 20 years, is to be charged with three counts of conspiracy, while a former Sun journalist, John Troup, is to be charged with one count.

Dudman is accused of requesting the authorization of payments to public officials in exchange for information about ongoing police inquiries, health cases and an incident relating to army combat.

Conman jailed over fake bomb detectors

A businessman who sold fake bomb detectors around the world has been jailed for seven years.

The devices made by Gary Bolton, 47, were simply boxes with handles and antennae, the Old Bailey heard.

The prosecution said he sold them for up to £10,000 each, claiming they could detect explosives.

The trial heard the firm had a £3m annual turnover selling the homemade devices.

Bolton, of Redshank Road, Chatham, Kent, had denied two charges of fraud.

As he passed sentence, Judge Richard Hone QC described the equipment as “useless” and “dross” and said Bolton had damaged the reputation of British trade abroad.

The court was told Bolton knew the devices - which were also alleged to be able to detect drugs, tobacco, ivory and cash - did not work, but continued to supply them to be sold to overseas businesses.

Ex-Chilean army chief admits child adoption

Chile’s former army chief has admitted handing over for adoption the child of murdered left-wing activists after Augusto Pinochet’s 1973 military coup.

Juan Emilio Cheyre, who is the current head of the electoral commission, told El Mercurio he took the two-year-old to a convent and handed him to nuns.

The boy, Ernesto Lejderman, was raised in Argentina by his grandparents.

Lejderman, now 40, said he did not think Mr Cheyre should face charges over the incident.

The BBC’s Gideon Long in Santiago says it is the first time Mr Cheyre has spoken publicly about the case.

He told the newspaper he was only 25 years old at the time, and was only following the orders of his superior.

But his critics want him to resign as election chief.

Wednesday August 21, 2013

T

he former Pakistani military leader Pervez Musharraf was charged yesterday in connection with the 2007 killing of the former prime minister.

Former Pakistani President and Army Chief Pervez Musharraf was indicted on murder charges in the long-running case of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

Nearly six years after Benazir Bhutto was killed after a rally outside the capital of Islamabad, a longstanding demand from her supporters has finally been set into motion. Musharraf, who was the president of Pakistan when Bhutto was killed, was indicted by a special court on Tuesday.

The indictment itself is a remarkable moment for Pakistan.

Military leaders – former or serving – have rarely faced the civilian courts. Musharraf is facing a host of legal issues, ranging from his role in the murder of the Baloch separatist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti to potential treason charges. However, unless Musharraf is formally tried and convicted, these developments are likely to have little impact in Pakistan.

“Indictment mainly means that a process has started. It doesn’t indicate that he will be found guilty,” says Ayesha Siddiqa, the author of “Military Inc.” Supporters of Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party have long demanded that Musharraf be investigated for his role in her murder.

However, Dr. Siddiqa told the Monitor that she considered the development nothing more than paper work. “Last month the In-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ex-Pakistan’s leader Musharraf charged with Bhutto’s murder

Pakistan’s former leader Pervez Musharraf arrives at an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad, Pakistan, recently.

ter-Services Intelligence actually tortured lawyers who were trying to haggle Musharraf in the Islamabad session courts, so I don’t think much will come out of it.”

While Musharraf himself may not still be popular within the military, the fact that a former army chief is being hauled into court continues to rankle the military that is highly sensitive to dealings with civilian institutions and accountability.

The military has not publicly commented on Musharraf ’s legal troubles, but in April a number of serving officers reportedly complained about the way Musharraf

had been treated during a visit to Pakistan’s upper house of parliament.

Musharraf was charged with three offenses – murder, criminal conspiracy, and facilitation for murder – according to the AFP. The trial has been ongoing at a special court set up for terrorism cases in Rawalpindi.

A UN inquiry commission tasked with determining the circumstances leading up to Bhutto’s assassination found in its 2010 report that the “security arrangements for Ms. Bhutto were fatally insufficient and ineffective. In this regard, as well, the Pakistani au-

Turkish leader sees Israel’s hand in Egyptian overthrow

T

urkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel yesterday of having a hand in the Egyptian military’s overthrow of president Mohamed Morsi, making comments likely to further undermine efforts to restore Ankara’s strained ties with Israel.

Erdogan, who has become one of the fiercest critics of the Islamist leader’s removal last month, also said he feared “autocratic regimes” would take root if the West failed to respect election results.

Almost 900 people have died in the past week since the militarybacked Egyptian government cracked down on supporters of

Erdogan

Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, who want the country’s first freely-elected president reinstated.

“What do they say in Egypt?

Democracy is not the ballot box.

What is behind it? Israel. We have in our hands documentation,” Erdogan told provincial leaders of his AK Party.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to respond to Erdogan’s allegation. “This is a statement well worth not commenting on,” said ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor.

Morsi was the most prominent Islamist to gain power through the ballot box after the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings and ruled for a year until his removal on July 3.

Erdogan’s AK party, which has won the last three Turkish general elections, traces its roots to a banned Islamist movement.

Erdogan did not say what documentation he had, but referred to comments he said an Israeli cabinet minister had made before Egyptian parliamentary elections held after a popular uprising pushed President Hosni Mubarak from power.

“Before the 2011 elections, during a session in France, the jus-

tice minister and an intellectual from France - he’s Jewish too they used exactly this comment: ‘Even if the Muslim Brotherhood wins the election, they will not win because democracy is not the ballot box’,” Erdogan said.

“That is exactly what happened,” he said in the comments aired live by state broadcaster TRT, without naming either the minister or the French intellectual.

Turkey’s relations with Israel have soured in recent years and hit a low in May 2010 when Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists while storming the Mavi Marmara, a ship in a convoy seeking to break an Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.

Earlier this year, Erdogan called Zionism “a crime against humanity”, prompting objections from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. President Barack Obama subsequently orchestrated an Israeli apology for the Mavi Marmara raid.

At least two senior AK Party officials have suggested there was Jewish involvement in antigovernment protests that rocked Turkey in late May and June.

thorities should consider conducting an independent review to determine responsibilities and hold accountable those individuals who seriously failed in their duties.”

Heraldo Muñoz, the head of the commission and the author of a forthcoming book on the assassination, wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine this week that Bhutto did not believe that Musharraf wanted her killed, but notes that he bore political and moral responsibility.

1,000 migrants reach Italy on rickety boats

M

ore than 1,000 migrants have arrived in Sicily aboard rickety boats in the past 24 hours, after braving the dangerous voyage from Africa in search of work in the European Union, Italian officials said yesterday.

Many thousands of migrants try to reach the southern shores of Italy every summer, when Mediterranean waters are sufficiently calm for small boats to make the crossing.

The migrants, from all over Africa, usually embark in Libya or Tunisia in an exodus increased by political turmoil in North Africa, the Syrian civil war and now bloody strife in Egypt.

Some 325 migrants, among them 64 women and four children, were sighted on Tuesday morning on a fishing boat off the coast of Porto Empedocle on Sicily’s southern coast. They were transferred to coastguard boats and taken to shore, police said.

Another 230 were brought ashore after they were intercepted off the coast of the island of Lampedusa, Italy’s most southern point, while a group of about 110 reached the shores of Siracusa, in Sicily. Tuesday’s arrivals followed those of some 400 migrants on Monday afternoon.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

x

Cocktail

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (193)

“People who are no longer willing to stretch are no longer able to grow.” –John C. Maxwell STRETCH! It is amazing what we can do if we dare to stretch ourselves on constant basis. There is so much in us that will not be manifested until we really stretch ourselves or step beyond our comfort zones. Stretching almost always precede success in life. When we stop stretching, we start becoming irrelevant in the circles of men. Complacent people don’t reign. Complainers will most of the time end up in failures upon failures. When you are faced with what looks like impossibilities, learn to let yourself loose and stretch to overcome it. In some cases in life, it will not be business as usual but business as unusual. You will need to brace up and draw on your inexhaustible inner resources to prevail.

Stretch! Come to think of it, what do we really have to lose if we keep placing a demand on our inner resources? Absolutely nothing! But we have so much to lose if we refuse to do what it takes to live an impactful life. Each time we live below our God given ability, no one suffers like us. The good feeling is always there when we are able to do whatever we have to do to keep moving forward and higher. When you keep telling yourself that there is no other way for you to go than higher and higher, strange and mighty forces will come to your aid to make your dreams come true.

DR. DEJI FOLUTILE Tel: 08035219966 Email: deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter @folutile

Oddities

103-year-old Brazilian woman skydives

A

103-year-old Brazilian woman skydived in tandem with an instructor, possibly setting the record for the oldest-ever parachute jjumper, her instructor said.

Aida Mendes made her third skydive Saturday near the junction of the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, ITAR-Tass reported yesterday.

This was her second jjump since she turned 100 years old, though this time she filed paperwork to officially count the jump as record-breaking. The agency with which she filed paperwork was not

reported.

She jumped from 9,842 feet in tandem with an instructor and was accompanied by a cameraman. The jump lasted six minutes, ITAR-

Tass said.

“In life you have to be brave, courage is always useful,” Mendes said after she landed, adding she’s “not going to give up the hobby while the health is

good.”

Prior to the jump, she underwent a complete physical, including making sure her blood pressure was an acceptable level, the newspaper said.

Blind Bli dS Scottish tti h man d drives i car, crashes

A

blind Scottish man said he was trying to realize his lifelong dream of driving a car when he crashed it into a boulder and nearly hit a pedestrian.

Paul Keatings, 42, was driving his friend’s Subaru Impreza when the accident took place

in New Lanark, The Scotsman reported Thursday.

Keatings said friend Brian Gillon, 33, suggested he get behind the wheel, and offered to help the blind man steer and brake in May. “I felt safe enough, because I was going slow and my friend had his

51

hand on the wheel and was telling me where to go. But the next thing I knew we had hit a huge rock,” Keatings told the Lanark Sheriff Court.

“I was shaken up and was just glad no-one had been hurt,” he said. “I know it was a really silly thing to do, and I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”

Mendes giving a thumbs up after her successful skydive. Photo: Bestnews.us

52

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Community Mirror Nigeria is endowed with abundant coal reserves of the required quality necessary for power generation and there is no reason why we should not explore the sector PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Traditional ruler advocates partnership with police DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

A

traditional ruler in Enugu State has called for stronger relationship with the Nigeria Police in order to curb crime in the state.

The traditional ruler of Ibagwa Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu,

said the new relationship between communities and the police is aimed at getting the monarchs more involved in knowing the character of residents in their domains.

Igwe Ugwu, said that if the communities can vouch for their residents and report suspects to the police, then crime would be reduced in the state, even as he proposed data capture of resi-

dents in every community.

The monarch, who is also the state chairman committee on security for traditional rulers in the state, described the relationship between the police command and traditional rulers as cordial.

According to the monarch, there was need for the police and traditional rulers to synergize in order to reduce the incidences of crime and criminality, since the

perpetrators do not drop from the sky but live in the neighbourhood.

In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abubakar Mohammed, thanked the monarch for all his security support which has helped the command immensely and solicited for more cooperation to make the entire domain safe and secured.

In a related development, the Enugu State Command of the

Nigeria Police has commenced investigations into an alleged incident where a tree allegedly being felled by one Everest Okolo killed one charity Nevo of Ifite Mmaku in Awgu Local Government Area.

It was gathered that the deceased allegedly met her untimely death as she was going to the farm with her husband when suddenly a tree fell on her.

Legislator donates mobile clinic to constituency SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

T

A fish hawker taking a nap at Orile Bus Stop in Lagos yesterday.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Judge laments frequent postings of investigation officers PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

T

he Niger State Chief Judge, Justice Fati Abubakar has attributed the delays in prosecution of rapists to victims who procrastinate in going through medical tests and presenting same to the courts.

She also lamented the constant transfer of Investigating and Prosecuting Officers, IPOs, as this often impose logistics challenges for the administration.

Speaking through Justice Musa Abdul at the opening

ceremony of a 2-day capacity building for prosecutors and investigators of the state Police Command in Minna, she said the delays have affected the quick administration of justice for many rape victims, not only in the state but the country at large.

She appealed to families of rape victims to ensure medical tests are conducted in good time and reports presented so that the culprits will be brought to justice.

Justice Abubakar lamented that the constant transfer of IPOs often create logistic problems that have grossly affected

the smooth administration of criminal justice.

“Constant transfer of IPOs from one jurisdiction to another is greatly affecting administration of criminal justice in this state. It often cause logistics problem as IPOs who are transferred mid-way of cases are not often available when such are mentioned. We often have problem in getting them to appear”. Though, she agreed that the police authorities have the power to transfer officers and men, she warned that incessant transfers would not augur well for the administra-

Lawmaker pledges to alleviate poverty

ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

A

legislator, Hon Bimbo Daramola, has reiterated his determination to alleviate poverty in his constituency

through empowering the people.

He said this while distributing two 60-seat buses, 14 cars, 10 motor bikes, 12 hair dryers and sewing machines, among others.

Daramola challenged the

beneficiaries to make good use of the materials to change their lives for the better.

A total of 30 students and artisans in the two local government areas constituting the federal constituency also received

tion of criminal justice.

She then commended the police command for organising the workshop to build the capacity of IPOs, which she noted will in no small measure enhance the administration of justice, as well as restore human rights. The Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Desire Desiye Nsirim, said the workshop was the command’s effort at providing platform for continuous legal education of officers and men to enhance their knowledge of laws and current legal practices in the administration of criminal justice.

monetary awards.

The lawmaker representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1 in the House of Representatives said the gesture was part of his personal sacrifice to the constituents.

he lawmaker representing Uhunwonde Local Government Area in Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Elizabeth Ativie has donated a mobile clinic as contribution towards the health needs of the people.

Presenting the mobile clinic, Ativie said she procured it after taking into cognisance the special health needs of those in the rural areas who find it difficult to get quality healthcare.

She said, “After finding out the needs of the people, I discovered that those in rural areas do not have access to proper medical services. So, I felt the mobile clinic can commute between villages and so reduce the incidence of people patronising quacks.”

Ativie, a trained nurse, said she would set up a committee of people in the local government areas to ensure the maintenance of the mobile clinic and optimal usage.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole who inspected the vehicle praised the lawmaker for the initiative.

He said, “I have seen the facilities inside the mobile clinic, I am very impressed. In addition to your normal legislative duties, you have been supporting all our laudable projects, providing legislative support for the appropriation without which those projects will not have been done; in addition to these, you have embarked on humanitarian project by using your resources.

“You have procured a very wellequipped mobile clinic for our rural people who have difficulty in accessing model medical facilities. We are trying to build model health centres everywhere. I think your initiative is wonderful, it will afford you to take medicare to the doorstep of those who need it in the local government.”

“I also believe it will send a message to our people that women in office having the heart of a mother can do those things which are not readily obvious, maybe to the rest of us, because women have the gift which some of us lack” the governor added.

54

Community Mirror

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monarch commends communications outfit

NSCDC seals compounds over pipeline vandalism T

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

FR A N C I S S U B E R U

T

he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command has sealed two compounds at Ishawo, Ikorodu Lagos that serve as base for NNPC pipeline vandals to load stolen petroleum products.

The commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Cor ps, Lagos State Command

Mr Adesuyi Clement Dayo, ordered that the compounds be sealed following a tip-of f and inspection of the area.

Mr Clement who led a team of of ficers to the area, recovered 121 jer ry cans of 50 litres of the stolen products in the compounds.

The products have since been transferred to the NSCDC command with one Mr Shola Adelaja, a landlord of one of the buildings arrested.

The Commandant also pleaded with the community leaders and well meaning Nigerians to help in the fight against nefarious activities by giving useful information.

The Public Relations Officer for NSCDC in Lagos, Mr Mefor Chibuzor, said the corps observed that vandals have been succeeding because of collaboration from dubious persons in the community.

he Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, has commended one of the leading mobile telecommunication providers in the country, Globacom for improving the lives of his subjects.

Adesida who stated this in Akure, Ondo State at the opening of Glo World shop said, the outfit has brought smiles to the faces of ordinary Nigerians.

He noted that the coming of the company into the telecommunications sector was a turning point that gave leverage to the people.

According to the monarch, the outfit has helped address the challenges in the telecommunications

sector, being the first to launch per second billing.

He commended the initiative of the founder, Dr. Mike Adenuga, describing him as an astute entrepreneur.

Adesida, who was represented by Prince Lana Adesida, described the telecoms boss as a business oriented person because of the investments he has brought into the country.

He however said that Akure and environs are always ready to partner with the outfit, assuring that there would be more partnership between it and the government.

Speaking, the Regional Sales Manager, Activation of Globacom, Mr. Clement Igbede, informed that the new outlet was to get closer to cus-

tomers and to make services more convenient.

Igede, said it was to complement the Alagbaka, Akure office, saying the organisation has also established ‘Glo world’ zone in Ondo, Ikare and Ore in order to make its services available to customers.

He said, “With the opening of this place, subscribers will further enjoy our services, as they can avail our services and products with ease.

“We have introduced a new product with which subscribers can make call at cheaper rates, it is also within the campus, we have different packages for students to call at 5 kobo per second within the network, we are doing this to add value to their lives”.

Masquerades performing at the Saala’s Palace in Iju Ishaga, Lagos, during the 2013 World Traditional Day festival, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Insecurity: Tsav cautions against publicising military operations AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

F

ormer Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, yesterday cautioned the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, to stop publicising the ongoing military operation in the troubled NorthEast states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, currently under emergency rule.

Tsav said such publicity could be counter-productive as well as aggravate the already bad situation.

The former police boss, who spoke in a telephone interview with National

Mirror, also said that the information being dished out by the DHQ regarding the situation in the states under emergency rule has been lopsided as its authenticity cannot be established.

He was speaking against the backdrop of recent declaration by the DHQ, suggesting that the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau and his deputy, Momodu Bama, might have been killed in separate military operations around the Borno axis.

DHQ last week Wednesday claimed that the death of Bama, Shekau’s deputy

by troops around Bama area has been confirmed.

On Monday, the military authorities also said that Boko Haram leader, Shekau may have died of gunshot wounds sustained during an encounter at the Sambisa Forest camp sometimes in June and quoted intelligence report as their source of information.

In his reaction to the DHQ approach, the former security chief said the publicity given to military activities in the North-East zone is not in the interest of the operations going on there.

“Apart from being one

sided, it could be counterproductive as I see the whole idea as a design to favour the military as they are making so much noise about their operations which cannot be authenticated.”

The former police commissioner said the only way such claims by the DHQ can be authenticated is for the media to be allowed to carry out their independent investigations and make their findings public.

“Without that, I will see the whole thing as sheer noise until the media is allowed to do their job with the protection of the security men.”

55

Kaduna govt promotes 13,667 teachers A ZA MSUE KADUNA

K

aduna State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, said it has approved the promotion of 13, 667 teaching and non-teaching members of staff in the state.

The number of people promoted was more than the 15, 758 earlier shortlisted for the 2010/2011 promotion exercise.

Executive Chairman SUBEB, Mr. Ishaya Dary Akau, who stated this in his office yesterday, said a total of 8, 360 staff were shortlisted for the 2010 session and that about 7, 398 teachers were shortlisted for the 2011 promotion exercise for senior staff on Grade Levels 07 and above.

He further said that the over 15, 758 senior staff shortlisted for the 2010/2011 promotion exercises include both teaching and non-teaching staff across the 23 local government areas of the state.

Akau said the approval

granted the 13, 000 senior staff was informed by their performances in the written tests and oral interviews conducted across the three senatorial zones.

The chairman said henceforth, promotion of teachers will no longer be business as usual as no teacher will be promoted to the next grade level until the learning outcome of the pupils he or she teaches improved greatly.

He said: “Time has come for every teacher to be conversant with the approved state benchmarks on literacy and numeracy as they will now serve as yardsticks in subsequent promotion exercises.”

Akau, however, assured that the board was working assiduously to ensure the speedy completion of the 2012/2013 promotion exercise scheduled for December this year, saying those that failed in the 2010/2011 promotion exercise should make another attempt in the 2012/2013 promotion exercise.

Monarchs get N20m to renovate palaces WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

T L-R: Deputy Amir Special Duty, Ahamadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmed Al-Hassan; Missionary-in-Charge, Mauliv Abdulkhalique Nayyar; Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede and Amir, Ahamadiyya Muslim Jamaat, PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA Mashua Fashola Adenrele, during the visit of the Ahamadiyya group to the headquarters of NSCIA in Abuja, yesterday.

House denies probing Jang over N5bn SURE-P fund JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

P

lateau State House of Assembly yesterday denied probing the state governor, Jonah Jang, over the alleged missing N5 billion SURE-P fund in the state.

The House also absolved Governor Jang of any wrong doing in the implementation of the SURE-P programmes in the state.

Addressing journalists in Jos yesterday, House Committee Chairman on Information, Diket Plang and the Chairman, Adhoc Committee on SURE-P, Hon. Dalyop Mancha, said the House resolved, after a motion, that a committee be set up to determine the

level of implementation of the SURE-P programme and to bring to the front burner the status of such programmes in the state.

According to the duo, the terms of reference of the adhoc committee is to find out the amount that had accrued to the state over the years, adding that the committee was not given the mandate to investigate or probe Governor Jang.

“Our attention has been drawn to some captions in the media that the Plateau State House of Assembly is set to probe Governor Jonah Jang over the allegedly missing N5billion SURE-P fund in the state.”

They added that the House’s action is not to launch a probe or investi-

gation as they have not received any petition in that respect, adding that the N5 billion SURE-P fund which accrued to the state is still intact.

The House also disclosed that the state government will soon commence the

implementation of SUREP programmes to improve the lot of the people of the state.

At the local government and state levels, ‘we are comfortable with what is on ground as regards the fund received so far in the state.’

he Kwara State government has released N20 million to two first class traditional rulers in the state to help renovate their palaces.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Tunji Moronfoye, made this known in an interview with journalists in Ilorin. He gave the names of the monarchs as Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Kawu Haliru and his Tsaragi counterpart, Alhaji Mohammed Kpoto.

He said renovation works on the two palaces has reached advanced stages which would be completed within the shortest possible time.

Moronfoye similarly said that the state government has donated a brand new Prado Jeep car worth N16 million to the Emir of Shonga, Dr. Haliru Yahaya.

The commissioner said the government is uplifting the standard of traditional rulers in the state to boost their morale and appreciate their efforts in maintaining peace in their respective domains.

He assured other traditional rulers in the state that it would soon be their turn to benefit from the largesse.

Moronfoye praised the foresight of some local government councils in the state in complementing the efforts of the state government to see to the wellbeing of monarchs in the state.

185 drug offenders arrested in Plateau –NDLEA JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

P

lateau State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mrs. Ngozi Madubuike, has said that over 185 suspects have been arrested for various drug offences in the state this year.

According to her, 77 of

those arrested had already been convicted while over 1, 320 kilogrammes of different types of illicit drugs had been seized from the suspects.

The commandant made the disclosure yesterday while speaking with journalists in Jos, the state capital.

She further said that the agency had received per-

mission from the court to publicly destroy the drugs, which she said will soon be carried out.

Madubuike said the drug rehabilitation centre under the agency has also admitted 85 addicts while 40 of them had been treated and discharged from the centre.

According to her, the agency is presently up-

grading its rehabilitation centre to meet modern standards as well as acquire additional training materials to accommodate more inmates.

She identified peer pressure and broken homes as some of the causes leading a large number youths to drugs, stressing that drug abuse is not restricted to religion, class or status.

WORLD RECORD

Oldest wooden building Vol. 03 No. 691

A

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

ASUU strike: A call to reason

country’s greatness is not measured by the quantity of natural resources dug up from its soil nor does it lie in the number of glitzy automobiles daily cruising along its roads, or even by the munificent excesses of its rulers. Rather, a country’s claim to civilisation is a function of how it rises to the challenges of leadership and development for the overall interests of the present and future generations. The developed nations of the world did not attain their present enviable status by sudden flight but through years of ingenuity and painstaking investments in human and material resources. Today, their citizens can look back with pride and with every reason salute the courage and foresight of their forebears for laying the foundation of their greatness.

Nations are like individuals; they grow and prosper or stultify and decline ac-

S

N150

The Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan, was constructed 607 AD and is one of 48 ancient buildings protected by UNESCO in the area. The temple includes a five-storey building, known as the Gojunoto.

uper Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, has invited 24 homebased and 18 overseasbased players to camp ahead of next month’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Flames of Malawi in Calabar.

Ninety-six capped cap-

Okay Osuji (okayosuji@nationalmirroronline.net) 08034729256 (sms only)

cording to the vision and sacrifice put into making their dreams come true. In Nigeria, dreams have always remained what they are because monumental efforts are never made to bring them to reality. We are always dreaming of becoming one of the world’s 20 biggest economies in 2020, and even building rockets to land man on the moon, yet precious time and resources are spent squabbling on whether our tertiary institutions should be adequately funded to produce the type of geniuses capable of taking our blue prints from conception to implementation.

Sadly, our situation is compounded the more by bureaucratic inertia and palpable haughtiness of those charged with managing the education sector. The present standoff between the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on the implementation of a 2009 agreement on ways of rescuing our universities from the present nadir they have sunk, says it all.

And from the look of things, nothing suggests that the disputants to the impasse are willing to reach any compromise. The result is that thousands of university students are now on forced holidays and idling at home or loitering the streets for no cause of theirs. Before the present strike by the universities union, it had reached agreements with the Federal Government in 1981/82, 1992, 1999, 2001 and 2005 with none implemented. The 1981/82 Agreement was on the establishment and acceptance of the principle of collective bargaining as the main mode by which terms and conditions

ACCORDING TO ASUU ESTIMATES, IT WOULD TAKE A WHOPPING

N900 BILLION TO

BUILD WORLD CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE VARIOUS CAMPUSES.

of work of academics would be determined.

That of 1992 focused on the need for university autonomy and academic freedom.

The 1999 Agreement was devoted mainly to academic allowances and other terms and conditions of work, aimed at addressing the problems of the rot in the education system and brain drain.

The 2001 Agreement dwelt on three main issues: salaries and conditions of work, funding, and university autonomy and academic freedom. Also, there was an understanding that the terms and conditions of work of academics would not be subsumed within the framework of the conditions of service in the civil service. A clause in the agreement stated that it would be reviewed every three years. It therefore, meant that a review would have come up in 2004. Incidentally, that never took place due to the intransigence of the then administration to provide an avenue for it. The 2005 Agreement consisted mainly in the undertaking by the government to constitute its negotiat-

ing team to review the main agreement of 2001. But that was never done till 2006. For the present strike, ASUU has vowed to cling to its demands until all contentious issues of funding, university autonomy, academic freedom, earned allowance, registration of universities pension management company, amendment of pension retirement age of academics at the professional cadre, federal assistance to state universities and transfer of Federal Government landed properties to universities agreed to in 2009 are resolved.

According to ASUU estimates, it would take a whopping N900 billion to build world class infrastructure on the various campuses.

But the Federal Government says it can only afford N400 billion for such projects.

Following hot on the heels is the revelation by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala that the country cannot afford the N92 billion being demanded by the lecturers as settlement to their demands. According to her, the resources are so lean that any attempt to implement them would send the economy into a tailspin. Then, how to go about this? This is where the sense of maturity and compromise comes in. Both parties must take into consideration the present realities and capability of each to fulfill any agreement reached.

For instance, while it is onerous for ASUU to demand that all agreements be honoured, it must also realise it does not hold the moral high grounds in demanding that the government hand over all its properties to individual universities. Insisting on such exposes the members to accusation of wanting to eat their cake and still have it. In spite of all the grandstanding, it is worth reminding them they are tenants and employees of government and must not insist on inheriting its properties. What then it shows is that they are not fighting to improve and rescue our universities from rot but to share out the properties among them. While this charade lasts, it is pertinent that both parties consider the effect of their actions on the hapless students and the consequences on the country’s future.

Sport Extra Brazil 2014: Yobo shunned again, as Keshi calls 42 for Malawi tain Joseph Yobo was still omitted, although vice captain and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama returned after he was excluded from the team that prosecuted the Mandela Challenge with Bafana Bafana in

South Africa last week.

NFF Spokesman, Ademola Olajire, however said only five of the 24 home-based players would eventually join the 18 overseas-based for the World Cup qualifier and the friendly with Stal-

lions of Burkina Faso in Kaduna on September 10.

Warri Wolves goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim, will lead the home lads that include Azubuike Egwuekwe, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis, Sunday Mba

and Mohammed Gambo, while Godfrey Oboabona will come in as an overseasbased if he concludes his transfer to Rizespor of Turkey before this weekend.

“We are on course for the World Cup,” Keshi assured.

Keshi

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