Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Excess crude account: FG dares govs, rejects amicable settlement Supreme Court adjourns case till Nov 22

ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

Jonathan

Vol. 2 N0. 456

Bid for power stations:

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he Federal Government yesterday told the Supreme Court that it was not in a hurry to enter into any deal with

the governors over the proposal to settle out of court, a lawsuit instituted by them in 2008.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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COUNTDOWN TO

ONDO GUBER POLL October 20, 2012

24

PDP alleges plot to rig election Controversy trails sack of Mimiko’s aides

DAYS TO GO

P.15

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

N150

First Bank, Otedola, Elumelu emerge winners Exercise transparent, due process followed –Peterside

TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

A

fter a rigorous selection processes spanning over 26 months, the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, yesterday announced five consortia with members including local entities – First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Forte Oil and Transnational CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, Sen. Olugbenga Obadara; Chairman, Technical Committee, National Council on Privatisation, Mr. Atedo Peterside and Chairman, Transcorp Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, after the announcement of Transcorp Consortium as the preferred bidder for the Ughelli Power Plant, in Abuja yesterday.

Senate seeks supplementary budget to combat flood Govt orders Julius Berger, others to fix Lokoja-Abuja road

Lagos robbery: Police parade three more suspects

P.2 P.7

Yakubu

NNPC releases four million litres of petrol P.5

Arik Air blacklists 27 passengers P.32

News

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Senate seeks supplementary budget to combat flood OUR CORRESPONDENTS

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he Senate yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to forward a supplementary budget to the National Assembly to address the urgent need of the victims of the floods ravaging parts of the country.

The lawmakers also advised the Federal Government to draw up a national standard operating centre to respond to such disasters.

In addition, they urged

the National Inland Water Ways Authority, NIWA, to de-silt waterways and tributaries, which had been taken over by shrubs to allow for channels and easy flow of water.

These resolutions were passed yesterday by the senators following a motion by Senator Danladi Sankara on the “menace of flood in Nigeria.”

This was even as the Senate also yesterday received a letter from President Goodluck Jonathan, asking the National Assembly to allow him to present

the 2013 budget appropriation on October 4.

The letter, which was addressed to the President of the Senate, David Mark, reads: “I write to crave your kind indulgence to grant me the slot of 12 noon on Thursday, October 4, 2012 to enable me formally address a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2013 budget.”

Moving his motion, Sankara noted that floods had ravaged many states and communities, especially those along the River Niger, River Benue, the Cross

River, the Gongola River, the Iyere River and their tributaries.

The lawmaker added that many people had died from mid-July to date due to heavy downpours, while properties worth billions of naira had been washed away.

He said also that thousands of houses had collapsed; stressing that in Jigawa State, about 70 per cent of the houses in various communities had collapsed while others were submerged by flood.

Senator Eta Inang noted

Vice-President Namadi Sambo (left) presenting the Torch of Unity to the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, during the launch of the 18th National Sports Festival Torch Relay in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

that there were warning signals before the floods and urged the Federal Government to take preemptive actions on this, particularly in states along the coast.

Another senator, Suleiman Adokwe said: “We know that natural disaster will always come, especially flood and Nigeria will not be an exception; the important thing is our ability to respond to that.

“The unfortunate thing is that our response is always coming very late.

NEMA should be positioned to respond fast when these floods occur.”

Senator Smart Adeyemi said that flooding occurs in Nigeria on annual basis, but that the recent flooding is the worst in 50 years.

He lamented that in his senatorial district in Kogi State, nine local governments were affected and 1.9 million people negatively impacted. He added that many houses and farmlands had been submerged.

According to him, “Today in Kogi State, there are people who do not have places to lay their heads.

The needs of the flood victims are beyond the rice and salt, as it is being provided by NEMA.

“If in the next three weeks not much is done, it will breed criminality.

Those who are greatly affected by the flood are the poor people, the elite are not affected.”

Senator George Akume said: “For us in Benue State, it has been very devastating because of the magnitude of the flood.

“In the past, water was reduced for farming, but this time the quantum is so much. The water was released from the Cameroun dams.

“River Benue has not been dredged in the past 40 years; this is why this situation has occurred.”

The floods reached the South-West yesterday, sacking no fewer than 200 villages, including farm settlements in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State, displacing over 250,000 people.

National Mirror learnt that the popular Eleran Bridge that linked the villages together had been washed away by the flood, making it extremely difficult to transport farm produce to major towns within the state.

Also, Ilora, the headquarters of the council, CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Bid for power stations: First Bank, Otedola, Elumelu emerge winners CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Corporation Plc, – as the preferred bidders of power generation companies slated for privatisation.

A total of eight consortia bid for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria successor companies for sale include three thermal plants namely, Geregu Power Plc, Sapele Power Plc, Ughelli Power Plc and two hydro stations located in Shiroro and Kainji.

At the opening of the financial bids in Abuja yesterday, Chairman, NCP Technical Committee, Mr. Atedo Peterside, announced Transcorp and Wood Rock/ Symbion/Thomasen PSL Power Consortium as the preferred bidder for Ughelli Power Plc with a bid price of $300m.

Transcorp is chaired by Tony Elumelu, the former Chief Executive Officer of UBA. Elumelu’s company, Hiers Holdings, has the single largest stake in the

conglomerate.

Amperion Consortium, which includes, Forte Oil Plc, a petrol marketing firm controlled by Nigerian businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola, emerged as the preferred bidder for Geregu Power Plc with a bid offer of $132m.

Amperion Consortium emerged reserved bidder for the Ugheli power plants with its offer price of $252m.

Other partners in Amperion include Guernsey, a company located in a UK protectorate in Europe, and Shanghai Municipal Electric Power of China.

CMEC/Eurafric Energy, a consortium which includes First Bank Plc, won the bid for Sapele Power Plc with an offer of $201m while JBN-Nestoil Power Services Ltd, a group comprised of construction giant, Julius Berger Plc and oil firm, Nestoil Limited, emerged reserved bidder with an offer of $106.5m.

For the hydro plants, which are being concessioned for an initial period of 15 years, the bid for Kainji was won by Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd, which offered to pay annual fee of $50,760,665. It will also pay an upfront commencement fee of $237,870, 000.

The bid for Shiroro Power Plc was won by North South Power Company Ltd at a fixed annual fee of $23,602, 484 and a commencement fee of $111, 654,534.30.

A group, North-South Power Company Ltd, which has Niger State government as a stakeholder, won the bid for Shiroro power plant with an offer of $23.6m Investors in North-South include indigenous firms XS Energy Ltd, BP Investment Ltd, Urban Shelter Ltd and Road Nigeria Plc. The group also includes China International Water Electric and China Three Gorges Corporation, an electric power utility com-

pany.

North-South Power is believed to enjoy the backing of former military president, Ibrahim Babangida.

For Kainji, Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd, a consortium, which includes Nigeria businessman, Col. Sani Bello and NIGELEC, a Niger Republic registered company, was declared the preferred bidder with an offer of $50.7m Explaining the bid processes, Peterside said the NCP ensured that transparency and due process characterised every stage of the exercise.

He added that government was determined to ensure that the privatisation of the PHCN successor companies achieved the objectives for which the exercise was initially conceived. Peterside also explained that government was selling outright its equity in Ughelli and Sapele power plants, while only 51 per cent of its equity in the

Geregu plant was being offered for sale.

He said: “By the bid submission deadline of 5pm, July 17, 2012, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, received 25 proposals from pre-qualified bidders, 22 bids for thermal Gencos and three bids for Hydro Gencos.

“After the sorting of the bids, two bids that had no commercial proposals were rejected while the remaining valid 23 bids were assigned to the evaluating teams by balloting to ensure that no evaluator had any prior knowledge of which he/she would be evaluating.

“Out of the 23 bids that made it to the evaluation stage, 10 of the bids failed the first test of completeness and responsiveness.

The remaining 13 bids were then subjected to full technical evaluation.

“Out of the 13 bids, eight scored the minimum 75 per cent that was required to

proceed to the next stage.

The bidders were then asked to submit the postqualification bidders guarantee, following the approval of the evaluation results

by NCP.” Peterside, however, noted that the emergence of the preferred bidders for the power plants was not conclusive of the exercise, stressing that “the bidders are going to undergo further verification and if at any stage any new information is discovered by the NCP, it could be used against them.”

BPE Director-General, Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa, said that the NCP would continue to ensure that the electricity sector privatisation transactions were completed “to the best of internationally accepted standards.”

She explained that with the NCP’s support, the development partners, including the USAID, DFID, World CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Midweek Interview Mimiko’s incumbency can’t match people’s resolve – Akeredolu Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, is confident that he will win the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State. His confidence is premised on what he terms deficit in performance of the incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko.

In this interview with journalists, the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) speaks on his chances, programmes and other issues.

AYODELE OJO reports.

Have you been able to appease other aspirants who may be aggrieved with your emergence as governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and how do you wish to disprove the notion that you are not your own man?

I wish to place on record that I have always been my own man. The assumption in some quarters that I was handpicked is not correct. I have served as AttorneyGeneral of Ondo State before and I know Ondo State very well. It is also instructive to point out that when I was former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and I was championing a number of campaigns, aimed at curbing government excesses, was anybody using me? So all along, I have always been my own man at every given opportunity and at every point in time.

On the issue of my emergence, I want to say that the process that produced me was fair, because all the aspirants signed up to it. No exception. Every political party has its process of selection, which I believe is democratic enough. If at the end of the day some people feel aggrieved, I believe it is normal. But we have continued to talk to them and most of them are now with us. If we have one or two who felt they must eventually go, there is nothing we can do about that. It is politics. It is personal ambition. If you chose to be governor and somebody offers you deputy governorship ticket and you go, that means you never want to be governor.

So, for me, nobody can fault the process of my emergence because it was thorough and we were all part of it. So, by and large, I believe the ACN that chose me has made the best choice for Ondo State ahead of the governorship election.

The incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko, kick-started his campaign few weeks back with a mammoth crowd that graced the event in your home town, Owo. Don’t you think these crowds that turn up at his rallies will affect your chances?

Let me say this; the crowd you saw were people they brought from outside. People from Owo never came out.

They brought in people from all the 18 local governments of the state to Owo in many buses. People before us have said it; crowd doesn’t vote. We are unperturbed because we know people are behind us. Even with the crowd that was brought to Owo, if you ask them to vote, we know that over 70 per cent of them will vote for us. You can bring people to rally; you can drive people to rally and you can more or less bribed people to come to a political campaign. They were more or less forcing people to come out.

They are forcing civil servants while teachers were given

Akeredolu

numbers and at the end of the day, they gave them money.

We have been out and we have seen crowd too, those who will attend rallies from 9a.m. till 11p.m. without being given a kobo. Those are the real crowd. Those are the people we have. If you do your research in Owo, you will confirm what I’m saying and you will discover that the crowd was brought there.

Former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has expressed optimism that Mimiko will lose the governorship election. As the candidate, what do you

MIMIKO HAS ALREADY LOST THE ELECTION. HE CAN NEVER WIN ANY ELECTION IN ONDO STATE AND THAT IS WHY HE IS RUNNING FROM PILLAR

TO POST... IF YOU HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT HAS DONE

NOTHING IN FOUR YEARS, HOW DO YOU EXPECT PEOPLE TO

VOTE FOR SUCH GOVERNMENT?

think will make the incumbent governor lose the coming election?

When Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said Mimiko will lose, I’m even saying that is an understatement. Let me say emphatically that Mimiko has already lost the election. He can never win any election in Ondo State and that is why he is running from pillar to post. This is because he knows quite well that he has lost the forthcoming election.

And how did he lose? It has been said that if you have a government that has done nothing in four years, how do you expect people to vote for such government? In four years, he started one or two roads, but none is completed. And I have said while I was campaigning that he can never complete any of those roads because I will be the one to complete them. I’m standing on that. Again, you have a government where the army of unemployed has increased and many of these unemployed are voters. How do you expect those people to vote for a government that does not provide them with jobs?

I tell you many of those you see in their rallies were there because they are forced. Some, out of inducement and some are there for sightseeing. Some go there to collect vests and money. In the heart of Ondo State people, Mimiko is out already. You can stay here in Lagos, watch television and start to imagine how we are going to defeat him, because of the crowd you see. But I don’t have any doubt in my mind that he is going to lose. And if we are to look at it critically again, are the people of Ondo State foolish? They are not.

We are talking about Oba Adesida road. The road has been there all the while, with street lights on it and then you remove them and put other ones. At what cost? There is no project today he can commission except for the markets, which are the responsibilities of the local governments. And this is someone who has refused to conduct election at local government level. And the markets, nobody is even going there. Just drive through Ondo State and you will see that there are no people in those markets.

Some people have refused to go to the markets because they believe they are more or less rituals stuff. Of course, I don’t believe in such any way because they don’t mean anything to me.

The other one, you force people to go and be building town halls. What has the state government got to do with the building of town halls? These are what people could raise money among themselves to build. And in fact some of these town halls are already collapsing. In Opete, for instance, a side of the town hall wall has collapsed. So, for a government that has not achieved anything, except hardship, the economy is grounded, how do you expect people to retain it? You need to go to Ondo State, the entire place is dry. There is no money. That is the reality the people of Ondo State are facing and many people, who are not there, don’t know. And that’s the reason we are confident we are going to win.

How do you feel, considering the fact that the incumbent governor was recently endorsed by prominent personalities such as Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun and Mrs. Ganiat Fawehinmi, among others?

I will still say, endorsement doesn’t win election, especially by people who are out of wood. Who is Braithwaite in Ondo State politics? Nobody. Who is Fasehun in politics of Ondo State? Nobody. Yes Ganiat Fawehinmi can ride on the goodwill of her late husband, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

But I can tell you that if the husband were to be alive, he would have supported me. So, I will rather prefer having CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Photo News

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal (right) and Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ryuichi Shoji, during a visit to the speaker at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

Anambra State Governor, Dr. Peter Obi (right) and Global Vice Chairman, Sun Group, Mr. Shiv Vikram Khemka, at the 2012 United Nations General Assembly in New York, yesterday.

L-R: Nollywood stars, Zack Orji; Monalisa Chinda; Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe; Managing Director, M-net Africa, Mrs. Biola Alabi and another Nollywood star, Segun Arinze, at the AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards’ industry briefing in Lagos, yesterday.

L- R: Coordinator, Corporate Affairs, Promasidor Nigeria, Mr. Ayodele Oguntubi; Head, Legal and PR, Mr. Andrew Enahoro and Managing Director, TPT International, Mr. Charles Igbinidu, at a press conference on Promasidor Quill Awards in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Maku is a careless talker –Mark Says future insults will earn any minister sack GEORGE OJI AND EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

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or describing National Assembly’s resolutions as mere advisory, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, has drawn the wrath of the Senate.

The Senate President, David Mark, who described Maku as a careless talker, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to quickly call the minister to order.

Mark said this yesterday while reacting to the

remarks credited to Maku on the National Assembly resolutions.

The Senate president warned that the lawmakers would be forced to pass a resolution calling for the sack of any minister who in the future makes such unwarranted remarks about the National Assembly.

He said: “I think the Information Minister is a careless talker. He talks very carelessly. He is not an educator and we need to educate him. I hope that the President cautions him and calls him to order.

“And I think that the next time he does that, we

will take a resolution here that any minister who talks carelessly be removed because there was really no need for that. I think this is a hard lesson for senators who ask ministers here to take a bow and go.”

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, had, last week, told Maku that the Senate did not need to be reminded of the status of its resolutions.

Ekweremadu reminded Maku that he was not elected by the people to be minister.

He said: “I don’t think that we need the Minister of Information or any oth-

er minister to tell us that our resolutions are not binding just as we don’t need to remind him that he was not elected.

“We know that our resolutions are not binding, but the positions we take in this Senate, especially regarding the resolutions, are all well thought out. They are borne out of patriotism, they are well researched and they are amalgamation of the views of very responsible Nigerians and to that extent, it is very persuasive and any person who is ignoring the resolutions of this Senate is doing so at the expense of good governance and we cannot

No record of national honours’ recipients –Perm Sec GEORGE OJI AND EMMANUEL ONANI

T

he Federal Government does not have the necessary database to ascertain the total number of recipients of National Honour Awards in the country since its in-

ception.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Dr. Henry Akpan, made the startling revelation during a presentation before the Senate Committee on Special Duties in Abuja, yesterday.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the need to establish a data-

base for the aforementioned purpose led to the N80m budgetary proposal made by the ministry, out of which N44.46m was approved in the 2012 budget.

He said: “It is difficult to determine the recipients of national awards so far due to the lack of a database. We proposed a budget of N80m so as to

achieve the purpose.”

Just last week, President Goodluck Jonathan bestowed national honours on over 140 Nigerians, with the award of the second highest honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, to the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga.

encourage such a thing.”

But Maku, who appeared before the Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs yesterday to provide clarifications on the remarks credited to him, apologised to the Senate.

Admitting that he was not quoted out of context by newsmen, the minister said he made the remarks under pressure.

He said: “I was pressed by the press to make a declaratory statement on the N5,000 note, whether the President will comply with the resolution or not.

“At a personal level, I have no reason to denigrate or disparage the integrity of the Nigeria’s highest level of legislature, the Senate.

“I was appointed a minister by the screening and approval of the Senate.

The Senate has played very constructive and serious roles in stabilising our democracy.

“At a personal level, the Senate President, Senator David Mark, is my leader from the North-Central.

Those of you in this com-

mittee, I have known personally as either colleagues in the media like Senator Smart Adeyemi or Enyinnaya Abaribe as a fellow deputy governor.

“Therefore, I have no reason to disrespect the Senate because I know that democracy runs on strong institutions such as the Senate.

“I was disappointed when I read the report, which was credited to me. I was in a forum when journalists threw the question at me, that the Senate had just passed a resolution urging Mr. President to suspend the implementation of the N5,000 notes.

“The answer I gave was not the position of the Federal Government of Nigeria. As at that time, I could not have been expressing the position of the Federal Government.

If I had said that the Federal Government had stopped it, I would have been speaking for the Federal Government.

“If that comment has been misinterpreted, I tender my apologies to the Senate.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

5

Excess crude account: FG dares govs, rejects amicable settlement CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The governors, under the aegis of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, are challenging the legality of the Excess Crude Account, ECA, and the decision to transfer $1bn from the account to the Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF. The ECA is a special fund where oil earnings above the budget benchmark are kept as a form of savings.

The Federal Government said that there would be no out-of-court settlement on the matter until the state governments were ready to back down on some of their demands.

Chief Austin Alegeh (SAN), who represented the Federal Government in the matter, told the apex court that though the governors had reviewed their earlier position on the matter by presenting a fresh proposal on how to settle the matter

out-of-court, the new proposal was undergoing scrutiny.

The lawyer added that he could not rule out the possibility of asking the apex court to hear the matter on its merit, if the state governors were adamant on their demands.

But the Federal Government said it was willing to settle the matter out-ofcourt if the state governments agreed that they were not entitled to some of the demands, even in their fresh proposal.

Although the governors told the court that they would be glad if the matter could be resolved amicably, they indicated that they were also prepared to face the Federal Government in the law court.

Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who represented the governors, said his clients doubted the sin-

cerity of the Federal Government on the out-of-court settlement option.

He noted that since the Federal Government had said that there was indeed a huge success on the move, the governors would wait for the outcome of the fresh scrutiny of their fresh proposal.

But Alegeh said: “A plaintiff that just sent us new terms last week Thursday can’t say we do not want to settle. In any event, we have a potent motion to dismiss the case.

“But we have received their fresh proposal. A date in November will be appropriate. The settlement involves not only the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation but also other ministers.”

The Federal Government had earlier admitted that it had been operating the Federation Account

since 2004 in a manner that breached Section 162 of the Constitution and that the ECA was illegal.

The government had also noted that there was no need to litigate on issues of law that were clear and unambiguous, stressing that out-of-court settlement was the best option.

The position triggered a long discussion only for the Federal Government to later turn around and insisted on going ahead with the case.

A long list of time-bound political cases had halted hearing in the case.

At the last hearing, the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, had convoked a fresh panel headed by him to look at the merit of the suit.

As soon as the apex court decided to go into the mat-

ter, the Federal Government had filed an application for more time to settle out-of-court.

But the states, which were poised for a showdown, had accused the Federal Government of insincerity in its promise to settle the matter.

Counsel to the states, Mr. Yusuf Alli (SAN), said that his clients wanted the issue resolved “once and for all.”

But Alegeh had pleaded with the court to allow a short adjournment to enable the parties hold further discussions and resolve the dispute amicably.

He had said that almost all the issues had been resolved and that outstanding ones could still be resolved out-of-court by the parties.

Although, Justice Musdapher was reluctant to grant an adjournment, he conceded to the request.

The CJN had expressed concern at the inability of both parties to reach a compromise, saying, “if states and the Federal Government are not ready to uphold the sanctity of the constitution, who else will?”

He had consequently adjourned the case to May 21, 2012 for the parties to report back to the court how far they had gone with the out-of-court settlement arrangement.

On the adjourned date, there was no tangible progress report and the Federal Government had to ask for more time.

The matter also came up yesterday with both parties talking tough.

Although the Supreme Court further adjourned the matter till November 22, indications yesterday emerged that no agreement would be reached on the matter.

NNPC releases four million litres of petrol UDEME AKPAN

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has pumped additional four million litres of fuel from the Kaduna Refinery to Lagos and environs to beef up depleting stocks.

NNPC Group Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, made this known yesterday during a meeting with the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The GMD, who was represented by the Group Executive Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Peter Nmadu, said the corporation made alternative arrangement, involving the diversion of products to private depots after the rupturing of the System 2B Pipeline at Arepo, Ogun State.

He said the NNPC had successfully carried out massive trucking of products across the country to ameliorate the pains of motorists, adding that one-third of the required daily fuel consumption was pumped through the System 2B Pipeline that had been ruptured.

The GMD said: “In order to alleviate the hardship being inflicted on Nigerians by the product thieves who ruptured the NNPC System 2B Pipeline at Arepo,

the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company is supplying additional four million litres of fuel to bridge the gap and ease the hiccup.

“With the ongoing efforts, we are optimistic that the queues will fizzle out.”

He added that some of the NNPC trucks that were conveying fuel from the North were also trapped in Lokoja due to flood, assuring that all hands were on deck to flood the country with the product.

While decrying the activities of pipeline vandals, Yakubu noted that three NNPC staff were still missing and some others receiving treatment for injuries sustained while trying to repair the ruptured pipeline some weeks ago.

Nmadu said the management had not received any notice of strike by the in-house unions over the missing personnel.

The Chairman of the Committee, Magnus Abe, commiserated with the management and staff of the NNPC over the missing personnel and assured of a collaborative effort with the police to help rescue the missing staff.

A survey of the situation in areas such as Ikorodu, Ikeja, Ketu, Yaba, Ojuelegba, Marina and Victoria Island showed that many filling stations that sold fuel in the past few weeks had run out of stocks.

L-R: Flood victims, Mr. Nkwo Andrew; Mrs. Julie Young and Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, during the visit of the state government’s committee to victims in Asaba, yesterday.

First Bank, Otedola, Elumelu emerge winners CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Bank and ADB as well as the strong desire to serve “the patient long suffering citizens of Nigeria,” the Bureau would continue to strive to achieve even more and ultimately succeed.

The Minister of State for Power, Darius Ishaku, restated government’s commitment that the privatisation exercise remained on course.

He expressed the hope that the various milestones

set as its target would be met if successful bidders ensure effective management of the power plants and improve the level of their performances through improved power supply.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, Senator Gbenga Obadara and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, described the emergence of the preferred bidders as historic in the

annals of the nation’s privatisation programme.

They urged the preferred bidders to develop necessary strategies that would make Nigerians enjoy improved electricity.

Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp, Mr Obinna Okudo, told reporters that his company would “deliver optimum services to Nigerians.’’

“We are going to let Nigerians know that a Nigerian company can lead

a foremost Nigerian sector (electricity),’’ he said shortly after his company was announced as the preferred bidder for Ughelli.

Also speaking to reporters, Peterside said the selection of prospective core investors was hinged on their “technical competence and financial capability.’’

“You need technical knowledge to run your company, and also financial capacity to expand it.’’

Senate seeks supplementary budget to combat flood CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

was badly hit as some of the road projects embarked upon by the local government were washed away halting economic activities majorly farming and trade in farm produce.

It was gathered that the road, which passed through the town, was opened during the Western Region government while the bridge, linking Moniya in Akinyele Local Government, Atan village in Isey-

in and other communities in Oyo West Local Government Area, was constructed 14 years ago.

In Kogi State, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agen-

cy, SEMA, Mrs. Alice Ogedengbe, said 73,000 people had been displaced by the flood in nine local governments.

Ogedengbe told newsmen yesterday in Lokoja CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

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National News

Wednesday, Septembe 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jonathan condemns denigration of religious beliefs ROTIMI FADEYI

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday in New York, condemned the deliberate denigration of the religious beliefs of others, warning that freedom of expression should never be misinterpreted as freedom to take actions that may lead to violence and disorder.

Addressing the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations against the back-

ground of recent protests in Nigeria and other parts of the world over the publication on the Internet of a video which denigrates Prophet Mohammed, the President said that freedom of expression and religious tolerance should be complementary to each other for the peaceful coexistence of people of varying faiths and religious beliefs.

“Events of the recent weeks have demonstrated how interconnected our world is and the extent to

which one incident can spark off general mayhem and conflagration elsewhere. Freedom of expression should not be a licence to incitement.

“The freedom that we all hold dear and true should be exercised wisely and cautiously. Freedom of expression and religious tolerance must not be mutually exclusive but should be complementary to each other.

“Much as we eschew violence and deplore the needless loss of lives and

destruction of property, we also condemn the deliberate denigration of religious beliefs and sensitivities, which in turn lead to counter reactions,” Jonathan said.

The President also told the global assembly that his administration has adopted a multi-faceted strategy in dealing with the threats of terrorism and militancy.

“Our response has been multi-faceted, as we seek to address the root causes of these threats, exploring

opportunities for dialogue, improving law enforcement to ensure public safety and security.

“International cooperation has also been a key factor in tackling our security challenges. We have signed agreements with our neighbours, Cameroun, Niger and Chad bilaterally, and multilaterally, on the platform of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

“These efforts are aimed at safeguarding the security of our individual countries and denying terrorists the use of our region as sanctuary. We are confident that these measures will stem

the flow and access to small arms and light weapons, which have indeed become Africa’s weapon of mass destruction,” he said.

While expressing great concern that many regions of the world, including the West African sub-region, are inundated by political crises, insurgency or terrorists’ activities, President Jonathan reiterated his call for the establishment of a Conflict Mediation Commission under the Office of the Secretary-General to further strengthen the peace building initiatives of the United Nations.

Reps reject zone-based administration TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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L-R: Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola; Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador in Nigeria, Khalid Omar Abdullah and Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bashir Yuguda, at a dinner marking Saudi Arabia’s National Day in Abuja, on Monday.

Labour union protests postings at SEC TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he lingering face-off between the staff and management of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) worsened yesterday as the staff of the commission publicly protested the re-deployment of a contract staff to head the Internal Control Department, even as they condemned the issuance of query to their leaders by the management.

Irked by the alleged high handedness of the Ms. Arunma Oteh-led management, the workers, as early as 8.00 am yesterday, staged a protest within the premises of the commission in Abuja, chanting; “Oteh must go!!!” with some of their placards reading; “No to sole administratorship, No to tyranny and highhandedness.”

The protesting workers gave the SEC boss a twoweek ultimatum to meet their demand or face labour unrest in the commission.

Justifying their action during interaction with journalists, the queried

•Gives Oteh two-week ultimatum

staff and Union Chairman, Muhammed Salihu, said the deployment of contract staff to head the Internal Audit Department and the SEC Training School, among other mistakes, contravened public service policy.

His words: “We have 21 contract staff; all of them placed in certain positions that are unbearable and against public service policy. It is unheard of that

you make such a person a senior manager. You have somebody who graduated in 1994 and you make him a Deputy Director, we have 24 of them.”

Salihu called for urgent government intervention in order to help develop the capital market in the country.”

Specifically, the labour union in its letter to the management pointed out

that; “Mr Omotayo, who is one of the unregularised staff who once served as a technical adviser to the director-general was redeployed to head the Internal Control Department.

“This, in our opinion, creates a morale issue as Mr Omotayo by virtue of his former position would not constitute a sufficient check to executive or administrative excesses. His redeployment should therefore be checked.”

4, 029 sacked National ID workers protest at NASS GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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ome members of staff of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), who were recently relieved off their jobs came to the National Assembly yesterday protesting their sack.

The workers, numbering 4, 029 said despite assurances that they would retain their jobs, the Director-General (DG) of NIMC, Chris Onyemanam, reneged on his earlier assurances and

issued them sack orders.

Addressing National Assembly correspondents yesterday, spokesperson for the workers, Mrs. Charity Abisoye said, “The DG of NIMC disengaged 4, 029 staff, that is why we are here to let the National Assembly know what is happening.

“We are the staff of National Identity Management Commission. We were formally employed by the then Internal Affairs Ministry, then we were deployed to DSI as at then.

“In 2007, when DSI was taken over, the commission was established. The commission was given a Director-General, Chris Onyemanam.”

He promised that the commission will absorb everyone in DSI, both assets and liabilities.

“We were stagnated for nine good years without any promotion. The DG gave us redundancy letters; saying we were redundant and that the commission does not need our services again”.

he House of Representatives yesterday rejected an attempt to give constitutional teeth to geo-political zones as political administrative units.

The House also knocked out a proposal to create an additional Court of Appeal to be known as a ‘State Court of Appeal’.

The lawmakers also rejected efforts to redefine and rearrange legislative powers shared by the three tiers of government.

The House at its sitting yesterday threw out the bill for an Act to alter the 1999 Constitution to create a state court of appeal and the introduction of state legislative list and also the

adjustment/modification of legislative powers of government between the federal and state governments.

The bill, sponsored by Hon. Emmanuel Jime (PDP/Benue), the lawmakers said would amount to the subversion of the Nigerian Constitution as well as destabilise the existing federal system of government that has been built over the years.

According to Jime, the bill was authored by the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba.

He said the bill seeks to introduce federalism into the country’s judicial system through the creation of state court of appeal in the geo-political zones.

‘Yar’Adua govt restored plots to El Rufai’s wife’ ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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he Umaru Yar’Adua government restored the plot belonging to Mallam Nasir el-Rufai’s wife that it earlier revoked, a prosecution witness has told an Abuja High Court yesterday.

Sunday Idowu, the police investigator who is the second prosecution witness, in the matter, was continuing his cross examination in the el-Rufai case when he made the disclosure even as he explained that the restoration did not indicate that the allocation was in order.

The witness confirmed to Kanu Agabi, counsel for the third accused, that he read the statements of the accused persons, and the documents that were attached.

He said Plot 1201, the

PHCN plot, was sub-divided, but could not remember the number.

He agreed that Exhibit 11, the statement of the 1st accused, contains 37 letters of revocation in respect of the subdivisions from Plot 1201.

He said the administration of the first accused made the revocations.

Idowu further said that the plot allocated to the wife of the first accused was not restored by the administration of the first accused, but was restored by a subsequent administration.

The prosecution witness, however, disagreed that the restoration showed that the initial allocation was in order; rather he said a committee recommended restoration because of the level of development and the volume of compensation to be paid.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

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35 ex-militants held for threatening peace OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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National Identity Management Commission staff protesting the illegal sacking of over 4,029 workers at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

Lagos robbery: Police parade three more suspects • Recover rocket launcher, nine AK 47 riffles FRANCIS SUBERU

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ore suspects have been arrested in connection with the armed robbery attack recorded on Sunday, September 9, 2012 in Lagos State.

The police yesterday paraded three additional suspects in connection with the robbery attack and recovered arms and ammunition from them.

The suspects, Uche Okeagbu, 23; Emmanuel Ezeani, 23; and Chinoso Nwuaugwu, 23, were arrested on September 23, 2012 at Ilemba Hausa area of Ajangbadi, Lagos, following a tip-off received by

the Commanding Officer of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Mr. Abba Kyari.

The suspects were arrested for belonging to a gang of armed robbers who have been terrorizing the entire nation and for masterminding the devastating September 9 armed robbery attack in which many people were killed, including two policemen in Lagos.

National Mirror gathered that apart from the September 9 robbery attack, the suspects had, sometimes, robbed a bank in Ibadan, Oyo State; a bank in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State; a bank in Akure, Ondo State; a bank in Osogbo, Osun State; a bank in Okene, Kogi

State and another bank in Auchi, Edo State.

Items recovered from the suspects include nine AK-47 riffles, two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPNG), one Rocket Propel Grenade Launcher (RPG), 225 AK-47 magazines, fully loaded with 30 rounds of Ak-47 live ammunitions each, over 260 rounds of GPMG live ammunitions, one Rocket Propel Grenade and five dynamites with its detonator.

Also recovered were two modified Volkwagen buses marked LSD 467 AR and AGL 506 XB parked in Uche Okeagbu’s residence.

The buses were reconstructed to serve as amoury for the gang’s weapons.

It was learnt that whenever they were going for robbery attacks, they would park the buses in the bush and snatch a vehicle that will be used for the day’s operations.

After the robbery, they would come back to where the buses were parked and load them with food items to give the impression they were drivers transporting farm produce.

While parading the suspects, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, said policemen had been trailing the suspects since the September 9 robbery attack and that their efforts paid off when detectives stormed their hideouts at Ajangbadi.

Reps flay Saudi authorities for ‘detaining’ 700 Nigerian women pilgrims OBIORA IFOH AND TORDUE SALEM

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he House of Representatives yesterday flayed the reported detention of about 700 Nigerian female pilgrims by the Saudi Arabian authorities in Jedda.

The detained pilgrims were going for the 2012 Hajj when they were held back and denied entry for not being accompanied by male

partners.

The rule affected the female pilgrims from ages 40 and below. The pilgrims were detained on arrival at the Jeddah Airport on September 23, 2012.

Also in its resolution on a motion by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Abdurahman Kawu, the House directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to urgently address the issue so as to allow the pilgrims perform

the Hajj.

In his motion, Kawu said the stranded pilgrims applied for Saudi Arabian visas and were granted the visas by its Embassy before the rule was suddenly thrown up at Jeddah.

Chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, said the action was strange, but added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had stepped into the matter.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, however, directed the Foreign Affairs Committee to follow up the matter and brief the House tomorrow.

Chairman of the House Committee on the Millennium Development Goals, Hon. Alhassan Ado Garba, who disclosed that three of his sisters from Kano State were also affected by the incident, said he was not comfortable with the government’s reaction.

he Amnesty Office has handed over 35 leaders of former militants under Phase Two of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to security agencies in Abuja.

In a statement by the Amnesty Office Head of Media, Dan Alabrah, the arrest became inevitable given the incessant harassment of amnesty officials, including the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku.

The statement stated that they were arrested following their plan to subvert the provisions of the 2012 budget and channel the allowances meant for 6,166 other persons in the programme to them.

At a meeting with officials of the Amnesty Office in Abuja yesterday,

the former militants’ leaders threatened to disrupt social and economic activities in sensitive public places if their request to have the Transition Safety Allowance (TSA) proposed for 6,166 persons enrolled in the Second Phase of the Amnesty Programme was not paid out directly to them.

At this meeting, Hon. Kuku explained to the leaders that the Federal Government would not accede to their demand to divert or channel funds meant for 6,166 persons to just the leaders, who are less than 100.

But some of the former militant leaders insisted that the money budgeted for the 6,166 persons be shared out to them alone.

Efforts by Hon. Kuku to persuade them to understand that their request was illegal, and thus untenable, failed as they continued to threaten to unleash mayhem in Abuja.

Clark wants Lamorde sacked for lying on Ibori’s $15m bribe OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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he Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, for being untruthful in the $15 million bribe offered by former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori to Nuhu Ribadu, the pioneer EFCC boss.

He also adduced reason for his claims that the $15m bribe belongs to the Delta State Government.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Clark, who listed what he described as the contradictions and lies of the EFCC contained in the EFCC affidavit about the Ibori’s $15 million bribe, said: “The affidavit, sworn on August 10, 2012 by Bello Yahaya, a police officer attached to the EFCC on behalf of the anti-corruption agency, put the anti-corruption agency not only in ridicule, but portrays it as an agency not transparent, competent and committed

to war against corruption.

“In paragraph seven of the affidavit, he claimed, ‘That I know as a fact that the said $15 million is an unclaimed property and no one has claimed or shown any link to the sum’. This is not true as in September 2009, the Delta state elders and leaders’ stakeholders forum, in a protest march that took them to the Central Bank of Nigeria premises in Abuja, submitted a written petition to the Governor of Central Bank, urging him to refund the money to the Delta State Government as James Ibori as an individual could not have raised the said huge sum.

Lamorde

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South West

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tension in Ekiti as Civil Defence, vigilance group clash

•One hospitalised, several injured ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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en of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDS) and the Vigilance Group of Nigeria (VGN) clashed in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, causing tension in the state capital as dangerous weapons and charms were openly brandished and used.

One operative of the corps was hospitalised while several others from the two sides were injured in the clash that took place at the Christ’s School Alumni Hall, Ado Ekiti, headquarters of the VGN. Eye witnesses said security personnel, including police officers deployed to the scene to broker peace were assaulted by the rampaging civil defence and VGN members.

Reports said dangerous weapons like guns, broken bottles, teargas canisters, cutlasses and charms were freely used during the fracas.

VGN Operations Director, Mr. Wasiu Yusuf, traced the incident to the arrest of his men by the Civil Defence Corps, who accused them of operating illegally.

He said men of the Civil Defence Corps stormed their VGN office at about 10.00 am yesterday in a convoy of four buses loaded with heavily armed men and attacked them with

dangerous weapons over allegations that they were operating illegally.

According to him, the Civil Defence Corps had developed this attitude after allegedly working against the group during a public hearing at the Ekiti State House of Assembly on a bill meant to convert the vigilance group into a state peace corps.

But, the Public Relations Officer of the Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Ojo Lawanson, debunked the allegation, saying the vigilance group attacked his men first, adding that one of them was still being hospitalised.

Lawanson said the corps was only carrying out its statutory duty of registering all private security companies in the state by ordering the vigilance group to pay its registration fee, saying it was not an attempt to victimise the group.

According to him, it has always been the stand of the civil defence corps that more security organisations should be registered to reinforce the level of security in the state as he described the group as an illegal body, having failed to register as prescribed by the constitution.

Lawanson, however, advised the men of the vigilance group to eschew violence and comply with the rules guiding security agencies in the country.

Gunmen abduct hotelier, demand N400m ransom FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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n Ijebu-Ode based hotelier identified as Mr. Segun Oyebolu, was on Monday kidnapped by gunmen in the town.

National Mirror gathered that the kidnappers stormed Oyebolu’s hotel, which was located along Ijebu-Ode -Ibadan Road around 6.00 pm and whisked him away in an unmarked vehicle.

A close family source told National Mirror that the kidnappers have demanded for N400 million ransom before he could be released.

Prior to his abduction on Monday, it was gathered that Oyebolu, who

also runs a non- governmental organization, had, last Saturday, threw a big birthday party for his father in Lagos, where the cream-de-la-cream of the society were in attendance.

As at the time of filing this report, close family sources told National Mirror that members of his immediate family, friends and well-wishers were making frantic efforts to ensure his release from the hands of his captors.

When contacted, however, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, said the command was still awaiting a comprehensive report from the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ijebu-Ode, over the matter.

But, Yusuf said NSCDS summoned the VGN State Commander, Mr. Akin Olorunloni, to its office along Afao-Ekiti Road about three months ago where he was ordered to stop his

men from guarding some strategic places in the state capital.

He added that Olorunloni was also told at the meeting to tell his men to stop parading themselves in

uniform until the payment of the N10 million registration fees into the Federal Government coffers.

“This morning, some of our men who were stationed at Pathfinder Hotel

along Iworoko-Ekiti were arrested by men of the civil defence over the offence that they were operating illegally. They did not only arrest and detain them, they also rough-handled them.”

L-R: Guest Lecturer, Mr. Oladele Adisa; Chairman, Osun State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Mr. Leke Ogunsola and Oyo State Vice-Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mr. Adeyinka Isola, at the World Pharmacy Day celebration in Ibadan, yesterday.

NURTW crisis: Tokyo accuses Ajimobi of betrayal KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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he embattled former Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a Tokyo ), has accused Governor Abiola Ajimobi of betraying him on the prolonged crisis rocking the union in the

state.

He said this while speaking on a personality interview programme aired by a private radio station in Ibadan, the state capital.

He said the governor allegedly failed to honour a gentleman’s agreement with him on the prolonged crisis over the NURTW chairmanship position in the state.

Akinsola alleged that the

Oyo govt insures workers, property

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yo State government yesterday commenced the process of insuring its entire workforce and property, at no cost to the workers.

This was part of the resolutions reached at the end of the weekly executive council meeting held in Ibadan, yesterday.

The insurance policy, according to a press briefing jointly addressed by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Bosun Oladele; the Special Advisers on Media, Information and Orientation and Education, Messrs Festus Adedayo, Gbolagade Busari and Taiwo Otegbeye respectively, would cover all the civil servants, including judiciary workers.

Others to be covered by the compulsory insurance policy include all political ap-

pointees and YES-O Cadets, while government property including vehicles, structures, as well as their contents would also be insured.

Apart from ensuring the welfare of the workers, they said the policy, which would commence immediately, would also ensure that government property was well insured.

The policy, according to them, would cover life insurance in case of death; personal accident insurance in case of temporary or total disability of any of the beneficiaries, while the payment of liabilities would also be included.

The officials explained that no deductions would be made from the salaries of the workers, adding that the policy was aimed at ensuring their well-being and making the job more comfortable for them.

governor, after winning the April 2011 election, turned down his earlier gentleman’s agreement with him, adding that upon sensing the foul play, he resorted to pleading with notable leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on the need for them to prevail on the governor.

He said he reported Ajimobi to Alhaji Lam Adesina, being the ACN leader

in the state as well as to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, saying, “Senator Tinubu called him and asked him to reinstate me, but he refused.”

He said it was after Governor Ajimobi’s failure to honour the agreement that he headed for the law court where he was asked to be reinstated as the NURTW chairman in the state.

‘Ogun Assembly ready to pass NHIS bill’ FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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gun State House of Assembly has expressed its readiness to ensure that people of the state have unhindered access to good healthcare through the passage of a Social Health Insurance Bill whenever the executive sends such to the house.

Chairman of the state House Committee on Health, Hon. Akinpelu Aina, gave the assurance yesterday in Abeokuta while answering questions from journalists at a one-day sensitisation workshop organised by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for security officials in the state.

Aina, who said that the workshop, which has as

its theme; “NHIS, a panacea to productive nation,” was aimed at identifying how Ogun State can key in to the idea of carrying its employees into the insurance scheme, further assured that the state assembly would ensure the easy passage of the bill for the health benefits of the people.

The lawmaker, however, asked the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, to collaborate with the NHIS towards facilitating the bill to the house either as executive or private members bill.

“I think it has to go through the executive since it is a federal project.

I think it will also depend on the speed, interest or the eagerness of the sponsors and how fast the NHIS can work on it for it to get to the Assembly.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

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Slain groom: Family berates police for nonchalant attitude NGO calls for IGP’sTheyinvestigation said that their son

K AYODE KETEFE AND FRANCIS SUBERU

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embers of the family of Ugochukwu Ozuah, the man allegedly killed five days after his wedding by a policeman, have berated the Lagos State Police Command for its failure to reach out to them since the incident occurred.

was murdered by a policeman at UPS Junction in Gbagada area of Lagos at about 10:00pm while escorting a friend who had visited him at home.

The family said that despite the media hype the incident had received, the Lagos State Police Command maintained a nonchalant attitude.

Though the police have

denied the involvement of their men in the killing, the deceased’s mother, Deaconess Chinwe Ozuah, insisted that her son was killed by a policeman.

She called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammad Abubakar, to bring the killer policeman to justice.

A member of the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the family would address a press conference on the matter

tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a Lagosbased non-governmental organisation, Legal Assistance Development Project (LEDAP), has called on IGP Abubakar to investigate the killing.

The call was contained in a statement signed by the Executive Programme Officer of the organisation, Ms. Adaobi Egboka, a copy of which was made available to National Mirror yesterday.

In the statement, LEDAP

Group demands probe of Sunborn Yatch deal MURITALA AYINLA

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ontroversies trailing the multi-billion naira Sunborn Yatch stationed at the shore of Marina, Lagos Island, yesterday assumed another dimension, as a group, Zero Corruption Coalition petitioned the Economic Crimes and Financial Commission (EFCC),demanding probe of the alleged fraud in its acquisition.

The group, which staged a protest, converged on the Falomo Bridge in Ikoyi and marched to the EFCC office.

It called on the EFCC, the Lagos State Government and the state House of Assembly to unravel the mysteries surrounding the acquisition of the yatch and its masterminds.

The protesters were armed with big banners and placards of varying sizes with inscriptions which read: “Lagos Assembly, Probe Sunborn Deal,” Governor Fashola Must Recover Lagos’ Stolen billion,” Court Must Stop Frustrating EFFC,” Sunborn Burns the peoples’ money”and Sunborn Deal Must be Probed,” among others.

Speaking after presenting the petition letter to the officials of the EFCC, the group’s secretary, Mr. Mark Adebayo, said the antigraft agency should investigate the N8 billion deal as well as the companies and bank involved in it.

Adebayo named Loneseed Limited, Diamond Bank, MIDC Limited as companies used to secure the N5 billion loan to purchase the Sunborn Yatch.

decried the continued practice of extra-judicial killing in the country and called for serious intervention by the authorities to stem the tide.

It stated that it had documented, over the years, the police impunity and unprovoked onslaught on innocent Nigerians, stressing that the latest killing of Ugochukwu should not follow the past impunity by law enforcement agents.

The group further stated that countless number of lives of innocent Nigerians are being frequently wasted by trigger-happy members of the Nigeria Police Force, and that unless the unfortunate practice is curtailed, the security situation in the country would worsened and people would continue

to suffer needlessly.

Part of the statement reads: “The sad news of the alleged shooting of a promising young man, Ugochukwu Ozuah, a graduate of King’s college, Lagos and University of Ibadan, who recently got married a week ago, by a drunken police officer was widely reported in the media.

“Ugochukwu had gone to escort a former classmate, who visited to felicitate with him after his wedding, when he met his untimely death in the hands of a trigger happy police officer.

“His friend, Irikefe Omene, who was with him when the incident occurred, gave an eye witness account, stating unequivocally that his friend, Ugochukwu, was shot by a police officer.”

Lagos threatens to jail drunk drivers MURITALA AYINLA

L-R: Suspects - Chinoso Nwuaugwu; Emmanuel Ezeani and Uche Okeagbund - during their parade yesterday at the Lagos State Police Command for their alleged role in the September 9, 2012 robbery attack in Lagos.

Arms cache recovered from them.

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he Lagos State Government yesterday threatened to prosecute and jail any motorist found driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, just as it disclosed that 441 drivers tested positive to marijuana and cocaine in the screening recently conducted in the state.

Hence, the state government said it might invoke Section 21(1) of the state Traffic Law which prescribes a conviction fine of N100, 000 or two years imprisonment or both on offenders.

Addressing journalists at the State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said the state government abhorred the culture of driving under influence

‘We want agitation for Igbo Presidency supported’ KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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eaders of various Igbo communities under the umbrella of Association of Ndiezendigbo in Diaspora have said that it is the turn of the South-East geo-political zone to produce the country’s President in 2015.

They, however, called on all Nigerians to support the agitation.

The Igbo leaders, in a communiqué issued after their meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and

made available to journalists yesterday, said it was unfortunate that South-East is the only region yet to produce a President in Nigeria.

The communiqué was signed by Eze Hycinth Omeroha Ohazuruke, the Ezendigbo of Lagos State and National President of the association; Eze (Sir) Ibe Nwosu, Eze Igbo Abuja and Deputy National President; Eze Alex C. Anozie, the National VicePresident and Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo State; and Eze (Sir) Pampas Wahiwe, Ezeigbo Niger State

and National Secretary.

The Ezeigbos said that in the interest of justice and equity, an Igbo man should be allowed to become the President of Nigeria in the next general election.

The communiqué reads: “The association is still hopeful that Nigerians will put their conscience in use in 2015, by supporting and electing a qualified Igbo man to become the next President of the country, taking into consideration the fact that with all the contributions of Ndigbo in the development of Nige-

ria, no Igbo person has been opportuned to be there.”

The Igbo leaders, however, lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for fixing all the bad federal roads in the South-East and other parts of the country like Lagos-Sagamu Expressway, BeninOre Expressway and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

They also commended the President for listening to the voices of the Nigerian masses by suspending plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce N5, 000 note.

of alcohol or narcotics.

He said: “So far, we have screened 2,002 drivers with the following results obtained: 781 were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol, 601 were found to be hypertensive, 441 were positive to psychotropic drugs, especially cocaine and marijuana, 940 were screened for visual impairment and 13 per cent had to be given special glasses”.

The commissioner bemoaned the rate of road accidents in the country, describing it as the major cause of deaths.

He added that the state government cannot achieve the desired health indices if it ignores the menace of road mishaps caused by drug addicted drivers.

“Alcohol and substance abuse have been documented as a cause of road accidents and several studies have shown that an intoxicated driver is a danger to himself, his passengers and other road users,” Idris said.

According to him, a major breakthrough was recently recorded in the sensitisation campaigns in motor parks against irresponsible driving with a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Guinness Nigeria Plc. The commissioner added that the partnership by both parties was geared towards changing people’s attitude to the harmful consumption of alcoholic beverages.

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South East

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Unite in your quest for state creation, S’East governors advised GEORGE OPARA ABIA

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Abia State, Chief Chijioke Ekeledo, has urged governors of the five South-Eastern

states to unite in their demand for an additional state.

He said the major concern of stakeholders from the South-East was to correct the imbalance in the state creation caused by the military and not where the

Govt threatens to sanction fraudulent revenue collectors NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

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he Anambra State Government has reiterated its determination to sanction any member of revenue agency or task force caught for engaging in fraudulent practices.

The government also vowed to sanction those diverting public funds into private pockets.

The state Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chike

Ohamobi, spoke yesterday in Onitsha, while inspecting the offices of Anambra State Traffic Agency (ASTA) and Vehicle Emblem Collectors.

Ohamobi, however, ordered all revenue agencies to stop collecting cash from the public, but rather to direct the payers to pay their revenues directly into government account in designated banks.

He warned that government would arrest and prosecute any revenue official who molest, harass and cajole lawabiding citizens in the name of revenue generation, adding that heads of such agencies would be held responsible for such illicit acts.

state would be carved out from in the region.

Ekeledo spoke yesterday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, during an interview with journalists.

He said: “As the mouthpiece of the zone, the governors should harmonize their interest and ensure they do not work at cross purposes in the demand for the creation of an additional state in the zone. ``Every good spirited

Nigeria believes in the cause for additional state in the South-East because it is in line with the principle of federal character which calls for equity in the allocation and share of positions and resources.”

Ekeledo urged the National Assembly to clear what he called erroneous impression in the minds of Nigerians and the international community that it lacked the political under-

standing to create state.

He said: “Since the return of democracy in 1999, the leadership of the National Assembly had always told Nigerians they wanted to create states, but they would renege on the promise. Let the present leadership ensure that they create states so as not to see the project as a political gimmick.”

Urging the National Assembly not to be distracted

by the outburst of some critics of the state creation, Ekeledo noted that it was wrong for any Nigerian who wishes the nation well to condemn the move to create an additional state in South-East.

He said: “South-East is the only zone with five states; North-East has seven and others have six states each, it is fair that we get an additional state this time.”

L-R: Acting Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Ogochukwu Ugoma; RS-9 Zonal Commander, Mr. Chike Nwaka and representative of the National Coordinator of Special Marshals, Mr. Rapheal Ekomhe, during the Special Marshals 2012 Sectoral Workshop in Enugu, yesterday.

Okorocha urges nationwide free education CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

G

overnor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has urged the Federal Ministry of Education and the National University Commission (NUC) to take a cue from his state and work towards making education free for all Nigerians.

Okorocha also advocated specialised university system where each institution will focus on a particular field of study as obtained in developed countries.

The governor, who spoke yesterday at the public presentation of a book: Assessment of Nigerian Universities Environment held at

the national press centre, Radio House Abuja, urged government to focus on making education free for all.

He said: “Let Nigeria close up every other thing and make education free, let education be free in Nigeria, we must urgently act to ensure that education is free for all so that the poor can go to school.”

According to him, Nigeria ought to change its education system and tailor it in line with her natural resources.

Okorocha said that the standard of education has not fallen, but standard of its management.

Stressing that over 6,000 students have benefited

from the Okoracha Foundation, the governor urged Nigerians, irrespective of their social class to send at least five children to school.

Okorocha said he sacrificed his security vote in order to implement free education in Imo State, saying: “All Imo indigenes are now enjoying free education from primary through secondary to the university level.”

Also speaking on the occasion, Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku identified the scrapping of the Teachers Grade 2 Certificate and its consequent replacement with National Certificate in Education (NCE) as the problem that has negatively impacted on

the primary and secondary school system in the country.

Maku said the real problem with the nation’s educational sector is the primary and the secondary schools, adding that those were the bedrock of education.

He said: “Until primary and secondary schools are properly managed, the country can never get it right; you can never be a good student in the university if you had no good foundation from primary and secondary schools.”

The minister urged corporate organisations and agencies to pay back to the society by supporting the growth of education in the country.

NARTO deplores state of Nigerian roads CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has expressed concern over the deplorable state of roads across the country.

Speaking yesterday during the quarterly National

Executive Meeting (NEC) of NARTO in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the association’s President, Alhaji Kassim Ibrahim Bataiya, said the deplorable roads posed a major challenge to transporters.

He, however, called for a check on the activities of revenue task force members, which he ac-

cused of impounding commercial vehicles indiscriminately.

Bataiya said: “We seek an end to the activities of revenue collectors who disturb our drivers and impound our trucks indiscriminately.”

He praised the Federal Government for reinvesting the monies re-

alised from the subsidy removal into critical sectors of the economy.

Reiterating NARTO’s support for the Federal Government in its effort to sanitise the petroleum sector, Bataiya said that the palliatives put in place by the government had cushioned the effects of the subsidy removal.

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South South

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

11

LG chairmen diverting pension funds –NULGE ‘PIB will empower TONY A NICHEBE UYO

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he Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, has accused some local government chairmen in Akwa Ibom State of misappropriating council workers’ contributory pension funds.

The state Chairman of the union, Comrade Felix Udoh, made the allegation yesterday at an enlarged meeting of NULGE at the Workers’ Solidarity Centre, Uyo. He said some chairmen, including those of Uyo, Etim Ekpo and Ibesikpo Asutan councils among others, did not remit the 7.5 per cent deducted from workers’ salaries and failed to pay the 7.5 per cent by employers as

stipulated in the policy.

Ibesikpo Asutan, according to him, owes N18m in unpaid workers’ pension deductions.

The chairman said he could not ascertain the exact amounts owed by other councils.

Udoh also alleged that those involved in the mismanagement of local government workers’ funds, apart from the chairmen, were treasurers, cashiers, heads of council and the local government payroll officers.

Expressing disappointment over the poor management of pension funds, he noted that it had led to the death of many pensioners.

Udoh therefore challenged the Akwa Ibom

State Local Government Commission headed by Otu Ita Toyo to take steps and end the current pension crisis.

The NULGE chairman recommended that stiff disciplinary actions should be taken against erring chairmen.

He, however, commended the chairmen of Etinan, Ini and Ibiono Ibom councils for managing the pension funds exceptionally well, having contributed the employers’ share, added that of workers and handed over the money to pension funds’ administrators.

Also speaking, the state Vice Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Etim Awana, said the congress was ready to

support the NULGE if negotiations failed and they had to embark on strike.

Meanwhile, Toyo agreed that there was corruption in the local government councils in the state which militated against development at the grassroots.

Toyo, who was the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, until 2007, disclosed this in an interview with journalists yesterday.

He said: “Yes, I will be the first to admit that there is ‘chopping’ going on in the local governments, but this is not enough for anyone to call for the system to be scrapped. Local governments are the most important factors in the quest for development.”

indigenous industrialists’

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he Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, PHCCIMA, has called on the National Assembly to immediately pass the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. The President of PHCCIMA, Mr. Vincent Furo, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Port Harcourt, said when passed, the bill would empower indigenous oil and gas industrialists to determine the level of activities in the sector.

Furo, who affirmed the chamber’s total support for the bill, said it would “create entrepreneurial inroads into the management of our oil and gas local content.”

He said: “Our local entrepreneurs at present are very far from reaping the prospects of a local content policy.

“It is the international oil and gas industrialists that are in full control of our oil sector.

“And it is the existing

laws that made it so; that is why we are saying yes to the PIB.” Furo urged the National Assembly to pass the bill without delay to engender optimal production.

“The bill is the greatest thing to happen to the oil and gas sector of this country and we expect every patriotic citizen to support it,” he added.

The president said the time was ripe to reverse the trend whereby foreigners exploited the nation’s oil and gas resources more than the local experts.

He described the bill as “a ticket to massive empowerment” of local entrepreneurs even in other sectors of the economy.

“Even the power sector will benefit immensely after the bill becomes law,” he said.

Furo called on the lawmakers to massively support the passage of the bill, saying that “the oil sector is undergoing a revolutionary transformation.”

Shun corruption, Bayelsa CJ warns judiciary workers E MMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

L-R: Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Vincent Fadeyi; Commander of 2 Amphibious Brigade, Nigerian Army, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Brigadier-General Yusuf Buratai; President, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Mr. Achese Igwe and Commander of Special Operations, Group Air Vice Marshal Abba Zannah, after a meeting of securities agencies and stakeholders in the petroleum products distribution on fuel-related issues in Rivers State, yesterday.

Rights abuses: Oshiomhole promises to establish public defender office

E

do State Government has promised to set up a Public Defender Unit to provide free legal services to victims of human rights abuses.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole disclosed this yesterday at the unveiling of Edo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules.

The governor said too many people were being victimised and intimidated but were unable to fight for their rights.

He said: “Just recently, the police in the state arrested an innocent man and charged him for murder without any convincing evi-

dence. I have now decided to set up a public defender unit that will provide free legal aid to all those who are victims of police abuse of power or by any functionary of the state.

“Government may not be able to deliver food to all the citizens but government must not tamper with the citizens’ right. I have directed the Ministry of Justice not to assist the police to detain innocent citizens.

My task in Edo State is not only to build roads, hospitals and other physical infrastructure but I also have the responsibility to ensure that the freedom and rights of citizens are not trampled

upon.

“Everybody is equal before God and everybody is special in the eyes of God. That one is richer than the other cannot be a yardstick to think that one is more special than the other. The attitude of the court should be that before the law all men are equal.

“In the past, many Nigerians used to believe that those who are powerful are above the law.”

Oshiomhole regretted that a man was convicted and sent to prison for years for stealing a rabbit while those who embezzled public funds running into billions of naira were left off the

hook.

He urged the Bar to take special interest in gross abuse of judicial powers, adding that the court should not aid and abet the security agencies when they tried to victimise innocent citizens.

On his part, the Chairman of the occasion and first elected governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said the legal profession was one of the most conservative professions, adding that the system was in dire need of modernisation.

He said: “Our judicial system in Nigeria is under pressure; a lot still needs to be done. As of today, most of the institutions of the state have been undermined and the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.”

T

he Chief Judge, CJ, of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri, has warned the judiciary staff against corruption and acts of indiscipline.

While urging them to exhibit honesty, discipline and accountability in the dispensation of justice, the CJ said enough of indiscipline and corrupt practices in the third arm of government.

Abiri gave the warning in Yenagoa yesterday during a special court session as part of activities marking the 2012/2013 Legal Year organised by the state judiciary.

She frowned at the incessant delay in the dispensation of justice and called on managers of various courts and the magistrates to redouble their efforts.

The CJ appealed to Governor Seriake Dick-

son to urgently implement Section 121 of the constitution to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of judiciary workers and to release funds to the customary courts to enable them meet their targets.

She said: “The state government should provide court recording machines to enable quick dispensation of justice and vehicles for serving magistrates to enable them perform their duties effectively.

“These would make them desist from scrambling for buses and taxies on the streets while going to court. The provision of court recording machines to the judiciary would enhance its performance to encourage accuracy, speedy taking of evidences and reduction of time being wasted.”

Abiri regretted that the state judiciary lost four hard working personnel while performing their legitimate duties.

12

North

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Terrorism won’t stop church in the North –CAN A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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he Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 northern states and Abuja has said that no force would stop the existence of the church in the North.

This is contained in a two-page communiqué signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday Oibe, after the body’s quarterly national executive council meeting in Kaduna yesterday.

The organisation commended the CAN National President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, for his firm stand against terrorism in the country.

The communiqué condemned the composition of the peace committee set up by the Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, to end violence in the region, noting that it was lopsided against Christians.

CAN also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to demonstrate enough political will in stamping out corruption in public offices, particularly in government agencies, stressing that the menace had hindered the development and

sustenance of many promised projects which would have provided gainful employment for the youth.

The communiqué reads in part: “We commend the CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, for all personal and corporate steps taken so far to curb the menace of Boko Haram in the country.

“Boko Haram is a product of a fanatical theology of hatred and intolerance.

We have been living with the poor since the fall of man. Let it be clearly em-

MINNA

T

he Federal Government must ensure the immediate take-off of Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, HYPPADEC, in view of flood disasters in parts of the country.

A member of the House of Representatives representing Lavun/Edati/Mokwa Federal Constituency of Niger State, Hon. Sani Kutigi, who made the call, lampooned the executive arm of government over the delay in the take-off of the commission.

He said the executive arm refused to release enough funds for the commission to effectively start work, after the National Assembly had concluded work on the HYPPADEC Bill.

Kutigi, who said this at the distribution of relief materials to victims of flood in his constituency, disclosed that though

for the purpose which we are being made to believe, then, there should be an equitable representation so that its findings and recommendations will be accepted to all concerned.”

CAN also commended Jonathan for identifying with the yearnings of the masses by halting the planned introduction of the N5,000 banknote by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The association condemned the assassination

of the Borno State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice as well as the ongoing killings of Christians and other citizens in the North by terrorist group.

The body, however, hailed the newly inaugurated leadership of the association in the 17 southern states, saying it would cooperate to ensure the protection of the church in Nigeria and democratic yearnings of the Nigerian people.

L-R: Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi State chapter, Rev. Lawi Pokti; Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu; Bishop of Bauchi Catholic Diocese, Bishop Malachy Goltok and Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh, during a condolence visit to CAN over last Sunday’s bomb blast at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bauchi, yesterday.

Flood: HYPPADEC must take-off now –Lawmaker PRISCILLA DENNIS

phasised that the church in the North will continue to march on, no matter the rage against her and the gates of hell shall never prevail.

“The meeting noted with displeasure the lopsided composition of the Northern States Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and Security, in which Christians are only 11 out of the 41-man committee.

“We therefore call that if the committee is meant

N200m was set aside in the 2012 Appropriation Bill for the commission, it was rejected because it was not enough.

He said: “I can tell you authoritatively that N200m was allocated for the take-off of the commission in the 2012 budget but it was rejected because HYPPADEC should be more than that.”

Kutigi said if the commission was in place, the effect of the devastating flood would have been drastically reduced.

The lawmaker said with the flood ravaging parts of the country, President Goodluck Jonathan would see reason why funds should be released for the commission to start.

He said: “Lokoja and Abuja have been completely cut off and the President is aware and has seen the effect of the flood. I thank God that the flood occurred so that the government will see how it affects the people.”

ACF urges unity among northern leaders A ZA MSUE KADUNA

T

he apex northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has called for unity among the region’s leaders to end the security challenges.

The ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mr Anthony Sani, made the call in an email statement in Kaduna yesterday over the face-off between the forum’s Board of Trustees, BOT, Chairman, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, and chieftain, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, on the implementation of its security, peace and unity road map.

It was reported that Useni had berated northern leaders for failing to help implement ACF’s road map for socio-economic and political development of the region, while Yakasai chided him.

The ACF spokesman explained that any statement issued outside the forum’s procedure should be considered as personal opinion.

JTF discovers bomb factory in Adamawa OWOLABI ADENUSI YOLA

T

he Joint Task Force, JTF, yesterday announced that it had discovered another bomb manufacturing factory in Mubi in Adamawa State.

The announcement followed the curfew imposed on the town by the state government to enable the JTF fish out members of the dreaded Boko Haram

sect who have annexed the town as one of their operation bases.

On Monday, a member of the sect was killed while several weapons were seized in a clampdown by the task force men.

The JTF added that it confiscated deposits of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, arms and ammunition, as well as other dangerous weapons from different locations, apart from

Kwara shuts 14 illegal schools WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

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he Kwara State Ministry of Education has closed down about 14 schools for allegedly operating illegally in the state.

The affected schools include Bright Way Comprehensive Nursery and Primary School; Able God Academy in Ilorin; New Moral Nursery and Primary School in Moro Local Government Area; Cres-

cent Deen Nursery and Primary School, and Mascot Academy in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Saka Onimago, was earlier reported to have said that his ministry would soon descend on about 100 mushroom schools operating in Ilorin, the state capital, without approval of the government.

The commissioner said his ministry was determined to rid the state

the hideout discovered on Sunday.

The latest discovery came barely 24 hours after the JTF raided an enclave of suspected gunmen, in which 156 suspects were apprehended.

The Commander of the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Brig.-Gen. John Nwaoga, told journalists in a telephone interview yesterday that Monday’s raid was part of the ongoing “Op-

of mushroom and illegal schools which appeared not to care about the future of innocent children of the state.

He said: “I want to tell you that the ministry has closed down about 14 schools within the last one week across the three senatorial districts of the state.

“The exercise is going to be a continuous one. I want to believe that by the time we swoop on Ilorin, we should be closing close to 100 illegal schools.

eration Restore Sanity” in Mubi, declared by the military.

Nwaoga explained that the military intervention in Mubi was aimed at flushing out notorious elements in the town, which he said had been under siege by gunmen.

Items recovered from the hideout included 96 IEDs in Maltina cans, two drums of bombs, nine explosive refrigerator compressors, six weapon training manuals, 469 ammunition, seven preaching manuals, seven Qurans and one magazine.

Other items were seven Qlink motorcycle batteries, one stabiliser, three SIM cards, etc.

Nwaoga disclosed that men of the JTF Intelligence Unit were closing in on one Bashir, a man suspected to be the kingpin of terrorists in Mubi.

He, however, reiterated the resolve of the military, the police and the State Security Service, SSS, to rid Mubi of terrorists.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

PDP alleges plot to rig election

15

CNPP warns against continued relegation of South West KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

T

he Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), South-West chapter, has warned that the zone will continue to suffer relegation unless political leaders in the zone come together and fight against the relegation.

The Chairman of the CNPP in the zone, Alhaji Yinka Olona, disclosed this at the opening of the South-West CNPP Economic/Political summit held at the Supreme Management Resource Centre, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at the weekend.

He said there was the urgent need for political leaders in the South-West to forget about their political affiliations and team up for the restoration of the zone back to its normal position in the nation’s political circle if South-West is to continue to be relevant.

Olona said: “I hereby call on all South-West polit-

ical leaders, irrespective of political party affiliations, to work assiduously to position the South-West on a higher pedestal in the political scheme of Nigeria.

The South-West have been relegated in the scheme of things in Nigeria and it is high time we worked to-

gether to stop this.”

He maintained that for the South-West political leaders to be able to bring back the zone from relegation, the time has come for them to do away with unfounded and unwarranted criticism of each other, adding that if at all there is need for criticism, such “must be constructive to assist whoever is in gov-

ernment.”

He also advocated for “more co-operation among all political parties for the uplift of the South-West as well as more involvement of other political parties in governance irrespective of parties in government in the zone.”

The CNPP chieftain stressed that the summit was one of the efforts of

the group in the zone at fostering political/economic integration of the SouthWest in order to reposition the zone and place it where it belongs as a leading zone in the country.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who declared the summit open, lauded the CNPP leadership for organising the forum at this period.

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has been berated by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) over the lukewarm attitude of the Federal Government to the multiple calamities that befell the nation over the weekend, as regards the flood disaster in Kogi State and Boko Haram insurgence in Bauchi State.

The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed frowned at the administration’s lack of capacity to be proactive or respond in a timely and robust manner to the recent catalogue of woes and national calamities.

According to the ACN, the closure of the LokojaAbuja highway which had

T

he Edo House of Assembly yesterday began the consideration of a bill to regulate the conduct of local government elections and the repeal of the 2002 state electoral law.

The bill would also seek to amend the 1999 law that established the Edo Independent Electoral Commission.

A clause-by-clause consideration of the bill in Benin led to the adoption of 12 sections with changes and amendments.

According to the bill, the appointment of the chairman of the commission shall be by the governor of the state along with six other members, whose appointments must reflect the geographical spread of the state.

Aliyu to deliver Awolowo lecture

L-R: Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), General Muhammadu Buhari welcoming former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, to his residence at a closed-door meeting in Kaduna recently.

ACN condemns Jonathan’s lukewarm attitude to disaster mgt SINA FADARE

Edo Assembly begins debate on LG elections amendment bill

blast in Bauchi, and the two weeks of nonstop flooding all around the country, the President’s handlers showed more concern in informing Nigerians about his trip to the United Nations General Assembly summit than explaining or proposing a co-ordinated

response to these calamities,” it said.

The ACN therefore berated the poor disposition of President Jonathan’s administration to the welfare of Nigerians, adding that the wellbeing of Nigerians is not on the government’s priority list.

cut off Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, due to flooding of roads and bridges along the highway signposts the extent of decayed national infrastructure and exposes the incapable hands entrusted to salvage them.

The party regretted that the President has not

deemed it fit to comment on this disaster, neither has there been any visit by a federal minister or any coordinated response to the disaster from the central government.

“On a weekend of multiple disasters such as the Lokoja flooding, the bomb

FELIX NWANERI

2015: Middle-Belt insists on presidency

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he Middle Belt Youth Leaders’ Forum (MYLF) has called on politicians and political parties in the country to focus attention on the Middle Belt geo-political region in the search for who becomes the president in 2015.

In a communiqué signed

by Mallam Hamid Usman, Comrade Philip Agbese and Mr. Jonah Nabut, MYLF said it is high time Nigeri-

ans rewarded the political maturity, generosity and sportsmanship of the Middle Belt since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

The group maintained that all the political parties in Nigeria have enjoyed a fair share of patronage and goodwill across the region and should therefore consider fielding a candidate from the area in the next presidential election.

Noting that its call

should not in any way be equated with rooting for mediocrity as all the qualified persons from the Middle Belt will submit themselves to a rigorous national scrutiny before standing for the election, the MYLF noted that in addition to finding a middle ground in the nation’s troubled polity, other geopolitical zones in the country will also be acting in a just manner by allowing

the zone to produce a democratically elected leader for the country.

The group also said it would work with other groups within and outside the region in the build-up to the 2015 election for the actualisation of this vision and to save the country from the precipice, which it has been pushed to by the ongoing agitation for fairness in the distribution of national offices.

T

he Obafemi Awolowo Institute of Government and Public Policy will on Thursday beam its searchlight on national security, with a lecture in Lagos, to be delivered by Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State.

The third in the lecture series, in the build-up to Nigeria’s 52nd independence anniversary, is titled: “The search for national security in Nigeria: retrospect, precepts and prospects.”

A statement by the institute, said that the event would be chaired by Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi. On a two-man panel of discussants are Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert, the director of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan and Dr. Charles Ukeje of the Department of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

14

Politics

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We’ll run Mimiko out of Ondo – Akeredolu CONTINUED FROM 3 the spirit of the husband who is no more rather than that of the wife who is around.

Yes, when Chief Fawehinmi died, the governor gave him a befitting burial and we also know that he established a diagnostic centre which he named after him, even though it has just come to the notice of everybody that the centre is actually not funded by the state government, but by some private investors and probably he has some interests in it.

Recently, the governor alleged that the ACN was involved in illegal registration of voters; and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman also confirmed that illegal registration is going on in the state, though he refused to mention any party. What is your take on this?

Well, we are not in government. So, we couldn’t have been carrying out illegal registration of voters. The ACN does not have the resources. We are not the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and we are not controlling the Federal Government. We are only controlling some states, so you will agree with me that this is a tissue of lies. So, who are the people doing the registration?

Suspiciously, it was the Labour Party. When the issues was raised, I remember the INEC saying it was wrong for Ondo State government to be doing its biometric registration of the labour force at this point in time. I think that is where the suspicion came from.

The government has been there for almost four years so, why has the biometric registration not taken place?

Why is it being carried out on the eve of the election?

And it has also been discovered that some of those being captured are not even workers with the state government.

But one thing I know is that such steps will be a futile exercise as there is no amount of rigging that will change the result of the election. INEC should be commended for what it did in Edo State and I have confidence that the Ondo election will be free and fair.

We want you to address the issue of political configuration of Ondo State, considering the fact that you are from Ondo North, specifically, Owo, which has a smaller population. How do you hope to win votes from other senatorial districts of the state?

I am very sure that ACN, as a party, must have considered all these permutations before making a choice of a candidate from Owo. And I want to say categorically, that no one is better placed than a candidate from Owo. In a state like ours, there are so many fallacies being dished out to the public and because you repeat all over again, it seems to bring about some elements of truth. Of course, Akoko is an integral part of Ondo North Senatorial District and it has four local governments with 54 per cent voting population while Owo has two local governments with about 46 per cent voting strength. So, the number of local governments does not determine the figures.

Secondly, the relationship between Owo and Akoko has always been that, if you rub my back, I will rub yours.

Most times, when the governorship candidate comes from Owo, the senatorial candidate has always been from Akoko. The current senator representing Ondo North is Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, who hails from Akoko. He is a member of the ACN. So, the choice of a governorship candidate from Owo is just to balance the relationship that has often existed between the two. Today, Akoko people will say: “We are sure that ACN will win Akoko, but our problem is Owo.” So, the Akoko people are solidly behind the ACN and they are supporting our candidature.

Concerning the Central senatorial zone, with all apologies to my Campaign Director, that senatorial zone is like a pool. We have Owo people there, Akoko, people from the South senatorial zone among others. I remember we once joked that if you remove the population of other senatorial zones from Akure in particular, that is when they will know that there are more non-indigenes in Akure than the indigenes. Of course, the figure in the central is large but it is not just for the indigenes of the senatorial zone, it also comprises those from other senatorial zones.

Akeredolu

THE RACE IS ACTUALLY

BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE.

I

PDP WILL EVENTUALLY WORK WITH US. OF COURSE, WE HAVE ALWAYS KNOW THAT THE

WORKED TOGETHER BECAUSE WE BOTH HAVE ONE AGENDA AND THAT IS TO GET

MIMIKO

OUT OF THAT SEAT And when it comes to the South, yes, Olusola Oke is from the place and luckily for us, our deputy governorship candidate is also from the area and he belongs to the largest ethnic group there, I mean the Ikale, who are much populated than the Ilaje where Oke is from. So, when you look at it, you will discover that a lot of balancing is already in place. And again, Oke knows that the race is actually between two people. I know that the PDP will eventually work with us. Of course, we have always worked together because we both have one agenda and that is to get Mimiko out of that seat. When we meet at rallies, we joke and drink together and we often tell each other that the important thing is that Mimiko leaves that seat.

The office of First Lady has been abused in recent times. If you become the governor, what role will your wife play?

It’s quite unfortunate that my wife is not here. But I can tell you that I’m married to a person that is highly political. She is somebody who does not believe in wasting people’s resources. So, we are going to have a First Lady who is not going to waste the resources of the people. I know that for sure. She runs a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that addresses women issues. She is the President of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BECAN). She already has an idea of what to do. It is not that when she gets there that she would start thinking of what to do. I’m sure her programme may include “Let us all jug for a week”. “Let’s have breast cancer examination for all women”, among others.

How do you hope to successfully challenge the incumbency factor considering the performance of the ACN in the 2011 general election, which was not quite impressive in the state?

The performance of the ACN in the last general election was actually determined by many factors. I concede that the ACN did not do well in the election in Ondo State. But when you ask people, they will readily tell you that there was a belief of an understanding between the ACN and the LP. Many of those who voted Mimiko and the LP did so with the understanding that both parties are the same. But it was a matter of time before they all knew he was never part of us. In fact, he is PDP to the core and that is where he is going to end up at the end. So, we can all imagine the fortune of a party whose supporters went around with the assumption that both the LP and the ACN are the same.

But you cannot use that election to judge this one because many of the ACN members have returned to their base. The ACN has won over half of those who are in the LP and over half of those who are in the PDP. So, I can tell you that the ACN is quite formidable in Ondo State today, more than ever before.

When it comes to the issue of incumbency, I know he can out-smart all other parties put together when it comes to spending. He can spend in the rallies, campaign and give people all sorts of things. This is because he is not spending his money, but the state fund. Barack Obama cannot try it without going to jail. David Cameron cannot try it. But in Nigeria, you can’t control it because there is no demarcation between an individual fund and the state fund. But we must know that the power of incumbency can’t match the resolve of the people.

When people are determined, there is no amount of money you can spend to entice them. When the people were determined in Oyo, Adebayo Alao-Akala left. When they were determined in Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola left and also in Ondo, when the people were determined, Olusegun Agagu left for him. So, if he can oust Agagu who has all the support of the Federal Government at the time, who is Mimiko? We would run him out of Ondo State that I can assure you.

In specific, what are your programmes for the people of the state?

We have sold to the people of Ondo State, a five-cardinal programme. These include education, technology, agriculture, entrepreneurship and infrastructure, and most importantly, in the rural areas. I have told them that I have commitment to the rural areas. I have absolute commitment to the areas and our farmers will have cause to smile and that is why they come along with me.

As parts of other things we will do when we get there, we will improve our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

This is not going to be by tax, but by ensuring we increase the number of places where we generate money from into the coffers of the state government. And I’m very sure many people will be happy to pay their taxes. On the issue of surplus bitumen in the state, even if it is too much for just a state, about six to seven states can come together and run a company that will take care of it. We will jointly invest in it and we will still make our money because we are going to involve other people. Our investment will be larger and investors will be happy to participate.

What education programmes do you have for the state if elected?

Education will take the chunk of our resources when we get there. This is because it will be made free from primary to secondary school. At the university level, we will give scholarships. But such scholarship will not be limited to those who have 2:1, because that is what is obtainable now and I think it is not right. You may not be brilliant and your parents may not have the means to sponsor your education. So, it won’t be limited to those having 2:1.

Also we will ensure that bursaries are paid as and when due to indigent students. We will also support those who are in the Law School and it will be more than the N25, 000 being given now.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

COUNTDOWN TO

ONDO GUBER POLL October 20, 2012

24

DAYS TO GO

Controversy trails sack of Mimiko’s aides

Politics

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

PDP alleges plot to rig election OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it has uncovered plot by the Labour Party (LP)-led government in Ondo State to rig, intimidate and destabilise the PDP so as to win the forthcoming governorship election. Addressing journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja shortly after inaugurating the state gubernato-

rial election campaign committee, the party governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, said there are grand plans by the LP to ensure that the election favours the party and also ensure that prominent PDP members from the state are detained till after the election.

Fielding questions from journalists, Oke said: “As at today there is a conspiracy between the judiciary and the LP government in Ondo State, such that without provocation PDP members are

attacked and before you know it, they use the judiciary to detain them indefinitely. I am aware today there is a grand plan by the LP to arrest prominent members of PDP, detain them and not to be released until after election.

“What may be of concern is the attitude of the public to orchestration of the incumbent LP to manipulate the electoral processes in Ondo State. As I speak with you the LP possess greater threat to free and fair election in Ondo

OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

T

hree Special Assistants to the Ondo state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who were reportedly sacked on Monday have said they voluntarily resigned their appointments.

This is coming as one of the aides to the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Opeyemi Igbede, resigned his appointment yesterday. The three former Mimiko’s aides are Messers Kayode Agunloye, Soji Ojomo and Chris Anota.

Speaking to journalists in Akure, the trio described Mimiko’s government as deceitful.

According to Agunloye, “we were astonished to hear on the state radio station on Monday that we have been dismissed by the state government. As early as 8.00 a.m. on that day, we were at the Governor’s Office to tender our letters of resignation.

“Immediately the Deputy Governor, Ali Olanusi, got the inkling of our resignation, he quickly phoned the OSRC General Manager to lie to the public that we were dismissed. We resigned because of the bad leadership style of Olanusi, who is also from the same Akoko South West Local Government Area with us.

“We submitted our resignation letters to the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). We discussed the development with a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Mr. Bamiduro Dada, and instead of the Deputy Governor to dialogue with us on the issue, he ignored us. We did not see him as a good political leader.

“We are soldiers with followers; we are moving the whole territory in Akoko South West to our new camp. Our dismissal report is a joke. We are the leaders in Akoko South. We will shock Mimiko and Olanusi on October 20. The incumbent Deputy Governor has no weight in the area.”

The Special Assistant to Deputy Governor on Political Matters, Igbede, who resigned yesterday decried what he described as the use-and-dump policy of the Mimiko administration.

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Head of Political and Economic Section, United States Consulate, Lagos, Mr Rolf Olson (left) in a handshake with the Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria governorship candidate, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, (right). With them is the Consulate General, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins, during a courtesy visit to Akeredolu Campaign Organisation office in Akure, yesterday.

State more than the ACN even though both of them are involved, but the level of orchestration of antic and strategies for manipulating electoral processes by LP is unprecedented, alarming and worrisome.”

Oke said that at the moment and even before now, the LP had tried everything to interfere with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) processes in terms of compilation of voters’ register, adding that the PDP is not satisfied that the processes would not be jeopardised despite assurances by INEC. He said: “There are gangs of hoodlums developed by the LP preparing for the day of election in different locations. As I am talking to you now they are training thugs and while they do that, they give impression to the security that it is actually the ACN and the PDP that are preparing thugs.

“Beyond this, I am also aware that the grand plan of the LP in the areas of their weakness is to ensure that there will be no election in these places. They will ensure that wherever they are weak there will be no election, wherever they think they are strong that is where election will be held and they will chase away PDP supporters and maximise their returns. Labour Party is more of a threat to free and fair election in Ondo State than the ACN.”

Kuku accuses Ondo govt of shadow-boxing OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

F

or alleging that he was using his position to intimidate the supporters of the LP, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, has accused the Ondo State government and its agents of shadow-boxing ahead of the October 20 governorship election in the state.

Kuku, who is also chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, said this in a statement he personally signed, adding that he does not need to intimidate anybody to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, particularly in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state and his federal constituency, as his integrity and track record of performance were enough to sway votes for his party in the election.

Noting that despite being a loyal party man, the amnesty programme, which he coordinated was divorced from politics, the PDP chieftain faulted the claim by a faceless group that he was preparing grounds for violence

in the coastal areas of the state, saying that his antecedents have proven him to be a man of peace and a consensus builder.

His words: “I was involved in the local politics of my people before going to the Ondo State House of Assembly and they can testify that I represented them very well, impacting many lives and families.

“As head of the Conflict Management Unit of the Niger

Delta Development Commission (NDDC), I got over 100 youths from my constituency trained locally and offshore as non-violence practitioners.

“As Special Adviser to the President and with the support of the National Assembly, I have influenced and attracted NDDC projects to my constituency such as the Agadagba-Obon-Arogbo bridge project with a 3-kilometre township road that will be flagged

off on Thursday, September 27 at a cost of N6.1 billion.”

Kuku added that other projects he had facilitated to his constituency included the N4.7 billion NDDC Arogbo shoreline and drainage project and the connection of his community and the surrounding communities to the national grid, for which his people are eternally grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan, the National Assembly and the NDDC.

Akeredolu receives American envoy to Nigeria OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

T

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate in the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), yesterday received the Unites States of America’s Consul General in Nigeria, Jeffrey J. Hawkins, who came on a factfinding and sensitisation visit to the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) office in Akure.

Hawkins was accompanied by the Political/Economic Section Chief, Rolf Olson, on the visit which afforded the American Ambassador the opportunity to

familiarise with the ACN flag bearer and his team to share his views on the Nigerian democratic experience.

Expressing his delight at meeting Akeredolu, the US envoy, who said the aim of his visit was to gauge the pulse of the candidates in the forthcoming elections and the level of preparedness of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hawkins said he was excited about Akeredolu candidature, being former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), expressing the hope that he would replicate what Governor Babatunde Fashola is doing

Lagos if elected on October 20.

Responding, Akeredolu expressed confidence in the level of preparedness of the ACN to win the election, adding that he had almost completed the tour of all the wards and polling units in the state where he interacted with the people.

Akeredolu opined that what obtains in the rural areas was the total neglect of the rural people, which he said the American envoy could verify by himself independently, stressing his confidence in the Attahiru Jega-led INEC, based on its performance in previous elections, especially the recent one in Edo State.

16

Editorial

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

All the Facts, All the Sides A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, OFR PUBLISHER

STEVE AYORINDE

MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

YELE AKINROLABU

ED OPERATIONS

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

BOLAJI TUNJI

SUNDAY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

LANRE OYETADE

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DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA

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CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

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SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

As the National Assembly reconvenes

M

embers of the National Assembly (NASS) have just resumed work after their two-month annual recess.

Still brimming with holiday freshness, they may perhaps, be sufficiently reinvigorated to grapple with the gargantuan challenges of governance. Therefore, their attention needed to be drawn to the mood of the nation. Some of the lawmakers who interacted intimately with their constituents while on break would probably have been fed the hard truth by vocal folks at the grassroots, which is that the popular public impression about federal and state lawmakers is largely negative and unflattering. The legislature at the federal level and in many states seems more visible in bribery and corruption scandals, in addition to profligate lifestyles bordering on embarrassing ethical short-comings, than in the demonstration of strong character and resoluteness in performing its arduous tasks.

Notwithstanding its sabre-rattling on the poor implementation of the 2012 Appropriation Act and the subsequent threat to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan, the NASS is still steeped in image problems which it can only reverse by staying away from graft, as well as being committed and patriotic in the performance of its duties.

We are, however, not unmindful of the magic strings the impeachment threat has pulled on Presi-

dent Jonathan and his team. Quite visible were the hurried efforts made by the office of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, among others, to ensure rapid improvement in the implementation of the budget before the resumption of the NASS from recess. Indeed, while the lawmakers were on break, the president compelled serving ministers to sign performance contracts in a demonstrable bid to ensure purpose-driven leadership and good governance. Besides, it does appear that the executive is beginning to appreciate the need to respect NASS’ resolutions when taking certain sensitive decisions.

A Presidency that played the deaf and dumb to repeated calls by the NASS to revert to the old pump price of fuel following the rage that trailed the last January fuel price hike as a result of purported subsidy removal, recently halted the contentious N5,000 notes printing project proposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), despite the president’s earlier approval of the proposal. What the foregoing suggests is that with its integrity intact, and by sticking passionately and firmly to its responsibilities and convictions, based on the mood of the nation, the NASS can rein in the excesses of the executive and even the judiciary, instead of being mocked at as a cash-andcarry legislature by the first and

NASS SHOULD SHEATHE ITS IMPEACHMENT SWORD third arms of government that are no less as corrupt.

Consequently, having registered some leverage in its ding-dong with the Presidency, and in order not to exacerbate the insecurity situation in a country badly bruised and wearied by festering Boko Haram insurgence, the NASS should sheathe its impeachment sword. It should deploy its renewed zeal in working on the many pending bills before it. The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), for instance, had been left in the cooler for too long, while the reworked version got to the NASS just about the time it was about to proceed on recess, thus making its consideration and passage impossible until now that the Senate and the House of Representative are back. From all indications, the fate of the country’s petroleum sector, and to a great extent its economy, rests on the proper scrutiny and passage of the bill. In addition, the NASS should assist in whichever ways possible in the completion of the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to make power generation, distribution and transmission

more efficient and reliable. The lawmakers may also need to engage the Presidency in looking at how best to approach the renewed clamour for a revisit of the World Court verdict that ceded Bakassi to Cameroon. Other immediate challenges facing the NASS are the 2013 Appropriation Bill and the constitution amendment project which it has listed as one of its topmost priorities. Indeed, it would be to the eternal credit of the 7th NASS if it eventually fashions a constitution that satisfies the yearnings of the people. But with the snail speed of the constitution amendment process, however, the Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Rep Emeka Ihedioha –led committee would need to redouble its efforts to be able to emerge with a thorough job.

By the same token, the NASS should sort out with the Presidency all outstanding legislations passed but denied presidential assent. Such anti-investment enactments as the Nigerian Railway (monopoly) Act and others like it are also long overdue for amendment. Poor performance, bribery and corruption are the main reasons NASS has been repeatedly vilified and discredited. The 7th NASS should strive to make a difference. Otherwise, there may be no justification for the full-time legislature in place, when the same service can be rendered on parttime basis and at far cheaper cost.

ON THIS DAY September 26, 2008 Swiss pilot and inventor, Yves Rossy, became the first to fly a jet engine-powered wing across the English Channel.

Jet pack, rocket belt, rocket pack and similar names are used for various types of devices, usually worn on the back, that are propelled by jets of escaping gases (or in some cases liquid water) so as to allow a single user to fly. The concept emerged from science fiction in the 1920s and became popular in the 1960s as the technology became a reality.

September 26, 2002 The overcrowded Senegalese ferry MV Joola capsized off the coast of The Gambia. The disaster resulted in the deaths of at least 1,863 people. The sinking of the ferry Joola is thought to be the second-worst non-military maritime disaster in number of lives lost. The first was said to be the MV Dona Paz in 1987, with an estimated number of over 4,000 dead. The RMS Titanic, which sank in 1912 with 1,517 lives lost, would be third according to the World Almanac and the New York Times.

September 26, 2000 The anti-globalization protests in Prague involving about 20,000 protesters turned violent during the IMF and World Bank summits. The anti-globalization movement is critical of the globalization of corporate capitalism. The movement is also commonly referred to as the global justice movement, alter-globalization movement, anti-globalist movement, anti-corporate globalization movement, or movement against neoliberal globalization.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

17

Jonathan’s stance on Nigeria’s unity PUBLIC DOMAIN

DELE

SETEOLU

deleseteolu@nationalmirroronline.net (08033137577 SMS only)

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has said that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. He made the remarks against the backdrop of secessionist threats in the country. The Bakassi Peninsula had declared self-independence; a faction of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has scheduled the declaration of the state of Biafra for November, 2012. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had accused the Osun State governor; Ogbeni Raufu Aregbesola of spearheading secessionist agenda through the design of a state- based flag, anthem and crest. Ironically, the Bayelsa State government has also foisted its flag, created an anthem and crest hinged on the Ijaw identity.

Meanwhile, the progressive and radicals in Nigeria consistently campaign for a sovereign national conference (SNC) to address the national question that threatens the survival of the country. The pro- sovereign conference advocates argue that it is imperative to convene a summit of ethnonationalities and social class categories to

rethink the structure of the federation and economy. The Presidency and National Assembly insist there cannot be competing sovereigns. The ruling elite in Nigeria aver that the agitation for an SNC is a ploy to divide the country.

President Jonathan submitted at the peace conference organized by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) that the country’s unity was not negotiable. More so, he felt that the protagonists of secession are aspiring to be kings in smaller domains. I chuckle at the utterance of the President and his trivialization of serious national issues. The Nigerian leader should mind his utterances and adopt more sober attitude to national issues.

I would prefer a Nigerian federation as constituted provided it responds to the logic of equity, social justice and fairness.

There is increasing tendency to aggregation as against disaggregation among nation- states. The growing relevance of trade blocs and economic groupings typifies the centrality of larger political and economic blocs to harnessing strategic advantages at national, sub-regional and regional levels.

It is misplaced, however, to argue that the country’s unity is not negotiable. This utterance suggests the arrogance of the governing elite and its reluctance to concede to a radical restructuring of Nigeria’s political economy. The country’s unity is not sacrosanct and the central government should not constitute a bohemian that imposes its preference on the federating units.

The military incursion into politics led

THE COUNTRY’S UNITY IS NOT SACROSANCT AND THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT CONSTITUTE A BOHEMIAN THAT IMPOSES ITS PREFERENCE ON THE FEDERATING UNITS to the concentration of power and resources in the central authority. It also led to a perversion of the country’s federal structure to the extent that the federating units became subordinate to the central government. The current debates on excess crude account, on and off shore dichotomy and sovereign wealth fund are signposts of the crises in Nigeria’s federal arrangement.

The security deficit occasioned by the menacing activities of the Boko Haram sect has provoked debate on state police.

Meanwhile, the Boko Haram Islamic sect insists on Sharia law for Nigeria and resort to guerilla tactics to kill, maim and destroy. The activities of Boko Haram and the planned introduction of Sharia banking system have renewed debate on the country’s secularity and the politicisation of religion. The ethno-religious crisis in northern Nigeria, especially Plateau, Yobe,

Borno, Kaduna and Bauchi states has renewed debate on the settler and indigeneship question. The citizenship question has been a major basis of friction among the ethno-nationalities.

The Presidency should bear in mind that the Nigerian federation did not emerge as a voluntary union, but a colonial design foisted on the nation’s ethno-nationalities and social groups. The post-colonial state that emerged was preceded by a colonial state that lacked legitimacy, and was amoral and repressive. The structure and raison d’être of the emergent post-colonial state is not radically different. The post colonial state in Nigeria had been integrated into the global political economy as a peripheral, dependent, pseudo-capitalist formation. The dependent character of this state explains the rentier mentality of its governing elite and rentier character of Nigeria’s political economy.

The President cannot deny there are contradictions and serious threats to the polity. These contradictions threaten the foundation and fragile unity of the country. The centrifugal forces are threatening and ravaging the country, and will not likely be resolved through a restrictive constitutional amendment process.

The social forces in Nigeria must re-negotiate the terms of the federation in an all-inclusive conference with a sovereign power to discuss each possible contentious issue. We cannot continue with the perverted political superstructure, which characterizes the polity.

Confronting the evil of child abuse TAYO OGUNBIYI

R

ecently, three buses filled with children, apparently on child trafficking mission to the west coast of Africa, were intercepted by eagle eyed soldiers around Okene, in Kogi State. Upon interrogation, it was discovered that the children were in the dark concerning the motive of their ‘captors’. Similarly, a national daily equally published a story relating to the jailing, by a Special Court in Alausa, Ikeja, of a woman caught begging with three hired children. These two separate episodes have further reinforced the argument, in some quarters, that children are fast becoming endangered species in an increasingly troubled world.

Universally, childhood is recognised as a period of sensitivity requiring special care, attention and protection. UNICEF reports that nearly half of the population of the world’s 49 least developed countries is under the age of 18. This translates to these countries being the richest in children but poorest in terms of child survival and development. They have the highest child mortality and out-of-school children rates, as well as the lowest rate of access to basic health care, maternity services, safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

Sub-Saharan African and South Asia combined accounts for more than three quarters of the 100 million primary school aged children currently out of school. These children, as a result of prevalent poverty and deprivation in these countries, have been denied basic rights to dignity and human existence.

The world’s focus has been on children’s rights since 1979, when the United Nations

THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO) ESTIMATES THAT 80 MILLION CHILDREN AGED

18 AND BELOW

ARE ENGAGED AS LABOURERS ACROSS THE WORLD designated that year as the International Year of the Child and developed a list of children’s rights. The rights included the right to love and understanding, adequate food and health, free education, play, identity and special attention of those handicapped, regardless of colour, sex, religion, national or social origin.

Child abuse involves maltreatment of children, sexual harassment, denial of education, child labour, intimidation and molestation, physical assault, neglect, and child trafficking among others. It constitutes a major threat to the development of children across the world. It could lead to depression, frustration and unplanned teenage pregnancies. In addition, it could breed apathy, hostility, stress, lack of concentration, eating disorders, excessive aggression, among others. The impact of child abuse is far greater than its immediate visible effects, as experiences can shape child development negatively, with dire consequences for adult life. Research has shown that the physical, psychologi-

cal, and behavioral consequences of child abuse and neglect, impact not just on the child and family, but the community as a whole.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 80 million children aged 18 and below are engaged as labourers across the world and another two million involved in prostitution. The General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), as a way out of this time bomb, adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 and over 178 countries, including Nigeria, have since expressed satisfaction by ratifying it. The 54 articles of the Convention take care of these ignoble acts on children, from a child`s rights freedom from sexual and economic exploitation, to the right to his or her own opinion, education, health care, and economic opportunity.

In Nigeria, the National Assembly passed the Child`s Rights law in 2003, as a way of tackling this menace. Lagos, the commercial hub of the country and indeed a major cultural melting point, like every metropolitan area, has child abuse challenges. In its concerted efforts to equally join the rest of humanity in kicking away this dehumanizing act against innocent defenceless children, the state government signed the Child Rights Bill into law on 28th May, 2007. Since the law became operational in 2007, the State government has left no stone unturned in child`s rights protection and development.

To further demonstrate the state government’s commitment to the eradication of child abuse in the state, existing institutions have been strengthened and re-positioned with seasoned professionals to tackle this social menace. In tune with this commitment, the state judiciary orga-

nized training workshops for judicial and non judicial officers on how to effectively enforce the Child`s rights Law. The state has also intensified its campaign against the social menace with emphasis on street hawking by children of school age through the introduction of “yellow card” which serves as warning to erring parents to desist from such acts, as they would not be spared when next their children or wards are apprehended. Again, with a burning desire to curtail child abuse, the state government has introduced help lines and suggestion/ complaint boxes in all its public secondary schools. The initiative is part of efforts to further promote the policy of providing the right environment for pupils to access free and compulsory education. The idea behind this initiative is to give these children who cannot speak out, but can write the opportunity to air their complaint through the boxes for the attention of relevant authorities.

Children are the joy and future of this state, Nigeria and the world. Let’s join hands to give them a befitting foundation that will equip them to be what we expect them to be tomorrow. That effort begins today.

Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, 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.

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Mail Mirror

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Attack on Jimoh Ibrahim unjustified I Re: Newswatch: Let us bring back the glory

T

he above article, written

by Dr Bolu John Folayan, which appeared in the National Mirror did not only make an interesting read but equally took me way back two decades and a half in one of the lectures we had in a course titled, “Writing for the Mass Media” at the Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos where we were taught on the concept of “fallacy of non sequitur”.

That it is cloudy does not mean it will rain; that it is raining conversely does not mean it was cloudy. Consistent with this however, that you are highly skilled in writing does not make you a better journalist or a good business man.

In as much as one is pained by the down turn in the fortunes of our darling Newswatch magazine which necessitated its majority shareholding being bought over

by Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, the truth of the matter is that at a later stage in the life of the 28-year-old magazine, it was badly managed to the extent that that it lost a chunk of its readership to competition. This loss, which is a major criterion in the placement of advertisements by discerning advertisers led to a slump in its advertising patronage. With this, it is clear the magazine was obviously on the decline.

Conversely, with the buy-over

by Jimoh Ibrahim by having a simple majority of 51 percent, coupled with the well-acknowledged fact that the business czar is a turn-around expert, one only hopes that the whiz-kid would bring in his expertise in turning around the fortunes of the magazine and bring it back to the nadir position with which the magazine hitherto now was noted for. This way, the dreams of the founding fathers, including the late Dele Giwa would be kept alive.

We are watching.

Taiwo Osunsanya

PDP raises alarm over Osun mining licence

M

y prayer for Nigeria after reading the story where Osun PDP is raising an alarm over the state mining licence is: may the Lord help Nigeria. Nobody is clean in this country. Not even Oyinlola or Aregbesola. This is because all politicians are the same. Only God can direct us to a glorious future and save us from the hands of these self-serving politicians.

Iyanu Davis, Ikirun, Osun State

want to react to the interview of one of the ex-staff of Air Nigeria in the new edition of The News magazine.. Nnorom talked about the challenge that Air Nigeria is passing through now. He also has a hand in it. So, why is he telling us now a story when the going is no longer good?

The same person in question, who said his former boss has been involved in several illegalities, was arrested, detained and charged to court for allegation of stealing several hundreds of thousands of dollars belonging to the organization. And we read on the pages of newspapers where the force PRO, Frank Mba, said some hundreds of dollars were recovered from Nnorom as exhibit against him. But we have never seen where his former boss, whom he claimed was involved in illegalities, was arrested, detained or being charged to court. Can you now see the need why Nourom should be ashamed?

On the issue of Energy Filling stations across the country which Nnorom also raised in his interview with The News magazine, I really pity that young man, I mean Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim,

because he has good intentions for this country and its citizens.

But the atmosphere doesn’t permit that. I am a consultant in this field and I know what it takes to run a filling station successfully.

The challenges of Energy filling stations across the country, which a few of us and those of us that are in the field know, is firstly, the lack of cooperation of staff and insincerity of the same staff which energy filling stations have not been recording in the last couple of years. For a business of such to succeed, you need the cooperation and the sincerity of your staff because every liter of a product counts. Secondly, you must have a regular supply of product in order for you to sustain your customers and meet up your target.

Fraud related issues also affected the progress of these filling stations. These range from the staff tampering with dispensing pumps, inflation of product prices to customers, conspiracy between the tanker drivers and the station staff after loading products from the depot, which sometimes result to these fraudulent people selling five out of six

compartments in the truck and setting the truck ablaze and come back to tell the manager that the truck caught fire. Now tell me, how can the business grow up in such an environment or society?

On the problem of Newswatch which is one of the points raised in the interview with The News magazine, the problem of Newswatch is also related to the problem of Energy filling stations across the country. I think if the chairman of a company feels the company is not meeting up its target, the man can decide to do a bit of restructuring. Even it happens in government circle when a President or a Governor can come in one day and dissolve his cabinet and call for a new one.

On the issue of the other shareholders in Newswatch that are making noise around the press, my question is, where were they when the company was running down before Jimoh Ibrahim took over the company? I am sure and convinced the likes of Ray Ekpu and those other persons now have been part of that company even before Jimoh Ibrahim came to buy the highest shares. Why have they not put their own sweat or

wealth into the newspaper if they are too buoyant to have rescued the company from crumbling?

I expect or I believe by now Ray Ekpu and those other persons that are making noise around the town want to frustrate the efforts of jimoh Ibrahim so that the high level of unemployment in this country can rise up.

My advice to Nigerians is that we should learn and cultivate the habit of encouraging investors, no matter how small the investment may be. We are not doing them any favour; rather, they are the ones doing us favour.

Bankole Ondo State

Betiku,

Akure,

The anti-Islam film protest in Kano

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hy are we wasting time protesting and killing ourselves because of an ordinary film? Is it because of the love we have for God or religion? Would these protests and killings reduce God or add to Him? Oh, religion. Religion can only enslave, but not save human beings. We belong to God and not to a prophet and neither to be enslaved by religion. The lives people are destroying in the name of religion belong to God. Everybody will be judged for all these. Let God fight for Himself and His prophets. God is not in these, please.

Kunle Yusuf, Geri Alimi, Ilorin, Kwara State

Enugu, Kogi can’t claim Anambra oil

W DANGEROUS ADVENTURE: A man sleeping behind a mobile LAWMA refuse truck in Lagos.

Kolade not a businessman

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r. Kolade is a good man and apparently a good manager.

However, it is patently not correct for Nigerians to continue to describe Dr. Christopher Kolade as a businessman. He is not. He is not known to have any private commercial enterprise, or be a private sector employer of labour.

You simply cannot have the Adeola Odutolas, Shonibare, Dangote, and Mike Adenugas and continue to describe Kolade as a businessman.

He is a manager, who has not suc-

Letters to the Editor

ceeded in grooming successors in the places he ran. International diplomacy is measured in its success by value of investment attracted to a country by its missions abroad.

How much did Dr. Kolade attract into Nigeria as our High Commissioner in Britain? By all means, Dr. Kolade is entitled to the accolades he gets for his integrity, but sadly, our country needs more than that from true leaders.

Henry Olugbenle

Photo: BAYOOR EWUOSO

This is God’s doing

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od is so wonderful. He has done so many miracles and even brought the dead back to life. I have just read in your soaring newspaper, National Mirror, the story of a woman that God brought back to life after two days in the mortuary. I guess God still wants to use her for something on earth before she eventually passes on.

Kelvin George, Asaba, Delta state

e know that the North wants oil by any means necessary and the Kogi state’s claim to oil find appears to be the opportunity the North has been looking for.

It should be clear to all that any attempt to adjust the national boundary to favour Kogi state will be a declaration of war to the people of Aguleri and Anambra State. The people of Aguleri will defend their land and property with everything they have. This should be understood by all. Kogi should invest in their land and pray God to allow the oil from Aguleri land to flow into theirs. The same is applicable to Enugu State respectively. Enough is enough.

Phil Chinwuba Esq

Send your letters or mails to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mirrorlagos@yahoo.com and info@nationalmirroronline.net or, 07033375481, 08035640907 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject letters or photographs. Psuedonyms may be used, but must be clearly marked as such.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Health & Wellbeing JOHESU’s strike paralyses federal hospitals

Oyo wages war against malaria

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21

Deadly heart conditions to watch

SAM EFERARO

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ardiovascular health takes the centre stage worldwide on Saturday as the World Health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with the World

Heart Federation marks the 2012 World Heart day to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke still remain the world’s leading cause of death.

According to a statement by WHO, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) claim about 17.3 million lives worldwide each year and the numbers are rising. It is expected that by 2030 about 23 million people, more than the population of Australia, will die annually from the diseases.

The theme for the 2012 event is One World, One Home, One Heart” and is designed to make 2012 the year of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention among women and children thus dispelling the myth that heart disease and stroke only affect older, male, rich populations.

“CVDs affect as many women as men however, their risk is seriously underestimated. In fact, heart disease is actually the number one killer of women, causing 1 in 3 female deaths: shockingly, that’s about one death per minute! It is vital that women learn the truth about their CVD risk and take action to protect themselves and their family! Children are vulnerable too: the risk for CVDs can begin before birth during foetal development, and increase further during childhood with exposure to unhealthy diets, lack of exercise and smoking,”says WHO A new publication Avoiding Heart Attacks and Strokes: Don’t be a victim – Protect yourself Produced by WHO, World Self Medication Industry (WSMI), World Heart Federation (WHF), and International Stroke Society (ISS) has identified Heart Attacks and Strokes as the major Cardiovascular diseases – diseases of the heart and the blood vessels – which kill more

Check and control your cardiovascular risk: • Know your blood pressure: High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but can cause a sudden stroke or heart attack. Have your blood pressure checked.

• Know your blood sugar: Raised blood glucose (diabetes) increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you have diabetes it is very important to control

your blood pressure and blood sugar to minimize the risk.

Know your blood lipids: Raised blood cholesterol and abnormal blood lipids increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Blood cholesterol needs to be controlled through a healthy diet and, if necessary, by appropriate medications

people around the world, irrespective of their status. They are the conditions to watch, along with the CVD risk factors, to maintain a healthy heart.

Heart attack According to the WHO publication, the human heart is only the size of a fist, but it is the strongest muscle in the body.

With every heartbeat, the heart pumps blood, carrying oxygen and nutrients, to all parts of the body. The heart beats about 70 times a minute in a person at rest. The heart rate increases when we are active or when we feel strong emotions. The heart itself gets oxygen and nutrients through blood vessels called the coronary arteries. When the blood flow to the heart is cut off, the decrease in the supply of oxygen and nutrients can cause lasting damage to this vital organ.

When the blockage is sudden, it is called a heart attack. If the blockage is only partial and the blood flow to the heart is decreased, it can cause chest pain called angina. It may not cause lasting damage to the heart muscle, but it is a warning sign that a person could develop a major heart attack.

Stroke The brain can only function if blood is fl owing through it. Two large blood vessels, which run along either side of the

neck, bring blood from the heart to the brain. The blood vessels branch off and get smaller and smaller, until tiny blood vessels supply oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the brain. A stroke happens in the same way as a heart attack, but takes place in the brain. If the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, the brain loses its supply of oxygen and nutrients.

This causes the damage to the brain tissue known as a stroke. Also, a stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or when the blood flow to the brain is blocked, the brain tissue is damaged.

Prevention WHO says nearly two-thirds of people who have a heart attack die before they can reach medical care. Even when stroke patients have access to modern, advanced treatment, 60% die or become disabled. So it is important to know the warning signs and to act fast. But it is even better to prevent a heart attack or stroke from ever happening. Prevention is always better than treatment, and most heart attacks and strokes can be prevented. Research shows that a number of things make us more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. These are called risk factors. Some risk factors are linked CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

20

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Heart conditions to watch is working harder than it should. Over time, this will cause it to weaken. High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for heart attacks. It is the biggest risk factor for strokes.

To avoid high blood pressure, you need to stay active, maintain a healthy body weight, and eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables.

Limit the amount of salt in your diet, and do not drink too much alcohol. If you make all of these changes to your lifestyle, but you still cannot lower your blood pressure, there are medicines that can help.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 to choices we make in the way we live. The three most important lifestyle factors are: • smoking and other tobacco use; • unhealthy diet; and • lack of physical activity.

Poor lifestyle choices can lead to three serious physical problems: • high blood pressure (hypertension); • high blood sugar (diabetes); • high blood fats (hyperlipidaemia).

These are the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.

Unhealthy diet An unhealthy diet is one with: • too much food (too many calories); • too much fat, sugar or salt; • not enough fruit and vegetables.

If you eat a lot of food and you are not active enough to burn it off, you will put on weight. You could slowly become overweight or even obese. Being overweight can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood fat levels. All of these physical problems increase the risk of heart

attacks and strokes. Obese people are at especially high risk if they have a lot of fat around the waist and stomach area. An unhealthy diet often contains too much “fast food”, which is high in fat and sugar, and sugar-loaded soft drinks. Fast food is also very high in salt, which increases blood pressure.

Lack of physical activity When people do not stay active, their risk of heart attack and stroke increases greatly. Physical activity lowers your risk of heart attacks and strokes by: • helping your body burn sugars and fats and assisting in keeping a good weight; • lowering your blood pressure; • increasing oxygen levels in your body; • reducing stress; • strengthening your heart muscle and bones; • improving blood circulation and muscle tone.

Staying active also reduces the risk of other illnesses, such as cancer. Active people usually feel better and happier. They

High blood sugar (diabetes) The body produces a hormone called insulin, which helps body cells to use sugar from the blood to produce energy.

When the body does not produce enough insulin, or cannot use it properly, as in diabetes, sugar builds up in the blood. The high blood sugar levels speed up the development of atherosclerosis– the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. This greatly increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Treating diabetes involves changing your diet and lifestyle. Sometimes, medicines that lower blood sugar are needed.

A stroke patient during rehabitation

are likely to sleep better and to have more energy, self-confi dence, and concentration. You do not have to be in training for the Olympics to get these benefi ts! Walking, gardening, or doing housework for at least 30 minutes on most days can help you prevent heart attacks and strokes.

High blood pressure (hypertension) Blood pressure is the force with which the blood pushes against the walls of arteries. If blood pressure is high, the heart

High blood fats (hyperlipidaemia) Blood fats include substances such as cholesterol and triglycerides. When there are too many of these fats in the blood, they cause fatty deposits to build up in arteries leading to atherosclerosis (the narrowing and hardening of the arteries).

This greatly increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you have high cholesterol or triglyceride levels in your blood, you need to eat less fat, stay active, and control your body weight. If these measures are not enough, you may also need medicine to lower your blood fats.

Key messages 1. Heart attacks and strokes are major killers in all parts of the world. But they can often be prevented.

2. You can protect yourself from heart attacks and strokes by investing a little time and effort.

3. Tobacco use, an unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

4. Stopping tobacco use reduces the chance of a heart attack or stroke from the moment you stop.

5. Engaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week will help to keep away heart attacks and strokes.

6. Eating at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, and limiting your salt intake to less than one teaspoon a day, can help to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

7. High blood pressure has no symptoms, but can

Obesity increases risk of heart attack

cause a sudden stroke or heart attack. Have your blood pressure checked regularly.

8. Diabetes increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you have diabetes, control your blood pressure and blood sugar to minimize your risk.

9. Being overweight increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. To maintain an ideal body weight, take regular physical activity and eat a healthy diet.

10. Heart attacks and strokes can strike suddenly and can be fatal if assistance is not sought immediately.

Exercise helps to keeps away stroke and heart attack

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dr. Gbadegesin

Oyo wages war against malaria ... distributes 893,000 mosquito nets KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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ne disease which has remained a scourge that most Nigerians, nay Africans, feared is malaria, no thanks to the environment seeing more or less as the breeding ground for mosquitoes. While drugs for both the young and adults are being manufactured daily to combat the menace, no head way has been achieved with malaria proving resistance to most of the drugs.

With the challenges posed to the people in terms of loss of man hour and the resultant financial effects on the economy, government at all levels in the country have at various times embarked upon many programmes to not only reduce the spread of the disease but also create awareness among the people on the need to maintain a clean environment. To those at the helm of affairs at the local, state and federal levels, it is necessary to cage the dreaded disease which does not have respect for both the young, old, male, female, rich or poor.

Thus, when the Oyo State government under the leadership of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, recently took the war against the scourge of malaria to the door steps of its citizens in the Oke Ogun area of the state comprising of 10 local government areas and three local government areas of Ogbomoso , with the distribution of 893,000 mosquito treated nets, it was to set the stage for the preparedness of the government to see to the healthy well being of the people of the state.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, while speaking on the distribution, said though the present administration in the state met the nets lying in the store of the state Ministry of Health, it decided to release the necessary counterpart fund needed for the distribution in order for the people of the state to benefit from them, adding that it was specifically done to serve the teeming youths of the state and pregnant women who are more vulnerable to malaria.

According to him, the distribution of the nets in the 13 local government areas covered in the first phase was done after the house-to- house mapping in the affected council areas while the people were also sensitized on the benefits derivable from the usage of the treated mosquito nets.

Gbadegesin who lamented the destruction that malaria caused in the society, explained that apart from the distribution of the nets, because of the importance the state government attached to the good health of children and pregnant women, they are provided with free malaria drugs in all the state hospitals and Primary Health Centres (PHC), maintaining that the free health programme of the administration in the state is targeted at the children and pregnant women.

The Commissioner disclosed that since the mapping of the houses was done ward by ward, the nets were distributed in the ratio of a nuclear comprising of husband , wife and two children having two while a family with two wives was provided with

three nets, adding that the beneficiaries were told of the need to spread out the net in the sun for at least 24 hours before usage.

He said, “ In order to wage the war against malaria in the state, the state government has distributed 893,000 mosquito nets to the people in the 13 local government areas of Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso in the first phase and the areas were picked because most of the council areas are rural. We decided to distribute the nets because of the conviction of the government that it is more reasonable to prevent the malaria disease rather than wait to cure it when the people have contacted it. “ The total beneficiaries of the first phase of the distribution of the nets were 2, 232,500 in the local governments covered and the state government provided N107 million to achieve this with the active collaboration of the USAID, partnership of the Malaria Action Programme for the States (MAPS), support of the Federal Ministry of Health and some involvement of the World Health Organization (WHO).”

Gbadegesin while emphasizing the importance of a clean environment among the people of the state to curb the spread of mosquitoes, said the introduction of the weekly environmental exercise on Thursdays by the state government was to compliment the nets distributed to the people with an assurance that before the end of the year , the second phase of the distribution of the nets will be done to cover the remaining 20 local government areas of the state. “ There is no doubt that distributing the nets across every house in the state will cost a lot of money, this will however not distract the state government to ensure that all the 6.7 million people in the state are beneficiaries and I hope that before the end of this year, this will be accomplished with the expected 1.7 million nets to be supplied by the World Health Organization, “ he stated.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Segun Adewole, from Iseyin, the headquarters of Iseyin local government. lauded the state government for the distribution of the nets to the common people, stating that the action of the government could only mean that it is concern about the health of the poor who on their own cannot afford to purchase the net if at all it would be available for them to buy.

According to the father of three, it is a fact that most people in the rural areas are prone to malaria disease because of the poor hygienic environment and that the nets have helped to combat the disease such that it is now rare to find mothers in the town taking their children to hospitals or patronizing pharmaceutical shops because of malaria attack.

Adewole said, “ I cannot but say that the distribution of the mosquito nets has brought a great relief to me and my entire family as every member of the family now sleep with their eyes closed and having no need to entertain the fear that mosquito will bite them thereby causing malaria. We are thus grateful to the state government for taking the initiative of making the nets available to all and sundry ” .

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FMC Umuahia: Patients’ tales of woes and anguish GEORGE OPARA ABIA

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ueen Elizabeth hospital currently known as Federal Medical Centre, FMC , Umuahia, Abia state capital was established in the year 1945 with the effort of three missionary churches but commissioned by sir clement pleas who was representing queen Elizabeth 11, in 1956.

It was reputed for rendering quality medical services across the southeastern part of Nigeria.

This respected heath care unit had full time medical consultants and some part time consultants in different areas of medicine. As time progressed, though, it metamorphosed from a quasi-colonial medical center to a general hospital in 1991 and now a specialist hospital.

A recent visit to the hospital showed a lot of ongoing building projects said to be funded by the federal government but the story seems different after meeting with some patients in different wards.

National Mirror spoke to Mrs. Beta, a patient who has been on admission for a week as a result of hypetension and had to be placed on oxygen. Her relatives said that Mrs. Beta has been responding to treatments unlike when she was newly admitted, And that the drugs given by the hospital are relatively affordable. But she complained that for two days, doctors have not been coming on a routine medical check on her for unknown reasons to her Another patient was one Mr. tony, a National Youth Corps member. He also complained on how difficult it is to see a doctor. According to him, he said he has been at the hospital for more than 8 hours just to see a doctor to no avail. Mrs. obiora at the children’s ward also said her baby was due for discharge but was could not access the personnel in charge She even spoke against the poor human relations meted out to patients by some nurses and the doctors, thus, describing the hospital as the big man doctor’s hospital ‘ In the same plight was Mrs. Felicia who was critically ill, diagnosed of high blood pressure and diabetes. According to her son Mr. Austin, he said at the time his sick mother was carried into the hospital, she was vomiting indiscernible foam substances and later became unconscious probably due to the high blood pressure. The sickness which had degenerated into her brain according to the doctor now makes her shout and lament frequently. He said aside from eating and holding discussions, she doesn’t respond to any treatments.

Prof. Chukwu, Health Minister

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Improve disaster management in Nigeria, govt told TOBORE OVUORIE

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irector-General, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Alh. Muhammad Sani Sidi has made a passionate plea to the three tiers of government to improve disaster management plan and awareness in the country.

Speaking at the August Ordinary General Meeting, AOG, of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba, he noted that while the Federal Government had invested in emergency response and care services, most of the states and local governments had no structure in place for crises management.

Sidi, who admitted that NEMA came under severe criticisms in the recent past over levels of response to disaster in the country, however noted that the agency was the only one coordinating different specialized agencies responsible for disaster management.

Assistant Director, Planning Research and Forecaster NEMA, Benjamin Oghenah who represented the DG said: “Disaster management is the coordination and integration of all activities necessary to build, sustain and improve the capacity for disaster preven-

tion, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Disaster management is multisectoral and NEMA is the coordinating organ, ensuring that all disciplines work in coordinated manner.

“Local governments can at least have basic equipment

Govt urged to offer subsidised cancer treatment for children

Disharmony among health professionals may hinder MDGs target –NAHAP

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r. Nneka Nwobbi, President, Children Living with Cancer Foundation, CLWCF, has urged the government at all levels to offer free hospital admission and subsidise treatment for children living with cancer in the country.

Over 6,000 children aged below 12 are diagnosed with cancer in Nigeria annually.

According to Dr. Nwobbi, most Nigerian children living with cancer die due to the huge cost of treatment as well as the lack of support systems such as adequate diagnostic and treatment equipment, poor patient-doctor ratio, among others.

She also noted that only 25 per cent of those diagnosed obtain the required follow-up treatment adding that “of the 40 percent that get any form of treatment, approximately only less than 10 percent goes into remission.”

Currently, there are no specialised nurses in most oncology departments of health facilities in the country because childhood cancer was still largely unknown in Nigeria.

The World Health Organisation, WHO, includes childhood cancer as one of the Millennium Diseases even as it sets the goal of reducing it by 25 per cent by 2025 in developing countries such as Nigeria, which has less than 20 per cent cure rate of the disease.

to respond first to emergency pending when other specialized agencies will arrive. But do they have a reserved fund for emergency management?

We are happy that the resident doctors recognized emergency management and we hope to strengthen the collaboration.”

President ARD, Dr. Adetunji Adenekan called for better protocols patients go through to get emergency care services. “This SERVICOM that was brought is a strategy that all patients have the right to be served. It means that as you come in, whether you have money or not, you will receive emergency care.

“But the other thing is the equipment and this is where government needs to come in more. What government should do is to make all centres capable of handling emergency care.”

L L-r: Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, Prof. Innocent Ujah; Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu and Head, Public Health, NIMR, Dr. Samson Awolola during the minister’s working visit to NIMR over weekend.

Photo: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

Proper use of insecticides will prevent malaria –Experts TOBORE OVUORIE

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ead, Nursing Administration, Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), Lagos State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adetomi, has called for proper use of insecticides and insecticide-treated nets to keep malaria at bay.

She made the call recently in Lagos during the annual scientific workshop of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) which was in collaboration with Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria, makers of Mortein insecticide.

Identifying malaria as the major cause of death among children under five and pregnant women, she, alongside other medical experts moved to fight malaria-causing mosquitoes with insecticides to forestall the death of innocent children caused by malaria in the country.

According to the experts there are 225 million cases of malaria recorded in the world, out of which, 781, 000 resorts in death, while out of 176 million cases re-

ported in Africa, 709, 000 deaths are reported on yearly basis.

Globally, the National Demographic Health Survey revealed that 300, 000 children die yearly from malaria, hence, the need to fight the scourge with all available strategies becoming inevitable.

Adetomi further noted that in addition to malaria, other factors such as, attitude of health workers, malnutrition; complications during childbirth and poor antenatal care also contribute to the high mortality rate in the country.

She however called for community ownership of healthcare facilities, promotion of healthcare workers, as well as effective and exclusive breastfeeding to boost children’s immune system against malaria-causing parasites.

Meanwhile, Scientific Service Group Associate, Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria, Mr. Uchenna Nwakanma, warned mothers on the use of harmful insecticides, charging them to go for insecticides that were not harmful

to children, especially the newborn.

He also warned against the use of other forms of chemicals that could result in choking, causing more damage to the households than protecting them from malaria-causing mosquitoes.

Warning that the toxic insecticide exposure could cause a variety of adverse health effects, such as irritability, central nervous system effects and even cancer, he noted that the ingredients in Mortein are synthetic pyrethroids with potent insecticidal properties, which affect the flow of sodium salt out of the nerve cells in mosquitoes and resulting in paralysis of the mosquitoes.

He said: “Mortein contains a synergist that inhibits the enzyme secreted by the mosquitoes/pest for detoxifying the active ingredients, thereby making the insecticide more effective. It absorbs the moisture in the insect on contact with mosquitoes, losing its body fluid and eventual death.”

ack of unity and team work among professionals in the medical sector is a major factor why Nigeria may not meet her targets of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs on health.

This was revealed by Dr. Nkechi Anyanwu, National Chairman, Nigeria Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists, NAHAP, during the group’s 14th Annual National Scientific Conference which held in Calabar, Cross River State recently.

Describing the situation as worrisome, she declared that without harmony, no single professional could on his or her own deliver quality healthcare to the masses.

While stressing the need for government to promote team work in its bid to achieve the MDGs, she however added that “medical practice requires collaboration among medical officers as well as regular training and capacity building, without these; we would continually encounter problems in healthcare service delivery in the country”.

Meanwhile, Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Cross River State, Paul Agulu disclosed that Cross River State, through the Governor, Senator liyel Imoke, was on track to uplift the standard of health infrastructure and primary health care in the state.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

Arts Lounge

Young artistes need sound music knowledge –Mecho

This Lagos… A canvas to spice up Oct. 1

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25

$200m Entertainment Fund: The befuddling disbursement saga While NEXIM Bank says it has, so far, disbursed N650m to improve the creative industry through the Nigerian Creative and Entertainment Industry Stimulation Loan Scheme, stakeholders in the industry have their reservations.

NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

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reat optimism heralded the announcement of the intervention fund by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010. Though it came at the height of his campaign for election, the $200m stimulus was seen by the stakeholders in the creative industry as the panacea for the required growth in the industry.

Artistes, cutting across all the genres of the arts -music, film, visual arts, were not left alone in planning how the intervention fund would positively affect their business. While the disbursement has taken almost two years to come to fruition due to perceived bureaucratic bottlenecks, Arts Lounge revelations show that growing concerns have been trailing the disbursements of the funds since the responsibility of making it available was transferred from the Bank of Industry (BOI) to the NEXIM Bank.

In assuming full disbursements of the funds, NEXIM Bank says it specifically intends to use the loans that would be made available to among other things, create credible structures, attract investment in the development of content and infrastructure in the media and entertainment sector as well as improvement in production standards, distribution, marketing and exhibition standards.

While the impact is too early to expect, there are controversies trailing the entire process.

One of the most controversial issues is the confusion over which finance agency is actually doing the disbursement. According to Alex Eyengho, of the Association of Nollywood Core Producers, ANCOP, the idea that BOI has been stripped of the role smacks of insincerity on the part of government. He told Arts Lounge that this development has left many producers in his guild more confused. “The whole thing is confusing.

We do not know which fund is which; the one promised by Goodluck Jonathan was supposed to come through the Bank of Industry. While the Bank of Industry was busy asking people to apply for the loan, and directing people to their website for guidelines, the NEXIM Bank has surprisingly come out to announce that the bank is now with the funds. It is con-

Roberts Orya, MD/CEO NEXIM Bank

Enwonwu

AN INTERVENTION FUND FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY MUST ASK YOU TO PROVIDE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AS

COLLATERAL, BUT THIS IS NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING Onyi

fusing for us in the industry because we do not know who to believe or trust. As I am talking with you, some of us are still processing our forms at the Bank of Industry.”

As a producer in the industry, he however believes that whatever intervention the NEXIM Bank should offer the industry ought to be geared towards providing structures, trainings, distribution and production. The absence of structures is also seen by the managing director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, NFC, Afolabi Adesanya as a crucial need in the industry. According to him, ‘’Funding in the industry is usually difficult because investors will require data they can interpret. Often times, when we ask for data from the stakeholders they are not willing to make them available because they think, it would be used for

taxation”.

Another issue noticed by Arts Lounge checks is the fact that there seems to be more concentration on people in the film industry at the expense of the others.

While Tony Abulu has been advanced some funds to make his movie, Dr. Bello, plans have been completed for the disbursement of money to movie producer, Gab Onyi Okoye of Gabosky Films. This has left visual artists wondering indeed.

According to Sam Ovraiti who spoke with our reporter for this article, while the visual artists are quite willing to obtain the loan, nothing seems to be happening around them in this regard. “We have discussed this in our meeting and it seems the visual art is being relegated because we are quiet and they believe we may not have need for such loans”.

An international visual artist, Victoria Udondian, said the approach to disbursing the funds is a reflection of how poorly the nation values culture and visual arts. “It is a pity that they are looking at entertainment alone; it goes to prove that there are lots of problems in the cultural sector. I come from a country where nothing is being done to help the visual art. Abroad, I have enjoyed a lot of grants for my works, but right here nothing is happening. There is no platform to encourage a person, which is not proper”.

Oliver Enwonwu, the national president of the Society of Nigerian Artists, SNA, however told Arts Lounge, that contrary to the insinuation that visual artists have remained reluctant about the funds because they do not need it, he was verifying some facts before he would make a categorical statement about the disbursement going on. “There is something I am still verifying before I will open my mouth and talk. But it is wrong to assume that people in the visual arts do not need the loan. There are issues that the documents available show that the fund is less beneficial for anyone collecting the money because of the conditions”.

Despite the issues outlined on the NEXIM Bank’s website for qualification, checks by Arts Lounge show that while they are charging about 8% interest for duration of eight years, other measures set for the beneficiaries range from providing items like company’s incorporation documents – (Certificate, Memorandum and Article of Association, Forms CAC2 and CAC7); audited statement(s) of account/statement of affairs/cash flows; budget(s); bills of quantity and pro-forma invoice(s).

Gab Onyi, one on the first entertainment stakeholders to access the funds, sees it as a normal bank loan rather than an intervention fund as announced

by President Goodluck Jonathan, since one would have to be subjected to the normal measures a standard bank takes to advance loans. “An intervention fund for the entertainment industry must ask you to provide intellectual property as collateral, but this is not what is happening. You are required to offer collateral like you are doing in normal banking”.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

AS THE PIONEER FILM

VOICES

AIFF: National Film Corporation speaks up

FESTIVAL ORGANISER IN

NIGERIA, WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT THE COMPETITOR; WE ARE THE LEADER

BRIAN ETUK

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he National Film Corporation (NFC), under the leadership of Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, wishes to clarify its position and give an accurate revelation of NFC’s involvement with the Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF).

In an interview with the Abuja International Film Festival founder, Fidelis Duker, conducted by Shuaibu Husseini and published in the Sunday Magazine/ Moviedom Section of The Guardian (on Sunday), Sunday, 16th September, 2012, page 29, Duker stated, amongst others: “Don’t be deceived by the names of supporters on our event brochure. I repeat with emphasis that there is no form of institutional support from any government agencies. The NFC, as constituted, to say the least, is bent on destroying the motion picture industry and I make bold to say it. I even have the feeling that it is because of the Zuma Film Festival, which it organises and which I do not even see as a competitor. NFC is out to kill all other film festivals, as it’s only a few film festivals such as AIFF that are still surviving and it is rather unfortunate. The present management whose function is developmental has unfortunately not been performing its statutory function, which is sad. Nollywood today is at its lowest ebb, but NFC (Nigerian Film Corporation) would not revamp it, rather it is wasting millions of tax payers’ money in attending film festivals abroad with empty stand; no films to show, not even in the market or short film corner”.

In an e-mail dated September 18, 2012, at 1.26 p.m. (just two days after The Guardian interview was published), Fidelis Duker wrote: As mentioned earlier, we have in the past hosted NFC initiatives, a good example was the 2011 Babylon workshop which was held during the 8th AIFF at the Silverbird Cinemas in September 2012 (sic). The correct year is 2011.

The letter from his wife, Temitope Duker, Festival Coordinator, Abuja International Film Festival, dated 9th January, 2009, and cited above; and his own e-mail quoted above disprove Fidelis Duker’s blatant lies, conscious denials, libel and deliberate misinformation.

The NFC has cross-checked her records and we wish

Brian Etuk

to place on record the Corporation’s financial support/ assistance to the organisers of Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) as follows: Year

Financial Support

2011

N250,000

2010

N100,000

2009

N100,000

2008

N500,000

2007

N400,000

NFC’s acknowledgement and logo published in the festival brochures and publicity materials of AIFF are obviously well-earned. Do not be deceived.

Apart from financial support, the Corporation has also through its programme, the NFC/EU Babylon International workshop held in 2010 and 2011 in Abuja, led a delegation of her foreign partners (Scenario Films, UK and Scripthouse, Germany), international resource persons and participants from Europe and Africa to the AIFF 2010 and 2011 editions, thereby providing AIFF institutional government support, and content.

The Managing Director of NFC, Afolabi Adesanya, had always obliged AIFF goodwill messages (published in AIFF’s brochures) and honoured AIFF’s invitations (and non-invitations!), including participating in panel discussions. Photographs of his participation in AIFF’s programmes published in its festival brochures were definitely not photo-shopped. Do not be deceived.

The 1992 maiden edition of the National Film Festival (which, indeed, became Zuma Film Festival) marked a milestone in NFC’s efforts to promote and develop the Nigerian motion picture using the film festival platform through her own film festival, and international film festivals. At our booths/pavilions, we screen trailers of

Nigerian movies (including those of Nigerians in the Diaspora), and other nationalities; we host workshops and seminars. As the pioneer film festival organiser in Nigeria, we are certainly not the competitor; we are the leader.

For the avoidance of doubt, we make bold to say it is not the job of the NFC to enter films she did not produce, or independent films (shorts, documentaries and features) in film festivals. That is the sole responsibility of the Producer/ Production Company.

The second edition of the annual Lights, Camera, AFRICA!!!, a film festival aimed at stimulating discourse on issues and experiences that are rooted in the African experience, will run from September 28 to Monday, October 1, 2012, in Lagos. The opening date coincides with the closing date of AIFF. Is this another NFC strategy to, “kill all other film festivals”? In existence alongside AIFF, are independent film festivals/markets such as BOB-TV, LIFF, AMAA, FIAF, GOFEST, iRep, etc. The list is still growing. Do not be deceived!

Further to her mandate to develop and build human resource capacity for the Nigerian motion picture industry, NFC, in 1995, established the National Film Institute (NFI), the first of its kind in Nigeria. Between 2010 and 2011, the present management secured National Universities Commission (NUC) approval for her BFA degree programme in affiliation with Unijos; and NBTE approval for her National Diploma programme (vocational skills acquisition). NFI remains the only tertiary institution that offers training and capacity building at both levels. For the retraining of professionals on the job, the present management in 2005 introduced SHOOT!, which has boosted the careers of many professionals in both private and public employment. In partnership with the Katsina State government, NFC/NFI, have in the past three years being training and building capacity in the Katsina State Skill and Vocational Village.

NFC, in tandem with her local and international partners, such SMEDAN, NEXIM, FIRS, The Quartet (NBC, NFVCB, NCC and NFC), federal government agencies, state governments, the private sector, Scenario Films, Scripthouse, embassies, et al, will continue to provide all necessary support for the holistic growth of the Nigerian movie industry. That is our firm commitment. We remain resolved. Our enviable track record speaks for itself.

Etuk, is the Head of Public Affairs, Nigerian Film Corporation.

MEMORABLE READS

LEKAN BALOGUN Award winning playwright

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Who is your favourite author?

Wole Soyinka

titles from Hardly Chase. I believe that’s where the idea of writing started for me.

Which is your best book from the Nobel Laureate and why?

Death and the King’s Horseman. Apart from the fact that the book is wellcrafted, I think it’s one of the most influential works that he has ever produced.

What do you thing can be done to improve the literacy level in Nigeria?

The government should be more pragmatic about things; they shouldn’t say things that they can’t do. Let them make books available in libraries and encourage the young ones to read these books. As for parents, they should get more involved with their children. I was once a teacher and I got to find out that many parents do not have time for their children; so they learn from their

Apart from Prof. Soyinka’s books, which other work of literature influenced you?

Collection from James Hardly Chase. When I was coming up, I read over 50

colleagues. Parents should please pay more attention to their children inspite of having to struggle to make ends meet. I believe it will go a long way.

MUSINGS You walk by the dead You walk by the dead And think you are immortal You walk by the victims And think that you are invisible You walk by the poor And think you can never be You walk by the needy And think you are insulated You walk by the sick And think you are healthy You walk by the hungry And think you acquired enough. ©Shehu Sani, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ARTISTE UNCENSORED OYINKAN SOMORIN

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

echo Man, who can easily be spotted among his peers because of his guitar and dreadlocks, went into music professionally in 1998 but suddenly went on AWOL (absent without leave) for 10 years after his hot single, “Amebo” dropped in 2002. When asked about his disappearance, he said; “I actually stopped music in 2004, but that doesn’t mean I stopped music totally. I still perform music in church and I also enrolled at the University of Lagos to study music professionally. Well, God did it. I’m out of school and back to what I love doing best, music! But I’m not coming back with my dreads”, Mecho revealed.

The artiste shared about how inspirational he finds songs by Reggae legend Bob Marley, especially when he is in a bad mood or in need of encouragement.

“When I’m down, all I have to do is listen to Bob Marley; his songs are very encouraging as if he is talking to me directly. I don’t feel bad for long and I just pick myself up again”. Mecho also said he would love to rebrand his music along the line of Marley’s style. “I want to major in Reggae music; for one, it is message-driven and I believe an artiste can use it to pass along music easily. Reggae is a music genre that accommodates strong lyrics”, he explained.

As for future dreams, Mecho Man hopes to be a better artiste with his new Reggae image. His vision is to see his music go round the world and the message positively affect the lives of people who listen to those songs. Mecho is hinging this future picture on his faith in God saying “I hope to achieve my dream with God’s help since it is Him who gave me the talent to

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Young artistes need sound music knowledge –Mecho His birth name is Ameachi Michael Izuchukwu, but he is known on stage as Mecho Man, formally a member of hip hop group, 2PM. The group shot their 2002 hit single, Amebo in animation, one of the songs to pioneer that music video format. Today, Mecho Man has gone solo and is returning to the limelight with a BA degree in Music as a reggae artiste.

MOST LABELS ARE

LOOKING FOR READYMADE MUSICIANS, SO IT IS NOT EASY ASY FOR UPCOMING ARTISTES TO BREAK K OUT sing. He will surely guide de and lead me”.

When it comes to the he Nigerian music industry, this graduate e of music is not impressed with the way ay things are being run, although he agreed d that the industry had witnessed rapid growth; rowth; locally and internationally. His main ain concern is with the foundation producing cing some of the contemporary acts and d Mecho expressed it by saying: “The concept ept of this industry didn’t come with a solid lid foundation. We don’t even have a proper per record label searching for young ung music talents to sponsor. Most ost labels are looking for ready-made ady-made musicians, so it is nott easy for upcoming artistes to break out.

This is one of the things gs a proper record label should do”..

And for the upcoming ng artistes, Mecho’s

stance is that most of these new acts are not well-prepared for music making before becoming a part of the big entertainment picture. “I once ran a studio and all the new artistes just wanted to sing; they were not interested in the theories or learning music. I remember when I was coming up in my music career –back in the secondary school before I got the true knowledge of music– I wanted people to see me as a musician (which I wasn’t then) because of fame. I try to tell the younger artistes that music is not something you put together and in three

or four months you are out with an album. You need to have sound knowledge of music, so that as a professional musician, one can stand the test of time”, Mecha advised.

In conclusion, he urged emerging artistes to keep at their dreams and preserve through hard work, discipline and professionalism. “If music is what you want to do and you are passionate about it, take your time to study the rudiments; know the basics of being a musician and then, you can go anywhere in the world with what you have learnt”.

MIDWEEK JUMP

Film screening at NFC Lagos

G

oethe-Institut, together with the Nigerian Film Corporation and iREP (the Documentary Film Festival) presents Kinshasa Symphony at its monthly film-screening of German, Nigerian and African films on Saturday, September 29 by 3.00 p.m.

Kinshasa Symphony, the 2009 documentary by German directors, Claus Wischmann and Martin Baer, is a film about Congo, the people of Kinshasa and music.

It shows how people living in one of the most chaotic cities in the world have managed to forge one of the most complex systems of human cooperation ever invented; a symphony orchestra.

Venue of the screening is the NFC L a g o s Branch, Old Film Unit, op-

posite Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos

ACE 2012 early registration closes

I

nterested participants for the second edition of African Creative Economy (ACE) Conference scheduled for Dakar, Senegal between November 14 and 16 are being called upon to utilise a 10% discount available to early bird registration which closes on Sunday, September 30. The registration form is available online and includes a programme outline.

The 2012 ACE aims to provide practical analysis and reflective overview of the current status of African creative economy.

It will offer two parallel programmes -one specifically exploring up-to-date researches, experiences and debates, the other is a series of practical know-how exchange trainings and workshops. The closing gala dinner will be featuring performances from renowned

African artistes’ who are members of Arterial Network.

The conference is a rare opportunity that will mark the coming together of powerful debate from across the continent, live and rich provocation from pioneering international practitioners and thinkers and the unprecedented collaboration of arts institutions from 40 African countries to shape dialogue and a shared experience.

Diversity”, is designed to stimulate young creative talents and bring their creativity to bear on the strength of Nigeria as a nation.

Winners will get cash prizes in the form of scholarship for secondary education while the runners-up will receive one-off cash prizes. The prize-giving ceremony will be followed by an art exhibition featuring the various entries by children from past editions of the competition which started in 2005.

Chevron hold arts award, exhibition Agbro presents hevron Nigeria Ltd., NYSC memoir

C

CNL, operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture hereby announces that the award ceremony of the 2012 edition of its Annual National Arts Competition for students in secondary schools across Nigeria will take place tomorrow, September 27 with Exhibition and Award Ceremony at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, Rivers State This year’s arts competition themed, “The Strength in Our

T

oday in Lagos, at the Little Theatre, Lagos Country Club, GRA, Ikeja, Joe Agbro Jr. Presents his first book titled Served, memoir of a youth corps member, a snapshot of Agbro’s National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) camp life and of living and working as a teacher during his primary assignment in Ezzaland, Ebonyi state.

Speaking about this work by the journalist, who is a graduate

of Economics, Sam Omatseye, author of Crocodile Girl, among other books, said; “In words and structure, Served is a tour-deforce in trans-ethnic experience in Nigeria”.

Workshop on audiovisuals holds tomorrow

T

he World Intellectual Property Organisation in conjunction with the Nigerian Film Corporation, NFC, and the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, will tomorrow hold a national workshop on collective management of audiovisual works at the NFC office in Ikoyi, Lagos. Speakers expected at the workshop include: Ms. Tarja Koskinen–Olsson of Copenhagen; Prof. Ruth Okediji of the Law School, University of Minnesota Minneapolis; David Uwemedimo, Director, Copyright Infrastructure Division WIPO, Geneva, Switzerland and Prof. Bankole Sodipe of Chief G. O. Sodipe Law firm.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ArtSpace: Virtual reality takes true form

FAR AND NEAR

SOMORIN OYINKAN

T

A new Lagos

This Lagos… A canvas to spice up Oct. 1 NGOZI E MEDOLIBE

A

s Nigeria gets set to mark the 52nd anniversary of her nationhood, Oyerinde Olotu, notable for paintings that portray realism, is set with his fifth solo exhibition. The exhibition, which starts on Monday, October 1 will run until October 8, at the Nike Art Gallery, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos.

With the theme: “This Lagos….A Canvas”, there will be works by Olotu which span about three decades essentially documenting the history of Lagos –commercial nerve centre of the country. The exhibition will also have on parade works by Olotu’s associates,

which capture the essence of life in Lagos.

According to Oyerinde Olotu, the exhibition will serve as the hub for art enthusiasts who have always been fascinated by the history of Lagos metropolis, as the works capture some of the major changes that have occurred on both the people and landscape of the state.

“The works come in various forms, telling stories that make up the metropolis, Lagos. It is like a documentary in the form of paintings telling the stories of what life in Lagos has been over the decades, right from the colonial days till date”, he says.

Some of the works which will fasci-

The Makoko series

nate enthusiasts are “Premier’s Convoy”, “Inauguration”, “BRT” and “Makoko”, amongst others. The exhibition will be chaired by Chief Yemisi Shyllon, while Chief Edem Duke, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation will be the special guest of honour at the event which starts at 4.00 p.m.

9th Abuja Film Fest underway ...as Mumbai prepares for its 2012 film extravaganza ADENRELE NIYI

T

he 2012 Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) got underway in the Federal Capital Territory yesterday even as industry practitioners and film aficionados gathered at the Silverbird Galleria for the opening ceremony.

Organised by Fidelis and Temitope Duker of FAD Productions, the four-day festival ending on Friday, September 28, would serve as a platform for stakeholders in the film industry to interact and explore possible areas of cooperation.

“The festival will be a networking ground where stakeholders will explore areas of partnership and possible collaboration with film makers around the world”,

Temitope Duker had stated in Abuja on Monday.

The 9th edition of AIFF would also feature screening and exhibition of local and international films. While the 54 nominees up to win honours across the 10 categories of the festival’s award would be selected and unveiled by the jury to round off the 2012 festival.

Similarly, Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), organiser of the Mumbai (Bombay) International Film Festival (MFF), is making good on its promise to hold a spectacular programme this year marking 100 years of Indian cinema. Scheduled to hold across various venues in the famous Indian city including the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), the 14th MFF begins on October 18 and runs till

October 25. It will showcase over 200 films, including nine silent movies screened with live music in order to bring back the era of silent cinema. This will give the audience an idea of what early Indian cinema was like.

The eight-day festival for documentary, short and animation films will also award winners in different categories of film work as well as for the newly-introduced “Indian Gold” film competition.

Among others, veteran Bollywood actress, Waheeda Rehman, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the forthcoming Mumbai Film Festival. “This year, we have decided to award the Lifetime Achievement Award to Waheeda Rehman for the extraordinary work she has put in, in the last 60 years”, said Shyam Benegal.

In addition to screening the best of world cinema, the festival aims to scale up its film market, the Mumbai Film Mart, this year.

he fourth ArtSpace RoundUp session organised by Dream Art & Design Agency took place on Saturday, September 22 at the CoCreation Hub (CCHub), Yaba, Lagos, despite the not too friendly weather during the day.

The event, which boasted of respectable architects, engineers and graphic designers in attendance, was held under the theme, “Virtual Reality in the Nearest Future” within the creatively stimulating ambience of CCHub’s office. The Hub is an affiliate of Google where software developers and computer aficionados frequently gather to For this edition, the discussion panel had five special guests namely: Nnamdi Akubuiro, Architect in CGarchitect Digital Media Corp.; Lanre Lawal, founder of an innovative graphic design and multimedia company called The Design Jockey Sessions; Seyi Kolawole, Creative Director/Co-founder of Digital Phantasy Studios; Femi Omoluabi, founder of Aphobos Studios and Nnamdi Hogan, Architect and computer designer.

The discussion was a mixture of teaching and learning as the panellists gave brief lectures on the subject matter; ‘virtual reality’; explaining the usefulness and effect of this on society. There was also a discussion about the movement of technology in modern society and in explaining this term, the speakers compared tech movement to trends such as in fashion. Thus, virtual reality is a new trend that is best embraced for its good uses. As Seyi Kolawole puts it; “The future of technology is time framed, so its better you learn it when it’s still available to you. That way everyone will move forward”.

During the event also, a virtual reality simulation came on screen in the form of advertising commercial brands to show how much this technology will become a part of our existence soon.

While giving his view, Femi Omoluabi spoke on the data transformation and beauty features of virtual reality. “Beauty attracts one to give money to buy a product, but it is data which is the idea for the project before it becomes a reality. This is virtual reality”. Lanre Lawal summed up the various explanations with a simple analogy; “Virtual reality is like a dream; you have to think about it, before you realise it”. The roundtable discussion concluded with a question and answer session.

It was a meeting of intellectual intelligence as everybody had something to contribute to the engaging topic.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Keshi, Karembeu listed for Soccerex

27

Sport

I regret not playing with Paul Scholes during my active career as he is still in a class of his own –France legend, Zinedine Zidane

29

. VP Namadi Sambo

EKO 2012: Sambo receives festival torch Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (l) captain Joseph Yobo are in the squad to tackle Lone Star again, despite failing the team in the first leg

Afcon 2013: Lone Star to battle 38 Eagles

AFOLABI GAMBARI

A

list comprising 15 foreign-based and 23 home-based players was yesterday released in Abuja by the Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, as preparation began ahead of the crucial Afcon 2013 Nations Cup qualifier with Lone Star of Liberia in Calabar on October 13.

Recalcitrant Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, who had been shut out of the team, made a return, apparently due to popular demand for his exclusion.

Captain Joseph Yobo and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama are also included, de-

spite their poor performance in the first leg of the qualifier on September 8 in Monrovia where Nigeria surrendered a 2-1 lead to the home side who equalized in the game’s twilight.

Lazio’s midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, who expressed surprise at his inclusion in the list in a chat with National Mirror from his base yesterday, is also in the list, as well as recuperating Inter Milan midfielder, Joel Obi, who curiously declared himself fit to face Lone Star on Monday.

Despite Keshi’s reported anger at excluding Italy-based midfielder

Obiorah Nwankwo who had a poor game in Monrovia however, the lanky player is listed again for the Calabar tie.

Shut-out goalkeeper Austin Ejike made a return while regular invitees Elderson Echiejile, Nosa Igiebor, Efe Ambrose, Victor Moses, Brown Ideye, Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa and Ike Uche have also returned and will be preceded in the Calabar camp by home-based players among whom are Warri Wolves goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim and Sunshine Stars and Kano Pillars duo of Godfrey Oboabona and Reuben Gabriel respectively.

ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

V

ice President Namadi Sambo yesterday received the “Torch of Unity” which signified the official countdown to the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival tagged ‘Eko 2012’ scheduled for November 27 to December 9 in Lagos.

Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, presented the festival torch to Sambo at the State House. The torch symbolises the unity and friendship engendered by the spirit of the sports festival.

In in his remarks shortly after he passed the torch to host Governor of the 18th edition of the Sports Festival, Babatunde Fashola, the vice president commended Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, whose state hosted the last edition of the biennial games otherwise known as the “Nigerian Olympics” for a successful hosting.

Sambo noted that the success of the 17th festival had put Lagos State on the spot.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the occasion, also commended the people and government of Rivers State for successful hosting of the 17th edition, promising that Lagos would organise a good show at the festival.

“We are prepared to meet the timeline set by the organising committee and all hands are on deck,” Fashola assured.

U-17 World Cup: Flamingoes set record, send hosts packing YEMI OLUS

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triker Chinwendu Ihezuo scored quintuplets of goals yesterday as Flamengoes overwhelmed Azerbaijan in their second group game by 11-0 to set goals record in the ongoing FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup in Azerbaijan.

Although Korea DPR had earlier whitewashed African representative Gambia 11-0 in the first game on Saturday, Nigeria edged the Asian nation as the Flamengoes netted clear goals while the Korea scored a penalty goal in theirs.

Nigeria has needed a clear win yesterday after dropping points to Canada in their first group match. But although the hosts had succumbed 4-0 to Colom-

bia in the first game, they would not have thought about the humiliation they suffered from Nigeria who has now confirmed the host’s early exit despite having a match to play on Saturday.

Ihezuo, who also had three assists, opened scoring in the fifth minute while Halimatu Ayinde responded with another goal after three minutes. Tessy Biahwo took Nigeria’s tally to three in the 20th minute while Aminat Yakubu hit the scorers’ chart two minutes later. A 24th minute goal was scored once again by Ayinde while Ihezuo found the back of the net two more times before half time.

The goal-happy striker resumed scoring in the second half while Joy Bokiri and Biahwo also scored one each.

The result shot the Peter Dedevbo-led

side to the top of Group A with four points and a goal difference of 12. Canada who also have four points, moved to second place af-

Flamengoes celebrating the whipping of Azerbaijan yesterday

ter defeating Colombia 1-0 but are trailing behind Nigeria with a goals department, having just two goals in their kitty..

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Sport

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Hazard ‘almost joined Spurs’

Tit Bits

Ferdinand

Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, is looking forward to seeing some of the club’s younger talents in action in the Capital One Cup tonight.

Ferdinand is excited about the prospect of seeing United’s potential future stars take the stage.

“We have some really talented young players and I’m looking forward to seeing some of them,” he said yesterday.

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helsea midfielder, Eden Hazard, has revealed he would likely be playing for Tottenham Hotspur had the latter qualified for this season’s Champions League.

The 21-year-old Belgium forward moved to Stamford Bridge from Lille, but could have ended up in north rather than west London.

“It’s true that Tottenham tempted me because it was a young team which was third in the league,” Hazard admitted yesterday.

“Unfortunately, the end of the season did not go well. They did not reach the Champions League, which tipped the balance.”

“Nobody was really a fan of Chelsea’s game last season,” he said.

“The directors told me they were going to recruit good players with whom I could play decent football. Marko Marin, Oscar and me, we like to have the ball at our feet. Juan Mata likes the ball, so does Ramires.

“The title of European champion, and Champions League qualification, counted for a lot because the club was not doing well in the league.

Lescott

Joleon Lescott is open to signing a new long-term contract with Manchester City despite recently losing his place in the side.

Despite his falling down the pecking order, Lescott, who returned to the starting XI and scored in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, is determined to win back manager Roberto Mancini’s faith Lescott has two years remaining on his current contract at the Etihad Stadium, and he is open to agreeing longer terms.

Fletcher

Darren Fletcher is set to continue his return to full fitness with his first competitive start for Manchester United in ten months when Newcastle visit Old Trafford tonight for their League Cup third round clash.

The Scotland international midfielder, who made his first appearance for United as a second-half substitute against Galatasaray last week since his chronic bowel condition left his football career hanging in the balance, is set to make his first start since November last year.

Ba

Demba Ba has sent out a message to Newcastle United’s upcoming opponents, warning them: “I’m better than last season.”

The Senegalese striker was a standout star for the Magpies in the first half of the 2011-12 campaign, before his form tailed off following the Africa Cup of Nations.

However, the former West Ham man has been back among the goals for Alan Pardew’s side at the start of this term, and Ba feels that he is playing even better than his purple patch of 12 months ago.

David Silva

Vidic blow for Red Devils

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anchester United has confirmed that defender and captain, Nemanja Vidic, will be out for eight weeks following a knee surgery.

The United skipper sat out the 2-1 win at Liverpool on Sunday after complaining of tightness in his knee and a subsequent examination revealed a more serious problem.

The Serbia international has already had surgery to repair cartilage and is set for another long spell on the sidelines after he missed the final five months of last season with a ruptured cruciate ligament in the same

knee.

“Nemanja Vidic has had a meniscus operation on his right knee and will be out for around eight weeks,” a club statement said yesterday.

“Sir Alex Ferguson, as a precautionary measure, rested Vidic at the weekend, after he complained of tightness in his knee, however, further medical investigation revealed the underlying problem,” the statement added.

The news will come as a huge blow to Ferguson, who is already without defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling while Rio Ferdinand’s fitness remains a concern.

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Evra

Eden Hazard

anchester City M Mancini, has plead help stop David Sil burn-out.

The Spanish forward ha start to the campaign and bench three times.

Silva started Sunday’s Pr counter against Arsenal bu best in the 1-1 draw.

Mancini feels the 26-year the effects of his internatio ing the summer.

Silva’s season ended on J in the Euro 2012 final but h up for an August 15 friendl just days after returning to ing with City.

“I think he needs a rest.

European Championship a twice went travelling to Pu Spain to play Saudi Arabia reason he is not fresh and Sp with this.”

Racist slur: Terry hearing enters Day

Ivanovic

Branislav Ivanovic has praised his rival Cesar Azpilicueta and insists he has no problem with the Spaniard’s arrival at Stamford Bridge.

Azpilicueta looks set to be handed his Chelsea debut in its Capital One Cup third round clash against Wolverhampton tonight.

The Serbian has settled in to the right-back position after starting his career as a centre-back and he has no plans to give up his place in the team easily.

Mancini seeks

Nemanja Vidic

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John Terry

he disciplinary hearing of Chelsea captain John Terry is set to enter a third day as the Chelsea captain contests allegations he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

Terry was at the Football Association’s Wembley headquarters for a second day yesterday to answer a charge of using racist language during a Premier League game at Loftus Road last October.

The 31-year-old, who was accompanied by Chelsea Chairman, Bruce Buck, at the independent regulatory hearing yesterday morning with the defender departing shortly after

1pm, is expected to return to dence in his defence with the till Friday.

A similar hearing invol Luis Suarez last December and Terry could face a lengt guilty of the charge of using a charge he categorically den The former England ca nounced his international re eve of the hearing, is being George Carter-Stephenson Q him against a similar char months ago.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Evra wary of Buttner

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anchester United defender, Patrice Evra, admits the emergence of new signing Alexander Buttner has made him realise the need to fight for his place at the club.

Buttner arrived from Dutch side Vitesse Arnham in the summer and impressed on his Old Trafford debut, scoring a stunning solo effort against Wigan.

Although Evra has started every game for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men since, the Frenchman insists he will not take his place for granted with Buttner looking to impress again in the Capital One Cup today against Newcastle.

“You have to fight for your place every day”, Evra said yesterday, adding, “Last season I played a lot of games and maybe if I play well these days people just accept that as normal.”

Evra, who joined United in January 2006 from French outfit Monaco, has vowed to keep fighting for his place as a first-team regular, remembering how he saw off the threat of other team-mates in the past.

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anchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, will make wholesale changes for his side’s Capital One Cup clash with Aston Villa today and admits the competition is well down his list of priorities.

The Italian would like to select an entirely different team to the one that drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

City travels down to London on Saturday for another league game against in-form Fulham and, with the champions stuttering to three draws from their first five games, that is very much Mancini’s focus.

“We can’t play with the same players. We need to recover because afterwards we have another hard game in London,” the Italian said.

“We want to win again the championship, that’s our target. If we win also the Capital One Cup, then okay, but the target should be the championship again,” he added.

The League Cup is the one domestic trophy Mancini has not won since taking over as City boss in 2009, with his best run coming last season when they lost to Liverpool in the semi-finals.

nter Milan is ready to move for Bacary Sagna if the unsettled defender fails to agree a new contract at Arsenal.

The Italian giant was alerted by the 29-yearold voicing his frustrations about the Gunners.

Sagna, who is currently on his way back from a second broken leg within a year, voiced his annoyance at Arsenal selling their players, not winning trophies and that earned him a dressing down from manager Arsene Wenger.

But Wenger is confident his fellow Frenchman will sign a new long-term deal but Inter will pounce if there is any chance of luring Sagna away from the Emirates, according to reports.

Arsenal has made re-negotiating contracts for Sagna and left-back Kieran Gibbs- who is also into the final two years of his deal-its number one priority.

Manager, Roberto ded with Spain to lva suffering from

Patrice Evra

Walcott makes Wilshere plea

A

rsenal winger, Theo Walcott, has told fans not to worry about the effects of midfielder Jack Wilshere’s injury as the latter makes gradual return to form.

Wilshere, aged 20, is back in full training with the Gunners after missing 14 months with ankle problems.

“It’s nice to see him back”, Walcott said yesterday.

“He’s the sort of player that’s just different.

He spots things that no one else does and he hasn’t lost it, trust me. He’s buzzing, he’s getting stuck in and that’s what he wants.”

After more than a year on the sidelines, Wilshere’s journey back to Arsenal’s first team is almost complete.

Manager Arsene Wenger admitted on Friday that there were times when the midfielder, who has not played a Barclays Premier League game for Arsenal since a 2-2 draw with Fulham on May 22 last year, feared he might not make it and was angry at the time it has taken to recover from operations to his ankle and knee.

29

City wrings team change

Sagna in Inter’s radar

s Silva aid

July 1 with victory he was then called ly in Puerto Rico, o pre-season train-

Sport

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Keshi

Keshi, Karembeu listed for Soccerex AFOLABI GAMBARI

S

uper Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi, is the latest addition to a star-studded cast of football legends who will attend the Lagos Soccerex Seminar on September 27 and 28.

Organisers said Keshi, who was the longest serving captain of the Super Eagles, will speak at a session on “Managing Football in Africa” during the seminar.

The former defender is in the process of revitalizing the Nigerian senior national team, having infused an exciting blend of players from the domestic league.

Keshi masterminded Togo’s first ever FIFA World Cup qualification in 2006, and was also part of the Nigerian coaching team, led by Shuaibu Amodu, who qualified Nigeria for the 2002 World Cup. Soccerex will provide a plat-

form for the former defender to provide an insight into his vast technical knowledge.

“We are excited to have someone of Keshi’s legendary status join us at the Soccerex Lagos Seminar,” Soccerex Director, Daniel Krebs, said yesterday.

Meanwhile, France World Cup winner, Christian Karembeu, is also listed as a speaker and will explore business opportunities at Soccerex Karembeu, who played for Real Madrid, Nantes, Sampdoria and Middlesbrough, was a key member of the French team that won the 1998 World Cup. He has scouted for Arsenal Football Club since his retirement and is currently launching his brand of professional sportswear.

“I will be in Lagos to support the seminar and simultaneously hold final discussions with Nigerian Partners to launch the African branch of our Sports Equipment Brand, Fourteen,” Karembeu said.

Pre-season tourney due IFEANYI EDUZOR

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Bacary Sagna

otto sportswear agent and former Julius Berger Football Club of Lagos defender, John Tata, says arrangements have been concluded to stage an eight-team pre-season tournament involving clubs in the Nigeria Premier League, the National League and the Amateur League.

According to Tata, the competition, scheduled for the Agege Stadium, will see the winner of the week-long competition cart home N500, 000 as prize money.

“The tournament will help the clubs get into proper shape for the new season,” he said.

“It will also help foster unity among players and Nigerian clubs with a view to sustaining interest in Nigerian football through attracting fans to the stadia,” he added, although he said the exact date would depend on the response from the NPL. “The time has come for our fans to pay more attention to our domestic league players who have much to offer in terms of skills and quality football,” Tata submitted.

30

Sport

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Nigeria N ig Premier League

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cricket

with IIKENWA NNABUOGOR ikenwa.nnabuogor@gmail.com

Ganaru joins race for Kwara United vacant post

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he race for the vacant managerial position at Kwara United is becoming more interesting as rave-of-moment, Baba Ganaru, who led Kano Pillars to emerge 2012 Nigeria Premier League champions, is among 12 coaches shortlisted for the job.

It was learnt that the number was reduced to 12 after a thorough screening exercise.

Intense politicking has characterised the exercise since the club’s hierarchy started the search for a new manager.

Ganaru and 11 others will be interviewed at the Con-

ference Room of the Kwara State Sports Council, Ilorin, on Wednesday.

Others include former captain, Tunde Sanni, who led the club to 6th position during the last season, Fatai Amao, Festus Allen. Samson Unuanel, Alphonsus Dike, Lawrence Akpokona, Henry Nwosu, Abimbola Samuel, Samuel Akintola, Justin Tenger, and former Heartland gaffer, Lodewijk de Kruif.

Tenger and Dike are former coaches of the team.

Sources informed that Ganaru was in Ilorin last week and is expected for Wednesday’s exercise.

Otorogu waits on Rangers

F

ormer Enyimba star Ezenwa Otorogu hopes to continue his career at Enugu Rangers following his release from South African side Bloemfontein Celtic last summer. Otorogu returned home after his oneyear contract with the South African side was renewed following a tentative display from the former Beach Eagles star.

Otorogu, who was coach Clinton Larsen’s favourite would fall out with the coach who declared the Aba-born star surplus to requirement after just nine games. Otorogu had to return home to pick up the pieces of his career which also saw the former El-Kanemi star seeking spiritual healing for his misfortunes at the Prophet TB Joshua’s Synagogue of

All Nations Church.

Otorogu told National Mirror that he had been contacted by Rangers coach Okey Emordi and was waiting to conclude arrangement to join the Flying Antelopes in the CAF Confederation Cup competition next season.

“I wouldn’t mind playing for Rangers in the club continental competition next year. I have also spoken to Emordi and just waiting to hear from him,” he said.

“I want to continue playing and waiting to leave for greener pastures again when the right club comes.

“It will be glad to team up with Emordi, who was my coach at Enyimba and I really hope to re-enact the form that saw me emerge top scorer in 2008.”

Ezenwa Otorogu (r) evades his opponent during a recent league game

Brendan Ogbu (in front) leaves his marker guessing

Ogbu still in dark over prize money

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lose to one month after helping his team Heartland retain the Federation Cup striker Brendan Ogbu has lamented that he’s yet to receive his total prize money of N550 000 for emerging the MVP as Hertaldn beat Lobi Stars 2-1 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Ogbu was awarded prize money of N300 000 by the Lagos State governor, who bankrolled the final and further N250 000 by confectionery giants, Tom Tom for emerging the MVP, bringing the total prize money to N550 000.

The former Rangers star told National Mirror that he was yet to

hear from the representatives of the tow corporate bodies as they continued to hold on to his prize money. Ogbu said an official of the NFF collected his account details and promised to remit the money into his account but said he kept assuring him that the money would hit in his account.

“I’m tired of calling the official who would always tell me that bureaucratic process has to be followed before his prize money would be released,” Ogbu cried.

“Up till now, no money has hit my account and I don’t really understand what’s really going on. The Tom Tom people haven’t reached me

Ubido unsure of Heartland

H

eartland defensive midfielder, Julius Ubido, said he is yet to fully commit himself to the side 2012/2013 NPL season.

Ubido is among the 21 players the Owerri-based side retained for the upcoming season.

The Nigerian playmaker was pivotal to his side successful defence of the Federation Cup title as well as the decent finish in the out gone 2011/2012 season.

Ubido said he will resume at the Naze Millionaires for the new season but insisted that other options are wide open.

“I’m among the players retained for the new season which speaks volume of the confidence the team repose in me.

“I’m still with them and would surely resume when they old play-

ers are asked back to the camp probably at the weekend or next week.

“But I won’t say outright that its a done deal. I’m still weighing other options available to me.

“There are clubs outside the shores of Nigeria that have shown genuine, keen interest in me but I want to be

Julius Ubido

since then.

“The whole thing is strange to me because I don’t know why it has to be like this. I got family and friends who are also waiting to get their share of the prize money.

“The whole thing was in the news and I can’t continue telling them that I’m yet to receive my money.

“I’m appealing to the Lagos State government and Tom Tom to release the money. It’s long overdue now, over one month and it’s really not good at all.“ Ogbu assisted and netted the winning goal in the dot of 90 minutes as Heartland retained the title they won on same venue last year. careful, take my time to weigh the options before I commit myself.

“I won’t want to do anything in hurry that I’ll regret later, so the Heartland option is there the same as the options to pitch tent elsewhere.

“As I speak I’m a bona fide Heartland player,” the former Lobi Stars told supersport.com.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Business & Finance The figure for active subscribers in the mobile networks is around 100 million lines and may surpass 105 million by end of December 2012.

Why we’re investing $600m in Orient Refinery Managing Director of Orient Petroleum Resources Plc, Nnaemeka Nwawka

Former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission Ernest Ndukwe

42-43

FG to triple N1.4trn FDI in free zone –NEPZA OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

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he Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), said the operation of free zones areas in the country has boosted investment in the country with $9billion (N1.4trn).

Acting Managing

Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Mr. David Nongo, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Abuja yesterday said, “Presently Nigeria has attracted over $9billion FDI through free zones operation across the country and that

will triple very soon with aggressive government efforts in developing the sector”.

The NEPZA boss commended the Ministry of Trade and Investment for organising the Oil and Gas Trade and investment forum held in Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said the forum had opened up the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, which he described as the largest in the world, to both foreign and local investors.

Nongo said NEPZA had opened up a line of communication with other stakeholders especially the ministry

L-R: Chief Finance Officer, LAPO Microfinance, Mr. Kamakhya Singh; Chief Executive Officer, Oando Plc, Mr. Yomi Awobokun and Managing Director, Alitheia Capital, Mrs. Tokunbo Ishmael, during the signing of loan agreement to ease the acquisition of the Oando 3kg O-Gas cylinders for low income households in Lagos recently.

of petroleum resources to attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through oil and gas.

He added the ministry in conjunction with the stakeholders put up the forum to open up the zone to boost investment in the oil and gas sector.

“We are out to promote the free trade zone to enhance inflow of FDI and boost the economy.

“Government plan was to attract investment to oil and gas sector generally because trade has to live. We will work in conjunction with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to promote investment in the oil and gas sector.

“And this what the ministry has just done and I can tell you that we are going to triple the investment we have been having in the past few years as a result of this forum,” he said According him, government is putting various efforts in place to ensure that the number of free zones in the country grow astronomically, stressing that “The United State started with over 300 free trade zones but today, look at the level they are now.

We are now working towards having at least 500 free zones in Nigeria”

Banks blamed for inability to prevent bad loans JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he Deposited Money Banks have been blamed for their inability to prevent bad loans to their customers.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria had restricted banks from lending to 113 companies and 419 directors and shareholders for their inability to repay their loans which were sold to the Asset Management Company of Nigeria.

Speaking with National Mirror yesterday, the chairman of National Association of Chambers of

Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. John Isemede, pointed out that banks are not to manage risk but to prevent it.

According to him, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Comission is established to manage debts and not the AMCON, which is running after their members.

He said, “Why can’t the AMCON go after the banks’

Ikeja, Abuja get highest electricity allocation

32

managers who have stolen billions of naira and laundered it outside the country? There is no proper supervision of the banks by the regulators.”

The Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Comerce and Industry, Alhaji Muda Yusuf, said that the chamber is reviewing the statement from the CBN and will issue statement on

it later.

Meanwhile, a statement from the AMCON yesterday explained that in line with its statutory objective, it is committed to ensuring that every indebtedness that had culminated in the hitherto unhealthy state of the Nigerian banking industry is repaid irrespective of the personalities involved.

NACCIMA blames FG for poor development, low pension contribution

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FLIGHT SCHEDULE Arik Air Los-Abj: 07:15, 09:15, 10:20, 15:20, 16:20, 16:50, 18:45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) Abj-Los: 07:15, 09:40, 10:20, 12:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat); 12:15, 15:15, 16:15 (Sun) Los-PH: 07:15, 11:40, 14:00, 16:10, 17:15, (Mon-Fri) 07:30, 11:40, 15:50 (Sat) 11:50, 3:50, 17:05 (Sun) Abj-PH: 07:15, 11:20, 15:30 (Mon-Fri) 07:15, 16:00 (Sat) 13:10, 16:00, (Sun) PH-Abj: 08:45, 12:50, 17:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:45, 17:30 (Sat) 14:40, 17:30 (Sun) Abj-Ben: 08:00, 12:10 (Mon-Fri/Sat) 08:55, 12:10 (Sun) Ben-Abj: 09:55, 13:30 (Mon-Fri/Sat) 10:50, 13:30 (Sun)

Aero Contractors Los-Abj: 06:50, 13:30, 16:30, 19:45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 12:30 (Sun) 16:45 (Sat).

Abj-Los: 07:30, 13:00, 19:00 (Mon-Fri/ Sat) 10:30, 14:30, 19:30 (Sun) 18.30 (Sat) Los-Ben: 07:45, 11:00, 15:30, (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12:30 (Sun) 15:30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) Ben-Los: 09:15, 12:30, 17:00 (Mon-Fri/ Sat/Sun) 17:00 (Sat), 14:00 (Sun)

EXCHANGE RATES WAUA

234.6271

USD

155.84

CHF

159.2642

SDR

235.0535

CFA

0.2924

GBP

244.1701

EURO

191.3715

OIL / GAS FUTURES ICE BRENT

$123.39

-0.78

NYMEX

$108.45

-0.11

OPEC BASKET

$122.86

+1.16

NATURAL GAS

$2.83

-0.03

Stakeholders pick holes in Petroleum Industry Bill

35

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Business Finance

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ikeja, Abuja get highest electricity allocation UDEME AKPAN

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he Federal Government has allocated 15 per cent of the nation’s over 4,000 megawatts of electricity to Ikeja and its environs because of estimated high demand, fuelled by huge population, industries and other consumers of power.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), that made the allocation in its Multi Year Tariff Order 2 said it is valid for five years, spanning between 2012 and 2016 before it will be subjected to revision.

Lagos is closely followed by Ibadan and Abuja which have been allocated 13 per cent and 11.50 per cent respectively. Others, including Eko, Benin, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Jos and Yola are allocated 11 per cent, nine per cent, nine per cent, eight per cent, eight per cent, 6.50 per cent, 5.50 per cent and 3.50 per cent respectively.

Under the present arrangement, the electricity, generated from the nation’s thermal, hydro and other plants will continue

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde (middle); Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (2nd right) and members of the Green Family, winners of the Maltina Dance All Season 6, during the grand finale in Lagos at the weekend.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

to be transmitted and allocated for consumption through the various Electricity Distribution Companies such as: Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Plc. Others include: Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc, Eko Electricity Distribution Plc,

Arik Air blacklists 27 passengers from all its flights OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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ational Mirror can report that the country’s flag carrier, Arik Air has banned “permanently” at least 27 air passengers from all its flights for different offences nationwide.

A document made available to National Mirror yesterday indicated that the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. George Uriesi is the latest casualty of the persona non grata of the airline.

National Mirror had reported yesterday how the airline barred Uriesi from all the airline’s flights due to the controversies that greeted the grounding of the airline by industry unions.

However, unlike other passengers that were blacklisted for safety and security reasons, Uriesi’s blacklisting was due to management decision.

Apart from Uriesi, another passenger blacklisted permanently on all the airline’s flight are one Mr. Omojuwa Japphet who according to Arik Air claimed to have lost his pad on its flight in June 2012. The airline in the reason to blacklist the passenger said that he had since resorted to posting damaging reports about it on twitter and

other social media.

Also, Mr. Victor Ogbendah Elo, Mr. Lawal Lateef and Mr. Obayomi Osoba were also allegedly blacklisted due to insults on the airline’s staff, corporate entity, disturbing other passengers, unruly behaviours, adding that they disrupted check in and boarding at the General Aviation Terminal of Lagos airport. They were blacklisted on April 2, 2012.

Also, Mr. Obiriki James and Mr. Guanah Raymos were disrupted on flight W3 4001 on the 28th April 2012 for almost three hours and molested the crew on ground and informed the check in passengers that the aircraft of the airline was not airworthy respectively.

Besides, the foursome of Moulim Boubacai, Moussa Baba, Al-Laranma and Ibrahim (Somalian) were allegedly reported terrorists by National Security Agencies that they were posing threats against airlines in Nigeria.

Others are, Warsame Ahmed Adbulkadir, Abdel Rahman Wala Eldin, Mohammed Murtada Awa Alla Hamad, Bakare Lanre, Miss Davies-Fasan Adesola, Mrs. Ejilasisi Kudirat Abike, Mr. Musa Azeez Arisekola, Mr. Adesugba Sijuade Adekoya, Mr. Oluseye Yakubu Idowu and Mr. Olomiwe Peter Chukwu.

Benin Electricity Distribution Plc, Enugu Electricity Distribution Plc, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc, Kano Electricity Distribution Plc, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc, Jos Electricity Distribution Plc and

Yola Electricity Distribution Plc. The commission stated that: “Given the fact of generation and transmission grid inadequacy that affects all Discos, energy made available into the grid has to be allocated on some fair, trans-

parent and easily understandable basis.”

It maintained that: “the electrical energy allocation factors for each Disco, estimated energy delivered to the Disco, energy delivered to consumers and the total sales of all the eleven distribution companies projected over the next five.”

NERC made it emphatic that it would expect the Distribution Companies to be supplied power based on the percentage of capacity allocated to each company as stated in this Tariff Order.

It stressed that: “However, in the event that a Disco cannot absorb its allocated power for whatever reason, such power will be allocated to another Disco or other Discos. The Disco or Discos taking such excess power will be obliged to compensate the constrained Disco.”

The commission said it has developed a mechanism to compensate for these imbalances.

In other words Discos can take more or less than their contracted and/or performance-related allocations.

DPR, SON bicker over supervision of filling stations OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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wo regulatory agencies of the Federal Government, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR and Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON are at each other’s throat over who has the statutory right to oversee activities of fuel station operators.

While DPR has warned petroleum marketers to lock their gates against the officials of SON, the agency is insisting that it has the regulatory power to ensure that petroleum products meet acceptable standards.

Responding to the DPR order,

the Director General of SON, Mr. Joseph Odumodu said that the agency must have been misquoted on the purported order, insisting that no single agency could lay claim to monopoly of power.

He insisted that his agency would not relent in its onerous role of riding the country of adulterated petroleum products. “ I want to believe that DPR is being quoted out of context because we have had series of meetings with the agency director on this same matter.

We have the mandate to ensure standards in the petroleum sector and will discharge our duty

to the country in accordance with the law, he said.

Odumodu, who spoke while briefing House Committee Members on Industry on the activities of the agency in Abuja, said that there were a lot of shady practices in the petroleum sector, particularly in the sale adulterated products.

The SON boss also gave details of the activities of the agency geared toward eradicating substandard products from the Nigerian market.

For instance, he said the agency had confiscated over N2billion worth of cables from the Nigerian market this year alone.

Firm targets 40, 000 SMEs with IT solutions KUNLE A ZEEZ

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ver 40,000 Small and Medium Enterprises registered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria are currently being targeted with a new Information and Communication technology solutions by Oryx Computers towards engendering automated businesses activities in the SME sector.

According to Oryx Computers, a leading Nigerian Information and Communications Technology and business solution Providers, there was need for SMEs and multinationals alike to buy into new IT business solutions from SAP being promoted by it.

The solutions, SAP Business One Solution ERP, were showcased at a marketing seminar organised by Oryx Computers to enlighten businesses on the IT solutions in Lagos recently.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Oryx Computer Systems West Africa, Mr. Tayo Adegbola, said with SAP Business One, SME owners would be able to maintain a 360-degree view of what was happening in their organisations, while saving cost in terms of material and time.

On the impact on the economy, Adegbola said, “If we can encourage SMEs to automate their business, they will grow. The owners of the business don’t have to be physically there, they can do

more productive things that will expand their businesses. It will really help the country to move forward and our SMEs will be more established.”

The Business Development Manager, Oryx, Mr. Kelechi Onuiri, said the reason for jointly organising the forum with SAP , was to get CEOs of companies to experience the Business One solution and take the right decision about what ERP solution to deploy.

He also reiterated that application failure doesn’t happen most often because Oryx has been there writing solutions for years.

“We decided to bring a lot of solutions together, go through them and choose a particular solution that will capture everything.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

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Business Finance

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

NACCIMA blames FG for poor development, low pension contribution UDO ONYEKA

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he Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the umbrella organisation for the organised private sector (OPS) has said that the Federal Government was responsible for most of the challenges facing the manufacturing sector.

Speaking to National Mirror, NACCIMA Director General, Dr. John Isemede, said the FG has not been able to provide the enabling environment that would encourage productive development, adding that without adequate infrastructure and access to funds, creation of jobs which is one of the priority areas of the Federal Government would not be achieved.

He also said that the pension scheme, which is a laudable government initiative has been seriously affected because some enterprises especially the sole proprietors and Small and Medium Scale enterprises have ignored regulators demands and refused to participate in the scheme.

A recent report from Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) said a major challenge confronting the pension scheme is the average compliance rate within the working population, which it said is dominated by mostly Small and Medium Enterprises that have refused to participate due poor returns on investment.

The report said “The current roughly five million participants in the contributory pension scheme is still a far cry from the estimated 56 million

potential contributors”. The report said the available N2.4 million investible funds are far below the possible capital formation.

“The formal sector is not contributing as anticipated.

Recent statistics from the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) reveal that of the 22,918 enterprises qualified to effectively participate in the scheme only 347 do so, representing a paltry 1.5 per cent of the eligible population.”

The FDC report however said the informal sector, both in current and potential contributions represents the major hurdle to bridging the gap in pension compliance, adding that the size of the informal sector might be close to 65 per cent of the Gross National Product (GNP).

L-R: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, Mr. Joe Hudson; Odofin of Sonyindo, Oba M. Gisanrin; Chairman, Sagamu Local Government, Hon. Olufunmilayo Efuwape and Head of Communications, WAPCO, Mrs. Temitope Oguntokun, during the commissioning of blocks of classrooms at IsaleOko, Sagamu, yesterday.

Sack of NIMASA mgt delays N23bn Vessel Fund disbursement FRANCIS EZEM

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he Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has said that the delay in the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund estimated at $140million was partly caused by the decision of the Federal Government to sack the management of the agency about two months ago The CVFF, provided for in the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, 2003 is derived from two percent deductions from all contracts awarded under the Cabotage regime, designed to enable indigenous shipping companies acquire vessels as a to check the over-bearing dominance of foreign shipping companies even Nigeria’s coastal and inland trade.

The Federal Government had in July sacked the three executive directors of the agency and replaced them with Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Mr. Obi Callistus Nwabueze, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services and Mr. Baba Haruna -Jauro, who is in charge of Finance & Administration.

The Director General of the agency, which is the custodian of the fund, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, while speaking in an interview, disclosed that the sudden removal of a level of management of the agency has delayed the process of the release of the funds to the prospective beneficiaries.

According to the DG, prior to the removal of the executive directors, some of who were playing vital roles in the process of

the disbursement, the agency had made presentations to the Ministry of Transport, the supervising ministry, which asked the agency to make certain adjustments and revert back to it.

He also disclosed that it was in the course of making those adjustments that the three executive directors were sacked, arguing that the newly appointed ones needed to settle down and properly briefed before they could commence work on the process of disbursement.

“The sack of some level of management of the agency stalled the process of disbursement. Before now, we made presentations to the ministry, which wanted us to make some adjustments, which were in process before the removal of some level of management of the agency”, he noted.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG urged to tackle broadband hurdles KUNLE A ZEEZ

O

rganisers of Africa Digital Forum and Awards, ADA, have urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders in the Information and Communication technology industry to find solutions to the current broadband internet challenges being experienced in the country.

The organisers, in a statement, made available to National Mirror, said the need mobilise industry stakeholders to solve broadband challenges with a view to bridging the extant digital divide in the country has informed the theme of this year’s edition of their forum.

The coordinator of the forthcoming forum, Mr. Tayo Adewusi,

in the statement, with the theme Broadband Nigeria: The Journey Ahead, ADA 2012 focuses on the broadband challenge by mandating several leading industry players who are billed to speak at the event to come up with practical solutions to the challenge.

He said speakers expected at the event are Group Managing Director, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG), Mr. Austin Okere; Director Genera, l National Office for Technology Acquisition & Promotion (NOTAP), Mr. Umar Bindr; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah; former Minister of Communication, Eng. Olawale Ige and Managing Director, MainOne, Ms. Funke Opeke, among others.

Finance officers urged to embrace change

T

he Chief Finance Officer, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Mr. Seun Oni, has challenged the finance management community to become better assets to their employers and maintain world class governance at their jobs.

This charge was made while addressing business executives at the September Breakfast Meeting of the NigeriaSouth Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) in Lagos.

Speaking on the subject, “Finance Transformation: An Imperative for Accelerating Growth,” Oni said finance officers must learn to evolve and add value to their companies by being more efficient and delegating appropriately.

She said it is time for treasury managers to respond to the modern challenges of the workplace and practice valuebased management by linking

strategy to value.

“Modern business climate is changing, there are increased competition for resources, need to reduce or eliminate repetitive and inefficient processes. Growing business complexities, high cost of doing business and globalization are some of the key drivers of change for the finance community,” she said. “Finance Managers cannot carry on the ‘business as usual mentality’ where finance heads were mere cash points or transaction focused.”

She added that some parts of the job that are not critical to the business are being outsourced by leading organizations, so that finance officers can focus on strategic issues to aid their chief executive officers in getting healthy returns on investment and keeping shareholders happy.

‘NNRA arbitrary fee increases could shutdown oil and gas industry’ CHINEDUM EMEANA PORT HARCOURT

C

ompanies involved in importing and deploying nuclear materials in the country’s hydrocarbon sector have cried out that the recent arbitrary increases of over 1000 per cent for services by the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) is capable of bringing about a shut-down of the oil and gas industry in the country, and invariably grind the economy to a halt, if not checked.

Various radioactive materials are deployed in the oil and gas industry, and in the health sector, especially for x-rays, and the mandate of the NNRA is to regulate and ensure its proper

application in the country by all those who are licensed to use such materials.

In an 11-paged letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, and copied the ministers of petroleum resources, labour and health, leaders of the National Assembly, CEOs of International Oil Companies and other key players, that was made available to National Mirror yesterday, the stakeholders lamented that the NNRA has sacrificed it primary function of regulating the possession and application of radioactive substances and devices emitting ionizing radiation, ensuring protection of life, health, property and the environment from radiation among others to pursue profiteering.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

35

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Energy Week

udemea@rocketmail.com 07031546994

A n oil vessel onthe high sea

Stakeholders pick holes in Petroleum Industry Bill As members of the National Assembly get set to commence proceedings on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), stakeholders in the oil and gas sector have started to make various inputs. UDEME AKPAN reports that this will enable the lawmakers to pass the bill in a form capable of making positive impact in the nation.

T

he Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), apparently the first comprehensive Bill in the industry is very important to the nation for some reasons. First, it covers all gamut of the industry. Second, it aims at overhauling the industry which has not been blessed with such legislation for several years. Third, the overhaul touches on indigenous and foreign persons and institutions.

Expected, the Bill has generated much interest in Nigeria and other parts of the world. For instance, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), mobilised many stakeholders to a crucial forum in Lagos. The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed has this to say: “The PIB is an important Bill expected to drive the reforms in the Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”

She remarked that: “It will also provide solid foundation for the regulatory, structural, commercial and fiscal frameworks for the operations of oil and gas sector in order to halt the mismanagement, inefficiency and lack of transparency in the

sectors which NEITI has over the years identified as the bane of the industry.”

Zainab said, as an agency responsible for transparency and accountability matters, NEITI has a legitimate stake in the PIB, expected to enhance the implementation of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives in Nigeria. She said: “We in NEITI believe that the PIB must emerge as a law that respects fair competition, efficiency, professionalism, openness and prudent resource management while promoting investor interests. NEITI also thinks that financial, physical and gover-

nance issues provisions in the PIB should be such that citizens of Nigeria will feel the impact of the natural resources their country.”

She called on people and institutions to make inputs so that the PIB could be passed into law in a form that would enable the Federal Government and others to accomplish set objectives in the industry. The Chairman of NEITI, Mr. Ledum Mitee, however, made it emphatic that NEITI is the national version of the global multi-stakeholders initiative to promote transparency and accountability in the

WE IN NEITI BELIEVE THAT THE PIB MUST EMERGE AS A LAW THAT RESPECTS FAIR

COMPETITION, EFFICIENCY, PROFESSIONALISM, OPENNESS AND PRUDENT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT WHILE PROMOTING INVESTOR INTERESTS

management of extractive resources with a view to aiding sustainable development with specific target on poverty reduction, elimination of social conflicts and creation of peaceful business environment.

He added that reports revealed that the Federal Government earned $269billion from the oil sector within the period of 1999 to 2008, adding that this period; $92billion was received from oil-specific taxes while $5billion from non-oil specific taxes from oil companies and $172billion was received from sales of government equity crude.

Mitee stated: “It is my hope and wish that together, we would be able to come out with concrete suggestions that would enrich the PIB with a view to fashioning it into a comprehensive and reliable legislation that can complement the NEITI Act both in principles and practices which would in turn lead to improved revenues for government, halt oil theft, and check degradation of the environment in the host communities through stringent and CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

36

Energy Week

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders pick holes in Petroleum Industry Bill

Jonathan,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 enforceable legal provisions.”

However, NEITI is not alone. Last weekend, it became apparent that other stakeholders had before then met in Lagos to review the Bill. The stakeholders picked holes in the PIB which the Federal Government sent to the National Assembly for consideration and passage into law.

The stakeholders who took part in a recent e-conference of a human rights group known as Spaces for Change in Lagos said the PIB is weak in many areas, especially in the areas of transparency and accountability which may make the expected Pe-

Yakubu

Alison-Madueke

ONE WAY TO DEAL WITH THE OIL SECTOR REFORMS IN AN EFFECTIVE FASHION IS TO HAVE ONE LAW DEALING WITH UNBUNDLING OF

NNPC

troleum Act to become ineffective. Spaces for Change documented in its report that: “The new Bill authorises the newly created regulatory agencies to receive gifts, including money or other property upon

Nigeria to slash Akpo crude export UDEME AKPAN

N

igeria has concluded plans to slash October exports of Akpo crude to one cargo from three in September, a loading program has shown.

The Akpo field will shut for one month of planned maintenance from Oct. 22, two traders with knowledge of the matter said on Aug. 20, declining to be identified because the information is confidential.

Bloomberg that confirmed the development stated that the nation will export three lots of Amenam, two of Yoho and one Pennington, separate plans showed. Shipments are for 950,000 barrels to 1 million barrels each.

The agency stated that: “Indian Oil Corporation bought from Total SA 1 million barrels each of Nigerian Qua Iboe and EA crudes for November loading, said three traders who asked not to be identified because the information is confidential.”

It maintained that Hindustan Petroleum Corporation is seeking to buy crude for loading in November, said two traders who participate in the market. The tender closes on Sept. 25, and offers are valid until the following day.

The agency said: “Qua Iboe was unchanged at $1.74 a barrel more than Dated Brent, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.”

Before the session, Forties loading in 10 to 25 days was 9 cents less than Dated Brent, compared with a discount of 26 cents yesterday, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Brent for November settlement traded at $110.73 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe

Oil Pipeline

exchange in London at the close of the window, up from $108.95 yesterday. The December contract was $110.04, a discount of 69 cents to November.

Forties cargo F1001 was delayed by three days to load on Oct. 6 to Oct. 8, according to two people with knowledge of the shipping schedule. This brings total deferrals to four.

“Some shipments of Forties oil from the North Sea will be delayed in October because production has not normalized quite as quickly as planned,” Carsten Fritsch, a Frankfurt-based analyst at Commerzbank AG said today in a report.

Vitol sold 100,000 metric tons of Urals for loading on Oct. 1 to Oct. 5 to Eni SpA at $1.55 a barrel less than Dated Brent on a delivered basis to Rotterdam, the survey showed.

This compares with a discount of $1.40 for the last deal on Sept. 18.

such terms and conditions as may be specified by the person or organisation making the gifts provided such gifts are not inconsistent with the objectives and functions of the Act.” It maintained that the law may not be effective if the Bill is passed in the present form, particularly because there is no distinction between a gift and bribe. Specifically, it maintained that: “Because of the difficulty of drawing a line between a gift and a bribe, a blanket ban on receiving gift by any of the agencies is not only appropriate, but will go a long way in inspiring confidence in the proposed reforms. Independent studies and probes, such as the KPMG report, the Faruok Lawan, Aig Imokhuede fuel subsidy probes, all the NEITI reports have shown transparency and accountability are the core issues with the current set-up. Failing to tackle the current transparency concerns will leave a big question mark on the proposed legislation.”

The e-conference, whose members included the President of Nigerian Trade Union Congress, Mr. Peter Esele, a creative thinker, Mr. Jeremy Weate, a policy analyst, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, Petroleum Geoscientist, Mr. Samuel Diminas and Chairman of Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Mr. Ledun Mittee maintained that the establishment of the Host Community Trust Fund may not be a bad idea as it has the promise to assist in reducing communal clashes in the Niger Delta.

It however, faulted the proposed fund because as it puts it: ‘The Bill does not indicate how this differs from NDDC, except in terms of source of funds. By also making provisions for communities to be punished by withholding their entitlements under the fund in case of disruptions, it negates the constitutional basis of criminal justice by dishing out collective punishment.”

More than that, members observed that the environmental laws as enshrined in the PIB is weak and capable of not making much impact on the environment it is meant to address. For instance, they main-

Ahmed

tained that: “Asking operators in consultation with the Ministry of Environment to come up with an environmental plan does not deal with questions of the gaps between the policies and practices which has been the problem. For instance, the UNEP report on Ogoni found out that Shell breached its own environmental guidelines as well as those set by government.”

Furthermore, it noted that: “The provision relating to gas flares gives by one hand and takes from the other. After banning gas flaring from end of this year, it creates room for exceptions to be granted by the minister. That is not effectively different from what is happening under the current regime. It turns gas flaring into discretionary permit-granting. Environmental justice advocates believe that the gas ban should be absolute. They also insist that operating companies should not only be made to get insurance covers to cover cases of environmental disasters arising from their operations and this should be a condition precedent to the operation of any license. “ The omnibus nature of the PIB puts serious doubts on the ease of its passage at the National Assembly, considering the various shades of vested interests, political intrigues and underlying. Putting all legislation relating to the petroleum industry in a single legislation was overambitious and vulnerable to too much political confusion. One way to deal with the oil sector reforms in an effective fashion is to have one law dealing with unbundling of NNPC, regulation and other institutional mechanisms; one with fiscal and other incentives; and a different one dealing with community, environment and related issues. That way we would have easily passed those on which there was broad agreement, while others would follow subsequently.

The PIB vests enormous powers on the Minister of Petroleum Resources, particularly by placing all the newly created agencies and regulatory institutions under the control and supervision of the minister. Section 5 of the Bill provides that “the Minister of Petroleum Resources shall be responsible for the coordination of the activities of the petroleum industry and shall exercise general supervision over all operations and all institutions in the industry. There are calls for the review of minister’s powers, as they CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

37

OPEC daily basket price crashes to $105.88 per barrel UDEME AKPAN WITH AGENCY REPORT

T

he price of Organisation of petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) basket of 12 crudes has crashed from $108.43 to $105.88 per barrel over the weekend, 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).

Oil prices dropped more than $4 on Wednesday, headed for the the biggest three-day slide since June, on a wave of selling by funds spooked by Saudi efforts to tame prices and a massive surge in U.S. crude inventories after Storm Isaac.

European benchmark Brent crude crashed below the 50- and 200-day movingaverage, sparking technical selling that pushed it to the lowest in six weeks. Big hedge funds were seen liquidating bullish positions built ahead of the Federal Reserves’ third dose of fiscal stimulus, announced last week.

The rout began late on Monday with an abrupt flash crash. Market watchers believe that sudden plunge was triggered by one large sale order from a macrofund. Prices declined further on Tuesday and Wednesday, after Saudi Arabia said it would act to move prices down from a four-month high touched at the end of last week.

“People are thinking that maybe the Saudis are going to produce more, and some funds are taking the opportunity to liquidate positions,” said Christopher Bellew at Jefferies Bache.

Prices fell further after U.S. data showed weekly oil stockpiles jumped 8.5 million barrels, far more than expected.

Brent November crude fell $4.40 or 3.9 percent to $107.63 a barrel yesterday. The $107.40 session low was the lowest since August 3.

Brent’s three-day drop stood at more than 7.7 percent, the biggest since a 7.73 percent dive in early June. That, in turn, was the biggest three-day slide since August, 2011.

U.S. October crude, which expires on

El-Badri

Freepoint Commodities analyst Brison Bickerton. “Any time the market’s had a long run with traders building bullish positions over a number of weeks you’re more likely to get a reversal.”

In the past 10 weeks, big speculators and hedge funds added nearly 100,000 net long positions -- equivalent to 100 million barrels -- in U.S. WTI futures contracts. It was one of the biggest and fastest such build-ups since 2010, data show.

Crude prices got a brief boost early when Japan followed the U.S. Federal Reserve’s stimulus with its own decision to ease monetary policy by boosting asset purchases in the face of a slowing global economy. But oil industry sources said concerns about debt-laden Spain’s finances and the possibility of Spain requesting a bailout pulled oil back.

Thursday, dropped $3.82 to $91.47 a barrel, below the 50-day moving average of $93.08. U.S. November crude fell $3.82, or 4 percent, to $91.80 a barrel.

Oil traders had worried for weeks about the possibility that the U.S. government could tap strategic oil reserves to control prices from levels that could stall economic growth.

Oil came under more pressure on Tuesday when a senior Gulf source said Saudi Arabia, the biggest exporter, is working to lower oil prices, producing around 10 million barrels per day.

Ali al-Naimi, Saudi Arabia’s oil minister, had said on September 10 that OPEC’s top exporter was worried about high oil price and would take steps to moderate them.

“The straw that broke the camel’s back here is the Saudi news yesterday,” said

Source: Oilprice.com

Petroleum accounts for 87 per cent of energy demand UDEME AKPAN

P

etroleum, presently accounting for about 87 per cent of global energy demand would continue to rise in the coming years.

The Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mr. Abdalla Salem El-Badri who disclosed this in his keynote address to the

European Mineral Resources Conference 2012, Leoben, Austria over the weekend said the dominance of oil would be 82 per cent in 2035.

He said: “All energies witness growth, with fossil fuels – which currently account for 87per cent of the world’s energy supply – still contributing 82per cent in 2035.

Oil will retain the largest share for most of the period to 2035, although its overall share falls from 34per cent to 28per cent.

Source: Bloomberg

Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl) Nymex Crude Future Dated Brent Spot WTI Cushing Spot

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

92.74 111.47 92.66

0.81 1.06 1.03

0.88% 0.96% 1.12%

11:20 11:30 09:03

OIL (¢/gal) Nymex Heating Oil Future Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

311.83 295.66

1.96 3.90

0.63% 1.34%

11:19 11:17

2.88 2.82 2.96

0.04 0.02 0.16

1.45% 0.71% 5.71%

11:19 09/24 09/24

PRICE*

CHANGE

% CHANGE

TIME

23.34 30.33 32.18

-1.35 0.48 2.70

-5.47% 1.61% 9.16%

09/24 09/24 09/21

NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu) Nymex Henry Hub Future Henry Hub Spot New York City Gate Spot

ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour) Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON

It will remain central to growth in many areas of the global economy, especially the transportation sector. Coal’s share remains similar to today, at around 29per cent, whereas gas increases from 23per cent to 25per cent.”

El-Badri said Hydropower will increase only a little – to 3per cent by 2035. Nuclear power will also witness some expansion, although prospects have been affected by last year’s events in Fukushima. It is seen as having only a 6per cent share in 2035.

El-Badri said: “From the perspective of oil, this translates into demand increasing by close to 23 million barrels a day over the period 2010-to-2035. It reaches almost 110 million barrels a day by 2035.

The question asked by some is: can this oil demand increase actually be met? I am in no doubt that it can. There are two main reasons for this.”

He said while some voices continue to talk about impending peak oil – just as others have done in the past – the industry continues to push the boundaries in terms of what can be found, and what can be recovered.

38

Energy Week

Stakeholders pick holes in Petroleum Industry Bill

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Total embarks on new oil projects

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 could be subject to abuse. The new fiscal regime has been accused of being onerous as joint venture agreements, high royalty rates and higher aggregate tax These members are not alone. The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) that described the government draft as unbalanced, said a balanced PIB is what is required – one that will provide optimal revenue to the government whilst providing sufficient incentives for new investment to fuel growth.

The Country Chair/Managing Director of the company, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu said: “It is important to take local business challenges in Nigeria into consideration as well as the impact on existing investments made in good faith at current legal and fiscal terms. The PIB should create a level playing field – one that is fair to all investors – big, small, new or old.”

He said: “What we have seen of the draft PIB to date does not indicate a bill that fits these criteria. And this is the opinion not only of the major players in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, but, as I mentioned earlier, industry analysts as well. What we have seen and what we know of the current draft PIB requires significant improvement to secure Nigeria’s competitiveness, and attract the required level of investment to enable exploration to increase Nigeria’s reserves and then foster development of the projects to monetise them.”

Sunmonu said an unbalanced bill will hinder this investment for growth rather than unlock it, adding new challenges to existing ones in the areas of investment but also, for example, license renewals, the industry-wide PSC disputes and lack of gas terms for PSCs. He said a balanced PIB will be an enabler for government’s transformation agenda of growth and employment creation, adding that: “potentially many tens of billions of dollars of investment awaiting the bill, it is not just jobs in the oil and gas industry, but the many thousands in supporting industries and their satellites that will be created. A balanced PIB would help build Nigerian Content Development faster, promoting local manufacturing and entrepreneurial development and in-country capacity and capability.”

He observed that at it present state, the PIB will render all deepwater projects and all dry gas projects – whether for domestic or export markets – non-viable, added that many opportunities will be lost. The Country Chair who noted that the opportunity to monetise some of the world’s best gas reserves will be lost also stated that the opportunity to kick start the power sector – the key to economic growth – using easily accessible gas will also be lost.

Sunmonu, who remarked that the PIB needs to address long term industry issues, for example funding issues for JV’s, where funding requirements have constrained production growth, added that the nation needs a strong national oil company, but any national oil company has to partner positively and, again, has to compete with those elsewhere that are also seeking external investment. He said: “While the economy in general is on the path of diversification it should not be denied that the oil and gas sector remains the driver of this process providing not only the funds to enable the diversification but also the gas that could and should be being used to regenerate the power sector to provide reliable electricity which is the backbone of industrial growth. If the PIB does not encourage the development of the domestic gas market none of this will happen and the consequences are almost unthinkable.”

He said the nation needs massive investment in basic infrastructure and in education, healthcare and so on, which needs to be funded in the short to medium term and in that time period the realistic primary source of revenue remain the oil and gas industry.

He said: “For our part, oil and gas companies have to be clear on what they need for continued investment in Nigeria. Just saying that the current PIB will not work is not helpful; investors need to get into the solution space. And I think we are getting closer through continued dialogue. We also need to accept that change is inevitable. I said before that we welcome the PIB for a number of reasons – the pill that might be hardest to swallow is that we will have to accept tougher terms in some areas. Nigeria has matured, the competitive landscape has changed and we all have to accept that ‘balance’ means pros and cons.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MD, Total, Guy Maurice

T

otal Nigeria has embarked on new projects aimed at expanding the firm’s production capacity. The projects include Ofon phase 2 and

Ikike.

The Executive Director, Joint Venture Offshore, Mr. Patrick Ngene who reflected on the company’s operations in Nigeria over the past 50 years said: “We are conscious of the decline of OML 100 and that is why we are bringing in Ofon phase 2 project. In addition to Ofon phase 2, we are already advanced in another project which is Ikike project.”

He said: “There are also other future projects around Etisong. We had a very successful exploration around Etisong last year and currently, we are doing some exploration wells at Emem 1, which is the former Obongawan. So, we are exploring. In fact, in the industry, Total is one of the companies that is still very active in exploration activities.”

In an interview published at the firm’s website, Ngene said: “We have not abandoned any site, rather, we are bringing in more projects. We have some interesting objects around our existing installations that will enable us bring in more projects or maintain and increase our production in the near future.”

He said Ofon phase 2 should be able to restore the former production of Ofon to about 60,000 barrels while Ikike should be about 30.000 barrels and others not yet developed in terms of barrels will increase significantly our average production per day.

Ngene remarked that: “The conventional offshore is interesting because it is one of the projects that

will feed the domestic gas supply. We have a lot of projects on hand and we are very confident that conventional offshore projects will last for a very long time.”

The director said it has been a very long journey for the firm, noting that: “We started from onshore and today we have moved to offshore and deep offshore. Our foray in offshore started in 1993 with OML 100 (Odudu field) and later in 1998 we started production in OML 102 (Ofon) and today, we have added the third which is OML 99 (Amenam/Kpono) that started late 2005 and early 2006.”

He said the production of the fields put together is about 110,000 b/d with almost 21,000 barrels equivalent of gas being sent to the NLNG. Ngene said the operator has been able to maintain the production at this level for a very long time with so many interventions on the wells and some new wells we were able to bring on stream.

In terms of challenges, he said: “There have been challenges but what we have been doing is to face the challenges as we encounter them. Currently, being an old field, OML 100 is declining naturally which is expected and what we are doing is to reduce the rate of decline.”

The director said some of the wells have started producing water and some of the challenges we have technologically is some sand production from some wells and some other aspect of technical issues especially in OML 100 is the integrity of the platform that have corrosion issues.

He said succeeded, particularly because of the importance it attaches to training and related matters. Ngene said: “We have done a lot of evaluation, Upper cap evaluation to analyse some areas where we have gaps which are used for training purposes.

In terms of careers for field operations, what we have put in place today is good for them, especially for the young ones. At least, today they know where they are and where they will be in future. It has been structured in such a way that any of the categories of staff can simply go to his hierarchy and ask questions about career.”

He explained that Total has competency assessments and other things that enable the firm to improve the career of staff. Ngene remarked that: “We intend to move them to other places when they stay long on site or move them to HSE, this will help them understand other areas of the work environment after which they can come back and continue with their work in operations. We have a career adviser; HR adviser and a structure that enables us monitor and follow up the career of our staff. So the progression is very encouraging.”

...banks on Nigeria, other African nations to grow output UDEME AKPAN

F

WITH

AGENCY REPORT

rench oil group, Total is banking on its projects in Nigeria and other African nations to achieve a 25 percent rise in output over the next five years, with growth accelerating after 2015 to top 3 million barrels of oil and gas a day for the first time.

The firm said that 70 percent of the fields on which it is basing its forecast for the 2015-17 period are already either producing or in development.

Reuters that confirmed the development said three of the projects that will help deliver the post-2015 surge are Egina (Nigeria), Kaombo (Angola) and Moho (Republic of Congo) - all west African projects in deep and ultra-deep water - an area where Total is a self-proclaimed specialist.

Total and other top oil firms like BP and Shell are ramping up spending on exploration, often in relatively underdeveloped regions like Africa, to take advantage of the historically high price of oil, which averaged $113.6 a barrel in the first half of 2012, up 2 percent on the year.

At its annual investor day in London, Total also an-

nounced it had joined the race to exploit the potentially huge resources offshore Mozambique in east Africa, where it already has operations in Uganda and Kenya.

Total said it had signed a so-called “farm-in” deal with Petronas, the Malaysian state company, for a 40 percent interest in a production sharing contract covering offshore blocks 3 and area 6 in the Rovuma Basin for an undisclosed sum. Other blocks in Rovuma have delivered some very large gas finds for operators ENI and Anadarko.

It stressed its output projection of 3 million barrels of oil equivalent a day for 2017, up from about 2.4 million today, was not a production target, but an estimate of capacity based on an assumed oil price of $100 a barrel.

Much of Total’s output comes from projects where it is not the operator and where national governments can claw back production when oil prices rise. For 2011-2015, Total forecast output to grow about 3 percent a year on average. The company said it planned to sell assets worth between $15 billion and $20 billion in the period up to 2014 as part of a bolder approach to managing its business, which has seen it buy and sell assets more frequently and also merge its refining and chemicals businesses.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Stakeholder cautions government on fuel scarcity UDEME AKPAN

A

stakeholder in the oil and gas industry has cautioned the Federal Government over the management of fuel scarcity in the country.

The National President of the Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria (OGSPAN), Mr. Colman Obasi ,who observed that the development was causing much difficulty for the nation and its people, said government should embark on massive importation as a short term measure to boost supplies.

He said the importation should be enhanced through efficient distribution to retail outlets in different parts of the nation. Obasi called for improved monitoring to check the excesses of marketers and others who may attempt to divert such products to illegal locations.

The national president said there is need to work towards resolving lingering issues with stakeholders, especially labour in the industry so as to pave the way for efficient distribution of locally refined and imported products.

He also called for improved rehabilitation of refineries aimed at deepening indigenous capacity to meet local demand, thus, conserving foreign exchange usually expended on importation.

As reported by National Mirror, fuel scarcity has worsened as many filling stations remained shut in Lagos and its environs.

A survey of the situation over the weekend showed that many stations did not have the product in places such as Ikorodu, Shagamu, Yaba, Marina, Victoria Island and Ikeja.

There were long queues at the outlets that have commercial stocks of the products.

The survey showed that both major and independent marketers who had the products sold at exorbitant prices ranging between N100 and N150 per litre to buyers who had no option than to pay the high prices.

In all the areas visited, National Mirror did not witness the presence of government agencies, especially the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) expected to monitor and enforce compliance of operators.

The situation was said to have worsened by the activities of tank farmers who embarked on strike last week calling on the government to withdraw soldiers from the premises of Integrated Oil & Gas whose Chairman, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho was accused of issues that have to do with oil theft.

In a telephone interview, the Executive Secretary of the Jetty and Farm Tanks Owners Association of Nigeria (JE-

Obasi

PTFON), Barrister E, B Kanawa said although negotiations have started with related government agencies, the strike would continue until the soldiers are withdrawn from the premises of the company.

He said: “We are still on strike, even though negotiations have started. We will continue till the issues are resolved.”

He said it is unfair for the government to forcefully occupy the premises of the oil company alleged to have been involved in crude oil theft. Kanawa said: “it is sad that this forceful occupation is taking place under a democratic government that should have respect for the rule of law.”

The spokesman of Nipco, Mr. Taofeek Lawal said: “There is hope that scarcity will be eliminated as more marketers continue to lift products to their outlets. For us at Nipco, we are selling to customers.”

He said that it has taken measures to end the current fuel scarcity being witnessed in Lagos and some parts of the country. Pepple said the fuel shortage is due to the shutdown of system 2b, a major pipeline that evacuates between nine to eleven million litres of fuel from lagos to Ibadan, Ilorin and the north due to serious vandalism by oil thieves a couple of weeks ago.

“I want to assure Nigerians that NNPC has stepped up fuel supply to marketers and distributors for effective and efficient supply of fuel to Nigerians. As I speak, we have raised the daily supply of fuel from Folawiyo tank farm from 150 tankers to 250 tankers, MRS from 100 to 200 tankers, Capital Oil to 300 tankers, Nipco to 70 tankers and AITEO to 100 tankers,” Pepple disclosed.

Conoil distributes cooking gas, lubricants UDEME AKPAN

A

major petroleum marketer and manufacturer of industrial and automobile lubricants and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Conoil Plc has introduced a new dimension to the distribution and marketing of lubricants and domestic gas to mechanic workshops and homes.

The concept is aimed, among several benefits, at improving the delivery of lubricants and cooking gas to the door steps of customers on real-time basis and at affordable prices.

The new initiative, simply known as COSA (Conoil Services Associates), guarantees product availability through branded motorcycles and tricycles.

Through COSA, the first of its kind in petroleum products distribution and marketing in the continent, the volume of the company’s lubricant sales is projected to increase by over one million litres in one year.

Another value addition of COSA to retailers, and invariably end consumers, is reasonable reduction in price.

COSA is also designed as the company’s corporate social responsibility as it is expected to create hundreds of employment opportunities and promote entrepreneurship among fresh graduates.

According to a statement released by the company, “COSA will create direct and indirect employment op-

portunities and reduce unemployment rate in Nigeria”.

It would be recalled that Conoil recently announced plans to invest N1.5 billion to re-invigorate the totally deregulated and high margin-yielding lubricant business over a four-year period with projected revenue of N33 billion over same period.

Adenuga

Energy Week

39

BP sells oil interest to Shell British Petroleum announced that it has agreed to sell its 18.36 per cent non-operated interest in the Draugen field in the Norwegian Sea to AS Norske Shell for $240 million in cash.

The agreement is a further example of BP’s active management of its portfolio in the North Sea, focusing investment on high value assets with long term growth potential, while realising the value of non-core assets.

“BP is a significant investor in Norway and is in the final stages of completing two major projects, the Skarv field and the re-development of the Valhall field, which will greatly increase our production from the country,” said Rebecca Wiles, managing director of BP Norway.

“These investments, together with our continuing operation of the Ula field, underline our long term commitment to Norway.”

With the start-up of Skarv and Valhall redevelopment, BP’s Norwegian production is expected to more than double, to over 60,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

The Valhall re-development project involves the installation of a new platform, extending production from the field out to 2050. The Skarv project, involving a new floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel in the Norwegian Sea, is expected to produce for 25 years and to be a key hub for BP in Norway. Significant investments have been made in Ula and the field is expected to produce until 2028.

Net BP production from Draugen, which is operated by Shell, averages some 6,000 barrels per day.

Completion of the deal is anticipated by the end of 2012, subject to regulatory approval.

With this announcement, BP has agreed to sell assets with a value of around $33 billion since the beginning of 2010. BP expects to divest assets with a total value of $38 billion between 2010 and 2013 as it focuses its business around the world on its strengths and opportunities for growth.

EITI global conference holds May 2013 The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the global standard for transparency of revenues from natural resources, will hold its 2013 Global Conference on 22-24 May 2013 in Sydney, Australia. This was announced today by the EITI Chair, Clare Short. Ms Short welcomed Australia’s invitation to host the biennial EITI Global Conference: “The EITI Global Conference in Sydney in May 2013 will be another milestone in the evolution of the EITI. With 36 countries now implementing the EITI, and the United States and several others preparing to do so, we are making strides in establishing the EITI as a global standard. Together we are taking steps towards ensuring that natural resource wealth leads to development.

“After two years of extensive consultations, the conference will see the launch of a significantly revised EITI standard, which will strengthen EITI reporting, and help to ensure that the EITI process becomes a national platform for improved natural resource governance.

“We are grateful for the support and leadership that the Australian government is providing,” Ms Short said.

Conference participants will discuss how the EITI is leading to more transparency in their countries and agree how the standard should be further strengthened.

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr commented on the EITI conference being hosted in Sydney at Africa Down Under.

“Of the 36 countries that are working with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, 21 are in Africa.

Australia started a domestic pilot last year, and we are keen to encourage more countries to adopt the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

“Today I am also pleased to announce that Australia will host the next global conference of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in Sydney in May 2013.

This will be an opportunity for us all to help improve the transparency of company payments and government revenues in this sector,” Mr Carr added.

In addition to Australia undertaking an EITI pilot, the country has also launched a mining for development initiative, providing technical assistance to help people overcome poverty by supporting developing countries to translate their resource endowment into significant and sustainable development. The EITI Global Conference is set back-to-back with Australia’s Mining for Development conference on 20-21 May 2013.

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Energy Week

NCDMB cautions against indiscriminate acquisition of vessels The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has warned against indiscriminate acquisition of vessels without specification by indigenous ship operators in the oil and gas industry.

Speaking at the christening of ‘DSV Avianna’ at the Naval dockyard in Lagos the Executive Secretary of the Board, Ernest Nwapa said that the development has given the Board some challenges Nwapa warned that indigenous companies wishing to benefit from the opportunities must exercise diligence to ensure that vessels being procured meet the requirements. He stated that the Federal Government through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board will not permit a situation where Nigerians that invest in marine vessels that meet set technical requirements stay without work while foreign owned vessels are engaged by the industry.

“It is, therefore, imperative that assets procured by Nigerians in this way must be put to work so as to guarantee the viability of the investments.

He said: “Anything less than this will not only kill the Nigerian companies which are exposed to the loans but also threaten the local banks that funded the assets.”

Nwapa noted that, there has been an unprecedented interest from Nigerian banks seeking to understand the opportunities and participate in marine vessel financing adding that there is evidence that Nigerian banks have participated in funding over 1bn dollar assets in this short period.

ExxonMobil contributes to hurricane fund

Exxon Mobil Corporation will donate $500,000 to the American Red Cross and United Way for Hurricane Isaac disaster relief assistance in Louisiana.

“The flooding from the storm has been devastating, particularly in southern Louisiana,” said Steve Blume, manager, ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery. “We hope that our donation to the Red Cross and United Way will help the people of Louisiana and Mobile as they recover.”

ExxonMobil’s donation is being directed to the Louisiana Capital Area Chapter Red Cross and the Capital Area United Way in Baton Rouge, the United Way of the Greater New Orleans Area, the Southeast Louisiana Chapter Red Cross and the Alabama Gulf Coast (Mobile) Chapter Red Cross.

The Red Cross provides food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the victims of this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year. The Capital Area United Way serves an area which includes the parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana.

ExxonMobil employs approximately 5,000 employees and contractors in the Baton Rouge area, where it has operated refining and petrochemical manufacturing facilities for more than 100 years.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why we introduced MYTO 2 –NERC T

he Federal Government has stated that the nation’s Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO 2) is targeted at ensuring that the electricity sector passes through a period of significant reform, performance improvement and growth.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), stated that the Order would allow for the recovery of an appropriate return on capital invested, depreciation (and replacement) of capital and recovery of fuel, operation, maintenance and overhead costs.

It stated that: “It would provide an incentive for new investment in capital equipment, provide incentives for reducing technical, commercial and collection losses; and provide viable and transparent tariff methodology that will allow NESI’s progress towards a reformed and market-oriented system in which generation and retail activities are mostly not subject to price regulation while the monopoly activities of transmission and distribution continue to be under price regulation.’

The commission said it would ensure that the benefits of a reformed NESI are passed

Amadi

to all consumers in the form of reliable electricity supply at the lowest possible price consistent with the above objectives.

It stated that: “The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) will, as it grows and evolves during the coming years, move to a market-based system whereby generators and electricity retailers will be free to contract with each other for the supply of electricity. Transmission and distribution, as monopoly wire activities, will remain regulated.”

The commission remarked that the establishment of NERC was the direct result of a genu-

ine desire to transform the NESI into a market-based industry in line with the government’s reform agenda for the country’s economic, industrial and social development.

It stated that the commission was established to facilitate the introduction and management of competition in the country’s electricity supply industry, adding that it is also meant to create, promote, and preserve efficient industry and market structures, and to ensure the optimal utilization of resources for the provision of electricity services.

The commission said it is committed to maximising access to electricity services, by promoting and facilitating consumer connections to distribution systems in both rural and urban areas; ensuring that an adequate supply of electricity is available to consumers as well as endeavouring that ensure that the prices charged by licensees are fair to consumers and are sufficient to allow the licensees to finance their activities and to allow for reasonable earnings for efficient operation.

It maintained that retail

tariffs need to reflect the costs of value chain for the NESI, beginning with natural gas (fuel for generation plant), to wholesale generation, through to transmission, distribution, metering and billing and to the consumer.

The Commission stated that: “Payments to generators are set out in NERC’s Tariff Order on Wholesale Contract Prices. TUOS charges are also set by NERC in the Tariff Order on Transmission Pricing.

All other charges applicable to the distribution/retail sector are set within this Tariff Order. The distribution charges cover the network component of the cost of distribution and are calculated according to the building blocks methodology, including allowances for a return on capital expenditure, depreciation, operation and maintenance of the network, aggregate losses across the distribution networks, meters and metering costs. Retail costs are brought into the building blocks framework as on-going operation and administrative costs and added to the costs of distribution companies to provide an overall cost of distribution/retailing.”

CSR: NDDC pledges to make judicious use of funds UDEME AKPAN

T

he Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has pledged to make judicious use of funds to stimulate the sustainable development of the region.

The Managing Director of the Commission, Dr. Christian Oboh said the gesture aims at enabling the Commission to maximise its accomplishments for the oil and gas producing areas.

Speaking at the Business Hallmark Town Hall Meeting in Lagos, with the theme, “Nigeria’s Road to Transformation”, Oboh said things are beginning to be done right in the Commission and that a high level of teamwork and commitment among the top executives and staff of the commission were key indices of change.

He said: “For us in NDDC, there is every reason to change; the region desires development; and the commission is gradually attaining the feat of delivering more projects in the interest of the people. The people will believe us more when they begin to see and enjoy more of our completed projects”.

Oboh explained that the

commission’s activities have become more transparent such that soon people will see that the projects being executed are commensurate to funds available.

According to the Managing Director, the enormous challenges of developing the Niger Delta region require the involvement of stakeholders, including the private sector as no single agency can do it alone.

He praised the organisers of the forum and assured that the commission under his administration will continue to support lauded initiatives.

The Town Hall Meeting, which was moderated by BBC HardTalk presenter, Mr. Steve Sackur, and chaired by former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, brought together Nigeria’s “best and brightest leaders”, including Governors Peter Obi of Anambra State, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Bank of Industry Managing Director, Evelyn Oputu.

Earlier, Oboh said the Board will discharge its duties conscious of the fact that their activities are subject to public scrutiny. He assured that the Board will sustain its principle of strict adherence to due pro-

Oboh

cess, with the aim of achieving a corruption free Commission.

Oboh said this, when officials of the South-South Zone of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission (ICPC) visited him, said the Board has put some mechanisms in place to ensure compliance with due process in contracts awards, among others.

He said: “Since we came in, we have put in place processes to ensure that due process is followed in this commission. The commission would be just and fair in awarding contracts to Ni-

gerians, particularly those from the Niger Delta will be given equal opportunities.”

To fast track development in the region, Oboh explained that the board will not discard decisions of the last board because according to him there should be continuity in governance. While restating that the board would not succumb to threat, the NDDC boss pointed out that all previously awarded contracts provided for in the budget among others, will be judiciously implemented in line with available resources.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

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Executive Discourse

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why we’re investing $600m in Managing Director of Orient Petroleum Resources Plc, Mr Nnaemeka Nwawka, in this interview with BIYI ADEGOROYE in Awka, Anambra State, gives an insight into the $600milion multi-product refinery project and its anticipated impact in addressing the acute shortage of petroleum products in the Southeast and Middle Belt.

Why is Orient Oil going into vertical integration - exploration, refining and marketing of oil products instead of taking just a fraction of this?

We set out to set up the company based on the shortage of refined petroleum products in the country. Nigeria is one of the largest exporter of crude oil and it is also a great paradox, which the German company has been talking about, that it is also the largest importer of refined products mainly because the refineries in Nigeria are not working. The refineries which have a capacity for 445,000 barrels per day, template capacity, are producing at less than 10 percent of that capacity, and it fluctuates from 30 to 10. Hence, we thought about setting up the refinery that will use the crude oil reserves which are inland, not in the Niger Delta and sell the product. So if you are going to get the crude, refine and use it here, you have to be capable to do the upstream and downstream as well as marketing of the products. That is why the company has decided to go into full integration.

We have a subsidiary of the company which is into refining; we have a subsidiary which is into exploration and production; we have the one that is into gas and power. So, we have covered the entire spectrum, just because of the land locked position of the reserves, and also the hinterland market which is considerable. You know, when people refined products in Lagos or in Port Harcourt, it takes a lot of pipelines and tankers to convey the fuel to the hinterland. That is why when there is a shortage, it is acute in Onitsha, and as you move inland, Sokoto and the rest is even worse. To buy one litre of fuel you have to sweat, because you have to drive all the way up. So if you can bring the refinery inside, it will benefit the country. And that is why we thought that instead of setting up a refinery in Port Harcourt, we decided to set it up inland so that we will be closer to where the scarcity is acute.

Tell us about the machinery you are putting in place to attain these set objectives?

We will use some depots. We are discussing with the NNPC depot in Enugu, we are also considering using a depot in Kogi State. We have discussed with the Kogi State governor who is giving us 24-hectres of land to set up a depot there. The idea is to go by pipelines to Enugu depot and by batches through Anambra River by River Niger to Lokoja. You know Lokoja is the confluence of Niger and Benue Rivers. When we upload there for all the consumers in that area that will be easier than asking them to come all the way to Anambra State to buy fuel. We are setting up a depot in Lokoja to ensure the effect of Orient is felt there.

For the rest of the people, they will drive to our refinery and take the products just like you drive to Port Harcourt or Warri for it now. That is our strategy- to have depot in Enugu and Lokoja to push the penetration right into the country.

Are you considering exporting your products?

Yes, that is always a possibility, but the unfortunate part of it is that when there is a shortage in Nigeria, why will anybody want to export? If you are going to solve anybody else’s problem, it is presumed that you have solved the problem of your own country. And for us, we do not think it is patriotic for now. But one thing you can be sure of is that our entry will spur other refineries to come up and the ones close to the sea like Port Harcourt and Warri where you have ocean-going vessels will take care of export. I think for us, the niche we found is in the inland and

Nwawka

we can sell very quickly. Within three hours of our refining, we can sell quickly. So, the exporting consideration is not there now because of the reality on ground.

What is the capacity of your refinery and what is your target area?

We are starting with 20,000 barrels per day and within a year, we will be able to add say 55,000 and the idea behind this is to serve a geographical area, including Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kwara states. If Kaduna Refinery has been up and running, it would serve the whole north and Port Harcourt the south. This area, the hinter land as we call it, which has not been taken care of is what we want to cover. And we are also looking at the petroleum products that are moving in the country. Our refinery will be producing petrol, diesel, and kerosene both for domestic and aviation consumptions. These are the products which are scarce in this country. You know from crude oil you can make wax, nail vanish and the rest and the most important thing I want to mention here is that every petroleum product we produce will be used as a marketable product in the country. None of them will be flared, no waste unlike what we currently have in the industry. Everything will be produced and consumed as marketable products.

That is the integration I am talking about. If there was another industry which will take our by-product and use it, it is a different thing, but there is no industry within our vicinity which will take our intermediate products and use them. That is why we have embarked on the vertical integration thing I am talking about.

Are you saying that the company will not flair gas as it is very common in the industry today?

We said it when the President came here that we are not going to flair gas routinely. No. From day one when our plants begin operation, from all the gas that come out, we will extract LPG - C3, C4. That is propane and butane. We will extract those products and make them into cooking gas. You know it is a little scarce in this country. So we are going to extract it from the gas and then the lighter gas, C1 and C2; we will use those to provide fuel for our power generation. You know the refinery is coming with a 200 megawatts power station of its own. So that power station will be powered by gas, the lighter gas. When we take out the

OUR REFINERY WILL BE PRODUCING PETROL, DIESEL, AND KEROSENE BOTH FOR DOMESTIC AND AVIATION CONSUMPTIONS cooking gas, the lighter one will be utilized in the power station and generate electricity which we will use to drive our refinery and the electricity we will sell to industries around us. We already have plans to sell electricity to Nkalagu Cement Company and Nigerian Breweries in Night Mile and some industries and the industries thePresident opened at Onitsha. We plan to sell both power and gas to the surrounding industries and that will encourage other industries. Because if the other industries are there, our economy will improve and market for our products will also improve. That is a symbiotic relationship which will be a win-win for ourselves and the rest of the industries.

In terms of investment, what is the capital outlay for this project?

The refinery is capital intensive. To give you an idea, the 55,000 barrels per day refinery will cost about $600million. And we have broken it up into phases because we do not have the $600million for now. So we are starting with 20,000 par day which comes to about $250million. We have spent more than half of it already and we are pushing for the last leg now. Now we have oil production coming from the field, we are confident that from the proceeds from gas, there is no way that one year will pass without us finishing paying for the refinery and it will be a reality. As you can see from the wall here, the components of the refinery have been purchased, they are in the United States.

But we have to pay the balance of the cost. The people are waiting for cash, and now that we are producing, we will have enough money to pay for the equipment and bring them down. Optimistically, we are expecting that within the next three to six months, people will start seeing the

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Executive Discourse

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

43

Orient Refinery, by MD equipment arriving at our refinery site.

You have your oil blocs scattered in Edo, Delta and a couple of other states. How do you get the crude to Anambra?

The Federal Government is the one that allocates oil blocs. The way it works is this. When we got the refining license, the Federal Government gave us two oil blocs, on sole risk basis, for us to get enough oil to serve the refinery for 25 or 30 years. So these oil blocs, OPL 915 and 916, between them, they cover an area of 3, 158 square kilometresmore than 60 kilometres by 60 kilometres. So we have these oil blocks they cover the geographical area which is about two edges of Anambra State, part of Kogi State, part of Edo and Delta states. So the wells which have been drilled, have been done in these oil blocs, some of them are in Edo, Enugu and Anambra. Now the one that the President came to is the one in Anambra State, and gradually, we are going through the rest places. We are shooting high resolution 3-D seismic in 640 square kilometres, part of it in Kogi, Anambra and Delta states. In each of this 3-D Seismic, you find that there are other oil accumulations. The next thing is for us to go and drill. Our goal is to find enough oil to service the refineries for 25 to 30 years. So even if we have to use the pipeline to bring the oil to the refineries in these states, we will use the network of our pipelines, no matter where we drill. The way to look at is that the oil blocs that were granted are Federal Government’s assets. The fact is that oil does not respect local government or state boundaries; after all there is oil in Akwa Ibom, Rivers and all. It all depends on where the well is located. And the good thing about it is that if there is oil here, and another 10kilomtres there is oil, the possibility is that within the two, there will be oil, because the deposition goes in sequence. That means that now that we are drilling oil in Anambra state, it means that there will be oil deposit all the states within the axis.

And have a cordial relationship with Enugu and Kogi States because they are pragmatic.

The Petroleum Industry Bill is before the National Assembly.

What is your impression about it?

My impression is that it is a good start. If you are in the mind frame that we need to improve on it, come up with your suggestions or let us implement it for some years.

Those who put it in place can also amend it gradually. But at the moment, there is a vacuum. The oil companies in the country now are working with memorandum of understanding and joint venture agreements. It is not a law, so it is not enforceable. For instance, you say this is an oil company in which government has 50 percent equity that we need to have some Nigerians to the tune of 50 percent within the management and the board. You cannot enforce it because you do not have a law which says that 50 per cent of the directors must be Nigerians. So what do you do to him? There is no law, but gentleman’s agreement. The bulk of Nigeria’s income is in the oil and gas sector, and it is a very loose arrangement for now. There is no law guiding it. All these things that the Department of Petroleum Resources is saying are just directives. And directives are not enforceable in court. But if a law says failure to do this attracts five years imprisonment, you will see that all these oil companies will sit up. At the moment, there is no law which binds them. The sooner they get the PIB in place and pass it to law the better for Nigeria, whatever flaw there are in it can be amended later. I am not a perfectionist. If we score 35 percent with the PIB, that is very good. We can measure the impact of that 35 per cent and improve on it, and if it is 70 or 75 percent ok, that is wonderful. In the university, that is Second Class Upper.

Some people have argued that non-inclusion of well-head metering system in the Bill is a major deficiency because oil companies have short-changed the Federal Government on the actual amount often drilled?

I do not think that it is the measurement that is the issue, but the diligence and honesty on the part of the operators.

In our own case there are calibrated metres which were calibrated by the DPR, So the government calibrated the metres and everything that passes through that is measured. So all

THE FACT IS THAT OIL DOES NOT RESPECT LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR STATE BOUNDARIES; AFTER ALL THERE IS OIL IN

AKWA

IBOM, RIVERS AND ALL these things are in place but the people who are reading the metres are the problem. I am not sure how the absence of a metering system can lead to short-changing. Even if there is no calibrated machine the DPR people are there and they are loading, the metres on the ship and the one on the land are there. With that you can ascertain the quantity received on the ship and the one released from the land. And there is a calibrated metre there, in addition to the metres of the oil company and the metre on the ship.We have three chances of checking. It is the diligence and patriotism that are lacking.

Along with refining and oil drilling comes environmental pollution. How are you preparing for this and its attendant unrest?

I told you that ours is an integrated system, and we are operating on a zero waste policy which was what I was trying to explain to you. That there is no part of our product that is going to waste , even the gas is going to power generation.

From the crude we will extract petrol, kerosene and diesel.

That takes care of everything. One thing you should know is that our oil is very light, it is API 48 degree, so by the time you have extracted all these, the residue is less than one percent, and this we will atomise and use as part of the fuel. We do not have anything that we are dumping in any river. Everything from our end is precious to us, because it is money. So from the design of our machine, we have planned to use everything. Should there be a leakage, we have holding basins within the facility to hold such, and we have ample opportunity to handle and treat it before anything goes to the river. Even run-off water from the facility is treated according to WHO standard. To prove that, we are using the water for aquaculture – a fish

pond which people are able to see. And the excess water from our fish pond goes into the river. That is the way it is engineered. We do not plan to release any waste into the sea because we are inland- between Anambra and Enugu. If any pollution happens, they will know it is from our refinery.

To what extent do you think government policy has been favourable to the establishment of private refineries?

The encouragement which the Federal Government has given to many industries have not gotten to the private refineries. Take for instance telecommunication sector, when the MTN, Airtel and the rest commenced business in the country, they were encouraged.

They had incentives, tax relieves and even intervention funds which was handled by the Bank of Industry. We had intervention for aviation which people have been misappropriating and even the one for solid minerals and agriculture. And in the case of agriculture, we have the policy where you can take a loan and enjoy tax relives for a year. These are small incentives which government has been giving to promote various sectors of the economy. But somehow, it has not come to anyone’s attention that they have to give fiscal incentives or intervention funds for private refineries because at the moment, there is none. So we have been struggling; the shareholders have been selling their houses to raise this money which has been coming as equity funds. If government has been supportive, this project would have been completed so many years back, because if we had the money, the project would not have taken more than two years. There is room for improvement in the support that the federal government can give to budding oil companies. If you like, Orient Oil which is about to breakthrough by injecting about 22,000 barrels of oil per day into the nation’s economy deserves some concessions. We know some of these things are often abused, but government can find a way of ensuring checks and balances so that the whole thing does not go in the way of the oil subsidy scam. For instance, Orient Oil is importing most of the components of the refinery. It will not be out of place to be given import duty waver for this purpose, as a pioneer indigenous investor in the refinery business just like the telecommunication companies like MTN enjoyed tax holiday for the first few years of doing business in the country.

We can also be accorded some exemptions in the area of petroleum revenue tax. There is nothing extra-ordinary about this. If we are importing refined fuel, we pay a lot in form of foreign exchange. So, what they do in some industries is that if you save the nation foreign exchange by producing the goods locally, the government can give such company a percentage of the foreign exchange saved. There are lots of areas where the government can encourage us. Take for instance, what incentives do they give to agriculture, solid minerals and all? Take a bit of these which will suit us and give to private refineries.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Skeptics dump Spain for German Federal bonds

T

he European Central Bank’s plan to buy the debt of cash- strapped nations boosted Spanish bond values and cheapened German debt.

The price of the 1.75 percent (German Federal bond) repayable in July 2022 dropped from 105.92 at the start of June to as low as 100.47 on September. 17. The dip in bund prices represents a buying opportunity, according to BlueBay Asset Management Ltd., which oversees $41 billion.

Demand for German debt, perceived to be among the safest securities, is being sustained as Spain weighs a sovereign bailout to supplement a 100-billion euro ($129 billion) bank rescue package and as Europe’s economy slides toward recession. While analysts have raised year-end forecasts for the 10-year bund rate since the ECB outlined its strategy, the median year- end estimate is 1.63 percent, compared with about 1.52 percent currently and almost half the fiveyear average of 3 percent.

“We like bunds,” said Russel Matthews, a fund manager at BlueBay in

Draghi

London who said he has a “small long position” in German debt. “They are cheap around 1.60 percent. If Spain does request a bailout bund yields won’t get that much higher because of the fundamental backdrop.”

German 10-year yields matched a record 1.127 percent on July 23, three days before Draghi promised to do “whatever

Spanish bad bank risks investor conflict with stressed lenders

Rajioy

S

pain must ensure a so-called bad bank meets investor demands for yield without undermining the balance sheets of lenders as the government seeks a panacea for the country’s real estate crisis.

“If the new investors do not believe they are going to get a good return on their investment, they will not want to get involved,” said Vanessa Gelado, director of

Drago Capital, a Madrid-based real estate fund that’s considering investing in the bad bank. “It’s a very difficult equilibrium to achieve.”

The terms of Spain’s 100 billion-euro ($129 billion) bank bailout oblige Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to set up an asset management firm to house foreclosed homes and real estate loans from banks that received state aid. The government wants private investors to own the majority of the bank so the debt doesn’t contaminate national accounts as it tries to rein in the euro region’s third-biggest budget deficit.

The strategy pits investor demands for low valuations on assets transferred to the bad bank with the needs of some lenders to support real estate prices to avoid further losses, said Luis Garicano, a professor at the London School of Economics.

“It’s a very difficult balance to achieve, or maybe it’s impossible,” said Garicano in a phone interview. “If you’re the government, you’re trying to attract investors, but at the same time you don’t want to underpay for the assets or you risk undermining the banks and maybe having to recapitalize them unnecessarily.”

Next BOE chief must be independent of banks, Cable says

U

.K. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Business Secretary Vince Cable called for the next Bank of England governor to be independent of the banking system, with Cable hinting no bankers had applied for the job.

“Clearly you want someone who understands banking but is not captured by banking,” Clegg said in an interview with Bloomberg Television yesterday at his Liberal Democrat party’s conference in Brighton. The person needs to have “a suppleness of mind, capable of challenging orthodoxies at a time when many, many orthodoxies on how you run monetary and fiscal policy are being challenged by the very exceptional circumstances that we face,” he added.

Conservative Chancellor of the Exche-

quer George Osborne this month formally began his search to replace Mervyn King, who steps down in June. Osborne’s Liberal Democrat coalition partners will have a say in the appointment, which will be announced by the end of this year.

In an interview yesterday, Cable said King’s successor must be someone “understanding the banking system but independent of it and able to speak frankly where necessary.” Asked if a banker could do the job, he said: “I don’t know that there are any applying.”

Former Bank of England Deputy Governor John Gieve said on September 12 that it would be “very difficult” for the government to select a banker who had worked recently in light of recent scandals tarnishing London’s financial center.

it takes” to defend the euro. The September 6 announcement of a plan to buy bonds of countries that request aid helped drive the rate to 1.73 percent on September 17, the most since April 26.

Spanish 10-year yields, which reached a euro-era high of 7.75 percent on July 25, have fallen more than 2 percentage points to 5.73 percent, while Italian 10-

year yields have dropped to 5.11 percent from 6.71 percent that day.

The selloff in bunds may prove temporary, according to strategists at Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, who forecast the rate will end the year at 1.50 percent. Money managers at Frankfurt Trust Investment GmbH and Glendevon King Asset Management said they may buy should yields reach 2 percent.

“By the end of the year things will have got a bit worse,” said Nicola Marinelli, who oversees $160 million at Glendevon King in London. “There will be another wave of flight to bunds and the rates may come back down to around 1.4 percent.”

Even as policy makers strive to end the three-year debt crisis, the region’s economic outlook is weakening. Euroarea surveys on September 20 showed services and manufacturing output fell to a 39-month low in September adding to evidence the economy is heading for a recession. Figures Monday showed German business confidence unexpectedly fell to the lowest in more than two

South Korea plans smallest deficit in six years as growth slows

S

outh Korea’s government plans to cut its fiscal deficit next year to the smallest in six years as policy makers preserve firepower amid a slowing global economy and rising welfare costs.

Total spending will increase 5.3 percent to 342.5 trillion won ($306 billion), the Ministry of Strategy and Finance said in its budget proposal for 2013 released yesterday.

The deficit will shrink to 4.8 trillion won, or 0.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2013, down from 14.3 trillion won, or 1.1 percent this year, according to its calculations.

“We need to secure fiscal room to respond preemptively to long-term challenges,” Vice Finance Minister Kim Dong Yeon said in remarks embargoed for today’s budget-statement release. “The budget draft aims to improve fiscal health as the South Korean economy is very much vulnerable to changes in global economic conditions.”

President Lee Myung Bak’s plan calls for the smallest deficit since the budget swung to a shortfall in 2008, the year Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.’s collapse sparked a global crisis. Meeting the target will depend on how Asia’s fourth- largest economy recovers as European turmoil and slowing growth cut demand for exports that fell 6.2 percent from a year earlier in August.

“The government’s plan to achieve fiscal balance next year or the year after may be delayed as tax collection slows with waning growth,” said Kang Joong Koo, an economist at the LG Economic Research Institute. “Balancing the budget should be a medium-term goal but it’s questionable whether that should be rushed when the economy needs more fiscal support.”

The finance ministry announced 5.9 trillion won of spending and tax relief this month, adding to 8.5 trillion won of support measures in June. Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Ser-

Lee

vice all cited South Korea’s strong position to weather shocks when they upgraded the country during a three- week period starting last month.

The won advanced 0.2 percent to 1,118.15 per dollar at 11:15 a.m. in Seoul, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The benchmark Kospi index fell 0.3 percent.

South Korea’s government plans to sell 79.9 trillion won of bonds in 2013, compared with 79.8 trillion won this year, according to a financial ministry official who declined to be identified as the official report is yet to be released. Of the total, 57.5 trillion won will be used for buybacks and redemption payments.

The finance ministry will present the budget draft to lawmakers by October 2 for parliamentary approval. The ruling New Frontier Party is seeking to hold onto the presidency in December elections, with Lee’s single five-year term ending in February.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

C

Global Business

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

hina’s central bank added a record 290 billion yuan ($46 billion) to the financial system using reverse-repurchase agreements, seeking to address a cash squeeze in the run-up to a weeklong holiday.

The People’s Bank of China conducted 190 billion yuan of 28-day reverse repos and offered 100 billion yuan of 14day contracts, according to a trader at a primary dealer required to bid at the auctions. Yesterday’s total is the highest for a single day in Bloomberg data going back to 2004.

“Record amounts of reverse repos are to meet the surge in cash demand before the quarter-end and the holidays,” said Liu Junyu, a bond analyst in Shenzhen at China Merchants Bank Co., the nation’s sixth-biggest lender.

“As the central bank steps up adding funds through reverse repos, it’s unlikely to cut the reserve ratio this month.”

The seven-day repurchase rate, which measures interbank funding availability, gained 22 basis points to 4.73 percent as of yesterday in Shang-

45

China’s central bank injects record funds to ease cash crunch

The Chinese flag flies outside the headquarters of the People’s Bank of China in Beijing

hai, the highest level since June 28, according to a weighted average compiled by the National Interbank Funding Center.

French industrial sentiment holds near two-year low

F

rench industrial confidence held near its lowest in more than two years in September as the economy stagnates and tax increases loom.

A measure of sentiment among factory executives was unchanged at 90, national statistics office Insee said in Paris today.

Economists expected a reading of 89, according to the median of 18 forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey of economists. A gauge that includes retailers, builders and service industries fell to a three-year low of 86 from 87 in August.

Business confidence is faltering in Europe’s second-largest economy after gross domestic product failed to grow for three straight quarters and as President Francois Hollande prepares 20 billion euros ($26 billion) in tax increases for the coming year.

Business sentiment in Germany unexpectedly fell to a two- and-a-half-year low this French President, Francois Hollande month, a report showed yesterday, as the sovereign debt crisis drives the euro area falling income expectations. The index will remain at 5.9 for a second straight month, toward recession.

“We cannot expect a quick recovery any GfK said.

“The fear of German consumers that time soon,” said Joost Beaumont, an economist at ABN Amro in Amsterdam who ex- the economy will slip into recession did not pects the French economy to contract in the increase further,” GfK said in a statement. third quarter and flat-line through the first “But uncertainty of consumers with regard half of next year. “The budget is likely to to their future financial prospects has risen be unfriendly to business. Consolidation is in recent weeks.” necessary but you would have expected the government to lean more on spending.”

Hollande’s government presents its 2013 budget on September 28. oyal Bank of Scotland Group Plc Insee’s reading for past production managers condoned and particidropped to minus 18 from minus 9 in Aupated in the manipulation of globgust, while the production outlook fell to al interest rates, indicating that wrongminus 52 from minus 44. The general out- doing extended beyond the four traders look “is deteriorating strongly again, ap- the bank has fired. proaching the very low levels reached in In an instant-message conversation 2009,” Insee said. in late 2007, Jezri Mohideen, then the The euro fell 0.2 percent to $1.2904 yester- bank’s head of yen products in Singaday in Paris. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index pore, instructed colleagues in the U.K. to (SXXP) of shares added 0.1 percent after lower RBS’s submission to the London falling 0.4 percent Monday. interbank offered rate that day, accordIn neighboring Germany, Europe’s larg- ing to two people with knowledge of the est economy, market- research company discussion. No reason was given in the GfK SE predicted its gauge of consumer message as to why he wanted a lower confidence will hold steady in October as bid. The rate-setter agreed, submitting a less pessimistic economic outlook offsets the number Mohideen sought, the people

The central bank kept the yields on 28- and 14-day reverse repos unchanged at 3.6 percent and 3.45 percent, respectively, the trader said. China’s financial

markets will be shut from October 1 to October 5 for the National day and midautumn holidays.

China’s monetary authority also auctioned 40 billion yuan of six-month treasury deposits to commercial banks on behalf of the Ministry of Finance at a yield of 4.32 percent, according to a different trader. That compared with yesterday’s six-month Shanghai interbank offered rate of 4.09 percent.

The PBOC lowered the amount of cash lenders must set aside as reserves in May to 20 percent, the second reduction this year.

China’s one-year interest-rate swap, the fixed cost needed to receive the floating seven-day repo rate, declined five basis points, or 0.05 percentage point, to 3.20 percent, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

G-20 agree more government action needed for world recovery

G

roup of 20 officials meeting in Mexico City agreed that the latest monetary easing by developed nations will buy time for the global economic recovery and governments must do more to boost growth, Mexican central bank Deputy Governor Manuel Ramos Francia said.

Ramos Francia spoke at a news conference following the end of a two-day meeting of deputy finance ministers and central bank officials from G-20 nations in Mexico City. Mexico is presiding over the group this year.

“Time can be bought through monetary easing, but the risks are still present,” Ramos Francia said. “For Europe to effectively heal, for example, other types of policies need to be implemented.”

The meetings took place after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said September 6 that the bank was ready to buy unlimited quantities of short-dated government bonds of nations signed up for rescues.

The U.S. Federal Reserve on September. 13 said that it would make additional purchases of debt in a third round of so-called quantitative easing, while the Bank of Japan unexpectedly increased its asset-purchase fund to 55

trillion yen ($707 billion) at its meeting last week.

The G-20 nations called for better transparency in commodities markets and for measures to boost production, transportation and trade of raw materials to reduce price volatilitiy, said Mexico’s deputy finance minister, Gerardo Rodriguez, who co-chaired the September 23 and 24 meetings.

Increasing raw material production “was the central part of our discussions today,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the deputies discussed

Mexican central bank Deputy Governor Manuel Ramos Francia

RBS managers said to condone manipulation of libor rates

R

said.

Mohideen wasn’t alone. RBS traders and their managers routinely sought to influence the firm’s Libor submissions between 2007 and 2010 to profit from derivatives bets, according to employees, regulators and lawyers interviewed by Bloomberg News. Traders also communicated with counterparts at other firms to discuss where rates should be set, one person said.

“This kind of activity was widespread in the industry,” said David Greene, a senior partner at law firm Edwin Coe LLP in London. “A lot of the traders didn’t consider this behavior to be wrong. They took it as the practice of the trade. This

is how things operated, and it seemed harmless.”

RBS, 81 percent owned by the British government, is one of at least a dozen banks being probed by regulators worldwide over allegations that traders colluded to manipulate the benchmark interest rate so they could profit from bets on interest-rate derivatives. Barclays Plc, Britain’s second-biggest bank, was fined 290 million pounds ($470 million) in June for rigging the rate, used for more than $300 trillion of securities ranging from mortgages to student loans. Chief Executive Officer Robert Diamond and Chairman Marcus Agius resigned in the aftermath.

Capital Market

46

Power reform: SEC to persuade core investors’ list on NSE JOHNSON OKANLAWON

P

rocesses are underway to ensure that companies approved in the country’s power sector reform list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms Aruma Oteh said this in Lagos yesterday at a press briefing with financial journalists after the commission’s maiden intergrity award presented to Mr. Imeh Usua, a taxi driver who returned N18m found in his car to owner.

She pointed out that the issue of the companies listing has been raised at the National Economic Management Team meeting and President Goodluck Jonathan is interested in the matter.

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

Oteh, who disclosed that new companies will come to the Nigerian Stock Exchange for primary issue in the first quarter of 2013, urged investors to

meet their brokers to be properly educated before taking position on stocks.

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

The SEC boss, however, said that despite the recovery in the market, daily trading volume is driven by foreign investors who contribute about 70 per cent.

“If the international investors are seeing the opportunities in the capital market, why not the local investors? It is better to

buy cheap and sell high,” she said.

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

She commended that Nigerian Stock Exchange on introduction of making making and securities lending, noting that the commission will continue to strengthen regulatory framework for the success of the market.

The NSE Exucutive Director, Informantion Technology and Market Operations, Mr. Ade Bajomo, said that there are over 500 potential companies that can list on Nigerian bourse.

Honeywell Flour’s shareholders approve N1.2bn dividend

Equities gain 0.4% JOHNSON OKANLAWON

S

hareholders of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc have approved N1.19bn dividend at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos yesterday.

The dividend, which translated into 15 kobo per share for every 50 kobo share, showed an increase of 15 per cent, when compared to 13 kobo paid the preceding year.

Speaking at the meeting, the company’s chairman, Dr. Oba Otudeko, said the financial year ended March 31, 2012, was a remarkable for the company as it posted improved performance in spite of the various challenges especially in the area of raw materials, energy and logistics.

According to him, broad

sales growth was achieved across the company’s strong food brands resulting in a 12 per cent increase in revenue from N34bn to N38bn, while good management of costs led to a profit before tax of N3.66bn.

Otudeko said that the company’s profit after tax rose by eight per cent to N2.7bn, from N2.49bn recorded in the same period of 2011.

“In the last one year, we made significant investments, not only in increasing plants and machinery capacity but also in improving human capabilities through various overseas and local technical trainings and leadership development programmes for staff to further drive innovation and growth,” he said.

The Chief Executive Of-

ficer of the company, Mr. Babatunde Odunayo, said despite the challenges, the company was able to successfully defend their quality superiority and brand leadership positions across all product offerings.

“We are proud to say that our flour, Semolina, and Wheat meal products remained in peak demand whilst significant growth was experienced in respect of our pasta and noodles products,” he said.

On the expansion project, Odunayo disclosed that the new plant would be commissioned in October 2012, which he said, would enable the company to achieve a 62 per cent capacity increase in whole wheat meal, from 1,610 metric tonnes (mt) per 24 hours to 2,610mt/24 hours.

“Flour output will increase by 55 per cent from 1,534mt/24 hours whilst Semolina’s daily output will almost double, from

125mt to 235mt. The existing Mills as well as the new ones have been configured in such a manner as to permit us the flexibility to make changes to our production mix at any point so that actual production can reflect the prevailing customer needs and attendant profitability profile,” he said.

Meanwhile, trading in equities returned green on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more investors took position on stocks.

The All-Share Index increased by 0.42 per cent to close at 25,947.60 points, as against the decline of 0.13 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 25,839.00 points.

Market capitalisation appreciated by N34.6bn to close at N8.26trn, in contrast to the decrease of N11.1bn recorded the preceding day to close at N8.22trn.

Atlantic Energy partner AfDB on investment UDO ONYEKA

T

he African Development Bank is planning to float Africa’s first infrastructure bonds to member nations to raise up to $22bn for investments in much needed infrastructure projects such as ports, railways, roads and energy, across the African continent.

A statement from the company yesterday said

the fund would bring to reality an initiative first raised at the March 2009 conference on Growth Corridors, hosted by Made In Africa Foundation’s Ozwald Boateng and UK Foreign Minister, David Miliband.

According to the statement, the investment of $22bn in infrastructure projects across Africa would, if implemented properly, have a positive effect on the continent’s Gross Domestic Product, raising it by an esti-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

mated two per cent.

“This would lift millions out of poverty and dramatically decrease regional disparity. Its effect on Africa could be similar to the Marshall Plan which was a huge stimulus for growth on the European continent in the post war period.

“Presently, the AfDB envisages that this $22bn investment will only be offered to member states. AfDB President, Donald Kaberuka, is expected to ask Afri-

can governments at the IMF summit in Tokyo this October to commit five per cent of their foreign currency reserves to take up the opportunity,” the statement read in part.

It explained that MIAF believes that the estimated trillion dollar savings pools controlled by the African middle class and the African in Diaspora, deserve to be offered this opportunity to grow and develop their own continent.

Source: NSE

NIBOR QUOTES 24 SEPTEMBER & 25 SEPTEMBER 2012 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00

24-Sep-12

25-Sep-12

Source: FMDA

Market indicators Market indicators

All-Share Index 7,490,286 points All-Share Index 22,191.14 points Market capitalisation 23,531.63 trillion Market capitalisation 7,084 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

DNMEYER

0.81

0.89

0.08

9.88

OKOMUOIL

35.25

37.01

1.76

4.99

DANGFLOUR

8.08

8.48

0.40

4.95

ASHAKACEM

13.78

14.46

0.68

4.93

PORTPAINT

3.30

3.46

0.16

4.85

AIICO

0.63

0.66

0.03

4.76

HONYFLOUR

2.10

2.20

0.10

4.76

CCNN

5.07

5.31

0.24

4.73

WAPIC

0.64

0.67

0.03

4.69

AIRSERVICE

1.98

2.07

0.09

4.55

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

FIDSON

1.64

1.48

0.16

-9.76

UBN

9.20

8.74

0.46

-5.00

UAC-PROP

12.72

12.09

0.63

-4.95

IHS

2.45

2.33

0.12

-4.90

UPL

4.55

4.33

0.22

-4.84

ROYALEX

0.63

0.60

0.03

-4.76

EVANSMED

1.20

1.15

0.05

-4.17

NEM

0.54

0.52

0.02

-3.70

NIGERINS

0.54

0.52

0.02

-3.70

FIDELITYBK

1.77

1.72

0.05

-2.82

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

21,838.51

14.09

27-Sep-12

182-Day

59,081.14

15.05

27-Sep-12

364 -Day

60,000.00

9.05

20-Sep-12

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

297Days

7,878.70

16.40

27-Sep-12

289-Day

12,963.25

16.39

27-Sep-12

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$250m

N/A

$250m

24-Sep-12

$180m

N/A

$179m

19-Sep-12

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

47

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at September 25, 2012 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)

Cocktail

48

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (10) A bend in the road is not the end of the road...unless you fail to make the turn. ***Anonymous *** There Is Hope!

Whatever may be the case for us today, let us hold a fact firmly in our hearts and minds that there is hope! There is no hopeless situation. There is no final verdict of failure as long as we are still alive. It is true that life may deal with us in an unfavourable manner, but it is equally true that our response to adversity is what will determine our lot in life.

Those who have the determination of pressing forward no matter what will discover the treasures of life.

Those who will settle for nothing less than an abundant life and prosperity will never be disappointed.

Okay, I know that you are going through some unpleasant moments right now. But here is an insight that can really help you: look beyond your present condition and see victory, laughter, promotion, good health and success. You are reading a book. Never stop reading because of the unpleasant pages. Keep turning the pages of the book and you will get to the pleasant pages and the glorious final chapter!

You Will Succeed!

TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Children keep two-headed snake as pet

I

t sounds like something out of science fiction, but for a family in Greenwood County, South Carolina, this twoheaded snake is real, and really fascinating.

The most bizarre thing about this creature: The heads aren’t side by side.

The snake has one head on each end of its slender, slithery body, and both heads seem able to control it. Two heads.

Two tongues. Four eyes.

That’ll keep you up at night.

Workers found the smallish snake with the freakish look near the home of Savanna Logan

and her brother Preston, and handed it over to them. The two have been showing it to their classmates, according to Fox 8 News.

Two-headed snakes are not unheard of. According to National Geographic, the heads are formed similarly to the way Siamese twins devel-

op. Typically, two-headed snakes have side-by-side heads, not like the snake cared for by these kids.

The high school biology department at Ware Shoals High School identified the creature as a rough earth snake. Luckily, even with two heads, this kind of snake, which grows to about 10 inches

at most, is considered relatively harmless, feasting on slugs and snails.

The kids told Fox 8 they each had a name they wanted for the snake. Preston thought Billy Bob. Savanna wants to call it Oreo.

With two heads, two names may be in order.

Dad allegedly calls 911 in beer dispute

A

Florida man has been charged with making a false report to police for allegedly calling 911 and saying his daughter was hitting him.

Investigators say the daughter had only refused to get her drunken father another beer, the

Tampa Bay Times reported.

Sheriff ’s deputies who responded on Thursday night to Robert Hagerman’s home in Seminole said the 56-year-old was obviously drunk. A report called him “very intoxicated and uncooperative.”

Hagerman had made a 911 call to report his daughter was on drugs and was physically attacking him.

Police said the daughter secretly recorded threats he had made, to make false charges against her because she would not get him more beer.

Man holding a two headed snake.

PHOTO: DOUBTFULNEWS.COM

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

49

Pharmacist in NAFDAC net over fake drugs DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

T

he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Gombe, has in-

vited the proprietor of Gwandum Pharmacy in Kaltungo, Gombe State, to explain his involvement in the stocking and sale of fake and unregistered drugs to the public.

The pharmacist, Mr.

Samuel James Barka, who is also the Chairman of Shongom Local Government Area in the state, was discovered to be selling some fake and unregistered drugs during a routine check on fake, counterfeit,

banned and expired drugs

by NAFDAC officials.

During the exercise, the agency tested nine suspected drugs at his shop with the aid of its newly acquired True Scan Machine and discovered that

seven of them were substandard while a number of unregistered products were equally discovered in the shop.

The drugs, mostly antimalaria drugs, were mere mixtures with over 70 percent of chalk or baby powder and other additives as none of the supposed anti-malaria agent were contained in them.

Reports also has it that already, patients and costumers to the pharmacy have started avoiding the place after news went round the town over the discovery.

On the whole, 19.72 percent of the drugs tested failed while five banned Fulcin, Septrin, Nimesulide, Gentamycin injection 280mg and Optalidon, were found and seized in the operation that covered four local governments areas.

Briefing journalists af-

ter the exercise, NAFDAC Deputy Director, Ports Operations, Mrs. Comfort Makonjuola, called on medicine vendors to buy from authorised sources to avoid being used as agents of destruction through the distribution of fake, counterfeit, banned and unregistered products.

She said the routine check was not meant to witch-hunt anybody but was to keep faith with the agency’s commitment to its mandate of safeguarding the health of the nation through uncovering sharp practices of unscrupulous drug dealers.

According to her, “NAFDAC wants to establish a situation whereby all drugs, drinks, bottled water and beauty products in circulation are of good quality. It may be hard, but we will get there with the cooperation of all stakeholders,” Mrs. Makonjuola affirmed.

Minister urges vice-chancellors to address security challenges inister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Rufai, has called on vicechancellors of Nigerian universities to come out with recommendations that will address the security challenges facing the country.

Prof. Rufai stated this yesterday at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State during the 27th annual conference of the Associations of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU).

Her words: “I beseech you to come up with well thought out recommendations that will aid the nation in addressing the security challenges militating against the present administration’s trans-

formation agenda.”

According to her, “As leaders of our academic institutions, where the character and the intellect of our future leaders are molded, you must lead the society in the search of an enduring peace and equitable, sustainable coexistence in our country.”

She admonished the vice-chancellors to let their commitment and knowledge count in national development.

Chair man of the association, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, called for a stop to the mockery of Nigerian universities in the world as people have tur ned universities into jamborees.

Consequently, he charged the vice-chancellors to ensure that the culture of convocation in Nigerian universities is respected.

Machal, who spoke on behalf of the workers was flanked by the state Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Jibrin Bancir and other officials.

His words: “We the members of the Larger House are calling on MTN to reopen the call centre so that these workers can go back to work; we are willing and ready to work

with MTN. “We are calling on the MTN to correct the bad image given to them by CNSSL on the Plateau and beyond.

This can be done by reabsorbing all the workers as we guarantee our cooperation and willingness to work with them and ensure their cooperate existence.”

I GBAWASE U KUMBA L-R: District Head of Doka, Alhaji Bala Mohammed and Caretaker Chairman, Zango Kataf Local Government, Kaduna, Mr. Dominic Yahaya, at a seminar on Land Development in Kaduna Urban Area, in Kaduna, yesterday.

Makurdi flood victims’ camps need more assistance –Camp workers

R

ehabilitation camps set up by the Benue State government to accommodate displaced flood victims in Makurdi, the state capital, need more food supplies to cope with the feeding of the victims, camp workers said yesterday.

Some camp workers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi that the population in the camps surpassed food supplies to the victims.

At the Wurukum camp, the Assistant Camp Commandant, Mr. Justin Depuun, com-

plained of difficulties in meeting the feeding needs of the people, especially children.

Depuun said for a camp with a population of 4, 290 people that comprised of 501 families, it was difficult to adequately meet their feeding requirements.

He appealed to corporate organisations, political and religious organisations as well as individuals to donate food items, especially for the use of the children.

Depuun said the appeal was necessitated by the quantity of food consumed by the children.

“We need things like biscuits, indomie noodles, bread and other fast foods for the children to be taken in-between meals to quench their hunger,” he said.

The Assistant Camp Commandant at the NKST Wadata camp, Miss Doose Agede, said the families in the camp were given raw food items to prepare for themselves.

“We have 268 families here and these families have nothing less than four children per home.

“In order to avoid having food crisis, we share out raw food to them according to the families and leave

them to manage themselves.

“We give them rice, maize, guinea corn, millet, beans, gari and sometimes tubers of yam.

“The food we give is not on a daily basis, we give in an interval of two days,” she said.

Agede said blankets, buckets, detergents and mats were shared to the victims, but added that the camp had closed the admission of new victims.

She appealed to the public to donate food items to the camp since “nobody knows when the water will recede and these people will return home.”

Group calls on MTN to reopen Jos call centre JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

S

acked workers of the MTN call centre in Jos have called on the telecommunications giant to intervene in the crisis which led to the closure

and sacking of 1, 700 staff of the call centre by the Communications Network Support Services Limited (CNSSL).

The workers also asked the telecoms giant to prevail on CNSSL, the contractor handling the call centre, to pay

them their outstanding salary arrears and remit all the pension fund deductions that have not been remitted to the pension fund administrators.

At a press conference yesterday in Jos, the aggrieved workers, under the auspices of the Larger House in col-

laboration with the state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) said the call has become necessary so as to save the affected workers from further hardship.

Chairman of the group, Comrade George Michael

LAFIA

M

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News

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Senate seeks supplementary budget to combat flood CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

during a visit to the camps of the Internally-Displaced Persons, IDPs, that the release of water from Kainji and Shiroro dams in Niger, Jebba dam in Kwara, and Lagdo dam in Cameroon caused River Niger to overflow its banks.

“The most affected local government areas are Ibaji, Ajaokuta, Lokoja, Kogi and Kotonkarfe which have about 20 IDP camps with over 7,378 people.

“All the primary schools in Ibaji have been taken over by the IDPs,” she said.

Ogedengbe said people whose houses were not affected by the flood were exploiting the situation to collect relief materials from the camps.

She called on the Federal Government to urgently

build a new dam that would channel the flow of water into different rivers instead of accumulating into River Niger alone.

The state Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, yesterday raised the alarm over the increased devastation of Lokoja and other areas by the rampaging flood.

Wada, while receiving the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology said nine local governments had been affected while Ibaji had been completely swept away.

He added that two million people had been affected by the disaster.

“We have a very big problem on our hands, my people are rapidly being displaced everyday by the flood,” he lamented.

The governor commend-

ed the Federal Government for sending representatives to the state even as he appealed for a quick intervention.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Bukola Saraki, said they were in the state for an on-the-spot assessment on the situation.

He promised that the Senate would ensure that relief materials were given to the affected victims.

NEMA yesterday advised communities residing close to places prone to flood disaster in Ebonyi State to relocate to a safer area to protect lives and property.

The agency, in a statement signed by the Coordinator in charge of the South-East, Dr. Abdulahi Onimode, advised the

Lokoja-Abuja road cut off by the dreaded flood that almost divided Nigeria.

people to “stay away from farmlands and homes along the course of streams and rivers that can get flooded.”

In Delta State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan raised a committee chaired by his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, and other relevant ministries and agencies to visit the affected parts of the state and provide necessary measures to mitigate the effect of the flood on the victims.

He explained that the terms of reference of the committee were to provide immediate, medium and long term measures and solutions to the flood that has displaced communities in different parts of the country.

In Osun, the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, said the Federal Government should accept responsibility for the flooding.

Speaking yesterday at the opening of a two-day workshop on environment and climate change in Osogbo, the state capital, the governor said that the Federal Government ought to have taken preventive measures to avert disasters in the country.

He said: “The situation in Lokoja and other parts of the North has brought disgrace and humiliation to this country and this is a sign of recklessness on the part of the Federal Government.

“Half of the country has been cut off as a result of the flood. If no serious measure is taken, a day may come when the bridge that joins the North and the South will collapse and Nigerians will not be able to move.

“Already, Nigerians from the South have been prevented from moving to the Federal Capital city and those in the North have been prevented from coming to the South. This is a sign to show how unserious our leaders in this country are.”

Also, the Legal Defence and Assistance Project, LEDAP, criticised the Federal Government for its failure to bring adequate emergency relief to millions of Nigerians displaced by the floods.

In a statement issued yesterday, LEDAP noted that despite several billions of naira allocated and purportedly spent in

the ecological sector, not much had been done to manage flooding even after meteorologists earlier in the year warned that there would be increased flooding of river banks during this rainy season.

“There is no evidence that the money earmarked for flood control has been properly utilised. In every part of the country there is one ecological problem or another: from erosions in the South East to flooding in the South West and North Central to desertification in the North East and North West,” said LEDAP’s National Coordinator, Mr. Chino Obiagwu.

The Federal Government also got some heavy knocks yesterday over the poor emergency response to the flood incidents from the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae, who said government did not do enough to ensure the safety of lives and property during the disaster.

Falae, who spoke at the closing session of bi-annual retreat of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and Secretaries to State Governments in Abuja, noted that government failed to provide alternative accommodation for the victims of the flood disaster.

He said government should always be prepared to adequately respond to the plight of the citizens, especially in times of national disasters.

The incumbent SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim, said they had forewarning of the possibility of the disaster three months earlier.

“When I got the news, I informed Idris Wada (Kogi governor) and he went to all the affected areas to warn them but the people refused to leave until the floods came,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has ordered Julius Berger and two other construction companies to immediately fix the failed portion of the Lokoja-Abuja road.

The other two contractors are RCC and Dantata and Sawoe.

The road, which is completely submerged by floods, has made travelling along Lokoja-Abuja road a nightmare, as trav-

ellers are completely cutoff.

The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, gave the directive while on an inspection tour of the failed part of the road on Monday.

Onolememen was part of the presidential team, comprised of Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Mailafia and Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe.

The minister described the flood as a disaster that deeply touched President Jonathan because it affected key national structures and threatened the link between the northern and southern parts of the country.

He said: “We are here on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan; he has been deeply touched by the sufferings of Nigerians affected by the flood; it is a national emergency.

“It has touched on key national infrastructure because the Abuja-Lokoja highway accounts for 70 per cent of traffic between the North and South.”

He said he also brought the managing directors of the three construction companies and their teams to assess the impact and address the situation.

He said the level of flood currently devastating the state had not been witnessed in the past 100 years.

“We have an additional two-metre rise in water level; we have conducted air reconnaissance and we are sure to redress the logjam within the next few days,” he said.

Mailafia in her own remarks said the flooding was unfortunate and urged the people to always obey simple environmental laws.

She said, “Our situation is worse because we do not obey environment rules, this is traumatising but our coming will bring succor.”

She advised states and local government councils to ensure that they did not allocate plots near river plains and flood-prone areas for residential developments.

Reports by: Ise-Oluwa Ige, Wale Folarin, George Oji, Rotimi Fadeyi, Emmanuel Onani, Kemi Olaitan, Olufemi Adeosun, Dennis Agbo and Ademu Idakwo

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

51

Community Mirror “We need to focus on children to make them better in future.”

FMR. SPECIAL ASST. TO EX-PRESIDENT OBASANJO ON ASSEMBLY MATTERS, ITA GIWA

Police smash kidnap syndicate FRANCIS SUBERU

T

he police in Lagos State have arrested four members of a seven-man kidnapping syndicate, that killed a man in Ikorodu area of the state.

The gang had, on August 30, 2012 kidnapped and killed a businessman identified as Akinsanya Johnson Akinlade.

The deceased and his family were driving into their Ibeshe Ikorodu home, when the gang waylaid and forced them into the compound, where they were robbed and Akinsanya kidnapped.

The arrested suspects: Wahab Mutairu , Aderinola Olanrewaju Obuso Abdulfatai and Kelvin Abdul, were later paraded before newsmen by the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command,

Ngozi Braide.

Ngozi said the suspects confessed to being responsible for some of the kidnappings in Ikorodu, even as they demanded a N3 million ransom from the victim’s wife and later killed and dumped him at back of Redemption Ground.

Speaking with Community Mirror, Mutairu, confessed that the gang killed Akinlade, adding

that they did not intend to do so.

The suspect said they had only wanted to kidnap the deceased and collect ransom from his family before one of them macheted him to death as he wanted to raise an alarm.

Mutairu said the man’s killer, simply identified as” Sodiq No face,” instigated him into the crime, when his house rent was about to expire.

Other members of the gang also confessed to have taken part in the kidnap, but blamed the fugitive Sodiq for the death of the deceased.

The PPRO, said the police are still on the trail of Sodiq, as she stated that all the suspects would be charged with “conspiracy, murder and robbery” as soon as investigations are concluded.

Girl,18 missing in Benue HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

T

here is now fear and anxiety among residents at Otukpo in Benue South Senatorial District, as an 18 year old girl, Anne Queen Omale has been reported missing.

Community Mirror gathered that the girl, who recently graduated from Wesley High School, Otukpo and residing at No.1 Harrison Adoga Street, has been missing for the past one week.

The father of the missing girl, Mr Onyuna Omale, who relayed the family’s predicament, said he gave some money to his daughter for purchase of bathroom slippers from the Main Market, only to later learn that she has disappeared.

The 54-year-old man said the matter has since been reported to the police and vigilance at Otukpo.

President of Diamond club, Chief Nwolisa presenting cheque to President of Network for women wih disability, Oluchi at the National Stadium, Lagos.

Organisation empowers women with disability TAI ANYANWU

D

iamond Fitness Club, a philanthropic organization based in Lagos, recently put smiles on the faces of a group of physically-challenged women, with a donation of N750, 000.

Chief Chigozie Nwaolisa, “Ochiora Ndigbo” and President of the Club, presented the cheque on behalf of his club to the President of Network for Women with Disability, Miss Oluchi Ogbonna, at the National Stadium, Lagos.

Prior to marking the activity, the club’s public relations officer, Kanayo .O. Kanayo, had ex-

plained that Diamond Club was not just a fitness club; but has taken up the responsibility of being a force to positively affect society in many ways.

“Diamond Club is blessed with men of high standing, and entrepreneurs who are sponsors of different events.

So, it is good for us to salvage and also make ourselves available to those who are either oppressed and don’t have a voice, who are physically handicapped, who can’t get a glass of water to drink. We can give from the much God has given to us”, he explained.

Making the donation, Chief Nwolisa said: “Our sisters, these men here have found out

in the last two weeks that there is greatness in disability.

A lot of our men and women went to London for the Paralympics Games and came back with medals. Those who were full bodied did not come back with any medal.

So, we want to encourage and tell you that you are only on wheel chairs, but not handicapped. There is a lot you can do; you can be part of the new Nigeria.

That is why the club has decided to do this as a corporate social investments rather than responsibility. It is part of investing in what God has deposited in you. We want to urge you to start with this donation and

use it well.”

Speaking, Kanayo observed that Christianity has to be practical.

“What the club is doing is to reach out to the society. And say my brothers and sisters, the condition in which you find yourselves is not regrettable.

You can be a man with one leg; you can be on the wheel chair and still be productive. We are working for Nigeria and the only way for a preferred country, is for men and women to rise to the occasion.”

He urged other organizations and well meaning Nigerians to use their position to make society a better place.

Miss Ogbonna,who was full

of appreciation for the generous donation, explained that part of the money would be used to register the association, while the remaining would be used to support their members.

The president explained that, in spite of their disabilities, the members have vocations like fashion designing, hair dressing, bead making and catering; and also participate in athletes.

She thanked Diamond Club, adding that when they approached the club for assistance, she did not believe they would respond.

“I am really happy and surprised at their prompt response and may God continue to bless them,” she said.

52

Health & Wellbeing

MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

A

ll Federal Health institutions in Abuja, the nation’s capital, are currently empty as the fate of patients hang in the insufficient hands of doctors who do not participate in the ongoing strike embarked upon by Federal Health Workers Union, under the auspices of Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) The strike which began last Monday has crippled medical services in all federal health facilities across the country.

When National Mirror visited the University of Abuja twice last weekend, the hospital was a ghost of itself as the premises was virtually dry. But for the top management officials and doctors who did not join the strike, the health facility would have literally been under lock and key. Private security guards and casual workers at the hospital keep the hope of few patients available at the hospital alive as they also offered necessary hands of soccour.

Some of the very few patients at the hospital expressed sadness over the development, claiming they were abandoned to their fate. They however thanked the doctors who they said had scheduled time to attend to them all-day.

Michael Enacho and Amos Ashihneye are some of the patients at the hospital.

Enacho remarked that he would have given up hope of being alive but for the doctors who attended to him regularly. He yet expressed dissatisfaction with the services at the hospital as according to him, the doctors alone could not do the entire work of other workers who were on strike.

In an interview with National Mirror, Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Peter Alabi debunked the allegation that the patients were abandoned. He said: “I don’t think there is anything like negligence here. People went on strike.

The only thing we did was to retain the in-patients; that is, those that are not well enough to be discharged. The doctors have been around. They have prepared a timetable of 24-hour shift. Ordinarily, if other health workers were to be around, everybody would perform his or her role. But

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

JOHESU’s strike: Patients on the throes of pains, death

Chairman, Lagos Chapter of the striking Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Stephen Ibe (5th left) and some members of the union at the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, on Friday.

Photo: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

now that we have only doctors on, there may be one or two challenges.” The CMD admitted the hospital could not take in new patients. “Only thing we do is to take care of those who are already on admission. If you take in new patients, you are telling them that you can take care of them from the beginning to the end. Like a labour case, which can end up in the theatre, we can’t do that now, because the full complement to retain that is not on ground. We are only concentrating on those that had been here before the strike,” he stressed.

Our reporter met a couple at the Gwagwalada teaching hospital who had brought their seven-year-old son for treatment. The boy was convulsing. Frustrated when informed the workers were on strike, the father drove out of the hospital, as a woman in the neighbourhood directed him to a nearby herbal doctor. He

refused to listen to the hospital’s security officials who told him some doctors were around who could attend to him.

At the National Hospital, there were also very few patients at many of the wards. Some of the wards such as the Male Orthopaedic were fumigated which brought them to a complete closure. The Emergency Ward of the hospital had some patients who were being attended to by doctors who looked very exhausted.

While speaking with our reporter on the development, Head, Management Information Services of the hospital, Dr. Tayo Haastrup said the fault was not the hospital’s. “It is a national thing and we are praying that the issues are resolved soon. Government is negotiating with them (the workers on strike) and I am sure government will intervene. There is nothing one can do about it. One would

just keep appealing to them for the sake of patients.

Unlike the University Teaching Hospital at Gwagwalada, Haastrup noted the hospital attended to emergencies. “We do admit patients in our emergencies. There is no full complement of work in the hospital, but we are not rejecting emergiencies,” he said.

One of the patients at the Paediatric ward of the National Hospital, Mrs. Sarah Sylvester, said she was not happy with the strike. She however commended the doctors at the hospital whom she said were assisting in treating the few patients on the hospital beds.

However, the strike did not have much impact at the new Federal Staff Hospital in the city. The hospital, which is yet to fully enjoy high patronage like its contemporaries, has some doctors, private security officials and cleaners when our reporter visited the place last Friday. There was no much difference from what used to be before the strike.

In an interview with National Mirror over the strike, the Minister of State for Health called on the workers to explore legal means to pursue their demand, noting that human lives should be prioritized when health matters were being considered. His words: “‘’Working as health worker is driven by the inner motivation to save lives. Those of us who work there do so to help others survive. It is not only about money or positions. My only call to the striking workers is to consider the interest of the health of their patients or those women who need to be attended to, especially, at the middle of the night.”

JOHESU had listed its demands to include: Non-skipping of consolidated health salary scale and CONHESS 10; Presidential committee report on harmony in the health sector and promotion of health professionals from CONHESS 14 to 15.

…No going back, health workers, FG insist TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

P

eace and normalcy are far from being returned to the federal health institutions in the country. While the striking workers under the aegis of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) vowed continue the strike unless the Federal Government withdraws the purported circular on the contentious skipping of the (Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Scale (CONHESS) 10, the Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu insisted that there was no going back on the government decision over the issue. Addressing journalists at Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba Lagos last Friday, Comrade Stephen Ibe, Chairman, Lagos

Chapter of Medical and Health Workers Union, said the Federal Government must respect the Industrial Court’s rule over the issue by allowing the skipping policy to continue.The union leader said in as much as the court had ruled that the status quo must be maintained on the issue and that the minister was also a beneficiary of the policy in contention years back and that all other government establishments including core ministries are still enjoying the policy, the health institutions cannot be treated differently.

“So we can only call off the strike and direct our members to go back to work only if the Minister of Health rescind his decision as industrial court had ruled, hence, CONHESS cannot be skipped,” Ibe said. He added

that it was not as if the striking workers were not taking the health of the public into consideration but that it was necessary to embark on the strike in the interest of the same members of the public for now and in future. On his part, the Minister of Health who was at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, on facility tours of the institute last Friday said the Federal Government came up with the decision in good faith and therefore would not see reason to go back on it. He asked: “Why must somebody skip?”

“Even the word itself suggests a minus. I believe each worker should enjoy as applicable to their levels. But I don’t believe whereby for instance a deputy director in an establishment is agitating for parity in salary and

other benefits with a director in the same establishment, which skipping is all about. Skipping doesn’t make any sense to me.

Therefore there is absolutely no reason for skipping. It does not matter to say skipping had been on for a long time, there must be a change, which will start from somewhere and someday. It is not as if the government does not concern about the welfare of workers. It does and will continue to do. But what we should do now as citizens is for everyone to find a way of contributing his own quota to the development of the country.

“So, I think the work of the health workers should be driven by inner motivation to save lives and provide healthcare to those in need and not only about money or position and so I will im-

plore the striking health workers to go back to work in the interest of the public.

“The minister also asked them to find a way to negotiate with government to ensure a level-playing ground for all stakeholders in the matter.National Mirror recalls that MHWUN had since last Tuesday embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike protesting the non-payment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) to the medical and health workers as allegedly applicable to their counterparts in other Federal Government establishments. It was also gathered that the union embarked on the strike following the stalemate on the issue at a meeting between its leaders and the Minister of Health in Abuja last Monday.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

World News

UN General Assembly: Obama condemns extremism

54

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

A

NC embattled former youth leader Julius Malema, South African President Jacob Zuma’s most prominent critic and an advocate of mining nationalisation, appears in court yesterday on corruption charges that his supporters say are politically motivated.

Police said they would close roads around the courthouse in Polokwane, the provincial capital of Malema’s native Limpopo, 350 km (220 miles) north of Johannesburg, for one of the biggest trials since the end of apartheid in 1994.

“No lawlessness will be tolerated and those who break the law will be arrested immediately,” a police statement said, ahead of a planned demonstration by thousands Malema’s supporters.

An arrest warrant was issued last week for the former ANC Youth League leader, with local media saying he was facing charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering in the awarding of government contracts in Limpopo.

Malema was expelled by the ruling African National Congress in April for causing rifts in the party, but has kept up his antiZuma tirades, saying the polygamist president should be removed since he pays more attention to his personal life than to running Africa’s biggest economy.

His supporters see him as an

“Morocco is a part of the Arab and Muslim world, so we share many many things... But we don’t want others, especially the Western countries to put Morocco in the same basket as the other countries” – Moroccan Minister of Trade, Industry and New Technologies, Abdelkader Amara

South Africa’s Malema to face corruption hearing • Strikes spread to transport sector eventual leader of the ANC but at 31 he is too young to replace Zuma at the head of the party that has governed South Africa for nearly two decades. The Youth League’s new leaders, who still back Malema, dismissed the charges as a politically motivated gambit to silence Zuma’s most vocal critic

ahead of an ANC leadership election in December.

“State institutions must never be used to settle political scores because that will plunge the country into a banana republic and confirms our view that we are becoming a police state,” they said in a statement.

Malema

Meanwhile, South Africa’s labour strikes spread yesterday from its mines to the transport sector and the country’s transport union says over 20,000 road freight employees are on strike demanding a pay increase.

South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union said road freight employees are demanding a 12 percent pay increase. Employers had offered an 8.5 percent increase, an offer that was rejected in the Gauteng province earlier yesterday, SATAWU spokesman Vincent Masoga said. The workers also want an equal increase for workers classified under the council’s extended bargaining unit, he said. Striking truck drivers gathered in Johannesburg yesterday, and threw stones at passing trucks, according to the South Africa Press Association.

The union said workers decided to strike after a deadlock in wage negotiations since June. If it continues the strike will affect the delivery of goods including gasoline and food items.

Also yesterday, mine workers for the Anglo American Platinum mines near Rustenburg met with management and arbitrators to discuss demands submitted last week for greater pay.

Closed border: Ghana to help Ivory Coast probe raids

G

hana has promised to help investigate attacks in Ivory Coast that Ivorian officials say were launched by supporters of former President Laurent Gbagbo exiled in the neighbouring state, Reuters has reported.

Ivory Coast closed its border with Ghana on Friday following deadly armed raids on police and army installations in a border town and in its commercial capital Abidjan, further worsening relations between the world’s two biggest cocoa growers.

“The government of Ghana remains determined and resolute that the two countries jointly investigate these occurrences to our mutual benefit,” Ghana’s foreign ministry said in a statement late on Monday.

“Ghana will not allow the hospitality we offer to refugees ... to be construed as providing an

opportunity for planning and executing any actions to undermine the sovereignty, peace and reconciliation effort,” it said.

Eight people, including six attackers, were killed during what were the first such raids since August, when gunmen launched near-daily attacks on security

forces.

Ivory Coast has blamed Gbagbo’s supporters, both in Ivory Coast and abroad, of planning the attacks, raising fears of renewed instability a year after a brief civil war killed more than 3,000 people after Gbagbo refused to recognise the victory of rival Al-

Ivorian soldiers patrolling the town of Noe, near their border with Ghana on PHOTO: REUTERS Monday.

assane Ouattara in a presidential election. Gbagbo was captured during fighting in Abidjan last year and is awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity. Many of his top allies are living in exile, including in Ghana.

Ivory Coast’s Interior Minister Hamed Bakayoko told Reuters on Friday that last week’s raid was “organised, ordered, and executed” from within Ghana . Gbagbo’s political allies have denied any role in the attacks.

Last month Ghana arrested Gbagbo’s former budget minister, Justin Kone Katinan, - one of around two dozen members of the former regime sought under international arrest warrants issued by Ivory Coast last year.

However, a Ghanaian court freed Katinan on 50,000 cedi bail on Tuesday pending his extradition hearing.

WORLD BULLETIN Clinton presses Rwanda, DRC leaders on border crisis U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pressed the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to resolve a conflict over rebels in eastern Congo whose military advances have stoked tensions in one of Africa’s most volatile regions.

Clinton sat down with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Joseph Kabila in New York on Monday, delivering a firm message to both that steps must be taken to resolve the crisis, a senior U.S. official said yesterday.

Clinton’s unadvertised meeting, her first joint session with the two feuding African leaders, was aimed at underscoring U.S. concern over the M23 rebel group, which the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the United States and U.N. experts have all said are receiving support from neighbouring Rwanda.

Libya appoints army to control militia groups Army officers have been appointed to take over two powerful militias in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, after the president ordered that all militias join the armed forces or disband.

The move reflects increasing pressure on the government to control or disband the country’s militias, many of which it had relied upon for securing Libya in the turmoil following last year’s ouster of Muammar Gaddafi.

The military also took over at least one compound being used by the armed groups in Benghazi.

The city’s brigades have been blamed for violence that led to the death of Chris Stevens, the US ambassador in Benghazi, on September 11.

Kenya’s MP accused of hate speech Kenya’s director of public prosecutions has ordered the arrest of a deputy minister, for alleged incitement and hate speech against ethnic Maasai.

The order comes after parts of a speech made by MP Ferdinand Waititu were posted on YouTube.

He was reacting to the killing of a street child, allegedly by a Maasai security guard, for stealing a chicken in Nairobi’s Kayole suburb. There are fears politicians may whip up ethnic tensions ahead of March’s polls.

In order to prevent a repeat of the deadly violence which followed the 2007 election, the constitution passed two years ago says that any minister charged with an offence must stand down and cannot seek re-election unless acquitted.

54

World News

WORLD BULLETIN UN Rights Chief condemns sentences against bloggers in Vietnam The United Nations human rights chief yesterday voiced deep concern about the conviction and harsh sentencing of journalists and bloggers in Viet Nam, stressing that this reflects a trend of increasing restrictions on freedom of expression in the country, especially against those who use the Internet to voice criticisms of the State.

“The harsh prison terms handed down to bloggers exemplify the severe restrictions on freedom of expression in Viet Nam,” said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.

On Monday, three prominent journalists were sentenced to several years in prison for “conducting propaganda” against the State under article 88 of the penal code, for posting articles on the website of the Vietnamese Club of Free Journalists.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UN General Assembly: Obama condemns extremism

U

S President Barack Obama has urged global leaders to rally against extremism in an address to the UN General Assembly in New York.

Obama said it was the obligation of all leaders to speak out forcefully against violence and extremism, as he framed his speech with references to the US ambassador murdered in Libya, BBC has reported.

Unrest across the Middle East is set to dominate discussion at the summit.

Obama also again stressed the

US would not allow Iran nuclear weapons.

He said the US would “do what we must” to stop Tehran acquiring nuclear arms. Six weeks before the US election, the president said a nuclear-armed Iran was “not a challenge that can be contained”.

Iran’s nuclear programme and the 18-month conflict in Syria have featured strongly in Tuesday’s speeches at the Assembly, as have the recent protests across the Muslim world in response to a USmade video mocking the Prophet

Muhammad.

Stevens was one of four US officials killed in this month’s attack on the US consulate in Benghazi The US president condemned the violence that erupted over the “disgusting” anti-Islam video as “an attack on UN ideals”.

Referring to the US envoy who was killed in Benghazi on 11 September during protests sparked by the video, Obama challenged the UN to affirm that “our future will be determined by people like Christopher Stevens, and not by his killers”.

200 homes flooded in the UK Over 200 homes have been flooded and train services disrupted as heavy rain continues across parts of the UK, BBC has reported.

About 80 areas in England and Wales are being warned to expect flooding, with northern England the worst affected.

Some areas could see 50mm (2in) of rain - an average fortnight’s worth - by the day’s end, the Met Office said.

Elsewhere, flooding has closed sections of major roads, with more than 100 vehicles trapped on a 30-mile stretch of the A1 in North Yorkshire.

The road is expected to stay shut in both directions between junction 49 (Dishforth) and junction 60 (Bradbury) for most of yesterday.

A search of the River Swale near Catterick following reports of a person in the water has been completed. North Yorkshire Police say the object spotted in the water by a member of the public was probably a yellow flotation device.

China’s first aircraft carrier enters service China’s first aircraft carrier has entered into service, the defence ministry says yesterday.

The 300m (990ft) Liaoning named after the province where it was refitted - is a refurbished Soviet ship purchased from Ukraine.

For now the carrier has no operational aircraft and will be used for training.

But China says the vessel, which has undergone extensive sea trials, will increase its capacity to defend state interests.

China’s Premier Wen Jiabao said the ship would have “a mighty and deep significance”.

It would be “a cause for patriotic passion”, he said at a ceremony attended by top Chinese leaders at Dalian Port.

The delivery of the aircraft carrier comes at a time when Japan and other countries in the region have expressed concern at China’s growing naval strength.

“It is time to marginalise those who - even when not resorting to violence - use hatred of America, or the West, or Israel as a central principle of politics,” said Obama.

The brand of politics that pits East against West, South against North, Muslim against Christian, Hindu and Jew, could not deliver the promise of freedom, he added.

“That brand of politics only makes it harder to achieve what we must do together: educating our children and creating the opportunities they deserve; protecting human rights and extending democracy’s promise.

“Today, we must declare that this violence and intolerance has no place among our United Nations.”

Syria’s conflict is not formally on the General Assembly’s agenda but was a focal point of discussion on the opening day, with further comments expected from leaders including French President Francois Hollande and Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.

Door for IsraeliPalestinian peace may be closing –UN

US President Barack Obama addressing the 67th UN General Assembly as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (top, L) and General Assembly President, Vuk Jeremic of Serbia listen at the U.N. headquarters in New York yesterday.

PHOTO: AP

BBC apologises to UK Queen over radical remark

B

ritain’s BBC apologised to Queen Elizabeth yesterday after a senior journalist reported her private views about one of the country’s best known terrorism suspects, an embarrassing disclosure for a monarch who avoids public political statements.

BBC security correspondent, Frank Gardner broadcast details of a private conversation with the queen during which she supposedly told him she had complained to the last government about radical Muslim cleric, Abu Hamza alMasri.

The queen was said to be upset that Britain had not arrested him after he preached fiery anti-Western sermons outside a mosque in London after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

That was awkward for a head of state who has no political or executive role and is expected to stay neutral in public. The queen has never given a media interview and typically avoids controversial topics in her speeches.

The Egyptian-born cleric lost an appeal in the European courts on Monday and faces extradition from the country to the United States. Washington accuses him of supporting al-Qaeda, aiding a kidnapping in Yemen and plotting to open a U.S. training camp

for militants.

Delays in arresting the cleric angered many in the country.

Newspapers campaigned for his extradition, with the Sun using the headline “Sling Your Hook”, a reference to the metal hook he wore in place of a hand he lost in disputed circumstances.

The public broadcaster, mainly funded by a fee paid by everyone under 75 who owns a television, said the meeting had taken place some years ago.

“The conversation should have remained private and the BBC and Frank deeply regret this breach of confidence. It was wholly inappropriate,” the BBC said. Buckingham Palace had no comment.

A former banker, Gardner has

worked for the BBC since 1997.

He was partly paralysed in 2004 after being shot on assignment in Saudi Arabia.

Elizabeth holds a weekly private audience with the prime minister to discuss topical issues.

There have been 12 prime ministers since her coronation in 1953, from Winston Churchill to David Cameron. Republic, a group that campaigns for the monarchy’s abolition, accused the royal family of a “cynical PR ploy” designed to win popular support.

“The decision to disclose this one conversation while keeping all else secret smacks of a deliberate PR stunt to put the queen on the right side of public opinion,” the group’s head Graham Smith said.

Muslim cleric, Abu Hamza al-Masri, with a masked bodyguard

PHOTO: AP

U

.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday the “door may be closing, for good” on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying the continued growth of Jewish settlements undercuts peace.

“The two-state solution is the only sustainable option. Yet the door may be closing, for good,” Ban told the U.N. General Assembly. “The continued growth of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory seriously undermines efforts towards peace. We must break this dangerous impasse.”

In an apparent reference to recent comments by Israeli, Iranian and U.S. officials, Ban also told the 193-nation assembly at the opening of its annual gathering of world leaders that he rejected threats of military action by one state against another.

While he did not specify which countries he was talking about, after criticizing Israeli settlement building, Ban told the assembly: “I also reject both the language of delegitimization and threats of potential military action by one state against another. Any such attacks would be devastating.”

On the question of Syria’s 18-month conflict, Ban said the world must “stop the violence and flows of arms to both sides, and set in motion a Syrian-led transition as soon as possible.

“The international community should not look the other way as violence spirals out of control.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

55

WORLD RECORD

Tallest sand sculpture Vol. 02 No. 456

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

N150

The tallest sand sculpture is 22.43 meters (73 ft 7 in) and was achieved at the 12th Gotone China Zhoushan International Sand Sculpture Festival in Zhujiajian, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, China, on 29 September 2010.

Another look at our presidential system

“

I

t takes the eye of a madman to see the world”, says the Dutch post-impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh.

Definitely not many people will share this view. But on closer introspection, one discovers that nothing could be further from the truth. Nigeria is like a busy marketplace, where every shopper comes with a fixed idea of what to purchase at the best bargain. But most time, they discover that what they want may not be available or prohibitively costly when found. In such moments, the shopper is faced with limited choice to forgo purchase or buy what is available.

The Nigeria conundrum presents this stark reality of paying a high price for a product, which even when needed does not fulfill its purpose. In wanting to plug all fissures of national discontent and create an artificial sense of unity and nationhood, past military juntas came up

Okay Osuji (okayosuji@nationalmirroronline.net) 08034729256 (sms only)

with all sorts of constitution to effectively concentrate power in the hands of a powerful few to the detriment of the masses on whose behalf they claim to rule.

In the eve of independence in 1960, the British left behind a parliamentary system that gave enough elbow room to groups or individuals willing to form political parties in other to represent their interests. One did not have to belong to the ruling party to be heard, neither did a party need the so called national spread to represent the interest of fishermen, cocoa and groundnut farmers.

Definitely, parties and their faithful did not have to be robber barons or belong to coterie of the filthy rich to get slots in parliament. And because lawmaking was not an end in itself, legislators never engaged in all types of nefarious acts to get elected; moreover their sources of living and wealth were not predicated on membership of the legislature. Even at that, the system was criticized for encouraging regional and ethnic tendencies and so must be done away with. Curiously, it was replaced by a contraption lacking the suave of a presidential system and the collegial conviviality of the parliamentary system.

Caught in this confusion, the Nigerian political system is more like communism transplanted in a primitive capitalist environment.

The legislature looks more like a Soviet style Presidium, where members are more interested in keeping the trappings of power and feathering their own

THE COUNTRY CANNOT AFFORD TO PERPETUALLY SUBSIDISE THE LEISURE AND COMFORT OF HUNDREDS OF LEGISLATORS nests than improving the country and its citizens. We are always reminded that our constitution was copied alongside the American version, where separation of power among the arms of government, is finely delineated. But in reality, we are neither following in the steps of the American system, but rather plodding on a lonely road to nowhere. The only people benefitting from the anomaly are members of the legislature and executive, who though not as painstaking and thorough as their U.S counterparts, earn salaries and emoluments that would shame Wall Street bankers.

This is irrespective of the fact that Nigerian is not only a poor country, but has one of the highest mortality rates in the world. Matters are made worse by the fact that many of the lawmakers are not only oblivious of their reason for being in the legislature, but are patently ignorant of what lawmaking is all about. On every legislative day, the chambers are either half empty or half full, and those inside are fast asleep or playing childlike pranks among

themselves. At the end of every legislative season, it looks like nothing has changed.

Because there are few cerebral and hardworking ones, they are caught in the whirl spool of the many that are pathetically indolent. This can be seen in the quality of their deliberations and even plenary sessions. This commends a sure reason for scrapping the present presidential system, which is not only unaffordable given our precarious finances, but more so the present state of our economic development.

The country cannot afford to perpetually subsidise the leisure and comfort of hundreds of legislators, including aides and hangers-on, even in the throes of dwindling national income and a comatose economy. But what will take the place of the present system? The country should either go back to the parliamentary system with its efficiency cost savings or drastically slash the remunerations of legislators and even make lawmaking a part time job. This way, we not only save money and man hours, but also make the cost of elections more bearable and affordable. The fact that lawmakers will no more be trapped in their jobs and with reduced income from legislative gerrymandering, the lure of going into politics for money is reduced.

Those opportune to become legislators will have their kleptomaniac instincts curbed, as only persons with the flair and zeal for service will be there. For the presidency, there must be a conscious effort to do away with the trappings of pharaohic affluence now pervading the corridors of power. It smacks of insensitivity for Aso Rock to operate more presidential aircrafts than the White House or German Chancery. It is such misplaced grandeur which is motivating our leaders to have an incurable penchant for wanderlust in the guise of seeking for investors or conducting foreign affairs. For a country that lacks a rudimentary national carrier, it is absurd that the presidency would have more aircraft in its fleet than some medium sized countries.

Sport Extra

M

cLaren has presented Lewis Hamilton with an improved offer in order to persuade him not to leave for Mercedes but the 27-year-old remains in no hurry to sign a deal, according to reports yesterday.

F1: Hamilton keeps employers guessing Interestingly, the McLaren team is increasingly confident that the 2008 World Champion will opt to stay, despite his gut-wrenching retirement from the lead of Sunday’s Singapore Grand

Prix.

Both before and even after his exit from the race, Hamilton’s demeanour around the McLaren camp was noticeably more upbeat than it has been at previous events as

reports indicated that his employers expected him to stay.

However, Formula One President, Bernie Ecclestone, revealed that, although he was previously certain that Hamilton would drive for

Mercedes in 2013, he was no longer sure.

“I don’t think Hamilton knows what he will do,” Ecclestone said yesterday.

“He had made up his mind that he was going. Whether he has changed now a little bit I don’t know.”

Lewis Hamilton

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