Monday, august 12, 2013

N88bn fraud: EFCC to re-arraign stockbroker, bank chiefs

...blames legal process, banks for delay in fraud trails he Economic and Limited, Mr. Peter Ololo, EXCLUSIVE Financial Crimes and other banks executives JOHNSON OKANLAWON Lamorde

Vol. 3 N0. 684

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Commission, EFCC, will soon re-arraign a stockbroker and Managing Director of Falcon Securities

involved in large scale capital market fraud.

Ololo and the former CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

BUSINESS SECTION ISPS Code: US sanctions may cripple Nigeria’s economy – Expert THE

SON tasks government on Adire fabrics certification P.A5,A6 Free ree insi inside ide

Monday, August 12, 2013

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2015: Respect your age, Jonathan tells Akande ...warns against denigrating President's office MOSCOW 2013: OKAGBARE BREAKS MEDAL JINX

ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday told the Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Bisi Akande, to respect the truth, his age, the country CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Alison-Madueke

OPEC's influence on oil market weakens P.4

L-R: Silver medallist, Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria; winner, Brittney Reese of the United States and bronze medallist, Ivana Spanovic of Serbia, during the medal presentation ceremony of the Women’s Long Jump Final, at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, yesterday.

PDP, APC governors shun Jang's NGF meeting

ASUU wants NUC probed ...says no going back on strike P.7

...Akpabio, Dickson, Shema, others attend

Rufai

OPC cautions FG on Al-Mustapha

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Photo News

Monday, August 12, 2013

L-R: Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Chief Fred Sohwo; Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi and Patrick Origho, at the Anglican Synod Conference in Sapele, Delta State, at the weekend.

L-R: Chairman, Pfizer Cardiovascular Scientific Advisory Board, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe; Guest Speaker and Professor of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Service Centre, United States, Prof. Samuel Dagogo Jack and Country Manager, Pfizer Nigeria and East Africa, Mr. Carl Engleman, at the sixth edition of the Cardiovascular Summit in Lagos, at the weekend.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Dean, Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley, Prof. Henry Brady; Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei, and former Governor of Michigan, Dr. Jennifer Granholm, at the conclusion of a two-week leadership training for Delta State lawmakersw at the institution in the United States, on Saturday.

Imo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Eze Madumere (left) and Head, Sales Support and Operations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Victor Nwaobia, during the presentation of a Toyota Hilux to security agencies in the state, at the weekend.

National News

OPEC’s influence on oil market weakens UDEME AKPAN

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he influence of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, on global energy supply will dwindle in coming years as the United States and other producers pump more crude to the volatile oil market.

Non-OPEC supply is expected to rise by one million barrels per day this year, following a minor upward revision as well as higher-than-expected United States output.

A new report by OPEC, which disclosed this at the weekend, also stated that: “In 2014, non-OPEC oil supply is forecast to grow by 1.1mbpd, supported by projected increases in the US, Canada, Brazil, the Sudan and Kazakhstan.

“OPEC NGLs (natural gas liquids) and non-conventional oils are projected to increase by 0.2mbpd in 2013 and 0.1mbpd in

• As US, Sudan, others pump more crude 2014. In July, total OPEC crude oil output averaged 30.31mbpd, according to secondary sources, representing a drop of 0.10mbpd from the previous month.”

According to the report, the demand for OPEC crude in 2013 is forecast to average 29.9mbpd, almost unchanged from the previous report and 0.4mbpd lower than the year before.

The report added that in 2014, demand for OPEC crude would experience a slight change since the previous report to stand at 29.7mbpd, representing a decline of 0.3mbpd compared to the year before.

It added that improved pipeline networks and the use of rail links had facilitated the efficient movement of crude from inland to refiners on the coasts, thus assisting to unlock a glut at America’s oil-storage hub at Cushing, Oklahoma.

The report quoted the

US Energy Information Administration as estimating that new projects would provide 1.15mbpd of additional pipeline capacity to deliver crude from Cushing to the US Gulf Coast, with another 830,000bpd to move crude directly from the Permian Basin in Texas to the US Gulf.

It maintained that starting in 2011, the rail volume increased and the total amount of crude oil and refined products being transported by rail was close to 1.34mbpd during the first half of 2013, up from 927,000bpd during the first six months of last year.

The report said: “WTI (West Texas Intermediate) also got a further boost as refiners in the US consumed more crude than at any time in almost eight years.

“During the week ending 12 July, refiners processed more than 16.2mbpd, which corre-

sponds to a refinery utilisation rate of almost 93 per cent.”

It added that inventories in Cushing rose to almost 52mb at the beginning of the year as a result of oversupply before falling to around 42mb at the end of July.

The report stated that the decline in stocks had encouraged some money managers to bet on the recovery in WTI prices, contributing to narrowing the spread between WTI and Brent.

It stated that the completion of improvements to BP’s refinery in Whiting, Indiana, which is now absorbing close to 400,000bpd of the surplus crude, helped to relieve the glut.

The report added that this surge in Midwest refinery demand, coupled with shortened supply from Alberta, Canada, on up-grader maintenance and pipeline shutdowns,

had helped the gap to tighten.

It stated that while the spread had converged significantly and had a positive impact on US domestic oil producers, the profits from shipping oil by rail were shrinking, making pipeline deliveries more attractive and slowing the demand for train cargoes.

According to the report, refineries in the US East Coast and eastern Canada that traditionally import foreign crudes from the Atlantic Basin have benefited from growing output from North Dakota, where prices have been cheaper than North Sea Brent and West African grades, enough to cover the cost of rail shipments.

Analysts have expressed fears that the continued production and export of American and other crudes would likely affect the economic fortunes of OPEC member states, especially Nigeria which previously had America as its

major importer.

The National President of the Oil and Gas Service Providers Association, Mr. Colman Obasi, said in a telephone interview that: “The increasing dominance of the United States and others will certainly affect OPEC members, particularly Nigeria since America had been the nation’s major oil importer for several years.”

He added that there was increasing need for the country and other producers to diversify their foreign exchange generating base in order to cope with the present and future realities in the market.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has already observed that: “The world is now becoming more competitive, the U.S shale oil is already affecting our oil export to the US, bearing in mind that the US is one of our major trade partners in this sector.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Monday, August 12, 2013

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2015: Respect your age, Jonathan tells Akande CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

and desist from denigrating the exalted office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A statement yesterday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the Presidency had noted with dismay the continuation of efforts by leaders of the opposition to promote themselves and their party through the “irresponsible denigration” of the Office of the President.

"The Interim National Chairman of APC sank to a new low in this regard when he rudely and falsely described Jonathan as a ‘kindergarten’ leader who treats national issues with levity," Abati said.

He noted that Akande had every right to embark on a flight of fancy about the APC beating the PDP in the 2015 general elections, but did no justice to his age and status when he (Akande) resorted to propagating falsehood, willfully insulting the President of his country, impugning his integrity and desecrating the very office which his party wishes to take over in 2015 by fair or foul means.

Part of the statement reads: "We urge Chief Akande and his fellowtravellers to remember that there are laws against libel and defamation of charac-

ter in this country even if there are no legal impediments to indecorous, hypocritical and unpatriotic vituperations.

"It is certainly rude, illmannered, uncharitable and hypocritical for Chief Akande to falsely and cavalierly allege that a President, who toils tirelessly every day of the week, evolving and implementing workable solutions to Nigeria’s problems, is handling national issues with levity.

“Also, nothing else but gross ignorance and lack of consideration could have led Chief Akande to refer to a President who, having served as deputy governor, governor, vice-president and president, has far more experience of governance at the highest level than him and his preferred “candidates”, as a kindergarten leader."

Abati added that by his “unguarded and intemperate outburst”, Akande exhibited an unbecoming lack of respect for the person and office of the President of his country and a complete disregard for the “patriotic feelings of the millions of Nigerians who voted for Jonathan and who continue to appreciate his sincere efforts to positively transform the nation.”

"It is very sad and unfortunate that unbridled ambition for the office they

constantly impugn and denigrate has blinded Chief Akande and his ilk to the visible accomplishments of the Jonathan Presidency.

"Certainly, nothing else but a manic and unscrupulous quest for power could have led them to make such accusations against a President who, amongst other significant achievements, has been praised for his handling of the insurgency in some parts of Northern Nigeria where he has used a combination of diplomacy and targeted military force to contain the security threat.

"Nothing else but the relentless pursuit of nar-

row personal and sectional interests could lead them to make such claims about a President under whose leadership Nigeria's economy has been promoted from a low income economy to a middle income economy by the World Bank and whose leadership has seen the Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria increase at an annual rate of over six per cent since he took office.

"Finally, though President Jonathan has not indicated whether or not he is interested in a second term, Chief Akande, who has taken stock of his party and seen that they have no electable presidential mate-

rial is already trying to be clever by half by claiming the President is statutebarred from contesting in 2015 saying it will amount to a "third term". " If this is the winning strategy of the APC, Chief Akande has every reason to panic because the issue of eligibility for election into the office of the President has been settled by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended which provides as follows; 137. (1) A person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if (b) He has been elected to such office at any two previ-

ous elections; President Goodluck Jonathan has been elected into office on only one previous occasion and is therefore not statute-barred from running.

"It is clear that the APC is seeking to bait the Presidency to respond to it to achieve two purposes. The first purpose is to get their name into the press and gain name recognition for their party. How pathetic.

The second and more important reason is to divert the attention of the public from the festering feud between Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu over CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>

L-R: Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe; President Goodluck Jonathan; Minister of State for Niger Delta, Gaius Ishaku and others during the inspection of Otuoke Community Skill Acquisition Centre in Bayelsa State at the weekend.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

N88bn fraud: EFCC to re-arraign stockbroker, bank chiefs CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

bank executives namely Bartholomew Ebong (Union Bank), Sebastian Adigwe (Afribank), Erastus Akingbola (Intercontinental Bank), Okey Nwosu (Finbank) and Mrs. Cecilia Ibru (Oceanic Bank), were on August 14, 2009 arrested for various charges bordering on gross mismanagement and poor corporate governance.

The charges concern insider trading on bank shares, share manipulation and other forms of fraudulent conduct.

Ibru has since been freed after a plea bargain that saw her bagging a controversial six month jail sentence.

The other executives are still on trial at various courts but the trials have dragged on for years without convictions so far.

National Mirror investigation showed that the

EFCC, frustrated by the slow pace of the trials, was looking for a better strategy to conclude the criminal proceedings.

The EFCC’s Head of Operations, Lagos, Mr. Iliyasu Kwaraba, attributed the delay in giving judgements in the cases to courts.

He said that court hindrance was the major problem in prosecuting fraud suspects, adding that in the Ololo case, a special committee had been constituted to pursue the matter and that the case would be concluded soon.

The stockbroker was alleged to have fraudulently obtained share purchase loans totalling of N88.3bn from five delinquent banks among other charges. Explaining the challenges in prosecuting the suspects, Kwarabal said: “We don’t have the system to fast track many of the cases.

“For example, we have traced suspects from banks and place them in courts.

We have filed our charges (20) before the High Court in Lagos, up till now, no arraignment. When the cases get to courts, they are at the mercy of the judges.

“A former state’s governor is being investigated for committing fraud since 2003, but with all available evidence we have on him, he got perpetual injunction from court restraining us from trying him.

“In another case, we got judgement that the court has no jurisdiction. By the time they alleged that there was duress in taking the statement, it becomes a problem to tender. We are just wasting resources on several trials.

“There was a time we appeared in court and the court said three statements could not be taken at once,

but one after the other at different dates. There are so many applications and it’s taking time. That is the problem.”

On the allegation that the commission is being influenced to soft-pedal on some of the cases, he said that he had carried out many investigations for the past eight years and nobody had stopped him from going ahead.

Kwaraba however, accused banks of complicating fraud cases, saying that banks sometimes hide relevant information from the commission.

“Sometimes when you go to the banks, they don’t give out relevant information.

Worse still, two or three years after, the necessary staff might have left the banks,” he added.

Kwarabal, who said that the commission received 166 cases in June and re-

covered N1.6bn from fraudsters, explained that there were lots of activities being undertaken by the commission.

“When we are doing high profile cases, mere seeing the invitation letter from the commission, they will go to court, use the proceeds of the crime to hire Senior Advocates of Nigeria. We have all available evidence against the governor, but he got perpetual injunction.”

Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms. Aruma Oteh, while speaking on the latest developments concerning the case of alleged fraud committed by Ololo and others in the capital market, said the case was still in court and it was left for the judges to decide.

The Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr.

Marvel Akpoyibo, also said that the police had herculean task in discharging their responsibilities despite the effort of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to reduce corruption in the banking industry.

He, however, accused banks of failing to always report fraud cases to the police, saying that due to perceived negative publicity and slow and tortuous legal process, banks do not report many cases.

Akpoyibo noted that at every hour, there was an attempt to defraud a bank in the country.

National Mirror learnt that governors being investigated by the EFCC include the former Enugu State Governor, Mr. Chimaroke Nnamani over suspicious $5.3m wire transfer into the account of Facegood Oil and Gas Company.

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PDP, APC governors shun Jang's NGF meeting OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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he meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, held last night without Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the opposition governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in attendance.

The governors at the meeting include those of Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Benue, Plateau, Kogi, Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara and Ondo states.

The six governors of APC, which include those of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Edo states; the three ANPP governors and their colleagues in Nasarawa and Imo states as well as the five PDP governors heeded the call of Amaechi to stay away from the meeting.

Amaechi had earlier asked his colleagues to shun the meeting called by a factional chairman of the forum, Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang.

Jang, in a letter sent to the governors on Friday, had invited them for a meeting in Abuja.

The Rivers State governor, in a message on Saturday, said it was wrong for Jang to be calling for meetings when it was apparent that he did not win the forum’s chairmanship election.

He described Jang as an impostor and asked the governors not to honour his invitation.

Amaechi said: “Jang is an impostor. NGF members should steer clear of him.

The Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko, said he would not attend the meeting because Jang was not validly elected.

Wamakko, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media, Sani Umar, also faulted Jang’s call for the meeting, saying, “How can we attend such a meeting? We are not part of him.

We won’t be there because he was not validly elected.”

Also, the Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, said he would not attend the meeting because Jang was not qualified to convene such meeting.

Some South-West gov-

ernors also declined the invitation, stating that they were not party to the Jang’s group.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola said he would not attend the meeting because of his support for Amaechi.

Aregbesola, who spoke through his Commissioner for Regional Planning and Special Duties, Mr. Ajibola Basiru, on Saturday, said it was wrong to describe the group of governors supporting Jang as a faction of the governors’ forum.

Also, an official of the Oyo State Government, who did not want his name mentioned, said Governor Abiola Ajimobi would not attend Jang’s meeting.

Also, the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has also turned down the invitation to attend the meeting.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said Fayemi did not recognise Jang as the chairman of the NGF and would not attend any meeting called by him.

He said: “As far as Governor Kayode Fayemi is concerned, Governor Rotimi Amaechi is the chairman of the NGF and he is the only one who has the right to call the forum’s meeting.”

The Ogun State Governor, Mr. Ibikunle Amosun, also declined Jang’s invitation.

The state Commissioner for Information, Yusuf Olaniyonu, said Amosun had repeatedly said the NGF chairman he voted for was Amaechi.

“Making a right deduction from that statement, it is obvious he will only attend a meeting of the NGF organised by Amaechi,” he said.

However, Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko said he would attend any NGF meeting convened by Jang.

Mimiko has been a staunch supporter of Jang’s leadership.

Mimiko’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Eni Akinsola, told one of our correspondents that his principal would not shun any meeting convened by Jang.

Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Abraham Yiljap, said: “While Governor Jang made efforts to get everybody on

board, he must also continue with the business of running the NGF.” But the Kwara State Governor, Mr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, said he was not aware of the meeting of the NGF called by Jang.

In an email response, his Senior Special Assistant,

Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, said Ahmed had not been officially notified or invited for the meeting.

A statement from Jang’s NGF’s office simply said that, “The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Gov. Jonah Jang of Pla-

teau State has summoned an emergency meeting of members of the forum.

The agenda for the meeting included “Constitution Amendment.”

The meeting was to discuss the issue of local government financial autonomy that was “killed” by the

Senate and passed by the House of Representatives.

Also to be discussed by the governors was the dwindling revenue earnings from oil following oil theft in the Niger Delta where Nigeria has lost hundreds of barrels from the activities of oil thieves.

L-R: President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi; President, African First Lady's Peace Mission, Dame Patience Jonathan and Mrs. Denise Nkurunziza, on arrival at the venue of the Pan African Women Conference in Bujunbura, Burundi, at the weekend.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

2015: Respect your age, Jonathan tells Akande CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

the overriding ambition of the two men which is threatening to tear the new contraption which is mistakenly referred to by the gullible as a party.

"To the discerning, it is only a matter of time before ambition sinks the APC boat. It is only 2013 and already the big masquerades in the party are using undemocratic words like "must", "nobody can stop" and other military terms in discussing their presidential ticket.

"Our advice to the APC is this: treat your party like a democratic association and don't mistake it for the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) that someone used to force his way to power," the statement said.

Reacting to Abati’s statement, the former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Rotimi Fashakin said: “I believe Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who is the National Publicity Secretary of the APC would respond appropriately on behalf of the APC. “But as a member of the APC, I would say that as usual Rueben Abati, as expected, has chosen to be vituperating without any common sense, without responding to the issue raised

by Chief Akande.

“Chief Akande alleged that he wrote series of correspondences to President Jonathan on burning national matters without a reply. Abati chose not to respond to the issues raised; he chose not to either put to the lie what Chief Akande has alleged or confirm it, rather but chose to abuse Chief Akande.

“Abati and Dr. Doyin Okupe, his co-traveller in the management of the President’s public image, are the ones denigrating the Presidency. They don’t seem to understand their jobs as presidential spokespersons. I would advise that they should go and learn; maybe they should go to the United States and learn what it takes to be presidential spokespersons.

“Their action simply shows that they have a principal who do not even understand what it is to hold public office. Abati and Okupe should be taught the rudiments of what it takes to hold public office and I dare say that these presidential spokespersons are doing these, may be because President Jonathan just stumbled into office.”

Also yesterday, the Presidency said that President Jonathan was above ethnic and religious politics.

In another statement by Abati in reaction to comments by the former Min-

ister of Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the Presidency said that most recent interviews, like others in the past, showed that El-Rufai was a serial liar.

Abati, who said the facts of history bore him witness, noted that El-Rufai accused Jonathan of playing ethnic and religious politics, saying that any objective watcher of the President knew that this was false.

He said: "For instance, the Muslim Ummah just emerged from the Ramadan fast and the President, though a Christian, joined them in fasting and severally broke the fast with Muslims at the Presidential Villa.

“Also, in the history of the existence of Nigeria as a nation, no leader has spent the quantum of funds that President Jonathan has spent on education, specifically tailored for Islamic itinerant scholars known as the almajiri.

“In the composition of his cabinet, the President has appointed Muslims into sensitive positions and ensured a balance that has been commended by many in the Islamic fold.

"But it is most curious that this allegation is coming from Nasir El-Rufai, a man who profaned the name of Jesus Christ on

Twitter by tweeting a joke, which is too indecent to mention in the presence of civilised persons.

“This same El-Rufai is the same man who in June of last year claimed that Christians were behind the bombings of their own churches rather than terrorists and were doing this to further a Christian agenda.

Abati also said that ElRufai’s comment on the Vice-President was also unfortunate.

He said: "The report quoted him (El- Rufai) as describing the administration of Mohammed Namadi Sambo in Kaduna State as a disaster, purporting that the vice-president as a former governor of Kaduna State incurred a huge debt profile that compelled his successor to complain.

“At no time did the late Governor Yakowa ever accuse the Vice-President of incurring any huge debt during his tenure as Governor of Kaduna State.

"For the records, when the Vice- President was in charge as Governor of Kaduna State, the state never borrowed a penny from any quarters. The efforts to generate cheap funds for development, which he applied for, were just recently approved by the Islamic Development Bank for the state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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he Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday called for the probe of the activities of the Prof.

Julius Okojie-led National Universities Commission, NUC, over alleged fraudulent practices in the accreditation of universities.

ASUU National Treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu and the Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter, Dr. Olusegun Ajiboye, made the call while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

FG vows arrest low gas supply to power plants CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he Federal Government has vowed to arrest another crisis in the gas sector.

The situation seems to be affecting power generation in some parts of the country.

Technical Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Power, Sunny Igboanugo, who disclosed this in a statement, noted that Ministry of Power had begun assembling a team of experts to investigate the cause of leak in the gas supply channels in the Eastern part of the country and determine measures to ameliorate the situation.

According to the statement, three power stations in the East - Afam IV, Afam VI and Rivers Independent Power Plant (IPP) - were shut down o Friday night as a result of gas constraints arising from condensate issue on Trans National Pipeline (TNP) putting total generation lost from the stations at 624 megawatts.

Igboanugo said Olorunsogo power station was also shut due to low gas pressure as a result of which 89 megawatts of power was lost.

He added that low head water elevation limited generation at Kainji and Jebba hydro stations to one unit each.

He said that a total grid generation as at 6:0am on Saturday was 262 megawatts, adding that with the low level generation, thus necessitating a nationwide load shedding.

National News

Monday, August 12, 2013

ASUU calls for probe of NUC They also called for the review of the Act establishing the NUC and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB. Aremu said it was unbelievable that the Okojieled NUC could give a clean bill of health to universities which the Needs Assessment Committee set up by the Federal Government found to be deficient in human capital and infrastructure.

The ASUU treasurer, who alleged that the activities of NUC were tainted with fraud over accredita-

tion, said the commission had outlived its usefulness owing to shoddy practices.

He said: “In NUC, there are so many frauds going on there. NUC, to us in ASUU, has outlived its usefulness. When government gives appointment, they know the kind of people they take and most of the time; they are people who can compromise anything.

“Recently, the Rivers State University of Technology conducted an examination under some fraudulent situations when the academic staff were on

strike and NUC came out to say the examinations were conducted under normal conditions.

“The fraud going in NUC over accreditation of courses in Nigerian universities must stop. If JAMB is working well, there will be no need for post-JAMB and that is why we are saying the laws that established JAMB should also be reviewed.

“I will give you another example. There was a time we went to for an ASUU meeting at ABU and there is a university called Cross

State University of Technology, CRUTECH, which was a fusion of a college of agriculture, polytechnic and college of education. They do not have the qualification to undertake a degree awarding status.

When the state government said they would transfer the staff to the civil service if they failed to obtain PhD, they ran to ASUU to fight on their behalf but we told them that that was not possible. We cannot shortchange the system.

“But NUC went to this same university and ac-

credited all their programmes. So, this is what the NUC has been doing.

“The need to amend the NUC Act is needed. When we have an NUC that accredited universities that the Needs Assessment Team found to be in rot, don’t you think there is need to review the Act setting up the commission, which is no longer working in the interest of Nigerians?”

Insisting that ASUU’s stand on full implementation of the 2009 agreement remained unshaken, Aremu stressed that government could not call for renegotiation without implementing the 2009 agreement.

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Only shortlisted candidate will be contacted

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Monday, August 12, 2013

Five governors’ consultations’ll not divide Nigeria –Aliyu PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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iger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, has said that the consultations embarked upon by the G-5 Governors will not in any way affect politics nor lead to the division of the country.

He also said care must be taken to ensure that religion does not take central stage in the country’s polity.

Aliyu told journalists in Minna shortly after receiving traditional rulers that have come to pay him homage on Sallah day, he

said peace and democracy are not issues that should be toyed with, but must be sustained.

He said; “Our consultations will not affect the politics of the country or cause division. In the area of politics, it is very good that the two parties are now on, and I believe that now we should be very careful on how we conduct ourselves, to make sure that we do not allow religious issues to dominate our polity.

“We should be very careful about bringing religion into politics and the two parties or other parties

must be very real, doing politics of issues, politics of development and not simple politics of personality, issues that will divide us after 100 years of living together as Nigerians, we must now be talking about development and not individual differences.”

He also urged well meaning individuals to join the five governors should they see the need to contribute to the peace, progress and development of the country.

According to him; “We have had series of meetings with other people. The President is made to understand

the issues we are talking about, and so, these consultations must continue not only by the five governors, but by anybody who feels he can contribute to the peace, progress and development of Nigeria; they should join in the consultations. The lack of communication usually is the cause of the many problems of this country.”

He then congratulated Muslims in the country for successfully completing the Ramadan, saying the celebration has been peaceful, adding that there was the need to sustain peace beyond the period.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Prison official exonerates staff from sodomy accusation OMEIZA AJAYI

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he Nigeria Prisons Service has exonerated its staff of any complicity in the allegation that a warder at the Kuje Prisons of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was engaged in sodomy with one of its popular inmates and terror suspect, Charles Okah, describing Okah as an ill-behaved inmate.

The service said after acting on a petition submitted to it by Festus Keyamo’s chambers, there was nothing to suggest any act of sodomy on the suspect.

Controller-General of Prisons, Mr. Zakari Ohinoyi Ibrahim, who disclosed this in a statement made available to National Mirror in Abuja yesterday, said on receipt of a petition from Barrister Festus Keyamo’s chambers on behalf of Mr. Charles Okah, an inmate in Kuje prisons, he constituted an investigation panel headed by the Controller of Prisons, FCT Command, to look into the matter.

Ibrahim said although the service would not want to join issues with Keyamo Chambers in the public, it was pertinent that the records be put straight.

He said after a routine search was conducted on the prison by eight officers,

Mr. Okah was caught with an MTN SIM Card hidden underneath his pants.

According to him, Okah had refused to be searched and when he eventually gave in to a search, the card was found on him while a Nokia C2 phone and memory card were also found tucked away in an electrical bulb fitting located on top of the concrete ceiling of his cell.

According to him, Okah’s ill manners have now become unacceptable to the management of the Nigeria Prisons Service.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that there was nothing that suggests or points to an act of sodomy on Charles Okah by any officer of the prison as alleged. Rather, there was a routine search of the prisons by eight officers, headed by the Chief Warder.

“During the search, Charles Okah, as usual refused to submit himself for search. But when he eventually subjected himself to the search, an MTN SIM Card was found on him (under his pants). A Nokia C2 phone and a memory card were also discovered in an electric bulb fitting located on top of the concrete ceiling of his cell.

“Charles Okah has constantly exhibited bad conduct in his cell which is unacceptable to the management,” he stated.

Reps, Senate will agree on LG autonomy –Lawmaker L-R: Group Managing Director, Odua Group of Companies, Mr. Adebayo Jimoh; Governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Commissioner for Integration and Intergovernmental Affairs, Ekiti State, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye and children, during a visit by the governors to the newly-commissioned Shoprite outlet in Ibadan, Oyo State, recently.

Lawmakers under fire over N1.2bn United States’ trip SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

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iscontent raged yesterday in Delta State over the ongoing leadership training by the state’s lawmakers in the United States.

Stakeholders in the state were enraged by the cost of the training, which reliable unofficial sources put at N1.2 billion.

Although, National Mirror could not officially confirm the cost of the training, which is expected to last for about three weeks, the exercise and its cost implication for tax payers are generating ripples in the state.

National Mirror gathered that 40 people were

led to the United States by the Speaker of the House and governorship aspirant on the platform of the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2015 election, Mr. Victor Ochei.

Those in the entourage of Ochei for the leadership training at Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, San Francisco, USA, include the pioneer Speaker of the Assembly and Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters, Chief Emmanuel Okoro and some top civil servants as well as aides of some principal officers of the House.

The team is expected to return to the country this week. Some stakeholders

have challenged the leadership of the House to make the expenditure for the trip public.

Already, the main opposition party in the state, Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, has described the training tour as “an embarrassing trend.”

DPP’s Chairman in the state, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, in an interview with National Mirror, said the training session had no bearing with the development challenges in the state.

Ezeagwu blamed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for approving funds for the trip.

“I don’t know what they want to achieve by that trip to United States. Have they

gone there to learn how to give us water and electricity and other basic amenities? This is uncalled for and it is a colossal waste of tax payers’ money.

“The governor is part of the conspiracy against Deltans because the Assembly is not independent and lawmakers could not have generated the resources for the trip. The governor is part of it, because he released the money for that sad trip,” DPP leader added.

A rights group, Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHRD, has also described the training programme as “a waste of resources,” adding that the action showed that the Assembly had lost its bearing.

TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, has assured Nigerians that the Senate and the House of Representatives would harmonise on the need to grant autonomy to local governments in the country.

The Senate had voted against autonomy for local governments while considering over 70 items in the 1999 Constitution, but the House voted overwhelmingly for the independence of the third tier of government from the states last month.

The lawmaker, who represents Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency of Benue State, spoke at the weekend while addressing journalists on his award of 934 scholarships to stu-

dents in all local governments in his state.

Jime while speaking on topical issues in the 1999 Constitution, said though the Senate voted against granting the local tier of government autonomy, the two chambers of the National Assembly will certainly fall on the same page on resumption in September.

He said: “To my mind, and I think I can say with all sense of responsibility that the Senate would harmonise with the House on the issue of local government autonomy.”

According to Jime, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Capital Territory, FCT, voting for local government autonomy by the House, was commendable even as he sought the support of the state Houses of Assembly on the issue.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Monday, August 12, 2013

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Attack: Falana seeks arrest, prosecution of culprits ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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agos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has expressed disappointment that the masterminds of last month’s attack on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, secretariat in Ado Ekiti, where some state officials of the party were injured have not been arrested and prosecuted weeks after.

Falana called on the Inspector-General of Police,

Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, to step in to arrest and prosecute the criminals to serve as deterrent to others.

The human rights activist, in a chat with journalists yesterday, lamented that thugs and criminals had found their ways back to the state and had been unleashing terror on the land and its people.

According to him, those who carry out the attack were responsible for similar ones in the past, adding that the sponsor,

who he described as an erstwhile elected official, killed six persons when he was in office.

“I am disturbed that thuggery is finding its way back into Ekiti State. The architect of this was the sponsor of the recent attack on the secretariat of the PDP in Ado Ekiti. I am surprised that he has not been arrested. The same person killed six persons some years back when he attacked the secretariat.

“We are calling on the

police to do the needful, because we want to ensure that the culture of committing crimes with impunity does not continue,” he said.

Falana urged the Federal Government to step up efforts at ensuring the security of lives and property through creating jobs for the teeming population of unemployed youths and deemphasising religious extremism.

He said not much has been achieved in the battle against insecurity, especial-

ly that “the police are not well equipped to cope with the challenges,” couple with the crises of unemployment and ignorance.

The lawyer described the ‘deportation’ of some destitute and beggars from some states as “conscious, deliberate and unprovoked assault” on the victims, saying it was unfair and illegal to restrict them from living in any part of the country.

Falana, who said some states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, were guilty of ‘deporting’ some beggars under the guise of development or urban renewal, saying: “No law in Nigeria allows governors to ‘deport’ anyone.

It is unacceptable to ‘deport’ and dump poor people. Those building mega cities or embarking on beautification projects should make provision for destitute.”

However, he urged the government to address the factors that brought about the conditions that turned the citizens to destitute, adding “nobody would be happy begging on the road.”

On the controversy trailing the recent action of the Lagos State government, Falana said: “It will be wrong to restrict the condemnation of illegal ‘deportation’ to Lagos State because many other states are into this barbaric act.

Police arrest 11 armed robbery suspects, 26 cultists FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

O Eight arrested for killing elephant FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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gun State government, at the weekend, said it has arrested eight persons for unlawful encroachment into the government forest reserve area in the border between J1 and J3 in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state, where they allegedly killed an elephant.

State Commissioner for Forestry, Ayo Olubori, who disclosed this yesterday, said those people arrested committed the crime late on Thursday, August 8, 2013, when a man (name withheld) encroached the forest exclusively reserved for elephants in the state.

The commissioner said the seven other suspects were those who assisted the hunter in dismembering the elephant after it had been killed.

Olubori, who described the act as a “very serious offence”, also added that it took the government officials a night in the jungle after a three hour journey before they could effect

the arrest of the suspects.

“The suspected killer of the animal was arrested on the spot at about 1.00am after a-three hour journey into the forest reserve. The animal is endangered, we have them in limited number, if care is not taken they may go into extinction.”

The commissioner said

the state government took the action in order to avoid being sanctioned by wild life activists, the United Nations agency in charge of endangered species, among others.

Emphasising that the suspects would be charged to court hopefully by today, Olubori said reports

of preliminary investigation conducted by the state government revealed that the hunter was sent by some prominent people in the society to get them elephant tusks at the price of N25 million per one.

He said the suspect has “confessed to the crime and he is on tape.”

Ajimobi, Aregbesola, others hoist APC flag KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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yo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday led party faithful of the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, to its first rally in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as the former parties that made up the APC lowered their flags to usher in the new party.

The Mapo Hall venue of the rally was thronged by a mammoth crowd of party supporters from the three defunct parties and the ordinary folks, all dressed in T-shirts specially designed for the occasion, holding a bunch of

brooms each, which is the symbol of the new party.

Party leaders present at the venue include; Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleoso, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, Senator Ayo Adeseun, Chief Akin Oke, secretaries and executive members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. All the major roads and streets as well as all the adjoining streets leading to Mapo Hall, were jampacked with vehicular and human traffic.

Ajimobi while speaking at the rally, thanked

party leaders and all the progressives who came together to form the APC, saying that the birth of the party had signified a red card for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the country.

He added that the coming of the APC also signified an end to poverty, corruption, violence and other omen which the ruling PDP represents in the country.

The governor also congratulated the people of the state for their support and cooperation, stressing that with the coming up of the APC, they should expect more development in the state.

gun State police command at the weekend said it has arrested no fewer than 11 members of an armed robbery gang that has been terrorising the people of Abeokuta, the state capital in recent time.

A statement issued yesterday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the collaborative effort of the police and men of the state vigilance service led to the arrest of the 11 suspects, one of who was identified by their victims last Saturday.

Their arrest was even as another 26 suspected members of a secret cult group were arrested over the weekend across major cities and communities in Ijebu areas of the state.

Adejobi in the statement, said policemen at the Ibara Division led by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Oyewole Emmanuel, had arrested the 11 suspects late on Saturday at Itori Oke area in Abeokuta, following a distress call received by them.

The PPRO gave names of the suspect to include: Ebunoluwa Oyinbo, a female, while the other 10 male suspects are; Ishola Yusuf , Aremu Ismaila, Adebayo Adeola, Seun Daramola, Rasheed Ahmed, Adejare Oluwaseun, Rasaki Disu, Sunday Egbejinmi, Abiodun Soroyehun

as well as Sodiq Ajayi.

Adejobi said one of the victims (name withheld) identified one of the suspects, Adebayo Adeola, to have been the one that robbed him in his house earlier on August 3, 2013 at about 4.00am.

He further said the state Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, has ordered that the suspects be thoroughly investigated while they are kept at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta.

Giving assurance that the suspects would be charged to court after the investigation has been concluded, the police commissioner urged the people of the state to have trust in the police and share useful information to assist the police achieve its goal of a crime free state.

In a related development, National Mirror gathered that the arrest of the 26 suspected cultists was carried out by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of operations, Muhammad AbdulKadir, in a raid launched by the police at their hideout and black spots across Ijebuland.

The command’s PPRO, Adejobi confirmed the arrest, adding that the operation was part of the command’s war on cultism in the state. He said the cultists were part of those who have in recent time been involved in the killing of innocent people in the Ijebu axis of the state.

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Monday, August 12, 2013

Crisis hits Osun LG over N170m fraud MOJEED ALABI

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risis is rocking Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State over the allegation of mismanagement of about N170 million by officials of the council.

On July 22, some councillors accused some council officials (names withheld) of embezzling N84 million meant for community services and other sundry projects.

The fund, according to sources, included the allocations recently released to the local government by the state government to cover the months of May and June and the special allocation for Ramadan gifts for community leaders and organisations.

The councillors, who alleged that they did not know how the money was spent, said they were not satisfied with the explanation of the officials when queried.

They, therefore, resulted to both verbal and physi-

cal attacks on the officials.

They deflated the tyres of one of officials’ car, who was rescued by his loyalists.

The councillors also alleged that the council leadership mismanaged another N86 million earlier released to the council in May as allocation for the months of March and April.

One of the councillors, who craved anonymity, told National Mirror that: “We are not treated like members of the local government cabinet.

“In fact, we don’t know what is happening. We itemised all we needed to do, including provision of boreholes, filling of potholes, building of shops, among others, but we are surprised that each time allocation is received it grows wings.

“We just realised that some career officers are conniving with (an official) to loot the treasury. That was why we moved against them.”

It was learnt that on

July 24, as part of efforts to resolve the crisis, the two traditional rulers in the two main communities making up the council area - Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, and his counterpart in Erin-Osun, Oba Yusuf Omoloye, met with the council heads.

According to investigation, the matter was later reported to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and a petition by the councillors was submitted to the state House of Assembly, urging the two bodies to carry out proper investigation.

A source close to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the development.

The source disclosed that a committee had met with the officials, adding that it had already submitted its findings.

However, when our correspondent called one of the officials on her mobile phone, she said there was no issue to discuss with the

media.

She said: “No, no, we have no issue to discuss with the media and we have no problem here at all.”

However, one of the community leaders in Ilobu, who preferred anonymity, said a meeting between Olobu and some of the leaders held in the monarch’s palace on July 26 reviewed the development.

The community leader said a tactical committee of Ilobu Development Union, IDU, had earlier met on July 24, to appraise the rot in the council and the lack of its impact on the community.

The meeting, which she said was held in the house of the Asiwaju of Ilobu and former Managing Director of the defunct Trans International Bank, Alhaji Hassan Arogundade, deliberated extensively on how to ensure that the ongoing reform and development embarked upon by Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration would be extended to the community.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Consider Ondo in NDDC appointment, communities tell Jonathan HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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il-producing communities of Ondo State yesterday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to follow the Act establishing the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in appointing a new board for the commission.

A former Special Assistant to the President on Youth Matters, Kolade Akinjo, who made the call on behalf of the communities, said the state had been short-changed in the past in the appointment of the managing director and the executive directors of the board.

Akinjo urged Jonathan to consider Ondo State in the appointment of the managing director and executive directors in the new board.

He said successive governments did not apply the provisions of the NDDC Act in the appointment of the managing director and the executive directors.

Aaccording to him, Part 4 of the Act provides that “there shall be for the commission a managing director and two execu-

tive directors who shall be indigenes of the oil-producing areas starting with member state of the commission with the highest production quantum of oil and shall rotate among member states in the order of production”.

The former presidential aide explained that the provisions of the Act stated that the appointment of the chairman of the board should be rotated among member states in alphabetical order, which was being followed.

He, however, said the ones concerning the managing director and two executive directors were not followed.

Akinjo noted that the posts of the managing director and the executive directors had been rotating among the four states of Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom.

He recalled that the first NDDC Managing Director, Godwin Omene, is from Delta State, succeeded by Timi Alaibe from Bayelsa State, later Chibuzor Ugwoha from Rivers State, who was replaced

by Christian Oboh also from Rivers State.

APC must focus on people’s needs –Group MOJEED ALABI

T Suspected pipeline vandals being paraded in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the weekend.

Put Al-Mustapha under surveillance, OPC warns FG ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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’odua Peoples’ Congress, OPC, has advised the Federal Government to keep on surveillance, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer, CSO, to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, who was recently discharged and acquitted

by Court of Appeal.

The Osun State Coordinator of OPC Comrade

Oyeyinka Awoyemi, and Secretary, Mr. Waheed Olaniyan, gave the warning in a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo at the weekend.

The statement reads in part: “The Federal Government should ensure that Al-Mustapha is kept under security watch despite being discharged and acquitted of his alleged offences by the Appeal Court.

“Though the judgement of the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos has exonerated

the former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Major AlMustapha, it must be noted that the case at the Appeal Court was not diligently prosecuted as there was element of bias in it.

“We are now sounding a serious warning to the Federal Government not to allow Major Al-Mustapha let loose, as he is capable of returning to his vomit. At least, it is said that leopard never changes its colour.”

Awoyemi and Olaniyan

also spoke on the presence of Boko Haram in the South-West.

The OPC chieftains said the organisation was battle ready to confront the terror group and warned it to stay away from the South-West.

The OPC, which said it would work hand in hand with the security agents to fight crime in the state, urged the public to also help the police by giving them information that could lead to the arrest of criminals.

he Republic of Ireland Chapter of Oranmiyan Foundation has advised the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to focus on people’s welfare.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Oluwole Alabi, and Secretary, Dr. Gbenga Salawu, the foundation commended the efforts of the leaders of the merging parties for making the people’s dream a reality and enjoined them to provide the needed change which “the oppressed, downtrodden and marginalised masses of this country have been yearning for”.

The socio-political group founded by the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, added that sound ideologies and policies must be fashioned and pursued to attract men and women with pro-

gressive inclinations to make the dream of reclaiming Nigeria from the claws of “interlopers” a reality and provide the people the real dividends of democracy.

The statement reads in part: “APC’s arrival has been greeted with pump from every corner of this country; but we should not lose sight of the fact that the same people that are celebrating now will crucify us if we fail to deliver.

“Hence, we wish to drive it home that the onus lies on us to reclaim Nigeria back and put it among comity of developed nations.

“And this can simply be achieved by making the happiness of our people our target goal through provision of their basic needs of uninterrupted power supply, motorable roads, good education, water supply, good healthcare system, improved security, and conducive atmosphere for business growth and development, among others.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South East

Monday, August 12, 2013

11

Tax system threatens Enugu free healthcare delivery DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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he Enugu State tax system that requires expectant mothers to produce evidence of tax payment by their husbands before they could access free healthcare facilities has been decried.

In a town hall meeting

held in Nsukka, a group, Partnership for Transforming Health Systems, said review of the free health policy to include evidence of tax payment before expectant mothers could access healthcare facilities had adversely affected the state government’s health policy.

It will be recalled that Governor Sullivan Chime

six years ago introduced the Free Maternal and Child Health (FMCH) scheme to reduce maternal and infant mortality, but later reviewed it to make tax payment compulsory for husbands of the benefiting women.

The state Commissioner for Health, George Eze, said the tax introduced by the government for beneficia-

ries of the programme was not directed at pregnant women but at their husbands.

But spokesperson for civil society organisations in the state, Mr. Crownwell Chibuzo, told stakeholders at the meeting, including government officials, that the FMCH, which targets the vulnerable in society, is now beyond the reach of

the vulnerable because of their inability to present evidence of tax payment, among others.

Chibuzo said: “The evidence of tax payment should be completely removed. If somebody is vulnerable, it means that he is incapable of paying taxes.

“Asking such to pay tax will be a challenge. However, we are mindful of

the fact that government runs its programme on tax payers’ money. We are also suggesting that taxes in rural areas should be paid on the basis of rural community so that at the end of the year, when they must have done their meeting, they could raise the money and present it to the government and receive their clearance certificate.”

Teachers in Ebonyi accuse FCSC of fraud ALIUNA GODWIN EBONYI

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fficials of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) have been accused of extortion by some teachers in Ebonyi State.

In a statement made available to journalists at the weekend in Abakaliki, the teachers accused the FCSC officials of extorting them and substituting their names in the ongoing regularisation of parttime teachers of Unity schools.

Earlier in a petition to the state governor, Chief Martin Elechi, one of the part-time teachers, Okolie Anthony Chukwuemeka, said after numerous examinations, verifications and documentation, the Ministry of Education sent the names of 10 teachers to the FCSC for approval in line with the decision of the Federal Government

that part-time teachers in all Unity schools should be given permanent appointment.

Chukwuemeka said in May, he was asked by the school principal to forward the phone numbers and e-mails of the 10 parttime teachers to the FCSC and the ministry for easier communication when their appointment letters were ready.

He regretted that after all the sufferings the teachers underwent during the documentation, their names were substituted.

Chukwuemeka said: “What baffles me is how the FCSC altered the list from the Federal Ministry of Education. This altercation was done right inside the office of the Commissioner representing Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra states. It was there that my name was replaced with a non part-time teacher in the slot for Ebonyi State.”

Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Onitsha, Mr. Anthony Metta and President, Home and Abroad Women Group, St. Andrews Anglican Church, Obosi, Mrs. Gloria Mozie, during a sensitisation at the women’s august meeting of the church at Obosi, near Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Rotary Club decries abandonment of old people DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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wo groups have raised the alarm over the increasing number of abandoned old people on the streets of Enugu.

The groups - Rotary Club of Ekulu and Little Sisters’

of the Poor Old Peoples’ Home - said they were worried that some people had formed the habit of chasing away their parents because they were old and could no longer take care of themselves.

They spoke at the weekend during a ceremony

Soldiers extorting money on highway –Motorists • Seek Ihejirika’s intervention

DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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ommercial motorists plying the Enugu-Onitsha Highway have appealed to the Chief of Army staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, to stop soldiers from extorting them.

The motorists alleged that the soldiers had turned all their check points along the highway into compulsory illegal toll gates where commercial drivers were forced to pay between N100 and N2, 000, depending on the type of vehicle involved.

One of the motorists, who did not want his name mentioned, said: “Those

trailers carrying cow from the North to the East were always forced to pay between N1, 000 to N2, 000.

Lorries pay N500 and mini bus drivers pay between N100 and N200.

“So, we want Ihejirika and the GOC of 82 Division to know that the men they sent out to Onitsha-Enugu Expressway to check crime are now tax collectors and the most painful aspect of the whole thing is that they harass innocent citizens with their uniform and guns.”

Describing the act as a broad day robbery, the motorist said: “We know that the Chief of Army Staff can help us tackle this problem by asking the

General Officer Commanding GOC 82, Enugu, to investigate these notorious soldiers because they are really dragging image of the Army to the mud.”

It was learnt that the soldiers forcibly asked the motorists to drop the money in a big Ghana-must-go

bag in a nearby bush.

A motorist, who identified himself as Peter Aneke, specifically mentioned Umunba-Ndionu check point in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State as one of the places where the soldiers carried out the act daily.

held with inmates of little Sisters of the Poor Old Peoples’ Home in Enugu.

In her speech, the Sister in charge the Kitchen at the home, Anastecia Okpala, said most of the old people presently in the home were taken from the streets.

She said most of them resorted to roaming the streets after they were abandoned by their children.

Sister Okpala appealed to the government to encourage people to stop chasing away their old parents, saying the home no longer has vacant rooms for inmates.

She said: “Our book is filled up, I am advising people to stop abandoning their

old parents because it is a curse to them. We have only 50 rooms and everywhere is filled up.”

Also speaking, the Secretary of Rotary Club in Ekulu, Mrs. Chiagha Chinyere, said it was unfortunate that some people abandoned their old parents that took care of them when they were small.

She appealed to the government to expand the Little Sister of Poor Old Peoples’ Home and its facilities and commended members of the Rotary Club, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) chapter, for remembering old people and giving them several items.

Senator flays Obi over non-performance claim GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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he comment by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State that the three senators representing the state are underperformers has been described as unfortunate.

The senator representing Anambra North District,

Margery Chuba-Okadigbo, dismissed the governor’s remarks as an attempt to play to the gallery.

She accused Obi of lack of basic knowledge of the workings of the parliament, saying that if not for the governor’s ignorance, he would not have made the unfortunate remark against the senators.

Chuba-Okadigbo, in a statement issued at the weekend by her Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Mbamalu, urged the people of Anambra State to ignore Obi’s “unwarranted campaign of calumny” aimed at discrediting legislators.

The senator said that there was no doubt that the governor needed urgent

education on elementary rudiments of law making, especially at the national level.

She said contrary to “Obi’s sweeping categorisation,” she had co-sponsored many motions, including the motion on the need for the immediate construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Accept loss of Bakassi to Cameroon in good faith, says Ita-Giwa TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

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s August 14, 2013 deadline date beckons for an end to the transition period between Nigeria and Cameroon over the Bakassi territory take over, a stakeholder, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has advised her people and

Nigerians at home and in Diaspora to accept the issue in good faith.

The former Special Adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on National Assembly Matters urged Bakassi people to await President Goodluck Jonathan’s plans to develop and ensure proper resettlement for the Bakassi people in Ikang where

they are already relocated.

In a statement made available to journalists yesterday, Ita-Giwa also appealed to Nigerians to avoid inflammatory statements that could cause disaffection between Nigeria and the Cameroon.

She said: “August 14 is here. While we appreciate people’s concern over this unfortunate issue, we

are looking forward to reintegration with the host community, knowing that there is no barren land anywhere in this country, hence we have decided to settle with our Ikang brothers while the process of reintegration is on-going and as it is now, looking very promising.

“All Bakassi people residing in the ceded areas

are obliged to abide by the laws of the land and I appeal to my people to be lawabiding and live peacefully with the Cameroonians.

The ruling by the International Court of Justice states that from August 14, 2013, Cameroun will govern Bakassi like any other part of its territory.”

Before now, Ita-Giwa had embarked on many

campaigns, calling for the immediate resettlement of the people rather than a last minute appeal with no fresh evidences to back same up, adding that the huge amount of resources that could have been devoted to such obviously futile exercise should be channeled into the immediate resettlement of the people.

Edo CP seeks overhaul of justice delivery system

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do State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, says the command should not blamed on why some suspected criminals often return to the society without prosecution.

Adebanjo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Benin that there was need to overhaul the state justice department to correct the anomaly.

He said the police mandate was to prevent crime and to arrest suspected criminals, adding: “We are not responsible for any reason why arrested suspects often return to the society.

“That observation was made when I took over as the commissioner in the state and I promptly reported this observation to the governor who was angry over the incident.

“I suggested the need for the overhaul of the justice department and we met with the Commissioner for Justice as well as the Chief Judge of the state on our observation.

“We are now collaborat-

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole

ing on this in our determination to reduce acts of criminality in the state.

This observation is not likely to reoccur again.’’

The commissioner said the command arrested no fewer than 100 suspected criminals in the last two months for alleged rape, cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping.

On the aiding of crime by officers and men, Adebanjo said anyone found wanting would be disciplined.

He said: “We have no place for corrupt and indiscipline officer in the command.

“I have often preached the need for everybody in the command to follow the Inspector-General’s directive of zero-tolerance for crime at all times.

“So, if any officer is found to run foul of the law, he or she will be disciplined according to the laws,” he said.

“The Edo command is determined to ensure that it continues to make the state uncomfortable for criminals at all times and to assure the people of their safety and security.

“I, therefore, expect my officers to be up and doing in carrying out this mandate. I often lead patrol to the forest and other criminal hideouts.

“So, I do not expect anything less from any officer of the command.”

Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio (right) and an official of Primus Super Specialty Hospital, Mr. Nitin Dewan, during a visit to the governor in Uyo, at the weekend.

Kerosene scarcity: Groups flay call for PPMC MD’s sack SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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wo groups have deplored a call by an organisation, the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, which sought the sack of the Managing Director of Pipeline and Prod-

ucts Marketing Company (PPMC), Haruna Momoh, over kerosene scarcity.

The groups - the SouthSouth Professionals (SSP) and the Niger Delta Youths Coalition (NDYC) - said Momoh should be supported to make kerosene available to Nigerians instead calling for his sack.

APC registration, a welcome development–Akpabio

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kwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has described the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a welcome development.

Akpabio said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be happy to work with the new party, which he said would be like any other political party.

This is just as the governor called on the media to focus on issues that unite the nation rather than

concentrate on attacks on personalities and individuals.

He said: “I welcome the registration of APC and any other political party.

The beauty of democracy is the opportunity given to all and sundry to partake in the democratic process and as for the PDP, we won’t want only one party in Nigeria, rather we love opposition and we look forward with working with APC. “PDP is fully attained and we are working hard to ensure that we rise to the occasion in the power

sector, other infrastructure and industrialisation such as the recent plans on Ibaka Deep Seaport in the state.

“And of course, you can see the various industries that have begun to return to Nigeria. Let us worry about governance and not the formation of political party; for it is not the beginning of a journey that matters, but how to get to the end”.

Akpabio spoke while answering questions from journalists at the Government House in Uyo, the state capital.

It will be recalled that Momoh was criticised for PPMC’s failure to make kerosene available to millions of Nigerians, in spite of President Goodluck Jonathan’s repeated promises to make the product available for N50 per litre.

But reacting in a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Benin, SSP and NDYC described as unnecessary the call seeking Momoh’s sack.

In the statement entitled: “The politics of kerosene scarcity in Nigeria and the call for Mr. Haruna Momoh’s removal,” the groups said: “After exhaustive deliberations, we completely dissociate the entire youths and professionals in the Niger Delta region from the unpatriotic call for the sack of Mr. Haruna Momoh.

“We unanimously pass an implicit vote of confidence on the leadership of Mr. Momoh as MD of PPMC as we fully acknowledge the laudable achieve-

ments of PPMC in rehabilitating pipelines and depots under his jurisdiction with noticeable improvements in the sector since disappointment.”

While responding to the shortcomings of the January 2012 nationwide strike over new fuel price, the groups said: “Additionally, it is to the credit of the present management of PPMC that Nigeria has not witnessed any major fuel supply and distribution concerns since the appointment of Mr. Momoh in February, 2011. Since his coming on board, the PPMC boss has done everything within his capacity to ensure that products can now be transferred from Kaduna, Gusau, Gombe, Jos and Kano, unlike what obtained in the past. This is in addition to the fact that Aba depot which had not functioned until the appointment of Mr. Momoh is now up and running due to his hard work and commitment.”

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Monday, August 12, 2013

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Politics

APC, antidote for PDP’s poor governance –Makinde OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

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member of the Federal House of Re p re s e n t at ive, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, representing Ife federal constituency of Osun State, has described the birth of the All Progressive Congress, APC, as a timely intervention for the injection of virile, dynamic leaders that would salvage the Nigerian polity from the dormancy of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the past 14 years.

In a statement made

available in Lagos, Makinde lamented the inactivity of the PDP-led governments since the advent of the Fourth Republic, saying that the party has continue to plunge the country and its citizens into oceans of poverty, massive corruption, insecurity and economic woes.

The statement reads: “Nigerians have suffered enough in the hands of the PDP since 1999. Virtually every sector of the economy is dead. It is pathetic that rather than keeping pace with emerging economies of the world, Nigeria’s

progress is being retarded by visionless and clueless political leaders under the PDP platform.

“It is a shame that billions of naira was sunk into the energy sector without yielding the desired results.

Small Scale Enterprises, SMEs, factories, industries, among several others have folded up because of the crippling power sector as the cost of running such enterprises on alternative sources of power comes at

a very huge cost to manufacturers.”

Harping on the rescue mission of the merging parties, Makinde noted that the synergy of progressives from the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP; Congress for Progressive Change, CPC; and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, to form the APC, will no doubt take Nigeria to her Promise Land come 2015.

His words: “Out of a purposeful rescue mission, the APC has come up with a clear vision and blueprint on how to salvage the nation from its present quagmire. Its manifesto dwells essentially on solving critical and challenging problems facing the nation.”

Giving a compass of what the new party may do differently to end PDP’s grip at the centre, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Hu-

man Rights said: “All the APC and its leaders need to do is to remain focused, united, prepare to sacrifice and shove aside pride and egos in order to field credible candidate that will be acceptable to the people.

“A paradigm shift is necessary and the time is now.

A young, detribalised, dynamic and vibrant politician with integrity is all we need to counter PDP come 2015. It shall be well with our fatherland.”

Babatope, COSEG disagree on Lagos deportation SINA FADARE

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s controversy continues to trail the recent resettlement of some Anambra State indigenes back to their state of origin by the Lagos State government, former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and a human rights group, Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Group (COSEG) have disagreed over the issue.

While Babatope, who is also a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, described the purported resettlement as “unfortunate, unconstitutional and undemocratic,” COSEG described the development as “a proactive idea to safeguard the security of the state.”

Babatope in a statement noted that, “the action is an insult on the fundamental human rights of the Nigerians affected,” just

as he called on Governor Babatunde Fashola, to as a matter of urgency reverse the policy which he termed “obnoxious.”

The former minister therefore urged Fashola to reverse the disturbing policy so as not to rub on his credibility as a performing governor.

But COSEG, in a statement co-signed by its Chairman and General Secretary, Dayo Ogunlana and Razaq Olokoba lauded Fashola over the action, urging him “not to be disturbed by the cries of misguided element in the society who are out to compromise the security of the state on which a fortune is being spent to sustain.”

COSEG also warned Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State to stop beating the war drum that was capable of heating up the polity, adding: “enough of playing politics with the life of the people.”

L-R: Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleoso; former Governor of Oyo State, Dr.Omololu Olunloyo; Governor Abiola Ajimobi; former Deputy Governor, Chief Iyiola Oladokun; former State Chairman of defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Akin Oke and Sen. Ayo Adeseun, during the All Progressives Congress, APC, awareness rally at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, yesterday.

Anambra 2014: INEC insists on Ogbuebego as PDP chairman EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

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he national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Anambra State chapter of the party may be having sleepless nights, as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has insisted on according recognition to Ejike Ogbuebego, as the

chairman of the Anambra State chapter of the party.

The electoral umpired based its decision on subsisting order of a court of jurisdiction which barred it from recognising Ken Emeakayi as the state chairman of the PDP. Though, the PDP had forwarded the name of Emeakayi to INEC as the Anambra State chairman of the party, the commis-

Daniel’ll soon be politically irrelevant in Ogun, says ex-lawmaker OLAJIDE OMOJOMOLOJU

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he high political status of the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, may be heading for the dust, a former lawmaker in the state has said.

Hon. Emmanuel Olusegun Ajala, a former member of the Ogun State House of

Assembly said in Abeokuta that going by the way Daniel is “shuttling” between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the platform on which he ruled Ogun State for eight years, and Labour Party (LP), the former governor would soon become political liability, and would have less relevance in the state.

Ajala, who represented

Abeokuta South state constituency, accused Daniel of destroying the PDP before his decision to defect to LP, the party where a large number of his followers have also joined, particularly Mr. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, the 2011 governorship candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN, the party hurriedly formed

by Daniel following his disagreement with leaders of PDP in the state.

Ajala, a member of the PDP before he moved to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, said that Daniel was the main architect behind the feud that polarised the PDP, specifically his attack on former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

sion, in a statement signed

by U. F. Usman, insisted that facts available to it support Ogbuebego as the authentic chairman of the party in the state.

INEC, in a statement, explained that on December 18, 2012, Emeakayi obtained an ex-parte order restraining it (INEC) from recognising any other person but him as Anambra PDP chairman. While this lasted, INEC said a Federal High Court sitting in Awka, granted an order “maintaining status quo in all cases pending in the court.”

Again, the commission was served with another ex-parte order on August 7, wherein a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, restrained INEC from recognizing Emeakayi, pending the hearing of the motion on notice,

slated for August 20.

Consequently, INEC resolved that “the commission, not being a party to the suit in the High Court of the FCT, which nullified the congress at which Ejike Ogbuebego was elected, is not bound by the judgement.

“That the commission did not monitor the process that brought in Ken Emeakayi into office as the Anambra State chairman of the PDP. “The commission has resolved that it will not withdraw its letter reference No. INEC/EPM/PDP/24/153 of July 26, by which the commission recognised Ejike Ogbuebego as the chairman of the PDP in Anambra State and shall be bound by the recent order of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.”

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Monday, August 12, 2013

15

The rebellion of ‘kid wives’ AN ESTIMATED 10 HeartBeat

CALLISTUS

OKE

Callistusoke@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275 (SMS ONLY)

I

see a light piercing through the last pillars of arcane religious practices throughout the world. It is only a matter of time before they crumble. I was staring at the picture of the 17 year old Senior Secondary School 2 girl from Niger State who sought refuge in the state Ministry of Education to escape from a forced marriage. Her palpable dispiritedness in that photograph is like an arrow piercing my heart. I hope the world will not abandon her to face the struggle alone.

Our defiant young sister from Agaie Local Government has activated the forces that will give form to the Nigerian genre of a global revolution. Last month the case of an 11 year old Yemeni girl, Nada Al-Ahdal, who fled home from a forced marriage, conscentised the world. She showed her defiance in this simple but poignant line: ‘I am not an item for sale’!

To God be the glory, a phenomenon that has become a global aberration is receiving the attention of those who can influence the needed behavioural change and

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he strident warnings about a Nigerian apocalypse and numerous advocacies for the convocation of a sovereign national conference are suggestive of the genuine concern of the callers for the sustainability of Nigeria.

It is instructive to note that things began falling apart for us not long after independence in 1960. As the centre began to cave in, many disenchanted groups, including some young Turks in the military, the press and academia who were already witnesses to regime changes in some parts of Africa were afflicted with the twin diseases of evolutionary impatience; the result was the coup d’état of January 15, 1966 that saw the assassination of key political figures and top echelon of the military in Lagos, Kaduna and the East. The details of that plot have been documented in several memoirs.

Before 1960, the constituents making up the Nigerian federation were undecided on what future to craft for the nation.

We are still at it, almost 52 years after. Nigeria’s diversity and vastness are usually cited as reasons for our lack of unity. I disagree with that notion, because diversity is not inherently evil. What come as a challenge are the intentions and sagacity of managers and stakeholders of a diverse political entity. In all diverse polities, there is always the minority question. Because of the peculiarity of comparative disadvantage of the minorities, the cry of marginalization is always prevalent. The real and quantitative weakness of the minorities and their insignificant demographics always lengthen their distance from the nation’s power loop.

MILLION GIRLS ARE MARRIED OFF EACH YEAR BEFORE THEY REACH

18, AND MANY

OF THEM AS YOUNG AS EIGHT YEARS cultural renaissance. This is because under aged female marriage cuts across countries, cultures, religions and ethnicities.

Latest reports show that 46 percent of girls under 18 are married in South Asia; it is 38 percent in sub-Saharan Africa; 29 percent in the Americas; 18 per cent in the Middle East and North Africa. And communities in Europe and North America are also caught in the web.

According to a 2013 UNICEF report, an estimated 10 million girls are married off each year before they reach 18, and many of them as young as eight years old to men who are old enough to be their fathers. The scenario projected by these statistics is that there are still many people all over the world who are slaves of the past, victims of cultural inertia.

There was a time in many communities in southern Nigeria when royal fathers unquestioningly ‘replenished’ their ha-

rems, especially on market days, by pointing their royal staffs of office at young girls that caught their fancy. No parents dared challenge such choice. There were also instances of contracted marriages through betrothal to cement relationships. Both the boys and girls must honour the ‘contract’.

All these belong to the past in the South, but some parts of the North are still steeped in this cultural atavism. Using the cover of Islam those who indulge in it brazenly assault the sensibilities of others as the case of Miss Charity Uzoechina, the 25 year old daughter of a Redeemed Christian Church of God pastor, Mr. Raymond Uzoechina, has shown. I will dwell on this in my next article.

However, there is hope for a change. The process of sustained change is already on.

In October 11, 2012 International Day of the Girl Child was conceived to draw global attention to the menace, and it is to be celebrated annually. That year, the theme, ‘Ending Child Marriage’, was adopted. Let me share with you some of the copious depositions by experts during the series of engagement to mark the event. First, child marriage is seen as a violation of all the rights of the child; and girls forced into such marriage are committed to being in slavery-like marriages for the rest of their lives. Second, girls who are victims of servile marriages experience domestic servitude, sexual slavery and suffer from violations to their right to health, educa-

tion, non-discrimination and freedom from physical, psychological and sexual violence. And third, girls who are forced to marry so early face a life of violence in the home where they are physically and sexually abused suffer from inhuman and degrading treatment, and ultimately slavery.

It was also acknowledged such ‘kid wives’ were forced to assume responsibilities for which they were often physically and psychologically ill-prepared.

In her report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Gulnara Shahinian, tried to put the practice in perspective when she noted: “From an early age, girls are brought up and viewed as commodities to be used to solidify family links and preserve honour, in addition to financial assets that can improve the family’s economic status”. This is a well reasoned statement and it captures all the ramification of the obnoxious practice.

For our ignorant compatriots, who might be wondering why the world should dabble into an issue that is their preserve, they should listen to the perception of Kyungwha Kang, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights: Investing in girls is to invest in a better future for all.

I am proud to say that I benefitted from such principled defiance. My elder sister responsible for my secondary and university education, doggedly stood her ground against early marriage.

That Nigeria may endure So it is not uncommon that the minority question becomes a big issue in a pluralistic polity. The enduring challenge in such a polity therefore, is how to ensure distributive justice and equity so that no group, no matter how insignificant is its strength and number, is excluded from the socio-economic and political benefits in the scheme of things. This is a real policy challenge, the solution to which is putting in place a very robust and effective affirmative action contents in the constitution.

Beyond ensuring distributive justice and equity through affirmative action, however, is the need to ensure the primacy of the rule of law. The breach of the rule of law in most instances is to the detriment of the minorities who often lack the voice and the strength to challenge their denials in the larger political context. Again, what protections and guarantees exist to prevent the abridgement of the rights and privileges of the minorities or against the oppression and exploitation by the majority in the socioeconomic and political context of the nation is another policy challenge.

The first option to overcome this challenge is using the instrumentality of the rule of law. Inherent in the primacy of the rule of law therefore, is the institutionalization of good governance. Here, we begin to raise questions on how fundamental and strong are our national objectives and directive principles of state policies as contained in the grund norm of the nation? How participatory is our political and decision making process?

What are the pillars of transparency and

THE COLLECTIVE CHALLENGE FOR

NIGERIA IS WHAT

Mirror of the moment

FRAMEWORK DO WE INSTITUTIONALIZE THAT WILL CREATE DISINCENTIVES FOR POLITICAL JOBBERS accountability? What are the constitutional protections and guarantees for the constitution itself, its interpreters, executors and enforcers? What is the substance of immunity and immunity waivers in that constitution?

These questions are germane to incorporating elements of good governance in any polity, the deliverables of which would manifest in the promotion of political and democratic pluralism, building strong and effective regulatory institutions and mechanisms, ensuring distributive justice and equity in the allocation of state offices and resources, and promoting socio-cultural and religious diversity.

In this type of political climate, it will be possible for all to seek equal opportunities and have equal access to power. It will be possible to live anywhere in Nigeria as a Nigerian and not as an indigene of a part of Nigeria. But the ultimate policy challenge for the government of the day is facilitating nationwide infrastruc-

ABDUL-WAREES A SOLANKE korewarith@yahoo.com, 08090585723 (SMS only)

tural development and diversifying the national economy to the extent that every Nigerian can live anywhere and work anywhere without resorting to political opportunism and the political cannibal and economic rapist mentality of looting the treasury, emptying the pot of the commonwealth and stuffing the throat with a selfish bite on the national cake.

With development policies, we should be able to trust, depend on and optimize our chances and dreams. The collective challenge for Nigeria is what framework do we institutionalize that will create disincentives for political jobbers but empower true patriots to work for national development and cohesion and consequently build the New Nigeria of our dream and not break her up as our enemies dream. That Nigeria may endure, we must resolve to rebuild a nation.

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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Editorial

Monday, August 12, 2013

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All All the the Facts, Facts, All All the the Sides Sides AA PUBLICATION PUBLICATION OF OF GLOBAL GLOBAL MEDIA MEDIA MIRROR MIRROR LTD LTD BARRISTER BARRISTER JIMOH JIMOH IBRAHIM, IBRAHIM, OFR OFR PUBLISHER PUBLISHER MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF STEVE STEVE AYORINDE AYORINDE MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ED OPERATIONS OPERATIONS YELE YELE AKINROLABU AKINROLABU ED DAILY EDITOR EDITOR SEYI SEYI FASUGBA FASUGBA DAILY SUNDAY EDITOR EDITOR BOLAJI BOLAJI TUNJI TUNJI SUNDAY SATURDAY EDITOR EDITOR GBEMI GBEMI OLUJOBI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD LANRE OYETADE DOZIE OKEBALAMA GENERAL EDITORIAL BOARD CONTROLLER, PRODUCTION DOZIE OKEBALAMA ADESOYE ADEKOYA COORDINATOR, PRODUCTION EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ADESOYE ADEKOYA CALLISTUS OKE CONTROLLER, PAGECHIEF EDITOR CALLISTUS ABUJA BUREAU ISE-OLUWAOKE IGE EDITORIAL BUREAU CHIEF IGE SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT KAYODEISE-OLUWA BALOGUN JNR ABUJA STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT KAYODE BALOGUN JNR HEAD, GRAPHICS FRANK OBOH SM,

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

ON

M

Endless electricity tariff increases

id last month, report credited to government officials was that there would continue to be increases in electricity tariff nationwide despite frequent systems breakdown, ceaseless erratic power supply and general poor service delivery in the country’s electricity service industry. The worrisome and embarrassing piece of information was thereafter confirmed by the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr. Sam Amadi, who argued, whilst defending the recent increase of fixed electricity charges by the Federal Government, that the tariff hike was in accord with the Multi Year Tariff Order II (MYTO II) which stipulated approved upward review of electricity tariff from 2012 to 2016, regardless of the unacceptable performance of the power sector.

The argument of FG and its agencies for the MYTO regime that allows periodic increases in tariffs without commensurate improvement in service delivery to electricity consumers is that it is targeted at attracting core investors to the electric power sector. Now, the successor Distribution and Generation Companies (DISCOS and GENCOS) of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have been sold to

IT IS NOT ONLY IMMORAL, BUT ALSO CRIMINAL FOR A STATE AGENCY TO BE BASKING IN THE EUPHORIA OF AN UNJUST AND FRAUDULENT REGULATORY TARIFF REGIME core private investors; and Nigerians expect that about this time, the DISCOS and GENCOS should have been handed over to the new owners who are expected to improve the quality of service as they price their electricity products appropriately. With the sale of the DISCOS and GENCOS by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to the core investors, the FG should have dismantled the MYTO regime to allow the market forces of supply and demand, as well as quality of service, to determine the tariff structure of electricity products.

More confounding and disturbing still is that the FG has failed to conclude the hand-over to the new private owners under the subterfuge that it is yet to pay the severance benefits of PHCN workers. Was all this not factored in during the negotiation for the sale of the unbundled compa-

nies? Why is the FG cooking up endless cock and bull stories and unduly delaying the handover of the power companies to the new owners? Why is the government deliberately inflicting more hardship on Nigerians through the anti-people pricing scheme called MYTO, in spite of the present administration’s avowal purportedly to improve the power sector for the benefit of all Nigerians?

A responsive and responsible government should be able to factor in quality service delivery into the pricing regime of its products in order that it might have the moral authority and fibre to regulate the private sector often driven by unbridled profiteers whose motive is to shortchange consumers. By the way, what is the Nigerian Consumers’ Rights Protection Council (NCRPC) doing to dissuade the FG from its immoral electricity tariff pricing policy? Why is the rights protection council not coming to the rescue of electricity consumers? Has council caught the bug of looking the other way when the government is misbehaving? Is MYTO not a creation of the Nigerian State?

Why should it be treated as a sacred cow, even when its prescription has become an heavy burden for the average Nigerian?

It is absolutely wrong and

muddle-headed, like the child marriage law over which the Senate goofed recently, for the NERC boss to be telling Nigerians that because MYTO is a creation of regulatory law, it is therefore sacrosanct and must be adhered to even if it kills Nigerians. No sane society encourages or accepts adherence to repressive, inconsiderate and immoral laws. In our view, it is high time that the NERC or its leadership proposed a review and cancellation of the MYTO. Alternatively, it could make its application absolutely dependent on improved power supply. That is the only way the NERC can absolve itself from punishment when the inexorably day of reckoning for those who colluded to defraud the people comes.

For, it is not only immoral, but also criminal for a state agency to be basking in the euphoria of an unjust and fraudulent regulatory tariff regime. We think that the NERC boss should tender unreserved apology to the Nigerian public and the general consumers of electricity service for insisting that tariff increases should continue, even with dubious estimated billing and unjustifiable fixed charges for prepayment meter users; just because it is supported and authorized by one document called MYTO II.

ON THIS DAY August 12, 1976 Between 1,000 and 3,500 Palestinians were killed in the Tel al-Zaatar massacre, one of the bloodiest events of the Lebanese Civil War. The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil strife in Lebanon, lasting from 1975 to 1990 and resulting in an estimated 120,000 fatalities. Today, approximately 76,000 people remain displaced within Lebanon. There was also a mass exodus of almost one million people from Lebanon as a result of the war.

August 12, 2005 Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, was fatally shot by an LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) sniper at his home. Kadirgamar was shot in Colombo as he was getting out of the swimming pool at his private residence in Cinnamon Gardens. Early reports indicated he was shot twice in the head, once in the neck, and once in the body. He was rushed to the Colombo National Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

August 12, 2007 Panamanian bulk-carrier cargo ship, M/V New Flame, collided with the oil tanker ‘Torm Gertrud’ at the southernmost tip of Gibraltar, ending up partially submerged. The collision occurred off Europa Point, the southernmost tip of Gibraltar on August 12, 2007. The ship ended up partially submerged in the Strait of Gibraltar. It later broke into two in December 2007 as a result of unsuccessful recovery efforts.

A2 18

Business Courage

Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cover

By Chidi Ugwu, Abuja

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here appears to be no immediate end to the raging controversy and war of words between the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (NEITI) and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), over the former’s recent release of the 2009-2011 oil and gas physical and process audit report.

The current altercation between NEITI and PPPRA, described both interesting and revealing by stakeholders in the oil and gas sector and other keen watchers of the Nigerian economy, has further raised concern about the desire of government to fully stem the tide of corruption that is particularly prevalent in the sector.

The NEITI’s new audit report which indicted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and PPPRA over non remittance of N280.173 bn to the federation account, according to analysts, is a mere continuation of an already endemic corrupt tendency that has been the cornerstone of the oil and gas sub-sector in the time past.

Chairman of NEITI, Ledum Mittee, had at a public presentation of the report in Abuja, said that findings made by the new audit indicated that N8.173 bn being over-recovery collected from some marketers was yet to be remitted to the federation account by the NNPC and two other companies.

The report also revealed that there was a revenue loss of over $1.7 bn following non renewal of MoU between Joint Venture companies and NNPC which made the JVs to transact business with MoU which had expired since 2008, all amounting to about N280.173 bn.

“The amount of N4.423 bn being over-recovery collected from some marketers is yet to be remitted to the federation account while NNPC and two other companies are yet to refund N3.715 bn being over-recovery for the period under review. The audit report also revealed revenue loss by federal government of over $1.7 bn following non

renewal of MoU between Joint Venture companies and NNPC which made the JVs to transact business with MoU which had expired since 2008.” Mitee said.

Mittee said that NEITI also discovered a lingering worrisome situation where there is no agreed pricing methodology between NNPC and the companies for the determination of fiscal values for royalty and PPT computations.

The NEITI audit report seems to have corroborated the Chairman, Senate joint Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Appropriation and Finance, Senator Magnus Ibe’s earlier claim that some powerful players in the petroleum sector allegedly shared over N3.655 trillion between 2006 and September2011 in pursuit of importation of refined petroleum products.

However, since NEITI made its latest audit report public, there have been claims and counter claims with PPPRA challenging the veracity of the report.

In fact, PPPRA accused NEITI of confusing the public with its audit report saying the latter appeared to have embarked on a wild-goose chase instead of addressing the issues at stake.

The NEITI audit report had recommended that the PPPRA should remit N4.423 billion arising from over-recovery collected from Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, Reginald Stanley, said, “We challenge NEITI to tell Nigerians where the N4.423 billion it claims was warehoused. If NEITI is indeed desirous of efficiently doing its job, we challenge it to go and consult the records at the Central Bank of Nigeria, where the Petroleum Support Fund account is domiciled.

“It should also go a step further by examining the records at the Federal Ministry of Finance to confirm if certain amount of money, as claimed, was remitted accordingly or not by the PPPRA. To all intents and purposes, it is apparent that NEITI is on a wild-goose chase and is self-seeking in its putrid claims.”

Stanley also faulted NEITI’s claim that all the companies

The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (NEITI) and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), bicker over an audit report that exposes the rots in the oil and gas sector of the economy and government agencies covered by the audit, including the PPPRA, were fully involved and participated actively in the audit process.

He said there was never a time the audit report was signed off by the PPPRA management and challenged NEITI to make a copy of the report where it signed off available to the public to prove its claim.

The PPPRA boss cited a section of the NEITI report that claimed that N3.715 bn had yet to be refunded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and two other marketers, NIPCO Plc and AMG Petro-Energy Limited.

He said the report was incongruous with the realities of what was outstanding in the over-recovery, which was N3.98 bn, owed only by the NNPC. However, NEITI, on its part, has continued to affirm the authenticity of its recent audit report. It stated that all the companies and government agencies covered by the independent audit including PPPRA were fully involved and participated actively in the audit process from conception and design of the audit templates, through to the population of the templates with information and

data to the stage of data and information, reconciliation and validation exercise.

NEITI’s Director of Communication, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said in Abuja, that the process also afforded all the companies and agencies including the PPPRA an opportunity to “sign off” the report before it was published and made available for Nigerians to see. “We do not understand what PPPRA meant by ‘secondary data.’ We doubt if the Executive Secretary of PPPRA received adequate briefing from his team who worked directly with NEITI on the project,” Orji had said, adding that the time has come for an important agency like the PPPRA to develop time and interest to ensure that its management understand how NEITI/EITI

process works.

“The NEITI Secretariat is already providing this enlightenment to the management and staff in other agencies and companies covered by NEITI mandate. This enlightenment is necessary for shared-learning and exchange of ideas to build common understanding and knowledge of the process and benefits with a view to reducing inter-agency friction,” Orji noted.

He, therefore, informed that the NEITI audit process was unique from every other usual audit that PPPRA may be used to, insisting that it was usually based on information and data voluntarily but mandatorily obtained from concerned agencies.

“For the avoidance of doubt,

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NEITI audit process is simpler, uniquely different from the usual audit that the Executive Secretary of PPPRA is used to.

The audit report is based on information and data primarily, voluntarily but mandatorily provided to NEITI by PPPRA during the audit exercise. NEITI under the EITI global principles and standards does not manufacture either information or data. Our audit process is built strongly on factual data, integrity and openness because it is both covered entities and multistakeholders-driven. Therefore the credibility of our report remains solid and one that can be taken to the bank,” Orji stressed.

However, despite the misgivings being expressed by PPPRA, the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had expressed delight over the audit report saying it would afford government the opportunity to recover the much needed funds for the development of the country.

She said all the agencies would have to sit down and agree on the report and work together towards recovering the funds. “We are happy because we are looking for any additional money that the ministry can collect. It is not just the ministry alone; we need all the agencies involved. You can see that it is the oil and gas sector, we will be glad to sit down with our colleagues in NNPC, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the oil sector, multi nationals, the mines and steel ministry ev-

erybody is involved. You have unbridled oil theft and pipeline to sit people down so that they vandalism to alleged cabals beagree the audit is good. And the lieved to be collaborating with analysis is yielding good infor- some people in government. mation and then we all work on Obviously, there is growit together,” she said. ing concern about the fate of Managing Director and Chief economies of countries, which Executive Officer, Financial depend on oil revenue for susDerivatives Company Ltd, Bis- tenance including Nigeria. mack Riwane, said transparAt the recent OPEC meeting, ency and accountability are the the Petroleum Minister, Diezani only ways of curbing oil theft Alison-Madueke, while expressand pipeline leakage to stop the ing confident that that Asia redamage it is doing to the Nige- mains alternate market admitrian economy. ted that there “is a concern He added that the about over the new global trend in the 400,000 barrels of oil per day sector. which the country loses implies Most recently, in response that the country is losing more to rising cost of crude, interest than $11 billion a year, a huge in shale oil utilisation has been sum which he said can be used renewed. Shale deposit in the to address the country’s teeth- United States, which started ing infrastructure challenge. like a fairy tale, is driving the “Every barrel of oil equals 350 country’s breakthrough in enlitres, so oil theft is not a hid- ergy sufficiency, with a global den business and it cannot be energy strategist, Dr. Kent done without connivance from Moors, predicting that it may government officials, “he said. not be lifting a barrel of crude Rewane said “if we don’t talk from the international market about it then we can’t deal with by 2050. it as a country. There has to At least, US’ medium-term be greater accountability and plan is to achieve self-suffipeople have to be held responsible, national security issues should be at the fore front of the country’s plans”.

He described the oil theft situation in Nigeria as a crisis that needs to be arrested and earnings should be invested in making the lives of people better.

Evidently, the oil and gas sector, the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy is no doubt undergoing challenges from numerous fronts, from the unfolding dynamics in the global oil Alison-Madueke market, through the

Stanley

ciency, while President Barack Obama, in the past few years, stepped up campaign towards achieving key production targets, just as the country has, in earnest, started cutting down on importation. Its production has risen to a 21-year-high as a new combination of technologies has unlocked large deposits previously trapped in shale rock in North Dakota and Texas.

US mastery of hydraulic fracking (or fracturing) and horizontal drilling techniques has led to a slump in energy imports from some OPEC nations, most notably those in Africa, which typically produce lighter grades of oil similar to that of the North America. US crude production jumped 20 per cent in a year to 7.37 million barrels a day in early May, the highest level since 1992, said the country’s Energy Information Administration data.

Consequent upon increase in production, exports from three of OPEC’s African members — Nigeria, Algeria and Angola — to the US have fallen to their lowest level in decades, dropping by 41 per cent in 2012, as established by the US Department of Energy.

While shale supply threatens to sap the demand for crude, the minister said the country must, most importantly, “look inward and create alternate markets” in Africa.

On the implications of the development, official of NNPC who did not want his name mentioned, told our correspondent at the weekend that the situation posed a great concern, not just to Nigeria, but also to other African nations exporting crude oil.

“We (Nigeria) risk a situation where they (US) can even go into territories that we are currently supplying. And the

fear exists that if America is going to offer to sell oil to some countries, even at a marginally higher price, the countries are likely to accept it more than Nigeria. We risk a situation where, in the first place, we will lose our market in America. But beyond that, we also risk a situation where America, having satisfied itself with what it has, will also want to find a market outside. And that market may also be a market that Nigeria is selling to,” the source said.

Early this month, a report by the Energy Information Administration, the Energy Department’s statistical arm of the US government, showed that domestic crude oil production exceeded imports for the first time in 16 years. The EIA data indicated that imports to the US from Nigeria tumbled to a record low in February, going back to 1995.

Alison-Madueke, had stated that a committee set up by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries had initiated a study into shale and would consider the effect of shale oil on the global market for OPEC crude “in the not-too-distant future.”

The sources had explained that the increased production of shale oil in the US had particularly affected imports from Africa, which typically produce lighter grades of oil similar to the North American blends.

He added that with the volatility in Nigeria’s oil production, many countries might want to go into agreements with the US on crude oil supply. “The reason is because they know that if they go into agreement with America, the chances of the oil companies there declaring force majeure is very slim, and they are assured of guaranteed supply with more flexibility,” he said. BC

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L-R: Shehu Muhammad, Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Keystone Bank Limited; Adeola Azeez, Deputy Country Head, Deutsche Bank; Philip Ikeazor, Managing Director / CEO, Keystone Bank; Yvonne Isichei, Executive Director, Lagos and West Directorate and Charles Weller, Country Head, Deutsche Bank, during a recent visit of Deutsche Bank Country Head to Keystone Bank

Teragro curbs harvesting of premature fruits in Benue Stories by Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

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igeria’s first fruit juice concentrate plant, Teragro, has exclusively revealed to Business Courage how it ingeniously curbed the problem of premature harvesting of fruits in Benue State, which has led to the increased competitiveness of locally grown varieties.

The managing director of the company, Dr. Jide Adedeji, revealed that the company which is a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) aims to add value to raw agricultural commodities by supporting expansion of both domestic and export markets for African particularly Nigerian produce.

He said out that because of the socio-economic circumstances of the farmers, they tend to rush fruits to the markets even when the fruits were not yet fully matured or ripened with the implication that the produce quality and competitiveness were greatly compromised.

“Those are the things that we are gradually changing, we are trying to stabilise the position of the farmers where they don’t have these money pressures that cause them to go and hurriedly rush the harvesting of these fruits before maturity,’ he said.

He disclosed that the company identified the top ten farmers in the state and have discouraged them from harvesting premature fruits as well as guaranteeing them a price and market for their yet to be harvested fruits.

“Our farmers no longer have the pressure to go and rush their harvest as we now

tell them when it is ready to be harvested. But while we are saying leave it, we have paid ahead of harvest time for the number of trees that they have and an estimate of the number of tonnage that will come from those farms,” he stated.

He said that the company was also supporting a number of farmers to acquire their own transportation units because transportation of farm produce from farm to factory gate was very essential.

He further disclosed that the company directly employs over 50 people and another 50 people on seasonal basis. “We have capacity for processing 26,000 metric tons of oranges, mangoes and pineapples into fruit juice concentrates and we are looking to build another plant that is about five times the size of what we have now by 2015,” he disclosed.

He told Business Courage that the company does not sell its concentrates directly to the market, but sell to other companies who in turn sell directly to the market and so does not really have full control over the market price of the product. “But the way we see it is that the more you produce and bring more products to the market then it is expected that it should reduce the price,” he added.

Adedeji pointed out that one

of the challenges being faced by local producers like Teragro was that the people that are bringing in fruit juice concentrates into Nigeria are getting their own fruits from a farming agro-input system which was heavily subsidized.

“This subsidy allows them to get raw materials at much cheaper rates or prices which then mean that they are able to manufacture products at a much cheaper rate so when people are talking about direct head-to-head price comparison, we just want them to have in mind that we have no subsidy,” he said.

He agreed that the sector was a very profitable one stressing that the best thing about it is that it affords Nigerians the opportunity to actually consume Nigerian fruits and juices made in the country which is an essential value.

He said it also presented economic opportunity for the local farmer to produce more, given the fact that they now have a ready buyer to sell to which also implies more income.

Business operators seek restrain on govt. agencies over high charges

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rked by the high cost of doing business in the country, business operators under the aegis of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry (LCCI) have protested the obnoxious burden of high charges imposed on their businesses by regulatory agencies.

Council members raised this alarm in a communiqué signed by the Director General of the Chamber, Muda Yusuf which also contained other issues of concern. “The Council is concerned with the

aggressive drive for revenue by regulatory agencies. Many of the agencies complain of underfunding and therefore resort to imposition of high fees, charges and penalties on businesses. Council therefore calls on the government at all levels to exercise greater oversight on regulatory agencies to moderate the fees and charges imposed on the private sector,” the statement read.

After commending the steady growth of the Pension Fund which currently stands at well over N3.5 trillion, the council warned that attempts to commit part of the fund’s money to infrastructural development in the country may be risky and not in the investment interest of the fund.

“Council cautions against the commitment of pension funds to projects that could expose the funds to high risk.

Typically, pension fund investments should be conservative and of very low risk. Council notes in particular the mounting pressure to use the funds for infrastructure projects,” the statement read.

They advised that such commitment should be significantly de-risked to minimise risk exposure, preferably in form of bonds.

They were also quick to point out the demographics of contributors and observed that over 70 per cent of the funds

Yusuf

were contributed by persons who are 45 years and above, which implies that in a couple of years, these contributors will call up the funds.

The chamber also raised an alarm on what it termed high yield on government securities namely treasury bills and Federal Government bonds and called for a reduction in the yields in order to create incentives for financial institutions to lend to private enterprises.

“The current high yield on treasury bills and Federal Government bonds, which ranges between 11 per cent -14 per cent, is a major disincentive to lend to entrepreneurs in the economy. It has a profound crowding out effect just as it increases the burden of debt service on the government,” the statement read.

Council further noted the N3 trillion spent on oil subsidy

and the huge discrepancies in the records of the key organs of government in respect of disbursements of subsidy claims.

Calling on the government to take firm action to curb the outrageous loss of revenue in the oil and gas sector by demonstrating the political will to check the current leakages and impose appropriate sanctions, the council recommended the implementation of the NEITI report without delay.

The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) report which covered 2009-2011 had exposed huge revenue losses from crude oil theft, ($10.9 billion); pipeline vandalism ($894 million) and various other transparency issues in the oil and gas sector.

Improved wheat varieties signal end to Nigeria’s dependence on mport – Experts

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here are fresh indications that the scientific discovery of two improved varieties of wheat which can be grown locally may signal the end of Nigeria’s dependence on wheat import dependency which currently gulps about N635 bn annually.

The indication was given by the executive director, Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Dr. Oluwasina Olabanji, in Abuja, while presenting a 100 per cent Nigerian wheat bread to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina in his office.

He disclosed that the discovery is expected to expediently position Nigeria in local wheat production enough to reduce national wheat import by 50 per cent in 2015.

According to Dr. Olabanji, these varieties, due to be released in 2014, are capable of producing an average yield of five to six tons per hectare.

“The varieties, named Norman Borlaug and Reyne 28, are expected to position Nigeria to produce what it requires as it expands its land holdings allocated to wheat production, and would also boost the economy of the north,” he said.

The actuality of the improved varieties he disclosed, was accomplished through collaboration with International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) in Mexico and International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Tunisia.

“As at 1976, the average yield was 1.2 tons per hectare.

But, with the launching of the wheat transformation agenda by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the

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News that we are clamoring for in the country,” he said.

IHS Nigeria to double assets after raising $1bn

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Adesina

Federal Government of Nigeria, we have been able to develop some improved varieties that can give us an average yield of five to six tons per hectare,” he said.

He explained that Nigeria’s annual demand for wheat is 3.7 million metric tons and that the current efforts will ensure that, by 2015, the quantity of wheat imported into Nigeria is reduced by half through aggressive production in 10 states of the north on 150,000 hectares of land in the wheat-growing areas.

Earlier, the Minister had commended the efforts of Dr. Olabanji and his institute, LCRI, pointing out that LCRI is the first among other agricultural research institutes to bring up products of research to his office.

“What Dr. Olabanji has just shown is that Nigeria’s comparative advantage is not to be in consumption but that we can produce even the things we are importing. And we will hold you up as an example for all the others, about how our agencies should work and help Mr. President,” the minister stated.

Dr. Adesina who was optimistic that Nigeria will soon be self-sufficient in wheat production, enthused “we did dry season rice in 10 states in the north, you saw what happened.

You can then imagine if wheat expansion of those varieties under those mechanized conditions happened all over the place with all the wheat value chain that we have.”

He promised to support the research institute under the wheat transformation agenda, stressing that Nigeria will not be a consumption centre but must be self-sufficient in producing what we actually eat, so that we can reduce our dependency on others.

Dr. Olabanji added that the work on wheat goes beyond mere field cultivation as it includes emphasis on value chain as well. “We have gone into processing our Nigerian wheat into flour. We also have recipes that are made from this wheat flour, like the 100 per cent Nigerian made bread. Our wheat flour is comparable, if not superior, to imported flour

HS Nigeria Plc, which operates telecommunications infrastructure in three African countries, is set to more than double its assets after raising $1 billion for investment, Chief Executive Officer Issam Darwish said.

IHS wants to increase the number of telecommunications towers under its management to 20,000 by 2016 from the 8,500 towers it currently runs in Nigeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast, Darwish said on Aug. 5 in a phone interview from Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. “We have funding available for various opportunities that we are currently analyzing,” he said.

The Lagos-based company said in July it raised $522 mil-

Darwish

lion in new capital, $280 million in debt and $242 million in equity in the preceding year to fund its expansion across Africa.

Nigeria has Africa’s highest number of mobile-phone users, with 109 million subscribers at the end of 2012, according to the regulator Nigerian Communications Commission NCC. MTN Group Ltd.’s Nigerian unit was the market leader with 47.4 million customers, followed by Nigeria’s Globacom Ltd. with 24.1 million, New Delhi-based Bharti Airtel (BHARTI) with 23.1 million, and Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Telecommunications Corp.

(ETISALAT), known as Etisalat, with 14.9 million, according to data on the NCC’s website.

to the International Maritime Organisation IMO, Olu Akinsoji has urged the Federal Government to do everything within it powers to ensure that Nigeria meet the 90-altimatum given to her by the United States of America to comply with the International Ships and Ports Facilities Security (ISPS) Code, warning that non-compliance might cripple the nation’s economy.

The 90-day ultimatum, which was handed down on Nigeria sometime in June following the visit of the US Coast Guard to some of Nigeria’s seaport terminals and other facilities, which gave a damning report on the poor state of security at these seaport facilities, is expected to elapse in the next three weeks.

Akinsoji, who is also a council member of the Association of Nigerian Marine Engineers and Surveyors AMES, spoke in Lagos, observed that US accounts for over 30 percent of Nigeria’s crude oil export and as such any economic blockade by the world’s most powerful country will negatively affect the Nigerian economy on a large scale.

According to him, apart from buying Nigeria’s crude oil, which proceeds have remained the mainstay of her economy, the US also accounts for a large chunk of Nigeria’s non-oil exports even as she in turn imports things from US firms and so any sanction might be serious.

He also warned that in addition to the economy blockade by the US, all her economic and political allies, which include the European Union and other major countries within the American continent will also impose similar sanctions on Nigeria, which might be unbearable for her.

“By the nature of the sanctions, no US registered vessel will come to any Nigerian seaports as well as those other vessels that call at the US seaports. Apart from this, the US Government will also tell all the country’s allies not to trade with Nigeria”, he had warned.

“I don’t think we need to spell out the figures in terms of the implications of Nigeria’s non-compliance but we should

ISPS Code: US sanctions may cripple Nigeria’s economy – Expert Stories by Francis Ezem

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igeria’s immediate past Alternate Representative

Akinsoji

appreciate the kind of socioeconomic problems it would have on our economy but I think it will be so enormous”, he insisted.

He however expressed worries over the slow pace of passage of relevant national laws to give the International Convention on Unlawful Acts Against Maritime Navigation (SUA) an obligatory effect.

“It is in fact more worrisome that since the adoption of the International Convention on Unlawful Acts Against Marine Navigation (SUA) in 1988, Nigeria has not concluded the process of passage of such national law to give its provisions the obligatory effect it deserved”, he also said.

The US Embassy in Nigeria had sent a diplomatic note to the Federal Government sometime in June through the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Nigeria to improve its ports security system in the country within 90 days or risk an international blockade whereby all vessels would be stopped from calling at the nation’s seaports.

The blockade may also entail the US stopping shipping services to Nigeria and also mobilising all her trading partners to do same as part of measures to compel Nigeria to comply with the enforcement of the ISPS Code.

But as a way forward, AMESS, umbrella body for all indigenous marine engineers and surveyors and President of the Association of Nigerian Maritime Engineers and Surveyors had urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Federal Government’s designated agency for the enforcement of the ISPS Code to embrace the overtures by the US Coast Guard to assist Nigeria to meet the deadline.

It was gathered that the International Port Security Liaison Officer Commander of the US Coast Guard, Mr. David Gates has offered to assist the Nigerian government meet the security requirements in order to escape the looming global sanctions.

President of the association, Charles Uwadia had urged NIMASA to take full advantage of this rare opportunity to ensure that Nigeria meets the deadline with a view to escaping the wrath of the entire global shipping community, which might queue behind the US Government in punishing Nigeria if she fails to comply.

“AMES recognises the Presidential bold step at this turning point by identifying the statutory national focal point and designated authority as NIMASA thus ending the 10 –year lingering confusion over the appropriate authority”, he observed.

He also said: “Consequently, we strongly suggest that NIMA-

SA should take full responsibility and the opportunity given by the US Government without reservation with the International Port Security Liaison Officer Commander of the US Coast Guard, David Gates, who has offered to help Nigeria”.

He insisted that the discussion should continue and include material input until a satisfactory level of compliance is achieved and a roadmap developed to at least remove the determination of the American Government on the matter.

Institute backs CRFFN on clampdown on quack freight forwarders

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he Nigerian Institute of Freight Forwarders has thrown it full weight behind the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria CRFFN over its proposed clampdown on quack freight forwarders as part of the commencement of enforcement of the provisions of the enabling Act. The council had last week hinted that it is concluding

Jukwe

plans to clamp down on illegal and unregistered freight forwarders practicing in Nigeria’s sea, airports and border stations. This is sequel to the recruitment and inauguration of enforcement officers, which also marked a flag-off of its enforcement activities in line with the council’s statutory powers under the CRFFN Act, 2007, designed to rid the nation’s maritime industry of quack and unregistered freight forwarders.

Acting Executive Secretary of the institute, Valentino Buoro, who spoke in Lagos, described the move as the dawn of a new era in Nigeria’s international trade transactions. According to him, this milestone will also mark the end of the road for fake forwarders who have in the past tarnished the image of this globally recognised profession.

“For far too long a time, honest and hardworking freight forwarders have suffered humiliation and bad publicity

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News as a result of the activities of fraudsters who masquerade as clearing and forwarding agents to dupe innocent importers”, he noted He also said: “Such fraudsters had remained endemic in the system because they offer below industry rates for cargo handling in order to lure their victims. However with the successful commencement of this phase of the CRFFN’s mandate, the industry will now witness the separation of the wheat from the chaff; a situation which will give genuine freight forwarders a pride of place in the comity of professionals” Buoro, who is also a maritime lawyer, noted that the institute congratulates the management of the CRFFN for a good take off in this respect, and also urged all registered freight forwarders to seize this opportunity to sign up for the 2013 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme of the Nigerian Institute of Freight Forwarders which kicks off this month.

“Let it be noted by all concerned that participation in the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme is a prerequisite for obtaining the annual practice license of the CRFFN. It should also be understood that without a current practicing license, no registered freight forwarder will be in a position to carry on business”, he further insisted.

The institute therefore appealed to registered freight forwarders who have not regularised their membership of the institute to do so by picking up their membership registration forms and taking advantage of its Members Support Desk which will assist them in finding solutions to a wide range of business challenges.

Registrar/Chief executive officer of the council, Mike Jukwe, had last week in an exclusive interview confirmed the proposed clampdown, which he also said would commence in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano and later extend to other seaport, airports and land borders.

According to him, the inauguration of the enforcement officers, which also flagged off the enforcement of the relevant aspects of the enabling Act is aimed at flushing out quacks and unregistered freight forwarding practitioners from the system in line with the letters and intentions of the CRFFN Act. He disclosed that affected freight forwarders have been given between two –three weeks to regularise their registration with the council or face the full wrath of the law.

“What this implies in practical terms is that at the expiration of this notice in the next

two or three weeks, all unregistered freight forwarding practitioners will not be allowed to operate at any sea, airports and land borders in Nigeria”, Jukwe insisted.

The CRFFN-boss also noted that this warning had become necessary so that no one will claim that he or she was caught unawares, as the enforcement officers will swoop on them and bar unregistered freight forwarders from practicising.

“The recruitment of these enforcement officers, about 30 of them is to enforce provisions of relevant sections of the CRFFN Act, 2007, especially the areas that concern complying with the standard regulations of practice”, he said further.

It was gathered that in addition to barring these non-compliant freight forwarders from practicising at the various air, seaport and border locations, culprits may also be prosecuted in line with the provision of the Act. The clampdown is in line with section 30 of the CRFFN Act 16 of 2007, which defines a freight forwarder as any person or company who arranges the carriage or movement of goods and associated formalities on behalf of an importer or exporter along the international boundaries of sea ports, cargo airports or land border stations and also empowers the council to enforce compliance.

SON tasks government on Adire fabrics certification

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rompted by local and international market demands as regards the standard and quality of ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ products, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has tasked the Nigerian government, investors and general private organisations on proper standards certification of Adire fabrics and other locally-made products.

SON disclosed that some ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ products, especially Adire fabrics are recording low patronage in both

local and foreign markets due to the inability of producers and government to get those products dully certified by SON, which it said had been hampering the confidence and trust that would-be buyers and consumers have as regards the consumption of such products.

Daudu Edward, Head, Ogun State SON Office, who spoke shortly after the maiden meeting held by Ogun State Council of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), lamented that quite a number of locally-made products had not been certified by the agency, and therefore considered sub-standards.

Edward said that nonstandard and quality certification of some products in the country by the SON was against the International standards practice and therefore negatively affecting sales and exports of African fabrics and other products.

He said, “it is a pity that some locally-made products are not NIS-certified and therefore considered sub-standards. It is surprising that the much-talk-about Adire fabrics do not have NIS-certification and nobody is looking into that direction. Adire fabrics will sell more in the market and will attract more export value if there is an effort towards it certification by the SON.” Meanwhile, the Federal Government, as part of efforts ensuring favourable balance of trade and payment, is planning exports promotion for Adire fabrics and other Nigerian made textiles.

Bimbo Ashiru, the Ogun state commissioner for commerce and industry, disclosed that the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga had sent a delegation to the State to meet with Adire fabrics and other local textiles producers on the evolution and production of international standard Adire fabrics.

Ashiru however, assured that the export promotion for Adire fabrics, as proposed by the Federal Government would boost investment in the Adire fabrics production sub-sector of the Nigerian economy, improve the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), create wealth and generate employment and correct the country balance of trade and payment.

IITA partners private sector for aflasafe delivery to rural farmers

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Aganga

he International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is collaborating with the private sector to ensure that `aflasafe’ gets to rural farmers,

Kyetere

according to, Dr Denis Kyetere, the Executive Director, African Agricultural Technology Foundation.

Aflasafe was developed by IITA in collaboration with Agriculture Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture, University of Bonn and University of Ibadan.

It is a natural non-toxic technology that uses the ability of native atoxigenic strains of Aspegillus flava (the fungus that causes aflatoxin) to naturally outcompete their aflatoxin-producing cousins.

Aflatoxins are highly toxic cancer causing fungal agents known to cause immune-system suppression, growth retardation, liver disease and death in both human and domestic animals.

Kyetere told news men in Abuja that the use of `aflasafe’ would reduce the level of aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut by 80 per cent to 90 per cent.

“Aflasafe is particularly effective as it addresses the aflatoxin fungus in the soil before it can contaminate the crop prior to harvest.’’

“Adapting and applying this technology in Africa can dramatically improve the health and livelihoods of millions of families while reducing commodity losses due to contamination.’’

According to him, aflatoxin contamination can occur before harvest when the crop undergoes drought stress due to elevated temperatures at the grain filling stages and when wet conditions occur at harvest periods.

“Contamination also occurs when there is insect damage, delayed harvesting and high moisture levels during storage and transportation.’’

“Aspergillus flavus which produce these mycotoxins thrive under favourable conditions on a wide range of foods and feed such as maize and groundnuts,’’ he explained, adding that it is a worldwide problem.

According to Kyetere, the Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that 25 per cent of the world’s food crops are affected while the Centre for Disease Control estimates that more than 4.5 million people in developing countries

are exposed to aflatoxins.

He, however, observed that children below five years remained most vulnerable, as exposure causes stunted growth and immunity damage.

The executive director stressed that aflasafe was produced to solve the endless list of problems that aflatoxin could cause in human and agricultural development and help in realising the goal of reducing hunger by 2015. ``The use of this technology will reduce aflatoxin contamination and improve food production, health and incomes of 4.5 million farmers and consumers, enabling them to participate in local and formal trade initiatives.’’ ``Adopting the technology will address food safety issues and benefits will cut across the entire food chain,’’ he said, adding that aflasafe was not hazardous to human health and was safe for consumption.

AGF tasks MDAs on NUBAN policy compliance

T

he Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has advised all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are yet to update their bank details to the Nigerian Uniform Bank Account Number (NUBAN) policy issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria to do so.

The compliance with the policy became effective July 1, 2013.

A statement by the Deputy

Otunla, Accountant General of the Federation

Director, Press in the Office, Charles Nwodo, warned that failure to comply may result in the delay of the payment of salaries henceforth.

Nwodo however stated further that if any staff experienced delay in the payment of his/her salary, such a worker should confirm that the banking details have been accordingly updated and forwarded to IPPIS before lodging any complaint to the Office.

The statement reads further: “The initial deadline was June 1, 2011. This was extended by CBN to June 1, 2012, at the expiration of which it was further extended to July 1, 2013.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, August 12, 2013

A7 23

News “Consequently, NUBAN became fully operational on July 1, 2013 and all staff are supposed to have complied with it. This may lead to none crediting of some Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information Systems (IPPIS) based civil servants’ salaries”, it added The OAGF spokesman confirmed further that prior to the July 1 date, MDAs on IPPIS were adequately notified and requested to obtain the NUBAN from their staff and forward same to IPPIS before the deadline.

He however noted that the earlier directive may not have been fully complied with by some MDAs and may thereby cause unnecessary hiccups in payment of salaries to workers in such MDAs. It should be recalled that the CBN released the guidelines on NUBAN scheme in August 2010 to achieve uniform numbering structure among all Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria within nine months.

According to the apex banking sector institution, the NUBAN “has great potentials to resolve the observed problems with electronic payments in Nigeria, as many of them are related to specification of wrong beneficiary account numbers.”

to Nigeria or from Nigeria to Ghana, before you cross Togo, Benin and Seme borders with a product on the road, a product that should be in Lagos or Accra in one day, you may spend one week on the road.

“Because the transport system is not regionalised, there is the need for us to look at the regional economic integration, there is the need to look at the monetary and financial economic integration.’’

Agumenu also advised West African leaders to ensure the implementation of the regional currency to facilitate economic development.

He said that implementation of projects should be the priority of leaders, noting that African leaders needed to work in unity to achieve growth and development.

Agumenu challenged the media on positive reportage of projects in Africa to let the world understand that African remained the best investment environment in the world.

According to him, Africans have pioneered many theories that have contributed to the development of commerce, industry and aerospace, among others in the world. “We need to tell our story, nobody can tell our story more than we can do,’’ he added.

Expert calls for regional integration in Africa

FITC returns CEO for fresh five-year mandate

T

A

he President of the Direct Leadership Institute, Ghana, Dr Donald Agumenu, has called on African leaders to ensure regional integration by deepening trade in the West African sub-region.

Agumenu made the call at the inauguration of the Nigerian Chapter of the African Project and Programme Management Board on Friday in Abuja.

He said that customs laws and regulations had been identified as being among the many obstacles that hindered free flow of trade in the region.

“We need to clear the barriers,’’ he stated, adding that trading was more difficult in the West African sub-region. If you want to move from Ghana

Agumenu

fter successfully enhancing the service quality of the Institute, the Board of Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) has charged Lucy Surhyel Newman, managing director/CEO, for another term of 5 years, which will terminate on April 30, 2019.

Speaking on behalf of FITC owner institutions [members of the Nigerian Bankers’ Committee] and FITC key stakeholders within the wider Nigerian Financial Services Sector, Kingsley Moghalu, the Chairman of the FITC Board and CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, commended Newman’s excellent performance as CEO since her resumption on May 4, 2009, which has led to continued enhancement of FITC’s service quality, internal capacity and brand positioning within Nigeria and beyond.

He charged her to continue to work effectively with FITC’s internal and external stakeholders, in taking FITC to even greater heights, while assuring her of the support of the FITC board, the Bankers’ Committee and leadership of strategic institutions within the Nigerian Financial System.

Newman has over the years, built a reputation as a results-

Newman

focused leader with proven success in aligning strategy, structure, people, policies and systems to optimize individual and organizational performance.

She holds a doctorate degree in Business Administration (Leadership and Performance) from the University of Phoenix, Arizona USA; and an MBA (International Business) and a B.Sc. in Business Administration (Financial Management), from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria.

She is a Certified Performance Improvement Technologist (CPT) and the 2012/2014 International Director on the global board of the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI), as well as Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).

Overall, she has about twenty-six years of industry and consulting experience.

About ten years of the first phase of her working career was with Borno Investment Company, a state Development Finance Institution (DFI). Nine years out of her 26 years working experience were acquired from four banks in Nigeria (Omega bank Plc, FSB International Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc) over the period 1997 – 2006 in areas including treasury marketing, product and business development, human resources management, and strategy as well as post-merger integration.

Before her appointment as the MD/CEO of FITC, she worked in the Performance Improvement Practice of the firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria from August 2006 to April 2009.

loading programmes were released in July but at the time there were no Bonny cargoes reported.

The four cargoes will be 950,000 barrels each, and daily exports of the light, sweet grade will be 127,000 barrels per day (bpd). In a month with no supply disruptions, Bonny Light exports are typically close to 200,000 bpd, according to Reuters data.

A spokesman for Royal Dutch Shell said on Friday that a force majeure, which relieves the Anglo-Dutch company from contractual deliveries due to actions beyond its control, remained in place on this grade.

A company may opt to keep a force majeure in place if it can only partially meet its contractual commitments.

The Shell spokesman declined to comment on current production levels.

GTBank upgrades social banking

G

uaranty Trust Bank Plc has once again raised the service bar for African Financial Institutions, by upgrading its social banking offering on Facebook to accommodate Instant GTBank Account Opening. With this upgrade, prospective customers of the foremost Bank can open accounts and immediately get their account numbers while on Facebook, without having to visit any GTBank branch.

Commenting on the new offering which went live recently, Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc; Segun Agbaje said the upgrade will make it more convenient for people to commence banking relationships with the Bank. Mr. Agbaje explained that all people have to do while on Facebook is fill the account opening form, upload their passport photograph and signature mandate and immediately get their account number.

GTBank Social Banking is

Nigerian oil exports set to rise after Bonny cargoes inclusion

N

igeria will export four cargoes of Bonny Light crude oil in September, a shipping list showed, boosting monthly exports for the top African producer to around 1.94 million barrels per day.

Most Nigerian September

a unique offering pioneered by the Bank earlier in the year that allows people open GTBank Accounts, make Account Balance Enquiries, perform Money Transfers and purchase Airtime on Facebook.

The Bank remains the leading Nigerian financial services provider in the social media space with over 1.3 Million followers on Facebook alone, the largest following for any Nigerian company.

With Social Banking, Guaranty Trust Bank plc has successfully introduced a new and effective platform through which its customers can get real-time customer service and perform transactions quickly,

Oil vessel

Agbaje

safely and at their convenience. According to Agbaje the banking requirements of today’s customers necessitates a high degree of flexibility, which is why GTBank is instituting value adding channels on social and other platforms that allow people bank 24/7.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc was established in 1990 and has within the last 23 years come to be recognized as one of the most innovative and service focused banks in Nigeria.

The Bank, which was recently conferred with the 2013 African Bank of the Year Award by African Banker Magazine, has banking subsidiaries in Cote D’Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom and has concluded the purchase of a 70 per cent equity stake in Fina Bank that will see its operations spread to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. BC

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Business Courage

Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global News

Erickson

Oil refining industries accused of blocking bio-fuel competition

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he Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has accused the oil refining industries in the US of attempts to block competition from bio-fuel and heralded the release of the final rule and 2013 Renewable Volume Obligations for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

BIO which represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centres and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations praised the US Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for its carefully balanced implementation of the RFS. According to Brent Erickson, Executive Vice President of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section the implementation has provided advanced bio-fuel developers and investors with confidence that if they can produce advanced and cellulosic bio-fuels, they will have market access.

“Current efforts to destabilise the programme are shortsighted and motivated solely by the oil refining industry’s desire to block competition and consumer choice at the pump. BIO firmly believes that the limits to market access for bio-fuels commonly referred to as the blend-wall represent a series of barriers contrived by obligated parties to prevent bio-fuels from gaining access to the marketplace,” he claimed.

Erickson asserted that multiple avenues exist for blending additional volumes of bio-fuel into the nation’s fuel supply and urged the EPA to withstand pressure to reduce RFS obligations based on blend-wall claims.

“This rapid innovation in cleaner; renewable fuels is creating thousands of new jobs today. The visible progress of the industry is proof that the Renewable Fuel Standard works,” he enthused.

Commending the EPA for progress made in clearing the regulatory pathways for development of advanced bio-fuels, BIO anticipated that EPA will again face waiver requests and legal challenges that are

designed to slow these regulatory processes, they therefore urged EPA to continue to stand firm against outside legal and political challenges designed to undermine the RFS. He revealed that following years of research and development and millions of dollars in investment, the first companies are right now commissioning bio-refineries and producing commercial volumes of cellulosic fuel for American drivers.

“This is a pivotal year for cellulosic and advanced biofuels. Additional companies have new facilities under construction, with expected start up over the next few years, “he said.

He assured that BIO members will continue to be involved in and sustain the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

same period in 2012.

Warren replaces James McMurdo, who was on Wednesday named as Deutsche Bank’s (DBKGn.DE) next chief executive of Australia and New Zealand.

Both Cormack and Stanger already worked in Goldman’s ECM team, which runs deals such as stock market listings, rights issues and share placements, with Cormack having responsibility for the UK, Netherlands and EMEA growth markets while Stanger led the financing business for the German region.

Goldman names Alasdair Warren head Tienan of EMEA financial sponsors China sacks top Sachs (GS.N) has economic official appointed Alasdair WarGoldman

ren as head of its financial sponsors group for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), according to a memo seen by Reuters.

Financial sponsors, the term investment banks use to describe private equity firms, are regular users of equity capital markets for selling shares in their portfolio companies.

London-based Warren, who joined Goldman in 2005 and was named a partner in 2008, was previously head of equity capital markets (ECM), convertibles and equity derivatives for EMEA. Richard Cormack and Christoph Stanger will jointly take on that role, becoming coheads of ECM and convertibles in EMEA, the memo said.

A spokeswoman for Goldman Sachs confirmed the contents of the memo.

ECM deals in EMEA involving financial sponsors total $7.1 billion so far this year, according to Thomson Reuters data, up 110 percent on the

Lloyd Blankfein, Goldman Sach CEO

A

former top economic official in China has been expelled from the Communist Party and removed from public office, state media report.

Liu Tienan, formerly deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, “accepted huge amounts of bribes”, Xinhua news agency reported.

Allegations against Liu emerged online in December, when a well-known journalist accused him of corruption.

The move comes amid a high-profile crackdown on corruption.

Liu “took advantage of his position to seek profits for others,” Xinhua reported, citing the Communist Party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

He was found to “seek benefits for his relatives’ businesses by breaking relevant regulations” and had accepted “cash and gifts”, Xinhua said.

The commission also found Liu was “morally degenerate”, Xinhua added, without giving further details.

Luo Changping, deputy editor of the respected Caijing Magazine, first leveled allegations against Liu in December.

On entries posted on his microblog, Luo said the official was involved in questionable financial deals, fabricated his academic record and threatened to kill a former mistress.

In May, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection began investigating Liu for suspected “serious disciplinary

violations”.

The downfall of Liu is now being seen as rare victory for public efforts to expose official corruption, the BBC’s Martin Patience in Beijing reports.

However the reality is that the Chinese authorities still tightly control the internet, and any serious allegations against senior leaders are immediately censored unless they have been officially sanctioned, our correspondent adds.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a crackdown on corruption, vowing to tackle it from the powerful “tigers” at the top to the “flies” at the bottom of the Communist Party.

In June, Lei Zhengfu, a former official at the centre of a sex tape extortion scandal, was jailed for accepting bribes.

… steps up monitoring of baby milk powder

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hina’s food safety watchdog says it will increase its scrutiny of baby milk powder after a contamination scare at New Zealand’s Fonterra.

The China Food and Drug Administration says it will severely punish companies found to have slack safety or quality standards. The body is telling firms to improve management and supervision.

Foreign branded milk powder has been highly popular in China as it is viewed as more reliable and of higher quality.

Breast feeding is not popular in China where powdered milk, particularly foreign powdered milk, is seen as superior.

The market is highly lucrative. Overseas brands are sometimes twice the price of local formula, and the size of the market is expected to double to $25bn by 2015, according to market watchers Euromonitor.

However, there have been a series of scandals over milk power.

In 2008, six babies died and thousands more were made ill through drinking milk contaminated with melamine.

The latest scare came after Fonterra’s baby milk powder was found to contain whey protein that contained a bacterium that can cause botulism.

The company has apologised for the lapse.

The food safety watchdog said: “A lack of responsibility, unclear policies and lax supervision led to recent safety issues over infant milk formula, and it is necessary to improve the quality and safety of milk powder to regain consumer confidence.”

Earlier last week, China fined six companies, including Fonterra, for colluding to fix prices.

Tesco in talks with China Resources Enterprise

C

hina Resources Enterprise (CRE) is in talks with the UK retailer Tesco about merging their hypermarkets and supermarkets in China.

The venture would combine Tesco’s 131 stores in China with CRE’s almost 3,000 stores, called Vanguard, to create what they say would be the leading multi-format retailer in China.

State-run CRE would control 80 per cent of the new chain while Tesco would have 20 per cent.

Tesco and CRE both confirmed the talks in stock market statements. They warned that there was no guarantee the deal would be concluded.

CRE said that the venture would bring together its “deep understanding of local customers, established nationwide infrastructure and proven track record as a partner with Tesco’s global retail expertise, international sourcing scale and supply chain capabilities”.

Tesco, the biggest supermarket chain in the UK, first started operating in China in 2004 where it has hypermarkets and some shopping malls containing Tesco stores.

Analysts said the joint venture would allow Tesco to reduce the amount of capital it must commit to its China

Philip Clarke, Tesco Group CEO

business, while still having a presence there.

“Tesco has been struggling in China and has been losing money. Similar to Carrefour, they had issues in their home market which they had to resolve,” one Hong Kong-based banker told the Reuters news agency.

“This may look win-win, but in reality, Tesco is saying ‘I can’t figure out China’,” he said.

After a decade of international expansion Tesco faces challenges in some of its overseas markets.

In April, Tesco said it was abandoning its US chain of 199 Fresh & Easy shops, at the same time announcing its first decline in annual profits in almost 20 years. It is still to be decided whether it will sell the business or close it down. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, August 12, 2013

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

H

is name might not ring a bell like his peers in the Nigeria’s exclusive list of billionaires; yet, this is one man who has through a combination of luck, hard work, vision and resilience, worked his ways up the corporate ladder.

Out of a characteristic humility, he has refused to flaunt his wealth and achievements and rather chosen to maintain a low profile.

The Ogbomoso, Osun-born Chattered Accountant and business mogul plies his trade in the tax consulting profession with his company, Olusola Adekonola and Co. (Chartered Accountants and Tax Practitioners) regarded as one of the nation’s foremost indigenous firms of chartered accountants.

Adekanola’s forte seems to be in the area of revenue collection and over the years, his firm Olusola Adekanola & Co has been at the forefront, collecting taxes for various governments in the country across party and geo-political lines.

The firm pioneered the nation-wide Accelerated Revenue Generation Programme (ARGP) which has helped governments across the country to recover billions of Naira owed them in tax revenues.

Besides Olusola Adekanola & Co, he is also the chairman of several highly rated companies which includes OA Consulting Ltd, Consolidated

Adekanola

He maintains a unique low profile but the activities of his organisations have continuously placed his name in public reckoning. He is regarded as one man who seems to have developed an unmatched strategy for tax and debt collection even from the most recalcitrant firm or individual. He is the modern version of what the Yoruba speaking part of Nigeria will call the “Osomaalos” (the debt collectors). He is Olusola Adekanola, founder and Chairman, Olusola Adekanola and Co. (Chartered Accountants and Tax Practitioners) Management Consultants Ltd, Henrisol Properties Ltd, Seedvest Microfinance Ltd. Seedvest Ltd, among others. He is equally sits on the board of several other blue chip companies in the country.

Adekanola played himself

into reckoning in the financial industry when immediately after bagging the fellow of the Institute of Chartered and Certified Accountants, in 1979; he joined Onawaola, Popoola & Co as an employee where he started off as Audit Semi Se-

nior.

He spent only a year at the firm before moving to Egunjobi Suleiman & Co between 19801981 and later joined Otunba Adebayo & Co, another accounting firm in 1981, where this time around, he spent

A9 25

about four years.

In 1983, he added another feather to his professional cap as he became Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and subsequently a Fellow of the Institute of Taxation of Nigeria in 1984.

Convinced that he had been able to garner enough exposure and the needed experience, in 1984, he decided to call it quit with paid employment to become an employer of labour. Hence, in 1984, he came up with the idea which became Olusola Adekanola & Co, a Chartered Accountants and Tax Practitioners where he currently serves as the Group Executive Chairman/ Managing Partner.

As a starter, things were not as easy as he had thought as at the time he left the services of Otunba Adebayo & Co, but with exceptional courage, perseverance, hard-work together with little contacts he had been able to make while still working as an employee, Adekanola was not only able to break the ice, he also, within a short period, became the toast among his peers.

Regarded as the new kid on the block, OA & Co as it has been so branded, has a unique model that it adapts to various projects and engagement, the style which has enable it to continuously make waves, especially in the area of being a diligent revenue collector for many state governments.

Olusola Adekanola & Co. (Chartered accountants), prides itself as being made up of professionals dedicated to adding value in the areas of audit, tax, and advisory services to individuals, companies, firms and industries. It is reputed to be the largest wholly indigenous accounting services firm in Nigeria in terms of staff strength, spread of offices and in particular, the number of qualified chartered accountants.

Notwithstanding this enviable position, the founder, Adekanola noted, it is still seeking to expand on the continent, blazing new trails in the industry and enriching the quality of its professional service delivery capabilities while forging new alliances/affiliations.

The firm provides business advisory services by helping its numerous clients create sustainable business values while identifying with their growth Continued on pg A10

Business Courage

opportunities and everyday business challenges.

No doubt, the firm’s vision of being the foremost professional service provider in Nigeria and beyond cannot be said to have been fully realistic, but it says that its competences in promoting excellence with efficient delivery of professional service, thereby creating opportunities for economic growth while contributing to a sustainable national development has been its core value.

The foremost accounting and auditing firm has truly been providing industry-focused services for public and private clients as its experienced staff, combined with its global network, has made it possible to provide the support needed by its clients.

Today, the accounting and tax firm, which started with just three staff, has through Adekanola’s avowed practice of integrity carved a niche for itself which has rubbed off on the company through juicy contracts.

One area where the firm has been able to make its mark is the revenue consultancy, especially to the governments at all levels. This is a compliance assignment which arose from some of the shortcomings of the third-tier of Federal Government, State and Local and their respective revenue agencies to enforce their Tax/Revenue laws and achieve the highest level of revenue accruable to them on a sustainable basis. While that tendency towards failure has remained in the system, in spite of the presence of other players in the field, Olusola Adekanola & Co. says it has continued to hold the prime position and has even become a reference point in this area of consultancy.

Perhaps, his major breakthrough came when the then Lagos State Military Administrator, Col. Buba Marwa contracted revenue collection to his firm, a job which he was said to have done brilliantly, shoring up the state’s revenue to an unprecedented level.

As a matter of fact, that Lagos State job opened many doors of opportunities for him as other state governments began to line up for the firm’s services.

Over the years, Olusola Adekanola & Co has worked with clients in implementing a wide array of value-added tax planning and compliance services to meet their need and requirements. It has a progres-

Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Adekanola

sive, proactive approach to tax planning, tax compliance and tax controversy resolution for the benefit of its clients. By carefully analyzing the facts, circumstances and underlying law and regulations, it has been able to achieve the most beneficial result for its clients as it endeavours to ensure that its client’s tax’s positions are sufficiently supported by substantial authority under the law and regulations to mini-

‘

mise their exposure to penalties and interest.

The firm’s tax practice provides clients with a complete range of tax services, incorporating sound, reflective business and financial advice as the firm’s practice has three areas of focus which include consulting planning for future events, controversy dealings with government tax agencies as well as compliance tax return preparation and special

his major breakthrough came when the then Lagos State Military Administrator, Col. Buba Marwa contracted revenue collection to his firm, a job which he was said to have done brilliantly, shoring up the state’s revenue to an unprecedented level

‘

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concern.

Olusola Adekanola & Co is also noted for its expertise in the aspect of companies’ liquidation and insolvency. In this area, its liquidation and insolvency expertise include a thorough and methodical approach which includes the following: Turning company’s hard assets into cash, cash accumulated used to pay existing debts and analysing company’s assets and deciding the best schedule for debt-payoff.

Also, in the aspect of mergers and acquisition of companies, Adekanola’s competence is highly respected as he has handled a lot of companies’ mergers and acquisition.

While the firm parades a crop of seasoned professionals with all the technical-know-how in this area, what it does is to facilitate mergers and help corporate organisations in any acquisition services that are required. In doing this, it goes a long way in first and foremost selecting optimal acquisition for the clients’ company while identifying market opportunities that an acquisition strategy can explore. It also measures customer attitudes and company’s products to indicate their image in the market as it provides customer

demographic data that gives insight into future market potential and growth of targeted company.

Over the years, the state and the Federal Governments have continued to intensify their efforts to increase their internally generated revenue and address the challenges of non-remittance of taxes collected by some employers, especially in the private sector, and receiving banks. However, as an avowed believer in government contracting tax collection or consultancy to professionals who could perform better, Adekanola believed government should be blamed for not using consultants in tax collection. According to him, many government officials have abandoned the use of consultants by sponsoring non- qualified accountants as consultants, adding that such consultants demand bribes before doing their jobs.

To stem the tide, Adekanola says the governments should always engage good consultants in order to ensure that all taxes collected are remitted.

Section 81 of the Personal Income Tax Act, PITA, imposes the duty on all employers of labour to deduct calculated taxes from their employees’ total emolument. The money so deducted is expected to be remitted to the state or federal government coffers through any of the designated revenue collecting banks, failing which interest and penalties shall be imposed for late remittances.

The monthly remittances must be accompanied by a schedule showing list of employees and taxes paid.

It also engages in outsourcing services, ranging from equipment to human capital, intellectual properties, with the prongs of its enterprise are in the area of renewed focus on core business, ability to reward workers, project enhancement, service improvements, skill upgrade, skill retention and technology infusion.

Adekanola’s expertise in the field of auditing is also noted to be legendary. With a plethora of seasoned auditors who deploy innovative modern approach to auditing of accounts both in the private and public sector, the firm is considered as one of the firms to look into the leaking holes in the nation’s oil money pouch.

However, the firm’s appointment on 29, April 2011 to handle the verification of claims by oil marketers on the Petroleum Subsidy Fund

(PSF), almost punctured the integrity which Adekanola claimed to have laboured to build in the last three decades. By the contents of the subsidy probe report, he was said to have failed the integrity test and subsequently failing on the scale of professional competence, with the recommendation that it should be blacklisted alongside Nigeria’s foremost accounting and auditing firm, Akintola Williams Deloittee, for a period of at least, three years.

Adekanola however swiftly denied the allegation and noted that the firm never received any formal invitation from the probe panel, but the Managing Partner hurriedly attended the probe as a mark of respect to the distinguished House of Representatives’ ad-hoc committee to clarify the firm’s terms of reference.

According to him, the firm only worked for six months whereas the probe panel was to investigate subsidy management in the last three years. Also, he had insisted that not all vessels for verification were allotted to the firm for verification, noting that up till April 2012 when its services ended, it verified only 76 vessels with subsidy claims of N121.9 billion, just four per cent of the N2.7 trillion under investigation.

Also, he had explained that Olusola Adekanola & Co. was engaged to do post-payment audit exercise which in other words means payments must have already been made to marketers for fuel import before the firm could review subsidy claim documents as the purpose of post-payment audit was merely to note lacunas, (if any) and to effect whatever adjustment deemed necessary in any subsequent payments to the marketers.

Adekanola affirmed that each of the seven organisations that inspected the vessels and partook in the verification exercise – the auditing firm of OA & Co.; PPPRA; Department of Petroleum Resources; the Nigerian Navy; Nigerian Ports Authority’s surveyors; the Marketer’s survey team; and vessels crew Members – though had their specific functions, they synergised to ensure that the right payments were made to claimants.

By June this year, the House of Representatives reverted by revoking its resolution calling on the federal government to blacklist and

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Monday, August 12, 2013

Adekanola

prosecute the foremost indigenous firm of chartered accountants and tax practitioners for alleged involvement in the petroleum subsidy regime The decision by the House to quash the resolution, a fallout of recommendation by its ad-hoc committee on fuel subsidy probe, was as a result of a petition by Olusola Adekanola & Co., which, according to the House, showed that the accounting firm was never in any way involved in the subsidy regime before the investigation by the House and eventual cessation of service to its employer, Federal Ministry of Finance.

The Committee of the Whole chaired by the deputy speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, had considered the report of its Committee on Public Petitions to reconsider the House resolution on the petroleum subsidy report, as it affected OA & Co. The accounting firm had in various publications protested its indictment by the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on petroleum subsidy regime, chaired

by Hon. Farouk Lawan, de-

‘

It also engages in outsourcing services, ranging from equipment to human capital, intellectual properties, with the prongs of its enterprise in the area of renewed focus on core business, ability to reward workers, project enhancement, service improvements, skill upgrade, skill retention and technology infusion

claring that it was innocent of the allegation of wrong doing against it.

“We hold the House of Representatives committee on fuel subsidy in high esteem and we are sure that it did not have valid information within its reach to premise its recommendations on. We are therefore prepared to avail it infor-

‘

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

mation and evidence to assert our innocence on this subject,” Adekanola had announced in one of the publications.

Adekanola’s firm also engages in liquidation and had successfully handled assignments such as the liquidation of the National Fertiliser Company of Nigeria (NAFCON) and the Nigerian Newsprint

Manufacturing Company.

He was also the liquidator of the NITEL/MTEL Pension Fund which sold the 37-storey NECOM House on Marina, Lagos. NECOM House was sold in 2008 to West African Aluminium Products Plc, following the transfer of NITEL’s non-core assets to its pension fund just before the telecom firm’s sale in 2006 to Transcorp Plc by the Bureau of Public Enterprises.

Aside financial business, another area which Adekanola focuses on is the sporting business. Since his football team, Kwara Stars, was disbanded, he has devoted his time to golf. Being a notable sponsor of the game of golf, he is well respected in the golf circles and has made significant contributions to the game in Nigeria.

A reputed golfer, he pioneered the winner take all series which was to bring out the best in Nigerian Professional Golfers. Reputed to be the number one individual Sponsor of Golf Tournament in Nigeria, the CMCL OPEN, which he single-handedly sponsors, is in its 15th edition amongst other Tournaments.

He also initiated an annual Qualifier amongst young Professional Golfers who were then sent to South Africa on a one year proficiency training which gave them the opportunity to participate in the Sunshine Tours. Five Nigerians and One Ghanaian Professional have so far benefited from this Scheme.

He is widely traveled and has played several Championship Courses in the United States of America, Europe , Asia, UAE and Africa with more visits to South Africa.

He has also attended a few US OPEN and the OPEN Championship in the United Kingdom severally at St Andrews and other venues. The CMCL Golf Tours Ltd, where he is the chairman, is noted for promoting and consultancy on golf activities including tournaments.

CMCL sponsors, finances and organises all forms of golf tournaments and activities as well as it provides, arranges, organises, finances, co finances and be owners/ joint owners of golf academies. Its mission has been to take the game of golf to the highest pedestal by increasing awareness about the game and ensuring that sponsors get extensive exposure for their brand as well as value for money. BC

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Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ThebuddingEntrepreneurs

He was a victim of what has come to be known as the Sanusi Lamido-Tsunami in the banking industry between 2008 and 2009. But rather than getting soaked in the trauma and lamentations that came with it, Taofeek Akinwumi Raheem, a Business Process Analyst in one of the banks then, has turned the misfortune into a pool of wealth through his Starwumi International, an agro-business support initiative

By Biodun Alade

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hen the storm rages, it is often advised that one do not give up because tough times do not last like tough people, especially as there could always be light at the end of the tunnel. Opportunities abound In the midst of difficulties and challenges but it will take a bold heart to take the bold step and dare the storm.

After almost a decade of serving in four different banks, occupying various positions with the last being as a Business Process Analyst, Taofeek Raheem was sacked along with some staff in the bank in the wake of the 2009 reform in the banking sector.

It was a difficult moment for many as some contemplated suicide; others could not fathom where to start from. Their world seems shattered.

The banking job is like a princely job in the country. It is often a pride to have a job in the bank considering the level of unemployment in the country. Family members are always more than willing to brag that a relative works in the bank. It is a job, not many will wish away.

The fear and pain of those affected by the said reform is understandable. Their sack was followed by protest and allegation of victimisation with a call on the government to intervene; not many were willing to leave the banking walls and just a few saw life outside the banking walls.

Luckily, Raheem was one of the few who never gave up as he wasted no time to think of something else to do and earn a living. Amazingly, he settled for the farm.

Initially, it sounds almost odd for a man to leave the serene

ambience of the banking hall for the rocky-patches of the farm.

But that was the path the former Business Process Analyst turned farm waste control expert has chosen.

Today, he markets and installs German-Austria Bio Nano Technology (GABIN TECH) System in farms. The Gabin Tech system is used mainly to enhance friendly environment devoid of ammonia odour, flies and maggot for farmers, especially, those whose farms are in residential areas.

Recalling his journey to providing solution to farmers, Raheem said, “Two major events happened that made me chose this work. The first was the need to make extra money and have an alternative mean of income while I was still in the bank. This was as a result of the accident I had in mid-2008 which opened my eyes to the need for alternative mean of income. I thought of what to do but could not figure one out until a friend introduced me to the Gabin Tech system.

So I picked it as my plan B on a part-time basis. Then the crisis in the banking sector came around 2009, which affected my employment and I decided to go into the business fully and see what I can make from it because challenges are opportunities coming in a different form.”

It was a difficult decision to make, one filled with fear and uncertainty but he chose to bid good bye to the bank and start life as an entrepreneur. “The fear was there on what will I make out of this because as a Business Process Analyst, job is always there. We were asked to reapply in the bank which I did and I got two offers but I felt the need to move on and concentrate on what I was already doing on a

Raheem

full-time basis. Deep inside me, I thought I should dedicate my time and expertise to the GabinTech system because one day, either willingly or unwillingly, I will leave the banking job or any other job that I might be doing for someone else. So, I chose not to honour any of the two offers I had from the banks but pursue vigorously my own business,” he

said.

Amazingly the choice seems to have paid off. He told Business Courage that in four months, his current job earns him what he “couldn’t earn in his banking job in eight months; in fact, it was almost equal my annual income.”

Besides, he said that he derives joy from the feedback of his

business partners. “It is great when people call you and testify of how you have been able to help and provide solution to their business challenges,” he said.

Since 2009 when he plunged into the business full time, there was no looking back for him even as he admitted that his satisfaction was not just because of the monetary gains, but his strong conviction that farming remains the bedrock of human survival.

He believes that the world cannot survive without food, hence, the needs to seize the opportunities in the challenges faced by farmers in carrying out their daily activities of providing food for the world.

“It is the zeal I have for farming and the global trend that agriculture is the future of the world. Without food, nobody can survive. The gap is still there for us to fill to make the farmer comfortable in farming and support the farming business. So, the question is how can we solve the challenges in the farming business? For instance, in poultry business, the offensive ammonia odour is a big concern, which before now had no definite solution but we now, provide solution through the Gabin Tech system which helps eliminate the offensive odour and thus make the environment friendlier; reduce mortality in birds and fishes thus leading to increase in production. Some people uses residential area for farming and neighbours will find it difficult to live with the odour if not well control,” he said.

Raheem, a certified accountant stated that the research carried out on the Gabin Tech system by the University of Ilorin,

Management Principles

Best practices for family businesses

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ebt managing, cash handling, and long-term planning are three problem areas all family-business leaders can improve by revamping operations Most articles and books written about family businesses have focused on the various thorny problems and emotional entanglements that come from working with family members. Less focus has been placed on the unique business challenges that stem from the fact that most family businesses are relatively small or medium-sized and do not always have the best possible operating practices in place.

In fact, most of the operating practices a typical family business uses come from inherited wisdom, the school of hard knocks, and from textbook business principles that do not always take small business realities into account. But most of the challenges family business owners and managers face stem from the fact that ownership is highly concentrated, and usually in the hands of the people who are running the business. These leaders tend to operate in relative isolation and do not often receive independent input.

However, if family-business leaders could step back from the day-to-day of running the business and look behind the scenes, various problematic business areas would emerge that need to be addressed with a set of best practices. And those family businesses that employ best practices are often the ones that survive and thrive.

This column offers three best practices for problem areas unique to small family businesses.

Creating a debt management system: This important best practice relates to a family’s attitude toward debt. Most accepted principles about debt come from the people who are trying to sell money, and they may not have the business’s best interests in mind. These principles focus mostly on securitization and not as much on ability to repay. But debt is one of the few things that can kill a business and this fact needs to be acknowledged.

Bottom line: A system must be set in place to ensure debt is managed effectively.

Managing cash: In a small business, the manner in which cash is used is a potential lightning rod of conflict for family members. That’s because most financial reporting systems are not formatted to highlight what happens to cash in the course of operating the business. It is fairly common for family-busi-

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Monday, August 12, 2013

ThebuddingEntrepreneurs revealed that birds on this system produce probiotic organisms from the guts of animal thus producing good bacteria needed to overcome the bad bacteria by the principle of competitive law. It also helps the animals to retain more nutrients in the feed given to them unlike before where most nutrients in their feed are excreted. “We decided to put it to test at University of Ilorin because initially, most farmers argued that majority of the tests done on it were from abroad but we are happy that we now have a report from one of our institutions,” he submitted.

As to be expected, the idea was doubted at the initial stage by some farmers which posed a big challenge to him on how to convince them to adopt it. “The first challenge was how to buy people into the business, when you tell them there is solutions to something they are not used to, they find it difficult to buy into.

So, adaption was a bit difficult but what appeared most challenging in the course of his entrepreneurial endeavour was the assumption that if a product or service is not coming from the so called ‘big names’, people are unwilling to give it a trial. And when people finally adopt it, the next challenge, which is that of the ability of farmers to keep to instructions on how the system should be used and operated usually sets in.

However, Raheem’s Starwumi International appear to have outlived those initial challenges as he admits that the company has been able to make substantial inroads in the sales and in-

Personal Finance Tips to get you started

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anaging money can be the hardest thing that an individual can ever do, and it’s not always easy. A person can make a budget and plan to use it and still end up spending more money than they have available.

Personal finance tips are important to help an individual learn how to manage money. Here are five tips to help you on your way.

stallation of Gabin Tech system in farms across the country, especially in states in the South west and a handful of farms in Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Kwara, and Abuja among others.

Incidentally, at the point at which Raheem decided to give up paid employment and stick to his farming business, pressures, especially from relatives and friends almost got him distracted. But since he was determined, he remained resolute.”Pressure will always be there in whatever one chooses to do in life but the ability to see beyond the present will help to weather the storm and the pressure,” he said.

He said that it is very hard to see a salary earner become a billionaire except he stole or engage in one dubious act but that with “a personal business, you can grow it and expand it to the whatever level you so desires.

Well, I am proud of what I am doing because the Yorubas will say “Igbe lowo wa” (the money

ness owners to reach the end of the year and have substantial earnings but no cash, having lost track of the cumulative effect of decisions made about cash throughout the year.

Also, some owners are not sufficiently educated on the differences between expenses, cash outlays, accruals, balance sheet changes, capital expenditures, principal payments, and other aspects of accounting.

Bottom line: Family-business leaders should place a high priority on cash management and ensure the company has a positive cash flow after all its obligations are met. They should take any larger-than-usual distributions out of the company after all the cash needs of the business and tax obligations have been satisfied. No one should ever borrow money to pay distributions to family members.

Long-term planning: Having a smart business plan provides great benefit to the family in terms of communicating direction and establishing expectations. It is also good for the business to align resources and provide a foundation for delegating authority and responsibility. The business plan does not have to be as elaborate as one might find in larger enterprises. It should spell out long- and short-term strategy. It should contain a multiyear financial forecast including a balance sheet, a profit-and-loss statement, a capital-expenditure plan, and a cash-flow forecast.

If possible, the financial forecast should break down the overall business into its various lines and establish a net-before-tax number for each. This will put the spotlight on aspects of the business that are doing well vs. those that are not.

Bottom line: Once developed, the plan should be communicated to everyone and reviewed monthly. It should clearly answer these questions: Where are we going? What’s expected of me? How does my contribution fit into the overall strategy?

As noted earlier, most family-business owners operate in relative isolation and employ practices that are often based upon information that may not be relevant. Adapting these operating practices into best practices will contribute significantly to a family business’s longterm business success. BC

is in the bush or farm). This one is my business and I can see the future in it. I don’t see pressure now because I can do what I like to do, live the life I want to live, drive what I want to drive. There are stages in life and we all cannot be millionaire same day.” he said brimming with a smile.

The Starwumi International boss is already thinking of how to expand his business frontiers to cover the entire farms in the country with a model farm in all the thirty six states and possibly, extend it to other parts of Africa.

An accountant by training but a scientist by practice, Raheem said that the desire to meet the needs of his immediate and extended family motivated him in the course of pushing his business idea. “Whenever I feel weak, I look at my wife, my kids and the extended family and I move on. If the energy in you is low, people that look up to you will be low as well,” he said.

He advised that institutions of learning must start training their students about entrepreneurship rather than for them to scouting for jobs after graduation even as he counseled people to plan ahead for their retirement or when their services will no longer be required by the organization they work for.

He stressed that putting God first with passion, sincerity and follow-through of all clients the business will grow has been his major source of strength. “I will say the first thing to do is to move closer to God, then identify your passion because it will keep you going when the cash is low.

The need to cease the opportunity when it presents itself is imperative.

Then you must be sincere in whatever you do because your customers deserve it and they will appreciate it a great deal.

And to grow your business effectively, you must follow-through all your clients, do not just follow up. You must follow-through all clients because one single client that fails to understand might hurt the business. So communication with the customer is important. You should also be up to date in your chosen field, especially on the available new technologies,” he concluded. BC

Monitor your spending habits Before creating a budget or cutting your expenses, it is important to know where you’re spending your money. The first personal finance tip is to monitor your spending habits for a month or two. When you monitor your spending habits, you need to write down everything that you spend. This means the really big things you buy as well as the small run to the convenient store.

Utilities – remember that your utilities are part of your spending habits and need to be counted.

Quick Stop – Those last minute stops at the convenient store needs to be included in your list of expenditures.

When the monitoring time is up, you will know where you spend the most money and sometimes, it is not where we thought it would be. This list of your expenditures will help you with the other personal finance tips listed.

Set personal finance goal It is important to set reasonable goals. Look at what you see for the future and set goals both short and long term. Set goals for different times like three months, six months, and one year. Remember to start smaller and then work to the larger goals. It is important to know where to start your goals.

If you have several creditors, you might want to make repaying those bills a first priority. If debt isn’t an issue, there are several other items that you can set as goals like buying a home or a car, starting a business, making a savings account, home improvements, as well as many others.

This personal finance tip is one of the most important; however it is not the same for two people. What you will need is going to depend on the specific situations of each person.

Collaborate with others Letting others know that you are creating a budget. It is important to talk to your children, and other family to help you succeed in your plans. This will let them know ahead of time what you are capable of. Also, remember there is nothing wrong with saying that you can’t do something. Prepare yourself to succeed rather than let others hinder your efforts.

Children will be able to see the importance of a budget plan and why it is important to save money through your example.

Be ready to streamline your expenses It is important to remember that when cutting your expenses, you will have to give up the extra things, in order to buy what you really need. Another really big personal finance tip is to have self-discipline. This means that in order to make your budget work, you will have to cut back on the things you frivolously spend money on. There are some simple things to cut back on that you might not have thought about.

Alleviate fees and debt One of the hardest things to do is to eliminate your credit card debt. The excessive debt can come with interest fees and sometimes they can get out of control. By paying you balance in full or ahead of schedule each month can help reduce some of those fees. Begin by paying off small debts first and then progress to the higher ones. If you receive extra money like a tax return put a portion of it onto a debt account to help pay it down to eliminate some of those fees. BC

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Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mobile phones and other electronic devices could interfere with sensitive electronic systems in a plane, some theories suggest. But are the claims really true?

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

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hen Biodun Oguntunji, a Managing Director of an IT firm in Victoria Island was about leaving for Italy last week on a business trip, he had called his managers to a brief meeting in order to intimate them about his trip and as well give out instructions on what to do during his absence. About an hour later, he was already at the Murtala Mohammed Airport to board a plane. However, while the plane he boarded was preparing for take-off, as it has now become a norm, a flight attendant made the usual request for passengers to turn their electronic devices off.

Unfortunately for Oguntunji, he realized there was an urgent message he still needed to pass on to his subordinates at the office, hence, rather than comply with the flight attendant’s request, he pushed his smartphone deeper into his pocket.

He had mumble to himself, “I have important work messages to send, and surely my little handset wasn’t going to cause the plane to plummet from the sky, was it?”

It’s a fact of life for anyone boarding a plane: all electronic devices need to be turned off during take-off and landing.

Most airlines have had this rule in place for more than a decade now, even though there has been no definitive documented instance in which passengers leaving their devices on caused a plane crash.

Perhaps, it seems he is not alone in defying the “put off your phone order”. Despite the stern and scary order of not putting on phones while on a plane, many passengers simply ignore these instructions, as shown by a recent US study, which found a third of passengers admit to not always turning off their devices during take-off and landing.

According to the survey, around four out of 10 US air passengers admitted they don’t always turn their gadgets off on flights.

But while Oguntunji could

have been lucky that he was not caught using his phone on a flight, an American actor, Alec Baldwin was not that fortunate as he was kicked off a Los Angeles-to-New York flight before take off for refusing to stop playing the online game “Words With Friends” on his phone.

According to regulations, which are pretty uniform around the world, the use of portable electronic devices is not allowed below around 3,000m (10,000ft), even in “flight mode” which stops the transmission of signals. Above this height, devices like laptops and music players can be used, but phones must remain off. These rules are important, we are told, to avoid potentially dangerous interference between signals from these devices and sensitive onboard electronic systems. But do these fears have any scientific basis, or is it time to relax the rules?

But while phones are prohibited during flight, most smartphones now have Airplane mode or flight mode setting on most electronic devices, such as eReaders and smartphones, which suspend many of the device’s signal transmitting functions.

Some US airline staff are now using iPads to replace paper flight manuals and get more information about their passengers.

Last month, British Airways became the first European airline to allow passengers to switch on their mobile phones just after landing.

So why are passengers still being asked to completely power down all electronic devices before take-off and landing, especially when staff are allowed to use tablets?

The argument that electronic devices on a flight (commonly referred to in the industry as “portable electronic devices” or PEDs) have never resulted in a plane crash is beside the point.

As aviation expert and New York Times columnist Christine Negroni wrote recently, there actually have been reported cases of pilots reporting electronic devices interfering with flight systems on commercial flights

Pilots with ipads

Use of mobile phones inside planes forbidden

– issues that subsequently disappeared when the flight crew spotted the offender(s).

In 2001, NASA put out a report compiling data on PEDs attributed to having anomalies with aircraft systems. The report concludes that: the data clearly indicates that not only were some events judged as having a critical effect on a system, but they also happened during critical states of flight specifically landings and takeoffs.

In 2003, it was found that a charter pilot had called home during a flight and the call remained connected. The plane crashed at Christchurch Airport when the plane flew into the ground short of the runway.

Eight people died, including the pilot.

The investigation that ensued from the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission stated that the pilot’s mobile phone may have interfered with the plane’s navigation system.

In 2011, the ABC in the US reported on a confidential report from the International Air Transport Association STEADS program which uses data pro-

vided by the world’s airlines.

The database showed 75 events over the past seven years in which interferences occurred that pilots and engineers think are linked to cellphones or other electronic devices.

And even in airplane mode, a smartphone still emits some electromagnetic radiation, as do devices that can’t connect to the internet, such as MP3 players.

The fear of interference comes from the fact that gadgets connect to the internet or to mobile phone networks using radio waves. To explain the theoretical dangers, Peter Ladkin, Professor of Computer Networks and Distributed Systems at Bielefeld University, Germany, uses the analogy of holding a blowtorch to your household heating pipes. The central heating system in your house makes changes based on the readings of thermometers within those pipes, so the blowtorch will heat the water, change the temperature readings and trigger the system to make adjustments.

Personal mobile devices could act in a similar way on aeroplanes, on which hundreds of electronics-based systems,

known as avionics, are used for navigation, to communicate with the ground and to keep track of the components that keep them in the air. Some involve sensors that communicate information to cockpit instruments. It’s not just an issue with mobile phones. Kindles, iPods, laptops, handheld gaming consoles – they all emit radio waves. If these are at frequencies close to those of the avionics, signals and readings could be corrupted. This could affect systems such as radar, communications and collision avoidance technology, and the problem is potentially magnified if gadgets are damaged and start emitting stronger radio waves than they should, or if signals from multiple devices combine.

So much for the theory, but is there any proof that this is a problem? There are no known recorded incidents of crashes having been definitely caused by such interference, but that said, the causes of accidents can sometimes remain unknown. A flight recorder may not identify that a critical system has failed because of electromagnetic interference from passengers’ devices.

But while definite proof may be lacking, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that the risks should be taken seriously.

A report summarising 50 cases of safety issues thought to have been caused by personal electronic devices, was published in January this year.

These were compiled from the US Aviation Safety Reporting System, a database maintained

by Nasa, to which crew members can anonymously submit reports of safety problems. One such case was summarised as follows: “First Officer reports compass system malfunctions

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Business Courage A15 31

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Technotalk

with Esther Ozue (ozueesther@nationalmirroronline.net) 08059234648 (sms only)

during initial climb.

When passengers are asked to verify that all electronic devices are turned off the compass system returns to normal.”

A 2006 analysis of the database identified 125 reports of interference from electronic gadgets, of which 77 were defined as “highly correlated”. In one incident a 30-degree error in navigation equipment was immediately corrected when a passenger turned off a portable DVD player. This problem reoccurred when the device was switched back on.

Fight crew have reported a number of similar cases in which they have watched readings on navigations systems change apparently in response to passengers being asked to turn specific devices on and off.

In another report, the International Air Transport As-

Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communication

sociation (IATA) identified 75 separate incidents of possible electronic interference that pilots believe were linked to mobile phones and other electronic devices between 2003 and 2009.

In the competitive world of aviation, some airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airlines have started advertising the use of technologies that allow greater use of mobile devices on flights. In-flight mobile phone systems such as OnAir and AeroMobile use miniature on-board base stations called picocells which allow devices to transmit at lower power levels.

Transmissions are processed, transmitted to a satellite and then on to the normal ground networks. This, says AeroMobile chief executive Kevin Rogers, enables the use of mobiles “as a roaming service just like when you go to a foreign country, except that in a foreign country you don’t need a satellite link.” Some airlines are now starting to fit AeroMobile equipment during production.

These systems allow you to use your phone while at cruise altitude, but not during take-off and landing. Rogers thinks that this might change one day, but at the moment it is still difficult to “prove categorically that there is indeed no interference – so airlines tend to err on the side of caution and be conservative.”

But as Rogers adds: “Many phones are always left on anyway. If there was a real risk of interference of a mobile phone or an iPad with the aircraft’s systems, people would not be allowed to take them on the aircraft at all.”

Another argument that usually comes up involves the use of in-flight Wi-Fi that is offered by certain airlines. If there’s inflight internet, why can’t I use my phone on the plane?

But those systems are tested and verified according to the aircraft model and the overall system they’re part of – and some don’t make the cut.

There have been reports of electromagnetic interference testing for particular in-flight Wi-Fi systems that showed interference with aircraft avionics display units.

It is also worth pointing out that there are no set international rules on precisely when passengers are allowed to turn on their devices. Most US airlines only allow their use above 10,000 feet (about 3km in altitude).

When landing, some airlines prefer to wait until the plane reaches the gates (as most Australian airlines do) while in China passengers typically pull out their phones as soon as the wheels hit the runway.

In recent years, there have been several moves, as previously discussed, to allow more extensive use of electronics devices in-flight, and the discussion on the matter is still going.

Some air authorities remain unconvinced, however. In-air mobile services cannot be used in US airspace, for example.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has come under pressure to relax its rules and last year set up a group of experts to study the question. A decision is expected by the end of this year.

Richard Taylor, a spokesman of the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, believes it is just a matter of time before we see more widespread use of mobile devices on aircraft, but that calls will remain banned during take-off or landing for the foreseeable future.

“When regulators like us are convinced that an aircraft can be used safely even with portable electronic devices being used in the cabin, that the signal being emitted from the cabin at any stage of the flight can be safely absorbed without affecting any of the aircraft systems, of course the rules will be relaxed,” he says. “But it’s up to the manufacturers, and of course to the airlines, to prove that they are operating the aircraft safely.”

Perhaps the question at the end of the day still remains; would you allow your mobile phone to take an entire aircraft down just because you texted your better half? BC

Using ZABBIX to monitor Network Infrastructure

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ast week’s topic on “technotalk” was on monitoring your IT infrastructures which is the proactive monitoring of servers, work stations, remote computers, windows event log and applications which is critical to security, network performance and overall operations of your organization.

However, there are various network monitoring tools like metrotic, zabbix, ethereal packet capture tool, squid, packet sniffers and several others.

I have, however chose to beam my searchlights on zabbix technology, a very effective tool for monitoring your network infrastructures for this week’s discourse.

In the past, traditional network traffic monitoring tools uses hardware’s and packet analyzers to offer granular and detailed information on network traffic. Hardware probes require complex deployment procedures and packet analyzer flood you with results that do not offer direct insight. The result of this is that IT units are faced with an increased troubleshooting cycle and takes a lot of time to make critical decisions affecting the network.

A Web host has to actively monitor all the services running on each of its internet servers. Customers assume that the services advertised by the host are always available and hence, Internet servers monitoring takes a high priority in the webhosting business world.

A Web host can be sure that all promises are being kept through an effective server monitoring system. Software installed on one server which can remotely monitor your Internet servers becomes the best solution.

This is probably where Zabbix is an open source distributed monitoring solution comes in.

It’s a network management system application used to monitor and track the status of various network services, the server health and integrity, and other network hardware.

It’s simple to setup and customize and takes care of critical services and applications. It also helps to maintain continuous availability while it has the capability to forewarns about problems before they happened and has great business importance.

The reasons why we monitor is to identify and proactively fix problems, to measure, analyze availability and performance, to improve quality of services ant to plan hardware upgrades.

In order to store data, zabbix uses MySQL, postgreSQL, SQLite or oracle database engine.

Zabbix has an agent and a server side. In the server, information are put together and processed in a database as it can be monitored while in the agent, information is gathered and polled by the server.

How to install Zabbix When installing zabbix, make sure you have the following packages installed on your machine. http, mysql, gcc, mysql-server, mysql-devel, net-snmp, net-snmp-utils, net-snmp-devel, net-snmp-libs, curl-devel, mak, ntp, php - with bcmath, gd and mysql support.

1. Startup the time severs for syncing the time between devices.

2. Create zabbix user.

3. Download zabbix and Untar it.

4. Create a zabbix database and populate it.

5. Grant zabbix database access to the corresponding user.

6. Create the Database schema.

7. Configuring zabbix server.

8. Compile the zabbix agent.

9. Add zabbix server and agent ports.

10. Configuring auto start and stop of services for different run levels.

In conclusion, zabbix is software which can be learnt quickly and easy to install as it combines several functions that are left out of other monitoring software and has a good data collection system. zabbix has an easy mechanism to add the host or service that needs to be monitored, when compared to other software.

It also allows you to build your own maps of different network segments while monitoring many hosts. BC

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Business Courage

Atasie

E-PPAN hinges e-payment success on public confidence, others Stories by Kunle Azeez

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he Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria, E-PPAN, has said fundamental to the growth of Internet banking an e-payment is the confidence which the public has in its convenience and security.

Speaking in a presentation at a recent e-pament forum orgained for the public sector by E-PPAN in Abuja, the President of the association, Mac Atasie also said that apart from public confidence, there were three essential factors for success.

He said, “For me, there are three essential recipes for success in our nascent cashless economy drive. Any such system msut be hinged on acceptability, affordability and availability.”

According to him, to pass the acceptability test, the process for any system or product developed must be trusted by all. “The technology, control process, government legiation must also evoke confidence and accepted by all.”

To achieve availability, Atasie said: “The product must be universal and accessible to all. Thus, the infrastructure must be efficient to achieve. And, of course, it must be a low cost system, so that it can be affordable by all. This is something that we must not take for granted but collaborate to achieve and continue to preserve.”

According to him, the advancement in technology and innovation has resulted in greater consumer convenience and enhanced efficiency.

“However, this same technology and innovation has also new methods of perpetrating fraud that could be executed faster and with greater reach.

“Cyber criminals have been active ever since the advent of the Internet and are constantly finding new ways

to defraud innocent victims.

Saftey and security of transactions in the use of all e-payment system is fundamental in ensuring continued consumer confidence.

“Thus, an important function and responsibility of the Central Bank of Nigeria amongst others is to continue to ensure that online translations can be made in a safe and efficient manner in the economy, in the pursuit of monetary and financial stability objectives,” he said.

Atasie has also called for the need for a robust and efficient national identity management system. “This is very important because ab efficient, technology-driven identity management system will help reduce the cost of the Know Your Customer, KYC, requirements by banks and other financial institutions and e-payment services providers.

“I have studied some of the success stories in the implementation of financial inclusion in developing countries, particularly that of Kenya and India and it is instructive to know that both countries have very efficient management system.”

Atasie explained that, as Nigeria moves further in the implementation of the cashless policy and national financial inclusion, it was important that all hands were on deck to see the successful completion of an efficient national Identity management system, as pioneered by the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC. “I would also like to emphasise that banks and the entire financial system should continuously seek to educate and familiarise consumers in the use of electronic and other technology-based financial applications which we are more efficient and cost-effective.

“Considerable investment and effort should be made to provide the enabling infrastructure to support such technologies. The use of e-payments should provide consumers with greater convenience and security that would result in cost savings in the long run.”

Also, the E-PPAN President stressed the desirability of the private sector to collaborate with governments at all levels to improve efficiency through technology, especially by incorporating e-payment solutions.

“In this regards, it is important for the financial institutions and payment service providers to provide more widespread access points for electronic payment services via multiple channels, including but not limited to the automated teller machines, ATMS, point-of-sales, PoS, terminals, as well as through channels and devices such as the Internet and the mobile phones.”

Monday, August 12, 2013

CWG boss, Austin Okere speaks at CEIBS

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he Group Managing Director, Computer Warehouse Group, a leading Information and Communication Technology conglomerate, Austin Okere has been chosen to deliver the keynote address for the 2012 graduating class at the fourth Executive MBA graduation ceremony of the China Europe International Business School’s Africa Programme.

The choice of Okere is not unconnected with the sterling achievements he has attained in the area of entrepreneurship in ICT business in Africa.

Okere is a shining example of entrepreneurial success in Africa, has left significant academic footprints in his trial.

He was recently appointed as an Entrepreneur in Residence by Columbia Business School, New York. He guest lectures at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston as well as the Lagos Business School in Nigeria and the United States International University in Kenya.

He has also facilitated the Lean Launch Pad Block Week with serial entrepreneurs, Steve Blank and Bob Dorf, who are co-authors of the bestselling Start-up Owner’s Manual.

In his address, titled ‘This is Our Time’ Okere highlighted entrepreneurship opportunities in Africa and the need to urgently equip ourselves to take full advantage.

According to him, “It is better to have a thousand millionaires than ten billionaires. It is better still to have a million people with access to a hundred thousand dollars, if they can be taught how to nurture and grow it through entrepreneurial endeavor.”

Speaking further, Okere said, “I like to put the story of the Computer Warehouse Group out there because such success stories contribute immensely to the attraction of capital to the region, which combined with the entrepreneurial acumen and the youthful population unleashes waves of economic boom.”

He also noted that Africa has a rapidly growing young population, which could bring

Okere

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a democratic dividend if optimally tapped, or constitute a source of social unrest, if millions of Africans continue to enter the labour market without any hope of employment.

Entrepreneurship, he said, has been the catalyst for economic growth as it provides the most viable vehicle for job creation. His passion for entrepreneurial advocacy he says stems from his desire to see the human capital gainfully engaged through sustainable start-ups rather than chasing non-existent jobs.

Buttressing his point, Okere cited a survey of 3,692 MIT alumni who graduated between 1987 and 2007. The survey results showed that 40 per cent of respondents have started their own companies, with 70 per cent doing so within five years of graduation. Also, 41 of PhD alumni have a patent or invention.

In his view, this could not have been possible without the strong entrepreneurship education and encouragement that America offers.

He charged the fresh MBA graduates to go out there and leave their footprints in the sands of time, having received the crucial empowerment.

The China Europe International business School, established in 1994 as a nonprofit joint venture between the European Commission and the Chinese Government has risen to become one of the best Business Schools in the world today, having made the Financial Times Top 30 worldwide for eight consecutive years.

Etisalat introduces new service for busy executives

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tisalat Nigeria has launched a new service principally designed to improve call relationship between busy business executives and their customers.

Tagged ‘Mobile Assistant’, the company said the new service provides freedom for busy executives by allowing their incoming mobile calls to be taken by a secretary or an assistant, who can also screen these calls to determine how important they are before transferring the call to the boss who cannot afford to miss important calls despite his busy schedules.

Speaking at the launch, the Chief executive Officer, Etisalat, Steven Evans, said the scheme was conscience with a view to further raise the bar of customer service delivery for some of its over 15 million subscribers In the same vein, the Director, Business Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Lucas Dada said the telecoms operator constantly strives to delight its customers

Evans

with innovative products and services to make their lives easier and simpler.

“We realise that the needs of our customers are ever growing and as such we have to come up with unique packages to match these needs.

“The Mobile Assistant is yet another innovative service from Etisalat that seeks to delight our customers by providing them with unique offerings that will further affirm Etisalat’s position as the most customer focused company in the telecommunication sector,” he said.

Explaining the mechanics of the service, Dada said: “When a call comes through to your mobile, it can be transferred to your assistant’s phone. Your assistant may be able to handle the call for you thereby freeing up your time. It is therefore a service that allows an Executive’s incoming mobile calls to be handled by a secretary or an assistant.”

He added that Etisalat had designed the service to enable the assistant or secretary pass the call back to the executive depending on the importance of the call by performing a mid-call transfer simply by pressing a dedicated key.

According to him, “this service also comes with three unique options designed to suit individual preferences, namely: Timed Assist, Live Assist and Control Assist.

With the Timed Assist, either the executive’s or the assistant’s phone rings; after a configurable time, if the call has not yet been answered, the other phone also rings.”

He added that the Live Assist enables both phones to ring simultaneously until one of them answers the call.

“For the Control Assist, the assistant’s phone only rings if the executive rejects the call. The Mobile Assistant, he said, is a network service and works regardless of mobile phone sophistication.

“If the executive’s phone is switched off or out of coverage, the assistant’s phone still rings. His exciting service is available on classic postpaid, easybusiness, easyflex 5000 and easylife postpaid packages,” he said. BC

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Business Courage A17 33

Monday, August 12, 2013

Lagos unveils plans to promote locally-made products

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s part of effort to promote Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, the Lagos State Government has concluded plans to host the year 2013 domestic trade fair tagged Eko Expo, aimed at promoting locally made products in the country.

Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Commerce and Industry, Oluseye Oladejo, who disclosed this in Ikeja, said foreign exhibitors from Indonesia and China were among the various organizations that have indicated interest to participate in the fair billed to hold at Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Oladejo, explained that the government is organising the coming expo in collaboration with the Lekki Free Zone Development Company, as a result of

the successes recorded with last year’s fair, where a total of 175 investors participated. He said the fair would further promote investment opportunities available at the zone, as well as provide platform for operators in small and medium scale industries to showcase what they do.

According to him, “The choice of Lekki Free Zone as the venue for this year’s fair is to familiarise the business community with the peculiar incentives offered by the zone and the need to invest therein.”

He listed such incentives to include, complete tax holiday from all federal, State and Local governments, taxes, rates, customs duties and levies; onestop approval for all permits, operating

license and incorporation papers.

Others include; Duty free, tax-free import of raw materials and components destined for re-export; duty- free capital goods, consumer goods, machinery, equipments and furniture among others.

The Special Adviser said the ministry will make provision of a free shuttle buses that will be stationed at Oriental Hotel along Lekki-Epe road to convey interested people to and fro the fairground all through the seven days that the fair will last.

“This is meant to assist visitors to get to the fair venue with ease, in addition to accommodations available at the zone for exhibitors to make their stay during this period comfortable.” BC

Fashola

Livestock farmers oppose registration bill

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he Association of Livestock Owners and Input Suppliers in Oyo State has called for the review of animal farm, hatchery and feed mill registration laws to protect the livestock sub-sector of agriculture.

The association, comprising the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria, Pig Farmers Association of Nigeria and Animal Scientists Association of Nigeria in Oyo State, made the call in Ibadan at the weekend.

In a communiqué dated August 6, jointly signed by the Chairman, Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria, John

Olateru; Chairman, Catfish Farmers Association, Modupe Awoyomi-Kolade; and others, the association expressed worry that a subsisting bill on the proposed registration laws did not take the plight of farmers into consideration.

The bill, which has passed the second reading in the Oyo State House of Assembly, is expected to enforce the registration of poultry farmers, the employment of veterinary doctors by livestock farmers and the payment of tax on livestock.

The communiqué said, “While the Federal Government is making efforts to diversify the economy through agricul-

ture, the Oyo State bill is seeking to negate the drive and kill the spirit of agricbusiness in the state.

“The bill is retrogressive, all farmers must be registered and the section that says each farmer should employ veterinary doctor should be revoked. Though the association supports regulation of the livestock production, hatchery and feed milling business, we are totally against exploitative treatment and tendencies which the bill represents.”

It added that “All farmers must be registered. We fault section 8 (1) and (2) of the bill which said that an official of the

state government might seal a farm that failed to register with the farm produce sold to cover the cost of registration.”

Awoyomi-Kolade was quoted as saying, “If the bill is passed, it will affect all farmers in the state. The bill enforces high levy on the farmers and makes it mandatory for all livestock farmers in the state to employ veterinary doctors in their farms. This should not be the criteria for registering farmers.

“Farmers are high employers of labour. There is much pressure on us already. They should not worsen the situation for us.” BC

FG hands over PHCN to new investors Sept 21

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he Federal Government will hand over privatized successor companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, to private investors on September 21, 2013, if the investors pay on schedule.

The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, PBE, Benjamin Dikki, who said this in an interview in Abuja, disclosed that the PHCN privatization was expected to earn the Federal Government about $2 billion.

Dikki said: “To purchase this Power Holding Company, over $2 billion will be paid by the bidders, and that is because the investors can see a clear investment horizon. They don’t have to go and lobby anybody, all they require is

Dikki

to meet the technical requirement, go to the regulatory authority, apply for licence and they are limited by their own ingenuity and their access to the capital.

“When they pay by September 21, we will hand over the companies to them or anybody who pays earlier and then they begin to operate.

“Labour issues have been resolved and the implementation committee on settlement of the PHCN staff terminal benefits commenced payment of N118 billion to the over 20,000 PHCN staff, at the beginning of this month”.

The BPE boss said the privatization programme of the Federal Government had significantly opened up the Nigerian

economy by creating the right atmosphere for greater private sector participation in several key sectors.

He said the telecommunications sector stood out in terms of attracting massive foreign investment, which he put at about $40 billion to date.

His words: “The Nigerian economy is becoming more and more liberalised. So, we in the Bureau of Public Enterprise are not surprised. That is what we have been working for.

“That is the benefit of the reform, which the Bureau of Public Enterprise has been spearheading and also in consonance with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration”. BC

Article dealers reposition market to boost economy

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he Article Dealers Association has restated its commitment towards repositioning the articles market to boost the nation’s economy.

In a statement by the association, its President, Mike Enendu, was quoted as saying that this would go a long way towards attracting increased investment into the country.

Enendu, who was speaking during the unveiling of the Property Rehabilitation Project, which is a general maintenance initiative of his administration aimed at upgrading all the buildings and infrastructure at the ultra modern ADA complex at Abule-Oshun in Lagos on Thursday.

He cited unpatriotic abandoning of the market by its original owners and stakeholders as the major problem confronting the administration of the market.

He said, “Those of us are still here to ensure that this market did not close down, and we are doing so under strict afflictions and sacrifices. Our major problem is that the original owners of this property have refused to open or do business here. But we are moving forward despite all the challenges.”

“Work will begin next week at Block “A” and on to the entire facility. All traders occupying Block A and other Block where work is commencing should

please vacate within one week after this meeting.

“The good news is that some banks have offered to assist us and our vision at the end of this project is to reposition the market to play a major role in Nigeria’s economy and the entire ECOWAS sub region, especially now that Lagos is becoming one of the biggest mega cities in the world.”

The article Dealers consists of all those Idumota traders at Oroyinyin Street, Oko Awo, Pedro, Docemo, Moshalashi and Onibudo Street of Lagos Island, who specialize in Toys, mother care, babies wears, kitchen utensils, ladies and men underwear’s, Ladies hand-

bags, leather belts, small electronics, handkerchief, towels, curtain etc.

They commenced the construction of their permanent site 2001 and relocated to the market in February 2005.

But majority of the traders went back to Idumota due to low patronage, coupled with lure of Lagos Island.

The statement added that the present leadership of the market has deployed several effective measures to sustain and improve business activities at the complex which include opening up all closed shops for rent, operation clean up ADA, maintaining the security and electricity systems and regular interactions and meetings among traders. BC

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Monday, August 12, 2013

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Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship

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or all the wonderful things Lexus cars are, “athletic” is not an adjective that usually enters a discussion of the brand. Traditionally, the automaker has produced cars that trade sharp reflexes for more predictable comfort.

Lexus has reshaped that perception with the 2013 GS 350. Slightly wider and taller, much stiffer and with vastly improved steering feel, the GS 350 can finally lay claim to ground once owned solely by German sport-lux sedans.

The new GS 350 is not unlike its third-generation predecessor under its distinctly more aggressive-looking skin. Length and wheelbase remain the same, but the chassis is pulled out wider by about 2 inches.

It also shares the same basic suspension setup, with an improved rear design that now allows about 25 per cent more trunk space. The engine is the same 3.5-litre V6 as before, but with slightly improved power and fuel efficiency.

That’s where the similarities end. Revised suspension geometry, a stiffer body structure and a quicker steering system help make the GS 350 the best-handling Lexus this side of the LFA. Inside, interior designers imposed a diet on the door panels, roof, trunk and carpet, shaving pounds to make room for new features like the touchpad-operated infotainment system, and sport seats with multiple adjustments.

Longtime Lexus buyers needn’t worry about quality, either, as the GS maintains the brand’s reputation for highquality materials and excellent

build quality.

The end result is that the 2013 Lexus GS 350 is more equipped than ever to run with the Audi A6, BMW 535i and Infiniti M37. If you’re shopping for a midsize luxury sport sedan, the latest GS is worth serious consideration.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2013 Lexus GS 350 is a midsize luxury sport sedan offered in a single, well-appointed trim level. The related GS 450h hybrid is reviewed separately.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, foglights, a sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors, keyless ignition/ entry, leather upholstery, dualzone automatic climate control, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and 10-way power front seats with driver memory. Standard electronics features include Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, an 8-inch control display with touchpad interface and a 12-speaker surround-sound audio system with a CD player, satellite radio, HD radio and a USB/iPod interface.

The Luxury package adds 18-inch wheels, adaptive headlamps, adaptive suspension dampers, upgraded leather, an 18-way power driver seat, a wood-trimmed steering wheel and rear climate and audio controls. The Premium package builds on those features with heated and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers and a power rear sunshade. A Cold Weather package includes a heated steering wheel, head-

lamp washers and a wiper deicer.

The F Sport package offers the most performance bite, adding 19-inch wheels, special steering and suspension tuning, larger front brakes, a rear spoiler, a 16-way power sport driver seat and unique interior and exterior styling treatments.

Stand-alone options include 18-inch wheels, blind-spot detection, a head-up display, heated rear seats, parking assist, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, dynamic rear steering, a night vision camera, adaptive cruise control (with a pre-collision mitigation system), a premium

Mark Levinson 17-speaker surround-sound audio system, and a hard-drive navigation system with a 12.3-inch display, voice recognition, real-time traffic and Lexus Enform smartphoneconnected apps and services.

Powertrains and Performance The 2013 Lexus GS 350 is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine making 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque.

A six-speed automatic with manual shift paddle control is the only available transmission, but buyers can opt for a GS 350 with either rear-wheel drive ive or all-wheel drive.

According to Edmunds testing, a rear-drive GS 350 with the F Sport package accelerated from zero to 60 mph in a swift 5.8 seconds. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 combined, while the all-wheeldrive version rates a bit less at 19/26/21.

Safety Standard safety features on the 2013 Lexus GS 350 include antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear side-impact airbags, front knee airbags, side curtain airbags, active front head restraints and a

Nissan considers boost in Leaf production

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hanks to a surge in sales, Nissan is considering boostting production of its all-electric Leaf. Electric vehicles s o across the board have been receiving price cuts lately to help them stay competitive, and to combat slow sales.

Nissan introduced a new trim level that brought the base se price down to less than $19,000 for a Leaf in certain states s in the US with high incentives.

From January to July of this year, Nissan has moved 11,703 Leafs in the US, representing a 230 per cent increase over last year’s Leaf sales in the same time period.

Measures are already being taken to increase the amount of electric motors produced at Nissan’s engine factory in Decherd, Tenn, though the brand will take a slow measured approach to boosting production. “…We don’t want to ramp up and then ramp back down,” Bill Krueger, Nissan Americas vice chairman and senior vice president for manufacturing told Automotive News. “We want to see that it’s sustainable. You don’t want to end up with a bunch of cars out there that you can’t sell.”

Sales in August will heavily influence the decision, as Nissan tries to figure out if the current sales numbers are going to sustain, or if it is simply a bubble. A decision on Leaf production is expected to be made in September.

2014 MINI to be Unveiled in November

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efore the new 2014 MINI makes its American debut at the LA Auto Show, the iconic British car will first be revealed at the brand’s Plant Oxford on November 18, 2013 at a special event.

That date marks the 107th birthday of a man named Sir Alec Issigonis, the designer who is credited with giving the original MINI its style and substance. The plant will host the world premiere, followed by a party in London on the same evening. Just two days later, the new 2014 MINI will make its way to both the Japan and LA Auto Shows, where it will be shown off again.

The 2014 MINI Cooper is slightly larger than the current car with the front end’s overhang notice-

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Business Courage A19 35

Monday, August 12, 2013

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Autocare Signs of transmission trouble (1)

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iagnosing car problems yourself may seem like an impossible task, but try to think of it in terms of your own body. For instance, if your stomach begins to hurt without warning, you’ll probably start thinking of the last thing you ate in order to figure out why you’re having the pain. A similar type of thinking goes into diagnosing car trouble. The moment you start noticing something out of the ordinary, it’s time to start considering the problem and finding a way to fix it.

Mechanical auto problems, as opposed to electrical auto problems, are usually coupled with distinct sounds and sensations that are key indicators that something isn’t functioning the way it was designed to. Transmissions take a lot of use over the years, and after a while, they’re bound to start having some problems. Transmission repairs can be expensive, so it’s worthwhile to pay attention to anything that seems unusual.

If you think you may be having some car trouble or if you’re just looking to learn more about potential transmission problems, check out these 10 signs of transmission trouble and stay one step ahead of your car.

rearview camera. Safety Connect, a traditional telematics service with automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle locator and emergency assistance button, is also standard.

Adding the optional adaptive cruise control includes a pre-collision system that detects impending collisions and responds by pre-tensioning the seatbelts and activating brake assist.

In Edmunds brake testing, a GS 350 with the F Sport package stopped from 60 in a short 112 feet.

Interior Design and Special Features

Complementing ti it its physih i cal and dynamic makeover, the 2013 Lexus GS 350 also gets a revised cabin. In the best Lexus tradition, it’s a finely crafted interior marked by soft leather and rich wood and aluminum trim. Befitting this caliber of luxury sport sedan are seats that are firm and cosseting in equal measure, and limited only by the degree of power adjustments you choose.

The cabin also offers more space, with slightly more headand shoulder room. Rear seat passengers will appreciate, however, nearly 3 more inches of hip room compared to the previous model. Trunk space is

ably larger. The front windshield is further raked back for a sleeker design and the LED daytime running lights now form a ring that encircles almost the entire headlight.

Base 2014 MINI Coopers are rumored to have between 120 and 200 hp delivered from a three-cylinder engine, but don’t be surprised if JCW variants pump out closer to 300 hp.

Overall, the 2014 MINI Cooper grows slightly in size with the front end’s overhang noticeably larger than the current model. The front windshield is also more raked in for a sleeker design and the LED daytime running lights now form a ring that encircles almost the entire headlight.

But the biggest change on the 2014 MINI Cooper is that it will ride on BMW’s all-new, front-wheel-drive chassis that will be shared on the German automaker’s 1 Series GT and MPV models.

The next-generation MINI Cooper will also move to a three-cylinder engine lineup which includes a 1.5-litre, turbocharged engine with direct injection and variable valve timing. Rumor has it that the powerplant will produce anywhere from 120 to 200 hp, but don’t be surprised if JCW variants p pump p out closer to 300 hp. p There’s also a chance that the current four-cylinders will carry over for the first model year as MINI preps the new three-cyl-inder engines. Production on the new MINI MINI Cooper Spaceman Cooper is anticipated to start towards the end of the year. BC

no longer an issue either, with the revised rear suspension design allowing 14.3 cubic feet for golf clubs and luggage.

The Remote Touch multimedia controller -- a small mouselike device adjacent to the gear selector -- is now in its second generation. It works quite well and helps navigate the menus and apps of the extensive infotainment system, displayed on the standard high-resolution 8-inch screen or the impressively large 12-inch display that comes with the optional navigation system. The optional Mark Levinson sound system sounds fantastic.

Driving Impressions The 2013 Lexus GS 350 delivers punchy V6 power with traditional Lexus ride comfort.

But the new GS dispenses with the soft, undulating motions of its predecessor when driven hard. Instead, improved steering and suspension design make the new GS feel alert, planted to the road and ready to change direction on a whim -characteristics amplified when equipped with the F Sport package and optional features like variable steering ratio and rear wheel steering. Enthusiasts will also appreciate the extra leash afforded by the non-intrusive stability control system.

The only y major gripe is with automatic transmission’s the autom points. Even set in manshift poin ual shift sh mode, the gearbox rreleases revs too earup shifting at 6,400 ly, u rpm -- rather annoying when you want power wh to lleap out from a nice, quick corner. BC qui

Refuses to go into gear Believe it or not, there are still quite a few people out there who practice the fading art of shifting manually, with a foot pedal and a “stick” gearshift, and who do so willingly.

Despite their somewhat simpler operation, manual transmissions nonetheless have their share of things that can go wrong. One potential problem is that the transmission refuses to budge when you depress the clutch pedal and attempt to move the stick shifter.

It may happen when trying to get into first gear from a stop, or at any point up and down the assorted gears. Common causes include low transmission fluid, wrong viscosity (thickness) of fluid, or required adjusting of the shift cables or clutch linkage.

The nose knows when it comes to things being not quite right with your vehicle. Continue to the next page to find out how your olfactory sense factors into transmission diagnosis.

Burning smell If you get a whiff of burning transmission fluid, be advised it is definitely not the sweet smell of success. That’s because it may indicate your transmission is overheating. Transmission fluid not only keeps the transmission’s many moving parts properly lubricated, but it prevents the unit from burning itself up, by providing much-needed cooling.

In some vehicles, the transmission even has its own miniradiator (an oil cooler) that circulates fluid to transport heat away from the transmission unit itself.

Common causes include low or inadequate transmission fluid, which can in turn indicate a leak or dirty fluid that needs changing.

If you thought your transmission was safe from wear at least while it was in neutral, the truth might surprise you.

Look to the next page for the scoop on noises in neutral.

Noisy in neutral It seems intuitive that if you hear weird noises when the car should be shifting, that the transmission is acting up.

Such sounds could have a simple and inexpensive solution -- as with many of the problems on our list, adding or replacing the transmission fluid sometimes does the trick. Bear in mind that as is the case with engine oil, different vehicles do best with the specific formulation called for in the owner’s manual.

Alternatively, lots of noises from the transmission while it’s in neutral could signal something more serious, like mechanical wear that will need the replacement of parts. In this case, common culprits are a worn reverse idler gear or worn bearings, possibly coupled with worn gear teeth. BC To be continued

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Business Courage

Sugar policy will save Nigeria N90.52bn annually – FG

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he implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan will save the country about $565.8 million (N90.528bn) in foreign exchange annually, the Federal Government has said.

This was contained in a document prepared by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, which detailed the progress and achievement of his ministry in the last two years.

The NSMP was approved by the Federal Executive Council and is expected to raise the country’s local sugar production to a self-sufficiency level.

It is also expected to help the nation to stem the tide of high importation of the commodity; contribute to the production of ethanol, lead to the generation of about 411 megawatts of electricity; and create 117,181 jobs.

Aganga said, “Nigeria is among the top five importers of sugar and only produces about three per cent of domestic consumption.

“However, on September 19, 2012, the Federal Executive Council approved the NSMP and the implementation commenced in January 2013.

“The NSMP has stimulated investments of $3bn thus far. The NSMP is targeting the production of 1.7 metric tonnes of sugar; creation of 117,181 direct jobs; generation of 411.7MW of electricity; and total forex savings of up to $565.8m annually from savings from sugar production and fuel importation.”

The minister said history had shown that no country could become rich by exporting raw materials without also having an industrial sector.

He argued that the more a country specialised in the production of raw materials only, the poorer it would become.

Aganga, however, said there had

Aganga

been significant improvements in the country’s balance of trade with reduced importation and increased export value.

For instance, he said the reduction in dependence on oil and gas for export earnings had made the country to earn N305 billion in the first three months of this year.

He said, “The country recorded a 43 per cent decline in imports between 2011 and 2012, resulting in savings of about N4.2tn in foreign exchange. In Q1 2013, industry contributed 66.9 per cent of the Federal Government’s non-oil earnings. Import, as a percentage of total trade, fell from 35.7 per cent in 2011 to 20 per cent in 2012.”

In order to boost industrialisation and create wealth, the minister said the Federal Government had developed the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan. “It is our nation’s first comprehensive, integrated and strategic roadmap to industrialisation. The NIRP has identified strategic industry groups where Nigeria already has comparative advantage, with a view to increasing capacity and production in the near to midterm.

“We are rigorously implementing the backward integration policy used in the cement industry in other sectors.”

On the development of Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises, the minister said the government had developed the National Enterprise Development Programme.

This programme, he added, would help to take industry to the grass roots in all the states of the federation and link the SMEs to others outside Nigeria.

He said currently, there were 32 million Nigerians employed by the MSMEs, adding that the programme would increase the employment figure by 16 per cent in the next three years. BC

Monday, August 12, 2013

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Towards an effective mortgage industry

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ne of the more positive pieces of news emerging from the Federal Government in recent months was the announcement of the establishment of a Mortgage Refinancing Company, MRC, to enable the country create more mortgages in the housing sector.

Indeed, the World Bank is to provide about $300 million for the establishment of the company, as part of a broader effort directed towards the development of a comprehensive Road Map on Housing and Urban Development, as well as Infrastructural Master Plan to make Nigerian cities safer, more productive and environmentally friendly.

The government says it is developing a joint working programme with the World Bank Group (Cities Alliance) to review the approach to urban renewal and provide access to grants for regeneration of cities and towns, slum upgrades, effective urban planning and provision of finance for housing development.

Another leg of the mortgage creation effort is being supported by the pan-African housing finance institution, Shelter Afrique, which has pledged $100 million in loans to Nigeria for the development of housing through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN. All these sound good on paper and the idea of an MRC, which will effectively provide cheap money for finance institutions such as banks and primary mortgage institutions for on lending to those who want to build or buy their own homes cannot come at a better time giving the acute housing challenges facing the country.

This is simply because what we have seen over the years has been a haphazard approach to provision of housing stock and a general failure of the National Housing Fund scheme designed to provide seed funds for mortgages from deductions from salaries of enrolled workers largely because people do not trust the government.

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, charged with administered the fund has not shown sufficient capacity to do this.

Indeed, the situation has been compounded by the high cost of acquiring land, the cumbersome process of obtaining titles and the mercenary fees, taxes and levies imposed on those seeking to buy land.

As it is, only those with substantial resources can afford to build or buy a decent home with adequate living space, running water, modern toilets and proximity to the workplace and educational, health and shopping facilities.

Even, where government has invested in housing provision, we find that the beneficiaries are largely civil servants or people that can already afford to buy or build houses on their own rather than the low and middle income group.

Private property developers have followed this course as well and most of the developments in the big cities such as Lagos and Abuja have focussed on the high end of the property market. Being busi-

ness people with a profit motive, one cannot blame them for seeking quick and sure returns.

The lower end of the markets has been largely served by individuals and investors who are able to put cash up front and construct blocks of flats, or in many cases, rooms to let. For most of their tenants, home ownership is a pipe dream.

The MRC mechanism has the potential to change all these if we get it right, as it will provide the much needed liquidity to grow the mortgage market since conventional banks do not have the long term funds to support the typical 20 to 25 year mortgage.

From a strictly business perspective, the estimated housing deficit of between 17 million units provides huge opportunities for investors. Assuming that the average unit will cost N10 million, the mortgage market would worth N170 trillion, at least theoretically.

The process of construction itself will have a dramatic multiplier effect on the rest of the economy in terms of job creation for thousand of architects, builders, artisans as well a good business for suppliers of building materials.

However, some critical issues have to be addressed as we go forward. As part of the housing programme, government itself plans to grow the number of completed mortgages from 20,000 to 200,000 a year by 2016 but since the real investment required to bridge the housing gap will come from the housing sector, access to land and titling must be simplified.

One would have thought that the constitution review process would have included repeal or at best and amendment of the Land Use Act, which vests powers of land ownership in state governors and is used a veritable avenue for corrupt enrichment and tool of patronage. Sadly this is not the case and the problem remains.

So, how can mortgages be created and private investor put money in real estate when it takes years to get building approvals and the almighty certificate of occupancy that would be required as collateral to secure mortgage loans in the first place?

This is why commercial banks will generally refuse to loan money to estate developers seeing that such investments are speculative at best.

However, an effective mortgage system should be one of the pillars of a modern economy in that home ownership has positive effects on general well being, productivity and could curb corrupt tendencies usually fuelled by fear of the unknown.

The MRC will have to work around the existing laws to meet its objectives including facilitating access to mortgage loans and system guarantees to lenders so they can recover loans by disposing of the properties of defaulters. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, August 12, 2013

A21 37

PenCom refunds N6bn pension contributions

F

ollowing the exit of the Nigerian armed forces and the State Security Services from the Contributory Pension Scheme, the National Pension Commission has refunded about N6 billion into the pension accounts of about 39,474 serving personnel.

According to figures obtained from the PenCom’s latest report on the pension departments in the country, the refunded funds include interests on the contributions.

“Following the exit of the military and other security agencies from the CPS, the commission refunded N6.04bn employees’ contributions and interest thereon to 39,474 serving employees of the military and the Department of State Security, who have complete employment and Retirement Savings Account details,” PenCom stated.

The commission said it was working on the balance of the contributions of other remaining military officers for onward refund into their Retirement Savings Accounts.

The armed forces and the SSS had opted out of the CPS about two years ago.

Following their example, the Nigerian Police and other

paramilitary organisations also commenced the gradual pullout from the scheme but met with disapproval from the Presidency.

It was learnt that the various paramilitary groups had notified the Pension Fund Administrators of their intention to opt out of the scheme and manage their pension funds directly.

PenCom and stakeholders moved in quickly to prevent further breakaways, which were considered to be a major threat to the CPS. Section 35 (1) of the Pension Reform Act, 2004 stipulates that PenCom should supervise and regulate all the pension departments and offices.

PenCom had been worried that the operations of the pension offices had over time generated regulatory concerns for it, particularly making them to comply with the provisions of the PRA, 2004.

According to PenCom, the pension offices have operated as appendages of their parent Ministries, Departments and Agencies with co-mingled administrative and operational structures.

The commission said the arrangement had weakened its regulatory and supervisory

Anohu-Amazu, PenCom DG

oversight over them due to the lack of centralisation of the oversight functions.

“This has resulted in a situation where the commission is unable to exert supervisory control over the pension offices as they have little regard for the commission’s supervisory role over them in a clear violation of sections 30 to 38 of the PRA 2004,” it stated.

The commission complained that the Military Pension Board, which hitherto rendered returns consistently, had stopped doing so since June 2011.

However, as the PRA 2004 is been reviewed, a major expectation from the new Act that will soon emerge will be the establishment of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Department, an autonomous agency that will unite the old and new pension schemes under the regulation of PenCom. BC

Nigerian economy creates 427,294 new jobs – NBS

T

he National Bureau of Statistics has released its job creation survey, which states that the nation’s economy generated 427,294 new jobs in the third quarter of 2012.

The report signed by the Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, said the need to fill a position vacated by an ex-employee recorded the highest percentage of those employed with 29.9 per cent. This was followed by the need for business expansion, with 20.2 per cent The report also added that 56,528 employees exited from various businesses in the third quarter of 2012 with most of them from the clerical cadre The bureau also added in the report that the informal sector, with 240,349 fresh new jobs, generated the highest employment within the period under review.

The 240,349 figure, it noted accounted for 55.25 per cent of the total number of jobs created in the period. There are over 17 million enterprises in the informal sector.

The formal sector, with

Kale

164,293 jobs representing 38.45 per cent; and the public sector, with 22,642, or 5.3 per cent, followed in that order.

The report said, “During the third quarter of 2012, 240,359 jobs are estimated to have been created in the informal sector, representing 55.25 per cent, followed by the formal sector with 164,293 jobs representing 38.45 per cent, and the public sector was 22,642, which is about 5.3 per cent.

“The total estimated number of jobs created in the Nigerian economy for the third quarter of

2012 came to 427,294.”

The report also said the government remained a major employer of labour having a total number of 612,197 employees.

Of this figure, it said 400,377 or 65.4 per cent were males, while the remaining 211,820 or 34.6 per cent were females.

“The total number of jobs created in public institutions was estimated to be 22,642 in the third quarter of 2012. Of these, 65.3 per cent were males.

Academic institutions had the highest number of jobs created, taking 40 per cent of the total number. This was followed by the state parastatals with 32.2 per cent. Federal ministries had the least number with 0.33 per cent.”

The report stated that people within the age bracket of 15 to 35 years constituted the bulk of people employed by the jobs created in the quarter with 72.8 per cent, while the remaining 26.6 per cent represented age group 36 to 59 years.

The age group of 60 and above, it added, recorded 0.6 per cent of the total number of new employee. BC

Market Indicators for Week Ended 02-08-13 All-Share Index 38,806.45 points Market Capitalisation N12,168,683,476,062.53 Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING PRICE

CLOSING PRICE

CHANGE

COURTVILLE

0.74

0.80

8.11

UBA

8.01

8.42

5.12

PORTPAINT

5.42

5.64

4.06

ZENITHBANK

20.20

20.93

3.61

OANDO

12.95

13.20

1.93

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING PRICE

CLOSING PRICE

CHANGE

IPWA

1.21

1.09

-9.92

UPL

4.72

4.26

-9.75

VONO

1.03

0.93

-9.71

JOHNHOLT

1.35

1.22

-9.63

WEMABANK

1.29

1.17

-9.30

Inter-Bank Rates TENOR

RATE%(PREV) 26-July-2013

RATE%(CURR) 02-Aug-2013

CALL

10.1000 – 10.5000

10.2500 – 13.0000

OBB

10.1000 – 14.0000

10.2500 – 12.5000

Primary Market Auction TENOR 91-Days

AMOUNT (N’mn) 32,888.9

RATE (%) 11.60

DATE 24-July-13

182-Days

30,000

12.75

24-July-13

364-Days

52,000

13.3381

24-July-13

Open Market Operation TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

182-Days

70,000

13.15

18-July-13

210-Days

70,000

13.18

18-July-13

80-Days

30,000

12.50

15-July-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

MARKET DEMAND $298m

$298m

31-July-13

$300m

$300m

$300m

29-July-13

A22 38

Business Courage

Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

RT Briscoe: Profit drops on high borrowing cost

By Johnson Okanlawon

A

fter several years of unbroken dividend payment, RT Briscoe Plc’s bottom-line finally entered the red zone in 2012 as the company struggled with huge interest expenses. With the primary capital market still dormant, the company has been unable to actualise its recapitalisation plan, forcing the company to depend on short-term bank loans.

Audited report and accounts of RT Briscoe for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed a generally negative outlook. With sluggish sales, huge financial leverage and weakening balance sheet further compounded the overall performance outlook of the automobile and industrial group.

While sales grew by 12 per cent and cost of sales was moderated at about 11 per cent, operating expenses and interest expenses increased by 43 per cent and 63 per cent respectively. The midline costs sapped off any top-line gain and reversed the company’s bottom-line into the red. Shareholders who had in the previous year distributed N98 million as cash dividends in addition to a bonus of one for five shares were left with a loss of 24 kobo on every share, with attendant reduction of 11 per cent in their shareholders’ funds.

The group’s financial leverage rose to a new high with debt-to-equity ratio of 285 per cent, underlining the tenuous nature of the balance sheet.

This was further complicated by noticeable decline in liquidity.

Meanwhile, the group sustained commendable growth in the top-line and managed to reduce immediate unit cost of each sale, which impacted on average immediate profit per unit of sales. Gross profit margin increased from 11.1 per cent in 2011 to 12.2 per cent in 2012.

Structures Incorporated in 1957 and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1974, RT Briscoe (Nigeria) has evolved overtime from a truck-engine importer to become Nigeria’s most visible automobile company. It had in recent years embarked on expansive diversification, which has seen addition of several emergent business lines to the dominant motors business.

RT Briscoe Group now consists of RT Briscoe, the automobiledealing parent company; Briscoe Property Limited, its real estate subsidiary and Suites Resorts Limited, a leisure company that it acquired in 2012.

RT Briscoe operates through several divisions based on

just as increasing operating expenses further increased average cost of business.

Average number of employees in the group increased from 290 persons to 344 persons.

Total staff costs thereby increased from N532.07 million to N724.68 million. Average staff cost per employee thus increased from N1.83 million to N2.1 million. However, average pre-tax profit per employee was negative in 2012 at –N0.664 million as against N1.07 million in 2011. Without the debilitating effect of interest expense, total cost of business was still higher in 2012. Cost of sales and operating expenses amounted to 95.7 per cent of total sales in 2012 compared with 95.1 per cent in 2011.

Onajide

specific products and services lines including Briscoe Toyota, Briscoe Ford, Briscoe Industrial Equipment and Briscoe Schneider, which markets Schneider electrical components.

RT Briscoe is owned by about 44,000 Nigerian individual and institutional investors.

Only two major shareholdersMikeade Investments Limited and Classic Motors Limited, hold substantial shareholdings above per cent. Mikeade increased its shareholdings from 21.52 per cent in 2011 to 26.02 per cent in 2012 while Classic Motors’s holding remained unchanged at 8.26 per cent.

The board and management of the company remained stable.

Mr. Clement Olowokande still chairs the board of directors while Mr Oluseyi Onajide still leads the executive management team as managing director. The company generally complied with the code of corporate governance.

Finance RT Briscoe is highly dependent on loans and this could further worsen with the decline in its equity funds. While shareholders’ funds dropped by 11 per cent from N3.52 billion to N3.13 billion, borrowings increased by 10.3 per cent from N8.10 billion to N8.93 billion. This highlighted the mismatch for the rapidly expanding group, which had been unable to increase its capital base in spite of significant expansion in recent years. The increase of 20 per cent in paid up share capital from N490 million to N588 million was due to bonus issue declared for the previous year.

Thus, the proportion of borrowings to equity funds worsened from 230 per cent in 2011 to 285 per cent in 2012. Also, the proportion of equity funds

to total assets dropped from 23.4 per cent to 22.2 per cent.

Current liabilities amounted to about 77 per cent of total assets as against 75 per cent in the previous year. The proportion of long-term liabilities to total assets dropped from 1.6 per cent to 0.9 per cent.

Total assets had dropped by 6.2 per cent from N15.05 billion to N14.12 billion. The contraction in balance sheet was driven primarily by provisions for presumably bad trade debts, which depressed current assets by 12.5 per cent to N11.77 billion in 2012 as against N13.45 billion in 2011. Meanwhile, total liabilities decreased slightly by 4.7 per cent from N11.53 billion to N10.98 billion. Current liabilities had dropped by 3.8 per cent from N11.29 billion to N10.86 billion while long-term liabilities dropped by 48 per cent from N237 million to N123 million.

Liquidity The liquidity of the company further declined in 2012 with less working capital and financial coverage for related liabilities. Current ratio, which relates available current assets to similar liabilities to assess the financial agility and readiness of the company, dropped to a recent low of 1.08 times as against 1.19 times in 2011. The proportion of working capital to total turnover also dwindled from 11 per cent to 4.1 per cent.

Debtors/creditors ratio stood at 596 per cent in 2012 compared with 458 per cent in 2011.

The company’s cost efficiency and productivity declined during the period in spite of substantial improvement in performance incentives. While average staff cost increased by about 15 per cent, average productivity per head was lower

Profitability RT Briscoe sustained appreciable growth across its business segments, which cumulated into overall sales growth of 12.1 per cent. It also made substantial immediate margins on the sales. However, the relatively lower growth rate and margin of its largest business segment, the motors business, impinged on overall performance. Turnover in the motors business segment, which constitutes about 82 per cent of the group’s sales, grew by 6.3 per cent from N16.94 billion to N18.01 billion.

The industrial equipment segment recorded the highest segmental growth of 26.2 per cent, rising from N1.26 billion to N1.59 billion. After sales business recorded total income of N1.41 billion in 2012 as against N1.28 billion in 2011, an increase of 10 per cent. The group opened a new income line with N886.41 million from property management. However, incomes from sundry business activities slumped to N85.4 million as against N122.9 million in previous year.

On the basis of top-line cost, after sales business was the most profitable with a gross margin of 32.5 per cent. Property management followed with a gross margin of 22.5 per cent while gross margin on industrial equipment business was 21.4 per cent. The motors business recoded a margin of 9.3 per cent.

Group turnover totaled N21.98 billion in 2012 compared with N19.61 billion in 2011, indicating an increase of 12.1 per cent. Cost of sales meanwhile rose by 10.7 per cent from N17.42 billion to N19.30 billion. Group gross profit thus increased by 23 per cent from N2.18 billion to N2.68 billion.

The motors business contributed N1.68 billion to group’s gross profit while industrial equipment, after sales and property

management segments contributed N341.14 million, N458.30 million and N198.94 million respectively.

Group operating expenses however spiked up to N1.74 billion in 2012 as against N1.22 billion in 2011. There were marked increases in selling and distribution as well as administrative expenses. Selling and distribution expenses increased from N357.05 million to N482 million while administrative expenses crossed from N858.5 million to N1.26 billion. Operating profit thus dropped from N965.66 million to N941.78 million. With a drop of 24 per cent in non-core business income from N121 million to N93 million, a jumpy increase of 63 per cent in finance expenses from N776 million to N1.26 billion exacerbated the dwindling midline profitability of the company. This replaced the group’s profit before tax of N311 million in 2011 with a pre-tax loss of N229 million in 2012. After taxes, net loss stood at N281 million in 2012 compared with N150 million in 2011.

The underlying fundamentals of the company were generally weak. While gross profit margin improved initially from 11.1 per cent to 12.2 per cent, profit before tax margin reversed from a modest 1.6 per cent in 2011 to -1.0 per cent in 2012. Average return on total assets dropped from 2.1 per cent to -1.6 per cent. Also, average return on equity worsened to -9.0 per cent as against modest return of 4.3 per cent in 2011. Basic earnings per share was -24 kobo in 2012 as against 15 kobo in 2011. With no immediate net profit to back dividend payment, the company did not declare any dividend for the 2012 business year. It had distributed N98 million on the basis of 10 kobo per share and a bonus share of one for five shares as dividends for the 2011 business year. Notwithstanding, the net assets per share still dropped by 11 per cent from N2.99 to N2.66.

Outlook The urgency of a financial restructuring, most feasibly through a rights issue, cannot be over-emphasised. Already, first quarter report for 2013 has illustrated possible outlook for the year. While turnover dropped from N5.46 billion to N5.24 billion, interest expense jumped from N229.45 million to N355.69 million. Profit before tax thus slumped to N12.36 million as against N100.25 million in comparable period of previous year. Declining sales and jumpy interest expense are fluids for further acceleration downward. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage A23 39

Monday, August 12, 2013

STOCKWATCH Stock Exchange weekly equities summary as at Friday, August 09, 2013 SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 0.50 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 48.00 PRESCO PLC 38.48 Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. NT Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 5.19 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 1.43 CHELLARAMS PLC. 4.41 JOHN HOLT PLC. 1.22 S C O A NIG. PLC. 5.32 U A C N PLC. 61.00 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. NT CAPPA & D’ALBERTO PLC. NT Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. 1.39 G CAPPA PLC NT Non--Building/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 83.69 ROADS NIG PLC. NT Real Estate Development PINNACLE POINT GROUP PLC NT UACN PROPERTY DEV 16.65 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC NT UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INV 50.00 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC 0.50 Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. 13.31 GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. NT GUINNESS NIG PLC 250.22 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 24.65 JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. 0.90 NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 177.90 PREMIER BREWERIES PLC NT Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 74.20 Food Products BIG TREAT PLC NT DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 9.50 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 11.75 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 86.30 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 3.20 MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NT N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 27.00 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 12.20 P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC. NT U T C NIG. PLC. 0.80 UNION DICON SALT PLC. NT Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 53.90 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 990.00 Household Durables BETA GLASS CO PLC. NT NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. NT VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 4.40 VONO PRODUCTS PLC. 0.93 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 45.60 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 63.01 Textiles/Apparel UNITED NIG. TEXTILES PLC. NT FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 11.15 DIAMOND BANK PLC 6.89 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INC. 14.60 FIDELITY BANK PLC 2.99 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. NT GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 25.32 SKYE BANK PLC 4.46 STERLING BANK PLC. 2.75 U B A PLC 8.42 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 12.65 UNITY BANK PLC 0.54 WEMA BANK PLC. 1.17 ZENITH BANK PLC 20.93 Insurance Carriers, Brokers & Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INS. COY. PLC 0.50 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 0.91 CONFIDENCE INSURANCE PLC NT CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INS. PLC 0.50 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 1.27 CORNERSTONE INS. COY. PLC. 0.54 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC 1.60 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. NT GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC NT GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC 0.50 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. NT INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INS. PLC 0.90 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INS. PLC 2.25 INVESTMENT AND ALLIED ARN. NT LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. NT LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. 0.50 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 0.50 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC 2.20 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. NT N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. 0.72 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NT OASIS INSURANCE PLC NT PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.53 REGENCY ALLIANCE INS. COY PLC NT SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 0.50 STACO INSURANCE PLC NT STANDARD ALLIANCE INS. PLC. 0.50 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 0.50 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC NT UNIVERSAL INS. COMPANY PLC 0.50 Micro Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NT NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 0.82 Mortgage Carriers, Brokers &Services ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC 1.53 ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 0.50 RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC 0.50 UNION HOMES SAVINGS&LOANS PLC NT Other Financial Institutions CRUSADER ( NIG) PLC. NT DEAP CAPITAL MGT & TRUST PLC 1.82 FBN HOLDINGS PLC 16.93 NIG SEW. MACH. MAN. CO. PLC. NT NIGERIA ENERYGY SECTOR FUND NT ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 0.56 STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC 18.84 HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. 4.32 Medical Equipment UNION DIAGNOSTIC &CLINICAL PLC 0.50 Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. 2.23 Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 4.49 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 2.27 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER PLC 60.00 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 2.68

NOTE NT=Not Traded on 09-08-13

QUANTITY

52 WK HIGH

52 WK LOW

SHARES OUTSTANDING

EPS

MOV. (%)

Previous

1 000 688 376 925 543

0.64 51.04 38.48

0.50 14.53 6.40

2 200 000 000 476 955 000 1 000 000 000

0.10 6.73 2.75

N/A 7.87 -3.80

0.50 44.50 40.00

NT

4.26

4.26

60 000 000

0.00

N/A

NT

1 613 150

5.94

0.48

1 199 549 736

0.11

11.13

4.67

21 043 2 400 62 032 26 464 376 043

2.54 7.60 8.82 8.28 61.00

0.74 5.81 5.32 5.52 28.70

2 191 895 983 963 900 300 389 151 408 821 666 666 1 600 720 323

0.08 0.24 0.00 0.35 6.89

-9.49 N/A N/A N/A N/A

1.58 4.41 1.35 1.40 63.00

NT NT

26.00 95.49

14.09 95.49

148 500 000 196 876 000

0.00 4.50

N/A N/A

NT NT

24 244 NT

7.97 14.46

2.46 14.46

920 573 765 125 000 000

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

1.30 NT

236 606 NT

62.26 10.00

21.55 3.01

1 200 000 000 20 000 000

4.93 4.73

4.63 N/A

79.99 NT

NT 249 307

7.28 20.15

7.28 8.82

1 375 000 000

0.00 1.66

N/A 4.72

NT 15.90

NT 135

100.00 50.00

97.00 50.00

20 000 000 250 019 781

11.75 0.75

N/A N/A

NT 50.00

145 506

0.50

0.50

4 772 528 415

0.00

N/A

0.50

100 NT 78 474 265 965 55 000 962 944 NT

4.63 0.68 277.00 27.00 3.20 178.00 0.97

2.23 0.68 186.00 5.23 1.61 72.50 0.93

900 000 000 272 160 000 1 474 925 519 2 112 914 681 562 000 000 7 562 562 340 126 000 000

0.00 0.03 9.46 0.25 0.00 5.08 0.00

N/A N/A 8.79 N/A N/A 4.64 N/A

NT NT 230.00 24.65 0.90 170.01 NT

338 403

54.45

38.31

640 590 362

2.69

N/A

69.50

NT 325 333 384 311 121 528 1 405 402 NT NT 694 534 NT 146 997 NT

0.50 19.90 16.20 95.00 6.60 2.70 43.96 6.70 5.66 0.88 4.22

0.50 4.15 3.64 52.50 1.91 1.00 20.41 3.86 5.66 0.50 4.22

2 000 000 000 5 000 000 000 12 000 000 000 1 879 210 666 7 930 197 658 3 722 493 620 178 200 000

0.00 0.00 0.91 3.79 0.51 0.00 2.50 1.07 0.08 1.13 0.00

N/A 0.00 0.69 0.00 1.59 N/A N/A -2.01 N/A #VALUE! N/A

NT 9.50 11.67 86.30 3.15 NT 26.50 12.45 NT NT NT

40 000 000 1 233 375 004 360 000 000

381 328 227 482

55.49 1075.17

9.15 367.83

3 129 188 160 792 656 250

1.35 25.43

5.34 3.66

51.17 955.02

NT NT 335 846 120 600

15.58 42.66 6.75 3.67

10.03 34.39 3.01 2.66

63 360 000 819 000 000 300 000 001

3.90 1.61 0.54 0.00

N/A N/A -0.23 N/A

NT NT 4.41 NT

188 089 2 864 204

53.00 68.00

22.07 22.56

3 176 381 636 3 783 296 250

0.70 1.44

3.52 0.78

44.05 62.52

NT

0.97

0.57

843 284 027

0.00

N/A

NT

16 673 878 4 917 333 3 439 795 9 072 081 NT 13 705 762 14 592 434 13 446 009 30 957 656 929 987 10 933 326 12 229 410 16 900 595

11.70 9.27 17.05 3.20 8.30 29.05 10.17 2.91 8.70 13.09 1.92 1.75 22.75

4.76 2.01 9.97 1.14 3.04 11.64 2.73 0.97 1.64 1.96 0.50 0.50 11.70

17 888 251 479 14 475 243 105 9 873 614 567 28 974 797 023 16 271 192 202 29 146 482 209 13 219 334 676 12 563 091 545 32 334 693 693 13 509 726 273 33 675 576 085 12 821 249 880 31 396 493 790

1.42 0.90 2.81 0.43 0.60 2.10 0.71 0.54 0.67 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.09

4.21 1.32 4.29 -0.33 #VALUE! 2.51 -0.89 4.56 7.54 5.42 0.00 9.35 7.61

10.70 6.80 14.00 3.00 NT 24.70 4.50 2.63 7.83 12.00 0.61 1.07 19.45

400 000 1 488 932 NT 1 000 000 42 000 103 001 1 608 408 NT NT 10 000 NT 721 163 30 000 NT NT 123 965 123 965 105 900 NT 804 692 NT NT 1 103 367 NT 85 000 NT 60 000 708 026 NT 3 627

0.50 1.01 0.64 0.50 1.20 0.50 3.51 0.50 0.69 0.50 0.50 0.97 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 2.30 0.50 0.86 1.11 0.50 2.35 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 0.61 0.50 1.31 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.95 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

20 585 000 000 7 809 391 256 211 626 000 6 000 000 000 10 372 624 157 8 820 010 363 5 100 846 808 8 847 298 420 4 549 947 000 3 827 485 380 720 000 000 5 061 804 000 6 420 427 449 28 000 000 000 7 323 313 227 3 437 330 500 4 083 713 569 10 000 000 000 7 998 705 336 5 332 830 881 5 649 693 923 5 003 506 791 2 508 315 436 6 668 750 000 5 203 757 266 6 141 087 609 8 493 173 450 2 581 733 505 13 000 000 000 16 000 000 000

0.00 0.05 0.00 0.05 0.14 0.02 0.28 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.16 0.01 0.37 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00

N/A 0.00 N/A N/A 0.00 0.00 0.00 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.00 N/A N/A N/A 0.00 2.33 N/A -5.26 N/A N/A 0.00 N/A 0.00 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

0.50 0.90 NT 0.50 1.22 0.54 1.57 NT NT 0.50 NT 0.90 2.25 NT NT 0.50 0.50 2.15 NT 0.76 NT NT 0.53 NT 0.50 NT 0.50 0.50 NT 0.50

NT 16 000

6.00 1.15

0.00 1.00

300 100 10 000 000 1

1.51 0.50 0.50 0.99

1.33 0.50 0.50 0.50

4 200 000 000 8 679 148 676 13 175 732 404 7 812 500 000

0.03 0.02 0.00 0.00

N/A N/A N/A N/A

1.53 0.50 0.50 NT

NT 70 000 11 911 385 NT NT 236 686 820 629

0.61 2.02 19.60 0.15 552.20 0.66 16.00

0.50 2.02 8.50 0.15 555.20 0.50 6.40

3 778 005 975 1 333 333 333 32 632 084 358 5 880 000 2 500 000 3 608 657 661 18 750 000 000

0.00 0.00 3.03 0.00 12.65 0.00 0.87

N/A N/A -1.11 N/A N/A N/A 17.75

NT 1.82 17.12 NT NT 0.62 16.00

400

5.31

5.05

498 600 908

0.12

N/A

4.32

4 300 000

0.50

0.50

3 553 138 528

0.00

N/A

0.50

6 780

10.54

7.39

152 178 750

0.06

N/A

2.23

931 704 1 475 059 2 228 349 430 538

3.30 3.20 68.00 5.61

0.50 0.76 19.30 1.62

486 473 856 1 500 000 000 956 701 192 980 000 000

0.00 0.44 2.62 0.20

-2.39 10.73 0.00 -0.74

4.60 2.05 60.00 2.70

N/A=Not Avialable

0.01 0.07

NT 0.80

SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

NEIMETH INT PHARM PLC 1.50 NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. 7.36 PHARMA-DEKO PLC. 2.03 ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SLN PLC 0.80 Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC 0.50 Electronic Communications Services MTECH COMMUNICATIONS PLC NT IT Services NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. 18.70 TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. 2.29 Processing Systems CHAMS PLC 0.50 E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC 3.47 Telecommunications Carriers STARCOMMS PLC NT Telecommunications Services IHS NIGERIA PLC PREF SHARES NT IHS PLC 2.54 MTI PLC NT INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. NT ASHAKA CEM PLC 25.50 BERGER PAINTS PLC 9.61 CAP PLC 48.50 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 9.60 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 196.00 DN MEYER PLC. 1.58 FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC NT IPWA PLC 1.09 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 108.00 PAINTS & COATINGS MANFACT.PLC NT PORTLAND PAINTS & PRDT NIG. PLC 5.64 PREMIER PAINTS PLC. NT Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC 2.00 CUTIX PLC. 2.01 NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. NT NIGERIAN WIRE IND. PLC NT Packaging/Containers ABPLAST PRODUCTS PLC. NT AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS 1.71 BETA GLASS CO PLC. 10.90 GREIF NIGERIA PLC NT NIG. BAGS MANFACT. COY PLC NT POLY PRODUCTS (NIG) PLC. NT W A GLASS IND. PLC. NT Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC 7.85 STOKVIS NIG PLC. NT NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. 6.77 Metals ALUMACO PLC NT ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. 10.50 Non-Metallic Mineral Mining MULTIVERSE PLC NT Paper/Forest Products HALLMARK PAPER PRODUCTS PLC. NT THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. NT OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SER. PLC 0.52 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 13.20 Petroleum &Petroleum Products Distributors AFROIL PLC NT BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC 0.50 CONOIL PLC 32.01 ETERNA PLC. 3.15 FORTE OIL PLC. 43.95 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 121.95 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. 36.14 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 159.00 SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC NT Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. NT Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 1.45 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 4.89 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. 1.00 Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 0.50 Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC NT Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL PLC NT IKEJA HOTEL PLC 0.87 TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. NT TRANSNATIONAL CORP. OF NIG.PLC 1.43 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.50 Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. 1.78 LEARN AFRICA PLC 1.69 STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. NT UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 4.26 Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLCPLC 0.96 Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC NT SECURE ELECTRONIC TECH.PLC NT Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 4.32 NIG. AVIATION HANDLING COY PLC 6.75 ASeM CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Property Management SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC NT CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC 0.97 Personal/Household Products ROKANA INDUSTRIES PLC. 0.60 HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals AFRIK PHARMACEUTICALS PLC. NT INDUSTRIAL GOODS Electronic and Electrical Products NT ADSWITCH PLC. 1.63 NATURAL RESOURCES Metals W.A. ALUM. PRODUCTS PLC. NT OIL AND GAS Petroleum & Petroleum Products Distributors ANINO INTERNATIONAL PLC. NT CAPITAL OIL PLC 0.50 RAK UNITY PET. COMP. PLC. NT UNION VENTURES & PET. PLC NT SERVICES Apparel Retailers UDEOFSON GARMENT FACT. NIG PLC NT Food/Drug Retailers and Wholesalers NT JULI PLC. 2.14 ETF’s Sector ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND 2 638.00

QUANTITY

52 WK HIGH

52 WK LOW

SHARES OUTSTANDING

EPS

MOV. (%)

Previous

101 896 412 477 16 993

1.96 12.91 4.28

0.76 8.59 3.50

1 925 717 268 153 786 012 100 000 000

0.09 0.00 0.00

8.70 N/A N/A

1.38 7.36 2.05

3 378 950

0.80

0.50

2 960 000 000

0.10

0.00

0.64

11 127

0.50

0.50

2 941 789 472

0.00

N/A

0.50

NT

0.91

0.91

4 966 666 668

0.00

N/A

NT

608 10 000

18.70 3.59

13.12 2.41

108 000 000 492 825 600

0.00 0.01

N/A N/A

18.70 2.29

11 127 10

0.50 4.97

0.50 4.04

4 620 600 000 4 200 000 000

0.00 0.04

N/A N/A

0.50 3.47

NT

1.47

0.50

6 878 478 096

0.00

N/A

NT

NT 2 948 970 NT

2.25 3.50 0.50

0.00 2.46 0.50

4 400 000 000 4 893 594 400

0.00 0.00 0.00

N/A N/A N/A

NT 3.79 NT

NT 281 795 9 401 185 026 502 826 232 677 10 000 NT 192 063 153 500 NT 3 238 000 NT

3.32 30.00 12.57 43.98 15.49 132.51 3.51 0.75 0.99 56.50 3.36 5.28 13.40

2.86 9.10 7.27 14.50 4.20 95.00 0.93 0.50 0.91 37.00 0.52 2.27 10.93

260 000 000 2 239 453 125 217 367 585 560 000 000 1 241 548 285 15 494 019 668 242 908 200 2 109 928 275 513 696 000 3 001 600 004 792 914 256 400 000 000 75 000 000

0.00 2.14 1.09 2.28 1.47 8.33 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.10 0.26 0.23 0.00

N/A 2.00 1.16 3.30 6.08 3.16 N/A N/A N/A 8.54 N/A N/A N/A

NT 25.00 9.50 46.95 9.05 190.00 1.48 NT 1.09 99.50 NT 6.00 NT

200 000 407 300 NT NT

2.00 2.50 0.73 2.58

2.00 1.33 0.50 2.58

510 396 608 2 220 000 000 15 000 000

0.03 0.11 0.00 0.00

N/A 9.84 N/A N/A

2.00 1.83 NT NT

NT 1 711 4 600 NT NT NT NT

3.98 6.91 12.71 15.03 3.60 1.86 0.63

3.98 2.19 9.53 13.28 1.60 1.05 0.63

N/A N/A

42 640 000 6 215 000 000 240 000 000 199 066 550

0.00 0.05 0.05 0.90 0.24 0.22 0.00

N/A #VALUE! N/A N/A

NT 1.71 10.90 NT NT NT NT

20 NT

8.69 0.14

8.26 0.14

265 409 280 2 918 000

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

NT NT

25 000 000 683 974 528

9 450

9.20

5.70

393 120 000

0.76

0.00

6.77

NT 3 134

7.75 12.39

7.75 10.55

75 600 000 100 000 000

0.00 0.43

N/A N/A

NT NT

NT

0.50

0.50

4 058 989 226

0.00

N/A

NT

NT NT

3.22 1.38

3.22 1.38

50 000 000 220 000 000

0.04 0.00

N/A N/A

NT NT

3 008 252

1.02

0.54

6 262 701 716

0.13

0.00

0.52

5 361 198

24.80

10.94

2 262 711 568

1.73

-2.22

13.50

NT 51 000 98 565 347 923 420 021 33 134 286 545 38 137

20.71 0.70 41.89 5.59 28.69 163.50 72.00 240.00

20.71 0.50 19.61 2.12 9.12 111.51 32.29 125.00

125 487 475 3 716 976 579 693 952 117 1 249 162 828 1 080 280 628 300 496 051 253 988 672 339 521 837

0.00 0.00 0.47 0.61 0.00 6.11 3.62 14.63

N/A N/A -4.93 0.00 0.30 4.28 N/A 0.00

NT 0.50 33.67 3.15 43.82 116.95 36.14 159.00

NT

0.72

0.50

4 035 497 307

0.00

N/A

NT

NT

3.48

3.48

0.19

N/A

NT

3 221 230

3.65

1.12

980 294 400

0.21

-5.84

1.54

114 500 11 300

3.67 6.40

2.11 3.28

589 496 310 198 819 763

0.58 0.25

0.82 N/A

4.85 1.32

100 000

1.64

0.85

865 808 912

0.08

N/A

0.50

NT

0.75

0.50

3 211 627 907

0.01

N/A

NT

NT 3 729 425 NT 25 796 045

8.00 2.59 4.76 1.95

3.00 1.16 4.31 0.50

1 548 780 000 2 078 796 396 1 772 884 297 25 813 998 283

0.18 0.92 0.00 0.22

N/A -7.45 N/A 0.00

NT 0.94 NT 1.43

10 000

0.50

0.50

8 000 000 000

0.00

N/A

0.50

96 084 295 845 NT 51 408

3.68 8.00 2.92 6.82

1.64 1.94 2.78 3.09

403 200 000 771 450 000 425 641 111

0.14 0.29 0.01 0.50

N/A N/A N/A -2.74

1.62 1.70 NT 4.38

1 453 026

0.80

0.50

1 507 000 000

0.00

N/A

1.03

NT NT

5.15 1.88

4.90 0.80

236 699 511 5 631 539 736

0.00 0.03

N/A N/A

NT NT

231 753 547 422

2.78 11.75

1.54 5.15

634 000 000 1 230 468 750

0.38 0.81

N/A -1.03

4.80 6.82

NT

1.43

1.04

45 000 000

0.12

N/A

NT

11 000

1.02

1.02

201 885 335

0.00

N/A

0.97

500

0.60

0.60

30 000 000

0.00

N/A

0.60

NT

0.50

0.50

24 898 850

0.00

N/A

NT

NT 500

1.88

1.63

125 005 250

0.00

N/A

NT 1.63

NT

0.50

0.50

6 650 000

0.00

N/A

NT

NT 20 000 NT NT

0.21 0.50 0.31 0.63

0.21 0.50 0.31 0.63

24 200 000 5 857 500 000 15 000 000 98 600 000

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

N/A N/A N/A N/A

NT 0.50 NT NT

NT NT 100

0.50

0.50

20 000 000

0.00

N/A

3.05

2.76

194 700 000

0.00

N/A

NT NT 2.14

100

2 706

2 422

0.00

2 638.00

40

Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

41

Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

“It is well settled that a written constitution is a document containing the “fon et erigo”of the laws and right of its people” -RETIRED JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, JUSTICE ADOLPHUS KARIBI-WHYTE

Challenges of managing law partnership firms –SANs States should establish prison services to avoid conflict –Pedro 42 Late F.R.A. Williams

Late Fani-Kayode

Irving & Bonnar, founded in 1917, was the first law firm to be established in Nigeria. It took about 31 years later before the first indigenous law partnership firm emerged. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary writes on the changing fortunes and challenges of managing law partnership firms in the country.

1977 Forex deal: How doctor, two foreigners were jailed 45

Lawyers differ over legality of alleged deportation 44

I

rving & Bonnar, founded in 1917, was the first law firm to be established in Nigeria. The founding partners, who were Britons, had a vision to build a world class law firm based on the tradition and efficiency of an old prestigious English law firm.

Despite the fact that Christopher Sapara Williams was the first indigenous Nigerian qualified lawyer called to the English Bar on November 17, 1879 and he later enrolled in 1888 in Nigeria, there was no known record of the existence of law partnership firms in the country until 1940s.

Interestingly, Sapara Williams was not the only one involved in the practice of law at the time. Due to the shortage of qualified lawyers, it was common for non-lawyers with basic education and some knowledge of English law to be appointed to practice as attorneys until 1913.

However, the first indigenous law partnership firm came into being in the country in 1948 when three friends and leading lawyers of the period, Chiefs Bode Thomas, Rotimi Williams, and Remi Fani-Kayode jointly formed the law

firm known as “Thomas, Williams and Kayode & co “ otherwise called TOWIKA chambers.

The law firm groomed many distinguished legal practitioners of that era including Chief Sobo Sowemimo. Sowemimo, who later became the Jaguna of Egbaland, however subsequently established a partnership with Fani-Kayode.

According to historical accounts, the unfortunate and untimely demise of Bode Thomas at the age of 33 and the subsequent appointment of Williams as the Attorney-General of the Western Region by the Obafemi Awolowo administration led to the eventual collapse of the firm.

Another bold attempt to set up a partnership firm was evident in 1950 when the trio of Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, Michael Odesanya (later Justice) and the former Premier of Western Nigeria, Chief Samuel Akintola formed a partnership the law firm then known as Michael, Chris & Samuel, and located their office at Tinubu Square in the heart of Lagos.

Following the dissolution of the law firm, Ogunbanjo established Chris Ogunbanjo & Co

MANY PARTNERSHIP LAW FIRMS HAVE SUFFERED SERIOUS DECLINE BECAUSE OF OUR VARIOUS ORIENTATION AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES.

PARTNERSHIP IS LIKE A MARRIAGE FOUNDED ON ABSOLUTE TRUST; ONCE THERE IS NO TRUST, THEN PARTNERSHIP CANNOT WORK

in 1960.

Notable among the law firms set up within the same period was Poroye Chambers’’founded by Otunba T.O. Shobowale Benson. The firm still exists today and is being managed by his children.

Outside Lagos, Punuka Chambers founded by Chukwuweike Idigbe, later Justice was set up in Warri where Idigbe initially settled after his return from United Kingdom (UK).

Idigbe now late was the first Asaba lawyer in the then Asaba division covering the present Oshimili, Aniocha and Ika Local Government Areas of the old Mid-Western state. He was also the first lawyer known then in Benin province from Ovia to Oredo and Etsako areas. The fortunes of the law firm have however changed over the years.

After Idigbe was appointed to the Bench, the chambers did not fold up and was managed by Mr. Omo Bare (now retired high court judge).

Despite Justice Idigbe‘s demise in 1983, Punuka has undergone transformations and the firm’s name has changed and is today known as Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors under the management of Anthony Idigbe, SAN. By the early 1950s, Kehinde Sofola established his firm, Kehinde Sofola & co. His younger brother, Idowu and much later, his children joined him in the firm. Following Sofola’s demise on March 25, 2007, the firm has transformed into Kayode Sofola & co, owned by his eldest son.

Sometimes in the mid-50s, the first senior advocate in the whole of Northern Nigeria, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Folorunso AbdulRazaq (SAN) established the law firm of A.G. F. AbdulRazaq and Co in Ilorin.

Today, AbdulRazaq’s son, Alimi, is currently the managing partner of the firm renamed House of Laws (Solicitors).

Mention could also be made of the law firm of Ayoola Brothers. The law firm was established in the early ‘60s by an exceeding brilliant lawyer, Olu Ayoola, who was later appointed a High Court Judge of Western State of Nigeria.

The law firm at the time also engaged in law report publishing under the name Ayoola Brothers. Olu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, later Justice of the Supreme Court, was in private legal practice as a partner in the firm for several years before he too was appointed to the Bench. Notable among the products of the firm was Chief Afe Babalola.

Babalola started his legal practice in the chambers of Olu Ayoola and remained there till 1965 when he established the firm of Afe Babalola & Co (Emmanuel Chambers), reputed today, as one of the leading law firms in Nigeria.

In 1974, a partnership of two cousCONTINUED ON PAGE 44

42

Law & Justice

Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

States should establish prison Mr. Lawal Pedro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is the SolicitorGeneral and Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. In this interview with KENNY ODUNUKAN, he speaks on the abuse of investigative powers by the police, the justice sector reforms in the state and the need to remove local government from the 1999 Constitution as the third-tier of government. Excerpts: How can the state improve on criminal prosecution in the light of the loopholes in the prosecution of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha as shown in the Court of Appeal’s verdict?

Well the whole situation will have to be taken as a whole and that is only when we can have an improvement in the prosecution of cases. That also means that there should be an improvement in what we call investigation.

The only way you can improve on it is that the police investigators must be given all the necessary support, facilities, equipment, infrastructure to conduct a very good investigation. What we have in our country now is not too good and it is a sorry state of affairs. It is no secret that investigations by the Police commences by arrest and that should not be.

If a petition is written or complaint or allegation is made against Mr. B in any Police Station, the first thing the Nigerian Police do is to go for the arrest of that person but that should not be the case. They do it may be because they don’t have what it takes to work with and that the is best thing they can do.

I personally think a lot can be done and it can be better done .Firstly by conducting what is called forensic investigation, scientific investigation. If any allegation is made, the police should first of all do its own investigation without the suspect knowing that he is being investigated.

It is only where there is real prima facie case against that suspect that he should be immediately arrested. But the idea of reporting somebody at the police station and then the next thing is that less than five minutes, the police are already in the suspect’s house and also declare him wanted at the station should not be the case.

Even if the man tries to say this and that, he will still be arrested. If he is going to be released, he would be asked to provide a surety for bail and the sorry aspect of this is that if the man has been unlawfully arrested for days, where is his remedy? That is why I am advocating that the investigation aspects of criminal proceedings will have to be improved upon seriously.

This also goes to the issues of clamouring for the state police; whether to have state police or not to have state police. But to me whether we like it or not we will get there, it is really a matter of time.

Like the Major Al-Mustapha’s trial, during the trial, we all knew that most of the people must have forgotten the fact that because we do not even have control over the police who carried out the investigation, this hampered our prosecution. We really don’t control over them. Had it been it was a state Police, we will be talking about different thing entirely.

The State will be responsible and subject to the dictate of the Attorney-General

of the state or the Governor of the state who will exercise control over the Commissioner of Police in his state and this will enhance effective criminal prosecution.

There is indeed a need to have local police to investigate local offences. Somebody stole a tuber of yam in a village, in either Lekki or Akodo, you need Nigerian Police to investigate that .That should not be, you need a federal institute to come and investigate a local offence. If for nothing, for the purpose of administration of criminal justice, you will need to localise the police and that is where you can get the best of investigation and the best of prosecution.

Is Lagos State still considering appeal against Major Al-Mustapha’s discharge and acquittal?

You know constitutionally we have 90 days to look at the judgement of the Court of Appeal; we are still studying the judgement and the file. We will certainly take a decision on it later.

What is your position on the current debate by the Senate on child marriage through constitutional amendment?

Well, child marriage is unacceptable.

How can you have child marriage in our time? Under no circumstances should we encourage that and if you are referring to the recent controversies coming out from the Senate, I will say that in the first place, the issues of marriage, either conducting marriages or dissolution of marriages should not be the business of the National Assembly.

These are local issues. What may be operative in one locality may not be operative in another. It should be entirely a local issue to be handled. That is why issues of marriage and matrimonial causes should be removed from the exclusive legislative list and I hope they will do that in this amendment they are doing.

As the Solicitor-General of Lagos State, what aspects of the 1999 Constitution will you like to be amended?

If am a member of the review committee and have my way; if we have all agreed that Nigeria is a federation and we want to run a federal system of government, I will advocate that local government should be removed from the constitution because local government cannot be a third- tier of government, then sooner or later we will be asking for the judiciary arm of local government whereas by our own constitution as it is today, local government is a creation of the state so it is just like a unit or part of the state. So to me, not to create any confusion, I have said that the local government should be removed from the constitution and leave it entirely to the state to control and form .

However, if it must remain in the constitution, I have had cause in the past, I think

Pedro

IF ANY ALLEGATION IS MADE, THE POLICE SHOULD FIRST OF ALL DO THEIR INVESTIGATION WITHOUT THE SUSPECT KNOWING THAT HE IS

BEING INVESTIGATED. IT IS ONLY WHERE THERE IS REAL PRIMA FACIE CASE AGAINST THAT SUSPECT THAT HE SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY ARRESTED in one of my publications to recommend the way out .The way out is that if the constitution has divided the local government areas in each state, it should be so left like that. The issue of local government areas should not be amended or increased. I will now leave local government councils for the state. The constitution can have local government areas, how many councils will come out of that local government areas should left for the state. So if a state wants to make each ward a local government that should be its problem. So nobody should say Kano and Jigawa have forty-four local governments whereas they use to be one state before, now it has been divided into two while Lagos has remained twenty. To me, local government should be removed from the constitution but if it is to remain there, people are shouting autonomy, independence and so. They will have it that you must have a democratically elected council in each state. My position is that even the distribution of money from federation account should be as per local government areas, so in Lagos State, you have 20 local government areas as what we recognise as in the constitution, then they should give the state the allocation for 20 lo-

cal government areas. The state can now decide to create 100 local government councils from the local government areas and divide the money between the local government councils for development purposes; that is the way things should work. That is my position on what should be removed from the constitution.

What other reforms would you suggest?

Another thing is that power should devolved into the federating units, which is the states, but if we now resolve that we want to practice unitary system, then let’s go unitary then we will know we all practising unitary. We should not be in a committee of nations where our peers abroad will say that what sort of federalism are you practising?

I share the view of some that we don’t have to import the whole practices of federal system that is being practised in America to Nigeria. For example, we elect our president from individual votes, how does Americans elect their own? It is by collegiate; State by State. So that is still democracy. So we can also create our democracy that suits our own social and peculiar

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, August 12, 2013

43

services to avoid conflict –Pedro WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE STATE PRISONS AND THAT IS WHAT OPERATES IN OTHER ADVANCED

COUNTRIES OPERAT-

ING FEDERAL DEMOCRACY and transfer him to Bauchi to serve his sentence but if he has committed a federal offence, it is understandable but for a state offence, for God’s sake, we should be able to have state prisons and that is what operates in other advanced countries operating federal democracy.

situation in Nigeria but there are certain basic principles of federalism that we cannot compromise.

For example I would have love the issue of policing be transferred from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent. They could be safeguard on how to operate it so that the state also could be able to have its own police, to be able to enforce its own laws .Can you see it, a state government makes laws, but it has no policing unit to enforce it. It has to rely on the police of the federal institution to enforce her own law.

That is inconsistent with the federal system of government, highly inconsistent.

Yes there will be federal police that will deal with federal offences in all the states; so it is a matter of creation of offences.

If you want to make murder, federal offence, make it, then you know it is the federal police that will investigate it and then prosecute it. If you want to make armed robbery federal offence, make it federal offence, then we know it is federal but there are little, little offences like road traffic offences, environmental offences like dumping of refuses and that is a local offence and then you now bring a federal agency to prosecute local offences .It is really inconsistent with our principle of federalism.

Prison also should go under the concurrent list, let the state also have their prisons. Somebody commits state offence, you find him guilty and send him to federal prison, why? He must be able to stay in state prison, so while in prison, he will able to perform some corporal punishment like weeding, hard labour, he will do it. You will be shocked that some offences are committed in Lagos; offenders are found guilty in Lagos; they will say no space in Lagos

What is your position on the agitation for creation of state Court of Appeal?

To me, it is not out of place because that is what operates in other jurisdictions. In this country, we used to have the Western State Court of Appeal in the past. So it is really not out of case and then if you are not satisfied with the state court of appeal decision then you can now begin to go upstairs with conditions that not all cases can go the higher court.

The problem is that do we have the infrastructure? It will need its own manpower that is the way I look at it.

In Lagos now, we have 60 High court Judges ,We have not less than ten or eleven in the Federal High Court and all of them are going to be delivering judgements and there is a constitutional right of appeal against these judgements and you have only two panels in Lagos, definitely we will have clog of cases.

Except we want to kill all judges in Lagos, how many cases can they handle in a day? When we were not even doing straight forward electronic recording anymore, they still take notes down, how many will they take? So there should be more panels which should be nothing less than four in Lagos. You can imagine we have 60 high court Judges, the various high court and Industrial courts will still file their matters in the same Court of Appeal.

Suggest reforms for the criminal justice administration in Lagos State?

Well, it must start with the policing system; any criminal justice administration reform must start with the policing system. The police force is the agency saddled with the power to arrest, investigate and sometimes prosecute. At times, investigation is not yet completed and the suspect is already locked up in police cell. They sometimes want to fulfill the 48 hours requirement of not keeping suspects in the prison and they will rush into magistrate court and the person is remanded even sometimes they are granted bail, they cannot fulfill the condition of bail and so suspects are kept in prison unnecessarily and yet investigation is still going on.

The first point of call is reform in the policing system. From personal experience, I had witnessed a suspect arraigned

in a magistrate court, the next month, the police is transferred to Sokoto and there will be no prosecuting witnesses and it is this police investigator who knows the witnesses to call meanwhile the officer has been posted to Sokoto .

So that is why you have most people languishing in jail. However, what we have done within our means in Lagos State is that we have a vote for the investigating police officers. We have a vote for state cases even though these police officers are federal government agencies. If they are to come all the way from Sokoto to testify in Lagos, we will pay for their airfares and also accommodate them in hotels to ensure they testify so that a man who is presumed innocence and locked up in prison can have his fair trial. That is responsible for the progress we have been witnessing now in our prosecution now, even the local police men within this jurisdiction will be given transportation fares which is from Lagos state government fund.

If somebody commits environmental offences, in the past, if the defendant cannot pay fine, he will be sent to Kirikiri. Considering the population explosion in Lagos State, the present administration has come up with community service scheme to ensure that you can serve your sentence by performing community service. Washing things, sweeping roads, cutting grasses and going to hospital. We have nothing less than 15-17 centres in Lagos now. If you are found guilty, it is either you are fined or you serve in community services, so defen-

dants can perform their prison terms from coming from their houses to designated places to serve. If we have not less than 300 defendants that have served in communities’ service that otherwise will have added to prison congestion.

How will you react to the reluctance of government to evict the occupants of distressed building ahead of the incident of collapse?

Well, these are part of the things we talked about. W e talked about enforcement of law. An ordinary civil servant will find it difficult to enforce law that is a bit coercive. If you are living in a house and it is marked distressed and you don’t have an alternative to go as at that night and I come there to drive you out, won’t you resist?

The only person that can give you cover is a police officer; It is only police that will give us cover to enforce such laws. As at now we do not even have our state police.

If we send all other agencies we have, they may be attacked. KAI officers are not armed; our officers are not fully armed.

Those are part of the challenges we face but if we have had a state police or a unit that fully armed for this purpose; you will be able to enforce these types of laws that are regarded minor.

All you need to do is to force the occupants out with the backing of law enforcement agents. Some may even rush to court and since the matter is in court, they may take an order that the government should be restrained from evicting them.

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Law & Justice CONTINUED FROM 41

ins; Messrs. Patrick Mbanefo and Louis Mbanefo, was established under the name, Mbanefo & Mbanefo in Lagos.

When the partnership was dissolved, Louis Mbanefo, son of a former Chief Justice of Eastern Nigeria and Justice of the Nigerian Supreme Court, established his sole firm in Ikoyi, Lagos.

It must however be pointed out that some partnership firms have survived over the years and many others have been designed to outlive the partners.

In contemporary times, the legal profession is globalising to the extent that some notable Nigerian lawyers are now engaged in multi-jurisdictional partnership firms.

Examples of such firms abound in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt amongst other various parts of the country.

National Mirror spoke to some Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other lawyers on the issue.

The Ilorin-based Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), said “Many partnership law firms have suffered serious decline and collapsed because of our various orientation and individual differences.

He likened partnership to a marriage founded on absolute trust and noted that “once there is no trust, then partnership cannot work.’’

According to Ali, “Partnership is the key to any successful law firm. If we want our firms to outlive us, then we must align ourselves with the world order which is partnership. It comprises different strategic division of law practices.

He urged lawyers to concentrate on areas of law practice where they have strength over others and partner with their colleagues in such areas adding that “in that way we will have a sustainable law firm.’’

Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) corroborated Ali’s position saying that “a lot factors are responsible for failing law firms; individual differences is a major challenge. Greed and internal politics are other reasons why some partnership firms failed.

He emphasised trust among partners and the need to work with institutional business policy to make the law firms outlive them.

Monday, August 12, 2013

‘Partnership, key to sustainable law firm’

Late Akintola

IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES, SOME NOTABLE NIGERIAN LAWYERS ARE NOW ENGAGED IN MULTI-JURISDIC-

TIONAL PARTNERSHIP FIRMS Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) in his view observed that many partnership firms have folded up because of what he termed “Nigerian factor’’.

“In Nigeria, everybody wants to have his own firm, his own empire. Nobody wants to be accountable to the other person. You know the thrust of partnership lies in the accountability and responsibility. Our ego plays a major role in most demise of law partnership firm.

“Trust is another issue that certainly makes most partnership law firms wind up. Most partners cannot hold their selves

Abdulrasaq

Late Idigbe

in trust.

He argued that for any law firm to be successful and outlive its founder, “partnership is the answer.’’ “Partnership incorporates all different specialised field of law practices. A lawyer who is good in criminal matters can partner with another lawyer who is vast in commercial or probate matters.

“Also, partnership must be based on institutional framework, not centered on a particular partner or the other.” Jacobs added.

Another senior lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje noted that “factors such as economic, religion and individual differences are often responsible for the failure of most partnership law firm. I think partnership is a laudable concept. I believe it reduces cost, enhances clients’ confidence and ensure sustainability.

He stressed that most Nigerian law firms have failed to partner due to lawyers’ individualistic ego and greed.

Agbaje said “sometimes in a partnership, you will discover that a partner lawyer is working while the other is not. At the end of the day both of them will want to share profit equally. This is often where we

have conflict of interest.

“If a partnership law firm must work, the partners must work together, trust one another and work within their individual specialised field.

Partnership is the recipe for many falling law firm and must be embrace by all.” he added.

Lawyers differ over legality of alleged deportation WALE IGBINTADE

A

s controversy continued to trail the alleged deportation of some persons of Igbo extraction by the Lagos State government to Anambra State, a crosssection of legal practitioners has expressed diligence views over the issue.

While some lawyers decided to keep mute on the matter others are divided on the legality of the step taken by the Lagos State government.

While Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), said only 14 not 67 persons were sent out of Lagos, his Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi described the alleged deportation as unconstitutional and illegal.

Speaking with National Mirror, a Lagos- based lawyer,

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mr. Nnaemeka Amaechina described the action of state government as unconstitutional, illegal and immoral.

According to him, what Lagos State has done is an abuse on the rights of the deportees as citizens of Nigeria.

He said “what Lagos State government has done is legally wrong. It is an abuse of rights of the affected people as citizens of Nigeria. The constitution gave them the right to reside in any part of Nigeria.’’

Also, Mr. Babatunde Awe said the action of Lagos State was not new adding that the late Gani Fawehinmi was the first Nigeria to be deported by the Abacha government from Abuja to Lagos.

He said “It is an indictment on the government because no Nigerian ought to be a destitute. They would not have been destitute if they were provided

for by the government. But, every Nigerian has right to live in any part of the country. The country has enough resources to provide for all the citizens.

If the nation’s resources have been effectively used, no Nigerian would have been a destitute’’.

Mr. Kayode Bankole argued that the word ‘’deportation’’ was a wrong choice of word adding that no one could deport a Nigerian from one part of the country to another.

He said “what the Lagos State government has done is not deportation. Because, deportation connotes that they are illegal aliens residing in Lagos State and did not obtain necessary visa before coming into the State. So, you cannot deport any Nigerian from one part of the country to another.

“They are destitute who wanted to be reunited with

LEGAL TIPS UNDERSTANDING THE REMEDY OF INJUNCTION IN NIGERIAN LEGAL SYSTEM Injunction is an equitable remedy and is therefore, discretionary. It is a particularly useful remedy in contract to restrain a breach, in tort to prevent the continuation of a nuisance, in family law to control domestic violence, and in administrative law to prevent public authorities from acting unlawfully. Breach of an injunction is contempt of court.

•The preservation of the subject matter ‘res’ in dispute or the maintenance of the ‘status quo’ is achieved through the judicial process of the equitable order of injunction.

The Black’s Law Dictionary defines an Injunction as “a court order prohibiting someone from doing some specified act or commanding someone to undo some wrong or injury”.

It may also be defined in the words of Karibi-Whyte JSC (as then was) thus: “...an equitable order restraining the person to whom it is directed from doing the things specified in the order or requiring in exceptional situations the performance of a specified act”.

Fashola

their families but did not have the resources to do so. Hence, to say that they were deported would not be correct.”

They were taken to rehabilitation centre and they were requested to go back home, in my view, Lagos State has done nothing wrong’’.

However, Lagos State has said there was no truth in the allegation or suggestion of deportation, discrimination or violation of rights of Anambra indigenes.

• TYPES OF INJUNCTION Injunction can be classified based on the how long the order is to last i.e. the duration of the order. In this wise, we have (i) interim injunction (ii) interlocutory injunction and (iii) perpetual injunction.

Another basis for classification is the nature of act to be prohibited or to be done. In this category we have mandatory and prohibitory injunction.

Written by Francis Famoroti, Head, Judiciary. We welcome feedback and reactions from readers via our e-mail: nationamirrorlaw@yahoo.com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, August 12, 2013

45

1977 Forex deal: How doctor, two foreigners were jailed About 36 years ago, the Federal Military Government (FMG) promulgated the Exchange Control (Anti-Sabotage) Decree No 57 of 1977, which criminalised sharp practices in the currency and foreign exchange markets. A number of Nigerians and foreigners were arrested, tried and convicted for the offence.

FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head Judiciary writes.

S

ometimes during the tenure of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo as the country’s Head of State in 1977, the open foreign exchange transaction was deemed to be an illegal business in Nigeria.

Part of the provisions of the Exchange Control (Anti-Sabotage) Decree was that no individual or group of people was allowed to deal in foreign exchange without permission from the appropriate authority, who was the then Commissioner for Finance.

Against this backdrop, the government promulgated the decree to curb the sharp practices. By so doing, the Obasanjo regime believed the measures would exert control on the foreign exchange market by putting pressure or eliminating the parallel market.

Prior to the promulgation of Decree 57 of 1977, a group of suspected offenders had been arrested and accused of violating the foreign exchange regulations otherwise known at the time as “Arrangee”.

The men were thus tried under the retroactive decree, which prescribed a minimum of five-year jail term to offenders without an option of fine on conviction.

Among those tried and convicted were; a Nigerian medical doctor, Dr. John Sodipo, a British-Canadian, Nigel Turner, and an Italian, Umberto Carnazzi.

They were in the group of the first batch of 17 persons tried before the Special Tribunal set up by the FMG under the decree.

Essentially, the men were charged with conspiracy to buy and sell N200, 000 naira for $230,000 dollars and were also accused of gross violation of the foreign exchange regulations. They pleaded ‘’not guilty’’ and were subsequently tried before the three-man tribunal headed by a former Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olakunle Orojo.

At the trial, the prosecutor, Mr. Michael Ayoade, from the Federal Ministry of Justice, argued that the prosecution had established beyond doubts that the accused men flouted the foreign exchange regulations of the country.

According to him, ‘’we have proved that the men agreed to transact illegal foreign exchange. We have established the case of conspiracy in their agreement. We have also succeeded in establishing the overt act of the agreement; and it is sufficient; my Lord, for the prosecution case was that the offence was committed in Nigeria.’’

The prosecutor referred to the statements made by Turner and Carnazzi and how the terms of the agreement to exchange one American dollar for 85 kobo were spelt out. Turner was to deposit $230,000 dollars into Carnazzi’s account with the Bank of America in San Francisco, United States, if the latter could give him N200, 000 in Nigeria.

He said the men had in fact effected the agreement because Carnazzi had issued two cheques of Standard Bank, Iganmu branch, Lagos for N200,000 payable to Turner via his New Nigeria Bank

FAMOUS CASES account on Broad Street, Lagos.

Ayoade prayed the tribunal to adjudge the accused men guilty and sentence them accordingly.

The prosecutor further submitted that the contravention of the decree by both accused men was a conspiracy beyond the territorial limits of Nigeria.

Legal luminary, Chief Rotimi Williams (SAN), who was the lead defence attorney, urged the tribunal to hold that Turner and Carnazzi had not commenced any criminal offence by entering into an agreement for business.

According to him, if parties to a commercial contract cannot reach an agreement before approaching the Commissioner of Finance for permit to transact foreign exchange, then the commercial activities of the nation would be crippled.

The defence lawyer said the agreement to buy and sell foreign currency could not be regarded as criminal conspiracy.

Williams argued that before such conclusion could be drawn, the agreement so entered into must be proved to be a pre-mediated desire to commit an offence under section (1) (1) D of the Exchange Control Decree No 57 of 1977.

This, he said, the prosecution had failed to prove adding that the prosecution also failed to prove that Turner contracted the agreement with a criminal intent.

Besides, the lead defence attorney said the transaction was legally valid up till August 31, 1977.

A co-accused, Sodipo, on his part sought more time to enable him put his defence together. He told the tribunal through his lawyer, Mr. Kehinde Sofola (SAN), that some of the vital documents required for his defence were abroad.

Sofola also said the security men had impounded some files from his client, when he was arrested adding some of the documents he needed to establish his innocence were with the police.

The defence lawyer said Sodipo was charged with a nine-count offence and access to the vital documents would enable them prove that Sodipo acted properly and had not stolen anybody’s money.

But Justice Orojo quickly replied that ‘’nobody has said he had stolen money.’’

Mid-way into the case, the defence lawyers had threatened to withdraw from the

Orojo

Obasanjo

THE TRIBUNAL CHAIRMAN, JUSTICE OROJO, FOUND THE MEN GUILTY OF CONSPIRACY AND ILLEGAL

DEALING IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS. case and protested against some aspects of the decree which they said were obnoxious and a violation of the rule of law.

Williams who led a team of other lawyers had expressed their intention to seek an audience with Obasanjo on the matter but the then head of state on September 16, 1977 declined to grant their request until the conclusion of the on-going trials.

Three days later, the defence lawyers returned to the tribunal and defended their clients.

At the close of the addresses, the tribunal chairman deferred the verdict till about two months later. When the judgement was eventually read, Justice Orojo, found the men guilty of conspiracy and illegal dealing in foreign exchange transactions.

Williams however made an allocutus on behalf of the defence, urging the tribunal to take into consideration the fact that no money had been transferred out of the country.

In his pronouncement, the tribunal chairman sentenced each of Turner and Carnazzi to five years jail terms for violating the foreign exchange regulation.

Besides, the tribunal ordered both men to forfeit $230,000 dollars to the FG being the amount of the deal in which the foreign exchange was to be bought and sold between the parties. Sodipo also was equally convicted.

The FMG later confirmed the conviction of the men. However, some years later, the government granted Sodipo pardon.

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Law & Justice EVENT

Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global legal response to money laundering

M

vvImmediate past chairman of the branch, Mr. Taiwo Taiwo and new chairman, Mr. Alex Mouka at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch general meeting recently.

Mrs. Gerty Emeka-Iloegbunam and Chief Emeka Ngige, (SAN)

Cross-section of lawyers at the meeting

oney Laundering is the process by which criminals attempt to hide and disguise the true origin and ownership of the proceeds of their criminal activities thereby avoiding prosecution, conviction and confiscation of the ill gotten wealth. This process involves three overlapping stages of placement, layering and integration.

Money laundering covers all methods used to change the identity of illegally obtained money so that it could be used for legitimate purpose. It is a necessary consequence of almost all profit generating crime. It is equivalent to economic and financial terrorism. As an offence, money laundering is considered to be as old as the notion of wealth.

Areas considered to be vulnerable to money laundering include law firms, audit firms, car dealers, hotels, super markets, casinos, real estates and cash intensive businesses such as banks. Many governments require that banks take steps to prevent money laundering. The United States for instance has the Bank Secrecy Act, which was passed in 1970 and amended by the antiterrorism laws in the USA Patriot Act of Oct. 26, 2001.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) once estimated that drug use alone accounts for 5 per cent of the global gross domestic product of some $ 33 trillion and that $ 100 billion of illegal money moves annually from the ‘undeveloped, world to the ‘developed’ world through illegal trade paid into, or through global corporations.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) established in 1989 is the main inter- governmental body established for the purpose of developing and promoting policies, both at national and interna-

THE ADVOCATE OLUGBEMI FATULA

08037213732 (sms only) E-mail: afribic@yahoo.com

tional levels, for combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

FATF is therefore a “policy-making body” which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in these areas. In performing these activities, the FATF collaborates with other international bodies involved in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. It reviews its mission every five years.

Money laundering methods and techniques change in response to developing counter- measures. The FATF has noted increasingly sophisticated combination of techniques, such as the increased use of legal persons to disguise the true ownership and control of illegal proceeds, and an increased use of professionals to provide advice and assistance in laundering criminal funds. These factors, combined with the experiences gained through the FATF’s NonCooperative Countries and Territories process, and a number of national and international initiatives, led the FATF to review and revise its 40 recommendations into a new comprehensive framework for combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The FATF expected countries to take the necessary steps to bring their national system for combating money laundering and terrorist financing into compliance with the its recommendations and to effectively im-

A KEY ELEMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST MONEY LAUNDERING AND THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM IS THE NEED FOR THE COUNTRIES’ SYSTEMS TO BE MONITORED AND EVALUATED WITH RESPECT TO INTERNATIONAL Naomi Abdul and Anthonia Eke.

STANDARDS.

plement these measures.

A key element in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism is the need for countries’ system(s) to be monitored and evaluated, with respect to these international standards.

The mutual evaluations conducted by the FATF and FATF style regional bodies such as GIABA as well as the assessments conducted by the IMF and World Bank, are a vital mechanism for ensuring that the FATF Recommendations are effectively implemented by all countries.

The effects of money laundering include: Facilitation of Institutional Failures, Creation of Avenue for the Perpetuation of other crimes, Undermining of Confidence in Public Institutions, Threat to Financial Institutions and the Economic Stability of all Countries, decrease in government revenue, distortions to macro-economic indices; impediments to planning and developmental efforts, restraint on indigenous entrepreneurship, political instability and insecurity, break on inflow of foreign direct investment and boosting terrorist-related activities. Considering the effects of the crime on development and global security the need to intensify the war on money laundering is imperative.

Legal and institutional frameworks for battling the crime must be intensified while efforts should be made to protect the integrity of both the international financial system and designated non financial institutions (DNFIs) with a view to making it difficult for criminals to profit from their crimes.

Dr. Fatula, a lecturer writes from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Community Mirror We must do everything possible to ensure that peace reigns in the state, because when Kaduna is peaceful, certainly northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large will remain peaceful.

GOVERNOR OF KADUNA STATE, MUKTAR YERO

Navy releases impounded vessel to owner FRANCIS SUBERU

E

ighteen months after it was impounded for carrying one million litres of diesel without licence, a vessel, MT Takoradi, has been handed over to its owners by the Nigerian Navy.

The ship, which was impounded on January 26, 2012, had since been docked at the Marina,Lagos with naval personnel aboard.

Handing over the vessel, Operation Officer of NN Ship Beecroft, Commander Sabo Lengaya, said

they were mandated by the court to release the ship to its owners.

Last year, the Navy handed over the crew as well as impounded diesel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for investigation and prosecution.

On October 4 2012, the EFCC charged the ship captain, Musa Mohammed and five crew members, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on a four-count charge of illegal dealings in petroleum products.

The other accused persons, Otuagoma Freeborn, James

Onubi, Hassan Adekunle, Gabriel Edet Inyang and Patrick Chinedu were arraigned before Justice Okechukwu Okeke (rtd) and were remanded in prison after pleading not guilty to the offence.

They were unable to give any reasonable explanation on the source of the petroleum products and without any clearance from naval authorities in charge of authorising vessels conveying diesel.

Upon suspicion that the vessel might have been involved in acts of illegal bunkering and economic sabotage, the Navy arrested

and detained the vessel and crew.

Lengaya said: “We are here to officially hand over the vessel, MT Takoradi to its owner, Mr. Oladapo Ogunremi.

“The vessel was arrested in 2012 after it was suspected of illegally carrying petroleum products and was later handed over to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution.

“But following a directive from the court that the vessel be released to its owners, we are here to obey that order and withdraw our men who have kept watch on

Anambra builds drainages to check erosion CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

T

he Anambra State Government has commenced the channelisation of water along the Arthur Eze Avenue Awka and environs.

Speaking in Awka, Governor Peter Obi said the drainage system in the area will be linked to Iyi-Agu Drain for proper discharge of water to protect the roads.

He said the work included opening up of all blocked drains and building of another culvert along the Arthur Eze Avenue.

He explained that the intervention would help check the persistent devastation of the Arthur Eze Avenue and the UNIZIK temporary site junction of the Awka-Enugu dual carriage way during the rainy season.

Obi also announced that the government would soon embark on massive erosion control projects in the state, even as he disclosed this while inspecting on-going erosion control project at the New Judiciary Complex, Awka. He said that work will be accelerated on all existing projects to ensure their early completion.

The governor, who recalled that the contract for the judiciary complex was awarded several years ago, assured that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure its completion as early as possible.

Obi further, said the landscaping of the Professor Kenneth Dike Library would commence immediately the adjourning road project was completed.

the ship since its arrest.

“They have passed through the legal procedure and for the court to ask us to release the vessel, we believe it has either been exonerated or the court in line with the charges against them, has deemed it fit for the vessel to be handed over to the owner.”

In his response, Ogunremi said he was happy the vessel was being returned to them pending the determination of the case.

He said his company has lost so much revenue in the 18 months the ship was impounded.

Ogunremi, who disclosed that the product belonged to Grand Marine Oil and Gas company, said the ship was licenced to carry petroleum product.

He added that the company had sought approval from the navy to carry the cargo but the approval was not released before the diesel was eventually carried.

Katsina to spend N1.4bn on road project JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

T Shoppers haggling over prices of second hand shoes on Broad Street, Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

Livestock farmers protest tax in Oyo KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

P

oultry farmers in Oyo State under the aegis of Association of Livestock Owners and Feed Suppliers have protested against the proposed tax to regulate activities of its members.

Chairperson of the Catfish Association of Nigeria, Mrs Awoyomi Kolade, said the bill before the House of Assembly, would have adverse effect on livestock business in the state if passed.

She said apart from escalating the cost of livestock, it would also lead to unemployment.

Kolade, who noted that livestock farmers were among the biggest employers of labour, said if passed, the law would

force many of them out of business.

According to her, the idea that farmers should be taxed based on livestock would not be in the best interest of the association, rather government should introduce a flat tax.

She also opposed the idea of employing veterinary surgeons by the farmers, saying that government ought to have employed and send them to the farms.

She added that employment of a veterinary surgeon should not be a condition for registration.

She said, “We are not opposing registration, but that the fee is too high and would cripple our business. We need efficient data for planning and for government assistance, but the registration fee is too high”.

Mrs. Kolade frowned at a section of the bill which threatens to shut down any farm that fails to register within 48 hours, saying government should think of assisting the farmers rather than throw them out of business.

The Secretary, Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, Mr. Olugbenga Samuel, hinted that the proposed tax was not in their best interest, saying it would destroy agriculture in the state.

He said the bill making it mandatory for livestock farmers to employ veterinary surgeons should not be a criteria for registration, maintaining that government should rather look for ways of assisting them rather than forcing them out of business”.

he Katsina State Government is to spend N1.4 billion for the tarring of the Kankara-Ketare-Gora-Malumfashi road.

In a statement by the Special Assistant to the governor on press affairs, Abdulhamid Danjuma, the road project has a nine- month completion period.

Danjuma said other contents of the project include construction of shoulder on each side of the road and filling the potholes among others.

He said the road was being tarred due to its strategic importance, as it links Katsina with neighboring Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Kano states.

He said that the government is to supply water and electricity to the male hostel of the Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua University for N58.9 million.

Danjuma said another contract for N131.9 million has been awarded for the supply of furniture and beds in the male hostels at the University,even as the government had approved contract of N104.3 million for the supply of chemicals for water treatment .

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Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

“Given the history of abuse by governments, it’s right to ask questions about surveillance, particularly as technology is reshaping every aspect of our lives.””

U.S., UK condemn Iraq bombings, seven more killed

50

–UNITED STATES PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA

Former PM favoured to win as Malians vote in runoff poll PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

M

alians voted in a presidential runoff yesterday with former Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita the frontrunner in an election which is critical to restoring stability after a military coup and Islamist rebellion last year.

The winner will oversee more than $4 billion in foreign aid promised to rebuild the West African nation, after France sent thousands of troops in January to break the grip of al Qaeda-linked rebels over its desert north.

He must also tackle deep-rooted corruption and forge a lasting peace with northern Tuaregs after decades of sporadic uprisings, problems that led to the overthrow of president Amadou Toumani Toure in the March 2012 coup and allowed Islamists to seize the northern two-thirds of Mali.

“Whatever the decision of the ballot box, Mali has already won,” Keita, 68, told reporters after voting in the capital Bamako. “We’ve come together to rebuild a new Mali and give it a new destiny,” said Keita, who is opposed by Soumaila Cisse, 63, a technocrat from northern Mali who headed the West African monetary union (UEMOA).

Voting is taking place at

H

umanitarian aid supplies worth £480,000 - funded by UK taxpayers - were seized by al-Qaeda-linked militants in Somalia, a report from the BBC has revealed.

Supplies were in warehouses captured in a raid by al-Shabaab in November 2011, the Department for International Development’s (DfID) accounts reveal.

DfID would not specify what those supplies included. It said all material was destroyed in the raid or later.

A DfID spokesman said working in “fragile states carries inherent risk”.

The department’s annual accounts said the £480,000 was written off

A woman voting during the second round of presidential elections in Bamako, yesterday.

about 21,000 polling stations across the landlocked nation from the forested south, home to 90 percent of Mali’s 16 million people, to the northern cities of Timbuktu and Gao, where Islamists imposed sharia law. An announcement of final results is expected in two or three days, and the constitutional court has until Friday to certify them.

A trickle of voters braved heavy rains in Bamako as voting began at 8 am (0800 GMT).

But as the weather cleared, residents emerged from their homes to crowd into polling stations.

“The Malian people are tired.

Our suffering has lasted long enough. Let God grant victory to the candidate who can bring us happiness again,” 35-year-old housewife Aminata Traore said after voting in Bamako’s Badalabougou neighborhood.

Keita is the favourite after winning nearly 40 percent of the first-round vote on July 28, promising to impose order and restore the honour of the nation, which had been regarded as a bulwark of stability in a turbulent region.

Twenty-two of the 25 losing first-round candidates have thrown their weight behind Keita, known as IBK, a man who

PHOTO: REUTERS

earned a reputation for firmness in crushing student protests and strikes when he was prime minister in the 1990s.

Cisse, a former finance minister, took 19 percent of the firstround vote with promises to improve education, create jobs and reform the army. “I’m proud of our people who have, in such a short time, put us on a path back to the republic and to democracy,” Cisse said.

Despite being Africa’s No. 3 gold producer, Mali - which is twice the size of France - is one of the world’s poorest and least developed nations.

Militants seize UK’s aid supplies to Somalia “following the theft between November 2011 and February 2012, by al-Shabab in southern Somalia, of DfID-funded humanitarian materials and supplies from the offices and warehouses of partner organisations, to which DfID had provided funding to deliver projects and programmes”.

The accounts said DfID’s partners had “no prior warning of the confiscations being carried out and therefore had no time to prevent the loss by relocating goods”.

How does the UK decide where to spend its overseas aid budget?

And they added: “DfID continues to work with its partner organisations to ensure that risks like this are identified and that the organisations take appropriate action.

“This can include putting effective controls in place, where possible, to

Somali militants

mitigate and/or eliminate such risks which reduce the effectiveness of our aid.”

A department spokesman said: “DfID works in some of the most dangerous places in the world, including Somalia, because tackling the root causes

of poverty and instability there ensures a safer world and a safer UK. “Working in conflictaffected and fragile states carries inherent risk.”

He said DfID did all it could “to mitigate against this but, on occasion, losses will occur”.

“We work with our partners to design programmes that protect our investment from misuse or theft.”

Shadow international development secretary Ivan Lewis said the revelations suggested the “performance of our aid programmes has deteriorated” under the coalition.

WORLD BULLETIN Egyptian army kills 12 militants in Sinai Military officials say Egyptian helicopters fired at a gathering of suspected militants, killing at least 12 in the northern region of the country’s Sinai Peninsula.

The officials say three helicopters targeted militants in the desert town of Sheik Zuweyid late Saturday. All officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.

Military spokesman Col. Ahmed Mohammed Ali confirmed the attack in a post on his official Facebook page. He says 25 militants were targeted, but did not offer a breakdown of casualties.

He says the militants are wanted for an attack on Egyptian soldiers last year that killed 16 and the abduction of seven security forces earlier this year.

The helicopter strike comes after an Israeli drone strike Friday on Egyptian territory in Sinai killed suspected militants.

Mandela making slow but steady improvement – South Africa Former South African President Nelson Mandela’s health is slowly recovering but he remains in a critical condition, the government said yesterday, in its first update on his health in nearly two weeks.

The 95-year-old anti-apartheid leader has been in a Pretoria hospital for two months for treatment of a recurrent lung infection.

“The former president is making a slow but steady improvement,” South Africa’s Presidency said in a statement, adding Mandela still remained in a critical condition.

Mandela’s youngest daughter told state broadcaster SABC on Friday that her father’s health was improving daily and he was able to sit up for minutes at a time.

Deposed CAR president eyes return to power Deposed former Central African Republic (CAR) President Francois Bozize still nurtures ambitions of returning to power, he told French media, ending months of silence since he was ousted by rebel forces in March.

Bozize, who ruled the mineralrich former French colony for a decade, fled to Cameroon after rebels overthrew his government and captured the riverside capital Bangui.

In an interview with Radio France International broadcast on Saturday, Bozize said he had formed, along with some compatriots, a political organization called the Front for the Return of Constitutional Order in CAR, or Frocca.

He said its objective was to “follow and denounce everything that is happening in the country and inform the international community which does not yet seem to have realized the grave crisis, the drama, unfolding in Central African Republic.”

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World News

Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

U.S., UK condemn Iraq bombings, seven more killed Funeral for brothers killed by snake in Canada

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un attacks and a bombing killed at least seven more people in Iraq yesterday, police said, after a day of carnage aimed mainly at Shi’ite Muslims celebrating the end of Ramadan.

The United States condemned a wave of car bombings which police and medical sources said killed nearly 80 people across Iraq on Saturday, saying those who had attacked civilians during Eid al-Fitr festivities were “enemies of Islam”.

Bombs tore through markets, shopping streets and parks late on Saturday as Iraqi families were out celebrating the end of the Muslim fasting month.

Also, the British Foreign Office Minister, Alistair Burt, said “The British Government utterly condemns the attacks that took place across Iraq yesterday. My thoughts are with the families of those involved. I was especially horrified to hear that these attacks targeted children and their families celebrating the Eid-al-Fitr holiday that marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.”

Iraq’s Interior Ministry said media reports about the attacks had been exaggerated in a way that would give a morale boost to at-

T

People gathering at the site of a car bomb attack in Kirkuk, near Baghdad, yesterday.

PHOTO: REUTERS

tackers. It said 21 people had been killed across Iraq in the multiple attacks and that a recent security crackdown called “Avenge the Martyrs” had been effective.

Eighteen months since the last U.S. troops withdrew, Sunni Islamist militants have been gathering force in their insurgency against Iraq’s Shi’ite-led government.

The civil war in neighbouring Syria has aggravated tensions and the Interior Ministry said last month it was facing an “open war”.

The renewed violence has raised fears that Iraq could relapse into the sectarian bloodbath of 20062007 when tens of thousands were killed.

The State Department

said Saturday’s attacks bore the hallmarks of al Qaeda’s Iraqi (AQI) branch. It reiterated that it was offering a $10 million reward for information leading to the killing or capture of Abu Bakr alBaghdadi, the AQI leader.

“The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the cowardly attacks today in Baghdad,” the State Department said.

“The terrorists who committed these acts are enemies of Islam and a shared enemy of the United States, Iraq, and the international community.”

It said the United States would work closely with the Iraqi government to confront al Qaeda and discuss this during a visit of Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari next week to Washington.

he funeral was held yesterday in Canada of the two young boys who were killed by an escaped python as they slept at a friend’s house above a pet shop.

A single casket bore Connor Barthe, six, and his four-year-old brother, Noah - as their parents wanted the “inseparable” boys buried together.

The priest said there was no way to express the pain and no way to prepare for such a service.

The boys were found dead on Monday morning in Campbellton, New Brunswick.

It was initially thought the 4.3m (14ft) serpent had escaped from its cage in the Reptile Ocean pet shop into a ventilation duct.

But it later emerged it had been kept as a pet in the apartment where the

boys where staying. It broke free from its glass tank and fell through the ceiling into the living room where they were sleeping.

A post-mortem showed the boys had died of asphyxiation.

Hundreds of people gathered for the funeral at St Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in Campbellton.

The eulogy paid tribute to Connor, the protective elder brother with his “huge bear hugs and smile”, and Noah, who was quieter but was “quick to laugh out loud” and who dreamed of becoming a basketball player.

The priest, Father Maurice Frenette, said this was a time to console and not a time for answers to questions about the deaths, CBC reported.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Monday, August 12, 2013

51

2015: APC may wrest power from PDP –Lawal Kaita AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

F

ormer governor of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, admitted yesterday that the All Progressives Congress, APC, could wrest power from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015.

The PDP founding member also told our correspondent in an interview in his Katsina home that President Goodluck Jonathan did not stand the chance of picking the party’s presidential ticket for the 2015 general elections.

Kaita, who is an advocate of northern presidency in 2015, said the registration of APC was a welcome development for the growth of the polity, pointing out that with its emergence, the country would now have a viable opposition party.

• Says Jonathan won’t pick party’s presidential ticket He said: “Now we are going to face a serious opposition party with the capability of taking over government. There is no doubt the new party will pose a serious threat to PDP, especially with the internal rancour presently rocking the party.

“APC has all it takes to stop the monopoly of power of the PDP. It will also force the party to embrace internal democracy and sit down to sort itself out.

We the elders of the party should begin to work hard to avoid the impending disgrace steering us in the face by deviating from our negative political altitude.

“In PDP, there is virtually no party as presently constituted because the party at state level is con-

trolled by the governors while at the national level by the President, making the leadership subservient to the President. This has seriously affected the party’s administration as the leaders no longer have the clout to either do the right thing or confront the President on national issues.”

The elder statesman, who said he was sickened with the way PDP was be-

ing run, disclosed that with what was happening in the party; it was obvious that it could lose out in 2015.

Kaita also said he was convinced that Jonathan could not pick the presidential ticket of the PDP. According to him, governors on the platform of the party are determined to stop the President, even if the conflict within the party was resolved.

He said: “From what

is happening in the party now, these governors have concluded that 2015 should be the end of his tenure. Of course, they have the capability to do this because they control the delegates and again they have made it clear that the only way for peace to return to PDP is for him to discard his 2015 ambition. That is, he must not run again.

“As far as the North is concerned, the position is

that the region must produce the next president in the next dispensation. For now, over 80 per cent of the northern population is in favour of this position.

“But I assure you in the next few months, it will be 100 per cent and I am among those in this campaign for northern presidency in 2015.

“Even if APC presents a northern candidate as a presidential flag bearer, it will be that candidate against a northerner in PDP.”

Insecurity: STF, SSS stop party meeting in Plateau JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

T

he Special Task Force, STF, on Jos crisis and the State Security Service, SSS, at the weekend stopped a stakeholders’ meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

It was learnt that the meeting was scheduled to discuss issues regarding the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

The security operatives, it was gathered, claimed the insecurity challenges as reasons for the stoppage of the meeting.

The security operatives said they could not guarantee the safety of the PDP members and asked them to take the meeting outside the council area.

But a party stalwart, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, said the stoppage of the meeting did not go down well with some stakeholders, who accused the security operatives of playing the card of some disgruntled members of the party.

He said: “We are aware that some party members who are still living in the euphoria of being godfathers misinformed the

security operatives of the true motives of the meeting.

“If not, what insecurity challenges are we facing in Bokkos Local Government that our meeting could cause security risks as claimed?”

Also speaking on the issue, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Solomon Maren, said there was more to the reasons advanced by the security agencies.

He said: “The PDP family in Bokkos was made of people of integrity; hence they will not do anything that will be detrimental to the well-being of their people and council.

“After all, we wrote and obtained permission from the police, who promised to provide us with adequate security, as was the usual practice, but the STF and SSS objected to it.

“As law-abiding citizens, we did comply, even though we are not happy that we are not allowed to hold the meeting in our own home, since the issues concerned boarder on the well-being of our people.”

Maren attributed the action of the security operatives to an internal wrangling within the party, which he said, by God’s grace, would soon come to an end.

Plateau State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Steven Barko, presenting a herbicide sprayer to the Chairperson, Women Vegetable Farmers, Haske Progressive Association, Mrs. Maryam Nge, in Jos, recently.

PHOTO: NAN

Ignore NIMET’s prediction, face sanctions, Aliyu warns LGs PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

G

overnor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has vowed to sanction any council which fails to take seriously the prediction of flood disaster by the Nigerian Metrological Agency, NIMET. Aliyu said other relevant agencies of government which refused

to heed to the warning would also be sanctioned.

The governor gave the warning when he received the emirs from seven emirates of the state who paid him Sallah homage, led by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, in his house in Minna.

According to him, the state will not tolerate a repeat of what happened last year as a result of flood.

He said: “Government will not allow what occurred last year to happen again, therefore, the state government will punish any local government or any relevant authority that allows flood to wreak havoc on the state this year.”

The governor commended the royal fathers for their role in ensuring that peace reigns in the state, while urging them to intensify effort to sensi-

tise their subjects in their respective emirates, especially to issues relating to the predicted flood.

Abubakar, who is also the chairman of the state Traditional Council, stressed the need by all Nigerians to pray for the peace and unity.

He said the traditional rulers were in the governors’ house for the usual traditional Sallah homage.

Flood exhumes 20 corpses in Kano

F

lood, which followed the torrential rains in the commercial city of Kano, at the weekend, exhumed about 20 corpses from the different graves at the Yankaba Cemetery.

The downpour also destroyed houses and other properties worth thousands of naira. It also wreaked havoc across the 44 local government areas of the state.

Business activities were paralysed while the

residents were forced to remain indoors for several hours.

The rain also affected the movement of motorists and commuters in the state capital, some of who had to wade through the flood, while others were trapped for many hours.

A witness, Alhaji Muhammed Inuwa, disclosed that it was when the rain subsided that the residents of Yankaba discovered that it had already exhumed some corpses.

It was gathered that the development informed the decision of the residents to embark on the search of missing corpses which had been exhumed by the raging flood.

At the close of the day, about 20 corpses were recovered from different locations, which had since been reburied.

Fresh prayers were also offered for the repose of the souls of the dead.

To guide against future occurrence, the residents

have appealed to the state government to take appropriate measures to address encroachment of flood in the cemetery.

Gov. Kwankwaso

52

North

Monday, August 12, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG owes Adamawa N90bn, says Nyako

A

damawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, has accused the Federal Government of insincerity in the management of the funds realised from the privatisation of some key national assets in the country.

This was even as he accused the Goodluck Jonathan administration of owing his state over N90 billion, saying that the development is traceable to the huge domestic debt hanging over the administration.

Nyako spoke yesterday at the Sallah dinner he held for journalists at his Yola residence, were he lamented the marginalisation of states by the Federal Government on the proceeds of some sold national assets, saying this amounted to shortchanging the states of such proceeds.

He said the Federal Government has shortchanged his state to the tune of several billions of naira in privatisation proceeds, adding that the state is now cash strapped and that the situ-

ation has been made worse by the emergency rule in the state.

He said the state was justified to cry out over the N90 billion owed it by the Federal Government.

He added that the money is now badly needed by the state to help her deliver democratic dividends to its populace.

Nyako explained that the debt is made up of state’s share of unremitted proceeds from the privatisation of some public utilities and some unmet settlement

for road projects executed by the state on behalf of the Federal Government.

According to the governor, the matter, which has earlier been filed in court by some states, was withdrawn on the behest of the Federal Government for out of court settlement, adding that the government has remained insincere ever since.

Nyako further lamented that state governments in the country were not consulted before the sale of the properties and that the

Federal Government has not been able to properly account for the proceeds.

Nyako who denied any political twist to his claims, however, said unknown to many, the claims were justified, noting that the precarious financial situation of the state warranted such, especially when it had funds outstanding to its credit.

According to him, the state had to begin to look at the possibility of recovering funds owed it by creditors. He said he would be

glad if the Federal Government will heed its claims, since it did not expect all the money to be settled out rightly.

He pleaded with the government to release the funds, pointing out that the government could start with the payment of the funds piece meal. “We never expect the government to give us this money at once, but at least it would go a long way if the government adopts a tranching system of repayment to offset the debt,” he said.

My relationship with Kwankwaso cordial, says deputy gov AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

K

L–R: Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and Kaduna State Governor, Ramalan Yero, during a reception in honour of Yero by the Zazzau Emirate Council in Zaria, on Saturday.

PHOTO: NAN

Borno to rebuild 823 classrooms destroyed by insurgents

T

he Borno State government yesterday said it is planning to reconstruct 823 classrooms destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents following the gradual return of peace to the state.

Governor Kashim Shettima, made this known yesterday while receiving members of the Borno Elders Forum at the Government House, Maiduguri.

Shettima said the plan was part of the state government’s agenda of “reconstruction, rehabilitation and reintegration,”

to consolidate the return of peace to the state after a prolonged Boko Haram crisis.

He said government would also overhaul the state’s health care system to meet the aspirations of the people.

According to him, as we witness the gradual return of peace to the state, our major task is to embark on the reconstruction of at least 823 classrooms to allow displaced children go back to school.

“We will also create massive employment to engage

our teeming youths in useful ventures because that is the only way we can safeguard the future,” Shettima said.

The governor said government must tackle the problem of unemployment to provide a permanent solution to the Boko Haram crisis.

“We have to explore avenues of creating jobs for our youths if we want to live in peace, if we fail to address the problem now, the worst insurgency will happen in the nearest future.”

He said government plans to invest heavily in the agricultural sector to provide jobs for the youth.

“We have just received information that about 100 containers carrying various irrigation equipment ordered from India have just arrived in the country.

“We are hoping that other equipment that we have ordered from other countries will soon arrive too.”

He said the aim is to actualise the full agricultural potentials of the state as well as provide lasting solutions to youth restiveness.

Five die, others injured in Katsina auto crash JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

A

t least five people died at the weekend in an auto crash in Katsina State while three others sustained varying degree of injuries.

The incident occurred in Batagarawa Local Gov-

ernment Area of the state, about 10 to 15 minutes drive from the state capital, where the two Peugeot cars collided.

Of the five persons that lost their lives, three were men while the other two were women. Their bodies have been deposited at the Federal Medical Cen-

ter, FMC, mortuary in the state.

Confirming the incident, the state’s sector command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Habu Dauda, said the accident occurred on Friday at about 4.30 pm on the Katsina-Dutsinma road.

Dauda said the FRSC

rescue team arrived on the scene some few minutes after the accident and took those injured to the FMC for treatment.

He attributed the cause of the accident to dangerous over-taking and appealed to motorists to always abide by traffic rules and regulations.

ano State Deputy Governor, Dr. Umar Ganduje, yesterday said he enjoys a cordial relationship with his boss, Dr. Rabiu Muswa Kwankwaso, whom he described as an upright and God fearing leader.

Speaking in Kano, Gaduje, a long time political ally of Kwankwaso, whom he has severed twice as deputy governor in 1999 and 2011 respectively, said the governor is one leader who will always be on the side of justice and fairness.

According to him, “Governor Kwankwaso is a lead-

er with a strong character who will hardly succumb to blackmail and intimidation, he will continue to fight for justice for all, this is what has endeared him to the people of the state, who have come to accept him as a credible leader.

Ganduje, who spoke with our correspondent also pointed out that since Kwankwaso’s second coming as governor, when he dislodged the then All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, which ruled Kano for two terms, he has embarked on people-oriented projects, promoting education through the award of scholarships to deserved indigenes of the state to study abroad.

Revive ailing textile factories, NLC tells FG WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

T

he Federal Government has been urged to resuscitate comatose textile factories in the country to guarantee less dependence on importation of fabric.

National Vice-President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu, who is also the General Secretary of the Textile Workers’ Union of Nigeria, TWUN, made the appeal in Ilorin, at the weekend, while answering questions from journalists.

He said in the 80s, Nigeria was the third largest producer of textile in the world, lamenting that: “Today, the country could not boast of being on the list of the first 100 textile producing nations due to the non-charlatan attitude of its leaders towards industrialization.”

The NLC vice-president,

however, commended the Federal Government for the release of N100 billion as intervention fund to the sector that is now assisting textile factories like the Kaduna Textiles to return to production.

Aremu, however, pleaded that another area that needed the attention of the Federal Government is the power sector, pointing out that there cannot be industrialisation in the country with the present level of power supply.

Reacting to the signing of death warrants for some convicts by Comrade Adams Oshiomole, the governor of Edo State, the NLC vice-president flayed those criticising the governor for his action particularly, the human rights community, stressing that “the primary essence of good governance is about security, adherence to the nation’s constitution and the welfare of the people.”

Monday, Monda ay a y, August Au A ugu g st 112, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

I have since overlooked any recent setback. My focus, really, at the moment is the US Open

Devils ride Wigan to Shield

54

-AMERICAN TENNIS STAR, SERENA WILLIAMS

Mandela Challenge: Mikel set for Bafana

S

uper Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, will join the team tomorrow in Durban ahead of the Mandela Challenge tie with Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday.

Mikel, who has been busy with Chelsea’s preseason build-up in the USA, is scheduled to depart London tonight for Johannesburg where he will connect a flight to Durban in the early hours of tomorrow.

“I look forward to the game and I think it will be interesting for both sides as we have World Cup qualifiers coming up soon,” Mikel, who played a pivotal role when Nigeria won a third AFCON title in South Africa in February, said.

Meanwhile, among the Eagles early arrivals in South Africa is Sporting Braga’s defender, Elderson Echiejile, who flew into the country early yesterday to wait for the Lagos contingent that comprised Coach Stephen Keshi and his assistants, as well as the goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and midfielder Sunday Mba. Majority of the Eagles are due in Johannesburg by noon today for the match which kicks off at 8.30pm Nigerian time on Wednesday.

Bolt

Bolt defies rain, claims gold Blessing Okagbare leaping to silver at the World Championships in Moscow yesterday

MOSCOW 2013: Okagbare breaks medal jinx, thanks God WITH AGENCY REPORT

B

lessing Okagbare yesterday dedicated her World Championships silver medal to God after reversing Nigeria’s 14-year fortune at the podium.

Okagbare, whose ambition was the gold medal in her medal, had pushed against her USA competitor Britney Reese. But her last jump of 6.69m only trailed Reese who chalked up 7.01 to nick the gold.

The Nigerian athlete, who was the toast of the

F

Emenike

…targets 100m gold

A FOLABI GAMBARI

media at the mixed zone after her jump, said she saw a divine touch to her success as she ended the medal drought that has dogged her country since the Seville 1999 Championships where Gloria Alozie won a silver in the 100m hurdles and Francis Obikwelu got a bronze in the 200m.

“I thank God for using me because it could have been anybody else,” the elated Okagbare yelled as she was swarmed by journalists.

“I also thank members of

my family, friends and relations for their support,” she added.

Serbia Ivena Spanovic won the bronze with 6.82, getting her country’s new record to the bargain.

The Nigerian star, however, shut aside the euphoria quickly as she focused on the 100m final scheduled for today.

“I am optimistic of coming off brilliantly and I will give it my all to bring glory to my father land once again,” she assured.

Emenike commits to club

enerbahce’s returnee forward, Emmanuel Emenike, has said that he hopes his goals crown the club champion of Turkey again.

The Istanbul side has won the Turkey league 18 times with its last triumph being two seasons ago.

“My target is to win the league title with Fenerbahce and if possible

the double with the cup,” Emenike, who would be unveiled today, said yesterday.

“It is my duty to score goals as striker and I will do my best to get as many as I could for Fenerbahce,” he added.

“I love this club and will do all I can to make the fans happy. The reception was great and I am ready to give my best.”

The AFCON 2013 top scorer, who was assigned jersey number 29 for Fenerbahce, has excused himself from the Mandela Challenge with Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Durban tomorrow, citing inability to embark on the long haul from Istanbul after his unveiling, in addition to the need to prepare for the Turkish league due to kick off on Saturday.

O

lympic champion, Usain Bolt, regained the 100m world title he lost two years ago as he ran 9.77 seconds to win the final in heavy rain yesterday in Moscow.

The 26-year-old Jamaican powered past American Justin Gatlin, who took silver in 9.85 ahead of Jamaican Nesta Carter (9.95) who got the bronze.

Britain’s James Dasaolu finished in eighth place with a time of 10.21.

Bolt lost the crown in 2011 when he was disqualified for a false start in the final, with compatriot Yohan Blake taking the gold.

Blake, who was ruled out of the championships through injury, eased Bolt’s target for gold in the absence of the duo of Jamaican Ashafa Powell and USA’s Tyson Gay who both had issues with drug-related offences and were disqualified from participating the bi-ennial event.

Bolt, however, however dismissed lack of competition occasioned by the big absences, saying he would compete in Moscow as though all the stars had been present.

Rank

Country

Total

1

UNITED STATES

2

2

0

4

2

JAMAICA

2

0

2

4

3

ETHIOPIA

1

1

1

3

3

KENYA

1

1

1

3

5

CROATIA

1

0

0

1

5

GREAT BRITAIN

1

0

0

1

5

RUSSIA

1

0

0

1

8

PR OF CHINA

0

1

0

1

8

FRANCE

0

1

0

1

8

GERMANY

0

1

0

1

8

ITALY

0

1

0

1

8

NIGERIA

0

1

0

1

13

SERBIA

0

0

2

2

13

CANADA

0

0

1

1

13

CUBA

0

0

1

1

13

SPAIN

0

0

1

1

13

JAPAN

0

0

1

1

54

Sport

Monday, August 12, 2013

Boxing: Nigeria confirms for WAKO JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

F

our weeks to this year’s World kickboxing Championship organized by World Association of kick-boxing Organization (WAKO), athletes have converged in Abuja for an intensive training programme which begins today.

The week-long exercise will feature a number of kick-boxers who will fight for places after which 20 will be selected for the global event.

President of the Nigeria Kick-boxing Federation (NKF), Mr. Miykel Eneduwa,

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Italian Mihai Bobocica is among the world’s stars expected in Lagos.

T/tennis: Chinese Taipei, Italy, others for Lagos Classics YEMI OLUS

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atest reports said Chinese Taipei, Italy, Tunisia, Congo Brazzaville, DR Congo and Ghana are among the countries that have confirmed participation in the first Lagos International Table Tennis Classics billed for August 26 to 31.

Chinese Taipei’s duo of Lin ChiaHui and Chiang Hung-Chieh are expected, as well as Italy’s national champion, Mihai Bobocica, who has declared his ambition to excel at the classics.

Organisers told National Mirror yesterday that Chia-Hui and HungChieh would compete in the women’s and men’s singles event and the mixed doubles.

The 24-year-old Hung-Chieh is Chinese Taipei’s national player rated 62 in Asia and is a former World University Champion who enjoyed a successful career at the youth categories, winning several ITTF World Junior Circuits.

The offensive right-handed player also recorded some excellent results at the last World Championships in France, defeating top seeds like Kim Hyok Bong of North Korea and Lee Sangsu of South Korea.

Bobocica is a Romanian-born Italian player who competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games in China and London. He is ranked 89 in the world and he is Italy’s number one player

ranked 33 in Europe.

Tunisia Table Tennis Association Technical Director, Ghazi Belkahi, also confirmed the participation of Adam Hmam and Abderrazek Souabni, while current African women champion, Congo Brazzaville’s Chinese-born Han Xing will also be part of the championship, as well as Nigerian-born Saka Suraju, who will represent Congo Brazzaville.

According to Competition Manager, John Peters, the presence of top players across the globe would surely bring back the golden era of table tennis in Nigeria.

“When we had competitions like the Bournvita Open, players used to come from China, Japan, England among others to participate,” Peters recalled.

“I think the latest development is the beginning of good things to come for our table tennis,” he said.

told National Mirror that the participating athletes had settled in the camp ahead of the training for the competition scheduled for September 14 to 22 “About 15 states have indicated interest to be part of the preparation,” he said.

“We will be competing with over 70 other countries of the world, although we face funds challenge. But we hope to present the best 10 for each of the competition in both Brazil and Turkey.

Eneduwa, however, stressed the need for corporate bodies and individuals to identify with the kick-boxers with a view to supporting their activities.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHAN 2014: Referee holds Harare qualifier

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imbabwe and Zambia’s 2014 CHAN qualifier scheduled for yesterday in Harare was postponed till August 18, following the delayed arrival of the Cameroonian referee.

Media sources in Harare said the return leg would be played in Ndola on August 24.

The game was initially delayed for an hour from 15h00 CAT to 16h00 CAT before a decision was made after a meeting between Zimbabwean and Zambian football

Devils ride Wigan to Shield

anchester United striker, Robin van Persie, yesterday continued from where he stopped last season as he ensured that the David Moyes era at Manchester United began with a trophy, scoring two goals past Wigan Athletic to win FA Community Shield at Wembley.

Van Persie took just six minutes to open his account for the new season, steering

a powerful header into the corner from Patrice Evra’s clipped cross.

He then settled the contest after the break when he fired in via a deflection, making it seven goals in his last six games against Wigan.

In truth, a victory against last season’s surprise FA Cup winners was the minimum required from Moyes’ meaningful debut in the United dugout as he began the ominous task

of replacing Sir Alex Ferguson.

While United looked sharp in spells, with veteran Ryan Giggs particularly impressive in the opening stages, Moyes may have been concerned by the ease with which Wigan controlled the ball either side of half-time.

United will face a sterner test at Swansea on Saturday, while Wigan continues life in the Championship.

Manchester United players and manager David Moyes display the Community Shield at Wembley yesterday.

Lagos set for Ambassador Taekwondo YEMI OLUS

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he annual Korean Ambassador’s West Africa Taekwondo Team Championships will take place in Lagos from September 9 to 11, four years after it was staged in the city.

According to the Nigeria Taekwondo Black Belt Col-

officials.

“The match has been postponed to next week Sunday, after the referees failed to arrive on time as they missed their connecting flight from Kenya after taking off late from Yaoundé Cameroon,” a Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) spokesperson said.

“So after consultation with the Zambian football association we have agreed to postpone the game,” the spokesperson added.

lege (NTBBC) and the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, nine teams from West African sub region are expected at the three-day tournament holding at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of South Korea, the championship, sanctioned by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), will

be supported by LG Electronics with teams across the country competing in the male and female events.

“This is the first time ever we are having the creative poomsae and the special skills (kyokpa or breaking),” NTF President, George Ashiru, said.

“Tournaments are the life of Taekwondo, and we are thank-

ful that the Korean government continues to be pro-active in ensuring we have more tournament and we are hopeful that indigenous corporate organisations and governmental bodies would partner with us for future engagements.”

Ashiru said Kukkiwon Demonstration team from South Korea would be part of the competition.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Monday, August 12, 2013

55

Igbonu lights up bleak European weekend IKENWA NNABUOGOR

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igerian youngster, Sylvester Igbonu, struck again for the second week running in Denmark as his table-topping side Midtylland complete their 100 percent record, hammering Randers 3-1 on the road on Saturday.

Only last weekend, the 23-year old striker opened his season’s account, scoring in the 2-1 home win over SønderjyskE. The Lagos-born striker put his sides’ noses in front as early as fourth minute as his side romped to an emphatic win to maintain their stranglehold on the top of the log. Igbonu was on from start to finish. He has also covered every blade of grass this season for the club he joined in 2007. He returned eight goals last season, and has scored two goals thus far in the new season.

His compatriot, Izunna Uzochukwu, was also on from start but was pulled out in the 81st minute for another season debutant Isaac Oliseh.

As usual, Uzochukwu, who has been consistent for the past six seasons for Midtylland, held his own on the midfield before he was pulled for the 20year old debutant, who was making his first ever bow for the Danish side.

Oliseh, promoted from the academy side, alongside Ebere Paul Onuachu at the tail end of last season, only managed three bench selections last term.

Sylvester Igbonu celebrating his goal

In France, Super Eagles number goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was his superb self as he kept a clean slate in his debut game for his side Lille as they beat Lorient 1-0 at home on Saturday as the French Ligue 1 2013/14 season kicked off across nine venues on Saturday.

Enyeama, who was on from start to finish as he earned his first official cap for the three-time French championsm had been on the bench 36 times before he was sent on loan to Maccabi Tel Aviv last season.

In the MLS in the US, former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins failed to score for Seattle Sounders as they beat FC Toronto 2-1 on Saturday.

Martns, who has netted seven times so far this season, may have copped an injury as he was replaced in the 33rd minute in the Western Conference tie. He has now played 15 matches since he arrived in the January windows from Spanish

Anthony Ujah (middle) drew blank for Koln

side Levante. He had also got the marching orders after scoring in the 2-0 away win at Chivas USA in early June.

In England, former Super Eagles central defender, Danny Shittu, was for the second week running on the losing side as his side Millwall were humiliated 3-0 at Ipswich Town on Saturday.

The big centre back was, as usual, on for 90 minutes. He has also played all the two games so far in the Coca Cola Championships, notching up 180 minutes of play time.

In Scotland, it was a rare outing as well as start for former Golden Eaglets playmaker Rabiu Ibrahim as his side Kilmarnock were held to a goalless draw at home

by St. Johnstone. However, he didn’t finish the game as he was pulled out in the 64th minute.

The former PSV midfielder has been a fringe player since moved from Celtic last summer, only managing to play six

Vincent Enyeama in command for Lille

games, all as substitute last season and sitting on the bench a disappointing 12 times.

In Germany, Solomon Okoronkwo has continued to get into the groove on his second return to Germany, playing from start for his second division side Erzgebirge Aue but did not finish as they were beaten 1-0 at home

by Aalen on Saturday.

Okoronkwo, nicknamed ‘Papa’, was pulled out at the start of the second

half as he continued his search for his first goal for his new club. He also picked up a 19th minute yellow card in the home loss.

Also in Germany, three-cap Super Eagles striker, Tony Ujah, failed to hit the target for his side Koln in their 1-1 draw at Paderborn on Saturday.

Ujah was paraded for 90 minutes in the game that also saw him pick a 90 minute caution. Although

he failed to reproduce his scoring form that saw him register his name on the score sheet last weekend, he has played in all three games so far in the Bundesliga 2 and netted two goals. He was club’s top scorer with 13 goals last season but his goals failed to earn them a ticket to the top flight as they fell short in the promotions play-off last season. He’s spending his second season on loan from Mainz 05.

WORLD RECORD

Most Successful Sports Movie Franchise Vol. 03 No. 684

N150

Monday, August 12, 2013

The Rocky franchise, running from Rocky (21 November 1976) to Rocky Balboa (20 December 2006), was the most successful sports movie franchise, grossing $1,251,372,491 throughout its six installments.

UNEP Report: Ogoni still groans two years after T wo years after the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) issued a damning assessment of the Ogoni environment, the people are forced to continue wallowing in the toxic broth that their lands and waters have been made to become. Ogoniland was once supported by productive farming, fishing and related activities. That was so up till the moment the oil rigs began to puncture holes in the land and crude oil began to be spilled on lands, forests and rivers. The air that was clean changed when gas flares belched like dragons out for the kill.

Today, 20 years after Shell got excommunicated from Ogoni, thick hydrocarbon fumes from sundry pollutions hang in the air. From the late 1980s, the Ogoni people raised alarm over the wholesale destruction of their environment. They followed

W

orld number four, Rafael Nadal, has expressed delight at easing out world number one Novak Djokovic to his 10th final of the season at the Montreal Masters.

The 12-time Grand Slam

Guest Columnist

Nnimmo

Bassey

this by careful and robustly peaceful protestations.

With the Ogoni Bill of Rights of 1990 they catalogued their demands for environmental, socio-economic and political justice. Although the Bill of Rights was presented to the Nigerian government, till date there has not been a whisper by way of response to, or engagement with, the document. The Bill of Rights became an organising document for the people and also eventually inspired other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to produce similar charters as a peaceful way of prodding the government into dialogue and action.

The Bill noted that although crude oil had been extracted from Ogoniland from 1958, they had received NOTHING in return. Articles 15-18 of the Bill illustrate some of the complaints of the people. Highlights include: . That the search for oil has caused severe land and food shortages in Ogoni – one of the most densely populated areas of Africa (average: 1,500 per square mile; national average: 300 per square mile.) . That neglectful environmental pollution laws and sub-standard inspection techniques of the federal authorities have led to the complete degradation of the Ogoni environment, turning our homeland into an ecological disaster. . That the Ogoni people lack education, health and other social facilities; and . That it is intolerable that one of the richest areas of Nigeria should wallow in abject poverty and destitution.

This Bill of Rights was the precursor to the Kaiama Declaration of the Ijaws, lkwerre Rescue Charter, Aklaka Declaration

THE UNEP REPORT REVEALED THAT THE

OGONI HOMELAND HAD INDEED BEEN TURNED INTO AN

“ECOLOGICAL DISASTER,

for the Egi, the Urhobo Economic Summit Resolution, Oron Bill of Rights and other demands of peoples’ organisations in the Niger Delta.

The UNEP Report presented to President Goodluck Jonathan on 4 August 2011 completely confirmed the claims of the Ogoni people. The report found that without exception, all the water bodies in Ogoni was polluted by the activities of oil companies - Shell Petroleum Development Company (Shell) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The UNEP report revealed that the Ogoni homeland had indeed been turned into an “ecological disaster,” as the Bill of Rights asserted. We remind ourselves that the UNEP Report made recommendations that most of us saw as low hanging fruits that government could easily have responded to assuage the pains of the people and commence a process of restoring the territory to an acceptable state. The apparent inaction is nothing but a squandering of opportunities to rescue a people and for impactful political action.

A total clean up of Ogoni land will take a life time or about 35 years at the least.

That is the length of time UNEP estimated it would require to clean up the water bodies in the territory. And it would require an additional five years to clean up the land.

How is that a lifetime? Well, life expectancy in the Niger Delta stands at approximately forty-one years.

At the eve of the first anniversary of the presentation of the UNEP Report, the Federal Government hurriedly cobbled up an outfit incongruously named Hydrocarbons Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP).

The project was set up basically to hoodwink the Ogoni people into thinking that action was being taken to implement the UNEP Report.

A year after the setting up of HYPREP under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources – a major polluter of Ogoni land - the only visible acts of implementation of the report has been the planting of sign posts at some places informing the people that their environment is contaminated and that they should keep off. You could almost laugh, but this is sad and serious. Keep off your environment! No options given. The people still drink the polluted waters and farm the polluted lands. Seafood is still being scrounged from the polluted waters and community people still process their foods in the crude-coated creeks.

Two years after the UNEP report, we believe that it is not too late for the government to act. President Jonathan can declare Ogoni land an ecological disaster zone and invest resources to tackle the deep environmental disaster here; it can urgently provide potable drinking water across Ogoni land; and the major crude oil stealing mafias must be uncovered. Crude oil and gas volumes must also be metred as demanded by groups such as the Environmental Rights Action (ERA).

Shell should be ordered to urgently dismantle whatever remains of their facilities in Ogoni land along with toxic wastes they dumped in the territory, and the company should clean up the polluted lands and waters.

Bassey is an environmentalist activist, poet and Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action

Sport Extra Montreal Masters 2013: Beating Djokovic, most fulfilling dream –Nadal champion won a typically heavyweight encounter, clinching a 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7/2) victory in two hours and 31 minutes.

“Beating the best player in the world is a big result

for me,” Nadal said.

“I played to a very high level and made the right decisions in the important moments,” he added.

Nadal got off to a flying start by breaking serve in

the opening game of the match and added a second to lead 5-2.

His Serbian opponent made the only break of the second set in game eight before the two play-

ers went the distance in the decider.

But the 27-year-old Spaniard raced into a 6-0 lead before securing his spot in the final on his NFF President, Aminu Maigari third match point. xxx

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