Monday, august 19, 2013

BUSINESS Eko Bridge: Govt deploys takes engineers to assess damage AMCON over Aero THE

Controller's Officer forwards report to Abuja EXCLUSIVE

DAYO AYEYEMI Onolememen

Vol. 3 N0. 689

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he Office of the Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works in Lagos has deployed engineers for

the inspection and assessment of the sorry state of 30-year-old Eko Bridge.

This is coming barely 72 CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

SECTION

Airlines

Inflation rose to 8.7% in July P.6,8

Free ree insi inside ide

Monday, August 19, 2013

N150

Emergency rule: Army assumes full control ...as JTF hands over responsibilities today

OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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he Nigeria Army has taken full control of the ongoing emergency operations in the North East, the Defence Headquarters DHQ has said.

Effectively, the Joint Task Force, JTF, in the area would today hand over its duties to the Army just as a new division has been created to carry on with the counter-insurgency operations.

Although, the Nigerian Army will now be in charge of the operations, but it will still be under CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

Ezekwesili

ASUU strike: Ezekwesili, Okebukola to intervene P.8

Usain Bolt of Jamaica (centre) winning another gold in the 4x100m and setting a personal record of eight gold medals ahead of Justin Gatlin of United States (right) and Dwain Chambers of Great Britain (left) at the World Championships in Moscow, yesterday.

Tope Alabi's estranged godfather, Ajanaku, dies

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Photo News

Monday, August 19, 2013

L-R: Winner, Africa (stories), Wade C. L. Williams; German Development Minister, Dirk Niebel; winner, Asia, Gunjan Sharma; winner, People’s Choice Award for Human Rights Photography in Africa, Yinka Adeparusi; winner, Eastern Europe/Central Asia, Volha Malafeychava; winner, Germany, Uwe H. Martin and representative of joint winners, Latin America, Marcela Peláez, at the presentation ceremony of the German Development Media Awards in Berlin recently.

L-R: Director, Debt Recording and Settlement Department, Debt Management Office, Hajia Hannatu Suleiman; Head, Organisation and Recruitment, Mr. Atiku Saleh; Director-General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo; Director, Strategic Performance Department, Mrs. Asmau Mohammed and Head, Policy Strategy and Risk Management, Mr. Joe Ugoala, at a seminar/retreat in Lagos at the weekend.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Marketing Manager, SuperSport, Mr. Chidozie Bede-Nwokoye; General Manager, Mr. Felix Awogu; General Manager, Marketing and Sales, Multichoice, Mr. Martin Mabuth and Head of PR, Mr. Segun Fayose, during the SuperSport pre-soccer season press briefing in Lagos at the weekend.

L-R: Chairman, Country Medical Council, Pfizer Worldwide Bio-Pharmaceutical Business, Nigeria and East Africa Region (NEAR), Dr. Kodjoh Soroh; Chairman, Pfizer Cardiovascular Scientific Advisory Board, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe; Guest Speaker, Prof. Samuel Dagogo Jack and Country Manager, Pfizer Nigeria and East Africa, Mr. Carl Engleman, at the sixth edition of the Cardiovascular Summit organised by Pfizer in Lagos, recently.

National News

FG prequalifies 82 consortia for 10 NIPP power plants UDEME AKPAN AND CHIDI UGWU

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he Federal Government has approved the prequalification of 82 companies for the nation’s 10 plants constructed under its National Independent Power Project, NIPP, which is jointly owned by the Federal, states and local governments.

The Head, Public Communications, of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said the approval was done at a joint meeting of the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, and the Board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC. According to Anichebe, the joint meeting, which was chaired by the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, approved the 82 consortia to move to the Request for Proposal, RFP, stage of the transaction.

The statement reads in part: “The joint meeting of the National Council on Privatisation, NCP) and the Board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC, at its second meeting held on Monday (August 12, 2013) approved the prequalification of 386 expressions of interest (EOIs) submitted by 82 of the 110 consortia that earlier expressed interest in the acquisition of 80 per cent equity in the 10 NIPP power plants jointly owned by the Federal, state and local governments.

“The following 82 consortia have been prequalified to move to the Request for Proposal, RFP, stage of the transaction.

“Some of the companies include: Omotosho Electric Energy Company, SEPCOPacific Energy Partners Limited, PPN Power Generating Company Ltd, AFC and Globeleq Consortium, AFC, Globeleq & Vigeo Consortium, Spark Generation Power Company, Calls Power Consortium,

Neon Electric Power Consortium, CET Power Consortium and Azura Benin Generation Consortium.

“There are also Azura Calabar Generation Consortium, WorleyParsons/ DeltaAfrik, Arrow Capital/WorleyParsons Consortium, Power Ventures Consortium, Paragon Consortium, OPG Power Ventures (with GE International), OPG Power Ventures (with Sogex), OPG Power

Ventures (with Thomassen Holding Limited and Marine Power Limited), Tenaga Nasional Berhard, United Pacific Proglobal Power Ltd, Essential International Limited among others.

Anichebe said that two teams were constituted to evaluate the submissions based on the approved guidelines.

The guidelines, among others, provided that to be

technically qualified, bidders must show evidence of experience in operating at least 300mw of thermal generation plant for at least three years and to be deemed financially qualified, bidders must meet a tangible net worth threshold of $100-$200 million depending on the size of plant they wish to be prequalified for.

The Joint Board has equally approved the issu-

ance of the request for proposals to the prequalified bidders from today.

Also, the statement noted that the Joint Board further approved the recommendation of the Joint Technical Transaction Committee, JTTC, to allow Technical Services Providers, TSP, with no equity stake in the consortia, to participate in the privatisation process with as many bidders as it chooses.

CBN approves movable collaterals for MSME’s bank credit TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has approved that Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, can use movable collaterals to secure credit from financial institutions as from next year.

Disclosing this to journalists at the end of the MSME financing conference and D-8 workshop in Abuja, the Director, Development Finance of the

CBN, Mr Paul Eluhaiwe, said his Department had secured approval of the management of the CBN and will ensure that collateral registry are movable collateral and would ensure its use beginning from next year.

Eluhaiwe said the CBN, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation, IFC, would want to see a situation where MSMEs are able to use movable collateral to secure credit in banks to build op-

erational capacities.

“If this is done, operators will be able to operate because there would be funds and capacities would be built to create sustainability in the sector.

“The entrepreneurs themselves, who are supposed to benefit, with movable collateral will have access to more financial services.

“Most banks are not ready to support SMEs with facilities, because they feel they do not have the col-

laterals and banks depend only on fixed collateral in this country,” Eluhaiwe added.

He noted that by 2014, the CBN will start implementing the N220bn MSME development fund.

“That is what we are concentrating on. We know that before December, we would have worked out all the issues to make it work for us as a country because we know that it is required for us to move forward,” he added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Monday, August 19, 2013

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Lawyers, health experts differ on child marriage KAYODE KETEFE, SEKINAH LAWAL, WALE IGBINTADE, KENNY ODUNUKAN AND TITILAYO ABIOLA

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he controversy surrounding child marriage in Nigeria has deepened as stakeholders, including lawyers, health experts and religious leaders have canvassed divergent opinions on the issue.

The issue came into national limelight after the Senate’s attempt to amend the 1999 Constitution to remove the concept from the Nigerian law was aborted.

Findings by National Mirror showed that the matter has polarised Nigerians with different opinions being expressed by the numerous stakeholders.

There is, however, consensus among lawyers and stakeholders in the health sector that child marriage is fraught with grave dangers.

It will be recalled that Section 29 of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with the issue of renunciation of Nigerian citizenship contains a provision in its subsection 4(b) that states that any female person that is married will be deemed to be of “full age” that is, an adult.

This provision, which has drawn criticisms of human rights activists over the years on the grounds that it encourages child marriage, came to the front burner after the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review recommended it should be deleted from the constitution.

However, the Senate refused to amend the Constitution to delete the provision of the subsection amidst outcry from a number of stakeholders.

Lawyers and rights activists who spoke with National Mirror berated the Senate for letting another opportunity to expunge what they called “obnoxious provisions” to gender equality from the constitution slip by.

Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, Mr. Adekunle Oyesanya and Mr.Rotimi Jacobs condemned the provision; but another senior advocate, Dr. Abiodun Layonu, said there was nothing wrong with having

a consent age of marriage that was lower than the usual 18 years for a girl.

Others who spoke against the Senate’s decision were the Executive Director, Women Empowerment and Legal Aid Initiative, WELA, Mrs. Funmi Falana and the Executive Programme Director, Legal Assistance and Development Project, Mrs. Adaobi Egboka.

Adekoya said: “The Senate’s refusal to ban child marriage means that the girls in those parts of the country where it is currently practiced will fall behind their mates everywhere.

“When their mates are learning to calculate equations, they will be calculating cooking ingredients.

When others are carrying books, they will be carrying babies.

“This is unfortunate because Nigeria is a signatory to many international conventions that recognise the right of the female child, and our lawmakers also have the moral obligation to protect the future of Nigerian children.”

This view was supported by Jacobs and Oyesanya, who said that “the legislators do not have the right to promote child marriage and it was unfortunate that the Senate was even debating on such issue.

Layonu, however, said: “Yes, ordinarily a married woman is and should be deemed to be an adult, hence the age at which a woman may consent to marriage is normally fixed at an age when she can be regarded as an adult.

“If marriage age is set at 18, whether in the Constitution or statute, frankly, I think that is civilised and in accord with international standard. In some countries, 16 is the age of consent.”

Falana also described the Senate’s decision to amend and expunge Section 29 (4)(b) from the Constitution as embarrassing.

She noted that “under the Child Rights Act and the Child Rights Laws of the states, marrying of a girl under 18 years is a crime, unfortunately, the provisions of the constitution overrides this in the event of conflict.

Egboka said: “It is sad that that the Senate has chosen to endanger the fu-

ture of the Nigerian child and this is irresponsible.”

A Lagos lawyer, Mr. Nnaemeka Amaechina, said: “Under the Nigerian Constitution, 18 years is the age of maturity but under the common law, the real age of maturity is 21 years.

So, how can one say that just by mere marriage, one is automatically an adult?

That provision is retrogressive.

“So, if I marry a oneyear-old baby, then such a baby is presumed to be mature, that is ridiculous, it does not make any sense. The Senate is supposed to be manned by wise men. Marriage is meant for adults and not for children.”

A specialist in obstetrics

and gynecology in Republic of Ireland, Dr. Oluwole Alabi, explained that the implications were psychological and obstetrical.

He said: “Child marriage is almost always a forced one, and usually to a much older man.

“The emotional trauma wherefrom is everlasting.

Marriage is a fundamental event in one's life that commands proper planning, child marriage cannot allow for this. The expectation is to consummate any marriage. This leads to the obstetrical implications.

“Teenage pregnancy, (and indeed those that occur in pre-teenage years) is generally categorised as a high risk pregnancy. Their pregnancy is associated

with excessive vomiting, anaemia, increased risk of molar pregnancy, pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

“There is also increased risk of obstructed labour and operative deliveries, especially caesarean section. Post-natally, because of their inexperience, they don't cope well with nursing their babies, hence postnatal depression is a recurring phenomenon in this age group.”

When asked if a girl of 12-13 years of age is fully developed to have a baby, Alabi said: "Generally speaking, girls of 12-13years are still babies. Therefore, they should be protected from being put into family way.

However, anatomical com-

position and development of individuals vary. In that wise, a very young girl may actually go through pregnancy and labour without encountering most of the problems stated above.”

However, some prominent Muslim groups have called on the citizenry to face more serious state issues and stop criticising them because “there is no age factor in Islamic marriage”.

The Director of Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola; the Amir of The Muslim Congress, Ustaz Luqman AbdulRaheem and Ustaz Demola Adefajo of the Muslim Teachers Association of Nigeria, MUTAN, CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>

Friends of Ammar Badie, 38, killed on Friday by Egyptian security forces during clashes in Ramses Square, and son of Muslim Brotherhood's spiritual leader Mohammed Badie, comfort each other while attending his funeral in Cairo's Katameya district, Egypt, yesterday.

PHOTO: AP

Eko Bridge: Govt deploys engineers to assess damage CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

hours after National Mirror exclusive report on the deplorable condition of the bridge linking Lagos Island with the mainland.

A top official in the Office of Controller of Works in Lagos, who did not want his name mentioned, told our correspondent yesterday that the engineers were drafted to site immediately to investigate the situation and submit their recommendations to the controller.

The source added that the engineers had submitted their report, containing recommendations on category of repairs needed to salvage the life-threatening bridge, which had been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters in Abuja.

He, however, refused to disclose the details of the re-

port, but said “it is expected that there would be quick response” from the ministry.

“What do you want from us again after what you have done? Anyway, we have sent bridge officers to inspect and assess the infrastructure and which they had done.

“We have sent a report to the Federal Ministry of Work, believing that it will be attended to immediately because by the findings, the work requires urgency”, he told our correspondent.

Attempts by our correspondent to speak with the minister were unsuccessful as one of his aides said “he is out of the country.”

National Mirror had exclusively reported last Tuesday that the Eko Bridge had become a cause for concern for the commuters and motorists plying the bridge on a daily basis.

Our correspondent,

who toured the bridge, had reported that some of the expansion joints were exposed and had widened more than normal while the steel sheets covering the joints had fallen off, creating big gaps at intervals.

Some of the gaps are about six inches wide in some areas. At a section, some of the railings at the pedestrian side of the bridge are missing, while the few ones that are available have been damaged and have not been replaced.

Concrete work supporting the pillars of the bridge have also been eroded by water with steel reinforcements exposed.

Prolonged traffic jam, damage to vehicles and the stress commuters undergo travelling to and from Lagos Island were also attributed to the slowly deteriorating

bridge by stakeholders, who have blamed the deplorable state of the bridge to lack of proper maintenance.

Our correspondent could not ascertain when last a routine maintenance of the bridge was carried out.

Under the Apongbon end of the bridge, traders have taken over with vegetable sellers competing for space with those who deal in clothes, shoes, wines and other household items.

It was gathered that high cost of rent at Ebute Ero and Balogun markets was responsible for their stay under the bridge, where they pay lower rates for space.

The Eko Bridge, also called the Second Mainland Bridge, is an important link between Lagos Island and the mainland areas, including Anthony and Ikeja.

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Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AMCON takes over Aero Airlines OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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he nation’s aviation sector was thrown into confusion yesterday as news emerged of the takeover of Aero and IRS Airlines by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, over their inability to settle huge debts.

Industry sources also confided in our correspondent yesterday that plans were underway to take over another major carrier in a matter of weeks.

Information gathered by our correspondent indicated that the takeover of the airlines might not be unconnected with the Federal Government's plan to float another national carrier in the last quarter of this year.

Our correspondent gathered that AMCON had appointed a chairman and chief executive officer for Aero Airlines.

One of the senior pilots in the airline confirmed the takeover of the running of the airline by AMCON. The pilot, who did not want his name mentioned, said that the workers were already aware of the development before the eventual takeover.

Aero was indebted to the bank by about $200 mil-

lion (N31 billion) before the loans were taken over

by AMCON in September 2012.

Aero’s media consultant, Mr. Simon Tumba, could not however confirm the development when our correspondent called him on the issue.

He simply said: "I've not been briefed of that development by the management of Aero. So, I'm not aware of anything of such."

Also, a call to the erstwhile managing director of the airline, Mr. Obaro Ibru, was not responded to.

Sources close to AMCON, however, disclosed yesterday that the new leadership had actually been appointed about two months ago after AMCON converted the loan to equity and an agreement was reached that AMCON would appoint the chairman and finance director, while the Ibru family, who owns Aero, would appoint the CEO. The arrangement, it was learnt, was to enable Aero continue to access working capital to fund it operations while paying the debt.

“AMCON owns 60 per cent of Aero and it is natural that we should be in the driver’s seat. We have put in competent managers to run the airline to ensure that

it clears its debt and runs profitably eventually,” the source said.

However, AMCON’s Managing Director, Mr. Mustapha Chike Obi, confirmed the takeover of Aero Airline on the phone with our correspondent. He said that the takeover took place over one month ago.

But a director in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, who did not want his name mentioned, said that the agency was yet to receive any documents concerning the takeover.

He explained that the agency too had heard several rumours of the takeover of the airline, but noted that NCAA did not deal with rumours, but documentations.

The director, however,

insisted that before the takeover could take place, the new receiver (AMCON) would have to inform the agency through letters, which he said the agency was yet to receive.

He said: "We are an agency that deals with documentations. We don't act on rumour. If there is a takeover, the new owner would have to write to us and we would now look at their documents."

Aero is the oldest airlines in Nigeria as it was established in 1959. It has a fleet size of 16 aircraft and flies to 14 destinations in the country and the West African region.

IRS was founded in 2002

by Alhaji Rabiu Isiaku Rabiu. Our correspondent gathered that the

airline too had been taken over by AMCON due to its several debts.

The airline as at July owed workers over six months of unpaid salaries while its fleet, which had risen to six were depleting one after the other.

Also, its Managing Director, Mr. Yemi Dada, did not respond to calls made to his phone as at the time of filing this report.

However AMCON sources said that the airline’s management had not been taken over and that the loan owed by IRS was being restructured.

“We have not taken over the airline, we took over the loans owed banks and we are discussing with the owners on how to restructure the loans,”

he said.

He did not, however, rule out a similar arrangement with Aero where the loans could be converted to equity.

Some industry stakeholders are speculating that the takeover of the two airlines and another major carrier, which could happen in the next few weeks, may not be unconnected with the plan to set up of a national carrier for Nigeria, Nigeria One, by the Federal Government.

Before now, there were rumours that the government might merge all domestic airlines to pave way for the Nigeria One Airline, which is billed to commence operations next month.

Lawyers, health experts differ on child marriage CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

noted that sex with anyone post-pubertal was not pedophilia because “pedophilia is defined as a person who has a sustained sexual orientation toward pre-pubertal children”.

They said that 70 per cent of marriages in Mali were to women below the age of 18 and “Mali does not have Nigeria's peculiar VVF explosive crises”.

AbdulRaheem specifically urged the lawmakers to redirect their energy towards improving the wellbeing of the masses.

However, another lawyer versed in Islamic jurisprudence, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, said there was nothing in Islam that supported child marriage.

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said: “The reso-

lution of the Senate was unacceptable to the leadership of the Christian body.

“CAN rejects this resolution of the Senate and calls on the upper chamber to be more reasonable by revisiting the issue, while it calls on Nigerians of good conscience to resist this provocative resolution before our female children are dehumanised.

“By the grace of God, I will personally mobilise Nigerians and lead a street protest against this oppressive and dehumanising resolution.

“Why would the Senate, after voting, recoil simply because a point of order premised on religious basis was raised? We, Christians also have Canon Law which frowns on marriage of girls who are not of age. Christianity abhors such marriages.”

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (left) and Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Fabian Osuji, displaying yams during the Iriji Mbaise 2013 Yam Festival at Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, at the weekend.

Army assumes control in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the routine guidance of the DHQ. “The command of the ongoing internal security operations in the NorthEast will today enter a new phase as the control of the mission reverts to the Army Headquarters.

“Accordingly, a new Army division has been created and will take off to continue the counterinsurgency operations with immediate effect,” Brig.-Gen.Chris Olukolade, the DHQ spokesman said.

He explained that the development was in line with the "plans laid out for the conduct of the

operations to execute the mandate spelt out in the state of emergency declaration by the President and Commander-inChief."

National Mirror recalls that the phase being concluded today was executed by a JTF composed of troops drawn from the Armed Forces and other security agencies who conducted Operation BOYONA. “Code-named Operation BOYONA, an acronym derived from the names of the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa covered by the state of emergency declaration, the effort was

meant to constitute the first phase of the counter-terrorists operation," he added.

He said a General Officer Commanding, GOC, in the rank of Major General is being proposed to command the new division which will have its headquarters in Maiduguri.

“He is due to take over command and the assets of the headquarters of the Joint Task Force. The new division is to continue with the conduct of counter-terrorists operations in the North-East which comes under its area of responsibility,” Olukolade added.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, has commended the Chief of Army Staff for siting a permanent military unit in Mubi, Adamawa State.

Badeh made the commendation at the weekend at the celebration of life and thanksgiving service of his late mother, Mama Hanatu Satama Badeh, in Vimtim Village, Mubi North Local Government Area.

He said the presence of soldiers in Mubi and environs had played a key role in restoring and sustaining peace and normalcy in the border area.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, August 19, 2013

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News

OBIORA IFOH AND AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST

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he battle for the control of North’s political leadership is already heating up with the registration of the People Democratic Movement (PDM) and the plot by some politicians to unite for the purpose.

A faction of the defunct Congress for the Progressive Change (CPC) led by its protem chairman, Senator Rufai Hanga, has said that the party, with its teaming supporters, would merge with the newly formed PDM. It is also expected that majority of the aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, who could not find APC as an alternative, would defect to the PDM. It was also learnt that two governors from the North have agreed to join the PDM. The protem National Publicity Secretary of CPC, Chief Denis Aghanya, said with the registration of PDM, the Senator Hanga-led CPC, which is not part of the APC, may merge with PDM. Aghanya said: “Although discussions have been on between the two groups for the past months through

Monday, August 19, 2013

Battle for the North: Anti-Buhari CPC to merge with PDM

•Ex-Head of State, Shekarau resolve differences our leaders, Senator Hanga, Senator Maman Dan Musa and caucus of our Northern leaders over the possibility of a merger between the two vibrant political groups in the North. It was agreed that efforts should first be concentrated to ensure the registration of PDM by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Now that the new party has been registered, pressure has intensified from members of the two parties on the need to urgently merge and began the process of building a new strong political party that would fill in the gap created with the absence of the CPC and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the North and the country at large.”

Investigation by e National Mirror revealed that the leader of the PDM and former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar, has intensified efforts to reach out to all political allies.

Few months ago, PDM leaders met in Abuja to strategise on their political future.

Meanwhile, former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, have

Nigeria’s telecoms sector exudes growth potential –Report KUNLE AZEEZ

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new report released by a leading Information and Communication Technology research firm, Pyramid Research, says massive growth and opportunity exists in the Nigeria’s telecoms sector, presenting an opportunity to attract increasing foreign direct investment.

According to the study, which takes a five-year look at the country’s telecommunications sector returns all positive, saying that the fast pace of growth and large population exceeding 170.1 million will continue to make Nigeria one of the most attractive markets in Africa and the Middle East.

It noted that demand profile in the country both for voice and data service is high and by far, the largest in Africa; even as it disclosed that the industry generated $9.3 billion revenue in 2012.

Pyramid Research identifies sound regulatory

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

regime engendered by the Nigerian Communications Commission, the industry regulator, as a key factor engendering and sustaining the growth potential.

According to the study, regulatory architecture is creating more level playing field with the regulator placing emphasis on quality of service by fining operators that fail to meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

It noted that after consultations with operators and stakeholders, the regulator also implemented a progressive lowering of interconnect rates while highlighting the significance of the introduction of mobile number portability.

The competitive landscape in the industry is putting pressure on operators to roll out new infrastructure to improve coverage and quality.

According to the report, main opportunities exist in network expansion, improved quality of service and infrastructure development.

reconciled their differences.

The two APC chieftains clashed in 2007 following irreconcilable political issues.

It was learnt at the weekend in Kano that the two personalities met in Kaduna last week at the instance of former Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Sani Zangon Daura, who brokered the peace meeting.

A political ally of Gen. Buhari, who would not want his name in print, said

the meeting was held in the former minister’s Kaduna home to resolve the silent dispute between the two.

Gen. Buhari and Mallam Shekarau, who were both presidential candidates of the defunct ANPP at different times, parted ways shortly before the 2007 general elections.

The feud manifested at the Abuja secretariat of the ANPP when Buhari allegedly opposed Shekarau’s second term governorship ambition.

It will be recalled that the climax of the face-off was the alleged refusal by Buhari to hand over the 2007 Kano State governorship flag to Shekarau as expected.

It took the intervention of ANPP youths from Kano who accompanied Shekarau to the Abuja secretariat of the party for him to get the governorship flag.

However, the move to reconcile the two chieftains was said to have been informed by Shekarau’s

speculated ambition to contest the 2015 presidential election. Buhari is equally believed to be interested in contesting the election.

The reconciliatory meeting, according to sources, was able to resolve the contending issues between the two leaders as they both agreed to work together in the interest of the new party.

As at the time of filing this report, none of the two APC chieftains could be reached for comment.

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Tunji Shelle; Acting National Secretary, Dr. Remi Akitoye; Governor Babatunde Fashola; state secretary, Hon. Wahab Owokoniran and deputy state chairman, Chief Ola Apena, during the condolence visit to the governor over the death of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola, in Lagos, yesterday.

TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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fter recording its lowest rate of 8.4 per cent in five year last June, the nation’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation rate, rose by 8.7 per cent in July.

This was 0.3 per cent higher than the 8.4 per cent rate recorded in June.

According to the CPI Report released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), while changes in the headline index have remained in single digits for the seventh consecutive month, prices edged higher as a result of increases in all

Inflation rose to 8.7% in July

12 Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP) divisions.

The agency reported that the increases were also exhibited in both the food and core sub-indices, adding that the core sub-index recorded its largest month-on-month change since the 1.4 per cent change recorded in January due to changes across nonfood sub COICOP divisions.

Noting that the food prices as exhibited by the Food Subindex continued to edge higher in July, the report also stated that while market began to observe a trickle in of newly harvested crops, their quanti-

ties had not been substantial enough to impact prices.

On a monthly basis, the statistical agency reported that prices rose in July from levels recorded in June albeit at a slightly lower rate.

According to the Bureau, in July, the Headline index increased by 0.54 per cent, marginally lower than the 0.59 per cent recorded in June while the Urban composite CPI was recorded at 146.3 points in July, an 8.8 per cent increase compared with levels recorded in July 2012 and also 0.4 percentage points higher than the 8.4 per cent recorded in June 2013.

Similarly, the corresponding Rural National CPI recorded an 8.6 per cent yearon-year change, also higher from the 8.3 per cent recorded in June by 0.3 percentage points.

The Bureau stated that on a month-on-month basis, both the Urban and Rural Allitem indices increased, albeit at slightly lower rates compared to rates recorded in June, adding that the Urban All-items index increased by 0.6 per cent (compared to the 0.7 per cent recorded in June), while the Rural All Items index increased by 0.5 per cent, marginally lower than the 0.54 per cent recorded in June.

Ambassadors and High Commissioners paid her a visit at the State House in Abuja.

Mrs. Jonathan used the occasion to underscore her commitment to the welfare of Nigerian women.

In a statement signed by her Director of Information, Mrs A.O. Adesugba, she urged them to unite, work together and support one another for their advancement.

Mrs. Jonathan, however,

announced that the funeral of her mother, Mrs. Charity Oba, popularly called Mama Sisi, would hold from October 31 to November 1, 2013.

She recalled that the death of her mother had created a vacuum and had made her to realise how important mothers are.

Mrs. Jonathan described her mother as a calm, quiet, kind and hard working person who showered affection on her and especially on her

grand-children as well as on those around her.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (UN), Prof. Joy Ogwu, said that the visit was meant, first, to sympathise with the First Lady over the loss of her mother.

She added that the visit was also meant to thank the First Lady for championing the empowerment of Nigerian women.

Jonathan’s wife seeks legal backing for Affirmative Action ISE-OLUWA IGE

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irst Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday appealed to the National Assembly to enact a law compelling 35 per cent appointment of women into elective and appointive positions in the three tiers of government.

The First Lady made the plea when female Nigerian

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Monday, August 19, 2013

Investigations on Dana Air crash not yet concluded –AIB OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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he Accidents Investigation Bureau, AIB, has thrown more lights on why the agency is yet to conclude investigations into the June 3, 2012, Dana Air crash at the Ishaga area of Lagos, 14 months after the ill-fated accident occurred.

The crash claimed 163 lives onboard and on ground while several properties worth millions of naira were also destroyed on ground. In one of the houses destroyed, the occupants including a couple died, rendering their three young children orphans.

AIB Commissioner, Capt. Muhtar Usman, in an exclusive interview with National Mirror over the

weekend, said that the commission was still carrying out tests and analyses on the wreckage of the aircraft parts abroad.

He also disclosed that the agency had not closed investigation on the crash, assuring that it would soon come out with the probable cause of the accident very soon.

Usman in the interview with our correspondent, identified the lack of aircraft manufacturer in the country or the continent as one of the major stumbling blocks against the quick completion of investigations on the probable cause of air crashes, saying that an effective flight laboratory equipment in the country would reduce the amount of time spent on conducting investigation in

case of a crash.

He said: “Our target is to finish as soon as possible.

I talked of funding earlier, but there are other things that are dependent, may be not directly on funding; we don’t have all the facilities available to us and no country in the world has, except may be a very few.

For instance, we don’t have aircraft manufacturers here; there are things that sometimes you have to go back to the manufacturers to do.

“Also, we are still expecting a lot of tests and analyses, which is dependent on either laboratories or other agencies we don’t have control over. That was why I said the first step is to have the laboratory.

“The laboratory only does the recordings, if it

comes to engine analysis and so on, we don’t have the facilities, but no country can say it has everything.

In a country like the United States, where we have manufacturers, if issues like that come up, they use the manufactures and they get whatever they want done.

“That is why I cannot tell you the particular time the final report would come out. Of course, as part of the protocol, we will have to get what we call draft final report.

“When you get that draft final report, you will send the draft final report to all the participants and you have to give them minimum of 60 days to look at the report, make their comments, in which if it makes sense to you, you will accept and incorporate it.”

9

Winners of SAGE World Cup get N.5m cash OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

ABUJA

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mall and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, has rewarded winners of the 2013 Students for Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship, SAGE, World Cup with N500, 000.

Director-General of SMEDAN, Alhaji Bature Masari, presented the gift to students of Junior Secondary School, JSS, Jikwoyi, Abuja and International School, University of Calabar, ISUC, Calabar, who won the cup.

Nigeria, represented

by JSS, Jikwoyi and UCIS, Calabar won the prestigious SAGE World Cup 2013 competition which featured competitors from eight other countries like the USA, Russia, China, Singapore, Canada South Africa, Great Britain and Ghana.

The SAGE World Cup is an international entrepreneurship competition where teenage entrepreneurs from around the world showcase their innovative business and community service projects to a panel of judges.

The competition has two major categories which include Socially-Responsible Business, SRB, and Social Enterprise Business, SEB.

Nigeria, represented by the Junior Secondary School Jikwoyi, Abuja took the lead in the SEB category while China came second as South Africa came third and Ghana took the fourth position.

Masari said the award was to serve as a catalyst to other students and youths in general in the promotion and the development of entrepreneurship in the country.

He said: “Nigeria is experiencing a serious problem in terms of unemployment; it is only by encouraging entrepreneurship that we can tackle the challenge to the creation of wealth and jobs.

“What we are introducing will be sustained and whoever that goes to the SAGE and win first or second will be encouraged by this kind of cash award.”

The SMEDAN boss therefore presented the sum of 300, 000 to JSS Jikwoyi for taking the lead in the SEB category while N200, 000 was presented to UCIS for coming second in the SRB category.

The Africa Coordinator of SAGE, Mr. Agwu Amogu, commended SMEDAN for its support for the students and said the money would be used to promote the development of entrepreneurship in their schools.

DAME extends closing date for 2013 edition LEONARD OKACHIE

L-R: Industrialist, Oba Otudeko; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; daughter-in-law of the deceased, Mrs. NIke Adeeyo; wife of the governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun and son of the deceased, Mr. Sola Adeeyo, during the final burial ceremony of Pa Sule Ajasa Adeeyo, in Ibadan, recently.

ASUU strike: Ezekwesili, Okebukola, others to intervene MOJEED ALABI

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s the meeting between the representatives of the Presidential Universities Needs Assessment Committee and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, over the lingering industrial action continues today, indications emerged at the weekend that there were moves by some former Ministers of Education, their counterparts from the National Universities Commission, and other

stakeholders to wade in.

Troubled by the dimension the crisis has taken, the stakeholders, National Mirror gathered, believed that ASUU has become more adamant “because over the years, the Federal Government has not lived up to expectation, and so there are strong doubts of its ability to do so in the future.”

The stakeholders, National Mirror learnt, include those who served in the education sector during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo such as Mrs.

Obiageli Ezekwesili, Prof.

Chinwe Obaji and the former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Peter Okebukola, among others.

It will be recalled that the last meeting between the two parties which held last Wednesday was deadlocked, especially over payment of Academic Earned Allowances.

However, the Benue State Governor and leader of the Federal Government’s negotiation team, Gabriel Suswam, told journalists after the Wednes-

day meeting that the deliberation with the leadership of ASUU was fruitful and that the meeting would continue today.

He noted that with the progress made so far, “It is hoped that conclusions would be reached next week for ASUU to call off the strike.”

According to him, the Finance Minister, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Director of the Budget Office had been co-opted, adding that the discussion was basically on academic earned allowances which had been more protracted.

T

he Diamond Awards for Media Excellence, DAME, has extended entries for its 22nd edition of the awards to August 29, 2013.The initial closing date for submission was August 14, 2013.

A statement from the DAME secretariat said the two-week extension is to allow for wider participation and cover lost grounds occasioned by the recent public holidays.

DAME had on July 9, invited entries in 30 categories in the broad disciplines of Print Journalism, Broadcasting and Advertising.

The DAME trustee and CEO of Diamond Publications Limited, Mr. Lanre Idowu, had at a press briefing in Lagos, said by inviting entries in 17 print jour-

nalism categories, seven in advertising and six in broadcasting, DAME is consolidating the success of the previous years.

The categories include: Action Photography, Agriculture Reporting, Child-Friendly Journalist, Child-Friendly Media, Development Reporting, Editorial Cartooning, Editorial Writing, Health Reporting, Informed Commentary, Insurance Reporting, Judicial Reporting and Political Reporting.

Others are: Press Advert of the Year-Services, Press Advert of the Year-Consumer Goods, Radio Commercial of the Year-Services, Radio Commercial of the Year-Consumer Goods, Television Commercial of the Year-Services, Radio Reporter of the Year, Radio Presenter of the Year, Radio Drama of the Year, and TV Reporter of the Year.

10

South West

Accord Party accuses Ajimobi of threatening Ladoja’s life KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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he Oyo State chapter of the Accord Party (AP) yesterday alleged threat to the life of its leader, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

The party, in a statement made available to journalists by its spokesman, Mr. Lanre Latinwo, accused the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of threatening Ladoja’s life.

According to Latinwo, Ajimobi threatened Ladoja’s life last Sunday when he said if the “former governor is removed, there will be no more Accord Party in Oyo State.”

He said Ajimobi made the threat during an interview aired by a private television station in Lagos.

Latinwo, however, called for a thorough investigation into the statement.

He said: “The governor, who spoke to journalists after the newly registered All Progressives Congress (APC) rally at Mapo, said that there is no other party

in the state. He said there is no Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State and that if Ladoja is removed, there would be no party called Accord.

“Accord Party is worried because there may be sinister moves aimed at attacking its members. We, therefore, call on higher authorities to prevail on the governor to explain what he meant by his words.

“Ajimobi should be asked why he is interested in removing Ladoja from the Accord Party? I hope the governor is aware that Ladoja is not somebody that could be pushed around neither could his conscience be bought over through pot of porridge.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, August 19, 2013

Lagos stops tuberculosis infected beef from circulation MURITALA AYINLA

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he Lagos State Government at the weekend averted what could have caused a major epidemic.

The government intercepted tonnes of suspected contagious beef from illegal slaughter slabs across the state.

Some disease-stricken cattle were alleged to have been smuggled into country through the nation’s porous borders from over 17 countries.

If the beef gotten from the cattle were allowed to

circulate, residents who consumed them might have been infected with deadly diseases.

The beef were, therefore, intercepted at illegal slaughter slabs across the state.

The state government, however, warned residents to desist from patronising unapproved slaughter slab to avoid buying infected beef for consumption.

Addressing journalists on the development, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Co-operatives, Nuraini Funso, urged the members of the public to be cautious

of the beef they buy.

He said: “The cattle are infected with tuberculosis. They are smuggled out of the market to illegal slaughter slab for secret sale to unsuspecting public. They are the condemned animals from the market. Our borders are porous, if you go to the Agege cattle market, animals are being supplied from over 17 African countries. Our borders are porous, most of the animals come into the countries through our northern borders and their point of call is Lagos.

“We have major abattoir

CIBN president tasks FG on power sector transformation ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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resident of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Segun Aina,

has urged the Federal Government to be resolute in its resolve to transform the power sector.

Aina said the frequent power irregularity had battered the growth of the

country’s economy.

The CIBN President spoke at a lecture entitled: “Roles of financial institutions in the promotion of small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria”

organised at the weekend in Osogbo by the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

He said: “If the power sector is transformed, it

at Agege and other 20 legal slaughter slabs across the state. The infected meat were discovered at Ajegunle, Ajelogo Alapere .

Lagos market keeps evolving and over 3,000 animals are being slaughtered everyday, so it is difficult to nab them. We have just provided 200 refrigerated vehicles in addition to about 20 already provided just to ensure wholesome meat get to the consumers.

“If a family buys this infected meat and consume it, the entire family will be infected with diseases.

Even it is not safe for those slaughtering them, it endangers public health. At all the legal slabs, we have the professionals who screen and inspect animal slaughtered to ensure they are safe for consumption.” will enhance rapid development of the nation’s economy.

“Problems associated with power supply had sent some investors away from the country; a situation which has negative effects on the nation’s economy.”

VACANCY!!!

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Regional Director Location: ABUJA Specific job responsibilities • Coordinate market penetration and business development of the publications in the Group • Supervise the day-to-day running of the press in Abuja • Run the Abuja and Northern Zones as profit centres for the Group, using the timeless principles of loyalty • Carry out any other assignment as may be required by management Requirements • A minimum of first degree in Business or Social Sciences; or related fields • Professional qualifications and/or Master’s degree (including recognised MBAs) will be an added advantage, but not compulsory.

• Not less than 10 years of practice as a professional in entrepreneural or marketing field • High level of marketing skills and must have useful contacts in both public and private sectors • Must have strong analytical skills and ability to think outside the box • Ability to demonstrate high ethical standard is very essential Renumeration and other benefits are attractive Send CV to: The advertiser NICON Insurance House (Second Floor) Central Business District Abuja

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The Advertiser Energy House 155/159 Broad Street, Marina, Lagos

‘Regional Director, Abuja’ must be indicated on the envelope CVs and application must be received not later than 2 weeks from the date of this publication

Only shortlisted candidate will be contacted

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ADENRELE NIYI AND ADEOLU ADEYEMO

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he Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II, has said that among other transformations he is certain would happen during his reign is the creation of Oodua Republic.

Oba Olanipekun, the traditional custodian of Osogbo heritage, made this declaration yesterday at the Ataoja palace in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The monarch, speaking in an interview with National Mirror in the ongoing Osun Osogbo Festival, delved into transformations that had occurred in the capital city

South West

Monday, August 19, 2013

Oodua Republic will happen in my time –Ataoja •Osogbo royal family forum asks monarch to vacate stool

since his ascension to the throne in 2010.

Explaining, Oba Olanipekun said at various conferences of Yoruba Obas, the subject of the Yoruba people merging to form a republic had been discussed extensively with positive conclusions.

According to him; “Nigeria would be celebrating its 100th year of amalgamation soon, we also believe it is a good time to take stock and examine how each of us have fared in the foregoing years.

He added: “Since independence, Olusegun Obasanjo is the only president of Yo-

ruba extraction that has had a successful reign. The era of monkey working and baboon eating the monkey’s labour is over. I believe in my reign as king, the Oodua Republic will become a reality; it may be 10 or 20 years, but it will happen.”

The monarch said he hoped that when this new dispensation is comes to reality, Osogbo would once again regain the pivotal place it occupies in Yoruba history by being made the capital of the proposed republic.

Meanwhile, the crisis between Oba Olaonipekun and other royal families in the

town over the enthronement of the former deepened at the weekend as the monarch was asked to vacate the throne.

The forum of royal families, which made the request, said their forefathers and deities are angry with Oba Olaonipekun’s illegal emergence as the king.

The forum, which poised for war against the occupation of the throne by Oba Olaonipekun, said they were not in support of his administration as the traditional ruler of the town and threatened to fight him legally to a standstill.

In a statement signed by the head of Gbaemu Royal Family, Alhaji Nasiru Oyeniyi; the head of OluawoOba royal family, Pa Claudius Fayoyiwa; the head of Matanmi royal family, Alhaji Asiru Oyewole; the head of Lahami royal family, Pa Salami Mogaji; head of Aderohunmun royal family, Pa Liasu Olateju and head of Olude, Pa Samotu Olaboye on behalf of Lajomo ruling house of Osogbo, further cautioned the embattled monarch to stop deceiving people that he

ABIODUN NEJO

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L-R: Former President/Chairman, Nigeria Prays, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, during the visit of Gowon and his Nigeria Pray’s team to the governor in Osogbo, yesterday.

Telephony: Glo leads Airtel with 3.5m active lines

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igeria’s indigenous telecoms operator, Globacom, has widened the active subscriber base margin between it and Airtel Nigeria with 3.5 million active telephone lines at the end of second quarter, making Globacom the second largest GSM company.

According to the latest official industry data released by the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, Globacom floored Airtel in subscriber base growth at the end of the second quarter with a margin of 3.5 million telephone lines.

The data obtained by National Mirror showed that at the end of March, 2013, MTN maintained its position as the undisputed market leader with an active subscriber base of 51.29 million and Globacom followed with 23.8 million.

However, Airtel with 23.6 million active mobile sub-

scriptions appeared to be wrestling the second place position from Globacom while Etisalat’s active subscriber base also stood at 14.9 million.

The prospect of Airtel overtaking Globacom became dimmed at the end of the second quarter ending June as its former’s active subscriber base fell sharply from 23.6 million in March to 21.5 million at the end June, 2013.

But Globacom continued to boost its active mobile subscriptions as it increased to 25 million at the end of June, up from the 24.1 million active mobile subscriptions recorded in March.

At the end of June, 2013, MTN further pushed its active mobile subscriptions to 55.2 million while Etisalat, which recorded 14.9 million in first quarter, moved up to 15.3 million active subscriptions.

At the end of December 2012, MTN had 47.4 million active telephone subscrip-

tions on its network; Glo had 24.1 million followed by Airtel with 23 million while Etisalat came forth, as a late entrant into the market, with 14.9 million.

Meanwhile, total industry’s active mobile subscriptions fell from 120.7 million at the end of May, 2013 to 120.3

million by the end of June.

Of the 20.3 million, however, GSM companies such as MTN, Glo, Airtel and Etisalat contributed 117.4 million; CDMA networks including Visafone, Starcomms, MultiLinks and the dormant Zoom Mobile control 2.5 million while fixed wired/wireless networks owned just 382, 678 telephone lines.

enjoys supports of Osogbo royal families.

Other royal families involved in the statement were Matanmi, Lahanmi as well as Olude and Aderohunmu royal families that form the Lajomo ruling house.

They disowned him and charged members of the public to disregard him on his claim, saying he was a product of illegality and that there was no way the forum of royal families would support illegality that would not stand the test of time.

NGF crisis: Group lauds Obasanjo’s stance on way forward ADO EKITI

KUNLE AZEEZ

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ome Yoruba youths have lauded the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, over his advice to the two principal actors in the leadership crisis rocking the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, asking them to step down in the interest of peace.

The two Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors laying claim to the chairmanship of the NGF are the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and his Plateau State counterpart, Jonah Jang.

The youth group, under the auspices of the National Coalition of Yoruba Youths, NCYY, said Obasanjo’s advice became the way out in the present circumstance where the two governors were sticking to their guns.

NCYY National President, Comrade Wale Ayeni, in a statement in Ado Ekiti, at the weekend,

also advised the NGF to revert to its traditional ways of choosing its leaders by consensus rather than subjecting itself to another round of election.

Ayeni suggested that Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, who was originally favoured to succeed Governor Amaechi should be given the opportunity to lead the forum, saying; “We believe the emergence of somebody like Governor Yuguda would douse the tension.

“He was originally favoured to succeed Amaechi before the political intrigues. And above all, Yuguda is a detribalised person, who has the charisma to lead the group,” the group said.

According to Ayeni, the NGF crisis did not only affect unity among governors in the ruling PDP, but with those in opposition party as the two groups now hold different sessions as opposed to one before the crisis.

Kudirat: Two SANs, others keep mum on Appeal Court’s verdict KENNY ODUNUKAN

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wo Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mallam Yusuf Ali and Alhaji Lekan Yusuf and two prominent Lagos-based lawyers, Festus Keyamo and Bamidele Aturu, have kept mum over the recent Court of Appeal’s verdict that discharged and acquitted former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan, of the alleged murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

The lawyers in their

separate responses to our reporter said they were yet to read the judgement of the Court of Appeal and therefore it would be unethical to comment on the verdict of the appellate court based on media reports.

Speaking exclusively to National Mirror, Ali (SAN) said; “I am yet to see the judgement, talk less of studying the reasoning of the Court of Appeal. I cannot pass any comment on such matter since I have not gone through the judgement itself.”

According to him, “I

also think it is unethical for anyone to comment on mere media reports and not studying the flow of the judgement.”

Another SAN, Lekan Yusuf, said he had no interest in the matter at all and so when judgement was given by the appellate court, he was away on vacation.

He said; “Well, if am given the copy of the judgement, I will study it and comment on it but for now I have not read the copy of the judgement. I am still on vacation.”

Keyamo on the other hand said he was outside

the country when the judgement was delivered and hitherto had not come across the judgement.

He said; “I was in London while the judgement was delivered and I cannot comment on it now.”

Mr. Aturu also aligned himself with Keyamo’s position, saying that he needed a copy of the appellate court’s judgement in order to comment on it.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State government has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge the court’s decision that set Major Al-Mustapha and Alhaji Shofolahan free.

12

South East

Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Deportation’: Group demands N500bn compensation for victims DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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group, the Enugu State Roots Initiative (ESRI), has demanded immediate N500 billion compensation to the people “deported “to the River Niger Bridge by the Lagos State Government.

Apart from the compensation, ESRI also asked the state government to pro-

vide the “deportees” with befitting accommodation and publicly apologise for denigrating their personal liberty, as well as smearing the sanctity of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The group, however, called on Ohanaeze NdiIgbo, South-East Governors Forum, South-East caucus in the National Assembly, Igbo professionals and oth-

er relevant stakeholders to condemn the alleged deportation.

The group’s national president, Mr. Joni Icheka, said at the weekend that the “deportation” negates sections 21 (1), 22 (1) and 15 (3) of the Constitution.

It also flayed the Lagos State Government for sealing off the property of former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, and

frowned at the statement credited to the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, saying such statements were capable of causing ethnic hatred and breakdown of law and order.

The group said: “We, therefore, demand an immediate payment of N500 billion compensation to these ill-treated Nigerians, whom the Lagos State

Government said were Ndi Anambra.

“Apart from paying them the compensation, the state government should also provide them with befitting accommodation and publicly apologise for denigrating their personal liberty and smearing the sanctity of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“If the Lagos State Government fails to do these things within one month, we will be left with no option than to conclude that it was done with clear negative mind-set and vendetta and we would be left with no option than to take appropriate legal action.”

Pointing out that deporting any Nigerian from one part of the country to an-

other negates the Constitution, the group described the action as ill-advised, adding that it exposed the victims to danger.

Condemning the sealup of Kalu’s property, the group said: “The deportation is even more provocative when one puts into perspective that notable Igbo personalities, like the former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu, who spoke against this despicable act in his weekly Leadership Column in the Sun Newspaper, was equally visited with this selective amnesia.

“His constitutional and rightful liberty to his property was curtailed for several hours by the goons of the Lagos State Government.”

PDP, APGA accused of plotting to destabilise Okorocha’s govt CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

C Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi (left) and European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. David MacRae, at a dinner during MacRae’s valedictory tour of Anambra on Saturday.

Anxiety as leadership crisis set to rock Imo APC CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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major crisis may soon rock the newly registered All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State as the merging parties struggle for supremacy.

The major parties that formed the APC are the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

The battle for supremacy, it was learnt, is between ACN and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led by the state governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

While the defunct ACN led by former Governor Achike Udenwa claimed that it should provide leadership of APC, the APGA faction led by Okorocha exercised authority over the new party.

The development has, therefore, become a source of worry to members of the defunct ACN who alleged that Okorocha and his fac-

tion of hijacked the APC leadership.

A source, who did not want his name mentioned, told National Mirror that members of the defunct ACN had complained to Chief Udenwa on how the governor and his faction had taken over the leadership of the new party.

The source said: “Even when there are APC functions outside the state, only the governor and his team attend.”

The source added that the governor had not been accommodating members of the defunct ACN who supported him to win his election.

The source said: “We supported the governor during the election. After he won the election, the governor has distanced himself from us.”

“Members of the defunct ACN are now complaining that all activities in APC have been hijacked by the governor and his faction of APGA, they have pushed other parties aside.

“Our fear was confirmed when neither the governor

nor any member of his faction attended the invitation extended to him by the defunct ACN executive when they hoisted APC flag last Wednesday in Owerri.

“The governor did not attend and no member of the APGA or their representatives attended the ceremony at the ACN secretariat even though an invitation was extended to the governor.”

But a Government House source, who preferred anonymity, asked why members of the defunct ACN were in a hurry to hoist the

APC flag while the governor and deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, were away on official assignments.

He said the governor travelled to the United State, while the deputy governor travelled to Lagos and later to Nassarawa State to attend APC functions when Udenwa was hoisting the APC flag.

The source, however, added that Okorocha planned to form a cabinet now that would be all embracing to accommodate members of the defunct parties that formed the APC.

hieftains of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and those of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State have been accused of plotting to destabilise the administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s.

They were of accused of inciting the people against the state government.

It was learnt that the plot to destabilise Okorocha’s administration was hatched at a meeting held in a popular hotel in Abuja.

A chieftain of APGA was alleged to have presided over the meeting.

The “plotters” were said to be angry over Okorocha’s style of governance. They also accused the governor and his deputy of responsible for the political ills that had befallen their camps.

They were also irked by

the governor’s resolve to take over the newly registered All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state.

A source, who did not want his name mentioned, also alleged that PDP planned to bring hundreds of prostitutes from neighbouring states to walk the streets of Imo State naked in protest against bad governance.

The source said the plot was not unconnected to the alleged marching order from the Presidency to PDP to “conquer” Imo State in 2015 general elections.

But the PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief Blyden Amajirionwu, described the allegation as unfounded.

Amajirionwu said: “We are not primitive. The only thing is that Okorocha has woefully failed everyone.

He plays smart but with wide open flanks. We don’t have any hand in such fabricated allegation.”

APGA primary: ‘Obi didn’t instigate Soludo’s disqualification’ CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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he Anambra State Government has described as false and misleading the allegation that Governor Peter Obi instigated the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Screening Committee to disqualify Professor Chukwuma Soludo from contesting the party’s governorship

primary.

Addressing journalists on the issue yesterday, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Chief Joe Martins Uzodike, said there was no truth in the allegation linking Obi with the disqualification of Soludo by the APGA screening committee.

He said: APGA as a political party set up a committee to screen prospective candidates with clear

guidelines and wondered why Governor Peter Obi should be blamed for a job done by a committee he was not a member.

“Do you think the governor himself is happy over the screening? How can he, when the immediate Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, whom he brought back from the United States also screened out?”

The commissioner also

denied that Soludo was screened out because of the interest of the Presidency.

He said: “There was also a rumour that Governor Obi brought Soludo into APGA to replace him. The fact is that whatever happens in Nigeria is often interpreted not according to facts, but according to the people’s fancies, without even an iota of truth in most of them.”

Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Anambra guber: APC’s acceptability test in S’East

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APC to Okupe: Tell Nigerians why your party failed OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Presidency’s image makers to tell Nigerians why the ruling party has failed to lift the country in the 14 years that it has been in the saddle, instead of peddling concocted tales about the opposition.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also

asked the Presidency to tell Nigerians why it has defied INEC rules by continuing to campaign for the 2015 elections.

“Issues, issues and issues; these are what Nigerians are interested in, not continuous muck-raking about opposition leaders like Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For example, Nigerians want to know why the country can still not feed itself after 14 years of endless promises by the PDP; Nigerians want to know why they cannot be protected

2015: Congress to discuss Igbo presidency FELIX NWANERI

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he Nigerian president of Igbo extraction project and 2015 presidential election will top this year’s World Igbo Congress, WIC, scheduled for August 29 to September 1 in Dallas, Texas, United States.

This was contained in a press statement by the WIC, jointly signed by its Chairman and Media Director, Joe Nze Eto and Dr. Acho Orabuchi respectively, and made available to National Mirror.

The group, which said the agitation is real and can be felt in the hearts of every Igbo origin in the Diaspora, advised individuals not sit in the comfort of their homes and speak for the Igbo, adding that the Dallas convention provides the forum to dialogue Igbo group interests in 2015.

The statement read in part: The following specific projects will be highlighted in Dallas: The Nigerian President of Igbo Ethnic Extraction (NPIEE). The agitation is real and can be felt in the hearts of every Igbo origin in the Diaspora. If it’s not now, when? If it’s not us, who? Where’re the equity, fairness, and justice? We’re a determined people!

“The 2015 election cycle in Nigeria is less than 24

months from now, and Dallas is the most ideal time frame and forum for any responsible Igbo wide group with capacity to discuss Igbo interests in that national election.

“Those Igbo individuals whose public position is that Igbo is not ready for Igbo presidency of Nigeria in 2015 have also unfortunately not publicly advised when they think Igbo will be ready to produce a Nigeria president. Diaspora Igbo position is that individuals should not sit at the comfort of their homes and speak for the Igbo.

“The Dallas convention venue provides the forum to dialogue Igbo group interests in 2015. Money alone may no longer be the sole criterion to decide candidates and political alignments for the Igbo.

It is really the South-East’s turn to produce a president for Nigeria.

“The other ethnic groups will not give it to the Igbo on a ‘platter of gold.’ We must work for it, and the time is now; further procrastination will only energize the overzealous opponents determined to stop the Igbo from access to leadership positions in Nigeria. There is no question of the 2015 presidential elections being discussed in Dallas. It is on the agenda with promising actionable resolutions.”

by their government when the security of lives and property is the raison d’être of any government.

“Nigerians want to know why over 40 million youths cannot get a job under a government that gleefully touts a six per cent GDP growth; Nigerians want to know how 400,000 barrels of oil are being stolen daily and who the thieves are’ Nigerians want to know why the country is more divided than ever under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan, and why corruption has become a bigger monster in the years under the PDP. “The 2015 elections will

be fought on the platform of issues, not meaningless attacks on personalities and attention-diverting tales like how Gen. Buhari wants to stage a comeback or how Asiwaju Tinubu wants to expand his imaginary empire,’’ it said.

APC said the reason its leaders have put national interests above personal considerations is to rescue Nigeria from the clutches of the PDP and a mediocre presidency, both of which have failed the citizenry and dimmed their hopes, not because of power-for-power sake, which is the mantra of

the do-nothing PDP. “Our eight cardinal programmes, which we shall be articulating in the days ahead, represent a summary of how we intend to rescue the longsuffering citizens and rescue our nation. These are War Against Corruption, Food security, Accelerated Power Supply, Integrated Transport Network, Free Education, Devolution of Power, Accelerated Economic Growth and Affordable Health Care.

“Our Guiding Philosophy will derive its impetus from these seven principles: Belief in, and the fear

of God; Upholding the rule of law; Preserving national unity; Pursuit of a just and egalitarian society; Building of strong institutions; Commitment to social justice and economic progress; and Promoting representative and functional participatory democracy.

“These are the issues we will be enunciating in the days ahead as we steer the politics of our nation away from jejune matters that are at the core of the PDP misrule to serious issues of relevance that will benefit our people under an APC federal government,’’ the party said.

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (left) receiving a birthday card from the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto on the occasion of his 72nd birthday at his hilltop residence in Minna at the weekend.

AfDB report: Truth always bitter, says CNPP OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

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he Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, has expressed regret over what it called the “miserable response” of the Goodluck Jonathan administration to the report of the African Development Bank, AfDB, on Nigeria, declaring that the truth is indeed bitter.

The report, contained in the 2013 African Economic Outlook, according to the CNPP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, was AfDB’s response to President Jonathan’s call during his democracy day address that “a

number of comments about the performance of this administration are based on the heartbeat of the people. Those who want to write and assess should prepare their marking scheme and compare with previous government.”

Okechukwu averred that the AfDB in its candid report, descended heavily on the false growth report as contained in the Mid-Term Report of the Jonathan administration by saying that “Nigeria’s prospect of halving poverty by 2015 seems weak. The proportion of people living below the national poverty line has worsened from 65.5 per cent in 1996 to 69.0 per cent in 2010.

Poverty is higher in rural

area at 73.2 per cent than in urban area at 61.8 per cent.”

The report further stated that “malnutrition is widespread. Rural areas and disadvantaged groups are particularly vulnerable to chronic food shortage and unbalanced nutrition.

Forty percent of Nigerian children are stunted, nine percent wasted or thin and 23 per cent underweight.”

Saying that regrettably, the Jonathan administration in response dismissed the report as devoid of truth and political, containing bogus claim and disingenuous innuendos, and that the figures used had been overtaken by events by the various intervention of the Jonathan

regime and Nigeria is doing better than any other country of its size in the continent, the CNPP said that it was at a loss to locate the political card the AfDB, a regional multilateral development bank, engaged in promoting the economic and social progress of its members, is playing with Nigeria, one of its major shareholders.

The CNPP asked: “Which country is the government referring to in Africa, in terms of our favourable median age of population, mineral and human materials endowment? Or are we no more interested in graduating into the ranks of the first 20 developed economies in 2020?”

14

Politics

Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Anambra guber: APC’s acceptability test in S’East The forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State is expected to be a popularity test for the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, as the race for the soul of the South-East zone hots up ahead of the 2015 general elections, writes FELIX NWANERI.

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he people of the South-East geopolitical zone are in for interesting times, as the country’s leading political parties’ perfect strategies on how to consolidate on already gained grounds or expand frontiers in the five states that make up the area ahead of the 2015 general elections through massive mobilisation for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

Ordinarily, the scheming, especially, the one by the newly registered All Progressives Congress, APC, would not have been considerable if not for the leadership crisis that have fragmented the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which controls the zone with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. While both parties have remained dominant in the South-East over the years with two states - Anambra and Imo (before Governor Rochas Okorocha’s defection to the APC) for APGA and the remaining three states - Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi for the PDP, the APC has vowed to wrest power from them in the five states of the zone in 2015.

Okorocha, who spoke on the party’s behalf recently, said the APC will provide a formidable platform that will enthrone good governance at all levels in the country in 2015, the South-East inclusive. He hinged his optimism on what he described as “the marginalisation of Ndigbo by the PDP.” A former member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and chieftain of the party in the state, Hon. Patrick Mgbebu, who made similar boast, said the APC will liberate the people of the zone from the misrule and act of impunity perpetrated by the PDP. He said: “APC has come to provide the South-East with a credible alternative and the rejection of PDP would be a sentence of death to expired politicians who do not wish the young to grow. We shall mobilise the people against the evil of recycling tired bones in executive positions.”

While many have argued that the APC’s ambition to over-run the South-East is a tall dream, some followers of the zone’s politics, however insist that it is achievable. They hinged their belief on the in-road made into the zone by one of the merging parties in the APC - the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN (now defunct) in the 2011 elections, especially Anambra State where it won a senatorial seat through a former governor of the state, Dr. Chris Ngige, as well as some House of Representatives and state Assembly seats.

To these pundits, if the then ACN, seen by the people of the zone as a South-West party could put up a strong showing in the South-East in the last elections, the APC, which has a faction of APGA, led by Okorocha, stands a better chance to make more incursion into Igbo land in 2015.

Okorocha

Ngige

But, how the opposition’s “broom revolution” which has swept up to Edo State from the South-West zone, will extend across the Niger in the next general elections will however be determined by the party’s performance in the Anambra governorship election.

Already, there are indications that the poll will, like those of the past, prove a tough battle as a galaxy of political bigwigs in the state including Senators Ngige, Andy Uba, Annie Okonkwo, Emmanuel Anosike, Alphonsus Igbeke; Hon. Nicholas Ukachukwu; former Minister of State Transport, Prince John Emeka; former Minister of Women Affairs, Chief Josephine Anenih and businessmen, Obinna Uzor and Ifeanyi Ubah, among several others are jostling to take over from the incumbent, Mr. Peter Obi. Ngige is likely to fly the flag of the APC, while Uba, a former presidential aide and senator representing Anambra South may pick that of the PDP. The Labour Party’s ticket appears settled, as oil magnate, Ifeanyi Uba, is the only contender. Who runs on APGA’s platform is still unclear, following the disqualification of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and the insistence of the people of Anambra North senatorial district to produce the party’s candidate.

Should Ngige pick the APC’s ticket ahead of Okonkwo, the party will cash on his brand of politics which helped redefined Anambra politics and liberate the state from the enslavement of political godfathers between 2003 and 2006, when he held sway.

The feat, notwithstanding, it would not be an easy ride for Ngige or whoever will fly the APC’s flag, given massive mobilisations by some Igbo groups against the party, not only in Anambra State but the South-East in general.

One of such groups - Ohanaeze Youth Council, has vowed to stop the APC in the governorship poll and in 2015 in the South-East. Rising from a recent meeting in Enugu, the group advised the APC to concentrate on the North and South-West, as the South-East zone is a no go area for it.

The group’s Organising Secretary, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said Igbo youths would never be associated with a political party that had exhibited ethnic and religious

bias as the APC. According to him, the Yoruba/Hausa alliance which the new party epitomises, has never favoured Ndigbo since independence and cautioned them against embracing the party.

“APC should concentrate in the North and South-West. We will make sure that APC did not win even a councillorship seat in the South-East. The party was formed out of acrimony. We will not tolerate any gang-up in the South-East.”

The South-East PDP, which also described the APC as a party alien to the zone, predicted that it would be rejected in the zone.

The party’s National Vice Chairman (South East), Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), who stated this while reacting to the Imo State governor’s comment at the just held 2013 national convention of Imo State Congress of America in Atlanta, said that Igbo political fortunes and interests would be better served in the APC than in the PDP. Akobundu described Okorocha’s view as an affront on Ndigbo, whose kiths and kin were recently deported from Lagos, which is the stronghold of the APC. “Governor Okorocha should have first reconcile the despicable incident of the deportation of about 76 Nigerians of Igbo extraction from their country to their supposed homeland before making the verbose and unguided utterance which of course gave him and his new party away as an amalgamation of im-

postors,” he said.

Okorocha was quoted to have said that “the APC remains the best vehicle to promote the interest of our people. PDP has marginalised the South-East and has nothing to show for all its years in power. Ndigbo have not produced the president, vice president, Senate president, speaker of the House or the Chief Justice of the Federation but I am confident under APC, one or more of these positions will come to the South-East.”

Another party, which claims the SouthEast as its base - All Progressive Peoples Alliance, APPA, on its part, described the APC as unnecessary distraction to Ndigbo, saying the party is not different from the defunct ACN. Imo State chairman of the party, Macdonald Ogoke, who made the assertion, said like the ACN, the APC will soon fizzle out in the South-East. “ACN did not make any impact in the South-East while it existed,” he said, adding that no serious Igbo man will think of joining the party as it has nothing to offer him.

Some analysts, who x-rayed the issue, however opined that the Ohanaeze youths’ threat and even the claims by the PDP and APPA will make less impact, except the group and the parties are ready to back their respective positions with superior arguments on why Ndigbo should not see the APC as a credible alternative, as a majority of the people believe that the PDP-led Federal Government has not performed to the expectations of Nigerians.

To these analysts, how the groups convinces the extremely independent youths of the region to shun the APC, remains unclear, even as some chieftains of the party like Senator Okonkwo (Deputy Chairman, South), recently allayed the fear of marginalisation of the zone in the party.

Okonkwo said: “The people of the South-East have observed that the only political party where Ndigbo will have a say and ample opportunity to actualise their presidential ambition is the APC. With the signatory of the Imo State governor, APC has become a national party and every position will be shared equally.

The focus of APC is internal democracy and I am very optimistic that an Igbo man will emerge as the presidential candidate of the party in 2015.”

An aide to Okorocha, Chinwe Asugha (Senior Special Assistant on Lagos Affairs and South-West Liaison), who spoke on the issue, told National Mirror that there is the need for Ndigbo to unite under the APC and take their rightful place in the country’s polity.

She said: “Ndigbo are major players in the nation’s economy but we are suffering despite that position. Ndigbo therefore want a change. We cannot continue to be used and dumped. That is why we should embrace the APC, because it will offer us the opportunity to take our rightful position in Nigeria’s mainstream politics.”

As the political space continues to open with the registration of more parties ahead the 2015 polls, the outcome of the Anambra governorship election will play a major role in determining whether the people of South-East who have continued to cry of marginalisation despite their massive support for the PDP since 1999, will look towards the APC as an alternative.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Monday, August 19, 2013

15

The new assault on Chrislam NIGERIANS ARE USED TO CROSS-RELIGIOUS CONVERSIONS. MUSLIMS

HeartBeat

CALLISTUS

HAVE BEEN CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY AND

OKE

Callistusoke@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275 (SMS ONLY)

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his piece is sequel to my last week’s piece, Rebellion of ‘kid wives’. The adaptive concept ‘Chrislam’ as used above is a mere elucidation of the cohabitation of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. It is all about religious toleration, the healthy accommodation of the adherents of Islam and Christianity in Nigeria.

The popular imagination is that there is parity in the numerical strength of Christians and Muslims in the country. However, there have been deliberate manifestations of open intolerance by one religious sect against the other, and Nigerians know the guilty party. This is the context within which I interrogate the Miss Charity Aisha Uzoechina’s conversion saga. I am intrigued by the development because it touches on law, morality, politics, religion and cultural relativity in Nigeria.

Let me digress a little bit. My last piece dwelt on the two case studies of the 11 year old Yemeni girl, Nada Al-Ahdal and 17 year old Senior Secondary School 2 girl from

CHRISTIANS HAVE CONVERTED TO ISLAM

Niger State who fled home after forced marriage. Though both are Muslims, their cases could easily be disposed of by invoking the instrument of state power to deter their parents from taking further actions against them. This is exactly what the Niger State government has undertaken to do. Moreover, a concerned world has taken special interest on them, and so the issue has assumed a wider global dimension.

What the administration of Governor Babangida Aliyu is set to do is to use the coercive instrument of the state to compel the surrender of the parents of the agonizing SSS 2 student to the dictates of the state on the matter. If tradition should prevail, the female child has no control over her destiny, her circumstances and situation in life. But the awesome dictatorial powers of modern government have subjugated the individuals to the control of the state.

However, if you put in context the han-

dling of the Charity Aisha Uzoechina case, it becomes obvious that the Niger State government is feigning helplessness here, a development that is a product of two factors.

The first is that the lady in question at 25 years, has come off age. She is old enough to decide what she wants for herself. The popular defence of the Etsu Nupe palace is that she voluntarily asked for conversion to Islam. Not until there are counter evidences, the theory of her conversion sticks.

The second factor is the social standing of her new custodian, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; he wields intimidating religious authority in his domain. This partly explains the neutrality of the state governor until President Goodluck Jonathan waded into the matter. So far, we have seen the intricate interplay of law, politics and religion on the matter. In the end Realpolitik will force out mutually acceptable solution.

But should President Jonathan have intervened? My answer is no. There are established mechanisms for resolving such social conflicts. Definitely, it is not a matter needing moral intelligence. The case is already in court, and it should have been allowed to adjudicate on the matter, that way our institutions get strengthened. What if another similar crisis erupts in future; the President should summon the state governor and give him the same order?

Come to think of it, the scenario playing out before all of us on the matter of Aisha

has been predicted since 1992 by the late American political scientist, Francis Fukuyama. His classic, The End of History and the Last Man, draws its relevance from accurate prediction of the new sources of conflicts in the post cold war world - clash of culture and religious differences. I wonder if our leaders know of the existence of the book.

In our unipolar world religion has upstaged ideology as the most potent source of conflict. Global terrorism is a product of differential religious perceptions. We have seen this forcefully at home in Nigeria in the quest for dominance in politics by the North and South. Religion is key to such hegemonic drive. We also know that 2015 presidential election will be fought on the ethno-religious turf.

Nigerians are used to cross-religious conversions. Muslims have been converted to Christianity and Christians have converted to Islam. The strange thing happening in some parts of the North is forceful abduction and conversion of female Christians. The conversion of Charity is the latest of this saga. It is a recurring decimal in the religious life of some parts of the North.

Ask one Ishaya Kpotun Shaba of Niger State, he will tell you since December 2001 he had not set eyes on his abducted daughter, Saratu. Rev. Samuel Ayuba Shaba, the Niger State secretary of CAN recently confirmed nine cases of forceful conversion of Christian girls below the age of 14 this year alone!

Dancing naked in Estate Four Starter: My sympathy for the families of three of our colleagues who died in a ghastly motor accident at Osu, Ilesa, Osun State while returning from an NUJ assignment in Abuja penultimate Friday. I mourn the trio including my colleague at VON, the NUJ National Financial Secretary, Adolphus Okonkwo with whom I cracked jokes regularly.

He was a jolly good fellow.

H

ere, my concern is about the raging crisis between our fathers and veterans in journalism, Chief Areoye Oyebola and Aremo Olusegun Osoba. I had used in 2008 “Naked Dance in Estate 4” as the title of an article to reflect on the state of journalism in Nigeria. As a practitioner of some 25 years standing, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly side of the noble profession and I have been sufficiently enriched, and rewarded in my involvement in journalism.

But I am always pained when journalists give excuses for their failure or when they throw punches at one another over who should be where or not.

No doubt, ours is a fiercely competitive profession, tolerating no indiscretion because we cannot give excuses to our audience on why we missed a story, or why we make a wrong judgment. Even to spell a name wrongly is untenable. When in doubt, we are told in the journalism school, leave out.

Even though I had not been fully absorbed into National Concord in April 1990 (being on trial fresh from the

NYSC), I was one of the people Nsikak gave letters of commendation for bravery - daring to come to the office on the announcement of the Gideon Orkar coup. He also tutored me to get it right the first time. I also remember the very cerebral Liad Tella challenging me one day in my first month in Concord: “Warees, I’ve not been seeing you”, to which I replied, “I come to work every day”. He fired back, “I don’t want to see your face, I want to see you on the pages). I was inspired.

In the media practice, the paper, radio or TV is as good as its editor or GM. If you have a sloppy head marshalling any desk, it robs off negatively on the entire production and outfit. No matter your academic standing as a journalist, you cannot succeed without being ‘mad’, adventurous or innovative.

Therefore, when the publisher or his/ her consultant is assembling an editorial team, a lot of factors are taken into consideration. In my years in the print journalism, I had hardly seen the editor and his deputy having the same temperament or been very friendly. In fact, they were mostly competing. And it is often thought that the deputy is more professional and experienced than the principal.

The fact is most deputies are the workaholics or the men-Friday while the editor should be the visionary or the main inspirational force and face of the title - he should be more concerned with networking and expanding the market base of the paper.

I AM CONSCIOUS

THAT THERE ARE EDITOR’S BOYS

OR PUBLISHER’S

ANOINTED.

BUT THE

AVERAGE EDITOR OR PUBLISHER HARDLY GOES ABOUT SEARCHING FOR A FAVORITE I am conscious that there are editor’s boys or publisher’s anointed. But the average editor or publisher hardly goes about searching for a favorite. Your work first gets you to the public attention before the publisher or the editor picks on you. When you work yourself to be an editor’s boy or the publisher’s anointed, you are expected to guard, represent or protect the underlying success philosophy of the principal or the organization.

I was therefore, pained to the marrow when two of ‘my fathers in journalism’ decided to open old wounds in the press recently. What it immediately tells me is that the duo have scant respect for one another (pardon my judgment), nor have they been seeing eye to eye for almost 40 years! Over what?

I am talking about the so called Daily Times crisis of 1975 over which respected Chief Areoye Oyebola opened a can

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

of worms on his removal as editor which he blamed on a conspiracy between the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose and Aremo Olusegun Osoba.

I plead with our fathers to let bygone be bygone. Journalism is too noble to be subjected to avoidable controversy.

Yet, it is the most assailed. It does not deserve to be exposed to further unwarranted bashings from those who cannot appreciate our constraints.

As a Muslim who holds dearly to alqadar (destiny) of the Islamic articles of faith, whatever fate befalls us, in so far as it is not from a deliberate, avoidable fault, we must take it stoically. After all, their names are already etched in history as editing, perhaps, the largest circulating newspaper in Nigeria at some time. So, let there be an end to this naked dance in our estate.

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.

16

Editorial

Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

Rising crime in military barracks

he Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika, represented by the Commandant, Nigerian Army Signal School, MajorGeneral Donald Oji, at the recent annual seminar and retreat held by the Roman Catholic Chaplaincy of the Nigerian Army in Lagos, lamented what he termed the rising crime wave and other social vices in military barracks; and pleaded with army chaplains to assist in cleansing the system. “We all know how much a herculean task this has become in recent times because of the incessant intrusion of threats of corruption, nepotism, negative tribalism and ethnic tendencies and what is worse, the new wave of terrorism. As we battle these from without, we cannot overlook the fact that there are still traces of gross misconduct, rape, drunkenness and social dichotomy and other related crimes from within”, the army chief said.

This goes to confirm the long-held public suspicion that some military barracks have become heavens for all manner of hoodlums. A Lagosbased evening newspaper, about June 2002, reported, for example, that armed robbers had turned the Ojo Military Cantonment to their base. The bandits, the newspaper reported, normally took refuge inside the barracks after their operations.

Residents in the area interviewed

WITH THE CITED INSTANCES THERE ARE VERY STRONG INDICATIONS THAT MILITARY PERSONNEL ARE THEMSELVES COMPROMISING THE NATION’S SECURITY

THROUGH THEIR RECKLESS CONDUCT confirmed that most of the robbers operating in the area usually ran into the barracks for respite when being hunted. They often scaled the high fence to enter the barracks. The popular imagination is that police are helpless in this case because they have no authority to enter military barracks; the result is that the hoodlums always escape arrest.

A report by one of the social media outfits, Nigerian Best Forum (NBF), dated April 29, 2008, likewise quoted the chaplain of the Catholic Church, Amphibious Brigade, Calabar, identified simply as Lance Corporal Imoke, as saying that the army base had become a breeding ground for robbers and prostitutes.

He said soldiers rent accommodation meant for them and members of their families in the barracks to civilians,and that officers who habour their mistresses and other questionable characters in the bar-

racks had turned the abode into a den for hoodlums who used their accommodation as operational base to perpetrate crimes.

Blaming the situation on army officers who give out quarters to people they know little about, Imoke said: “For as little as N10,000, an officer is ready to stand as surety for a civilian he does not know from Adam, and these are the people who go out to rob... If you take the statistics of those living in Ebrutu Barracks, you will find that over 60 percent are civilians. These are ‘okada’ riders, touts, jobless people and those who have no business in the barracks...”

It will be no surprise if the situation is the same in all the military barracks in the country. Indeed, it is now clearer the reason for the panicstricken directive by the military high command last November on the mass eviction of civilians from military barracks across the country, following the terrorist attack on St. Andrew Military Protestant Church inside the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, in Jaji, near Kaduna.

Just as the COAS was complaining about the malfeasance, commercial drivers plying the Enugu-Onitsha highway also sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to him on the alleged cruelty of extortionist soldiers operating on the said express

road. According to the drivers, the soldiers were in the habit of keeping big ‘Ghana Must Go’ bags in nearby bushes close to their check points, where they hide monies extorted at gun-point from hapless motorists.

The military is traditionally a disciplined force. It should therefore, serve as an epitome of best conduct, security consciousness and eternal vigilance; and not as sanctuary for common criminals. But with the cited instances there are very strong indications that military personnel are themselves compromising the nation’s security through their reckless conduct in and outside the barracks. There are equally allegations that some unscrupulous officers grant their children access to their official uniforms and service rifles without caring to monitor the uses they are converted to. The nation cannot afford to allow its military institutions sink to this odious level.

By now, Ihejirika must have had enough tips on how his men are desecrating military barracks. The military authorities should take serious measures to stem the ugly tide by punishing officers found to be so greedy to the point of renting out their official apartments, and giving the right reorientation to all military officers and men. As worrisome as the development now is, the military hierarchy can still save the situation if it acts decisively and fast.

ON THIS DAY August 19, 2012 A plane crash killed 32 people in Sudan. The August 19, 2012 Sudan Antonov An-26 crash occurred near the town of Talodi. All 32 persons on board the ill-fated plane lost their lives. The aircraft was carrying a Sudanese government delegation. Among the victims were members of the Sudanese government, several ranking members of the Sudanese Armed Forces and other officials, including a television crew.

August 19, 2010 Operation Iraqi Freedom ended, with the last of United States’ brigade combat teams crossing the border to Kuwait.

The Iraq War was a two-phased armed conflict that started on March 20, 2003 with an invasion force led by the US. By August 2010, the US relaxed its combat role in Iraq, with the withdrawal of all the country’s ground forces designated for active combat operations. The last departed Iraq in the early morning of 19 August.

August 19, 1991 Soviet President, Mikhail Gorbachev, was placed under house arrest while on holiday in the town of Foros, Ukraine. The coup d’état attempt by a group of members of the Soviet Union’s government, led by Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) hardliners, was aimed at taking control of the country from President Gorbachev. The ‘coupists’ were opposed to Gorbachev’s reform programme the granting of more powers to the republics.

A2 18

Business Courage

Monday, August 19, 2013

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Cover

By Salami Semiu

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The prospect of an early completion of the privatization of the power sector is increasingly becoming dim. The Federal Government dithers in meeting the conditions precedent in the privatization agreement just as the preferred bidders for the generating and distribution companies threaten to hold back their funds until all outstanding liabilities are settled. Will the exercise coast to a save end or will it remained jinxed?

he ten preferred bidders for the Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs and the five generation companies, GENCOs are expected to pay the outstanding 75 per cent of the bid price by Wednesday, August 21, in an exercise that is meant to wrap up the privatization of the troubled power sector. However, there are strong indications that the end to the long battle to free the sector from government and its attendant inefficiency and corruption may not come soon.

Last week, the DISCOs, ten of them, sounded it loud and clear that they would not pay the outstanding balance of 75 per cent of the bid price unless and until the Federal Government settles all liabilities due to the employees of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN and fulfill all other conditions precedent in the privatization agreement.

The preferred bidders for the Discos as approved by the National Council on Privatisation,

NCP, include Kann Consortium for the Abuja Successor Company at $164 million, Vigeo Power Consortium for Benin at $129 million, West Power &Gas for Eko at $135 million, Interstate Electrics Ltd for Enugu at $126 million, Integrated Energy for Ibadan at $169 million, NEDC/ KEPCO for Ikeja at $131 million, Aura Energy Ltd for Jos at $82 million, Sahelian Power SPV Ltd for Kano at $137 million, 4Power Consortium for Port Harcourt at $124 million and Integrated Energy Distribution & marketing for Yola at $59 million.

The generation companies, Gencos, five of them are Amperion for Geregu Plant at $132 million, Mainstream for Kainji Plant at $50.76 million plus commencement fee of $237,870,000, North-South for Shiroro Plant at $23.60 million plus commencement fee of $111 million, Transcorp/Woodrolck for Ughelli Plant at $300 million and CMEC/ Eurafric for Sapele Plant at $201 million.

Under the privatization Continued on pg A4

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Cover Continued from pg A2 agreement, the preferred bidders had paid 25 per cent of the share purchase price within 15 business working days after signing the Sale and Purchase Agreements, as well as payment of the outstanding 75 per cent within 90 working days after the signing.

The former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Ransome Owan, who spoke on behalf of the distribution companies during a roundtable with the Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, stressed that one of the conditions precedent for the conclusion of the privatisation was that the DISCOs would be handed over free from all legacy liabilities.

“Our lenders are mindful of this and are reluctant to approve loans and condition drawdown.

Therefore, it is vital for full payment obligations to the current PHCN employees be finalised by the long stop date of 21 August, 2013. Lenders expect evidence of these payments before we can draw down on funds to complete our payments,” he said.

Owan asked the government to conclude all labour issues and meet all conditions before August 21; release subsidy fund contained in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) model for each of the distribution companies under new owners; fund the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) adequately; issue an extended five to 10 years special tax holiday for electricity distribution akin to the telecoms start-up assistance to mitigate tariff increase and high cost; and extend the longstop date to September 21, 2013 to allow for the full satisfaction of all conditions by government.

“It is a condition precedent (CP) that the Discos would be handed over free from all legacy liabilities. Our lenders are mindful of this and are reluctant to approve loans and condition drawdown. Therefore, it is vital for full payment obligations to the current PHCN employees to be finalised by the longstop date of August 21, 2013. Lenders expect evidence of these payments before we can draw down on funds to complete our payments.

“The Transition Electricity Market (TEM) will herald the start of contractual arrangements in the power sector and the automation of billing and metering operations of the market operator in line with the market rules. Three CPs remain thus: metering of the grid interface points; testing of the market operators’ settlement systems and process, and constitution of a Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP). Without the completion of the CPs, NERC cannot advise the Minister of Power to declare the start of TEM. In essence, the industry agreements (power purchase agreements, vesting contracts, and transmission network agreements), which underpin industry revenue, would be deemed illegal and a nullity until

Owan

the minister makes the declaration. This government policy risk makes it very challenging for the capital markets inside and outside of Nigeria to support our efforts financially,” he said.

On inadequate revenue to meet industry payments, he noted: “As of now, the Discos operate at a loss and buyers would quickly deploy their respective turn-business around plans.

However… tariff, which guarantees a regulated return and covers all industry payments, is not yet producing the desired results due to systematic and structural problems. If distribution companies are unable to cover the cost of the energy delivered, then the bulk trader, transmission company and generation companies, will be adversely affected.”

The bidders are also asking government to subsidise the operations and grant them tax holidays to help cover anticipated losses due to certain “structural problems” that will prevent them from operating profitably during the initial post-privatisation period.

Most analysts who spoke with Business Courage last week doubted if all the conditions truly set out in the Share Purchase Agreement would be met beore Wednesday when the bidders are expected to make the 75 per cent payment.

As at the weekend, the Ministry of Power has so far paid PHCN staff, starting with the N118bn to workers of the generating companies and PHCN headquarters, leaving out those in the DISCOs. However, it appears that it is only Professor Nebo that is optimistic that the conditions would be met. He stated that though some of the conditions precedent were outstanding, government, he said, was working assiduously to make the sure that the conditions were fully met before the declaration of the TEM. “I would like to share with you that the Federal Ministry of Power is fully aligned with your dream to light up Nigeria. We are

not unaware of the challenges that are on the way. These issues raised we have been mulling for the past several weeks, especially with the issue of the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

“We understand the challenges that you have raised and we realised we are all learning in this process. And because it is still in the infancy stage, we need to nurse the infancy to maturity and one of the things we need to do is to ensure that we present an enabling environment and where necessary, to inject the adrenaline needed by the preferred bidders to ensure that they realise their dream, which we are all hopeful with the reform agenda.

“We understand that you are supposed to inherit companies that are indeed free from all legacies liabilities and we are working on that. We also want to assure you that at the rate that these payments are being made to staff of the various PHCN successor companies that you are acquiring, by the end of this week almost all the GENCOs would have been paid, and then, we begin with the DISCOs. Nebo said that there are obvious reasons why the government chose to settle the GENCOs and the PHCN headquarters and then move on the distribution companies. “With regard to the transition electricity market, three conditions precedent that you mentioned, metering of the grid, constitution of a dispute resolution panel receiving attention, be rest Nebo assured that we

not oblivious of these things,” he said.

He said that government was already considering the need to call for a stakeholders’ meeting because of the nearness of the deadlines.

The minister said that approval had been given that part of the proceeds from the sale of the 10 National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) plants, about $1.6 billion, would be used to revamp the TCN and the transmission network and system.

He said the request for a new deadline date and tax holiday were issues that could only be considered by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) headed by the Vice President, as he however ruled out the release of subsidy funds to the new owners even before their take-off.

“With regard to adequate funding for TCN, from the very first day I took over as Minister of Power, I started harping on the weak link of the entire sector being transmission. The President, the Vice President and the entire cabinet are deeply committed to ensuring that TCN is well funded.

“I want to assure you that TCN should not be a significant worry to you. We are doing everything possible. As we know, part of the proceeds of the 10 NIPP Plants as much as $1.6 billion is being dedicated to improvements in funding of TCN to give us a very good, well-deserved transmission network in the country.

That is being addressed already.

“I cannot address the issue of 5-10 years holiday. We are going to support you as you make demands for that. But I am not a taxman. We can only make our appeal based on the merit.

We will do what we can. I can’t declare that I can extend August 21. The NCP will have to deliberate on that. What I can do is to play advocacy to ensure that you have at least the support of the ministry. But it is beyond my mandate. It will be communicated to the Vice President,” the minister said.

However, how far the issue will be addressed still remains a matter of conjecture. An industry expert who spoke on the issue at the weekend said that the government may not have a choice than to extend the August 21 deadline for the payment of the 75 per cent final payment.

“It’s obvious that the date can’t work. The DISCOs are already saying the banks would not be willing to make funds available for the transaction until they are convinced that all the conditions have been met and here we are, barely three days to the deadline, a large portion of the conditions are yet to be met,” he said.

The current process which started eight years ago, with the vision of reforming the power sector was legally backed with the enactment of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act that provided for the unbundling of the PHCN successor companies.

In 2011, when the privatisation exercise began, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) had received 301 Expression of Interests (EOIs) and later short listed 207 firms that met the minimum qualification standards set. Out of this number only 163 firms purchased bid documents from which the current preferred bidders emerged.

However, the exercise has been bedeviled with several glitches, most of which is labour related. At a time, when the organized labour grudgingly agreed to PHCN’s privatization, the debate shifted to the severance benefits for those whose services would be dispensed off with by the new owners.

The Labour had alleged that there was a shortfall in the computation of PHCN workers’ entitlements, shortly after the Federal Government announced the approval of N384 billion to offset the entitlements of employees of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The two unions in the sector had engaged government in a protracted negotiation over the ongoing reforms in the power sector and had resisted the handover of the subsidiary companies to private investors only after all labour issues have been resolved.

General Secretary, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Joe Ajaero, had in a statement said Alexander Forbes and the BPE had discovered and accepted fundamental errors in the data used for their computation in the course of the Committee’s discussion and had agreed to reconvene at a later date to address the errors.

“It is amazing that figures can be conjured to calculate the exit benefits without reference to the technical Committee. The N384 billion is laughable because government is aware that one third of the staff population is excluded, and majority of those captured had their entitlements calculated based on two grades lower than their actual grades,” he said. BC

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L-R; Head, Business to Business Division, Samsung Electronics, West Africa, Mayo Adegboye; Managing Director, Samsung Electronics, West Africa, Brovo Kim; Group Managing Director, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc Emeka Emuwa; a customer of the Bank, Charles Nwakoby at the unveiling of Bank of the Future prototype in Lagos at the weekend

Bottleneck at Nigeria’s seaports man-made – Expert

By Francis Ezem

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Frontline freight forwarder and pioneer chairman of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN), Tony Iju-Nwabunike at the weekend took a swipe at the government agencies operating at Nigerian seaports and some special units of the Nigeria Customs Service over the bottleneck associated with cargo delivery at the ports.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had early last year reduced the number of agencies from 14 to about six under which agencies like Standards Organisation of Nigeria, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) were barred from operating within the seaports.

The minister had also dissolved some special units of Customs such as the Comptroller General’s task force, among several others and also barred some regular units like the Enforcement and Customs Intelligence Unit from participating in cargo inspection.

Nwabunike, who spoke in an interview, noted that the activities of these agencies and units collectively contribute to the non-realisation of the 48hour cargo delivery target.

“48-hour cargo delivery is actually achievable but one of the major challenges to the realisation of this is the issue of duplication of tables and

functions by the agencies operating at the ports”, he said.

According to him, Customs has improved a whole lot in relation to cargo documentation, which could facilitate the achievement of 48-hour cargo delivery but regretted that the activities of these agencies and some units of the service have made it impossible for this projection to be realised several years after the port reform.

“If every other thing is properly handled, Nigeria can achieve 48-hour cargo clearance but these security agencies that participate in cargo examination and clearance must be reduced to not more than two so that the ports can have an effective delivery of goods”, he insisted.

While reacting to allegations that a major cause of the delay is the lack of connectivity of the stakeholders, he said: “I don’t think this is a major

Roro port

problem because I can go to any of the designated cyber cafes to lodge my entry, it goes straight and so documentation is not the problem. The issue is the final processes of the documentation, those who want to look at the documents whether they are genuine or not for selfish reasons”.

While arguing that with the present documentation process of the service one can take delivery of his consignments within 48 hours, he insisted that the real problem are those security agencies including those special units of Customs that have segmented themselves to extort money from port users.

He however dismissed the belief that Nigeria needs latest version of the Automated System for Customs Data, which is ASYCUDA 007, which provides the single window platform to achieve 48-hour cargo delivery, insisting that

even with the ASYCUDA + + 3.0, the country can realize the dream.

He insisted that with the current level of automation at the ports, a very high level of efficiency in the release of consignments can be achieved, which would include one making his entry from the comfort of his office and releasing directly from the Customs Processing Centre (CPC).

He however called on the government to take urgent steps towards further reduction of its agencies operating at the ports with a view of enthroning a regime of efficiency at the seaports to make them competitive and user-friendly.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had recently released a report in which it alleged that it takes over 79 signatures to clear a consignment from Nigeria’s seaports, which contributes to the high cost of doing business at the ports.

The commission in its Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) report on Nigerian seaports issued in conjunction with the Technical Unit on Governance and AntiCorruption (TUGAR) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) claimed that an importer or clearing agent requires a minimum of 79 signatures of government officials to clear goods.

Consultant to the ICPC on the CRA study, Constantine Palicarsky who presented the report to stakeholders at a validation meeting, also identified the lack of standard operation procedure by the various government agencies as a major hindrance to port operations thus giving rise to corruption in the system.

He had claimed that while it takes 79 signatures to process a cargo in some ports, it takes

over 100 signatures in other ports, an indication that the process is not harmonised, which breeds corruption.

Eko Atlantic City: Stakeholders warn Lagos against ocean surge threat

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ess than two weeks after the Nigerian Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES) observed that the Eko Atlantic City will significantly affect Nigeria’s maritime domain, environmental experts have called for regular environmental impact auditing of the project in relation to its effects on the coastlines.

AMES had while ruling out the possibility of the new city posing any security threat to the nation’s maritime industry, insisted that when fully developed, the coastal waters or the anchorage position will change because the present anchorage is being sand filled for the city project.

Conceived in 2003, the multi-billion dollar project is a public-private partnership between the Lagos State Government and South Energyx Nigeria Limited, partly as part of permanent solutions to the Bar Beach erosion.

The project, which has also witnessed a lot of reclamation works, as a total of 3, 800, 000 square metres or 380 hectares of land area has already been reclaimed is also expected to provide new homes to 250,000 people and the workplace for another 150,000, which is in line with the desire of the Lagos State Government to check the worsening problem of accommodation in the state while helping to create more jobs.

The stakeholders are of the strong view that continuous environmental impacts auditing of the project to monitor the level of the various developmental projects ongoing in various locations along the lagoon coastlines in the South West area of Lagos State had become necessary in view of the increasing threats of ocean surge.

This position was part of the agreements reached at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Lagos recently to kick off the collation of opinions and suggestions of the various stakeholders toward tackling the vulnerabilities of the nation’s coast lines from Lagos Lagoon to Calabar coast.

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Lagos bar beach

with an earlier directive of Vice President Namadi Sambo based on the initial reports of NEMA on the threats of searise and ocean surge on the Lagos coastlines.

The stakeholders were of the consensus that there is need for the regular environmental impacts assessment despite the position of Lagos State officials that the initial assessment did not indicate any danger to the nation’s coastlines.

“The assessment in Lagos Lagoon which is known as the most tumultuous and unstable in the whole of West African Coastlines is necessary because of the daily human activities”, the stakeholders had submitted.

The Director in charge of search and rescue of the agency, Air Commodore Charles Otegbade had while speaking during the meeting, revealed that there had been physical damage impacted by the ocean surge on the premises of the 81 division of the Nigerian Army and other areas in other parts of the country as raised by various assessment report from NEMA zonal offices.

The reports which followed the preliminary assessment of impacts of the August 12, 2012, March 18, 2013 and 13th April, 2013 ocean surges had suggested immediate constitution of InterMinisterial Committee that would carry out independent investigations and studies based on various dangerous signals emanating from the frequent ocean surges.

Meanwhile, a top official of the Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration and safety Agency, Muri Isa while speaking at the meeting insisted that Nigeria’s coastlines have recorded over 3.5 sea rise level, which portends serious concern for the mitigation process to be embarked upon by all stakeholders.

On the impacts of wrecked ships on the nation’s coastlines, he noted that more than half of the ships

numbering about 200 have been removed by the agency in conjunction with Lagos State government.

Also, General Manager of the Oniru Beach, Ayo Ariyo, while speaking at the meeting, expressed grave concern over the fast rates at which the beach was being taken over by the surge and warned that if immediate and medium measures were not taken this year, the danger may be more than envisaged.

The Deputy Director, Erosion and Control, Federal Ministry of Environment, Adekunle Oshekoye also enjoined more action towards arresting the impacts of the sea-rise, ocean surge and consequent impacts of the Eko Atlantic City Project.

The Director of search and rescue, NEMA, who represented the Director General of the agency, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, who was the coordinator of the forum assured the stakeholders that short and medium terms measures would be adopted as well as other suggested measures, which would be adequately presented to the Vice President for further action.

He further directed immediate evacuation of a portion of the Cantonment and condoning of other vulnerable areas to safeguard lives and properties in the cantonment.

The stakeholders had also urged NEMA to further expand the stakeholders to be invited to future meetings to include private sectors, community and traditional institutions, among others.

Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to reposition it.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, who performed the inauguration in Abuja, charged the members to improve the potential and revenue generation of the commission.

Anyim noted that the commission had not been effectively playing the role expected of it. “We have observed with concern that with Nigeria’s huge population and efficient mobile communication networks, lottery has not effectively played the role expected of it,’’ he said.

The SGF said that the commission was a veritable source of additional revenue for government to pursue good causes and provide employment, improve the lives and material conditions of the citizens.

Anyim added that government was desirous of making the lottery industry realised its full potential as revenue generator, employment provider and facilitator of healthy social interaction among the citizens.

“It is for these reasons that the board is constituted as partners of the government to help lottery take its place and make its contributions to our collective efforts at transforming our country. I therefore charge the board to immediately hit the ground running.

We expect to begin to see clear positive changes in the fortunes activities and operations of the commission soon,’’ he said.

He, however, advised the members to be credible in the discharge of their duties, adding that the Federal Government would give the board all support require to succeed in the assignment.

The board has Damian Dodo as chairman, while Adolphus Ekpe is the directorgeneral of the commission.

Others include Mohammed Annur, Hassan Abba, Vincent Aondaakaa, Greg Mandu and Olugbenga Adewusi.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Dodo noted the confidence reposed in them by the government and promised that they would to carry out the assignment effectively.

He said the members would endeavour to undertake the as-

FG inaugurates lottery commission board, to acquire new technology for operations

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he Federal Government has inaugurated an eight-man board for the National Lottery

Anyim

signment with utmost sense of purpose and transparency.

Meanwhile, Ekpe says the Commission is to acquire a new technology for better regulation of lottery activities in Nigeria.

Ekpe who spoke in Abuja, said that the technology would enrich the lottery business in the country, in terms of operations, monitoring and generation of revenue.

“Lottery business has to be automated; when this is introduced, our staff will move away from the manual way of running the lottery to an easier way of doing things. The commission would be able to monitor activities of lottery operators, who are in remote places, to ensure that players are not cheated out of their lawful stipulated benefits. The next thing will be to train our staff. If you have good human resources you can achieve every goal,’’ Ekpe said.

He also said that the commission would be able to create employment and generate revenue for government.

Ekpe called on the National Assembly to review the National Lottery Regulatory Commission Act 2005. In particular, he said that the law did not make provisions for the commission to get part of the money that the staffs were generating.

Cotton farmers urge govt to make agric loan more accessible

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otton farmers in Funtua, Katsina State, have appealed to the Federal Government to open more markets and ease procedures for accessing agricultural loan to boost their businesses.

The Secretary of National Cotton Traders Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), Samaila Lawal, who made the appeal in an interview in Malumfashi, Katsina State at the weekend, however commended the Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES), which had afforded more farmers opportunity to access more farming inputs, such as improved seedlings, fertilisers, among others.

He expressed optimism that GES would help revive cotton farming and boost its economic potential and called on stakeholders to support the initiative.

Lawal attributed the decline in cotton cultivation in the country to low patronage, poor pricing and support, which had forced farmers to migrate to other crops.

He appealed to the federal and northern state governments to initiate ways of enhancing cotton cultivation to provide jobs for millions of

Nigerians.

He described the procedures and processes involved in obtaining loans under the Federal Government agricultural scheme as too cumbersome.

Lawal said considering the advantages in smallholder cotton production, if the business was jeopardised, many families would suffer, while other social problems, such as crime, would rise.

He stressed that government policies needed to be reviewed to address the needs of both small and large scale farmers.

The secretary said many farmers had yet to access loans from the Bank of Industry because of their inability to meet the loan conditions.

Adeyanju

Consumers groan over high electricity bills

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he Association of Electricity Consumers of Nigeria (AECN) has decried the high electricity charges being imposed under the new Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO2) introduced last year.

Gani Makanjuola, the President of the association, who disclosed the position of the association in Lagos at the weekend, alleged that the PHCN officials were extorting consumers with the new tariff regime.

According to him, electricity consumers are being charged outside the MYTO2, thereby forcing consumers to pay in excess of power consumed.

“Many consumers do not have prepaid metres which can accurately measure power they consumed,” he said, adding that “We want the PHCN and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to instruct the distribution companies to massively roll out the new metres,’’ he said.

Dele Dawodu, Chairman, Alaba Market Electronic Association of Nigeria, alleged that PHCN were hoarding prepaid metres for their selfish motives.

Dawodu suggested strict punishment for any erring worker, threatening that the group would embark on a protest if the trend was not

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“We will not accept cheating and we will never pay estimated billings. God has put standard measurement on everything He created, even the market women use measurement to sell their goods, why did PHCN desist from accurate measurement for power. You can imagine, if a worker earns a minimum wage of N18, 000 and PHCN charges him N15, 000 for electricity consumed for the month, how will he survive?

In his reaction, Pekun Adeyanju, the Assistant General Manager (Public Affairs) in Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, said that it was an offence for marketers not to read the metres, stressing that the issue of estimated billings arose where customers did not have metres or when the metres were malfunctioning.

“If the metre is working, it is supposed to be read and if it is not read, the marketer should be sanctioned. But when the metre is faulty and cannot be read, we estimate the bills,” he explained.

NRC to rehabilitate rail tracks in SouthEast

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he Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is to rehabilitate rail tracks in the south eastern part of the country.

The Eastern Regional Manager of NRC, Felix Njoku, made this known when he inaugurated the movement of the imported track materials to the zone in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Njoku listed the materials as 13,500 pieces of 12 meter long rail lines, 165 pieces of steel sleepers, fish plates, pandrol clips, bolts and knots.

The imported rail lines will cover a distance of 81 kilometres of track while a balance of the rails will be stored and used for maintenance of the rail lines on completion of the rehabilitation.

He said in order to enhance

speed of rehabilitation; the contractor had connected all the missing sections of lines between Port Harcourt and Enugu.

“The reconstruction of the Nyaba rail bridge at Enugu, Heavy Washout at Eziama, Aba, and Bridge Three in Port Harcourt, have been completed”, he said.

Njoku said that Eser West Africa Limited, a contractor rehabilitating the 463-kilometre Port Harcourt-Makurdi rail lines, had completed about 34 per cent of 51 bridges across four eastern states.

According to him, the project has reached 48 per cent completion and will attain 60 per cent completion when the materials reached their destinations.

Njoku said the rehabilitation would be fast-tracked to enable commercial train services to resume by the end of December.

World Bank donates N988.6m to support rural dev. in Bayelsa

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he World Bank has provided the sum of N988m to support social development in Bayelsa’s rural communities.

Oyintonyo Oboro, General Manager, Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), a World Bank-assisted programme, stated this on Friday at a stakeholders meeting in Yenagoa.

He said that the Bayelsa Government has so far made a counterpart funding contribution of N200 million and has a balance of N300 million to contribute to the programme.

Represented at the meeting by Gunn Holinshead, the General Manager noted that the agency’s challenges include irregular payment of government’s contribution, lack of logistics, and over-head from the state government.

He recalled that CSDA started in 2009 with the World Bank collaborating with the Federal Government and 26

Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor

states to reduce poverty in Nigerian communities, adding that the first project of CSDA started in Angalabiri and Ukubie communities in the state in 2010.

He said $200 million had been spent by the world body to provide assistance to 60 communities in the state.

He called on every community to appreciate the agency’s projects by putting them into good use to spur the parent bodies of the project to put in more efforts to help alleviate poverty in rural communities.

According to him, it is when stakeholders appreciate such projects that the World Bank would see the necessity to continue to do more.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa Government has set up a fourman team of consultants to evaluate the completed projects in the communities carried under the World Bank-assisted Community SDA. Chairman of the team, Dr Samuel Edoumiekumo, who disclosed this at the stakeholders meeting, said the projects were in the transport, electricity, health and education sectors.

He explained that the essence of the meeting was to collect enough data on the projects for the World Bank to ascertain whether to continue with the projects or not.

FG committed to reduce borrowing

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he Debt Management Office (DMO) has reiterated the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure reduction in its borrowing.

DMO’s Director-General, Dr Abraham Nwankwo, at a oneday retreat organised for journalists on Friday in Lagos, said that reduction in government’s borrowing would enhance private sector participation in the economy.

He said that private sector enrollment in economic growth would lead to the issuance of more bonds for long-term financing.

Nwankwo said that government’s aim to reduce its borrowing would cut the cost

of such borrowing and avoid ``overcrowding`` of the private sector.

He said that government’s borrowing within the domestic market which stood at N1 trillion in 2010, now is N577 billion.

He said that in the last two years, the government, through its Fiscal Consolidation Programme, had maintained that borrowing should be minimised.

Nwankwo said that government was ensuring infinite monitoring on the use of funds made from the International Capital Market (ICM).

He assured that the N1 billion made so far from the ICM would be judiciously used, stressing that the Ministry of Finance had issued a framework to monitor the use of the ICM funds, as well as progress and benefits recorded through the expenditure of the funds.

Nwankwo said the ministry was committed to consistent progress report on the usage of the ICM funds on capital projects.

Sullivan Chime, Enugu State Governor

Enugu govt targets N15bn IGR in 2014

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he Enugu State Economic Planning Commission has said that it had targeted to raise its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to N15 billion by 2014.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Dan Onyishi, announced the plan at two-day workshop to review the states’ Medium Term Development Plan in Enugu. He added that the state’s IGR in 2012 was N12 billion.

Onyishi explained that an increase in the IGR would reduce over-dependence on federal allocation and also improve service delivery in the state.

The executive secretary noted that poor budget performance by some ministries, departments and agencies affected the the IGR and called for improvement to achieve higher results. ``We do not have up to 50 per cent MDAs performing very well in terms of budget implementation. ``There is need to improve the budget performance both at sector and

aggregate levels to improve the IGR because we are targeting N15 billion by 2014,’’ he said.

Declaring the workshop open, Gov. Sullivan Chime reiterated the need to review the medium term plan to assess the implementation in line with the four-point agenda of his administration.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Amechi Okolo, said the government was working to ensure the implementation of the plan to better the lives of the citizens of the state.

Also speaking, the Enugu State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Kester Agbowo, explained that the review was to create a road map and bring in fresh ideas and robust plans for the future.

The states’ Commissioner for Transport, Chuka Utazi, who presented the ministry’s policy thrust, explained that it was performing below expectations as a result of inadequate funding.

Utazi noted that an increase in the budget of the ministry would help improve traffic control in the state.

The workshop was organised for commissioners, permanent secretaries and directors in the ministries, departments and agencies in the state.

PHCN blames epileptic power supply on vandalism in Benue

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he Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Makurdi Business Unit has blamed vandals for the epileptic power supply in Benue and its environs.

The PHCN Public Relations Officer, Ali Agideike, said that the breakdown of the Afam Power Generating Station in Rivers was caused by the activities of vandals.

The PHCN spokesman pointed out that Afam was the major station that supplied light to Benue and its environs, stressing that at the moment the state was only making use of only five megawatts which was the major reason for the epileptic power supply in the state.

Agideike said that the state was initially making use of 34 megawatts which made it possible for the state to enjoy stable electricity supply.

He, however, said that the company’s staff were up and doing to ensure that they restore electricity to Makurdi as soon as possible.

He appealed to Makurdi residents to exercise patients, stressing that blackout would soon become a thing of the past. BC

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Monday, August 19, 2013

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Global News

koidu mining pit

Sierra Leone diamond exports up 43 per cent in first half of 2013

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ierra Leone exported $102 million worth of diamonds in the first half of 2013, up from $71 million in the same period last year, largely due to higher output from the country’s main producer, the National Mineral Agency said on Friday.

The government collected $5.1 million in taxes in line with the mining code’s five per cent levy on exports, highlighting progress in channelling diamond revenues through the government.

“At the end of the first half of 2013, exports exceeded those of 2012 by 42.95 per cent, an improvement of $30.71 million,” Ibrahim Mohmed, who oversees the diamond sector at the NMA, told Reuters.

“The total diamonds exported ... amounted to 331,471 carats valued at $102,205,588,” he said.

Sierra Leone exported 296,334 carats of diamonds in 2012.

The NMA said that increased production from Koidu Holdings had been primarily responsible for the rise in output. Koidu is Sierra Leone’s only commercial pit mining operation. It is privately-owned

by Israeli diamond trader Beny Steinmetz’s BSG Resources through its Octea diamond unit.

Kimberlite, or industrial, production accounted for 62 per cent of the diamond exports with a total of 205,834 carats over the six month period.

Other artisanal production accounted for the rest, producing some 125,637 carats.

The United Nations in 2003 lifted a worldwide ban on diamonds exported from Sierra Leone and the country is now a member of the Kimberley

Process.

The Kimberley Process certification scheme was established by the industry, producer countries and civil society groups in the wake of diamond-fueled wars in Angola, Sierra Leone and Liberia to ensure that revenues from diamonds sold on the world market were not financing violence.

manufacturing and services sectors.

“There is a complete lack of faith in the markets. There are fears that the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) measures may not help improve the rupee,” said Param Sarma, chief executive with NSP Forex.

Indian authorities are concerned that the weak rupee is stoking inflation.

The nation relies on imports of crude oil, chemicals and some foodstuffs, which are priced in dollars. The weak rupee makes those more expensive, a cost that is eventually handed on to the consumer.

In July, India’s main gauge of inflation, the Wholesale Price Index, was 5.79 per cent higher than a year earlier, up from 4.86 per cent in June.

Rupee hits record low against dollar

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he Indian rupee has hit a record low against the dollar despite recent efforts to prop-up the currency.

Mid last week, India’s central bank put further restrictions on the amount of money that companies and individuals can send out of the country.

That had little impact and the rupee fell to 62.03 to the dollar, below its previous low of 61.80 hit on 6 August.

Overseas investors have been pulling money out of Indian shares and debt on concerns over the economy.

According to official data, international investors have withdrawn $11.58bn in shares and debt from India’s markets since the beginning of June.

India’s economy had been growing at a fast clip, reaching annual growth of nine per cent.

In recent months, it has seen a sharp decline largely because of a slowdown in its

Duvvuri Subbara, Reserve Bank of India Governor

Paolo Scaron, Eni chief executive

Eni agrees to pay Mozambique capital gains tax

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talian energy company Eni has agreed to pay $400m (£256m) in capital gains tax to authorities in Mozambique.

Eni is among several foreign firms exploring for hydrocarbons in Mozambique, where large quantities of natural gas have already been found.

But the government has faced criticism over huge tax breaks it has granted foreign energy companies.

Eni said the tax payment relates to a deal signed earlier this year with the China National Petroleum Corporation.

Under the terms of the deal, the Chinese corporation will take a stake in some of Eni’s African operations.

Many foreign companies have invested in Mozambique’s oil and gas sector since the conclusion of a prolonged civil war that ended in 1992.

The World Bank said Mozambique’s transition from a post-conflict country to one of

Africa’s “frontier economies” has made it a model for many countries in the continent and elsewhere.

Eni chief executive, Paolo Scaroni, also told Mozambique’s President Armando Guebuza that his company will also help with the construction of a power plant in the northeastern Cabo Delgado province.

Mozambique supplies electricity to a number of other countries including Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Mark Zuckerberg, facebook CEO

Facebook to test mobile payment feature

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acebook, the world’s largest social networking company, is planning to test a new mobile payment feature.

It will use payment details added by users to their Facebook account to automatically fill in forms when they make purchases on mobile applications.

Various companies have been looking to tap into mobile payments markets.

However, Facebook said the feature would not involve moving the payment processing away from an app’s current service provider.

“This product is simply to test how we can help our app partners provide a simpler commerce experience,” Facebook’s spokeswoman Tera Randall said in a statement.

She added that the firm has a “great relationship” with PayPal, one of the biggest processors of online payments.

Facebook has more than a billion members and half log in daily. Its popularity has seen it attract advertisers keen to tap into the potential consumer pool.

According to the its latest earnings report, it generated advertising revenue of $1.6bn (£1bn) in the April to June quarter this year.

Analysts said that if the site does eventually launch the payment feature it will help it track how many of its users actually purchased items from partner applications.

“Facebook does not want to remain just a platform for brand promotion and lead generation, but it wants to become the place where ecommerce deals actually happen,” Manoj Menon, managing director of consulting firm Frost & Sullivan told the BBC. “This feature will help them demonstrate to the advertisers the effectiveness of its platform in driving revenue. It is a fantastic move by Facebook,” he added.

However, some analysts were skeptical if users would trust a social networking site with their financial informa-

tion.

“Consumers want safe, seamless and convenient mobile payments and there are a growing number of competitors that consumers trust more, such as PayPal, Visa (V.me) and others,’ said Denee Carrington, an analyst with Forrester Research.

UBS, Swiss bank, repays bailout loan

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witzerland’s central bank has said a loan it granted to bail out troubled bank UBS five years ago has been repaid.

The development means UBS can now buy back the once-toxic assets taken out of the bank at the height of the financial crisis.

The assets, worth $38.7bn (£24.7bn) at the time of the bailout, have since become profitable.

UBS, Switzerland’s biggest bank, has already said it plans to buy them back.

It described the buy-back as an “important step which will close this chapter in the firm’s history with a positive outcome”.

It would mark a significant milestone in the recovery of the bank, and Switzerland’s wider banking sector, following the banking crisis during which UBS came close to collapse.

In later 2008, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) was forced to set up a stabilisation fund into which illiquid assets could be transferred.

The SNB said the price UBS will pay for the assets will be determined by a valuation from independent agents.

The fund’s equity amounted to $5.5bn at the end of 2012.

Banks in Europe and the US are still recovering from the financial crisis, with bailout money still to be repaid and many governments still heavily invested in their banking sectors.

The European Central Bank said on Friday that banks would return a further 654m euros (£558m) in crisis loans issued in 2011 and 2012.

More than 1trn euros was lent out by the bank, and more than a quarter has so far been repaid. BC

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Business Courage

Monday, August 19, 2013

Udeme

He left a well-paying job to dabble into the uncertain world of entrepreneurship, an advertising industry, clearly a field he was less prepared for. But 23 years after, he has through a rare combination of determination, courage and the never-say-die spirit, turned the advertising firm which he started with a life savings of only N60, 000 into cynosure of all eyes. Today, Udeme Ufot, the Chief Executive Officer of SO& U Saatchi & Saatchi – one of Nigeria’s leading advertising agencies, is first among equals

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

A

ccording to Peter Drucker, a management guru’s sayings, “Successful careers are not planned. They develop when people are prepared for opportunities because they know their strengths, their methods of work and their values. Knowing where one belongs can transform an ordinary person … into an outstanding performer.” That in a way encapsulate the success story of the man behind that popular Guinness TV commercial, “My friend Udeme is a great man” adjudged to be one of the best television commercials with a cult following.

Udeme Ufot, Chief Executive Officer of SO& U Saatchi & Saatchi, one of Nigeria’s leading advertising agencies himself admitted that “In choosing a career in business, you must play to your strengths and do what you love doing. I very much enjoy what I do, it comes to me naturally and I am therefore able to excel.”

Regarded as one of the doyens of advertising practice in Nigeria, Udeme Ufot has indeed become an enigma in the field of creative concept/ advertising where he plies his trade. The advertising guru admitted that what helped him on the job was his creative excellence which he said dated back to his primary school days.

“I could draw very well, I could act in plays and I was very good in literature. In fact, when I sat back and analysed myself, I saw that I had the relevant skills. That’s why I always tell people that it is easier to succeed when you’re doing what you enjoy doing,” he said in a recent interview.

Though he is one of the movers and shakers of the advertising industry, Udeme, as he is fondly called, didn’t just stumble into the creative world of advertising. He has had that dream right

from his adolescent years.

Having discovered early enough that he had a gift of creativity, he wasted no time in building on it and developing on it to build a successful career.

For any aspiring entrepreneur, the story behind the success of Udeme Ufot, the Chief Executive Officer of SO& U Saatchi & Saatchi – one of Nigeria’s leading advertising agencies, could be said to be both interesting and inspiring.

Son of a university registrar, as a young man, while his father had wanted him to become a lawyer with the thought that reading Law in the university was more appropriate for his intellect, or on Accounting for his creative inclinations, the young Udeme had wanted to read political science instead.

However, as it turned out, he ended up not reading law, architecture or political science as he had thought.

Instead, being the son of the Registrar of the University of Calabar at that time and having unhindered access to the university library, while he was not able to get admission as at when he wanted, he usually frequent the school library to update his knowledge on contemporary issues.

However, on one of such visits, while studying a journal on advertising and marketing, he came across an illustration of a trendy looking young man in Ray Ban sunglasses, colourful open necked shirt and a jacket. The caption read: A trendy Art Director. Incidentally, while he was immediately Continued on pg A10

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Business Courage

enchanted by this image, he was wearing almost the same thing. He later realised that ‘ad directors’ work in advertising agencies and they are creative.

And hence, he decided that he wanted to be an Art Director in an advertising Agency like that man he had seen in the magazine.

Unfortunately, that idea had run very much against the thinking of his father. But as fate would have it, eventually, he was able to convince his father and hence, he applied and secured admission to study Industrial Design in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he specialized in Graphic Design.

“I must say that I was as diligent as I was playful in university, graduating top of my class with a strong second class upper degree,” he recounted in a recent interview.

As he put it, “seeing the picture of the “Trendy Art Director” in the journal in the University of Calabar library as a teenager helped me clearly articulate a mind picture of what I wanted to be. I had therefore established a vision for myself which I then pursued through an appropriate course of study and work career.”

After graduating with a BA Industrial Design, at ABU, Zaria in 1981, the following eight years after the compulsory NYSC saw him build a career starting from a small regional advertising agency in Calabar, to a highly successful career at Insight Communications in Lagos.

In1981, Udeme began his advertising career as an art director with Desmark Advertising, where his unique illustrative style and flair for writing quickly got him noticed.

In 1984, he moved to Lagos where he was employed as Deputy Creative Director (Art) at Insight Communications Limited.

Having spent about five years at Insight, in 1989, he moved to Complete Advertising services (CASERS) between July 1989 and January 1990 where he worked as Creative Director.

Following an agency attachment course with German Saatchi and Saatchi affiliate – Scholz and Friends, he returned home with a burning desire to redefine existing templates. Hence, in 1990, alongside some of his colleagues, Udeme resigned his rewarding employment and ventured into private practice relying solely on his creativity and dynamism, knowing well that the field was highly manipulated by the “bigger and older practitioners”.

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Monday, August 19, 2013

seeing the picture of the “Trendy Art Director” in the journal in the University of Calabar library as a teenager helped me clearly articulate a mind picture of what I wanted to be. I had therefore established a vision for myself which I then pursued through an appropriate course of study and work career

At that time, resigning his employment was thought by some of his senior colleagues to be a suicide mission.

To them, being a creative person, that knowledge was of course not enough to run a successful advertising business considering the presence of people who had perhaps studied advertising and managed frontline seats in the industry.

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But against all odds, Udeme seemed too brave, determined and smart as he decided to rely on the main substance visible in advertising, which he and his colleagues have got- creativity.

Starting the new agency then, Udeme, Gbemi Sajay and Julia Oko had set up shop on 26 Borno Crescent Apapa naming it Sagay, Oku and Ufot and later shortened it to simply

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SO&U with a vision to be the most creative agency in Nigeria within two years.

Truly, things were not as easy as they had thought. Between them, they had just N60,000, some promises of patronage from a few friends, a lot of encouragement by other friends and family members, loads of self confidence, ambition, talent, as well as an abounding faith in God. But then, whatever they lacked in terms of connections and financial resources, they were confident would be compensated for by sheer talent, determination, focus and a driving passion for success.

That N60,000 was the life savings of Udeme. Having started the business in the guestroom of his house, when in the third month he found an office in Apapa that would cost him a hundred thousand naira rent, not even his age-long bank was willing to loan him N60,000 to augment what he had, until a childhood friend came to his rescue and in less than two years after, SO&U took off.

“Getting started was not easy. We had a bunch of very green, naïve young people.

SO&U is an acronym for Gbemi Sajay, Julia Oko and Ufot. We used to be among the backroom guys who get things done

in the advertising industry. I have a creative background, Sagay was an art director and Oko was a copywriter. So, in the first instance, setting out to establish such business was an anomaly in the industry. This made people laugh at us. But what have seen us through are resilience, determination and focus. We said to ourselves that we’ll go by a very simple strategy- nobody can deny seeing a good thing when he or she has seen it. What was important to us was to ensure that we very quickly make a mark in our calling”, Udeme reveals.

So, because of their selfidentified shortcomings, they agreed among themselves that any work they found to do, they must do it differently and well.

“We rendered outstanding services above what we were paid for! We put our people through intensive training, and we virtually turned the agency into a school. We gradually turned our entire agency into an environment for continuous improvement and learning,” he recalled.

However, Udeme said that what he discovered in the course of a research was that the most successful advert agencies in the world were founded and run by creative people. “What those trying to discourage us did not count on was our determination, focus and a very simple strategy which we developed because we understood that people appreciate value when it comes to services so we quickly set out to ensure that we made a mark in our calling by leaving lasting impressions on people through our work.”

Udeme disclosed that the company from the beginning developed a simple strategy which was to deliver “our work at values higher than what we were paid by our clients. For example, if we were given a N10 job we deliver a N20 job and most times, we take up briefs even without being paid we deliver outstanding jobs and the clients is then only too happy to pay for it.

Beyond that, we also put our people through intensive training because we believe that one can only produce as much as one is skilled so the agency became an environment for continuous education.

We also set a goal for ourselves to make the business succeed within two years and God on our side, we gained much recognition for our excellence and after 18 months, we were winning bids ahead of older agencies.”

Today, the SO&U idea has

not only succeeded, it has grown into the SO&U Group, comprising two advertising agencies, a Public Relations and Activations firm, a Media Independent, and an Audio Visuals production company.

By 1992, the agency was already one of the most creative agencies in Nigeria with a series of award winning campaigns to show for it.

In 2002, the agency became affiliated to Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide and has since been the Network’s hub agency for West Africa. Through this relationship, it also has access to the resources and proprietary brand assets of the Publicis Group. Currently, the SO&U Group is made up of over 70 people with a wide range of skills.

To Udeme, the relevance of passion to success was invaluable. Having been in business for 23 years, and with a wide range of clientele, you cannot but wonder how he became one of the few doyens of the industry. “Passion makes the difference! It drives everything. Its one thing to have the talent and resources, but you must have the drive, and that drive comes from the passion to succeed.

Because we had nothing when we set up SO&U, everyone told me and my team we’ll fail,” he recalled.

He admitted there were challenges they had to surmount at the beginning but to him, he was able to overcome the challenges due to the passion they had for the business. “For the first six months, we couldn’t afford a telephone in the agency, not even curtains. The first furniture we had was my dining table in my own house. We all sat round that table to do our work! The first furniture in my office as MD was a sofa I brought from my house. I didn’t have a worktable, so, I would write my notes on my thighs.

Of course, these lacks aren’t the things that will make one fail, unlike what many think. I believe it’s about knowing what you lack and being able to improvise. But when you have the passion and drive to succeed, nothing can stop you.”

He admitted that that passion drove him and his colleagues so much that every income they made was invested in themselves to acquire knowledge and upgrade their skills. “We invested in our business, furnished the office, buy computers and make ourselves more efficient because we had the vision of where we were taking our agency. If you lack

Business Courage A11 27

Monday, August 19, 2013

Udeme (right) and Martin Woolnough

passion, you’ll sit back and lament about what you don’t have: ‘I don’t have a godfather, I don’t have money, I can’t find clients because I’ve not worked with clients before…’, but when you’re being fired up by passion, nothing will stop you”.

Revealing the secrets of the group’s success, Udeme recalled that when the group started, they made up their minds on what to do. “I called my friends that I have observed in Nigeria that most advertising agencies digressed. Our vision was to have the most creative and professional agency in West Africa. Being professional, once you earned the respect of your consumer market, they will come to you no matter who you are. At the end of the day, it is your work that speaks for you. The next one is passion; we kept working and remained undaunted. We made up our minds we will not sell rice by the side or computers. All we will do was creating communication and it is either we do it well to survive or we don’t. We set out the vision and our aim was to achieve them no matter the obstacles. Some of our colleagues thought we were foolish. How can you put all your eggs in one basket? Some of them do other things along the line and we feel these are distractions.”

Udeme recalled that at some point, things were so tough that there was no money. “I still recall one of my friends saying ‘bring N10, 000, you don’t have… na so so SO& U. Every kobo that we made we ploughed

‘

I believe it is not the bright guys who succeed.

It is those with the will to succeed that do. Being skilled is not enough, you have to use your skills, your connections and whatever assets you have to create value for people who would appreciate and pay you for it

back into the business, we were also training ourselves.”

So&U is of the belief that ideas have the power to change the world. Not just philosophically, but practically. That’s the motivation for the Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas.

With an unshakable belief that runs through the organization that ‘Nothing is Impossible’ it has in its kitty popular and creative works which include “My friend’s UdemeGuinness stout, Guinness’s 45 cl’s power of extra campaign, which a visiting Diageo executive described as the best product ad he had ever seen in years. Others include Access Bank Universal ad, Harp Lime, MTN, P&G’s Ariel Big Ball, Uni-

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ty Bank, Access bank School of Banking Excellence as well as The power of Naija, where Nigerians were inspired to still believe in the country’s Super Eagles despite its wobbling and fumbling performances.

“One thing we have going for us is restlessness. We are constantly thinking of new ways of keeping our clients satisfied, how to provide better service, we are constantly innovative because nothing is static. We are constantly training our people; if you want to be the best, you must be able to attract the best people, train and develop them. Now, the challenge is that when you are good, you stand out and everyone who wants resources comes to you.

So, sometimes you may find

out that at every level, you constantly have to replenish your team.”

He believes that success in business comes with the right attitude. “You may have the aptitude but if the attitude is wrong, you really cannot deliver. Attitude is that you want to succeed, you want to give your very best and no matter what obstacle comes your way, you cross and move ahead. You may not have the aptitude but because you have the right attitude you go and look for where you can acquire the skill.

“Aptitude is that you have the skill but if you don’t have the attitude, then it would be wasted. I believe it is not the bright guys who succeed. It is those with the will to succeed that do. Being skilled is not enough, you have to use your skills, your connections and whatever assets you have to create value for people who would appreciate and pay you for it.”

Married to a legal icon, Dorothy (SAN), and blessed with children, Udeme remains one of Nigeria’s most revered figures in marketing communications.

With close to three decades of marketing communications experience under his belt, Udeme is a past president of both the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria and the Lagos Business School Alumni Association.

He is also a board member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and also on the board of Special Olympics Nigeria.

In 2012, Udeme emerged winner of the FATE Foundation 2012 Annual Celebration & Entrepreneurial Awards.

While Udeme can today stand to sermonize over the business he started about 23 years ago, he noted that despite obvious financial limitations, various setbacks, disappointments and a clear lack of network, they had set off armed with their talent and loads of passion with a mission “to be recognized as the most creative agency in Nigeria within two years, and have great fun while at it”.

According to Udeme, “Your vision of the future must be so clear and sharply focused upon that, irrelevant events or distractions or worries and concerns are quickly recognized and moved past. Such vision must be so powerful that it ignites a driving natural passion in you that has nothing to do with money, outside recognition, or power, it’s about integrity and self respect. BC

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Monday, August 19, 2013

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10 Questions

Jeremiah Adebisi Omoyeni spent 21 years in Wema Bank, starting as a management trainee and later becoming the bank’s Group Managing Director. He left the bank to become deputy governor to Ayodele Fayose as Ekiti State governor, but his stay at the government house was however short-lived as he was prevailed upon by the board of Wema Bank Plc to rescue the bank from liquidation. In this encounter with Business Courage Editor, Semiu Salami, Omoyeni, who is currently eyeing the Ekiti State PDP’s gubernatorial nomination, spoke about how he helped pulled Wema Bank out of the brink as well as his current ambition to govern Ekiti State in 2014. Excerpts:

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’m interested in your transmutation from a core business person into politics, how have you been able to balance the two and what has the experience been like?

I would like to start by telling you how my principal described me in my testimonial in secondary school. He described me as somebody who is unassuming and ever ready to cooperate and that makes me to be really flexible; I can easily adapt to any situation and one thing we must realize is that even in the banking industry, we play high wired politics.

So there is nothing new to me in partisan politics; the type of politics we play in the banking sector is equally the type of politics played outside, the only difference is that in outside politics you make a lot of noise. Before I became deputy governor, I was executive director for about six years which means that I was playing boardroom politics for those years.

So essentially, politics is politics anywhere and all human beings are political animals. Another difference is that in the partisan politics, one has to deal more with the grass-roots whereas in the banking sector it is mostly about the corporate class but essentially, the rules are the same irrespective of where the game of politics is played.

Let’s address your tenure as managing director of Wema Bank which ended almost on a controversial note. Now that you are contesting against Gover-

nor Fayose who is your principal, does it have anything to do with the allegation against you in some quarters then that you are too ambitious?

First of all, there is no link between my time at the bank and now, secondly every human being must aspire but just that it must be done in the right way. At the time I went to Ekiti to become deputy governor and there was crisis in Wema Bank such that the bank could not conclude the banking consolidation, the board of directors came to beg me and were literally prostrating for my governor, pleading with him to release me to help the bank.

Trust Fayose for who he is, he even put them on record, he televised the encounter.

After much pleading, I went back to Wema on the 12th of December 2005 and the consolidation ended on the 30th of December and it took just eighteen days to consolidate Wema. If not for my return, the bank would have been history by now, it would have been liquidated along with other banks that were unable to scale the consolidation hurdle.

Clearly, if not for the passion that I have for Wema Bank where I worked for 21 years, I would not have left that luxury position and the immunity that goes with the office of a deputy governor and come back to the bank. The most important thing is that I never compromised my position and I also showed them how somebody with integrity should behave.

My 21 years serving in the bank chronicled by my starting as a management trainee and earning 12 promotions

within 13 years was thoroughly investigated and they searched the records and nothing unseemly was found in them.

I was practically promoted every year and after becoming assistant general manager I was given double promotion after one year to become general manager, bypassing deputy general manager, I spent only one year as a general manager before becoming an executive director and for the 68 years history of the bank that became a record.

I have taken you through all these to show you that there was nothing controversial about my stay at the bank.

coming governor?

I have both corporate and political experience to back my quest to become governor. When I was deputy governor, I was the one conducting the state executive council sessions, you can ask any commissioner because the governor gave me that responsibility, so what further experience do you require?

Governance is the management of men and materials and I have sufficient experience in that and I have my track record which is known all of you. Are the people working in corporate organizations different from the people working in Ekiti?

You claimed to have helped the bank out of liquidation, but currently, the bank is still far from what it used to be in the time past, what exactly is the problem?

Let me tell you, Wema was in deep problem when I came back to the extent that they were not able to lend N50 million to anybody. Confidence was on a record low, but thank God, I was able to restore that back to the bank. I was the chief marketer and before you know it, people had started bringing in money.

The first loan I gave out only after six months was N6 billion and it was not syndicated. My staffs were afraid but I assured them that we will not call any other bank for syndication and that we will fund it 100 per cent which we did.

It is all about integrity, because when people see that your operations are based on integrity which is what they are looking for in the banking industry, they would come back.

How do you intend to manage the dynamics of the political scene?

There is no significant difference and I must say that for someone who has managed human resources. If you look at international organizations, it is a normal practice that no one gets to the position of managing director without passing through human resources. Because that is a training ground; when you are there, you will have to manage good people, bad people and the ugly ones alike. And this gives you a wealth of diverse experience.

What experience do you require to mange politicians that will be more than the experience of managing drivers, because drivers are a difficult set of people to manage? All that is required in managing people is to know exactly what they need and make it available to them, in other words meet their needs.

Some of your critics are saying that you lack political experience to run for governor in 2014, what do you have to say to that?

What was the experience of Adebayo when he became governor? What was the experience of Fayose when he became governor or that of Oni when he too became governor? Even what of Fayemi who has never worked anywhere before be-

What will you be offering the people when you get their mandate?

For now, what are the people of Ekiti getting? They are getting nothing. When you look at the Fayemi-led government and the 2012 account, you will discover that 75 per cent was spent on recurrent expenditure.

What I want is a complete transformation and revival in Ekiti state, after spending 75 per cent on recurrent expenditure, the remaining 25 per cent on capital ex-

Monday, August 19, 2013

penditure out which a substantial part was spent on building the governor’s lodge and office for the comfort of his family.

Taking money from the capital market and from the bank to fund white elephant projects, I have said it several times in the past and I will say it again, I am a banker of note and I know that there is nothing bad in taking loans; but taking loans for consumption and for white elephant projects is the easiest way to kill an economy.

What are you putting on the table for the people specifically, what is your own agenda?

My own agenda is to ensure complete revival of the people of Ekiti state; to industrialize Ekiti state massively. If you go to Ekiti today, you will not find any industry even the textile industry that was brought here when it was western region has been cannibalized by the current regime.

To make this industrialization work, we are going to employ our knowledge, connections and contacts to attract serious investors into Ekiti. We will partner with them and ensure that we provide the enabling environment because it is only when the environment is investment friendly that you find investors coming on their own because that is the only invitation that they need.

We are going to invest massively in agriculture because we have sufficient capacity to feed this nation, Lagos alone spends about N3bn every day on food. If we are selling only 10 per cent of that and we are having N330m everyday in Ekiti, that alone is sufficient to fund the state.

We are going to invest massively in mechanized agriculture, invest in tourism and qualitative education. In the past, the state was one of the top ten states in the federation in terms of education but today, the story has changed. We are going to ensure that in anything we do that we get value for our money and we are going to maintain a very good level of people government in terms of right-sizing.

A lot of people are roaming about doing nothing, in fact, so many of them are not happy, the teachers, civil servants and the judiciary they are all not happy.

So tell me how a government can succeed when all the people are not happy.

As we all know, if you treat your workers well, they will treat your business well because if you are not happy where you are, you will not be contributing meaningfully to your organization and that is the same thing for government.

In Ekiti, we will ensure that we take it as a project to encourage and boost the morale of all the workers and then they will see the government as their government and the business of the government as their own business.

So far, all we have been seeing is asphalt on asphalt there has not been any new construction of roads in the state.

And road construction is a necessary condition for economic development which is part of what I mean when I spoke about putting in place an enabling environment.

Road construction by the government is basic provisions and therefore nobody should use that as a campaign issue because they are essential necessities that must be provided by any responsible government. Any government that is not providing that is a failure because providing these essentials are not the way to showcase performance in terms of boosting the economy. We will make Ekiti a model and take the state to new heights that have never been attained since its creation 17 years ago.

I know that politicians are incurable optimists but here you are contesting against other known giants including Fayose in PDP for the ticket, what gives

you the confidence that you will emerge the winner?

I have said it elsewhere before now that Fayose is not in the race. Both Caleb Olubolade and Fayose are not in the race.

Any party that picks a candidate from the south has won the election by 50 per cent in Ekiti State because people are ready; they know it is their time. And you know that we the Ekiti people don’t compromise, we don’t allow cheating and things must be properly done; there is an agreement in place and that agreement must be followed to the letter.

It took me about two years to agree to the challenge because I’m a very busy person with work to occupy my time 24 hours of the day and I am going there as service to my people. But if we start talking of consensus that means there must be criteria put in place.

It is similar to going for an interview where specific criteria is used to assess every candidate, such as capacity, capability and integrity and I know I can scale through every one of them.

Also, another thing you have to realize is that even in the south, Ikere is one local government and it is both of Ikere and Ado-Ekiti that is likely to produce a governor in the next general election. I’m from Ikere and my mother is from Ado and I have been a good a child not just to

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Business Courage A13 29

both local governments but to the whole of Ekiti.

With what God has done through me when I didn’t have any ambition, I believe that the coast is clear; it is divinely arranged, it is beyond me.

Do you see yourself working with Fayose?

Let me make one thing clear and that is, out of all the aspirants, I’m the only one that is not controversial; I’m the only one that relates with everybody because a leader must be a leader and not to be seen teaming up with A to fight B and even when they fight, you should be able to reconcile them.

I have been very neutral since I started this politics. As a leader, I play politics without bitterness and I strive to lead by example.

What kind of transformation are you planning to bring to the state in concrete terms?

What I’m saying is that the level of achievement of all those things I have stated and promised to do will show the difference within 18 months.

When David said he will kill Goliath, people asked him why he felt he could kill Goliath since he was not a warrior. And he replied them that as a shepherd, when

I will not be the type of governor that will be planting flowers, when I know what the Abraham Maslow’s theory of need says. As human beings, we all have needs and these needs are in hierarchical positions in the pyramid going from the basic needs which is where to start from if you want to proffer real solutions.

If God can use me to consolidate WEMA within 18 days, within 18 months as governor you will think that I have worked for 18 years

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

a lion came, he tore it, when the bear came, he slaughtered it and by those victories he was confident that the same good Lord who delivered them into his hands would also deliver Goliath into hands.

If you can see what God has used me to do in the past, then you will know that I don’t need any other compass because I already know what to do. I will not be the type of governor that will be planting flowers, when I know what the Abraham Maslow’s theory of need says.

As human beings, we all have needs and these needs are in hierarchical positions in the pyramid going from the basic needs which is where to start from if you want to proffer real solutions.

If God can use me to consolidate WEMA within 18 days, within 18 months as governor you will think that I have worked for 18 years.

Ekiti is used to being known before now as the poorest state in the west, so where are going to get the funds to do all that you’ve talked about?

I have said it before and if you look at my declaration speech, I said it that we are suffering in the midst of plenty, and I hope you are aware that it was our money that was used to build the cocoa house. So, what is happening to our agriculture? With agriculture, life would be comfortable for everybody in the state.

When we mechanize it and grow our rice and develop our cocoa plantations that are all over the state making use of our graduates, life will be made comfortable and everybody will be happy and then, even some of them who are now in Lagos will come back home.

Another thing we are going to do will be to replicate Harvard in Ekiti state where people can send their children and wards to attend from all over the world. We can build a professorial house on a large expanse of land like you have in Ife, when life is made comfortable for our professors they will come from the Diaspora.

When you look at our programmes for industrialization, mechanized farming, education and tourism you can see that we have the potential to make Ekiti one of the richest states in the country.

As deputy governor of Ekiti then what experience did it afford you and if you were the chief executive then, is there anything that you would have done differently?

I can work with anyone and you can go ask those that worked with us in government, Fayose took to all the advice I offered him then and if I had been there, all what happened later would not have happened.

People were comfortable working with me especially the commissioners who knew that any proposal brought to me will be given adequate evaluation and treated with the merit it deserved.

How do you view the issue of conflicts between some state governors and their deputies?

I think that the most important issue if for both of them to always work in harmony. The deputy should realize that he is only a deputy and if you don’t want to be deputy, then don’t take it, because no amount of scheming can make you a governor and that is why they get into trouble with their governors.

I was to be MD of Wema in 2000 and 2003 but it was not to be eventually they came to beg me to become MD, so tell me what can be more honorable than that so it is always best to allow promotion to come from God. BC

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Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Google and Microsoft are enmeshed in a bitter fight over YouTube app

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

H

ave u been trying to watch Youtube Video on your Windows Phone?

You might need to wait further.

This is because while Microsoft released a new YouTube app for its Windows Phone platform last Thursday, in a swift move seen as a further bitter row between the former and Google, the latter blocked the app thereby continuing a now three-year old battle over Microsoft’s access to YouTube.

A Google spokesperson was quoted as saying last week that “Microsoft has not made the browser upgrades necessary to enable a fully-featured YouTube experience, and has instead re-released a YouTube app that violates our Terms of Service. It has been disabled.

We value our broad developer community and therefore ask everyone to adhere to the same guidelines.”

In a blog post on the company’s site, Microsoft’s deputy general counsel made clear who frustrated Windows Phone owners could blame. “The roadblocks Google has set up are impossible to overcome, and they know it,” David Howard, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel for Microsoft said. To him, “Google’s reasons for blocking our app are manufactured so that we can’t give our users the same experience Android and iPhone users are getting, ” as he noted the latest issue comes down to programming technique.

Google said Microsoft’s YouTube app breached its terms of service as it was not built using HTML5 as it asked Microsoft to transition the app to a new coding language -- HTML5, a transition that most of the web has been making for years. But

that’s something Google hasn’t demanded from its iPhone and Android apps, Microsoft pointed out.

While it works on rewriting the app, Microsoft wants to push out an improved, nonHTML5 app -- and that clearly won’t fly with Google.

“We’re committed to providing users and creators with a great and consistent YouTube experience across devices, and we’ve been working with Microsoft to build a fully featured YouTube for Windows Phone app, based on HTML5,” a Google spokesman said.

“Unfortunately, Microsoft has not made the browser upgrades necessary to enable a fully-featured YouTube experience, and has instead rereleased a YouTube app that violates our Terms of Service.

It has been disabled. We value our broad developer community and therefore ask everyone to adhere to the same guidelines.”

Microsoft argues that the app dramatically improves the YouTube experience, and should be allowed while it works on the HTML5 version.

“It’s clear that Google just doesn’t want Windows Phone users to have the same experience as Android and Apple users, and that their objections are nothing other than excuses,” Howard wrote.

Microsoft and Google have been battling it out for years over search practices, YouTube, and business in general.

In 2010, the company raised similar complaints about access to metadata that would enable extra functionality in the YouTube app. But the two companies first locked horns in May when Google’s YouTube division demanded that Microsoft pull its YouTube app for Windows Phone 8 and remotely dis-

able copies of the app that were already in circulation. In a May 15 cease and desist letter sent to Todd Brix, general manager of Windows Phone Apps and Store, YouTube’s director of Global Platform Partnerships, Francisco Varela, asserted that the app plays “videos that our partners have restricted from playback on certain platforms (e.g., mobile devices with limited feature sets).”

YouTube also took issue with the app’s video download capabilities and its lack of ads during playback, in violation of Google’s terms. The features, argued YouTube, “directly harm our content creators and clearly violate our Terms of Service.”

A Microsoft spokesperson noted, “YouTube is consistently one of the top apps downloaded by smartphone users on all platforms, but Google has

refused to work with us to develop an app on par with other platforms.” On the topic of ad delivery, the spokesperson added, “We’d be more than happy to include advertising but need Google to provide us access to the necessary APIs.” In a Microsoft on the Issues blog post titled “The limits of Google’s openness,” Microsoft Deputy General Counsel David Howard said that his company made the requested changes.

The latest impasse, he alleges, is proof that Google is being selective in its enforcement of the HTML5 requirement for apps.

“Google’s objections to our app are not only inconsistent with Google’s own commitment of openness, but also involve requirements for a Windows Phone app that it doesn’t impose on its own platform or Apple’s (both of which use Google as the default search engine, of

course),” he wrote.

Rather than wait until it completed the switch to an HTML5-based app, Microsoft re-released a non-HTML5 app.

Howard informed, “We made a decision this week to publish our non-HTML5 app while committing to work with Google long-term on an app based on HTML5.”

YouTube apps for iPhone and Android are not HTML5based, he observed. “It seems to us that Google’s reasons for blocking our app are manufactured so that we can’t give our users the same experience Android and iPhone users are getting,” wrote Howard.

“The roadblocks Google has set up are impossible to overcome, and they know it,” he added.

Thursday’s outburst from Microsoft is part of the war the company is fighting with Google

... as YouTube Partner Program goes live in Nigeria

By Abiodun Alade

G

oogle has extended the YouTube Partner Program to Nigeria, giving Nigerian YouTube users opportunity to make money on their videos, and gain access to resources and program that can help them expand to a larger audience.

Google Nigeria’s Country Manager, Juliet Ehimuan expressed her excitement about it and the unique opportunity it will offer Nigerians to create contents for a global audience and also make money from it.

“We are excited about the amazing opportunities the YouTube Partner Program will create for Nigerian content creators to engage and build a global audience for their content. This program will definitely enrich the diversity of the YouTube community and bring more Nigerian content to the web,” she said.

According to a media release by the company’s Communication and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, “relevant local content is important to the development of the internet in Nigeria. When the local YouTube doEhimuan main was launched in Nigeria in 2011, no one could have guessed the amount of impact it would make. From Musical videos, to “how-to” DIY clips, comedy skits, short movies Nigerians have been generating some of the most creatively diverse content on YouTube”.

He added that the platform will not only be of benefit to individuals but brands and advertisers will also benefit from it. He noted that the programme is designed to ensure that brands get the most out of their investment and also help advertisers get their messages across to the right audi-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage A15 31

Monday, August 19, 2013

Technotalk

with Esther Ozue (ozueesther@nationalmirroronline.net) 08059234648 (sms only)

icloud as a storage and backup solution

i

Eric Schmidt, Google CEO

over YouTube app for the last few months. Google, which makes official YouTube apps for iPhones and Android devices, has refused to build one for Windows Phone. The company claims that the market share of Windows Phone is too small to justify the effort and resources it will have to make to create official apps. This is the reason why even official Gmail, Gtalk and Google Maps apps are not available for Windows Phone.

Microsoft, however, claims that Google is unfairly using the popularity of its services, especially YouTube, to give advantage to Android, which competes with Windows Phone.

In May, Microsoft created an YouTube app, allegedly without any permission from Google, and made it available to Windows Phone users. While the app was received well by consumers, it also had several features that seemed to have been put to annoy Google. For example, Microsoft’s YouTube

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO

app allowed users to download YouTube apps as well as bypass advertisements.

After a few days, however, Google and Microsoft agreed to work together to create a new YouTube app. Microsoft pulled off the app it had made and told Windows Phone users that they should wait to get the replacement that the company would create after working with Google.

Several days ago Microsoft published the new app. However, Google claimed that it did not authorize the new app. In a statement to media, a Google spokesperson said, “We’ve been working with Microsoft to build a fully featured YouTube for Windows Phone app, based on HTML5. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not made the browser upgrades necessary to enable a fully-featured YouTube experience, and has instead rereleased a YouTube app that violates our Terms of Service. It has been disabled.” In his blog

ence through the best available medium.

“Not only individuals benefit from the YouTube platform brands do too. Brands are able to connect to their audience through various targeting methods. Whether it is based on demographics, interest, topics, keywords and specific video’s or YouTube channels, advertisers will be able to make sure they are as relevant as possible. With the most well-known ad format being “true--view” in-stream ads, brands are only charged once the viewer has chosen to engage with their content. This “Cost Per View” model is first of its kind and ensures brands get the most out of their spend,” he said.

To enroll in this program and become a YouTube Partner, content creators will be required to sign-in in their YouTube accounts and have at least one video enabled for advertising on http://www.youtube.com/account_monetization.

Content creators enrolled in the YouTube Online Partner Program will be provided with online tools and resources to improve their skills, build their online audience and most importantly monetize their videos.

It will be recalled that YouTube visits in Nigeria grew by 125 per cent in 2012, making it the second fastest percentage growth in Sub-Saharan Africa while YouTube uploads in the country grew by 50 per cent, higher than the 40 per cent aggregate uploads in Sub- Saharan Africa. Available statistics also revealed that 95 per cent of the views number of views generated by Nigerian YouTube partners came from outside Nigeria, a proof that YouTube is indeed a platform for local creators to spread local content all over the world. BC

post, Howard says that the new app has removed the feature that allowed users to download videos and it no longer disables advertisements.

“Google says that we are not complying with its ‘terms and conditions’. What Google really means is that our app is not based on HTML5. The problem with this argument, of course, is that Google is not complying with this condition for Android and iPhone. Again, we’re happy to collaborate with Google on an HTML5 app, but we shouldn’t be required to do something that apparently neither iPhone nor Android has successfully figured out how to do,” he wrote.

YouTube is a big draw for smartphone users and Microsoft and Google know it.

“We think it’s clear that Google just doesn’t want Windows Phone users to have the same experience as Android and Apple users, and that their objections are nothing other than excuses,” wrote Howard.

The Windows Phone platform is, according to some metrics, the third most popular mobile operating system in use worldwide. However, it lags well behind Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. As a result, there are considerably fewer apps available for Windows Phone. To address this, Microsoft is investing its own resources to bring some key services to its platform.

“Neither YouTube’s iPhone app nor its Android app are built on HTML5,” he wrote.

“Nevertheless, we dedicated significant engineering resources to examine the possibility.

“At the end of the day, experts from both companies recognised that building a YouTube app based on HTML5 would be technically difficult and timeconsuming, which is why we assume YouTube has not yet made the conversion for its iPhone and Android apps.” BC

Cloud is Apple’s own cloud-based storage and backup solution which Apple’s iPhone/iPad users can utilize the free iCloud online-based service to handle a variety of tasks that involves synchronising, backing up, sharing data, content, and online storage.

However, icloud can do a lot which include automatically synchronising application specific data related to the Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, Notes, Safari, and Mail applications. It synchronises and shares documents, spreadsheets and slide show presentations.

With icloud, users can access the Find My iPhone/iPad feature in order to locate a lost or stolen device, as long as it is turned on and has internet access. Users can also create, manage and view a photo stream and share images using the shared photo stream feature.

Once content, information, and data is being synchronised with iCloud, you can access online versions of popular applications from any Internet-enabled computer or device.

You can also have full access to app-specific data related to Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, and Notes.

Every iCloud account includes 5GB of free online storage space for personal files or data. However, an additional online storage space is needed for iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, as well as to create and maintain Photo Stream provided for free by Apple.

To start using iCloud, each iCloud feature needs to be turned on independently on each device and Apple ID account need to be active. For iCloud to synchronise and transfer information, content, and data between your computer and devices, they need to be linked to the same iCloud account.

How iCloud features work:  Contacts, calendars, reminders, safari, notes, photo stream, and passbook can be synchronised with iCloud, and available on your Mac and other iOS (operating system) mobile devices.  Documents & Data: This feature allows you to synchronise application specific data that is related to Apple’s Pages, Numbers, and Keynote applications with versions of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote running on your Mac or other iOS mobile devices. It can also be used to store or share other documents or files in the cloud when using third-party applications.  Find My iPhone/iPad: When this feature is turned on, iCloud automatically tracks the whereabouts of your device in real time. So, if it is lost or stolen, you can remotely turn on with the password lock feature. To use this feature, it must first be turned on from the iCloud menu within Settings before the device is lost or stolen, and the device must be turned on and have access to the Internet when it’s missing.  Storage & Backup: A full remote backup of your iOS mobile device can be achieved as long as the iPhone o/ iPad has access to Internet connection and tuned on. Backup files will be stored online which will utilize some of your allocated 5GB of free online storage space.

In addition to these features, all content you purchase from the iTunes Store, App Store and iBookstore are automatically and permanently stored within your iCloud account. iPhone/iPad applications can be synchronised with your Mac launching System Preferences and clicking on the iCloud option.

Finally, using iCloud with your iphone/ipad devices will change the way you interact, back up, and share data and any changes you make is reflected immediately once you have internet access on your device. With newer versions of Apple’s operating system and Mac operating system, improved iCloud features have been added to make iCloud much more than a basic online-based file sharing service. BC

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Business Courage

Ajiboye

Industry bigwigs set for 2013 Nigerian Telecoms Awards Stories by Kunle Azeez

O

rganisers of the annual Nigerian Telecoms Awards, Logica Media Group, has said that the 2013 edition of the telecoms event will be attended by icons in the telecommunications sector who will also be honoured for their records of excellence since 2012.

In a statement at the weekend, the SecretaryGeneral, Nigerian Telecoms Awards, Biodun Ajiboye, said the award has continued to reward reputable organizations and individuals for their significant contributions to the growth of telecoms sector in Nigeria.

Ajiboye, who doubles as the publisher of Nigerian Telecomnews, said that the award, which is the ninth in the series, was the singular most important and popular event in the telecom sector.

According to him, the awards have, in the last eight years, proven to be the most important gathering of influential individuals in the telecoms sector both from private and public sector in Nigeria. “For the sake of information, the telecom sector in the last 10 years has been the greatest contributor to the economy of Nigeria, in terms of micro and macro economic realities.

“The value of this gathering is as important as the value of the visitors and guests it is able to attract, a brief mention of the eminent personalities who have, at one edition of the award or the other, been gathered together for this celebrations, will only enrich the proposal and drive home the point more succinctly,” he said.

Ajiboye, noted that Logica Group, during past editions of the event, has played host to eminent African presidents. These, according to him, include former President Olusegun Obasanjo ; former Head of State of Nigeria, General Abdulsalam Abubarka; former President

Dauda Jawara of Gambia; former President of Ghana Jerry Rawlings as well as General Ibrahim Babangida, President Teejan Kabbah and the British Ambassador.

“Other dignitaries in attendance include Africa’s most respected intellectual and a Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; world’s most respected professor of African history and a professor in Temple University in the United States, Prof. Molefi Kete Asante; former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe; former Governor of Kwara State and Minister of Communications; Cornelius Adebayo and former Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Sheu Malam.

According to him, a long list of dignitaries had previously graced the occasion at some points, which, Ajiboye said, has created “some indelible precedence to appreciate the event as being the single most important in the sector in Nigeria.”

He also stated that activities for the 2013 edition, which started on August 14, 2012, has commenced with observations of performances of the different nominees, with appointment of two level assessment categories.

“The Panel of Primary Assessors comprising a selected distinguished ICT Editors and Writers drawn from the print media. The panel of judges has a sole responsibility of ratification of nominations presented by the Panel of Primary Assessors.

The second cadre of panel of judges, he said, include an ICT Consultant and a lecturer with Osun State University as the project consultant, Dr. Olawale; Deputy Editor, Business World, Bimbola Tooki and a veteran ICT journalist and Chairman, ICT Publishers Alliance, Aaron Ukodie.

Telecom firm boosts connectivity in Port Harcourt, Abuja

T

he Easyblaze Experiential Lounge by Etisalat, has ignited Port Harcourt and Abuja

Monday, August 19, 2013

with an experiential campaign of its 3.75G High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) broadband service known as Easyblaze.

The tour, billed for 24 states of Nigeria serves as an enlightenment and engagement scheme for existing and potential customers, in line with Etisalat’s customer-centric profile to provide them an opportunity to experience the Easyblaze broadband service on a variety of internet-enabled mobile devices including Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and MiFi hotspots.

The Easyblaze 3.75G offers high speed data of up to 42mbps, allowing Etisalat customers to enjoy quick and uninterrupted internet access, with faster file downloads, video streaming and other web-based activities.

Director, Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Oluwole Rawa explained that his company opted for the road show as part of efforts to showcase its superfast, high quality data services to customers.

“This campaign will afford both current and prospective customers the opportunity of firsthand experience of the network’s 3.75G Easyblaze.”

According to Rawa, “this road show is to give our customers the opportunity to experience our 3.75G Easyblaze network built on Next Generation HSPA+ network with dual carrier technology capable of downloading speed of up to 42 Megabytes per second (Mbps).

The experiential lounge buses which will tour the cities of Abuja and Port Harcourt throughout August will be positioned at prominent, high foot-traffic areas in a bid to engage with both cities’ residents. Etisalat advisors will be on hand on the tour to demonstrate the best ways to enjoy the full potential of the EasyBlaze package, using internetenabled devices.

Commenting at one of the venues of the tour, a customer Sule Yerima expressed satisfaction using the Etisalat Easyblaze modem. “I am pleased with the performance.

Anytime I connect the modem with my laptop, I get fast downloads. Even when other networks’ internet services around me are having challenges, my Etisalat modem has never failed me. I ensure that my Etisalat modem is always in my laptop bag anywhere I go and it’s been worth it,” he said.

Apple’s African distributor offers incentives to Nigerians, others

T Steven Evans, Etisalat CEO

he official Value Added Distributor for Apple products in Africa, Core Group

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Africa has announced a partnership with the world leading media house, Media24 Digital Magazines, which will give its customers free three month subscriptions to selected Media24 digital magazines when purchasing an iPad or iPod touch.

The partnership is exclusive to Core Group Africa and will be available at all Apple Authorised Resellers in Nigeria.

Spaandonk

Core Group Africa’s Director, Rutger-Jan van Spaandonk, said, as Apple representative in Africa, Core Group was constantly looking for innovative ways to ensure our customers get the most out of their Apple products.

“Apple products like the iPad are ideal for reading digital magazines, and giving Nigerians access to free content adds to their product experience,” he said.

According to Spaandonk, when customers purchase an iPad or iPod touch from an Apple Authorised Reseller, they will be encouraged to follow a few simple steps to redeem their digital magazines voucher.

“The voucher is called Kanko and will give access to a bundle of popular magazines. Kanko vouchers are easy to redeem through www. isocietynigeria.com and once activated the selected magazines can be read using the My Subs+ app. Customers can continue reading their best-loved magazines once the 3 month free subscription period is over by renewing the subscription to their favourite titles.

“Kanko consists of 13 magazine titles and is valued at over N9180 per month, giving a total value of N27 540 during the 3 month period. The Kanko voucher includes the following acclaimed magazine titles: Kick Off, Drum, True Love, Move!, Real, Finweek, topCar, Grazia, You, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Your Baby, and Your Pregnancy.

“We encourage customers to purchase an iPad or iPod touch from Apple Authorised Resellers and take advantage of this exclusive digital magazine offering. We will continue

to ensure that there are ongoing value adding partnerships that motivate customers to purchase from official partners,” Spaandonk said.

Airtel, Nokia partnership offer new value to subscribers

I

n a move to extend innovative value to its over 21 million subscribers in the country, Airtel Nigeria has partnered Nokia to provide new data offerings for customers to access their favourite social media networks on their Nokia Asha devices.

According to the Chief Sales Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Inusa Bello, the new offering enables Airtel customers across the country to get free access to WhatsApp and Facebook Unlimited bundles on the new Nokia Asha 210, Asha 501 as well as all existing Asha devices for the first six months.

He said the offer is open to all new and existing Airtel customers using the new Nokia Asha 210, Asha 501 as well as all existing Asha devices for the first six months.

Bello said: “We are proud to partner with Nokia in delivering value to Nigerians. The WhatsApp and Facebook offer on these two Nokia Smartphones provides another opportunity for Nigerians to enjoy Airtel’s robust internet services that cover the 36 states of the federation and Abuja.”

The General Manager, Nokia West Africa, Chris Brow, explained that the initiative was part of Nokia’s plan to extend its Asha range of smartphones to more customers in Nigeria, especially those looking at owning their first data enabled smartphone.

“Through this partnership we are creating an opportunity for our customers to enjoy seamless social networking with friends, family and colleagues through Facebook, as well as being able to chat through WhatsApp,” he said. BC

Rajan Swaroop, Airtel CEO

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Monday, August 19, 2013

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Behind d Wheels This his page is open to sponsorship

T

he 2014 Acura RLX is an all-new luxury sedan that takes its place at the top of the Acura lineup. A front-wheel-drive version will be available initially, followed by a more powerful and fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive hybrid model late in the 2013 calendar year.

Acura has struggled to find its identity in recent years, and nowhere has that been more apparent than at the top of the line-up. The 2014 Acura RLX is the brand’s new flagship and the successor to the discontinued RL, a midsize luxury sedan that found few customers in spite of its solid credentials. Although not radically different in design or personality, the RLX is a more spacious car and it’s packed with all the latest technology. Plus, there’s an AWD hybrid version coming in late 2013 that promises 370 horsepower and 30 mpg (combined) under one roof.

For now, the RLX is available only with front-wheel drive and a 3.5-litre V6 engine rated at 310 hp. Although you’ll likely be content with the car’s acceleration in traffic, you might be put off by the big Acura’s often busy ride: On the upside, the RLX has precise steering and feels sure-footed around turns, though based on our early drives, the AWD RLX Hybrid will be the more satisfying pick for anyone wanting an authentic sport sedan experience.

By far, the best reason to consider the 2014 Acura RLX is its tech-laden interior. New driver aids include all-speed adaptive cruise control that provides set-it-and-forget-it capability in heavy traffic, along with a collision mitigation system, a blind spot warning system and a lane departure system that’s able to both warn you and nudge you back into your lane via steering input.

In other respects, though, the RLX fades into the midsize luxury sedan pack. It’s an unremarkable car to drive, and apart from its arresting LED headlights, the styling is utterly forgettable. Even the high-tech interior is lacking in elegance, as

the navigation screen is the same size and resolution as the one you’ll find in a Honda Accord. Buyers have plenty of choices in this price range, of course: The Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Lexus GS 350 are more entertaining to drive, while the MercedesBenz E350 is more luxurious.

Meanwhile, big sedans like the Cadillac XTS and Hyundai Genesis offer many of the same tech features while undercutting the RLX on price. Indeed, this is a tough crowd and the frontdrive Acura RLX is largely outmatched. The AWD hybrid version can’t get here soon enough.

Features All RLX models are equipped with Jewel Eye LED headlights which provide a whiter, brighter beam than HID or halogen headlights, while using less energy and lasting significantly longer.

The RLX comes with a rearview camera that automatically produces a display in the centre screen when “Reverse” is engaged. There are three separate views, allowing you to select the one that best serves your situation. You can change the views by pressing the centre panel’s “Enter” control.

Side mirrors that are automatically heated when the rear window defogger is activated and when reverse is engaged, the mirrors automatically tilt downward to reveal potential obstructions close to the car.

The RLX is equipped with Acura’s blind spot information system that can assist you when making lane changes.

With an incorporated the RLX comes with a key, but it’s mostly for the valet. With the remote in your pocket or bag, the RLX will recognize you, unlock the door or trunk when you touch its door handle, and start the ignition when you push a button.

The Keyless Access System with Smart Entry and pushbutton ignition allows you to walk up to the RLX, unlock the doors, have the car set your

preferences and start the engine without ever having to take the key out of your pocket. The door handles will automatically light up as you approach the RLX, starting from about three feet away incorporating an ease-ofuse philosophy.

Interior Leatherette-trimmed interior with Driver’s and front passenger’s heated, 12-way power seat including 4-way lumbar 8-inch colour information display. It also boasts of a Multi-view rear camera with dynamic guidelines On Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD); Bluetooth HandsFree Link wireless telephone interface with SMS, MMS text message and email functions1 The RLX instrument panel takes the Acura interior-design DNA to a whole new level. Supple leather starts at the front door panels, sweeps across the curves of the Acura dual-cove instrument panel, and clothes the centre panel controls, surrounding the driver and front passenger in leather.

Using the same packaging techniques it employs on its smaller vehicles, Acura gave the RLX class-leading rear legroom that’s equivalent to most competing brands’ full-size luxury sedans. At 38.8 inches, the RLX offers more rear

legroom than the Lexus LS, Audi A8 and comes within a tenth of an inch of the Jaguar XJ and BMW 7-Series sedans.

Models with the Krell Audio or Advance Packages allow rear passengers to enhance their comfort by blocking the sunlight from all three sides.

To maximize comfort for all passengers, the RLX features a tri-zone automatic climate control system that allows the driver, front passenger and rear passengers to adjust their own temperature and airflow settings. On models with the navigation system, a solar sensor measures the sun’s intensity to determine its impact on interior temperature while the GPS receiver for the Acura Navigation System tracks the sun’s position relative to the car.

The RLX introduces the ELS Studio Premium Audio System.

Designed in part by Grammy award-winning recording engineer and producer Elliot Scheiner, it adds more power and more speakers to the already critically-acclaimed ELS system. The four additional speakers in the rear doors have been added primarily to enhance the spatial dimension of the sound for the rear passengers.

The Acura Navigation System10

uses hard-drive data storage for fast response and is viewed through a high-resolution, full VGA, 8-inch screen, mounted high on the dash for quick and easy viewing.

AcuraLink has always had a penchant for seeing what’s beyond AcuraLink, the Next Generation, available on the 2014 RLX. Based on new cloudbased technologies, the new AcuraLink provides a gateway to advanced features designed to keep you connected at all times. This next-generation service provides Real-Time Traffic complimentary with your first three years of ownership and features AcuraLink’s exclusive new surface-street traffic information. And with new Connect and Premium subscription-based services, a whole new world of safety and convenience awaits, including new remote services from your mobile device and the Web, automatic crash notification, new on-board Local Search, and points of interest/ contacts.

AcuraLink is also your connection with Acura, delivering a wealth of information like Quick Tips and updated Feature Guide messages to help you get the most out of your vehicle.

When the system is paired with a Bluetooth-compatible phone, you can get information on required services as they approach, and can schedule maintenance right from your car with the Automated Appointments feature.

Safety The RLX features a firm

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage A19 35

Monday, August 19, 2013

Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship Brak-

pedal feel with linear response that allows braking to be precisely modulated. The RLX disc brakes are backed up by several sophisticated electronic systems to provide you with enhanced abilities under most circumstances while also providing more comfort during urban driving.

Press a button on the centre console to engage Brake Hold Control, and you will not have to sustain pressure on the brake pedal during long stops at traffic lights or heavy traffic congestion. When you brake to a stop, hold the brake for about a second longer and then release it. The brakes will then hold the car in place until you engage the accelerator pedal.

Among its long list of safety attributes, the RLX features the Lane Departure Warning system, using cameras to help alert you to an unintended move from the detected lane, the Forward Collision Warning system, which warns you of potential collisions with vehicles detected in front of you and the available Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) which uses radar to actually help you apply the brake when a collision is imminent.

If a frontal collision is unavoidable, the RLX chassis features Acura’s next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, which goes beyond “crumple zones” by distributing frontal crash energy more evenly.

4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and brake assist Front, front side, driver’s knee and side curtain airbags.

For what you can’t see, the available Collision Mitigation

ing System uses radar, which hides behind the part of the grille coated with indium, a metallike substance used on stealth aircraft. In the real world, you can’t count on a banked curve to help keep your line.

The solution is the world’s first Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) system, which allows each rear wheel to independently adjust its toe angle to achieve exceptional stability in the turns.

Powertrains Acura will offer two different powertrains on the 2014 Acura RLX. Front-wheel-drive RLXs have a 310-hp 3.5-litre V6 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that has both a sport mode and steeringwheel-mounted paddle shifters.

In Edmunds testing, a 2014 RLX Advance went from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which is average for a midsize luxury sedan. The EPA rates the RLX at 20 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 24 combined, which are above-average numbers for a six-cylinder luxury sedan.

Later in the year, Acura will add the RLX Sport Hybrid SHAWD model, which will deliver a combined 370 hp from its gasoline and electric power sources.

This RLX will use a seven-speed automated manual transmission, and Acura claims it will have EPA ratings of 30 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined.

Performance The RLX is powered by an all-new 3.5-liter, 310-horse-

power V-6 engine that features Direct Gas Injection, Variable Cylinder Management and the Acura i-VTEC system.

Variable Cylinder Management significantly improves highway fuel efficiency by automatically changing the V-6 engine to run on six or three cylinders, depending on driving conditions. The cylinder activation is seamless and not felt by driver or passengers.

The net result is an engine that produces 310 horsepower at 6500 rpm, 272 lbs.-ft. of torque (SAE net) at 4500 rpm while getting an EPA Fuel Economy Rating of 20 / 31 / 24 mpg2 (city/highway/combined).

Precision All-Wheel Steer (PAWS) is designed to deliver an unprecedented level of handling precision and control. It’s the first system that enables the rear wheels to adjust toe angles independently of each other.

Working in concert with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and the Agile Handling Assist dynamic braking system, P-AWS helps enhance vehicle stability, manoeuvrability, and control.

The 6-speed Sequential Sport-Shift automatic with paddle shifters gives you the best of both worlds by providing the convenience of precise and intuitive automatic shifting as well as shift-for-yourself control.

Driving Impressions Most owners will be satisfied with the performance of the 2014 Acura RLX in normal driving. Its V6 doesn’t feel as potent as the six-cylinders in the A6 and 5 Series, but this engine is quiet and smooth, with plenty of power for passing when you need it. The transmission provides quick, smooth shifts.

The RLX doesn’t ride with the same composure as other sedans in this class. When fitted with the 19-inch wheels, it feels harsh when driving over rough patches at low speeds, while the ride on the highway can be bouncy. Only on truly smooth pavement does the RLX ride like a luxury sedan. Take it around a few turns, and the big Acura is steady but not particularly athletic. The steering is precise, though, and the car’s standard rearwheel steering system subtly and effectively steers the rear wheels ever so slightly to help the RLX get around tight corners. BC

Autocare Signs of transmission trouble (2) Gear slipping

I

n a normally functioning transmission, the car stays in the gear you designate, or that the computer designates for a given RPM range, until you or the computer initiate a gear shift.

But on a transmission in which the gears slip, the car can spontaneously pop out of the gear it’s in while driving and (in a manual) force the stick back into neutral .

This is unnerving at best and potentially dangerous at worst: when you mash the gas pedal to avoid an out-of-control vehicle, the last thing you want is a transmission that doesn’t get power to the wheels. No need to scratch your head over whether this is trouble or not: if it happens, you know it’s time to have your transmission examined.

Dragging clutch Here’s another transmission trouble sign that haunts manual transmission vehicle owners: the dreaded dragging clutch.

A dragging clutch is one that fails to disengage the clutch disk from the flywheel when the driver pushes in the clutch pedal.

When the driver attempts to shift gears, he or she can’t because the still-engaged clutch is still spinning along with the engine. The driver is abruptly made aware of this by the grinding noise that then ensues with each attempt to shift.

Fortunately, the most common cause for this problem is not that severe or costly to fix -- at least not compared to some other transmission issues. More often than not, the problem is too much slack in the clutch pedal. With too much free play, the cable or linkage between the pedal and the clutch disk doesn’t have enough leverage to disengage the clutch disk from the flywheel (or pressure plate).

Some transmission trouble signs are plainly visible even to the lay person -- if that person knows what to look for.

Leaking fluid Leaking transmission fluid is probably one of the easiest ways to identify that your transmission needs attention.

Automatic transmission fluid is vital to your car’s shifting capabilities, so a little fluid on your driveway can quickly turn into a major problem. Automatic transmission fluid is bright red, clear and a little sweet-smelling when everything’s working correctly.

When you check your automatic transmission fluid, make sure it’s not a dark color and that it doesn’t have a burnt smell. If it is, you’ll need to take it to a mechanic and have it replaced. Unlike your car’s motor oil, the transmission doesn’t really consume or burn up any fluid during use, so if you notice you’re running low on fluid, then it’s definitely leaking out somewhere.

If you have a manual transmission, checking the fluid levels may not be as easy as simply lifting the hood and reading a dipstick. Manual transmission fluid has to be checked right at the transmission case -- usually through the fill plug. Again, if you suspect your transmission is losing fluid, have a mechanic locate the leak and have it fixed.

If your fluid level is good, there’s another easy way to know if there’s something wrong with the transmission: go on to the next page to see how you can find out if your transmission is having problems -- without even having to pop the hood.

Check engine light The check engine light can be a great early indicator that something is starting to go wrong with your transmission. The check engine light can come on for any number of reasons not related to your transmission as well, but don’t overlook this clear warning sign.

In newer cars there are sensors throughout the engine that pick up irregularities in the engine and notify the computer that there’s something wrong in a particular area.

In the case of transmissions, these sensors can pick up vibrations and early problems that you may not even be able to feel or see. If you want to know if your check engine light is telling you about a transmission problem, you can purchase a diagnostic scan tool that you plug into your car underneath the driver’s side of the instrument panel. BC To be continued

A20 36

Business Courage

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, August 19, 2013

20 firms raise N200bn long-term capital through private sector bond – DMO

By Udo Onyeka and Johnson Okanlawon

N

igeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO) has said that it has created windows of opportunities for the private sector to raise longterm capital for the development of the real sector and infrastructure in the country.

Disclosing this in Lagos at a one-day retreat with the theme: Opportunities for Private Sector from Public Debt Management Achievement”, the Director General, DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, said that already some private sector firms had explored and exploited these opportunities both in the domestic bond market and the international capital market.

According to him, 20 Nigerian corporate firms had raised long-term capital of over N200 billion from the domestic market between 2005 and 2012 to fund the development of the real sector.

He noted that opportunities existed for growth in terms of number and diversity of debt issuers, range of instruments, size and investment base.

The DMO boss further said that the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in March this year issued a naira denominated debt instrument worth $76 million in the domestic thereby establishing a benchmark for other international bond issuers to tap the growing naira bond market.

He explained that in response to the creation of a Sovereign Benchmark in the ICM, four Nigerian financial institutions had taken due advantage to issue Eurobonds between January 20011 and July 2013, amounting to $1.45 billion. The

Nwankwo

companies included Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, Fidelity Bank and First Bank.

He said that the agency would further strengthen and deepen the FGN bond market for enhanced liquidity through the continued issuance of benchmark bonds and introduction of other varieties of debt instrument such as securities lending, bond switches and inflation-linked bonds into the domestic bond market.

The agency added that it will strive to strengthen the country’s presence in the ICM through the issuance of the variety of debt instruments, such as the already approved N80 billion FGN bonds in the form of global depository Notes (GDN) and $100 million Nigerian Diaspora Bond.

He however called on more Nigerian corporate companies to leverage on the existing sovereign benchmark to raise longterm capital in the domestic market and ICM to develop the real sector and the build Infra-

structure.

He said that the domestic debt initiatives had led to the increase in foreign exchange inflows, which contributed to the growth in external reserves and stability of the naira.

He noted that as at the end of December 2012, foreign investors holding in Federal Government securities amounted to $5.112 billion compared to about $500 million as at end of January 2012.

He noted that increase in the relative share of foreign investors’ in Federal government Securities, from near zero per cent in first quarter to 19.52 per cent at the end of 2012.

He added that the agency achieved a significant reduction in government’s cost of borrowing which he said fell yields by 400bps between August and December, 2012.

He noted that the agency creation of more borrowing space for other domestic borrowers to access funds in the local market, addresses the risk crowding –out the private sector.

On open access to the international Capital Market, he said that the agency established a viable competitive presence in the ICM through its debut offer of $500 million for 10 years 6.75 per cent sovereign Eurobond issuance in January, 2011.

The DMO boss added that: “We successful issuance of $1 billion dual-trenched bond offering on was achieved in July 2013, of $500 million five year bond and $500 million 10 years bond at coupons of 5.125 per cent and 6.375 per cent per annum. BC

Stock prices close on a bearish note

W

eekly activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed on a bearish note on Friday as many blue chips recorded price losses.

The All-share index depreciated by 124.7 points or 0.33 per cent to close at 36,986.93 against the 37,111.63 recorded on Thursday.

Market capitalisation grew

by N39 billion to close at N11.713 trillion compared with N11.752 trillion recorded on Thursday.

Dangote Cement led the price losers’ chart, dropping N2 to close at N190 per share.

Julius Berger and Unilever shed N2 each to close at N71 and N63 per share, respectively.

Ashaka Cement lost N1.07

Market Indicators for Week Ended 16-08-13 All-Share Index 36,986.93 points Market Capitalisation N11,713,469,257,871.50 Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING PRICE

NESTLE CADBURY WAPCO

CLOSING PRICE

CHANGE

930

935.00

5.00

48.31

50.90

2.59

94.10

96.00

1.90

NB

167.90

169.50

1.60

FO

38.91

40.00

1.09

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING PRICE

DANGCEM

192.00

CLOSING PRICE 190.00

CHANGE

JBERGER

73.00

71.00

-2.00

UNILEVER

65.00

63.00

-2.00

ASHAKACEM

23.07

22.00

-1.07

OANDO

12.80

12.20

-0.60

-2.00

Inter-Bank Rates TENOR

RATE%(PREV) 09-Aug-2013

RATE%(CURR) 16-Aug-2013

CALL

10.2500 – 13.0000

12.0000 – 18.0000

OBB

10.2500 – 12.5000

11.4000 – 14.5000

Primary Market Auction TENOR 91-Days

to close at N22 per share, while Oando depreciated by 60k to close N12.20 per share.

On the other hand, Nestle led the gainers’ chart with N5 to close at N935 per share.

Cadbury followed with a gain of N2.59 to close at N50.90 per share, while Lafarge Wapco grew by N1.90 to close at N96 per share.

Nigerian Breweries appreciated by N1.60 to close at N169.50, while Forte Oil rose by N1.09 to close at N40 per share.

In all, investors exchanged 272.14 million shares worth N3.6 billion in 4,020 deals on Friday against the N255.57 million shares worth N5.03 billion traded in 5,425 deals on Thursday. BC

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

22057.31

11.50

07-Aug-13

182-Days

60,000

12.70

07-Aug-13

364-Days

90,000

13.08

07-Aug-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 $300m

$300m

14-Aug-13

$300m

$222m

$222m

12-Aug-13

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SALT

Monday, August 19, 2013

Business Courage

A21 37

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Business Courage

Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Okonjo-Iweala, Johnson lead NSE’s listing drive

T

he Federal Government has intensified efforts to get more companies, especially those in the telecoms and oil and gas sectors, listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said this when she visited the Exchange in company with the Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson and the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Arunma Oteh.

While praising the Exchange for its contribution to the economy, she said, “We are here today because we believe that this stock market needs to be deepened and broadened and one of the key ways to do that is to get more companies to list.

“Our vision for this stock market is that it must become the premier stock exchange of Africa. We must overtake Johannesburg, even as our economy overtakes that of others and we are hoping that, down the line, this stock market will do the same.”

Okonjo-Iweala, who admitted that stockbrokers and officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the NSE had a lot to do to achieve the goal, pledged the support of the government, saying it would do

what it had to do.

According to Johnson, the visit was also to support SEC and the NSE in their quest to bring the Nigeria capital market to where it was meant to be.

“We have spoken a lot about the technology and I am so impressed with the amount of technology I see here today. It has been a tremendous improvement,” she said.

“The other reason that I am here is to bring more companies unto the stock exchange. The ICT industry contributes 8.5 per cent to Gross Domestic Product: it is the fastest growing sector of the economy and we need to ensure that companies in the sector are listed on the stock exchange.”

Johnson explained that efforts had gone beyond just calls for more companies to be listed, adding that the drive was being done in a collaborative manner.

“We have had very good discussions with the telecoms companies; they understand why they should list. And what we are doing now is to prepare the plan for them to list because they are a number of things that need to be sorted out; these are very large companies… I think the difference here is that we have a plan and we would work that plan to ensure that we get the telecoms companies to list.”

The President, NSE, Aliko Dangote, expressed his delight at the visit, saying it was proof that the government was fully in support of the revolution in the stock exchange.

He said stakeholders were eagerly anticipating the listing of the companies in the ICT industry because its contribution to the country’s GDP, as noted by the finance minister, was twice the contribution of the manufac-

turing sector.

Speaking on behalf of the stockbrokers, the Chief Executive Officer, Trust Yield Securities Limited, Ola Yussuf, thanked the ministers for the visit and for the support they had shown for the Exchange over the years.

He, however, called on the finance minister to make arrangements for the capital market to take over the funding of major projects in the country. BC

Okonjo-Iweala

IFC to facilitate additional 1500 MW to national grid

T

he International Finance Corporation, IFC has announced its plans to support investments that will add 1, 500 megawatts of power generation to the national grid.

IFC Vice President for SubSaharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Jean Philippe Prosper who spoke in Lagos, said the corporation has already signed a mandate to mobilize funds for a power generation company and aims to provide similar support for others, adding that IFC also plans to support up to three power generation companies.

“These projects will add 1,500 MW to the national grid

and are part of the World Bank Group’s intervention in the sector which is built into the Energy Business Plan. IFC is also considering participation in a gas-to-power project,” he said.

He explained that under the Energy Business Plan, each World Bank group institution will leverage its competencies and products to provide solutions to projects that encourage their viability and contribute to the sustainability of the power sector.

Prosper further noted that, “the federal government has demonstrated strong commitment to successful implemen-

tation of the power sector reform so that all the pieces of a sustainable power sector are coming together. The World Bank Group has put together an Energy Business Plan that will allow IFC, the World Bank and MIGA to help address key project structuring issues and boost power supply to Nigerians,” he said.

“IFC and the other institutions of the World Bank Group are committed to supporting Nigeria with targeted interventions in the power sector that facilitate demonstration projects and boost investor confidence and contribute to better living standards,” he added. BC

The Stock Market last week

A

turnover of 1.835 billion shares worth N23.956 billion in 26, 146 deals were traded this week by investors on the floor of The Exchange in contrast to a total of 1.097 billion shares valued at N9.104 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 17,076 deals. The Financial Services sector (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.277 billion shares valued at N15.598 billion traded in 14,449 deals; contributing 69.58, 65.11 and 55.26 percentages respectively to the total equity turnover volume, value and number of deals respectively.

The Natural Resources sector followed with a turnover volume of 224.098 million shares worth N114.854 million in 49 deals contributing 12.21, 0.48 and 0.19 per cent respectively to the TOP 10 PRICE GAINERS: Company JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. TRANS-NATIONWIDE CHAMPION BREW. PLC. MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED WAPIC INSURANCE PLC UACN PROPERTY A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL

Open 0.81 0.741 14.64 0.550 0.700 16.45 1.43 250.03 2.18 1.35

total equity turnover volume, value and number of deals respectively. The Consumer Goods sector came third with 95.541 million shares worth N5.244 billion in 5,064 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely Zenith Bank Plc, Multiverse Plc and FBN Holdings Plc (measured by turnover volume) accounted for 735.331 million shares worth N10.078 billion in 4,613 deals contributing 40.08, 42.07 and 17.64 per cent respectively to the total equity turnover volume, value and deals respectively.

Traded during the week were 268 units of NewGold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) valued at N561,182.00 executed in four deals compared with a total of 40 units valued at N81,440.00 transacted the week in one deal.

Also, 5,800 units of FGN bonds val-

Close Gain (N) 1.160 .354 .050 .314 19.35 4.71 .66 0.11 .800 .101 18.00 1.55 1.54 0.11 265.00 14.97 2.28 0.10 1.40 0.05

% Change 3.21 1.89 32.17 20.00 4.29 9.42 7.69 5.99 4.59 3.70

ued at N4.833 million were traded during the week in nine deals in contrast to 585 units valued at N640, 467.91 transacted the other week in six deals.

INDEX MOVEMENT The NSE All-Share Index sheds 2.77 per cent to close on Friday at 36,986.94 while the market capitalization of the listed equities on the main board also depreciated by 2.77 per cent to close at N11.714 trillion. Also, the NSE 30 Index depreciated by 2.96 per cent to close at 1,733.02.

All the indices depreciated during the week with the exception of NSE Insurance Index that appreciated by 0.05 per cent. The NSE Consumer Goods, NSE Banking, NSE Oil/Gas, NSE-Lotus II, NSE Industrial Goods shed 3.59, 2.46, 3.88, 4.60 and 3.52 percentages

TOP 10 PRICE LOSERS: Company COURTEVILLE CUTIX PLC. THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. NPF MICROFINANCE BANK CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED COSTAIN (W A) PLC. ASHAKA CEM PLC VONO PRODUCTS PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC.

Open 0.89 2.21 0.81 44.05 0.96 1.68 1.35 24.49 0.69 2.67

Close 0.69 1.80 0.67 37.60 0.83 1.48 1.20 22.00 0.62 2.40

Loss (N) % Change -0.20 -22.47 -0.41 -18.55 -0.14 -17.28 -6.45 -14.64 -0.13 -13.54 -0.20 -11.90 -0.15 -11.11 -2.49 -10.17 -0.07 -10.14 -0.27 -10.11

respectively while NSE-ASeM closed flat .

SUMMARY OF PRICE CHANGES Seventeen equities appreciated in prices during the week lower than 35 equities of the preceding week. Sixtythree equities depreciated in prices higher than 51 equities of the preceding week, while 114 equities remained constant higher than 108 equities of the preceding week. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage A23 39

Monday, August 19, 2013

STOCKWATCH Stock Exchange weekly equities summary as at Friday, August 16, 2013 SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 0.50 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 43.75 PRESCO PLC 36.29 Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. NT Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 4.13 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 1.54 CHELLARAMS PLC. 4.41 JOHN HOLT PLC. 1.22 S C O A NIG. PLC. 5.32 U A C N PLC. 61.89 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. NT CAPPA & D’ALBERTO PLC. NT Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. 1.20 G CAPPA PLC NT Non--Building/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 71.00 ROADS NIG PLC. NT Real Estate Development PINNACLE POINT GROUP PLC NT UACN PROPERTY DEV 18.00 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. 19.35 GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. NT GUINNESS NIG PLC 265.00 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 21.45 JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. 1.16 NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 169.50 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 11.08 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 78.56 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 3.20 MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NT N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 29.70 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 11.20 P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC. NT U T C NIG. PLC. 0.80 UNION DICON SALT PLC. NT Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 50.90 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 935.00 Household Durables BETA GLASS CO PLC. NT NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. NT VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 4.30 VONO PRODUCTS PLC. 0.62 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 37.60 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 63.00 Textiles/Apparel UNITED NIG. TEXTILES PLC. NT FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 11.01 DIAMOND BANK PLC 6.70 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INC. 14.67 FIDELITY BANK PLC 2.85 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. NT GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 25.01 SKYE BANK PLC 4.05 STERLING BANK PLC. 2.75 U B A PLC 7.91 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 10.90 UNITY BANK PLC 0.55 WEMA BANK PLC. 1.05 ZENITH BANK PLC 20.84 Insurance Carriers, Brokers & Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INS. COY. PLC 0.50 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 0.94 CONFIDENCE INSURANCE PLC NT CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INS. PLC 0.50 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 1.16 CORNERSTONE INS. COY. PLC. 0.50 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC 1.48 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. NT GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC NT GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC 0.50 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. NT INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INS. PLC 0.80 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 2.28 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. 0.55 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 0.83 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 16.36 NIG SEW. MACH. MAN. CO. PLC. NT NIGERIA ENERYGY SECTOR FUND NT ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 0.52 STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC 17.20 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. 4.74 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 2.06 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER PLC 65.00 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 2.40

NOTE NT=Not Traded on 16-08-13

QUANTITY

52 WK HIGH

52 WK LOW

SHARES OUTSTANDING

EPS

MOV. (%)

Previous

100 000 386 040 76 967

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 -8.85 -5.69

0.50 48.00 38.48

NT

4.26

4.26

60 000 000

0.00

N/A

NT

635 452

5.94

0.48

1 199 549 736

0.11

-20.42

5.19

240 075 2 400 62 032 10 000 90 322

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

7.69 N/A N/A N/A N/A

1.43 4.41 1.22 5.32 61.00

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

1 033 833 NT

7.97 14.46

2.46 14.46

920 573 765 125 000 000

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

1.39 NT

83 229 NT

62.26 10.00

21.55 3.01

1 200 000 000 20 000 000

4.93 4.73

-15.16 N/A

83.69 NT

NT 173 495

7.28 20.15

7.28 8.82

1 375 000 000

0.00 1.66

N/A 8.11

NT 16.65

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

139 035 NT 37 269 462 651 150 000 1 151 337 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 5.91 N/A N/A -4.72 N/A

13.31 NT 250.22 24.65 0.90 177.90 NT

31 310

54.45

38.31

640 590 362

2.69

N/A

74.20

NT 480 767 1 137 926 178 441 958 110 NT 18 574 1 406 190 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 -5.70 -8.97 0.00 N/A N/A -8.20 N/A 0.00 N/A

NT 9.50 11.75 86.30 3.20 NT 27.00 12.20 NT 0.80 NT

40 000 000 1 233 375 004 360 000 000

369 118 255 501

55.49 1075.17

9.15 367.83

3 129 188 160 792 656 250

1.35 25.43

-5.57 -5.56

53.90 990.00

NT NT 52 092 11 266

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 -2.27 N/A

NT NT 4.40 0.93

395 808 762 575

53.00 68.00

22.07 22.56

3 176 381 636 3 783 296 250

0.70 1.44

-17.54 -0.02

45.60 63.01

NT

0.97

0.57

843 284 027

0.00

N/A

NT

44 473 998 30 971 600 2 010 933 4 399 347 NT 13 928 703 9 175 565 3 930 958 7 470 737 484 967 4 947 680 673 292 5 939 300

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

-1.26 -2.76 0.48 -4.68 #VALUE! -1.22 -9.19 0.00 -6.06 -13.83 0.00 -10.26 -0.43

11.15 6.89 14.60 2.99 NT 25.32 4.46 2.75 8.42 12.65 0.54 1.17 20.93

400 000 4 443 030 NT 1 000 000 20 533 900 268 000 1 608 408 NT NT 10 000 NT 721 163 30 000 NT NT 123 965 123 965 1 533 300 NT 985 263 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 3.64 N/A 0.00 N/A N/A 3.77 N/A 0.00 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

0.50 0.91 NT 0.50 1.27 0.54 1.60 NT NT 0.50 NT 0.90 2.25 NT NT 0.50 0.50 2.20 NT 0.72 NT NT 0.53 NT 0.50 NT 0.50 0.50 NT 0.50

NT 686 300

6.00 1.15

0.00 1.00

300 1 000 000 260 365 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 69 684 902 NT NT 34 660 446 392

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 -3.37 N/A N/A N/A -8.70

NT 1.82 16.93 NT NT 0.56 18.84

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

600 510 500 21 160 515 977

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

5.57 -9.25 8.33 -10.45

4.49 2.27 60.00 2.68

N/A=Not Avialable

0.01 0.07

NT 0.82

SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

NEIMETH INT PHARM PLC 1.40 NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. 7.36 PHARMA-DEKO PLC. 2.03 ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SLN PLC 0.69 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 2.60 MTI PLC NT INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. NT ASHAKA CEM PLC 22.00 BERGER PAINTS PLC 9.61 CAP PLC 43.65 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 9.30 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 190.00 DN MEYER PLC. 1.58 FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC NT IPWA PLC 0.95 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 96.00 PAINTS & COATINGS MANFACT.PLC NT PORTLAND PAINTS & PRDT NIG. PLC 5.56 PREMIER PAINTS PLC. NT Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC 2.00 CUTIX PLC. 1.80 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. 13.18 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. 6.50 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 12.20 Petroleum &Petroleum Products Distributors AFROIL PLC NT BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC 0.50 CONOIL PLC 33.00 ETERNA PLC. 2.90 FORTE OIL PLC. 40.00 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 119.00 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. 36.14 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 155.00 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 4.69 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. 1.05 Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 0.50 Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC NT Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL PLC 4.55 IKEJA HOTEL PLC 0.79 TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. NT TRANSNATIONAL CORP. OF NIG.PLC 1.30 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.50 Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. 1.76 LEARN AFRICA PLC 1.70 STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. NT UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 4.10 Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLCPLC 0.90 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 6.26 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

56 409 412 477 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

-6.67 N/A N/A

1.50 7.36 2.03

2 635 500

0.80

0.50

2 960 000 000

0.10

0.00

0.80

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

608 910

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

75 000 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 2.54 NT

NT 250 093 11 065 26 316 148 744 1 236 867 10 000 NT 192 063 802 171 NT 85 000 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 -13.73 0.00 -10.00 -3.12 -3.06 N/A N/A N/A -11.11 N/A N/A N/A

NT 25.50 9.61 48.50 9.60 196.00 1.58 NT 1.09 108.00 NT 5.64 NT

200 000 127 593 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 -10.45 N/A N/A

2.00 2.01 NT NT

NT 1 711 49 451 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

7.85 NT

25 000 000 683 974 528

55

9.20

5.70

393 120 000

0.76

-3.99

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 10.50

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

2 070 197

1.02

0.54

6 262 701 716

0.13

0.00

0.52

3 826 888

24.80

10.94

2 262 711 568

1.73

-7.58

13.20

NT 51 000 131 435 347 923 172 212 19 625 1 540 25 864

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 3.09 -7.94 -8.99 -2.42 N/A -2.52

NT 0.50 32.01 3.15 43.95 121.95 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

272 639

3.65

1.12

980 294 400

0.21

0.00

1.45

327 998 11 300

3.67 6.40

2.11 3.28

589 496 310 198 819 763

0.58 0.25

-4.09 N/A

4.89 1.00

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

10 600 12 000 NT 6 850 971

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 -9.20 N/A -9.09

NT 0.87 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 -3.76

1.78 1.69 NT 4.26

1 453 026

0.80

0.50

1 507 000 000

0.00

N/A

0.96

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

231 753 290 942

2.78 11.75

1.54 5.15

634 000 000 1 230 468 750

0.38 0.81

N/A -7.26

4.32 6.75

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 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

41

Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

“One of the features of all societies sharing a cultural commitment to the rule of law is public confidence in the justice system and the judiciary.’’

–JUSTICE DAHIRU MUSDAPHER, RETIRED CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA.

NBA disciplinary committee battles erring lawyers As the panel set up by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to investigate allegations of professional misconducts against some senior lawyers recently submitted its report, stakeholders have resumed agitations for more vibrant disciplinary measures against erring legal practitioners. KAYODE KETEFE, Assistant Head, Judiciary Desk examines the challenges before the Bar Disciplinary Committee.

Not all judges are competent, says ArthurWorrey 42

How Tarka marched to prison 45

Young lawyers bemoan plight, allege poor welfare 44

F

ew days ago, a committee set up by the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), to investigate allegations of professional misconducts levelled against some legal practitioners submitted its report. The committee was headed a former Attorney-General of Abia State, Dr. Awa U. Kalu (SAN).

Other members of the committee included the former NBA General Secretary, Mr. Muyiwa Akinboro, former chairman of NBA, Abuja branch , Chief Patrick Okolo, a bar activist, Mr. Okey Ajunwa. A senior lecturer at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari campus, Mrs Stella Peter was the secretary of the committee. The report of the committee has not been made public but it was revealed that it made some findings and “far-reaching” recommendations on how to check unethical practices among lawyers.

Some are already jittery in the circle of top lawyers, including some Senior Advocates of Nigeria who have had some complaints lodged against them. The problem of professional misconduct among lawyers is not new but as old as the profession itself.

But the quality of both the guard of the entry and continued vigilance on the practitioners have been said to be the key to ensure adherence to ethical standards.

A number of institutions shared the responsibility of checking ethical standards in the legal profession. These include the Council of Legal Education (CLE), which provides vocational training for lawyers and strives to ensure the misfits do not enter into profession. To this end, CLE invariably asks prospective entrants to the Nigerian Law School, to state whether they have ever being convicted for any offence(s). There is also the Body of Benchers, a body of legal practitioners of the highest distinction in Nigeria, which ensures

CJN, Justice Aloma Mukhtar

NBA President, Okey Wali, SAN

THE APPROPRIATE BODY SHOULD ALSO MEET MORE OFTEN TO CONSIDER PETITIONS BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION ON THE CONDUCT OF LAWYERS that only “fit and proper” persons are called to the Bar. But once a person is admitted to the profession, the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) of the NBA becomes the appropriate organ for disciplinary purposes.

For those who attained the rank of SAN, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) that admitted them to the inner Bar can also withdraw the privileges of “SANship” from such persons as it happened in the case of the former AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa and a prominent insolvency lawyer, Mr Ajibola Aribisala.

Over the years, the LPDC has entertained petitions against and meted out disciplinary actions to

erring legal practitioners for diverse infringements of Rules of Professional Conducts. However, it has also been alleged that the committee has not been as active as it should be concerning the discipline of lawyers. Critics have alleged that LPDC is not doing enough as it failed to entertain many prima facie petitions against lawyers. But last May, the committee concluded hearing of professional misconduct cases against 20 lawyers and it eventually bared its fang when it directed the Registrar of the Supreme Court to strike off the names of four lawyers from the Roll of legal practitioners.

The affected lawyers are; Dominic Ntiero, Timipa Okponipere, G.C Monye, and J.A Agwuncha.

The committee however suspend-

ed Olawole Ajoge Daniel, for five years on ground of professional misconduct.

National Mirror spoke to some prominent lawyers on the issue relating to unethical practices by lawyers. Mr Seyi Sowemimo (SAN), who said he was impressed by the attitude of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to the problem of indiscipline and corruption in the legal profession, added that, “I think the problem of unethical practices by lawyers is being addressed.”

According to him, “In recent times, the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has sanctioned a number of lawyers for misconducts. And because of the signal that is been sent out by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, members of the legal profession now know that any misconduct will be dealt with in a very decisive manner. So, we are about to see that more discipline would be infused into the profession.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

42

Law & Justice

Fola Arthur-Worrey was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1980. He rose through the ranks in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to become the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in 1996. Before his appointment as the Executive Secretary of the State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), he was the State Solicitor-General and later Commissioner for Lands in the state. In this interview with WALE IGBINTADE, the versatile lawyer speaks on the delay in criminal justice system and the erosion of the authority of court system among other issues. Excerpts:

Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Not all judges are compet

As a former Director of Public Prosecutions, how will you comment on many criminal cases that have been stalled due to unavailability of witnesses?

It has always been there but I think it is getting worse.

Before I became DPP, I prosecuted in the High Courts of Lagos State from 1982 to 1990 before Justice Idowu Agoro, Justice Rosaline Omotosho, Justice George Oguntade and many others. In those days Police were Police, they investigated cases, the Investigating Police Officers did their works and they had experts. People were generally more serious and the system was more manageably, there were less states. It was not a perfect system but it was a functioning system. I remember that I did a murder with Mr. H. A. Lardner, (SAN) , on the other side. The case took us 14 days to complete trial without delay before Justice Agoro. I lost the case but that is not the issue. I completed so many cases within short time which I can’t even remember. This is because the bringing of prisoners from the prisons was efficient; I think people were just more serious back then.

What do you mean by Police were Police?

At that time there was just one Police Force, we do not have all manners of agencies like EFCC and ICPC. These are diversions and I can say it anywhere and I challenge anybody to tell me how EFCC and ICPC have imparted positively in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. You don’t set up agencies like that to prosecute; the end product must be that people are deterred from going into corruption because there is a powerful and potent agency to curb them. So you measure the success of EFCC or ICPC by whether corruption has reduced. Our philosophy is that we set up agencies to clean up the mess whereas we should look at internal control. If a man sits in a pension office as steals N26 billion, there is no amount of justice you can do to that case. The question must be asked how was he able to consistently over a period of time steal N26 billion and no alarm was raised through the audit and the system.

We can be a bit frivolous in the way we handle issues and superficially address things. I think we were more serious, more focused and everybody knew who was responsible for policing and who was responsible for funding the police.

In those days, it is not the States that fund the Police but nowadays everybody is begging the states for assistance.

In those days the Police was founded by the Federal Government as prescribed under our physical system. Today, if a governor is just not interested or the State doesn’t have the funds, the Police will not be funded. Certainly, there are expansion issues, we have created more offences, more jurisdictions, more prosecutorial authorities and we have out-sourced the prosecution of cases to Senior Advocates of Nigeria because that is what the EFCC does at present.

However, EFCC has barely enough resources to give its officials enough funds. The Commission is always complaining that the National Assembly doesn’t appropriate enough funds to it, yet they have enough money to hire Senior Advocates to prosecute their cases. I was a prosecutor in the ‘80s and I know what the problems are. The problems more than anything are lack of or mismanagement of resources. There is no system that will work, no matter how much you pray, no matter how many seminars or workshops we organise, if it is not properly resourced.

Are you suggesting that there so many players in the

Arthur-Worrey

system?

Yes, there are too many players in the system and we have broken some of the traditions in the criminal justice system. If you are going to break traditions you must be prepared to fund the fallout of change. We have too many agencies charged with prosecutorial authority, many of them charge cases that have no substance whatsoever or have not been properly investigated. The courts have lost authority. Today people write petition against judges and then the judges will hands-off the cases. Unfortunately for us, we don’t seem to understand the implications of weak institutions; we don’t understand the signals it sends to citizens and to the rest of the world. A country is only taken as seriously as its law and justice system is managed.

We have to use unusual structures to keep things going rather than the traditional method that is tried and tested all over the world. England has done years of reforms on the judicial system, but they have never restructured to the extent that Police are now becoming secondary and all it resources are going into the protection of VIPs. Are you satisfied with the quality of judgement from our courts?

I have no problem with the quality of most judgements; it is the same principles of law. My problem is with the authority of the court, the clout of the court is not just there anymore the way it used to be. We must ask ourselves whether it is a valid comment that if a judgement is enforced, you find commentators saying we must commend the president for allowing the judgement to be enforced.

To me, that is a nonsense statement because the President has no choice in the matter. Are they saying without the President endorsement a judgement has no force? That is why people are not afraid of judgement whereas in England once a man takes you to court for libel; you find them quickly trying to settle. If there are delays in that system, its delay is getting a date, once a date is fixed, you are bound.

MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE AUTHORITY OF THE COURT, THE CLOUT OF THE COURT IS NOT JUST THERE ANYMORE THE WAY IT USED TO BE The President recently directed the governors to sign death warrants of those on death row. What is your take on this?

I wonder where he got that power. The governors are not subordinate to the President. Indeed, the president is an agent of the State because without the States, there would be no Nigeria. People must understand the concept of federalism. My clear view on your question is that the president doesn’t have that power to direct them and whether each governor signs the death warrant or not is their own prerogative. However, governors must make up their minds, if they don’t like the idea of death penalty, they can send a Bill to their State Houses of Assembly, amend their criminal justice law and expunge death penalty for certain offences. But in relation to those on death row, and who have been waiting indefinitely after their Supreme Court appeals have been exhausted; the governors may ask their prerogative of mercy committees to commute the sentences from death to life imprisonment, so that the process can come to an end. As it is, the process has not ended once there are people on death row and none signing of warrants. But, the President has no power to direct the governor to sign death warrants. It could be the President merely suggested and not direct the governor to do so.

It is almost a tradition in Lagos State that former directors of Public Prosecutions are appointed to the Bench.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, August 19, 2013

Law & Justice

43

tent, says Arthur-Worrey Why are you not a judge yet?

I can’t sit on the Bench, I am too impatient. A man must know his nature; a lot of people need to appreciate one thing, to be a judge is not an easy thing. Not everybody who is a judge is competent. Many of them are products of tradition. What do you need as a judge? You need patience, intellectual capacity so that you can dominate your court.

You need the temperament not to explode into anger if a counsel is just being silly but to manage the situation and maintain the dignity of the court.

You have to have a lifestyle that fits the sobriety of judgeship or that you are willing to change the life style you had before your appointment. It is not like America where you can be a judge then retire and go back into legal practice. Here in Nigeria, you cannot appear in court or practice, you may become a consultant. Not every judge who has been appointed is enjoying the job; some are finding the work too much. So, to be a judge never really appeal to me, I am too restless, physically, I can’t sit in one place for long, it is impossible. Again, the job is too restrictive for someone like me. I have been in the system for 26 years and rose to become a Commissioner. Because of who I am, I was in control and bullied my way to get what I want in order for the work to move on. I was used to controlling processes. I’d rather get involved in processes that I have a larger measure of control. A judge can give a judgement but that judgement is subject to appeal. I will be very frustrated if I give a judgement and people come back that it cannot be enforced, I will be helpless.

Were you offered appointment on the Bench?

Oh yes, it was offered to me three times but I know it is not for me. I was honoured by the offer but I knew I could not accept the offer.

As the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), what are the challenges you are facing?

We are not a security agency, we don’t have the authority to go out on the streets and maintain law and order. That authority belonged to federal agencies. There would be no need for a Trust Fund, if the Federal Government was funding its agencies. So the existence of Trust Fund is evidence of system failure. So, we must acknowledge that it is not the responsibility of the trust fund to fund the police.

It is an intervention fund, it was established as a response to the failure of the Federal Government to do its job. We must put that into perspective.

So, if there is insecurity we should not blame the trust fund. Unlike state agencies that have administrative borders, the Police, the State Security Service and the Armed Forces can operate across Nigeria under one central command. In the 1980s and to some extent the 1990s, the Police and SSS were funded exclusively by the Federal Government. As time went by, military rule embedded itself and because military rule is a unitary system, State’s military administrators appointed from Abuja began to take rev-

IN RELATION TO THOSE ON DEATH ROW, AND WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING INDEFINITELY

SUPREME COURT APPEALS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED; THE GOVERNORS MAY ASK

AFTER THEIR

THEIR PREROGATIVE OF MERCY COMMITTEES TO COMMUTE THE SENTENCES FROM DEATH TO

LIFE IMPRISONMENT, SO THAT THE PROCESS CAN COME TO AN END

enues from the States to fund their operations, such as ‘Operation Sweep’ and many others. That has affected the perception of responsibility. Again, the military administrators were referred to informally as Chief Security Officers of their respective States.

Now, when the military left and the civilians came in under democratic dispensation, people retain the perception that governors were Chief Security Officers. I have told people that it is a meaningless appellation. A title is as useful as the powers and duties conferred on it either by a Constitution or by a statute. When people say executive governor, the executive is superfluous because there is no such creature in the constitution as executive governor.

That is where any documentation in Lagos never used the appellation executive governor but simply the governor because that is what the constitution says. So, the appellation, Chief Security Officer has neither constitutional or statutory creation, reference nor duty. If you say I’m Chief Security Officer, you have to define my duties.

Is it correct to say that the Federal Government is not adequately funding the Police?

Today, the Federal Government hardly contributes to the operations of State Police Command in each of the States. The responsibility of the Federal Government is not limited to Abuja, so when there is a budget for security it is for the whole country. When you have this type of ad-hoc or informal system where, one, if the government can afford it and second if the governor is inclined. Today, it is not likely that the governor of Rivers State would be inclined to support Mbu (Rivers State Commissioner of Police). So, that tells you that fundamentally something is wrong and this is not the system contemplated by the constitution. There is no State that can in its budget appropriate anything for the police, because the Police and the security agencies are on the exclusive legislative list. So, you cannot in your budget appropriate anything to the Police, you can say security or contingencies but you can’t have a sub-head that says Police.

What I dislike about federal officials is the way they carry on as if it is not their responsibility. Federal Government doesn’t even contribute a penny into maintenance of the police vehicles in the state. That is why the Lagos State government set up a committee with the former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith as Chairman, involving everybody, private sector, government officials, individuals and associations. And everybody came to the same conclusion that the main problem is resources. That was when we proposed the establishment of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

So, the first thing the governor did was to hold meeting with the private sector; that was our first town hall meeting. Before then, bank robbery was a daily occurrence and that was why the banks and some industrialists came to join the government to provide enough equipment and money to start the funds. We have not been able to get that amount again because of the financial crises but there is no year we have not received donations, sufficient to run the system. The board met recently with the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and the Director of SSS; one of the requests was for 430 tyres for RRS and other vehicles.

How has the Trust Fund assisted the police in fighting crime?

In November last year, one of the Armoured Personnel Carriers, dislodged robbery at Lekki, the men were very brave, and the APC was hit 62 times by AK 45. The robbers damaged the windscreen although the bullet did not penetrate. We repaired the vehicle and we had to get experts from abroad for the repairs. But, without the funds, the vehicle will just be packed somewhere because the government has so many things on its hands.

The Trust Fund has maintained its role over the last six years supporting the police and the armed forces. We have two streams of military imputes, OP-MESSA comprising of Army, Navy and Air Force and newly established Quick

Reaction groups which cover Lekki Epe, Ojodu-Berger to Ogere while another group covers Mile 2 to Badagry. Lagos State Government spent over N300m a year to fuel these vehicles.

We will try our best to justify peoples’ trust in us and to encourage people to continuously support the Trust Fund because there is no alternative to Security Trust Fund at the moment. Let me give you a dimension of what I mean; 2013 security budget for Nigeria is N957 billion. Of this amount, N311 billion is budgeted for the police. However, of that N311 billion, N292billion is personnel cost- salaries; leaving less than N20 billion for operations and overheads.

Since 2006, the Federal Government has sent maybe 60 vehicles to its command in Lagos. But, the security trust fund has shared 700 vehicles to the police and other components of security system.

44

Law & Justice

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, August 19, 2013

‘Disciplinary panel inactive over the years’ CONTINUED FROM 41 We are about to see more lawyers conducting themselves in accordance with the ethics of the profession.” he added.

Another SAN, Chief Makanjuola Esan, said “All of us are worried that lawyers behave as if there is no regulations, as if there is no provision regulating their conducts. But there is provision in the law.

There is also the committee charged with the discipline of lawyers. Those people are doing their best. But in the first place, it requires a complainant to bring to the disciplinary committee that this lawyer has committed an offence. Without that, the Bar Disciplinary Committee cannot just take it up.

“Those of us who are lawyers owe a duty to bring to the appropriate authority conducts unbecoming of lawyers. It is a combination of the functions of all of us and I think people are disillusioned that some lawyers behave as if there is no law or as if they are above the law but it is important that cases of indiscipline at the Bar should be brought to the appropriate quarters.’’

Esan advised that the appropriate body should also meet more often to consider petitions brought to its attention on the conduct of lawyers.

He said it was wrong for lawyers through their greed to collect money on behalf of

EVERY PROFESSION NEEDS TO KEEP REEXAMINING ITSELF TO SEE WHETHER ITS MEMBERS KEEP TO

THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF THE PROFESSION their clients and refused to pay them over. ‘’These are things that are happening now and we read about them in the papers.

There is the criminal aspect of breach and trust which the EFCC or the Police can prosecute but there is also the indiscipline aspect which can be considered by the Bar Disciplinary Committee and may result in the removal of their names from the roll of lawyers or temporary suspension depending on the gravity.

I think we need to sit up and repair the image of the Bar in the eyes of the public.

It is a serious situation and the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee has a great role to play in this”.

A Lagos lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, said “The judiciary is a microcosm of the

Kalu

Esan

Nigeria’s society. We can’t expect the Judiciary to be different qualitatively from the Nigeria society. The point is when these lawyers who engage in shady practices are identified and caught, we should not spare them. Unfortunately some of them are very senior lawyers and then they go about doing all sort of nonsense.”

Another lawyer, Mr. Yahaya Oladeji, said “Every profession needs to keep reexamining itself to see whether its members keep to the highest standards of the

profession. I think the LPDC has not been particularly active over the years because, it does not entertain many of the petitioners lodged against lawyers. But at least, it has shown it can mete out serious punishments when it meant business. I think there is a great room for improvement.

LPDC should be more up and doing, especially these days that there are many bad eggs in the profession.’’

Young lawyers bemoan plight, allege poor welfare KENNY ODUNUKAN

S

ome young lawyers have raised alarm over poor welfare and high rate of unemployment among the teeming group of their colleagues in the country.

The lawyers who spoke exclusively to National Mirror also criticised the insensitivity of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and some senior lawyers to their plight.

A Lagos- based lawyer, Mr. Ayodeji Kehinde, said, “NBA is not paying any attention to young lawyers at all. As far as I am concern, NBA is inactive and insensitive as regards to the plight of young lawyers”.

According to him, “Some senior lawyers are selfish. Young lawyers are treated with disdain and a lot of young lawyers are suffering”.

He further said, “Some senior lawyers also give conditions to job- seeking new wigs before they are employed. If you cannot bring clients and contribute some measurable inputs to the firm, you will not be employed”.

Another young lawyer, Miss Mobisola Akerele said “the NBA is not doing anything about the plight of young lawyers and I can affirm that a lot of young lawyers are being under-paid”.

She however commended the NBA for the discount it granted the young lawyers seeking to attend the forthcoming Bar Conference in Calabar, Cross River State on August 25. She said besides this form of support, there was no other welfare package for the new wigs.

Miss Bukola Bells corroborated this position adding: “The way out of the predicament is for NBA to mandate all established law firms to pay standard minimum

Akintola

Akerele

wages”.

But Chief Adeniyi Akintola, (SAN) said, “You cannot regulate what an employer would pay an employee. The Bar is not a trade union. I belong to the school of thought that says you cannot pay a junior in your chambers adequately. Where I was trained, thank God my principal is still alive, I didn’t earn salary for three years, but I was not starving at the same time.

“This is because the mechanism for the welfare of juniors that were put in place there. We used to have what we called transport allowance. For every time you went out to handle a case you were paid N20 only; you know it was a lot of money then”.

“But if you followed your principal to court in the morning, you would not be entitled to anything because you would be riding in his car. But Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), God bless him, changed the situation’ he added.

The Chairman of NBA, Ikeja branch, Mr. Monday Ubani said “NBA as an institution does not run law firms, it is only our members that do.

He added that ‘’No amount of money is sufficient for a lawyer as salary. It is very important that juniors must be made to learn first and they should be sure that the big monies will roll in later. Seniors must be humane in their employment policies.

Junior lawyers should be encouraged”.

Chairman, NBA, Ikorodu branch, Mr. Saheed Owosile said “ What the NBA can only do is to encourage senior lawyers to endeavour to pay properly and ensure the unemployment circle is reduced to the barest minimum”.

Former second Vice-President, NBA, Mr. Adekunle Ojo said, “I am not aware of any move by the Bar to redress the underdevelopment of the younger ones. Hence, the resort to shabby practices by many of them; there is not even any official help to enable them go into partnership”.

LEGAL TIPS CONSOLIDATION OF ACTIONS IN COURT This is a process whereby two or more actions pending in the same court are joined and tried by the same court.

• Consolidation is usually between (a) a plaintiff and a defendant; (b) a plaintiff and many defendants; (c) many plaintiffs and a defendant or (d) many plaintiffs and many defendants.

• It is important that the suits being consolidated should be on the same issues and must be pending before the same high court.

• In asking for consolidation of suits, the court must be convinced that the issues involved in these cases are the same and the reliefs sought by the plaintiff or defendant in both cases are primarily the same.

• The main reasons for consolidation of actions are to save time of the court and the parties to the suit and also the cost of the prosecution. The application must therefore be for genuine and pragmatic reasons.

• The procedure for consolidation is by making the necessary application to the court either orally or formally.

• Generally, consolidation of suits is for the convenience of the trial of the suits. In other words, the suits still retain their individuality.

• At the end of the trial therefore two or more judgements or decisions are made depending on the number of suits consolidated.

Written by Francis Famoroti, Head, Judiciary. We welcome feedback and reactions from readers via our e-mail: nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo. com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, August 19, 2013

45

How Tarka marched to prison Joseph Sarwuan Tarka was a senator in the National Assembly between 1979 and 1980. About 49 years ago, he was convicted for abusing the reverred Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, in the First Republic. Tarka later served as a federal commissioner in Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet and he eventually resigned over scandalous allegation of corruption.

FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary reports.

T

he late Joseph Tarka was a Second Republic politician. He hailed from Benue State and was a former minister for Transport and then Communications under General Yakubu Gowon. He was one of the founding members of a political organisation, United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC), dedicated to the protection of advocate for the country’s Middle Belt.

Tarka was known to have exerted considerable influence in the Middle Belt and he advocated for a separate region for area from the Northern part of the country. His uncompromising stance made him and some of his supporters to kick against the Sardauna of Sokoto-led Northern Peoples’ Congress (NPC).

Tarka was elected to a seat in the Federal House of Representative in 1954 on a non-party basis, at age 22. In 1957, he emerged as president of the UMBC, which formed an alliance with the Action Group, the dominant South West party.

Tarka was re-elected in 1959. His reelection saw him as the first Tiv legislator to be re-elected for a second term. It was believed that he attained this feat in part due to his charisma, his father’s reputation and the goodwill he received from the Tiv Progressive Union.

He was arrested in 1962 on charges of treasonable felony with some other Action Group leaders, but was acquitted for lack of evidence.

His style of politicking in December 1964 led to his arrest for allegedly abusing the Sardauna. He was also accused of inciting one Mallam Bala Amma to beat up the leader of NPC in Makurdi zone.

According to a Daily Times publication, the Headlines in its No 233 September 1992 edition, Tarka was said to have been arrested in Gboko for the alleged offence. He was subsequently arraigned before the Gboko Magistrate’s Court and tried. During the hearing of the case, the prosecution witness, Mallam Bala told the court that Tarka abused the Sardauna on the day of the incident and asked a man to assault him in a market place.

Cross-examined by the defence, Bala said he did not conspire with anyone to implicate Tarka and thereby rendered him incapable of campaign for the 1964 December elections.

In his judgement, the Magistrate, Mallam Umar Ibrahim, ruled that there was sufficient evidence to establish that Tarka committed the offence.

The magistrate sentenced Tarka to four months imprisonment without an option of fine. Tarka appealed against the verdict and pleaded to be granted bail. The court refused his plea and clamped him to Kaduna prison.

Tarka eventually regained his free-

FAMOUS CASES dom and remained a strong force reckon with in Middle Belt comprising the present day Benue and Plateau States.

After General Yakubu Gowon took over as the Head of State in August 1966, Tarka was appointed Federal Commissioner of Transport and then of Communications.

As Minister of Communications, he was forced to resign in 1974 after an allegation of corruption was levelled against him, which were made public and backed by a sworn affidavit. Though, there was no government sanction or official inquiry to the allegations, at the time, Tarka remained the first but one of the earliest federal ministers to resign over allegations of corruption. The allegation of corruption was widely acclaimed to have been made by his fellow-Tiv , Godwin Daboh. Daboh’s action was allegedly instigated by other prominent elements in the region.

After leaving office, he entered private business and was quite successful sometimes acting as a representative of foreign business concerns.

In the lead-up to restoration of democracy with the Nigerian Second Republic, Tarka aligned with northern politicians to form the National Party of Nigeria, on which platform he unsuccessfully competed in the Presidential elections.

Born on July 10, 1932 in Gboko, his father was a village teacher and administrator. After his elementary, middle school and teacher training course in Bauchi, he also became a teacher in his home town.

Tarka then worked as a science and rural science teacher in Katsina Ala and for the Tiv Native Authority. Before taking a purge into politics, he was involved in the establishment of the teachers union in Middle Belt.

He was elected Senator for Benue East in 1979, and was appointed chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriation, a position he held till his death on March 30, 1980 at the age of 48.

Sardauna of Sokoto

Tarka

HIS STYLE OF POLITICKING IN

DECEMBER 1964 LED TO HIS ARREST FOR ALLEGEDLY ABUSING THE

SARDAUNA. HE

WAS ALSO ACCUSED OF INCITING ONE

MALLAM BALA AMMA TO BEAT UP THE LEADER OF NPC IN MAKURDI ZONE

Gowon

Ijora-Badiya eviction: Lawyers fault Lagos govt KENNY ODUNUKAN

T

he Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch, Mr. Monday Ubani and another Lagos lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Aturu have condemned the Lagos State Government over an alleged forceful eviction of over 9,000 residents of Ijora-Badia area of Lagos State.

The lawyers, who spoke to the National Mirror aligned with the positions canvassed by the Amnesty International (AI) and Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC) that the act of the state government constituted gross violation of human rights.

AI and SERAC had earlier asked the state government to urgently provide compensation for all the affected residents, estimated to be about 9,000 dwellers.

According to Ubani, it is not right

to evict people without proper compensation. In other countries, the government would have made an adequate plan which involves compiling names of the residents and making adequate provision for their rehabitation”.

His words, “I think the government should be more humane with the way it treat its citizenry .The way the government handled them is not right. I expect compensation before demolition not after the demotion has been carried out and people have been rendered homeless.

Aturu also spoke in the same vein, saying that the state government violated the rights of Badiya East residents by forcefully evicting them.

He argued that it was wrong for the state to call the displaced dwellers of Ijora Badiya trespassers, maintaining that most of them have been living there for more than two to three decades.

Law & Justice

46

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Monday, August 19, 2013

THE ADVOCATE OLUGBEMI FATULA

08037213732 (sms only) E-mail: afribic@yahoo.com

Child marriage in Nigeria POVERTY ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO CHILD MARRIAGE BECAUSE IT IS THE COMMON REASON

T

he structure of the Child’s Rights Act 2003 was informed by the need to consolidate all laws (including national and international law) relating to children into a single piece of legislation that specified the rights and responsibilities of children, as well as the duties and obligations of government, parents and other authorities, organisation and bodies towards children. Under this mandate, the Act was divided into 24 parts and 11 schedules.

The salient provisions of the Nigerian Child Rights Act on child sexual abuse include sections 11, 27, 31 and 32. Section 11 provides that every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, on child shall be subjected to physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment, including sexual abuse; subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Section 27 provides that no person shall remove or take a child out of the custody or protection of his father of the child against the will of the father, mother guardian or other person and that a person who contravenes this provision commits an offence and is liable on conviction on imprisonment for a term of seven years. Section 31 provides that (1) no person, shall have sexual intercourse with a child; (2) a person who contravenes the provision of Subsection (1) of this section commits an offence of rape and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life. Finally it is provided in section 32 that a person who sexually abuses or sexually exploits a child in any manner not already mentioned under this Part of this Act commits in offence and is liable on conviction for a term of 14 years.

Despite these legislative efforts however Nigerian

WHY PARENTS MAY ENCOURAGE A GIRL

- CHILD TO MARRY

children have continued to suffer several forms of sexual abuses and encroachment of their rights to survival and development. One area where this manifest is child marriage which is the practice of marrying a young child particularly a young girl (generally defined as below the age of eighteen) to an adult using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is used as the yardstick. Marriage can either be by force or by choice.

Child marriage constitutes a forced marriage because anyone under the age of 18 is presumed to be incapable of making a fully informed choice on whether or not to marry.

The major factors that influence the practice of child marriage are rooted in traditional and religious beliefs such as the belief that if a young girl reaches puberty without getting married, she will fall prey to sexual depredations, and it would become difficult for her to get a man who would want to settle with her, since she would be seen as being too old for marriage. Another incredulous belief is the belief that after having sex with a girl child, men may be cured from diseases sexually transmitted disease and would be blessed.

Poverty also contributes to child marriage because it is the common reason why parents may encourage a girl - child to marry. In the context of poverty, the practice of paying bride price can encourage early marriage.

Child marriage is a desecration of children’s rights; a direct form of discrimination against the girls child who, as a result of the practice, is often deprived of

her basic rights to health, education, development and equality. It leaves the child brides more vulnerable to poverty, ill health and psychological trauma, poor physical development in the sense that the girl child is likely to be forced into sexual activity with her husband. And at an age when the bride is physically and sexually immature, this has severe health consequences. It also leads to psychological problem and health complications during pregnancies such as heavy bleeding, fistula, infection, anaemia and eclampsia, an illness that sometimes occurs during the later stages of pregnancy and involves high blood pressure and convulsions sometimes followed by a coma which may lead to higher mortality rates of both mother and child.

In Nigeria a major impediment to the criminalisation of child marriage is the Nigerian constitution itself. Specifically section 38 of the 1999 Constitution provides absolute and total freedom of religion. That provision says every Nigerian is guaranteed freedom of religion, to worship, to practice, to observe and to propagate her or his religion in private or in public.

Again part one of the Second Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution, item 61, which deals with legislative powers of the National Assembly clearly states that the National Assembly can make laws on the formation, annulment, and dissolution of marriages other than marriages contracted under the Islamic Law or the Customary Law. What this means is that marriages made under the Islamic or Customary Laws are excluded from any law the National Assembly will enact. So the Child Rights Act enacted by the National Assembly will not supersede the schedule earlier mentioned if it purports to touch on any issue concerning Customary or Islamic Law Marriages being a matter which the National Assembly is disempowered to make any law upon by the constitution. Some Nigerian men hide under this to marry children under 18 years contrary to section 21 of the Child Rights Act which prohibits marriage of children under 18 years since there is no such prohibition under the Islamic law.

Bar Jokes

Consultation Fees

A

lawyer’s dog, running around town unleashed, heads for a butcher shop and steals a roast. The butcher goes to the lawyer’s office and asks, “if a dog running unleashed steals a piece of meat from my store, do I have a right to demand payment for the meat from the dog’s owner?” The lawyer answers, “Absolutely.”

“Then you owe me $8.50. Your dog was loose and stole a roast from me today.”

The lawyer, without a word, writes the butcher a check for $8.50.

The butcher, having a feeling of satisfaction, leaves.

Three days later, the butcher finds a bill from the lawyer: $100 due for a consultation.

A

Deputy says, “License and registration, please.”

Lawyer says, “What for?”

Deputy says, “You didn’t come to a complete stop at the stop sign” Lawyer says, “I slowed down, and no one was coming.”

Deputy says, “You still didn’t come to a complete stop. License and registration, please.”

Lawyer says, “What’s the differ-

O

ne day a lawyer was riding in his limousine when he saw a guy eating grass. He told the driver to stop. He got out and asked him, “Why are you eating grass?”

The man replied, “I’m so poor, I can’t afford anything thing to eat.”

So the lawyer said, “Poor guy, come back to my house.”

The guy says, “But I have a wife and

three kids.” The lawyer told him to bring them along.

When they were all in the car, the poor man said, “Thanks for taking us back to your house; it is so kind of you.”

The lawyer replied, “You’re going to love it there... the grass is a foot tall!”

Culled from Bar Jokes .com

My presentation was smooth -Kehinde

Legal Dispute Lawyer runs a stop sign and gets pulled over by a Sheriff ’s Deputy. He thinks that he is smarter than the Deputy because he is sure that he has a better education. He decides to prove this to himself and have some fun at the deputy’s expense...........

Generous lawyer

ence?”

Deputy says, “The difference is, you have to come to a complete stop, that’s the law. License and registration, please!”

Lawyer says, “If you can show me the legal difference between slow down and stop, I’ll give you my license and registration and you give me the ticket, if not you let me go and no ticket.”

Deputy says, “Exit your vehicle, sir.”

At this point, the Deputy takes out his nightstick and starts beating the ever-loving crap out of the Lawyer and says: “DO YOU WANT ME TO STOP OR JUST SLOW DOWN?”

M

y first solo appearance was before Justice Elfrida Williams-Dawodu of the Lagos High Court. My principal in my chambers asked me to appear in court to move a substituted application in a divorce suit.

Ayodeji Kehinde I asked for the case file, studied it and practised my

presentation in the front of a senior colleague who put me through on what and how to move my application.

When the matter was called, I announced my appearance and sought the leave of the court to move the motion. The court granted my request and I moved the motion without any stress.

It was so easy for me because I had participated in several court proceedings.

The Judge did not notice that I was a new wig because my presentation was smooth and almost flawless.

Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Community Mirror We will sit down and make sure the mandate given to us by Nigerians is fulfilled. We want a peaceful united Nigeria, and a peaceful united Nigeria will translate into prosperous Nigeria.

NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY,DR. BAMANGA TUKUR

NRC to inaugurate container freights train

Deposed chiefs challenge monarch in court

FRANCIS SUBERU

T

T

he Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, is set to ease the heavy traffic posed by articulate vehicles and container bearing trailers on the highways, as it has concluded plans to move container freights from APM terminal at Apapa Port to Inland Container Nigeria Ltd depots in Kaduna and Kano.

The inauguration slated for August 23, 2013 will begin with 20 wagons carrying 20 to 40 containers per trip.

The commencement of the container traffic will, help in decongesting the ports as well as facilitate the establishment and use of Inland Container Depots, ICDs, along the track corridors.

The Managing Director of the NRC, Engr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, said the container traffic was a strategy to demonstrate the ability and readiness of the corporation to further enhance the development on the nation’s economy and to enter into partnership with organisations requiring its services.

“Single train haulage of 20 containers is equivalent to 20 trailers or 40 trucks on the road and this goes a long way to improving the economic, health, safety and environmental sustainability of the nation”, he added.

Also, the NRC will commission newly acquired assets that include four 1800HP locomotives and two 100-ton telescopic cranes.

It would be recalled that the corporation enhanced its passenger carriage capacity recently by inaugurating the third weekly Lagos – Kano intercity passenger train,as it has been maintaining a steady increase in goods and passenger services.

Sijuwade

OJO OYEWAMIDE

AKURE

hree traditional chiefs in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State recently deposed by the Amapetu of Mahin kingdom, Oba Lawrence Omowole, have challenged the action at the Okitipupa High Court.

In a suit number HOK/34/2013 filed by their counsel, the three chiefs, Oloja of Kofawe, Chief Juwon Shemudara; Baale of Agbeni, Chief Estrome Agbeni and Bale of Lerenren, Chief Charles

Kehinde Temetan, said their removal as community heads of Kofawe, Agbeni and Lerenre was illegal.

They said the action contradicted the Ondo State Chieftaincy Law, claiming the action of Oba Omowole was capable of truncating the relative peace in their communities, even as they asked the court to reinstate them.

In another suit number HOK/44/2013 which has the Amapetu, Ministry of NigerDelta and Engr. Williams Ayerin as defendants, Chief Shemuda-

ra, also prayed the court to help him recover the sum of N93million from the defendants being the proceeds realised by the first and third defendants from the sale of his land at Kofawe without his consent.

He said the land was given to him by the people of Mahin in appreciation of the selfless and legal services rendered to the kingdom for over two decades.

Shemudara, said the first and second defendants encroached on his land which they sold to the Ministry of Niger Delta in 2010.

According to the suit, the plaintiff stated that he was convicted by the Chief Magistrate Court at Okitipupa in 2011 over the land for forgery, an offence he never committed before the judgment was quashed by Okitipupa High Court.

The plaintiff attached to his statement of claim a copy of an Okitipupa High Court judgment which pronounced him as the rightful owner of the disputed land. No date has yet been fixed for the hearing.

Companies warned against illegal security firms DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

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Fali cultural dancers performing at Vimtim village in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State last Saturday.

PHOTO: NAN

Ilaje indigenes raise alarm over marginalisation HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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he people of Ugbo Ward Five in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have called on the government to consider them when making appointments into oil commissions, even as they claimed to be marginalised.

They alleged that no indigene had ever been appointed into organs responsible for oil related activities,especially the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the Local Content Board, LCB. The community leaders em-

phasised that there was need for government to take them into consideration, following the principle of justice and fairness when it appoints a new board for these agencies.

In a letter signed by eight leaders of the ward including Alfred Aganyebi, Caleb Malumi, Tunde Ikujuni and others, they stated that since the creation of the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC, NDDC and OSOPADEC; no indigene of Ugbo Ward Five has been appointed to their boards.

It said that in spite of having qualified sons and daughters no one from the area has ever been given a chance.

The letter read, “The main

purpose of our agitation is to respectively appeal to the governor to apply his attribute of justice and fairness to the issue of appointing the next NDDC state representative. We should be treated equally like other wards because of the 13 oil based appointments so far in Ilaje constituency, Ugbo Ward Five has none.

“This totally negates the principle of equity and fairness and we hope it will be corrected before the next appointment is made”.

The people said the ward has communities like Jinrinwo, Odo Nla, Ikorigho, Ajegunle, Ojumole among others where on shore oil production takes place on daily basis.

he Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, has warned companies against patronising illegal private security outfits.

The Gombe Command of the NSCDC which gave the warning said it was compiling a list of such outfits for appropriate legal action.

The Deputy Commandant of NSCDC in Gombe State, Mr. Raymond Lusam who said this at the passing out parade of guards drawn from various private companies in the state, called on them to comply with the rules guiding the business or face wrath of the law.

Lusam lamented that of the 40 private guards companies in the state, only 24 have so far been duly licensed as members of Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, ALPSPN. He drew the attention of hotel operators and other institutions to the fact that it was illegal to employ or operate any security outfit except it was licensed and has certified all conditions in accordance with subsection (1) of private Guard Companies Act Cap 367 Law of Nigeria 1990.

The Deputy Commandant, who called on the public to engage the services of licensed private guards, said the training was apt and timely considering the security challenges facing the country which requires collective efforts as well as support from all stakeholders.

48

Community Mirror

FRANCIS SUBERU

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enowned security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu has commended the Joint Task Force, JTF, on the elimination of Momodu Bama, second in command to Boko Haram leader, Imam Abubakar Shekau.

He said that the decimation of the top leadership of the terrorist organisation would lead to early victory in the war on terror and safety of Nigerians. He therefore urged the sect’s leaders to embrace peace and stop further terrorists attacks on innocent citizens.

He urged the military to develop a new security mas-

Monday, August 19, 2013

Expert calls for master plan on anti-terror war

ter plan aimed at containing isolated Boko Haram attacks on the civil populace.

He called for the implementation of a security initiative which he tagged “Community Vigilance Defence Shield”, CVDS,even as he said that the “Civilian JTF” in Borno State had shown that vigilantism was essential in winning the anti-terror war.

He said that vigilance groups should be organised in different communities to help defend the homeland.

The role of the vigilance groups would be to identify

terrorists in the community and report to the JTF for rapid response.

The President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria, Dr. Ona Ekhomu said that the unfortunate mosque attack in Kondugha, Borno State was possible because there was no community defence shield in place.

He said: “Before the cavalry arrives, you have to stay alive”. According to him, the CVDS should be operated at the local government level and should

Classified advert space for sale

involve district heads, traditional leaders, clerics and other centres of influence at town, village and community levels.

“The shield will also serve as a source of intelligence not only for the JTF and its counter-terrorism operations, but also for the police and its efforts to control crime in various rural communities.”

He urged mosques and churches to put in place robust security measures that will enable the detection of terrorists before they strike.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

“We have got a big job to do. We are looking to make history - to achieve the remarkable feat of being reelected to office after one term in opposition” –UK SHADOW BUSINESS SECRETARY, CHUKA UMUNNA

Egypt may disband Muslim Brotherhood • Death toll rises to 830

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

E

gyptian Minister of Social Solidarity Ahmed alBorai yesterday said the government is considering legal steps to disband the Muslim Brotherhood.

Borai said an official decision would be made by the government in 15 days after the issue is studied by the General Federation of non-governmental Organizations, the Egypt Independent reported.

Borai said the move would force the Muslim Brotherhood to reveal its source of funding and its official agenda. He said a court ruling would not be required because of “the crimes” committed by the organization.

Interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi said dissolving the Brotherhood would force it underground and lead to mass arrests, Israel Radio said.

“There will be no reconciliation with those whose hands have been stained with blood and who turned weapons against the state and its institutions,” the radio quoted him saying.

The Muslim Brotherhood said it planned to continue demonstrations yesterday, al-Arabiya reported.

Supporters of Egypt’s ousted President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood party called for ongoing protests after widespread violence left 830 dead, Reuters has reported.

On Saturday, a Cairo mosque was stormed by government

F

ormer rebel leader Michel Djotodia has beem sworn in as president of the Central African Republic, five months after seizing power in the violencewracked country.

Djotodia swore the oath of office on the Transition Charter, which has substituted for the constitution since the removal of President Francois Bozize, who himself had come to power on the back of a military coup in 2003.

A group of Bozize

Pro-government supporters cheer as an army armoured personnel carrier (APC) moves into position near the alFath mosque on Ramses Square in Cairo, on Saturday.

PHOTO: REUTERS

police forces, who arrested hundreds of protesters gathered inside. On Sunday, supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood protested around the world in response to the violence.

Mohamed ElBaradei, who resigned as vice prime minister over the violence and in his resignation letter said he opposed force to remove Brotherhood protesters, reportedly left Cairo for Vienna on Sunday morning, al-Masry al-Youm said.

More than 600 people died and hundreds of others injured when police dispersed protesters at two sites during the weekend, Ahram Online said.

The unrest peaked Saturday when Egyptian security forces cleared the al-Fath mosque in Cairo where hundreds of

Brotherhood supporters had been barricaded. Video showed police surrounding the mosque when shots were fired at them from the mosque’s turret, causing police to force their way into the mosque and remove the Brotherhood supporters.

The move led to harsh international condemnation.

Egyptian Cabinet spokesman Sherif Shawky said at a news conference Saturday that reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood was still on the table for “those who were not involved in the bloodshed.”

Also, Egypt’s cabinet is discussing the crisis in the country, where hundreds have died in clashes in recent days.

Interim Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi has put forward a

proposal to legally dissolve the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Islamist movement is demanding the reinstatement of Mohammed Morsi, who was ousted as president last month.

Meanwhile, the commander of the armed forces, Gen Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, has warned that his troops will not stand by silently in the face of violence.

“Whoever imagines violence will make the state and Egyptians kneel must reconsider; we will never be silent in the face of the destruction of the country,” he said in a statement posted on Facebook.

He also said his message to Morsi supporters was that there was “room for everyone in Egypt” and the military had no intention to seize power.

Central African Republic’s coup leader sworn in as president supporters calling themselves the Front for the Return of Constitutional

Order in Central Africa dismissed the inauguration as a masquerade.

Djotodia’s inauguration was dubbed as illegitimate by his opponents.

PHOTO: REUTERS

“This swearing in is illegitimate because Djotodia owes his position only to the force of Kalashnikovs and foreign mercenaries,” they said in a statement.

Djotodia vowed to combat insecurity in an address marking the nation’s 53rd anniversary of independence from France last Tuesday.

But a UN report listed “arbitrary arrests and detention, sexual violence against women and children, torture,

rape, targeted killings, recruitment of child soldiers and attacks, committed by uncontrolled Seleka elements and unidentified armed groups throughout the country.”

The violence since the March coup has forced tens of thousands from their homes.

The UNHCR said more than 60,000 Central Africans had fled their country and 200,000 been internally displaced since the crisis erupted in December 2012.

WORLD BULLETIN US, EU to review relationship with Egypt after massacre United States Republican lawmakers are divided over whether the country should cut off aid to Egypt amid spiralling violence.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona renewed his call Sunday to curtail aid as the Egyptian military continues to crack down on protestors seeking the return of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

“For us to sit by and watch this happen is a violation of everything that we stood for,” said the senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee. “We’re not sticking with our values.”

Rep. Pete King, R-N.Y., however, said cutting off aid could reduce U.S. influence over Egypt’s interim government, which controls access to strategic resources, including the Suez Canal.

“I’m reluctant to cut off aid,” said King, who chairs the House panel on Counterterroism and Intelligence.

Four Kenyan policemen killed in suspected al Shabaab raid Four Kenyan police officers were shot dead in the border county of Garissa when 40 heavily armed men, suspected of belonging to Somali militant group al Shabaab, attacked a police post, a senior regional government official said on Saturday.

The east African nation, which sent its troops into Somalia in late 2011 to pursue the al Qaeda-linked militants, has suffered a string of gun and grenade attacks claimed by al Shabaab group as retaliation.

“Four administration police officers were killed during the attack and we are now preparing to transport their bodies from the scene,” Garissa County Commissioner Rashid Khattor said.

“Our initial assessment points to the attackers being al Shabaab militants who crossed over the border and carried out the hit and run attack,” he said.

Norwegian imprisoned in Congo has died –Lawyer The lawyer of two Norwegians who have been imprisoned in Congo since 2009 says one of the two, Tjostolv Moland, has died in prison.

Hans Marius Graasvold told the Associated Press yesterday the cause of death wasn’t immediately clear.

He said British-Norwegian citizen Joshua French, who was imprisoned alongside Moland in 2009, is upset, but in good health.

Moland and French were convicted in Congo in 2009 of espionage and murder of a local driver and sentenced to death.

They have consistently denied the charges and Norwegian authorities have attempted to have the two transferred to Norway.

50

South South

Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police probe UNIBEN VC over abuse of office SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

I

nspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has directed authorities of Zone ‘5’ headquarters of the Nigeria Police to immediately commence investigation into allegations leveled against the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Prof. Godwin Oshodin, in a petition on the table of the national police boss in Abuja.

National Mirror authoritatively learnt yesterday that the allegations in-

clude: conspiracy, false information, abuse of office and disobedience to lawful order of the Visitor to the university and breach of trust established against Mr. Oshodin and two others.

The IGP’s directive is contained in a letter to the AIG of Zone ‘5’, Alhaji Hashimu Argungu, dated July 13, 2013, with reference: CB 7000/IGP.SEC/ ABJ/Vol.56/554, signed by the police boss’ Principal Staff Officer, DSP Murtala Mani.

The decision was sequel to a petition presented by

the Deputy Director of UNIBEN’s Central Records Processing Unit, CRPU, Mr. Kehinde Dokun Samuel, dated June 28, 2013.

While Oshodin’s alleged complicity was clearly underlined in the petition, the two other members of staff for police investigation is Prof. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Egbochukwu and Mr. E. S. Omagbon.

Oshodin, by his action, according to the petitioner, has satisfied all the necessary conditions precedent to removal from office as contained in Section 4, sub-section 8 (c) of the Uni-

versities (miscellaneous) (Amendment) Act, 2003.

Particularly, Samuel averred in his petition that he has facts to prove that Oshodin has demonstrated “strong aversion for due process and observance of university regulations, having disobeyed the express and unambiguous directive of the Visitor to the University of Benin and having brought the hallowed office of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin to disrepute.”

On the allegations of illegal promotion, abuse of

public trust and disobedience of lawful order of the Visitor to the University of Benin, the petitioner particularly alleged that “Oshodin promoted Miss Bimpe Omoyiwola in October 2010 to Senior Assistant Registrar from the position of Administrative Officer, while skipping the position of Assistant Registrar.”

The petitioner further alleged that Omoyiwola, who as at 2007 was a teacher at the University Demonstration Secondary School, UDSS, was made an Administrative Officer even when she was not a

university staff.

The petitioner further accused Oshodin of complicity in an alleged embezzlement of funds by the Coordinator of UNIBEN Part-time Diploma in Law Programme, Faith Osadolor.

According to the petitioner, Osadolor “under the guise of collecting part payment of school fees from students to enable them write examination, collected various sums from the students without remitting same to the University of Benin account,” he alleged.

‘Five PDP northern govs have lost focus’ EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio addressing a town hall meeting of indigenes as part of Akwa Ibom Day celebration in Washington DC, on Saturday.

ssociate Professor of History and International Relations and Diplomacy, Dr. Eddy Erhagbe, at the weekend, picked on the five Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, northern governors, alleging that they have neglected their mandates and lost focus of governance.

Erhagbe argued that the governors, who claimed to be consulting dignitaries in a bid to rescue the country, said they should be called to order because they did not mean well for the nation.

The university teacher, who spoke in Yenagoa while delivering a keynote

address on the maiden South-South Zonal Conference of the Historical Society of Nigeria, raised fears that corruption, bad governance and insecurity were threats to the existence of the country.

Erhagbe, whose paper’s theme was ‘Local Government Administration and Development in the SouthSouth,’ regretted why governors that have two years to complete their tenure were busy gallivanting round the country in respect of the 2015 elections.

He said while some governors were busy developing their states, others were misappropriating their state’s resources on frivolous ventures.

Chevron, Bayelsa communities disagree over gas leakage Nursing school shuts down

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hevron Nigeria Limited and its host communities have expressed divergent views on a gas leak reported at Chevron’s offshore gas field in the Atlantic Ocean located off Bayelsa coastline.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that officials of the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, confirmed receiving a report of a leakage in Chevron’s field last Wednesday.

Head of NOSDRA’s Zonal Operations office in Port Harcourt, Mr. Adeyinka Adewumi, said the agency

had received a report of the leak from Chevron and was awaiting a joint visit to ascertain the cause of the leak.

Coastal communities in Koluama 1 and Koluama 2 communities had alleged that the gas leakage had discharged crude and gas into the environment leading to pollution of the air and marine ecosystem.

Community sources told NAN yesterday that the oil firm had been making frantic efforts to mitigate the leakage while the leak continued.

Mr. Larry Gabriel, a resident from Fishtown com-

munity in Brass Council Area of the state, said that leaking well, located about five kilometres from the site of January 2012, gas explosion “is still discharging gas into the air.

“The leakage is yet to stop; they have been applying chemicals to dissolve the oil and sink it into the sea bed as it gushes out from the well. That is why they are saying that they have no oil spill.

“The traces of dissolved crude have hit the shoreline. The gas emission has compromised the air quality and the smell is everywhere, but unfortunately

gas is invisible but they had an explosion here in 2012 and we do not want a repeat.

“We will not accept any attempt to conceal this incident and we appeal to the agencies of government to rise to the occasion and get to the root of this incident.”

However, Chevron in a statement insisted that it did not record any oil spill in its operations near Bayelsa coastline.

The oil firm did not provide any detail on the reported gas leakage and alleged pollution of air in the communities.

Four abducted Thai nationals regain freedom

F

our Thai nationals have been released unhurt a week after they were abducted while travelling to a farm in the South-South region of the country, police said yes-

terday.

Gunmen kidnapped the four in the Buguma area of Rivers State last weekend, police spokeswoman, Angela Agabe, said they were released on Satur-

day.

“Investigation is still ongoing with a view to apprehending the kidnappers,” she said, adding that no ransom had been paid.

Kidnapping had been rampart, especially in oil producing states like Rivers, where criminal gangs make millions of dollars a year from ransom payments.

over lack of infrastructure

TONY ANICHEBE UYO

A

kwa Ibom state School of Psychiatric Nursing located in Eket Local Government Area has been shut down after the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NMCN, de-accredited all the courses of the school.

A staff of the school told National Mirror in Eket yesterday that after the NMCN carried out their investigations last year and warned the school management that it was going to deactivate all the courses of the school if nothing was done in 12 months to renovate and equip the school.

But after a year, the body that is responsible for the regulation of schools of nursing, psychiatric schools and other allied health institutions in coun-

try came for another monitoring exercise in March this year and discovered that rather than improving, the learning environment of the school was further deteriorating, prompting them to deactivate all the courses which led to the closing down of the school.

Principal of the school, Mr. Asuquo Umoh, confirmed the development in a telephone interview with National Mirror, but added that the government was working round the clock to reverse the situation.

“Well, it is true that the courses have been de-accredited, but we’ve made necessary presentation to the government for steps to be taken which could lead to the reinstatement of the courses. And the Akwa Ibom State government is doing everything possible to reverse the situation,” Mr. Umoh said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stakeholders storm Gombe today for workshop on revenue DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

S

takeholders are expected today in Gombe State for a workshop on how states and local governments could enhance their revenue base.

The stakeholders are three ministers, six governors, National Assembly members and local government chairmen from the North-East.

Speaking during a pre-workshop press briefing, the Federal Commissioner representing Gombe State in the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission and who is also the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the workshop, Ambassador Saidu Mohammed Fawu, said Nigeria had over the years depended largely on oil and gas as the main stay of the economy, hence the need for the country to diversify its revenue base to pay less attention to oil and gas.

According to him, one of the constitutional responsibilities of the Revenue Mobilization

Allocation and Fiscal Commission is to sensitise states and local governments on how to enhance their revenue base.

He said: “Apart from the consultations that the commission normally holds with the states and local governments advising them on how best they could enlarge their revenue base, the commission has this time around thought it fit to come up with this workshop which has been held in the five geopolitical zones of the country.”

Explaining the risk of over dependence on oil and gas, the commissioner said: “This is a very risky business and we belief that there is need for Nigeria to diversify its revenue base to pay less attention to oil and gas.

“We depend solely on oil and gas and you know that oil and gas cannot continue forever. And the market is becoming more and more hostile, more countries are coming up with oil wells and so Nigeria may not fare well in the long run.”

Niger SURE-P to spend N482m on 116 projects PRISCILLA D ENNIS MINNA

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irector General of Subsidy ReInvestment Programme (SURE-P) in Niger State, Alhaji Hassan Nuhu, has said that the programme would spend N482 million on 116 projects across the state.

Nuhu told journalists at the weekend in Minna, the state capital, that the money would be spent on four youth training facilities.

The four facilities are the farm training centres in Bida, Nasko, Tegina and Mokwa as well as the Works Training School in Minna.

Nuhu recalled that SURE-P recently asked its registered contractors to bid for the projects, adding that winners were expected to complete the projects in 12 weeks.

According to him,

North

Monday, August 19, 2013

SURE-P would construct new classrooms, workshops and equip them to ensure that the youths were properly trained in various farming skills and vehicle maintenance.

Nuhu said: “It is expected that after the training, beneficiaries would have would have acquired the required capacity to start up their business outfits, rather than depending on government employment.

The measure was taken to reduce the unemployment rate among youths.

“We have a target of creating 2, 500 new jobs for youths. The training centres will produce the graduates that will become self-employed generating 1,500 jobs at the initial stage which will lead to a multiple effect of generating additional 1,000 jobs and with that, we will reach the target of 2,500 new jobs.”

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Pastor’s wife, three kids, others die in auto crash PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

N

o fewer than eight persons, including a pastors’ wife and her three children have died in an auto crash at Katagbegi village in Niger State.

The pastor’s wife, Mrs. Hellen Samuel, her three children - Saviour, Ensigne and Purity -, as well as the others were on their way from Lagos when the accident occured.

It was leant that the accident occurred at about 8:0pm when the vehicle in which the victims were travelling had a head-on collision with a trailer along the Bida-Minna Road.

The vehicle, eye witnesses, collided with the trailer while trying to dodge a bad portion of the road.

The witnesses said as soon the state vehicle collided with the trailer, it caught fire thereby making

rescue difficult for villagers.

Confirming the incident, the Special Adviser to the Niger State Government on Emergency and Disaster Management, Alhaji Mohammed Shaba, said eight bodies were recovered at the accident scene.

He said the passengers burnt to death, adding that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at the Minna General Hospital.

Those injured are also re-

ceiving treatment at the hospital.

However, when the news was broken to Pastor Abraham Samuel the following day that his wife and children had died in an auto crash, it was learnt he mustered courage and mounted the pulpit to preach.

The pastor was said to have only announced the passage of his wife and three children after he delivered his sermon.

L-R: Leader of the Yoruba community in Jos, Chief Toye Ogunshuyi; Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama and Head of Hausa-Fulani community, Alhaji Garba Abdulkadir, at an interactive session in Jos, at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

Police deny presence of violent sect in Niger PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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he Niger State Police Command has denied the existence of a violent Islamic sect with its headquarters in Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Richard Oguche, told journalists in Minna, the state capital, said there was no camp of any violent sect in the state.

Oguche said: “To say that we have Boko Haram in Rafi Local Government in Niger State is not true, if they are talking of religious extremists, we will understand and we are doing everything possible to understudy them.

“There is no camp of any sect in Niger State, we are aware of some of the activities of some bad boys and terrorists along the forest border covering Niger, Kaduna which transverse Konto-Gwari, Katsina axis

and Zamfara. We have been understudying Rafi Local Government Area for overtime now based on intelligence gathering.”

He, however, added that the command, in conjunction with the military, recently raided the forest popularly known as Maigungunmi that is between Rafi Local Government Area and Birnin-Gwari in Kaduna State and recovered AK47 with three magazines fully loaded, while some suspects escaped.

The police spokesman said: “And since then, we have been on their trail. We have not been able to arrest them, I am sure they have fled back to other hideouts.

“We did not relent because we know that they are only operating within the Niger borders, they also operate in Zamfara along Katsina down towards Kaduna severally. Even the case we had in Shiroro Local Government Area some months ago was attributed to this same people.”

Forum urges Suntai to vacate office on health ground ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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socio-political group, Taraba Justice Forum, yesterday faulted Senator Emmanuel Bwacha over his claim that only the death of Governor Danbaba Suntai could make the state acting governor to become the substantive helmsman.

The forum contended that the lawmaker was guilty of misinterpretation of section 189 of the Constitution.

Bwacha is the senator

representing Taraba South Senatorial District.

He had, in an interview, stated that President Goodluck Jonathan only became substantive President after the death of Umaru Yar’Adua and that the event at the national level is a precedent that should be applied to the Taraba situation.

But the forum, in a statement, issued in Abuja, said the senator’s statement was a deliberate twisting of the clear provisions of the constitution, noting that the constitution mentioned incapacitation, not death for

a governor to cease to hold office.

“The statement credited to the senator is unfortunate as section 189 is clear and unambiguous as to procedure for an acting governor to become substantive governor.

“By citing the case of late President Yar’Adua, the senator is confirming that a cabal is holding the state hostage,” the group said.

He stated that Nigerians condemned what happened during the late president’s illness as a dark chapter of the nation’s history.

“For a senator to cite that ignoble part of our history as a precedent is not only reprehensible but a disservice to the good people of Taraba state,” he added.

Expressing surprise at the claim by the senator that the constitution does not specify how long an acting governor should act, the forum posited that the constitution does not envisage indefinite acting governorship, hence the provision of section 189 to make for orderly transition in case of incapacitation of the governor.

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Monday, August 19, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG raises desertification alarm, says 40 million at risk OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

T L-R: Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima; Deputy Governor, Zannah Umar Mustapha and Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Usman Zannah, at the launching of this year’s tree planting campaign to fight desertification in Maiduguri, yesterday.

‘Christian pilgrimage shouldn’t be an all government affair’ DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

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xecutive Secretary of the National Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, John Kennedy Okpara, has advocated for more self-sponsored pilgrims to the holy land.

Speaking during a courtesy call on Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Okpara said individuals should be encouraged to sponsor less privileged persons in the society rather than allowing it to be an all government affair.

The executive secretary, who announced that the state had been allocated 400 seats, said benefits derived from such pilgrimage in-

cluded reformation of the individual, who go on to encounter spiritual rebirth and upliftment that will in turn impact on others when they return to the country.

Okpara also announced a package approved by President Goodluck Jonathan on the reduction of the naira exchange rate to encourage more people to make the pilgrimage this year, since it translates to a reduction in fares for the exercise.

Responding, Governor Dankwambo commended the commission for the sensitisation exercise, promising to continue to give maximum cooperation and support.

The governor also commended the sanity brought

about in the commission in terms of procedures for the exercise which he said had never been the way it is now.

He promised to personally monitor his aides to ensure that they sponsor at least a person for the pilgrimage from the state stressing that “even though it is not mandatory.”

WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

P

ioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, has denied belonging to any political party or interests in the country.

The retired jurist was at the weekend reacting to a newspaper publication (not

he Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, has raised the alarm over the negative effects of desertification; stressing that over 40 million people in the northern part of the country, are under severe threat.

A statement from the ministry stated that Mailafia raised the alarm at the weekend at a meeting with a delegation from the European Union Technical Assistance Mission to Nigeria.

The mission was led by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Alhaji Mohammad Sani Sidi.

The minister said the mission’s visit to the country was auspicious, particularly coming at a time the country was battling with the men-

KANO

U

ga community in Kano State that lost three of its members in the recent bomb blast in the Sabon Gari area of Kano metropolis, has denied reports that it bribed the police and other security agents in the state to smuggle corpses from the mortuary.

The community was accused of bribing security agents to smuggle out the three children of the same parents that were killed in the bomb blast that occurred recently to avoid them being given mass burial.

The remains of the victims have been laid to rest in their Uga town in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The victims, Chinemerem, 14; Chiamaka, 12 and Nmesomachukwu, 10, were hit by the Boko Ha-

ram bombs in the Sabon Gari area of the city when the terrorists attacked Sabon Gari with an estimated three million population last month.

The father of the kids, Nnamadi Ezebuala, is still lying critically ill at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH, following the July 29 devastating attack.

He is a Kano-based businessman.

The victims were attending service at the Salvation Church when the gunmen struck, Chinemerem and two of his younger sisters died instantly from the blast.

The three kids were in Kano to spend the holiday with their parents after the completion of their secondary school education.

The corpses were conveyed home for burial by a delegation of the Uga Improvement Union in Kano after retrieving them from the mortuary of the Mal-

lam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.

Two members of the delegation, Samuel Ezeamaka and Bassey Ezeugo, told our correspondent that the report that they had to bribe the police and other security agents, as well as hospital authorities to facilitate the release of the corpses to the family to avoid a situation where they would be buried in a mass grave was not true.

Media reports (nor National Mirror) had alleged that “on several occasions, we had to bribe the police, who initially refused to grant us access to the remains of our children,” adding that the family “smuggled their bodies out of the state and brought them back home where we deposited them at Mater Amabi Mortuary, Akokwa, pending the time they would be buried.”

“We wish to state cat-

NEMA Director-General, Alhaji Sani Sidi, said the EU team was in the country on the invitation of NEMA and the National Planning Commission to assess the impact of the flood and provide succour to those affected during the last flooding disaster.

He disclosed that the EU team led by Mr. Kimmo Tuominen, was in the country to, among other things, identify the lessons learnt from the most recent floods; risk assessment and mapping, focusing on hydrogeological risks and related industrial hazards; emergency planning and procedures, including coordination and communication between different regional stakeholders; information management, specifically related to forecast and alert procedures; and early warning system.

I don’t belong to any party, says Akanbi

National Mirror) that he has joined a political group to dislodge the control of politics in Kwara State by the Abubakar Olusola Saraki dynasty.

He was reported to have chaired an occasion where opposition politicians in Kwara State were regrouping to wrest power from the Saraki dynasty now being represented by Senator Bu-

Mass burial: Community denies bribing police to smuggle out corpses AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST

ace of flooding.

She told the delegation that her ministry, in partnership with the World Bank is working hard in arresting the issues of flooding in the country through the water shed and new map projects.

Mailafia saluted the doggedness of the NEMA director-general for his efforts in stemming the unfortunate flood disaster that destroyed billions of naira in property and that killed many in 2012 and for the early warning signal that his agency had been spare-heading since the beginning of the 2013 rainy season.

The minister said: “The issue of sustainability will be achieved if the EU team and NEMA can work assiduously to find out areas they both can assist and arrange to tackle the challenges of flooding in the country.”

Briefing the minister,

egorically that the information that we bribed either the police or other security agencies for the purpose of recovering the bodies for burial is untrue and to no effect.”

The family stated, however, that the only money paid at the Mallam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH, was the normal fees charged for services rendered in taking care of the corpses based on the official hospital fee payable for embalmment and mortuary fees after which the corpses were released to us, no additional fees were paid.”

It will be recalled that terrorists, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect hit the Sabon Gari area of Kano metropolis on July 29, killing several people and left many injured.

Some of the injured victims are still receiving treatment in different hospitals in Kano.

kola Saraki.

The 81-year old Akanbi, who is the first Wakilin of Ilorin, said he accepted to chair the occasion in reference, where a non-governmental organization known as Kwara Citizenship Development Initiative, KCDI, was being launched.

He said he accepted to attend the occasion having received assurances that it was not politically motivated.

Justice Akanbi hammered the point that he attended the gathering not to lead opposition parties

against Saraki, begging that he would not like to be dragged into politics for he was not a politician and would never love to be one.

He said: “A young man called me and said he saw a publication that I was the chairman at a function of opposition members who have regrouped against Saraki dynasty in Kwara. So, when I read it, I was amazed and the sum total of it was that I chaired an organisation designed to wrest power or authority from Saraki’s dynasty.

Now that worried me.

Kaduna to partner Christian council on food security AZA MSUE KADUNA

T

he Kaduna State government has promised to partner with the Christian Council of Nigeria, CCN, on food security to discourage food importation.

Speaking at the National Interfaith Leaders/Farmers Consultation on Economic Partnership Agreement/European Union fisheries policy, meat and chicken importation in Nigeria held at Jakaranda Farms in Kaduna, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero said the nation has what it takes to be self sufficient in food production.

He said: “My government is committed to developing

agriculture through the provision of subsidised fertilizer for farmers; this effort by Christian Council of Nigeria is rare and Kaduna State government will explore this opportunity.”

Yero also charged religious leaders in the state to preach peace for positive transformation and development.

Earlier, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Nigeria, Rev. Yusuf Wushishi, said the importation of fish and frozen chicken from neighboring countries have ruined similar domestic activities in the country.

Wushishi said Nigeria requires at least 2.66 million tonnes of fish annually to satisfy the dietary needs of its citizens.

Monday, August 19, 2013

53

Sport

I think, with all sense of modesty, I am ready to put in all that I’ve got to win the US Open

Paralympian’s death, national loss –Jonathan

54

-SERBIAN TENNIS STAR, NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Nigeria under FIFA radar

CBN Beach Soccer tourney hots up

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FF’s partner in the development of beach soccer in the country, Sports Solutions Limited, stated at the weekend that all is set for he second edition of the CBN Beach Soccer Cup competition, which has been slated for September 6-8 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“We have commenced serious preparations for the competition, which is one of the events designed to truly ginger nationwide interest in beach soccer and generate awareness ahead of the launch of beach soccer league in the country,” Taye Olajide, Head of Events of Sports Solutions, stated.

Already, the company has now completed the construction of a new Beach Soccer Pitch in Accra Street, Zone 5, Wuse, Abuja as part of development of structures for the unveiling of beach soccer league in the country.

It has now been revealed that the newlyconstructed Beach Soccer Pitch in Wuse will host this year’s CBN Beach Soccer Cup competition, which will involve eight beach soccer teams in the country.

“Sports Solutions Limited is delighted with the encouragement and support it continues to enjoy from the Nigeria Football Federation towards the launching of beach soccer league in the country.

“Now, we can disclose that beach soccer teams from Kogi, Nasarawa, Anambra and Abia States, as well as teams representing Sterling Bank, Aso Savings and Loans and defending champions Fidelity Bank will take part in the second edition of CBN Beach Soccer Cup competition,” said Taye Olajide.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Ex-Chelsea coach, Roberto Di Matteo, demonstrating his football skills at the Guiness Head Office, Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday.

Photo: Olufemi Ajasa

Minister hails Okagbare

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he Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has congratulated Blessing Okagbare for winning bronze medal in the 2013 World Athletics Championnships in Moscow Russia.

Okagbare had earlier won a silver medal in the long jump, the first medal Nigeria would win at any IAAF World Championship since 1999.

Nigeria was last night placed 21st on the medal table, higher than countries such as Italy (23rd), Australia (29th) and Japan (29th).

Blessing came third in the

very competitive 200m race, missing out on a silver medal to Murielle Ahoure of Cote d’Ivoire by six thousandths of a second.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica won the race with a time of 22.17 seconds.

Abdullahi praised Blessing for her hard work, resilience and great attitude. “She has got what it takes to be a world champion and I have no doubt that in time she is going to dominate the world in her disciplines.

“I congratulate her and the Nigerian team for breaking the 14-year jinx of not winning any medal at IAAF Championships.!”

Okagbare

two-man delegation from FIFA will fly into Nigeria today for useful deliberations with the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the upcoming Goal Project 2 – the construction of National Technical Centrein Bauchi.

The team, to consist of Francesco Brescoli and FIFA’s Development Officer for West Africa, Sampon Kablan, will also hold discussions with NFF chieftains on available administrative, coaching and refereeing courses in the remaining part of the year and 2014.

National Mirror was informed yesterday that Messrs Brescoli and Kablan who were received at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja last Tuesday morning by NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, as well as Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (acting General Secretary), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (Director of Competitions), Mr. Idris Adama (Director of Marketing), Mr. Jarafu Mamza (Director of Finance), Mr. Ademola Olajire (Assistant Director, Media), Mr. Bola Oyeyode (Head of International), Mr Sunday Okayi (Head of Referees Unit) and Dr. Christian Emeruwa (special assistant to General Secretary).

After discussions with the NFF President, the FIFA

team will hold meetings with relevant NFF schedule officers and then visit the Sunday Dankaro Football House, before flying to Bauchi on Wednesday together with top NFF officials, to see the land that has been allocated to the NFF by the Bauchi State Government for the building of the Technical Centre.

The delegation is expected to pay a courtesy call on the Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda on Wednesday evening, before returning to Abuja on Thursday. While Brescoli is expected to fly back to Europe last Thursday night, Abidjan-based Kablan will fly out of Lagos on Friday.

NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, said: “We are ready to receive the FIFA team, and we have all documents eady concerning the land that has been allocated to us by the Bauchi State Government for the construction of the National Technical Centre.

“I must also reiterate here that the NFF has approached the governments of Lagos and Anambra States as well for allocation of land for similar purpose. Once the centre in Bauchi is ready, we will move to develop the sites in Lagos and Anambra States without further delay. We have that assurance from FIFA.”

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Monday, August 19, 2013

Golf: Mark to tee-off Nigeria Cup

Ahmed harps on grassroots WOLE ADEDEJI

AFOLABI GAMBARI

ILORIN

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O

rganisers said yesterday said that Senate President, David Mark, will tee off the final of the 17th Nigeria Cup at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos on October 5.

This annual event, reputed as the biggest and most prestigious amateur competition on the Nigerian golfing calendar, will formally commence on September 26 and about 200 members will be expected to vie for honours on the course.

Top-ranking professionals will fire the opening shots in the three-day, 54-hole shoot-out on the par 72 course.

Children will vie for the Junior Championship on September 28, caddies will take their turn on September 30 while the all-comers Independence Day Kitty will hold on October 1.

Lady golfers will join the course walk on October 3, while Guests, Veterans and Super Veterans will take to the fairways on October 4 before the “big boys” mount the tee-box for the October 5 finals.

The golf festival will climax on October 6 with the Gala Night and prize presentation at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Nigeria Cup marks Nigeria’s independence by promoting the golf with nurturing new talent and giving back to the community and the highlights includes inviting select golfers from clubs across Nigeria to reflect the completion’s national character.

According to Chairman of The Nigeria Cup 2013 Organising Committee, Ted Iwere, the event aims to leave an imprint while not re-inventing the wheel.

“This is arguably the most anticipated golf event in the country because it caters to every category of golfing,” Iwere said.

The chairman said proceeds from the 10-day competition would be committed to strengthening of the Ikoyi Club’s management cadre, donations to charity and institution of a Golf Academy at the club.

Okagbare

Moscow 2013 fallout: AFN hails minister, targets Glasgow AFOLABI GAMBARI

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he Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) yesterday commended the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, for his support in ensuring that Nigeria broke the World Championships medal jinx in Moscow, Russia.

The World Championship ended yesterday with Team Nigeria winning a silver and a bronze medal in the women long jump and 200m, both by USA-based Blessing Okagbare.

AFN’s Head of Communications and Media, Olukayode Thomas, said the minister’s effort had helped to improve Nigeria’s performance at the meet.

“This is the first time in recent times that the track and field team at

the IAAF World Championships got financial support from the NSC, as well as the first time that a sports minister attended the championships,” Thomas said.

“Majority of the athletes were amazed to see the minister engage them in one-on-one and listened to their problems as they were used to being addressed as a group,” the AFN spokesman added.

Thomas said the athletes would resume training for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games next month.

“The minister has assured that he will support our build-up and participation at the Commonwealth Games and we have resolved to repay this confidence accordingly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Team Nigeria will return to Lagos in the early hours of tomorrow aboard Etihad airlines.

Paralympian’s death, national loss –Jonathan ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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Mark

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

resident Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has described the death of Nigerian Paralympic gold medalist, Joy Onaolapo, as a big loss to the nation.

Onaolapo was among those who made Nigeria proud in the London 2012 Paralympics Games.

In a statement at the weekend by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president said he received the news of the athlete’s death with shock.

Recalling meeting Onaolapo when the Federal Government hosted and honoured the Paralympics medalists at the State House, Abuja last year, President Jonathan said: “It was indeed remarkable and inspiring that she did not allow her physical challenge to stop her from reaching for the best in her sporting life.”

The President also applauded Onaolapo’s commitment and determination at the games and in life which he said

were worthy of emulation.

“As preparations are underway for the burial of the Nigerian Paralympics heroine in the 52 kilogram power-lifting category, President Jonathan commiserates with her family, the government and people of Edo State, members of the Nigeria Power Lifting Federation (NPLF) and the entire sporting community.

“Let us be consoled by the knowledge that Onaolapo’s feat would forever remain fresh in our memory,” the President stressed while praying that God give grace and comfort to the deceased’s family at this trying time.

Jonathan

wara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, yesterday called on stakeholders in sports administration to develop sports at the grassroots, saying the trend will attract private participation in the sector.

Ahmed, who made the call at the First Expanded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Ilorin, also enjoined stakeholders to package the country’s sports to attract local and international investors.

Represented at the occasion by Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, the governor said his administration had tried to develop the state’s sports sector over the years, particularly in the infrastructural aspect.

Highlights of the event include presentation of a letter of appointment to an Ilorin-based sports enthusiast, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike, as Pillar of Sports in Nigeria by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in conjunction with the Kwara chapter of the association.

National President of SWAN, Mallam Saidu Abubakar, called for more cooperation among members of the association with a view to moving the body forward.

Ahmed

NFF calls U-13 players to Akure JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

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he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has invited 30 players for the National U-13 camp billed to open in Akure, Ondo State today.

According to the National U-13/U-15 team Secretary, Wale Adeyinka, the invited players have been picked from the 2012 National U-13 Youth Championship played held last December in Abuja.

“The four-week training exercise would be strictly for U-13 players who will camp at the Love and Peace Hotel in Akure,” the secretary explained.

The U-13/U-15 youth development football programme was initiated by the NFF in 2009, with the aim of reducing age-cheat in Nigeria football.

Eze Chidera, Kelechi Iheanacho, Saliu Ali Baba, and Taiwo Awoniyi are some of the former U-13 and U-15 players that have graduated to the Golden Eaglets.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Monday, August 19, 2013

55

Musa

Euro Leagues Results England Liverpool

1–0

Stoke City

Arsenal

1–3

Aston Villa

Norwich City

2–2

Everton

Sunderland

0–1

Fulham

West Brom

0–1

Southampton

West Ham United

2–0

Cardiff City

Swansea City

1–4

Manchester United

Chelsea

2–0

Hull City

Germany

Yobo

Yobo scores!

IKENWA NNABUOGOR

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uper Eagles’ winger Ahmed Musa was the hero of the sunny Moscow afternoon as he netted the lone goal in CSKA Moscow’s slim 1-0 home win over Kuban Krasnodar yesterday. Musa struck as early as the 11th minute off an assist from Japan international Keisuke Honda and that proved to be enough for the defending champions who stoutly stood between the visitors and the equalizer. He was netting his third goal of the season, starting and playing in all the five games so far this season.

In Turkey, estranged Eagles’ captain, Joseph Yobo, was on target for Fenerbache in the opening game for the multiple Turkish champions but lost 3-2 Konyaspor on Saturday. The former Everton defender, who has been repeatedly shunned by Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, proved he deserved a place in the Eagles’ team with yet another his all-round performance for the visitors. He put his side ahead in the 16th minute which was doubled in 11 minutes but failed to preserve their two-goal advantage and capitulated in the second half. He lasted the entire duration of the game.

Returning to Fenerbahce and making his debut in the defeat was Emmanuel Emenike who fired blank in the disappointing loss. Emenike rejoined the Turkish champions with a huge goal promise but failed to lift his new side. He was on the pitch for 90 minutes and will be hoping to open his goal account in the UEFA Champions League tie against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Still in the top flight in Turkey, former Enyimba striker Uche Kalu made his first appearance in the Turkish Super League for the promoted Rizespor against Genclerbirligi but failed to hit the target in their impressive 1-0 win on Saturday. Kalu, who scored nine goals for Rizespor in the lower division last season, was on from start but was pulled out in the 69th minute.

Former Rangers’ striker Chikeluba Ofoedu made a goal scoring debut for his new team Karsiyaka as they held hosts Sanlıurfaspor to 2-2 draw on Saturday.

Ofoedu put the visitors in front after just 15th minutes before the hosts drew level in the 23rd minute to finish the first half on level terms. He was on the pitch for 90 minutes was bagged a 32nd minute yellow card.

In Denmark, Nigerian youngster Sylvester Igbonu sent a warning signal to prospective big spenders to come grab him by hitting his third goal for the third week running as table-toppers Midtylland hit Brondby 5-1 on Friday to maintain their 100 percent showing in the new season.

The former Ebiede striker, who has been on the wish list of big spenders in Turkey, opening scoring for the rampant hosts in the 25th minutes, to inspire his side to comprehensive routing that also saw strike partner Morten Rasmussen hit a hat trick.

Igbonu, was as usual, on from start to finish as he continued to play every single minute of games in the new season. He has so far netted three goals buit has gone in the referees’ books twice.

Joining him the impressive victory was his compatriot Izunna Uzochukwu was also on from start to finish but was yellow

Ofoedu

carded in the 83rd minute for his troubles.

Uzochukwu has played in five league game this, amassing playing time of 441 minutes. He’s yet to get on the scoresheet this season.

The third Nigerian on the pitch in the impressive showing was the former academy player Musefiu Ashiru, who was earning his first senior cap. Ashiru played in the last six minutes in his debut game, coming on for Sudanese-born Dane Pione Sisto. The 19-year old star had earlier earned bench selection in the Danish Cup tie last week.

In France, Super Eagles number goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was between the sticks for Lille who were beaten 2-1 at Reims on Saturday. Enyeama was on from start to finish as he earned his first official cap for the three-time French champions.

He spent his entire first season at Lille on the bench, playing cover for first choice keeper Mickael Landreau for whooping 36 games before he joined Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv on loan last season.

In England, former Super Eagles strike Victor Anichebe only saw less than two minutes of action for Everton as he was introduced in the added time in the Toffees’ 2-2 draw at Norwich City on Saturday. Anichebe replaced Ross Barkley as the game gradually wound down.

Still on the top flight in England, former youth international Sone Aluko marked his return to the Premiership on a losing note as his newly-promoted side Hull City were beaten 2-0 at Chelsea on Sunday. Aluko was on from start was pulled replaced in the 79th minute.

In the lower league in England, it was yet another defeat, third on the row for former Super Eagles central defender Danny

Stuttgart

0–1

Bayer Leverkusen

Wolfsburg

4–0

Schalke 04

Werder Bremen

1–0

Augsburg

Freiburg

1–2

Mainz 05

Hamburger SV

1–5

Hoffenheim

Eintracht Frankfurt 0 – 1

Bayern München

Borussia M’glad

3–0

Hannover 96

Nürnberg

2–2

Hertha BSC

France Sochaux

1–3

Olympique Lyonnais

Marseille

2–0

Evian TG

Bastia

2–0

Valenciennes

Nice

2–1

Rennes

Reims

2–1

Lille

Saint-Étienne

1–0

Guingamp

Toulouse

1–1

Bordeaux

Monaco

4–1

Montpellier

Shittu whose side Millwall were beaten 1-0 at home by Huddersfield Town on Saturday. The big centre back was, as usual, on for 90 minutes. He went in the books in the 90 minute. He has also played all the three games so far in the Coca Cola Championships, notching up 270 minutes of play time.

In Scotland, former Golden Eaglets playmaker Rabiu Ibrahim continued his rare start for Kilmarnock , who held StMirren to 1-1 draw on Saturday. But the former Celtic midfielder was pulled out in the 66th minute. Ibrahim has shrugged off last season’s disappointing season for the Killie, to earn playing time this current season.

Still in Scotland, Super Eagles defender Efe Ambrose was on from start but didn’t finish the game for Celtic, who beat Aberdeen 2-0 on Saturday. Ambrose, a rumoured target for some English clubs, made way for Dutch star Virgil van Dijk in the 76th minute.

WORLD RECORD

Tallest residential building Vol. 03 No. 689

Monday, August 19, 2013

N150

Completed in 2012, Princess Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is 413.4 m (1,356 ft) high and has 101 storeys above ground, dedicated to residential use.

The ‘charge’ Jonathan gave Nigerian business leaders

W

hat we witnessed in Cambridge was a complete surprise. President Goodluck Jonathan turned the tables on us by challenging business leaders to stop moaning and lamenting.

“We have gone past all that. What I expect of all of you who are captains of industry and commerce as well as banking; oil and gas; telecommunications etc is to rise to the challenge posed by Adam Smith as far back as 1790.

“It is not very unreasonable that the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to that revenue, but something more than in that proportion. I want our nation to benefit from your leadership skills which you have advertised vigorously by your strength of character and sense of purpose.

Guest Bashorun JK Columnist Randle “It already agreed that leaders are endowed with a clear focus on what they want to achieve. It is precisely for this reason that I want you to partner with the government on the critical issue of DELIVERY (no more talking please). I want action.

Let us agree on our priorities – and focus on no more than six items. We cannot do everything all at the same time. The fresh initiative will be driven by government/ private sector partnership in such areas as, infrastructure and power; education; health; agriculture and water; security, and tourism.

“We do not need consultants to tell us what we already know. Speaking for myself, we should plan for the next 100 years so that whatever we are able to deliver now will be anchored on well thought out long-term vision. Even if we do not receive accolades now, history will eventually give us credit.

“Now more than ever, it is the future of our nation we have to grapple with, within the context of the global village. The experts have repeatedly told us (and I believe they are right) that the overarching drivers of the future are, technology; demography; consumer market, and resource scarcity.

“However, we must readily acknowledge that it is not only western societies who are handicapped by the inability to adapt to changing realities. We are just as guilty.

“Regardless, this is the time to rebrand our nation – not by fine rhetoric or catchy slogans but by what we are actually able to deliver as evidenced by measurable performance. Indeed, we have no option

WE SHALL CONTINUE TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO CREATE A BRIGHTER AND ENDURING FUTURE

FOR ALL NIGERIANS - A FUTURE OF HOPE AND PROSPERITY other than to benchmark our performance against what other nations e.g. Malaysia, South Korea and Singapore have done when faced with the same dire straits in which we find ourselves. They have succeeded in turning challenges into vast opportunities. They are not endowed with natural resources, what they have in abundance are talents.

“However, what we will not be doing is to repeat the grave errors which afflicted Argentina. At the turn of the last century, it was a prosperous country, but by the end of the same century it had piled up huge debts while simultaneously grappling with an economy in tatters. God willing that will not be Nigeria’s portion. Amen.”

President Goodluck was rewarded with warm applause. However, he was not yet done. He emphatically declared: “I desire a legacy of prosperous Nigerians at the end of my tenure. Indeed, I vow to continue to work hard in order to create a brighter and enduring future for all Nigerians. We shall continue to do all that

we can to create a brighter and enduring future for all Nigerians - a future of hope and prosperity; a future where we can be a strong and developed nation, a shining example for a mighty continent. We hope to leave a legacy of proud and prosperous citizens where everyone is treated equally and women are able to reach their full potential in all aspects of human development.

“It is my ambition to continue to work towards the sustained growth of the country’s economy. I promise that under my leadership, Nigeria would not just be a land of great potential but also a nation where positive changes transform the lives of the people.

“Making sure women take their rightful place in Nigeria’s government is only the beginning and a vital step that would pave the way for a host of other critical measures, my administration is implementing to improve the lives and opportunities of women. I attribute my decision to entrust women with the responsibilities of high office to the exceptional zeal displayed by my mother, Eunice.

“My admiration for the ability of women to thrive in challenging and adverse environment is drawn directly from watching my mother’s strength when I was growing up. She was indeed a true ‘multi-tasker,’ watching her manage the various tasks involved in bringing up my elder sister and I imbibed in me a healthy respect for the ability of women to take control in difficult circumstances. This contributed to my decision to entrust the women in my government with the responsibilities of high office.

“My decision to empower women has paid off handsomely as is evident in the performance of these women in their sectors. I did not take up smoking due to the admonition I received from my mother.”

All the women rose in unison to give the President a tumultuous standing ovation.

Bashorun Randle (OFR, FCA), jkrandleintuk@gmail.com, is Chairman & Chief Executive, JK Randle Professional Services, Ikoyi, Lagos

Sport Extra

R

eigning World Championships sprint king, Usain Bolt, yesterday reiterated his ambition to undergo trial in EPL club, Manchester United.

Bolt, who spoke on the heel of his latest success in Moscow, Russia, said he

Bolt renews bid for Manchester United spot would request the retired United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson to act as his agent and effect the trial under new gaffer David Moyes.

“I haven’t made contact with the new boss at Unit-

ed,” Bolt, 27, said.

“I’m waiting for Sir Alex to put the meeting together, so he can let him know that I am still pretty much part of the Manchester United team.

“Football is on the cards when I retire from athletics and hopefully, I can get a few charity matches in before then.”

The Jamaican athlete had famously visited Old

Trafford during the reign of Ferguson when he took Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo on sprinting lessons while the latter honed his pacy skills at the EngNFF President, Aminu Maigari lish club.

IOC boss, Rogge

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