Monday, december 30, 2013 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

THE BUSINESS SECTION Power situation worsens as NGC shuts gas supply to Egbin, other plants External reserves fall $6bn below U A target DEME

Nebo

Vol. 3 N0. 754

KPAN

he poor power supply situation nationwide may worsen, as the supply of commercial gas

to Egbin and other thermal plants has been cut off by Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, to enable repairs on the badly vandalised western gas pipeline. The major pipeline was

again shut on Saturday, when a team of engineers which carried out initial rehabilitation work at one breached point realised that the facility was vandalised CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

No premium, No cover policy may reduce profitability next year –Insurers P.A5,A7

Free e insi inside insi nside ide de

Monday, December 30, 2013

Shocker for PDP: T Tambuwal to join APC

N150

OBIORA IFOH AND SOLA ADEBAYO

...opposition closes ranks to fight ruling party Tukur denies dragging NEC to court

he fortune of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is set to deem further as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal is set to formally decamp to the rival All Progressives Congress, APC, in January. The Speaker’s decision came as a shock to the leadership of the PDP, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Aero plane's tyre bursts on landing at Lagos Airport P.4

Ngige

Anambra poll: President Goodluck Jonathan (3rd left); Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (right) and leaders of the Apostolic Faith Church during yesterday's church service at the regional headquarters of the church in Jabi, Abuja. PHOTO: NAN

Rising political tension, bad for economy, OPS warns

Ngige drags INEC, Obiano to tribunal P.11

Female P.2 suicide Stability critical for sustenance of investors’ confidence, economic progress bomber kills 14 in Russia P.4

Three die, others injured in Ogun multiple accident

P.49

News

Monday, December 30, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rising political tension, bad for economy, OPS warns UDO ONYEKA

he Organised Private Sector, OPS, has warned that the growing tension in the political space as pre-election activities gather momentum and heating up the polity can have dire consequences for the economy. The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, the biggest arm of the OPS, said that political stability is critical for the sustenance of investors’ confidence and the progress of the economy, adding that the omens in the outgoing year are not good enough and have created some discomfort among investors. In its Economic and Business Review for 2013 made available to National Mirror yesterday, the LCCI appealed to the political class to avoid desperation in their quest for public office and play by the rules. While calling on politicians not to overheat the system, the LCCI said it was also critical that the credibility of the electoral process was not compromised. In the statement by its President, Alhaji Remi Bello, the chamber noted that “institutions critical to the integrity of the process should be above board to inspire the confidence of the

citizens. “These include the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the security agencies, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. These institutions have vital roles to play in preserving the credibility and integrity of the electoral process. “It is instructive that most of the crises on the African continent have their root in the quality of electoral process. This should not be allowed to happen in Nigeria.” The chamber said evolving global energy market dynamics suggested an urgent need to take a sober look at the Nigerian oil and gas subsector in particular and the energy sector in general, especially given the importance of the sector to the Nigerian economy. The LCCI also expressed worry about the situation in the oil and gas industry, stressing that the extreme dependence of government finances and external trade balances on proceeds from the sector exposes the nation to significant risks from oil price and production shocks. It said the permanent hedge against the impending oil market glut is a substantial diversification of the economy from oil to nonoil activities, adding that

in the short term however, enacting a competitive, petroleum sector legislation, such as the Petroleum Industry Bill, is germane. It acknowledged however that though the passage and implementation of the right PIB will not entirely eliminate the problem; it would expand investments in the sector while curbing corruption and other forms of fiscal leakages would further stabilise the economy. While noting the progress made so far on the power sector reform particularly on the privatisation of the sector, LCCI said the

power situation has continued to pose even more severe challenges to business operators. According to the LCCI, “There are complaints across all sectors of high energy costs especially high expenditure on diesel and maintenance of electricity generators. This has continued to take its toll on the bottom line of investors in the country. We hope 2014 hold a positive outcome for the power sector on the back of current reforms.” The LCCI, also said it was worried over the disconnect between the GDP growth in

2013 at over six per cent and productivity, quality of life and employment. It said even though GDP growth in 2013 was strong at over six per cent in line with International Monetary Fund, IMF, projections and Federal Government’s estimates, other major global rankings released in 2013 rated Nigeria poorly. “Whereas Nigeria’s GDP ranking by the IMF was 37th out of 187 economies profiled; global competiveness ranking by the World Economic Forum rated the country 137th of 183 economies reported and the Hu-

L-R: Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih and his wives, Dame Patricia, during the 80th birthday thanksgiving mass for Chief Anenih at St. Anthony’s Catholic Cathedral in Uromi, Edo State, at the weekend.

Shocker for PDP: Tambuwal to join APC

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

who earlier in December had extracted commitment from the House leaders that member’s defection will no longer be tenable. This is as PDP’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur denied that he was filing a legal action to prevent the National Executive Council, NEC, of the party from removing him. Our correspondent gathered that the Sokoto State chapter of the APC has mandated its Tambuwal Local Government chapter to formally present a membership card to the Speaker who has been asked by the state Governor, Aliyu Wamakko to formally declare his stand. Tambuwal has been seen as a beautiful bride by both APC and PDP, and has attended meetings with both parties. It was gathered, however, that Tambuwal would re-

tain his seat as Speaker due to the numerical strength of the opposition party if he decides to decamp. It will be recalled that the defection of some members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the ruling party into APC has brought the number of the federal lawmakers of the opposition party to 172. The PDP presently has 171. The likely defection of Tambuwal will further alter the equation in favour of APC in the House, with its membership increasing to 173, with PDP coming down to 170. It was being speculated that other members of the House were also planning to join Tambuwal to pitch tent with APC. Tambuwal was elected on the platform of the ruling party from Sokoto State. Already, his colleagues from the state have followed

man Development Ranking by the UNDP, Nigeria was 153 out of 187 countries profiled. However, LCCI said the year on year inflation rate in 2013 which trended at single digit up until October 2013 with an inflation rate of 7.8 per cent was very impressive and in line with Central Bank of Nigeria’s aspirations of a modest price level in the country and expressed hope that “this trend is sustained in 2014 because stability of the price level remains a key factor for doing business.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

the path of Governor Wammako to decamp. One of the principal officers of the House, who confided in our correspondent, told National Mirror that Tambuwal had perfected the plans to move into the opposition party. “The Speaker of the House (Tambuwal) is moving into APC and that movement is sure. The speaker is to formally declare for the opposition party as soon as the House reconvenes from recess. “But Mr. Speaker is going to retain his seat as he is set to tap the numerical strength of APC in the House to retain his seat. The defection of Mr. Speaker is going to alter the political equation in the House substantially because many other members of the House are likely to join him to move to APC. “The speaker has made up his minds and he has

perfected the strategies with the leaders of APC and he is not likely to go into APC alone as some of his colleagues in the House have also decided to follow him into the opposition party. “The transition of Mr. Speaker is going to be smooth and his seat is not going to be threatened in any way. The movement of the speaker is going to deal a death blow on the ruling party. Just let us wait for the outcome of the suit challenging the defection of some House members into APC by the leadership of PDP. “There is going to be exodus of members, including members of the National Assembly, out of PDP, if the court judgement allows defection," added the federal lawmaker, who craved anonymity,” the source said. Reacting to the defection plot, Special Adviser

on Media to the Speaker, Imam Imam said that those reports remain rumours and as a matter of rules, they have refused to react to speculation. He said: "The Speaker is in PDP, he remains a PDP member and there is nothing to suggest that he is moving to another party. "All of those reports remain speculation and like you know as a matter of policy, we do not react to specualtions. The Speaker has not defected." In a related development, Tukur, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Prince Oliver Okpara, denied insinuation that he plans to sue the party’s NEC. The national chairman disassociated himself from such move, describing it as unthinkable and unimaginable. He wondered how he could initiate such an action against a body he is

part of and an organ of the party that has the highest say and policy making body in the party. His words: “How can somebody destroy his own house? The intended legal action only exists in the minds of the writers of the false story. I am a member of the PDP NEC and I respect the body and the members.” Meanwhile, the Presidency has said that unprecedented policy decisions were taken and major projects executed for the good of Nigerians in spite of pockets of distractions during the year 2013. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe stated this in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday. Okupe noted that contrary to impressions being created by the opposition, CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, December 30, 2013

Photo News

Monday, December 30, 2013

L-R: Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Obas, Oba Adamo Babalola; Onisan of Isan Kingdom, Oba Sunday Ajiboye; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi, during the 2013 edition of Isan Unity Day …..on Saturday.

Former Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Joy Emordi (left) praying for her son-in-law, Chijioke Ilozue and daughter, Chibogu, at their wedding ceremony in Onitsha, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (left) congratulating one of the newly sworn-in High Court Judge, Justice Aminat Ladi Ishiaq at Government House, Ilorin at the weekend.

L-R: Acting General-Secretary, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, University College Hospital Ibadan Branch, Dr. Victor Makanjuola; Branch Chairman, Prof. Juwon Arotiba and Vice Chairman, Dr. Abass Abdulsalami, at a news conference over the non-payment of their allowances in Ibadan at the weekend.

National News

Aero aircraft’s tyre bursts on landing at Lagos Airport

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

ne of the aircraft in the fleet of Aero Airlines, a Boeing 737 yesterday had an incident at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, MMA, Lagos. The aircraft, which had departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, NAA, Abuja around 9am suffered a burst tyre on landing at the Lagos Airport. One of the over 100 passengers onboard the plane was the former Minister, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who tweeted that “upon landing in Lagos, our Aero aircraft lost a tyre. The pilot did a great job of braking to a halt. My phones flew under seats.” One of the directors of the airline, who did not want his name mentioned, however, confirmed the incident, but said that the burst tyre

had been replaced immediately by the engineers of the airline. He explained that the airline was currently waiting for the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, for the aircraft

to be returned to operations, but insisted that it was a minor incident, which is normal in aircraft operations. An online statement signed by the spokesman for the aviation agency, Mr. Yakubu Dati gave the

aircraft brand as a Boeing 737-500 with Registration No 5N-BLC. Dati stated that the aircraft landed safely at the airport, following the loss of pressure in one of the tyres. The aircraft, which

landed at 10.50am, had a total of 104 passengers and crew members on board. He added that the aircraft has since been towed to the apron and Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, has com-

menced investigation into the incident. “We wish to assure all air travellers of their safety and caution against magnifying a manageable incident out of proportion,” the statement added.

Three die, many injured in Ogun multiple accidents FEMI OYEWESO, ABEOKUTA

our persons have been confirmed dead, while several others were critically injured in two separate accidents, which occurred in Ogun State over the weekend. The first accident, which occurred yesterday, involved members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jammat, who were returning to Abeokuta after their 3-days annual congress held in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government of the state. National Mirror gath-

ered that one of the rear tyres of the passenger bus conveying members of the religious sect burst while on speed, which made the driver to loose control. One of the occupants of the bus, who sustained injuries told our correspondent at the State Hospital in Ijaye, Abeokuta, where the injured were being treated that the incident occurred shortly after the vehicle had passed the cement town of Ibese. He explained that the vehicle somersaulted trice before it eventually landed on the road, kill-

ing the driver on the spot. As at the time of filling this report, the actual number of the occupants, who were mainly women and children, remain uncertain. At the hospital, it was observed that the identities of the victims were being kept away from relatives, who besieged the hospital to ascertain the welfare of their kinsmen. Relatives were also seen, awaiting the arrival of a bus conveying other victims from the scene of the accident. In another accident, which occurred late Saturday night at Ikereku

area of the Abeokuta metropolis, two persons were crushed to death, while four others were critically wounded when a truck rammed on them. The truck, marked (LAGOS) AKD 443 XA, allegedly driven by an underage driver was said to have lost control at the Adatan area of the metropolis and rammed over a car. In an attempt to escape justice, the driver allegedly sped off the scene and ran over two cyclists popularly called Okada at Ikereku, killing them instantly, while one of the passengers was critically

injured. The development drew the anger of the youths in the area who attempted to set the truck ablaze before the arrival of police, the State Traffic Management agency, TRACE, as well as officers of the military special security outfit, OP MESA. The driver and his truck are currently being detained at the Adatan Police Divisional headquarters. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi said the Adatan Divisional Police Officer (DPO) was yet to brief his office.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Monday, December 30, 2013

Power situation worsens as NGC shuts gas supply to Egbin, other plants CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

at several other locations. Consequently, the engineers of NGC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, could not re-stream the facility following the leakage of pressure and confirmation of many leaks occasioned by vandalism. A reliable NGC source, who did not want his name mentioned said: “We could not put back the pipeline into proper

use because of serious pressure leakage at several points. “The pipeline has been shut again for further investigation and maintenance. This means it will take a little more time for us to complete the rehabilitation of the facility. It also means that the expected improvement in gas supply is no more possible at this time.” Investigations showed that the development had already affected the capacity of the thermal stations, including

Egbin, the largest single plant in Nigeria to generate maximum electricity for transmission and distribution. Consequently, electricity generation that fell from 4,600 megawatts to 4,000mw last weeks, further crashed to 3,464mw, which is about 6,446mw below the 10,000mw estimated daily national requirement. The Managing Director, Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Mike Uzoigwe, could not be reached for comments as he did not respond to text messages sent

by our correspondent. He had, however, said at a lecture delivered last week in Lagos that vandalism and low gas supply were some of the main problems which affect commercial electricity generation in the nation. He had said: “If you visit Delta, Sapele or Afam power stations, you will notice several gas turbines lying idle. About three of them installed at Ijora power station by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s first regime to supply

power to Dodan Barracks are also laying waste. “Other earlier power stations have been decommissioned and do not produce power anymore. Calabar power station is decommissioned, same as Oji and all later installed power stations at Ijora-Lagos.” Uzoigwe said of the six units of 120 mw each originally installed at Sapele power station, only one remains available and can generate or is available for a maximum of 90mw. He said: “The Egbin power plant installed about 30 years ago is the only plant that is still showing good signs; with an initial installed capacity of 1,320mw, it has managed to remain available for 1,080mw as at today.” Uzoigwe, who decried recent vandalism of gas pipelines that affect supply to power generation,

said these and other challenges culminated in low reducing the nation’s power consumption per person to about 17.6 watts. He said: “If we represent the real consumable power when our output is 3,000mw, then our power per capita electricity consumption will come as low as about 14 watts, so very poor.” However, many Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs have intensified efforts to meet the demand of consumers in different parts of the nation. For instance, the new management of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has held inaugural Town Hall meetings across its various locations in its bid to establish a roadmap towards providing uninterrupted quality power supply to all its customers in the nearest future.

Rising political tension, bad for economy, OPS warns CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

L-R: Former Lagos State Military Administrator, Gen. Buba Marwa; Deacon John Dara, and father of the groom, Mr. Adeoye Roluga at a wedding reception in Abuja at the weekend.

Shocker for PDP: Tambuwal to join APC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Nigeria under President Goodluck Jonathan has moved significantly forward in many sectors than it was in 2011. The Presidential aide said the transformation, which has taken place in the area of transportation, agriculture, power and other critical sectors are the routes which all developed nations had taken before now but which unfortunately had not been taken by Nigeria before now. Okupe said: “It is an incontrovertible fact that Nigeria under Jonathan has reduced its food imports by about forty percent and increased its local production of rice, cassava, sorghum, cotton and cocoa in percentages ranging from 25 to 56 in the last two years. “For the first time since independence, the Nigerian agricultural sector is attracting unprecedented Foreign Direct Investment. Over the past 2 years, the sector has attracted $ 4 billion in private sector executed letters of commitment to invest in agri-

cultural value chains, from food crops, to export crops, fisheries and livestock. “The number of private sector seed companies grew from 10 to 70 within one year. Over $7billion investments from Nigerian businesses have been made to develop new fertilizer manufacturing plants, which will make Nigeria the largest producer and exporter of fertilizers in Africa. “It is also noteworthy that agricultural lending as a share of total bank lending has risen from two percent to six percent in two years.” According to him, the major component of the power sector reform, which is the privatisation of the generation and distribution of the sector, was successfully accomplished in 2013, thus putting Nigeria on a sure path of steady power supply in no distant future. He explained that with the completion of the privatisation process this year, as well as the completion of 10 National Integrated Power Projects, NIPP, Nigeria for the first time, has moved away from vertically

integrated state owned and poorly managed electricity industry to a modern private sector-led fully regulated market with the right incentives capable of attracting new investments to kick start the re-industrialisation of the country. Other major achievements of the Jonathan administration in the outgoing year, according to the Presidency, include the recovery of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which was made possible by a combination of sound fiscal and monetary policies as well as a transparent conduct of state affairs in a manner which has rekindled investors’ confidence in the Nigerian market. Okupe said those who always seek to use the security challenges in some parts the country as the only barometer to measure the present administration are not being fair to the President, considering the fact that the war on insurgency and terrorism has never been a quick fix anywhere in the world. While reminding the public that bombings and

killings by insurgents happened in Kano, Kogi, Niger, Yobe, Borno, Sokoto,A damawa and the Federal Capital Territory in 2011 and 2012, the Presidential aide noted that terrorism has been largely contained and restricted to one or two states in 2013. “Yes, we are not where we hope to be but it will be sheer mischief to insist that we are where we were or as some wickedly say we are worse than we were. Definitely, their position is not based on facts and so should be ignored by Nigerians” Okupe stated While reiterating the determination of President Jonathan to remain steadfast in his pursuit of accelerated economic growth and stability, peace and development of all parts of Nigeria, Okupe said the Federal Government will consolidate on the growth recorded in the outgoing year by completing all ongoing projects as well as initiating new programmes and projects, especially in sectors that will create jobs and empower Nigerian youths.

“The naira exchange rate also fluctuated within the set bound of N160/dollar, plus and minus 5 per cent, throughout the year. We are satisfied with the apex bank’s efforts at ensuring exchange rate stability and we hope that this is sustained in 2014. Our concern is the continued protection of the exchange rate on the back of high interest rate with the attendant negative outcomes for businesses, output, employment and growth”, it said. Also LCCI said foreign reserve peaked at $48.2 billion in August before it moderated to $43.9 billion at the end of 2013, a drop which the chamber said was due to the falling receipts from oil sales. The chamber said it hoped to see a more responsive fiscal management and diversification of the economy as a response to the growing fragility in the global oil and gas market. Commenting on the general business environment, the LCCI noted that all was not well. It said: “The Business Confidence Index, BCI, indicator that measures investment sentiment of business operators in the country moderated to 17 per cent towards the end of 2013. The index had maintained a steady improvement over

the first three quarters of the year, 10.5 per cent in Q1, 16.5 per cent in Q2 and 24 per cent in Q3. The moderation of the BCI score in Q42013 suggests that business leaders are likely going to be softer towards expanding their investments in the early months of 2014. “SMEs and the manufacturing sector remains the most troubled sector as evidenced by the negative investment sentiments expressed by the operators throughout the year. The most disturbing factors affecting business are infrastructure limitations, unabated influx of imported and substandard products, poor access to credit, high cost of doing business, and the inhibitive activities of government regulatory/ monitoring agencies in the country. “FG budget approval delays and poor implementation of capital projects remains a major concern for the private sector. In an economy where government accounts for a major component of expenditure, early passage and proper implementation of budgets are very crucial. Going into 2014, we hope to see a more responsive budget approval processes and improved implementation of the budget at both the states and the FG levels”.

News

Monday, December 30, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

State House budgets N197.5m for kitchen equipment, others •Purchase of two wild animals to gulp N14.5m TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

here are strong indications that the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is gradually losing the battle to instill discipline in public finance. This is because the 2014 appropriation bill provided for some bogus provisions for State House expenditures that can hardly be justified if the government is committed to cost of governance reduction. For instance, barely a year after about N112.5 million was provided for food stuff and catering equipment, a proposed budget of N76, 375, 000 is already forwarded to the National Assembly for purchase of crested cutleries, flatware and glassware in the 2014 appropriation bill.

In 2013, N112, 500, 000 was proposed for the same line item. This is even when another N131, 750, 000 is also proposed for the purchase of Canteen/Kitchen Equipment (Code 23010120) in the 2014 financial year. Also in the 2014 appropriation, Wildlife Conservation is proposed to gulp N37.5 million even as there is also a provision for N14, 500, 000 to be used to purchase 2 Nos of wildlife under Code SH23001769 of the bill. In addition, Renovation of Horses’ Stables/Paddock (Code SH002301769) is proposed to cost N15 million while upgrading and Maintenance of Villa Zoo (Code SH002301772) is to cost N8 million if the bill now before the National Assembly is passed into law. Other proposals in the 2014 appropriation bill

that appeared bogus and which the National Assembly may need to look critically into before passing for enactment include the N1.5 billion provision (CodeSH22001755) for upgrade of facilities in the Villa and purchase of laundry equipment (SH009001526), which is also to cost N23, 750, 000. One Steel Cover for Cadover (CEA C005) is to gulp N470, 000 of tax payers’ money. Although, the 2014 appropriation bill is yet to be considered by the legislature, analysts are already raising questions on the increasing level of funding of some items in the Presidency and the State House that ordinarily should not be recurring. Some have queried why another N76 million is being proposed for the purchase of crested cutleries and glassware when a whopping N112.5 million

was provided for the same line item in 2013. Similarly, the plan to spend N1.5 billion on upgrade of facilities in the State House is also another item some finance analysts would want the National Assembly to look into properly and ensure that the specific items for which the amount would be spent are listed as additional notes on the bill before it is passed. Reacting to the provisions in the bill, a leading advocate of transparency and accountability in public finance, Auwal Ibrahim, described the appropriation bill as nothing but an attempt to keep deepening corruption in the country, adding that with recurrent expenditure becoming bigger than the capital budget proposal, it is clear that government is not sincere in it claims to alleviate poverty in the country. Ibrahim, who is also the

Youths from Ezinano community, protesting the alleged sale of their land by speculators in Awka, Anambra State, yesterday.

OMEIZA AJAYI

ABUJA

he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has disclosed how it arrested a total of 1, 590 oil-related criminal suspects in 2013, with about 44 of them already convicted. Commandant-General of the corps, Dr Ade Abolurin, who stated this in Abuja added that of the figure, 1, 549 are currently undergoing prosecution in various courts of law across the federation. Giving the breakdown

How we arrested 1, 590 oil thieves in 2013 –Abolurin of the achievement of the NSCDC in the outgoing year, Abolurin said 813 illegal oil refineries were destroyed. According to him, items recovered included 241 trucks, 148 vehicles, 52 motorcycles, 15, 051 drums of AGO as well as 33 vessels loaded with crude oil. Others included 1, 271 boots, 12, 532 kegs of AGO, 92 barges loaded with crude and 1, 056 tanks loaded with PMS.

He said in the year under review, the corps successfully carried out several anti-vandalism operations through its tactical and strategic efforts by using its security architecture and apparatus in curbing activities of vandals, criminals and saboteurs of the nation’s economy. Abolurin added that 176 criminal suspects were arrested by the corps in relation to vandalisation of

PHCN facilities, railway installations, telecommunication and water infrastructure, while 156 suspects are undergoing prosecution and 20 have been successfully convicted. “The items recovered from the criminals by men of the NSCDC include transmission cables, PHCN armoured cables, water pipes, metal cables, four cable wire of transformer, among others.”

executive director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), one of the leading anti-corruption advocacy organisations in Nigeria, said that it was curious to see in the bill that the Office of the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Niger Delta Commission and other MDAs would get bigger allocations than Agriculture, Education and Health sec-

tors despite government’s policy statements on its commitment to boost nonoil sector growth, create jobs and alleviate poverty. According to an analysis by National Mirror on provisions that have to do with upgrade of facilities at the State House in the bill, there are more than 50 line items for which substantial sums of money were provided.

N255m cars’ scam: We’ve played our part, says House Committee OLUSEGUN KOIKI

hairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has said that with the submission of its investigations and report on the N255m bulletproof BWM Series 7 cars to the Federal Government, the House has played its part. Onyejeocha said it was now left for the Presidency to implement the report submitted to it by the House, saying that as lawmakers, they had played their role through the investigation and submission of their report to the Presidency. Onyejeocha, who stated these in her home town, Isiochi in Abia State, shortly after presenting some gift items to the people of her constituency, said that the constitution of the country must be duly followed on the issue no matter whose ox is gored. She said; “Well, for me the Constitution of the

Federal Republic of Nigeria is very clear, all of us worked to protect the constitution of the country. So, whether you are an executive person or you are a parliamentarian or in the judiciary, the constitution is the primary things you need to protect. “Why can’t we say the truth, we need to say the truth no matter whose ox is gored at any time and so for me, the primary responsibility of any lawmaker is to God; after here what do you tell your creator and so, once you have that at the back if your mind, you do your work diligently. “Our work ended with the submission at the floor of the House and the House had done its recommendations, it is not our business what happens after. We have finished our work, it is now left for the executive to act and of course what the constitution empowers us to do is to investigate the supposed corruption, it is not our duty to implement the recommendations.”

2014 budget’ll be treated on its merit –House TORDUE SALEM

ABUJA

he Chairman of Public Accounts Committee of the House Representatives, Hon. Solomon Adeola Olamilekan (Lagos-APC), has assured that the 2014 appropriation budget sent to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan would be treated on merit for the betterment of the country. Hon. Olamilekan, who represents Alimosho Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives, assured

his constituents during an end-of-the-year party and score-card rendering session that issues in the budget proposal will be treated on merit. He said: “As lawmakers, we will always be at the side of the people who voted us into office, we have received the 2014 Appropriation Bill from the Mr. President, though it came rather too late, but I can assure you that immediately we resume from our break, we will start work on it, we will treat it on its merit for the betterment of our people.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, December 30, 2013

News

Monday, December 30, 2013

Lack of love responsible for Nigeria’s problems, says Jonathan ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday blamed the problem confronting the country lack of love and unity among the citizens. Jonathan, who spoke at the last Sunday service for the year held at the Apostolic Faith Church Regional Headquarters in Jabi area of Abuja, said progress and development of the country could only be achieved when the people are united to work towards a better nation. The President explained that he had no formal address to read to the congregation, stressing that he could be misquoted by the media. He said: “I don’t have a

formal address because for those of us in politics, these days are not the best days to make speeches because any statement we make, people look at how to paint it. The next day when you read the newspapers, you start doubting if that is what you said. So, any statement we make is always used against us.” Though the President admitted that Nigeria was facing a lot of challenges, he stressed that the country would soon overcome them. According to him, the situation could have been worst if not for the prayers of religious leaders and all Nigerians. Jonthan said: “As a nation, we have our challenges, no doubt about that and anytime I look at the history of Nigeria and the chal-

lenges we face and when I read parts of the old statement about when the Israelites decided to move out of Egypt to the Promised Land, we have something quite similar. “As you are getting closer, you meet more obstacles and thank God for the sermon we heard and of course the songs showed that the greatest problem we have is love and unity.” He said the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates by the colonial masters in 1914 was not a mistake. Jonathan said: “By January 1, next year, Nigeria, as a state will be 100 years old, but I totally agree with our man of God that it was not by chance, it was ordained by God. If God didn’t will it at that point, the North and South would

not have come together.” According to him, the coming together of North and South made Nigeria a great country. The President urged religious leaders to continue to pray for the country, stressing that his administration would work hard to ensure the development of the country through its transformation agenda In his sermon, Reverend Bayo Adeniran said that Nigeria would return to greatness if the people repent and turn away from their evil ways. He urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the success of the government in its efforts to ensure development in all sectors of the economy. Adeniran prayed for the President, the peace of the nation and the citizens.

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Stamping out insurgency, FG’s priority –Maku with similar challenges, CHIDI UGWU

ABUJA

inister of Information Labaran Maku says stamping out insurgency remains the priority of the Federal Government. According to him, the Federal Government has succeeded in containing the terrorism confronting Borno and Yobe states in the last one year. Maku spoke while giving the scorecard of the Federal Government in 2013 in a phone-in programme on Radio Nigeria which was monitored in Abuja at the weekend. He said the massive deployment of men and materiel through the establishment of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri had stemmed the tide of attacks by insurgents in the North-East. Maku, who is also the Supervising Minister of Defence, said due to the huge investments required to set up an Army Division, the Federal Government prioritised the provision of funds to construct military barracks and other formations as well as the training of personnel o wipe out the activities of insurgents in the North-East. The minister acknowledged that insurgency in form of urban and rural guerrilla warfare could not be eradicated overnight through military intervention as experience had shown in other countries

adding that it required concerted efforts by the government and citizens in intelligence gathering and the provision of useful information by members of the public for security agent to flush out the insurgents. Maku said: “The Federal Government is intervening in the economic recovery of the North-East following the devastation and socioeconomic setback suffered by the sub-region due to the insurgency. “The President, in the Economic Forum on the North-East, unfolded a new agenda for the economic support of the region. From the budget, some provision is now being made to really give the North-East support.” He said despite the inherited security challenges which he claimed were mainly induced by local politics in the North-East, with severe consequences on the economic growth in the region, President Jonathan recorded tremendous successes in economic and social development in the last three years. The minister said the exchange rate remained stable; foreign reserve grew to over $45 billion; domestic production, particularly in agriculture and industries increased while inflation decreased from 12% to 8% in 2013 as a result of stable macroeconomic management.

‘Bequeath good moral values on children’ Abia State Governor Theodore Orji flanked by his wife, Mercy (right) and the Prilate Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Uche (left) and other clerics during the dedication of St. Charles Methodist Church built by Chief Onyema Ugochukwu at Umulenso, Ohuhu in Umuahia, yesterday.

Bipi denies plan to impeach Amaechi UDUAKABASI PATRICK PORT HARCOURT

he factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bibi, has denied the insinuations by some members of the public that he and his supporters were planning to impeach Governor Chibuike Amaechi. Bipi, who spoke in an interview in Port Harcourt, the state capital, said he had no reason to impeach the governor. He said: “What has the governor done that would prompt me to plan his im-

peachment? The basic thing I want from the governor is that, he should recognise me as the duly elected Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and if he does, I will also recognise him as the governor of the state and that will help us work together take the state to a higher level.” It was, however, learnt that the visit of the First Lady, Dame Patient Goodluck Jonathan, to the state recently was to intensify Amaechi’s impeachment process. But Bipi said the First Lady is an indigene of the

state and that she had the right to visit her home state. He said: “It is wrong and disrespect to the First Lady for anybody to associate her with impeachment of the governor when it is clear that the woman does not have such in mind.” Bipi, however, explained why he and group were yet to sign the bond issued by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, for the reopening the Assembly complex, claiming that he was yet to be served with a notice to that effect. He said: “Whenever I am

served with the paper, I will go with my group to sign the papers. But I have not been served yet and I am still waiting for the police invitation. Maybe, the police know the real trouble makers.” Bipi stressed that the court order restraining him from parading himself as the Speaker of the House was of no effect, adding that the order expired after seven days of its issuance. He said: “The Ahoada court from where the order was obtained does not have any jurisdiction over the Assembly.”

SEKINAH L AWAL

arents have been called upon to bequeath good moral values on their children as a way of taming the endemic corruption in the country. Making the call yesterday was the President of Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP), Alhaji Kamorudeen Oladosu, while asking Muslims and non-Muslims to inculcate good moral upbringing in their children in order to ensure a corruption-free society. Speaking at the 3rd annual Sisters’ Seminar of the AMP, he urged parents to discharge their God-given responsibilities for the children.

Also speaking, the Amirah of the AMP’s Sisters’ Circle, Alhaja Rasheedat Ajiboye, called on parents, especially mothers to be their children’s best friends and allow them to express themselves on all issues bothering them. One of the guest lecturers and a Counsellor, Alhaja Ganiyat Sulaimon Olokodana, advised couples to trust one another, communicate appropriately and discussed all issues. She said: “If there are problems in marriages, keeping quiet is not the solution, couples should seek for help in appropriate quarters.” Alhaja Olokodana asked Muslims to emulate Prophet Muhammed ,who she described as the best example for mankind.

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South West

Monday, December 30, 2013

‘Commercial banks owes Osun govt N1bn’ ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

sun State government, at the weekend, said some commercial banks operating in the state is owing it over N1 billion and gave them till December 31, 2013 to pay the debt into the coffers of the state government or be sanctioned. Acting Chairman, Osun State Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Mr. Dayo Oyebanji, who made this known in Osogbo, said the said debt owed were taxes deducted from their staff and other rates that they had refused to remit to the state government. Oyebanji threatened not to take it lightly with the affected banks as the government would do all it could to discourage such unholy act and checkmate all other unwholesome practices in the banking sector. He further affirmed that; “Your bank’s failure to regularise these anomalies on or before 31st December 2013, could force the state to be left with no other option than to immediately de-list your bank as a revenue collecting agent for the state. The government also directed all banks collect-

ing money and taxes on its behalf to within the same period, 31st December 2013, integrate into the new e-payment system and ensure that all monies and taxes are promptly paid into the state government account for automatic revenue receipts to payers. “The delay in posting revenue collected on behalf of the government through the e-payment system into the general revenue account impedes the flow of income; and the government has resolved that non-compliant banks shall be delisted from the list of revenue collection agents of the state government.” The State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in a warning letter sent to banks and entitled: “Demand Notices on Liabilities from Backduty Investigation on PAYE, Withholding and Development Levy for the PAYE (Amended Liability 2012)”, and signed by Dayo Oyebanji, dated 13th December 2013, said that; “Please be informed that our board would be left with no other option than to disdain your bank provided you failed to settle your backduty liabilities mainly on PAYE and withholding taxes for the year 2012.

Osun workers receive 13th month basic salaries ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

ivil servants in Osun State would celebrate the new year with joy and happiness as the state government said it has paid their 13th month’s basic salaries last week. State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, who made this known at the weekend in Osogbo, said that; “This month of December alone, the state government was able to pay November salary, December salary and the 13th month as bonus to all categories of workers in the state. “Governor Rauf Aregbesola took the step because of the priority he accorded the public servants in the state and the state government wishes the workers well in the celebration of the New Year and solicited for their unalloyed support and cooperation in 2014, especially

in providing services to the people and improving the economy of the state.” “The state government made good its promise to public workers on the payment of bonus or 13th month basic salaries despite the challenges being faced in the collection of revenue from the federation accounts. “Government did not only pay 13th basic salary to workers based on their new minimum wage, it also increases it from 50 per cent to 100 per cent and at the same time paid the bonus before 25th of December 2013 while December salaries of the workers were paid on 27th December 2013.” The commissioner added that “the delay in the payment of the November salary was as a result of the switching from manual process of payment to electronic payment system and the hitches did not however affect the local government staff.”

L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor on Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson; Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; former Commissioner for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson; Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, during the unveiling of the plaque and handing over of the reconstructed Simbiat Abiola Road, Ikeja at the weekend.

Late Deji’s daughter installed Akure regent HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

month after the demise of the traditional ruler of Akure kingdom, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, the traditional chiefs of the town yesterday installed his first daughter, Princess Adetutu Adesida- Dike, as the regent of the town. The development, which came almost a month after the monarch’s demise, was part of the traditional rites to fill the vacant stool of the ancient town, pending the selection of a new monarch

for the town. The traditional installation of the regent took place at the palace of the town late Saturday evening and was carried out by the chiefs. Speaking at the palace after the rites, the regent expressed her readiness to work hand in hand with the chiefs and the people of the town and would do her best to contribute to the development of the town during her regency, saying; “I take it up where my father stopped with the help of the Almighty God.” Adesida-Dike, who was

called from America to occupy the stool said; “The regency can not disturb my role as a mother and wife and as a career woman, I have also taken leave of absence from my place of work in the United States, my husband knows that I am a princess before he agreed to marry me and he also knows that anytime my father died as a king, I have to assume this position, so there won’t be any problem. “I know this is a duty I have to perform, so I have called on God to help me succeed in the journey and

also by God’s grace, I will assist the kingmakers to choose the right person to be the next king,” she stated. She then called on the state government and the entire people of Akureland to give her their supports in other to succeed in the task before her. Adesida-Dike, a United States of America-based pharmacist will be on the throne until the installation of a new monarch. Oba Adesida passed away in his palace, during a brief illness, at the age of 63.

Ooni, cleric call for more prayers over 2015 polls KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

he Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, yesterday called for renewed prayer for the country as the 2015 general elections draw nearer. His call came even as a cleric, Prophet Moses Kasali, also called on the ruling class to be more prayerful in the new year. He described 2014 as a

year of change of leaders, adding that the ‘wind will blow some politicians away. I urge them to move more closer to God.’ Oba Sijuade, who spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he inaugurated two new projects of the Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry Worldwide, OriOke Alaseyori, founded by Prophet Kasali, said the country has turned upside down.

He congratulated the congregation and the people, saying; “Only prayers can save Nigeria. It is upside down. This Prophet Moses is the Biblical Moses of Nigeria.” He described Kasali as a unique prophet; ordained by God, saying ‘you will live long.’ He then implored Prophet Kasali and other men of God like him, to pray for the nation more than ever

before. The Ooni also congratulated the prophet, his wife, Olubunmi and the entire congregation for the seventh year convention of the church just as he volunteered to be a member of the church forthwith. At the occasion were the Deputy-Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, a deputy inspectorgeneral of police, Adedayo Adeoye, and wife.

2015: Women groups urge Amosun to seek re-election FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

arious women groups across Ogun State over the weekend urged the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, to persuade her husband to seek re-election in the

2015 governorship election in the state. The women made their plea at the end of the year party organised in their honour by the governor’s wife that was held at the Government House, Isale Igbehin, Abeokuta, the state capital. The women said they

were well convinced that Governor Amosun had a genuine passion to rebuild the state going by his achievements in the last three years of his coming on board as the state governor. The women groups included professional and trade associations such

as the Nurses and Midwives Association, Nigeria Army Officers Wives’ Association (NAOWA), Customs Officers Wives’ Association (COWA), Police Officers’ Wives’ Association (POWA), market leaders, Girls Guide, NASFAT women, among others.

South West

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he National Pension Commission (PenCom) has ordered the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to immediately engage the services of an actuary over the pension entitlements of its employees as the agency prepares to migrate to the new pension scheme. An actuary is a statistician who calculates insurance premiums, risks, dividends and annuity rates. PenCom ordered FAAN to ensure that the process is concluded within a six weeks period. A letter signed by the General Manager, Public Sector Pensions, Mrs. G.E. Usoro, sent to FAAN Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi, on December 5, 2013, said that the N28.9 billion accrued rights determined by the actuarial valuation earlier carried out as at June 30, 2004 by the agency was now obsolete and overtaken by events. The letter said in a bid to be up-to-date by the management, there was a need to determine more realistic pension entitlements of the employees under the old scheme. The letter stated that in a meeting held between it

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PenCom orders FAAN to engage actuary over staff pensions and PenCom on December 2, 2013, it was agreed that a revised actuarial valuation should be carried out as at December 31, 2012 for all employees who were in FAAN as at that date. The letter noted that the employees of FAAN were very apprehensive about losing their pension entitlements under the Defined Benefits Scheme (the new system). The letter stressed hat this was so as most of them (staff) had put in significant number of years working under the old scheme, but stated that following the assurances that the pension benefits of employees under the Defined Benefits Scheme would be transferred to their various Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) to form part of their terminal benefits under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), their fears were allayed. The letter added: “In consideration of the financial implication of funding the accrued rights of the employees, it was agreed that there was need to carry out a demographic analysis of the retirement of the employees. It was considered necessary for the FAAN

Ajimobi plans N300m interest-free loan for traders ith effect from January 2014, traders in all the 33 local government areas of Oyo State will have access to N300 million interest-free loan. Governor Abiola Ajimobi disclosed this in Ibadan at the weekend at an interactive session he held with market men and women at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan. To ensure effectiveness, the governor said that the loan would be coordinated by members of the executives of the six umbrella bodies of the market associations in the state. Each of the bodies, according to the governor, would receive N50 million, even as he urged the associations to ensure that the loan revolved among members. Ajimobi said that no fewer than 20 neighbourhood

Monday, December 30, 2013

markets would be completed in 2014 to cater for traders who were banned from selling their wares along the road. The President, Oyo State Markets Association, Alhaji Dauda Oladapo, expressed the appreciation of the traders to Governor Ajimobi for the loan arrangement, assuring that the marketers would ensure prompt refund of the loan. “You are a different governor. We have never had it so good. Your tenure has witnessed a lot of good things for the people of the state. Once you make promises to the people, you ensure you fulfill them,’’ Oladapo said. The traders also pledged their support for the second term ambition of the governor, adding that every legitimate thing would be done to ensure his re-election for the continuity of good governance in the state.

management to identify those staff that were due to retire in 2014, 2015 and so on, as well as their entitlements under the old scheme. “This information, it was agreed, would assist in determining a realistic amount, which the FAAN management would be required to transfer to the Pension Fund Administra-

tors, PFAs, on a monthly basis towards meeting the entitlements of those employees that were due to retire on a priority basis. “Consequently, it was agreed that FAAN management should forward a report of the staff retiring within the first five years and their entitlements, on a year-by-year basis, to the commission. This report

was to reach the commission not later than seven days from the date of the meeting.” However, both parties agreed to convene another meeting slated for January 30, 2014, envisaging that by then, the actuarial valuation would have been concluded and the financial implication also determine from the demographic analysis. It will be recalled that National Mirror sometime in June reported the appre-

hension in FAAN over the new pension scheme and the fears of workers. Our correspondent then said that about 30 per cent of its 6, 000 workers were considering tendering resignation letters following the new pension scheme propelled by the PenCom. PenCom had earlier ordered FAAN management to migrate from its internal pension scheme to the new scheme of PenCom latest by March 31, 2014.

L-R: Femi Thomas; Toyin Tejuoso; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Osile Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; Ogun State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Dr Lanre Tejuoso, at the traditional wedding ceremony of Femi Thomas and Toyin Tejuoso in Abeokuta, at the weekend.

Many ‘progressives’ have abandoned Afenifere’s ideology –Adesanya’s son KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

he son of the late Afenifere leader, Mr. Yinka Adesanya, has claimed that many “so-called progressives” had abandoned the philosophies left behind by his father, Senator Abraham Adesanya. He spoke at the weekend during a meeting held in Ibadan by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant for the seat of Oyo South Senatorial District in the 2015 election,

Mr. Mark Muyiwa Akinyode. Yinka, however, added that he was not in the position to criticize any of the political associates of the late Afenifere leader, but could only advise them to place the interests of the Yorubaland and Nigeria above their personal interests. He said he decided to support Akinyode because of his personal conviction on the readiness of the politician to serve his people selflessly. According to him, the

decision followed his realisation that what matters in Nigerian politics now is personal qualities of individual politician, and not political affiliation as it used to be in the past. Akinyode, however, promised to ensure quality representation and rapid development of all the nine local government areas that made up the Oyo Senatorial District, if given the opportunity. He said that he decided to venture into politics because of the love and

passion that he had for the Nigerian masses, especially the people at the grassroots. The meeting was attended by a two-time member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and former Chairman of Ido Local Government Area, Hon. Isiaka Adeola; former state House of Assembly member and Ibadan South-West Local Government chairmanship candidate, Hon. Ayoola Olawale; and many other prominent political leaders.

Dan Anyanwu lacks power to suspend our chairman –Ogun LP FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he Ogun State E x e c u t i v e Committee of Labor Party (LP) has described the suspension of its chairman, Simeon Olabode, and other members of the committee by the national chairman of the party, Dan Anyanwu, as null and void.

The Olabode-led executive committee said Anyanwu lacked power under the party’s constitution to suspend Olabode. National Mirror recalled that the LP national headquarters last Friday announced Olabode’s suspension over the crisis rocking the Ogun State chapter of the party. In a letter dated December17, 2013 and signed by the LP National

Secretary, Alhaji A. A Salami, Olabode was accused of engaging in anti-party activities. Following his suspension from, the letter further directed Olabode to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee at its national headquarters. In what appeared as swift reaction to the suspension, other members of state executive committee

of the party, however, described the suspension as a grand design intended to cause disaffection among its members, the electorate and the good people of Ogun State.” In a statement signed at the weekend in Abeokuta by Olabode and the LP Secretary in the state, Mr. Sunday Oginni, they condemned the suspension and described it as null and void.

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South East

Monday, December 30, 2013

Anambra 2013: Ngige drags INEC, Obiano to tribunal OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

he All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the controversial Anambra State governorship election, Dr. Chris Ngige, have dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and four others to the Anambra State Governorship and Legislative Houses Elections Petition Tribunal at Awka. Joined as respondents in the petition were the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu; the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Willie Obiano, the APGA candidate in the election and the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD). Subsequently, the tribunal has ordered that Obiano and APGA be served by substituted means by pasting the petition on the tribunal’s notice board. The order was made on

December 22 while the respondents are expected to respond within 14 days. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Tony Nwoye; has also filed a petition at the tribunal. Mr. Nwoye was one of those disenfranchised during the election, as he and several members of his family did not find their names on the voters’ register used for the election, though they had their voters’ cards. In the petition filed by their counsel, Messrs Rotimi Akeredolu, George Uwechue and Emeka Ngige, all Senior Advoctaes of Nigeria (SANs), among others, the petitioners were asking the tribunal to nullify the controversial election, claiming that it was vitiated by substantial noncompliance with mandatory statutory requirements and irregularities and that “none of the candidates in the said election was entitled to be returned.” The petitioners said they were aggrieved with the declaration of Obiano

as the winner of the election, arguing that while the APGA candidate did not satisfy the mandatory requirements of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended; the election was conducted in a manner which was manifestly and substantially not in compliance with the provisions of the constitution and the Electoral Act. Among the declaration sought by the petitioners from the tribunal were: that Obiano was not duly elected or returned and that his election was void; the determination whether the use of an invalid voters’ register rendered the elections of November 16, 17 and 30 invalid by reason of non-compliance with provisions of Electoral Act 2010 as amended. Other declarations sought from the tribunal by Ngige and the APC included that: the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and/or non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended; Obiano was

not qualified to contest the election in question as the APGA candidate; Obiano was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election and that the APGA candidate did not receive 25 per cent of votes cast in two-thirds of the 21 local councils of Anambra State as required by the 1999 Constitution as amended. The petitioners therefore seek a declaration by the tribunal that; “The election and return of the third respondent be nullified and a fresh election be ordered amongst the parties and candidates who contested the said election save third and fourth respondents.” Contending that the election was invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended and the INEC Manual for Election Officials 2013/2014, the petitioners argued that the election was marred by various acts of corrupt practices and that Obiano was not elected by the majority of lawful votes cast at the election, adding that the APGA

Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Enugu State University of Science and Technology chapter, Prof. Gab Agu (with microphone) his wife, Edna and their children Eze (left) and Ernest, during a thanksgiving service in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Deputy gov denies rift with Okorocha, blames sycophants CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

mo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, has denied rumours of a rift between him and the state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, saying it was a deliberate attempt by mischievous makers to sow the seed of discord between them. The deputy governor, who arrived at the Sam Mbakwe Airport at about 5.00pm on Saturday after a one-month medical trip

to the United States, said there was nothing like misunderstanding between him and the governor. Addressing journalists shortly on arrival, he described the imagined rift as a speculation fuelled by mischief makers who should be ignored. “I am glad to say that it is a rumour. When you are a public officer, there are so many things you hear and I don’t think anybody should listen to such rumour or take them serious, it is one or

two individuals or group trying to be mischievous. “I think the best thing to do is just keep quiet, you don’t respond to them when you hear them.” He assured that the union between him and the governor “is still very strong and intact.” The deputy governor added that his trip abroad was purely for medical reasons, which according to him; he sought and got the approval of the governor before he travelled to treat the knee

injury, which he said he sustained during the 2011 election campaign. “Those of you who are close to me and had watched me very closely during the rigorous campaign period that made government to get here would have noticed that I had always had this nibbling knee problem that the governor and I discussed and he approved that I should go and treat it once and for all, that was why I went to USA to have it treated.”

candidate was not qualified to contest the election. Ngige and APC contended that the election was “fundamentally and irredeemably flawed” as the voters’ register “was deficient, defective, inflated, undermined, inaccurate and therefore unreliable, adding that the said register did not conform to the provisions of Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), thereby rendering the entire results arising from the said election void.” The petition also said that the INCE boss, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had three days before the election, issued an electronic copy of the voters’ register to participating political parties, and INEC claimed that it replaced the register with another register because the earlier register had reduced the ages of voters by two years, a claim which the petitioners claimed they discovered to be untrue, adding that “not only were the ages

of some registrants reduced by more than two years, the voters’ register was riddled with photographs of minors and blurred images.” Other defects that affected the controversial election, according to the petitioners, were missing pages from the voters’ register; void votes arising from non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and INEC Manual for the Conduct of the 2013 Anambra State Governorship Election; result sheets arising from improper accreditation of voters; lack of transparency in the state collation of results; late arrival of materials and attendant late commencement of accreditation/voting in various places; corrupt practices, and highly inflated number of voters. It will be recalled that Okeke was Obiano’s running mate in the election.

Gregory varsity to make Igbo language compulsory for students

he Director, Igbo Renaissance at the Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Abia State, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, said at the weekend that the university would soon introduce Igbo language as a compulsory course in the second year. Madubuike announced this at Uturu during the sixth edition of Igbo Cultural Carnival, which was held at the university. “In the next two years, the university plans to introduce the Igbo language as a compulsory subject for all students in the second year. “Whether you are Yoruba, Hausa or Efik, you must take Igbo as a compulsory subject, in spite of your area of specialisation,” he said. Madubuike described the Igbo language as the “Soul of the culture of Ndigbo,” adding that the disappearance of the language would mean the ultimate death of the culture. Earlier, the traditional ruler of Oko in Anambra State, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, has called for concerted efforts by the people of the South-East to save Igbo language from going into extinction. Ekwueme, who was the chairman of the carnival, expressed regret that

the language was under serious threat, due to the decline in its usage as a means of communication in various families. He noted that many families of Igbo origin preferred to communicate in foreign languages, especially English language, with their children. “More often, nowadays, you find many parents communicating with their children and relations in the English language, rather than the Igbo language,” he said. Ekwueme regretted that the development was capable of endangering Igbo language, if not promptly checked. The monarch, who was a former Minister of Education, commended the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Greg Ibe, for initiating the carnival. Prof. Barth Chukwuezi, a director at the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, expressed delight that the Igbo cultural heritage and artefacts could be found in abundance in Uturu. Chukwuezi, who is the Head, Educational Services and Training, said that the commission often encouraged the people to communicate in their native languages during its outreach programmes.

South South

Monday, December 30, 2013

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Akpabio seeks economic integration between South-East, South-South

overnor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has stressed the need for economic integration between South-South and South-East regions to fasttrack their development

and mutual co-existence. Akpabio, who stated this at the weekend in Nnewi, Anambra State, after he was conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Omelu-Ora” by Igwe of Nnewi, His Royal High-

ness, Igwe Kenneth Orilu III as part of activities concluding a week-long celebration of the Igwe’s 50 years on the throne, said great sons and daughters of South-East and South- South must make

conscious efforts to unite the two regions. He said: “By this gesture, we have re-united the South-South and the South East, which is something myself and Governor Peter Obi of

FG spends N600m on old ABUTH renovation, says Sambo

ice-President Namadi Sambo yesterday said the Federal Government had spent N600 million on renovating the old Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, ABUTH, premises at Tudun Wada, Zaria. The vice-president said this in Zaria, Kaduna State during the second Annual General Meeting/Launching of Zazzau Emirate Development Association, ZEMDA. Represented by Alhaji Tahir Umar-Tahir, Special

Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Islamic Affairs and overseer of Aso Rock Mosque, Sambo said the renovation had reached an advanced stage. “The work included the renovation of wards, laboratories and restoration of some facilities, among others,” he said. The vice-president said a substantial part of the 2014 budget proposals was for enhanced health care services across the country to demonstrate government’s commitment to the sector. Sambo, therefore, ap-

pealed for “the support and co-operation of all Nigerians to enable the present administration deliver dividends of democracy to their doorsteps.” In his speech, Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State said the state government had made adequate arrangements for a total overhauling of secondary schools in the state. Yero, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Kaduna Government House, Alhaji Yahaya Aminu, said the overhauling was aimed at ensuring a conducive

teaching and learning environment. Earlier, the National President, ZEMDA, Dr Isa Abdullahi-Shika, said the focus of the association since inception had been the promotion and protection of the social and political aspiration of “Zagezagis.” He identified some of the association’s achievements in the outgoing year to include general security of lives and property with particular focus on Zaria and Sabongari Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Anambra State have been trying to do in the last six years. “These regions must be united and that is why we started the South-East and South-South Governors’ Forum and today, we are having a meeting to bring about economic integration of the regions. When we have a united South-South and SouthEast, we will have a greater voice in the comity of states in Nigeria”. Akpabio commended the Igwe of Nnewi for the honor done him, saying: “I receive the title because your background and your pedigrees are well known to all. I found out that you are a grand patron of the Men’s Fellowship of Anglican Church. That shows that you have brought Christianity into governance, you have brought God into your throne. That is why I associate with you because every authority comes from God and that is what you are practising”. He described Nnewi town as the spiritual headquarters of Igbo land, sayin: “Nnewi town is the spiritual headquarters of Igbo land because here is the soil of the great icon,

Odumegwu Ojukwu. I want to congratulate the people of Nnewi for keeping this culture and for embracing other Nigerians. “My presence here today is not because I am your great in-law. It is because of the efforts of my administration in the last six years, turning things around in every section of Nigeria. That is why the Nnewi man appreciates progress. The Nnewi person is a person that believes in development, the Nnewi child is a child that believes in progress and foresightedness, that is why you decided to honour me”. Governor Peter Obi, who said the conferment of “Omelu-Ora” chieftaincy title on Akpabio by the Igwe-in-Council was justified, described Akpabio as a true Nigerian committed to the total transformation of the country. Obi said: “This man is one who is committed not just to the transformation of Akwa Ibom State, but Nigeria”. Akpabio’s wife, Unoma, was also honoured by the Igwe with the chieftaincy title of ‘Ada Eji Eze Mba’ of Nnewi town.

FG approves National Institute of Construction Technology for Uromi ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) greeting Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, at the Iwere Kingdom annual Thanksgiving in Warri, yesterday.

Uduaghan urges political office seekers to shun violence

elta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has warned those planning to use violence or play up ethnic sentiments to get into public office to desist forthwith as it would not yield them the desired result. Speaking at a Warri North Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government rally at the weekend, Uduaghan cautioned aspirants for political offices against resorting to violence or ethnic sentiments to achieve their goal, adding that force and violence do not get anyone into office but only breed chaos and anarchy. As against violence

and ethnic politics, he urged the aspirants to endear themselves to the people by their words, deeds and actions, reiterating that whoever would emerge winner in an election must be through the ballot box and not because of the ethnic group they belong. According to him, power belongs to God and no matter the violence one employed or the ethnic sentiments resorted to, whoever God decides would emerge winner. Speaking earlier when he paid a courtesy visit on the Olaraja (leader) of Koko community in Warri North Local Government, Chief Victor Nana, the governor urged youth

councils and traditional rulers across the state not to get their different institutions involved in partisan politics. He also asked those interested in politics or holding political offices not to hide under community youth platforms or traditional institutions, stressing that such persons should feel free to excise themselves from such bodies to play partisan politics. Uduaghan, however, said the dualisation of the 36 kilometer Ugbenu/Koko Road would be completed and commissioned in 2014, describing the road as strategic as it would facilitate the movement of goods from the Koko Port to oth-

er parts of the country. The governor added that plans were on way by the government to set up community-based committees to manage different water projects across communities in the state. While noting that his administration has recorded successes in the area of water supply, Uduaghan stressed that the water committees were essential to ensure that the projects last through proper maintenance and management. In his remarks at the rally, PDP Chairman in the state, Mr. Peter Nwaoboshi, said Warri North was unique to the party because it yields high number of votes.

National Institute of Construction Technology is to be established in Uromi, Edo State, by the Federal Government. Uromi is the country home of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih. Approval for the establishment of the institute was announced at the weekend by Vice-President Namadi Sambo on the occasion of a special thanksgiving mass at the St Anthony’s Catholic Cathedral, Uromi, for the 80th birthday of Anenih. The birthday had earlier been celebrated in Abuja on August 4, this year. Sambo said the establishment of the institute was in appreciation by the Federal Government of Anenih’s invaluable contributions to the socio-

political and economic development of the nation. The vice president hailed Anenih’s life of commitment and dedication to the service of God and humanity, adding that his life personified hard work and resilience. According to him, Anenih is a staunch believer in truth, pointing out that his exemplary life of hard work, commitment, sincerity and love of God is worthy of emulation. Sambo said: “As a mark of appreciation for the contributions of this great man, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has graciously granted approval for the establishment of the National Institute of Construction Technology in Uromi.” Responding, Anenih said he could not thank God enough for keeping him in good health at 80 and expressed his deepest appreciation for the gesture by the Federal Government.

Monday, December 30, 2013

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Politics

Corrupt leaders: Who will cast the first stone?

2015: PDP not dead in S’West –National Auditor ...Says party will spring surprises OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he National Auditor of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, at the weekend debunked a statement credited to a former member of the party, Chief Alani Akinde, that the PDP was already dead in the South-West zone and that the alternative to it was the Labour Party, LP. Addressing news men in Abuja at the weekend, Alhaji Adeyanju dismissed

the claim, saying “the statement is not only false but it is misleading and capable of sending a wrong signal to teeming members of the party in the zone and the entire country in general, now that the preparations for the 2014 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states and the 2015 general elections are in top gear.” According to the PDP chieftain, “I think he made the statement out of ignorance, that was exactly what they did in 2011, when they rushed out of the PDP to float the Peoples Party

Nigeria, PPN, along with their master, what happened? They failed woefully, they shameless returned to the PDP; this time around again, they are embarking on the same venture. They have gone to the Labour Party with their master, let us wait and see, they will fail again and again.” Adeyanju added: “Let me tell Chief Akinde and his co-travellers that the PDP is alive in all the states in the zone, we are waxing stronger on daily basis; the party will spring surprises in coming elections starting with the 2014 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states and

the 2015 general elections, we will deliver the zone to the PDP hundred per cent, nothing will stop us, our leaders are on the field embarking on a total reconciliation of the aggrieved members and the reports reaching us at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja are very encouraging.” He said that if truly the PDP was dead in the South West, how come a dead party keeps receiving defectors from other parties on a daily basis in all the states of the zone, including the so called Labour Party? While urging party members in the zone to remain

L-R: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori: Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun; President, Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU), Ambassador Rasaq Shiyanbola, and former OPU President, Alhaji Ajadi Badmus at the presentiom of the Best Governor in Nigeria (2013) award to Aregbesola in Osogbo at the weekend.

CNPP to APC: Stop admitting PDP decampees OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

n advice has gone to the All Progressives Congress, APC, to stop admitting decampees from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, into its fold. Speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP said in a statement made available to National Mirror that “whereas, the CNPP admits that it’s very tempting to give unfettered admission to political decampees from other political parties;

however we humbly call on the All Progressives Congress, APC, to stop forthwith further admission of PDP decampees.” It added: “We are making this clarion call in the collective interest of our dear fatherland, so as to forestall the return of one party system and consequently absolute powers post 2015 general elections. “For we cannot forget in a hurry the granite saying of Lord Acton that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely; as evidenced by the imperial posture of the PDP led Federal Government in the last 14 years which stifled polit-

ical and economic growth.” Saying that it remember with nostalgia the nationwide jubilation which heralded the registration of the APC on July 1 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, a jubilation predicated on the birth of a broad based alternative political party to the PDP, the CNPP said: “In sum, we had fervently prayed for Nigerian democracy to attain the zenith of liberal democracy, where two dominant political parties and compromise prevail. In other words, a liberal democracy where no political party will win 2/3 of the seats in the Na-

tional or state Assembles and where no party wins the presidential election with more than 53 percent of the votes cast. This is true democracy.”

focused and resolute in their support for the ruling party, which he said was trying its best to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people as promised, Adeyanju said: “What Nigerians need now is patience, perseverance, and peace so that the PDPled administration of President Goodluck Jonathan will be able to pursue his

transformation agenda to a logical conclusion for the benefit of all and sundry.” On the recent letter written by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Jonathan on the state of the nation, the PDP National Auditor refused to comment, saying that it bothered “on national security.”

PDP has failed Nigerians –Baraje public and the population WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

ormer acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, at the weekend in Ilorin, Kwara State, said that the ruling PDP has failed the people of Nigeria. Baraje, in a media interaction said: “Let me tell you, every politician, either in Nigeria, Africa and in America have one thing in common - aspiration and expectation. Once your aspirations and expectations are not being met, which may largely be as a result of differences in ideology, you don’t have a business being in the group that is no longer adequately representing your ideology, your belief and which may eventually transcend into your aspirations. “Therefore, if the PDP is no longer satisfying the interest and aspiration of people that are there, who are largely politicians, it is normal to change; to go and fuse into another group that they think their aspiration and ideology will work, not only for themselves but for the betterment of the entire

of the country. And this is exactly what has happened. “The PDP has failed the people and I make bold to say that. The PDP that I know, that I chairmanned, that I was its National Secretary is no longer the PDP that was when I was there, when many of us were there.” Asked at what point the party derailed, Baraje said: “It derailed the moment it failed to fulfill the promises in its manifesto. We told the people who voted us into power that we are going to give them economic freedom, we are going to give them employment, we are going to give electricity, we are going to give qualitative education, we are going to give food in abundance, you and I can answer to these whether we have been able to do these”. He added: “The PDP has the right to say what they like but the law of the land overtakes anybody’s opinion. There is a law that guides declaring seats vacant. So people should go back to the law but if the PDP is saying it is the law, it is the alpha and omega, that is part of not satisfying the aspiration of people.”

Lawmaker charges youths to embrace unity, hardwork TONY ANICHEBE UYO

eader of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Okpolupm Etteh, has charged youths to eschew violence and other anti-social vices that propagate disunity and disharmony, especially in this season of celebrations. Etteh stated this at the weekend when he received

members of a frontline socio-political group in the state, Ikpoto Akwa Ibom, who paid him a Christmas visit, saying they should strive, at all times, to live up to the virtues of peace, harmony, unity and hospitability for which the state is known for. The lawmaker, who represents Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency in the House, thanked the group

for choosing to visit him and urged them to promote a genuine bond of brotherhood in the state by supporting “what is good, what is right and what is true.” Charging the youths to be focused, hardworking, loyal and diligent in their duties, Etteh stressed that the reward for such knows no limit, urging them to showcase the state positively to the rest of the world.

Politics

Monday, December 30, 2013

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Corrupt leaders: Who will cast the first stone? The governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi has challenged Nigerians to make sure that they stone their corrupt leaders if they want to stop graft. Will this not lead to anarchy, asks SINA FADARE.

he governor of River State, Rotimi Amaechi recently challenged Nigerian populace about their docility towards corrupt politicians and public office holders who stole their money, saying if the public have been pestering them with stones on the highway, they may have learnt their lessons in the hard way and will no longer dip their hands into the public coffers. According to the governor, “if you see a thief and you allow him to be stealing, what have you done? You have stoned nobody; that is why we are stealing. Who have you stoned? They came out and started dancing oil subsidy, oil subsidy. They told you that they stole N2.3 trillion, what did you do? The governor further said: “You’ve heard that $50 billion is missing and you have done nothing about it. In some countries people will go on the streets until they return that money. It is N8 trillion and it can change Nigeria.” However, as logical as Amaechi’s theory of self help was, there is a political school of thought that believes that such should not be allowed to happen in our political space otherwise the country would be heading to anarchy. With the amount of money that have been siphoned by public officials including the governors in the past, one may be tempted to toe the line of Amaechi, but the question on the lip of average Nigerians is that who will pronounce them guilty when the system is rotten, including the judiciary which ought to be the last hope of the common man. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, some of the past governors who were indicted for corruption include former Governors Orji Uzor Kalu (Kalu); Boni Haruna (Adamawa); Ayo Fayose (Ekiti); Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); Saminu Turaki (Jigawa); Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa); Joshua Dariye (Plateau) Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa); James Ibori (Delta) and Gbenga Daniel (Ogun). Could it be that Amaechi, who was once a power broker decided to make such a suggestion out of the political frustration he is facing? Could it be that the institution of governance in the country is so tainted to the extent that only the people’s revolts can stop it? Whichever way one thinks about it, it is obvious that the country is facing fundamental challenges foisted on her by the political elites who have turned our common patrimony into a personal belonging and taking it away with such an arrogant and impunity. Reacting to Ameachi’s statement, the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Yinka Odumakin noted that the governor was one of the looters of public treasury, therefore if he is now asking that they

Amaechi

Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC boss

should be stoned, it will come to reality not too long a future. His words: “For he (Amaechi) to be blaming us, when we expressed our grievances on oil subsidy; that we are only dancing instead of throwing stones, there was an insinuation that he actually bank rolled the operation of the soldiers who came and disrupted that rally at Ojota. Now that he has fallen out of the power equation and insulting us that we have not done enough. What we did then was why the price of petroleum has not been increased further. If it is stoning that they prefer, then they will get it someday.” Speaking in the same vein, the former presidential candidate of the National Action Council, NAC, Dr Olapade Agoro said that Amaechi is only exhibiting his political frustration, adding that such a pronouncement was an invitation to anarchy. He said: “The pronouncement by the governor of Rivers state that public officials who are found guilty of corruption should be stoned, sound logical. But it is inciting to violence which is capable of causing conflagration. How do you judge who is corrupt? It is not for anybody to take the law into his or her hands. “If you want to take the law into your hands, all your cards must be on the table. The case of Bode George is a typical example. He was convicted by a High court and the conviction was confirmed by the Court of Appeal, only to be turned down by the Supreme Court. What could have happened if Bode George had been stoned to death? “Amaechi was taking out of the defeat of the moment. I agree that majority of public officials in the country are corrupt; what about the case of Nasir El-Rufai who was indicted for corruption and the court

freed him. I will still say that the rule of law in any democracy is the best thing anybody can have. If you remove the rule of law from democracy you have anarchy. Despite the challenges we are facing in our judiciary, l do not think we should result to jungle justice.” However, another political school argued that after all, Amaechi may be right in the sense that instead of the society embracing all the public treasury looters and give them traditional titles, they should be ostracised and stoned in the public to let them realise that they are not wanted. They premised their position on the fact that immediately a section of the society is condemning such an ugly act of the past, some people quickly put sentiment and political colouration into action and the next thing you see is a placard supporting those thieves who have looted public treasury. Perhaps more worrisome and pathetic aspect of the whole episode is the fact that the institution that is saddled to put the record straight, the judiciary is equally tainted with corruption to the extent that victory is for the highest bidder. Against this backdrop, Agoro argued that the issue at stake is beyond individuals, but rather that of an institution. “I can tell you authoritatively that 99 per cent of the public officials in the country are corrupt. In fact we eat, drink and sleep with corruption; therefore the common man who is at the receiving end is hopeless and helpless,” he said. This line of argument tallies with that of human right activist, Bamidele Aturu, who pointed out that it is difficult for the common man to have access to those who stole their wealth because of intimidating retinue of security. “Amaechi might have said what he said

IT IS TRUE THAT THE PEOPLE SHOULD STOP THE WANTON CORRUPTION THAT IS GOING IN PUBLIC OFFICES.

CLEARLY WHOM DO WE STONE? FOR

SOMEBODY THAT GOES ABOUT IN THE CONVOYS

20 CARS WITH TIGHT SECURITY ALMOST EVERY DAY, HOW DO YOU PESTER STONE ON SUCH A PERSON? OF ABOUT

out of the political persecution he is facing. It is true that the people should stop the wanton corruption that is going in public offices. Clearly whom do we stone? For somebody that goes about in the convoys of about 20 cars with tight security almost every day, how do you pester stone on such a person?” Aturu asked. According to him, it is not out of place that the people must put their destiny into their hands in order to put a stop to all those who are daily siphoning their wealth with impunity. He said: “The point is that people must kick against corruption and save the country from abyss. The question is how many people did Amaechi prosecute on corruption in his state? We have the criminal code which is applicable in River. When people have political problems, they should not expect the people to do the battle for them. He has made a valid point that we need to fight people who are corrupt. We need to examine whether he is also fighting corruption.” Political pundits are of the view that as long as the people are docile and allow those who have looted the public treasury to go free in the society, all will pay for it in the long run. To Comrade Mark Adebayo, the Publicity Secretary of KOWA party, Amaechi is a product of corruption; therefore he cannot run away from the wrath of the society when his cup overflows. His words: “I think we are too soft on looters in this country and their collaborators including Governor Amaechi. They flaunt their stolen wealth at our faces and all we do is grumble. Nigerians must develop the courage to destroy the corrupt political clique through organised mass action.” He pointed out that the day of reckoning is fast approaching for all those that have looted the public treasury and they will not have any hidden place, no matter the level of their ill gotten wealth and influence. But the question begging for answer is: Is the Amaechi antidote the panacea to corruption, which has become endemic and placed the country in the top ladder of corruption index of the corruption watchdog, Transparency International?

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Monday December 30, 2013

Nigeria: On the eve of our centenary Mirror of the moment ABDUL-WAREES A SOLANKE korewarith@yahoo.com, 08090585723 (SMS only)

t is just 48 hours to usher in a century of Nigeria’s togetherness and we ought to be singing the song of arrival and victory. But rather than clanging cymbals and popping champagne, we should bury ourselves in self pity for not using our limitless potentials and possibilities to construct a true nation united in its diversity. We have been on this tortuous trajectory, not because we do not possess the wherewithal to advance, but because we lack the courage to begin from the numerous starting points of national construction. The problem with Nigeria is that we are too blessed to know the biggest blessing to leverage on! Confronted with so many options, we seem to be in the greatest dilemma of deciding the most cost effective and fastest means of reaching our Promised Land. We have been too busy at the national terminus of development fighting among ourselves on which of the routes does not have sharp bends and creaky joints and which of the trains have air conditioned coaches to travel in luxury to the extent that we all seem to be dragging the steering

THE CHALLENGE WE REALLY HAVE IN NIGERIA IS

THE LACK OF WILL AND WEAKNESS OF STRUCTURES AND INSTITUTIONS REQUIRED TO BUILD A STRONG NATION with the captain. The crises of nation building are not peculiar to Nigeria. Leadership, integration, participation, representation, resource distribution and allocation are issues that every diverse society has to contend with. It is in the management of these crises that we shortchange ourselves as sectional vested interests take precedence over the collective national interest. What to do in our various ethnic cocoons and tribal camps that we have holed ourselves in since independence is to lower our garb of pride, remove the stained and dirty lenses with which we view one another from the distance and travel from our various primordial posts towards that national confluence and have the warm and affectionate handshake across the rivers Niger and Benue rather than posting fake letters and emails without the attachments of love and understanding.

I believe the best options we have are not anything close to dissolution and disintegration as many disappointed patriots would prefer. They are not what marginalized and aggrieved Nigerians should contemplate, even though these seem the easiest way to meet their demands. In the final analysis, if we take the road to the Balkans, we will soon come to the table of negotiating reunification. The challenge we really have in Nigeria is the lack of will and weakness of structures and institutions required to build a strong nation. In our tribal confusion and ethnic viral infections, we acquired certain national immunity deficiency syndromes. In this scenario, what kills the nation is not the disease, but the depression arising from the stigma associated with the disease. But it is better to admit we have this natural and national virus and take the necessary cocktail of drugs, in addition to following the strict dietary regime and have a new outlook to life, if we must live happily with our malaise. This is a national strategic management challenge, managing our diversity, our opportunities and our strengths while remaining conscious of our internal weaknesses and national threats. I have in earlier articles isolated a number of factors responsible for our national crises. Drawing from our colonial experience, one can say there was no sincere attempt by the departing colonial masters to nurture a true nation from the diverse and complex peoples aggregated into Nigeria. From the dawn of independence therefore,

there is what I refer to as structural disaggregation or misalignment in the new nation, which gave room for uneven and unequal development. It is to be noted that the colonial government ran Nigeria with policy differentials suitable to their own economic interests. So, before Nigeria attained political independence in October 1960, Nigeria had been a victim of policy inconsistency. The fallout of this misnomer is that the constituents of the new nation had begun to nurture animosity towards one another. In any case, our resolve for independence was not uniform, which explains why southern Nigeria attained self government earlier than the north of the country. It is therefore, not surprising that on the eve of independence, Nigeria was birthed on a keg of gun powder waiting to explode. In less than two years of nationhood, Western Nigeria was on the boil. ‘Operation wetie’ was in the air. The Action Group, the mainstream political party in the region, despite its famed cohesiveness and coherent ideology, was penetrated and compromised. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, its leader lost in the political game; was tried for treasonable felony, and jailed. Marooned in the Ita Oko Island, Awo had an uncommon bitter experience for true nationalists and resilient freedom fighters. As we look towards tomorrow, we must do everything possible to avoid a national apocalypse because I believe the destiny of Nigeria is the destiny of the black race. Abdulwarees is a visiting editorial board member of this newspaper

Taraba: Njiwah and the corruption of power HASSAN DAHIRU GOMBE

oing through Ambassador Emmanuel Njiwah, former Taraba’s Secretary to the State Government’s (SSG) interview published recently in Daily Trust and other national dallies, one’s initial reaction would be of bewilderment and apoplexy at this collection of falsehood, half-truths, misleading innuendos and outright falsification of history for self-serving ends, which might not augur well for the entrenchment of democracy in the state and Nigeria as a whole. For one, the former SSG displayed either distressing ignorance or monumental mischief in likening Danbaba Suntai’s mental and physical condition to that of the former American President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), who was confined to a wheel chair as a result of polio affliction in his early childhood. Setting the records straight, FDR’s physical and mental alertness was beyond doubt as not only was he a powerful and energetic politician, he was also the dynamic governor of the state of New York, one of the most populous states of America before contesting and eventually emerging victorious in the US presidential elections in 1932. The much beloved FDR went on to rule the country for a record shattering four terms (from 1932 - 45) before succumbing to cancer in 1945. FDR initiated a series of revolutionary programmes and remained one of the most active, vibrant,

resourceful and resolute presidents in American history. How can Njiwah in all honesty compare FDR’s mental and physical condition with that of Suntai, who can hardly recognize family members and at most times, gives rambling speeches lacking in content or coherence? Can the powerful political mafia propping up a debilitated Suntai have the courage and integrity to bring him out of the enforced cocoon so that he can face the public to explain his sojourn in the U.S and Germany, his health condition and what future programmes and policies he has for Tarabans? The answer is no! Because Njiwah and his fellow conspirators are aware that Suntai is very sick, mentally and physically, and cannot face the TV cameras or the general public that is why they keep shielding him from public view or scrutiny, to the extent that members of the House of Assembly and the Taraba executive cabinet are not allowed to interact freely with him in any capacity whatsoever. Though, we’re not happy with his condition and travails, yet we are strongly against playing politics with the man situation. Another misleading assertion by a deeply confused Njiwah has to do with his spurious claim that he was removed as SSG because he refused to originate a memo to the House of Assembly requesting the setting up of a probe panel to ascertain the true position of Suntai’s health condition. That is quite a fantastic claim as there is no constitutional requirement that such a memo must emanate only from the office of the

CONTRARY TO NJIWAH’S DUBIOUS ASSERTIONS, RELIGION IS NOT A FACTOR IN THE PRESENT CRISIS CONTRIVED BY A BACK WARD LOOKING CABAL…

SSG. Such a memo can emanate from any office duly authorized by the Acting Governor, Garba Umar, and does not require any imprimatur of the SSG’s office. Ambassador Njiwah was simply attempting woefully to stand sacred truth on its head. Also we may well ask if Njiwah was absolutely confident of the stable condition of Suntai’s health, why did he reportedly drag his feet in authorizing such a memo requesting the setting up of a House of Assembly probe panel? Is Njiwah by his blunt refusal to originate such a memo merely acting out a sinister script authored by the invidious mafia that seeks to control the levers of power in Taraba from the shadows, illegally and unconstitutionally? Time will truly unravel the faces of the reactionary forces that are bent on foisting a government by proxy on the Taraba people in order to continually

loot and plunder its financial resources as they have done since 1996 when the state was created. Contrary to Njiwah’s dubious assertions, religion is not a factor in the present crisis contrived by a back ward looking cabal; it is more of a titanic battle between the progressive forces exemplified by the state House of Assembly, civil society groups, the Acting Governor and the retrogressive cabal bent on installing a patently mentally and physically handicapped leader on the people so that they can effectively use Suntai health’s condition as an advantage to rule the state by proxy. Desperate attempts by Njiwah and other cabalistic elements to paint an ethno-religious colouration of the present power struggle have failed to gain traction as there are honest and principled Tarabans in the House of Assembly and other organs of the state who will stand by the truth come rain, come shine no matter any manner of intimidation, or harassment, blackmail and campaign of calumny unleashed by Njiwah and his cabalistic fellow travelers. Hassan sent this piece from dahiruhkera99@gmail.com Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

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Monday December 30, 2013

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FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

NYSC and Mathematics mobilisation criteria T R M ecently, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) denied a Nigerian who graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Second Class Upper Division degree in Business Management, from the Plymouth University, United Kingdom, mobilization. He was denied enrolment into the compulsory one year NYSC programme because he did not obtain credit pass in Mathematics at the Ordinary level General Certificate of Education (GCE) or West African Scholl Certificate (WASC). The candidate, however, headed to a Lagos Federal High Court to seek redress, and eventually succeeded. According to the court, the NYSC cannot stop graduates from performing their Youth Service based on their failure to pass O-Level Mathematics with credit. Indeed, a glance at the NYSC website, particularly its portal on “Requirements for Registration of Nigerian Foreign-Trained Graduates”, indicated that the following requirements were listed for those of them wishing to participate in the National Service, namely: originals and photocopies of first university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate; complete official transcript of the first degree or HND programme; mark sheets (for Indian Schools only); O’level Certificate i.e WASC, GCE, SSCE, NECO, IGCE, GCSE, High School

HE LAW SEEMS

NOT VERY CLEAR

ATHEMATICS

BEING A COMPULSORY REQUIREMENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADMISSION Diploma for those who schooled in USA, etc. It was also clearly stated that candidates “must obtain credit in not less than five (5) subjects (including English and Mathematics) in not more than two (2) sittings; among others. Medical doctors and optometrists are required to produce, in addition, evidence of completion of housemanship, registration certificate with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria or the Optometrists Association of Nigeria, as applicable, while pharmacists are to produce in addition, evidence of completion of internship and their registration certificates with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria. There is also the demand for Nigerian International Passport showing the following: entry visa to country of study; first departure date from Nigeria; date of return to Nigeria and data page of the passport, among others. The fact of the matter for the embittered candidate that went

to court was that he had two (2) credits and four (4) passes in his WASC certificate, an examination conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), before proceeding to Irwin College, Leicester, UK, where he remedied his inadequacies at the school certificate level, before gaining admission into the Greenwich School of Management, Plymouth University. The performance of the candidate was extremely poor at the WAEC-conducted examination. As a result, that performance disallowed him from being admitted into any of the Nigerian universities for a degree programme. The ‘access module’ he enrolled into may not have taken into cognizance Nigeria’s specification for university education admission. Besides, it is a known fact that Britain and some other advanced nations feed fat on Nigerians who rush to obtain university degrees over there. Some of the greedy and unscrupulous tertiary institutions overseas are of sub-standard quality, and are designed only to make as much money as possible from foreign students. However, on point of law about mathematics, it is again true that English and Mathematics and/or a science subject, are required by many Nigerian universities for admission. But the law seems not very clear on Mathematics being a compulsory requirement for university

admission. Even if such a law is made, it ought not to be applied retroactively. Therefore, we are of the opinion that the Lagos Federal High Court appears correct in its ruling that the applicant or candidate be enlisted into the NYSC programme in March 2014, or be given a letter of exemption from National Service. There is the need to have a holistic look at the content of Nigeria’s educational system. Mathematics and science subjects are very important in a knowledgedriven universe. These subjects should be taught right from the primary school up to the secondary school level. The Nigerian government should find ways of generating qualitative teachers in mathematics and the sciences at those levels in abundance. There is no way a Nigeria can become a member of the 21st century community without being literate in science and in Mathematics, the language of science. Provision should be made for adults who wish to receive university or tertiary education to have at least one science subject, to qualify. We note that the Mathematics taught in schools, and even at the tertiary level, is more of memory work. The logic component of Mathematics, which features mainly in ‘Pure Mathematics’, is largely ignored at the lower levels. This anomaly should also be redressed.

ON THIS DAY December 30, 2006 Former President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, was executed. Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti (April 28, 1937 – December 30, 2006) was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from July 16, 1979 until April 9, 2003. Saddam played a key role in the July 17, 1968 coup (later referred to as the July 17 Revolution) that brought his Ba’ath Party to power in Iraq. He was once the Vice President under the ailing General Ahmed Hassan alBakr.

December 30, 2009 A suicide bomber killed nine people at the ‘Forward Operating Base Chapman’, a key facility of the Central Intelligence Agency in Afghanistan. The attack involved a suicide attack by Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi against the Central Intelligence Agency facility inside Forward Operating Base Chapman. The FOB facility is located near the eastern Afghan city of Khost, which is about 10 miles northwest of the Pakistani border

December 30, 2011 Owing to a change of time zone, the day was skipped in Samoa and Tokelau. The Samoa Time Zone observes standard time by subtracting eleven hours from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-11). The clock time in this zone is based on the mean solar time of the 165th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory. Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Tokelau is a territory of New Zealand.

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Monday, December 30, 2013

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Cover

Access Bank Plc begins a new era as its main man; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede takes a bow after over 11 years in the saddle, leaving behind his soul mate, Hebert Wigwe and a new set of executive directors to pilot the affairs of the bank. But how far can Wigwe and his team go? By Salami Semiu

ffective tomorrow, Tuesday, December 31, 2013, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede’s tenure as Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc will eclipse after more than 11 years in the saddle. And a day after, a new chapter will also open in the life of the bank as his soul mate, Herbert Wigwe , takes over along with an retinue of executive directors. Aig-Imoukhuede’s exit, no thanks to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s bank CEO/Directors tenure policy effectively marks an end to the career of a lawyer-turned banker, whose activities in the past years have created major upsets in the Nigeria’s financial services sector. Bold, daring, adventurous and sometimes ruthless, AigImoukhuede’s footprint in the banking sector started when

he was just 20 years old. Then, as a young Barrister at Law, he secured his first job in the legal department of the then Continental Merchant Bank. From Continental Merchant Bank, he moved to Prime Merchant Bank and later joined Fola Adeola and others at Guaranty Trust Bank Plc from where he sealed the Access Bank deal. However, rather than confine himself to the legal department of banks, he switched into the mainstream, working in core banking department where he admitted gave him joy of identifying opportunities and going after them with all his might. At that stage, his interest in deal making had blossomed, especially after reading “Buyout: The Insider’s Guide to Buying Your Own Company”, written by Rick Rickersten and Robert E. Gunther. Incidentally, it was at that

Aig-Imoukhuede’

same time that the old Access Bank was in troubled and its then owners desperately searching for a bail out. Aig-Imoukhuede led a group of very young but immensely ambitious bankers, including Wigwe to acquire controlling stakes in the bank and became its Chief Executive in March 2001 with the self-imposed mandate to reposition the bank as one of Nigeria’s top five banks by 2007. Determined to rapidly grow the Access Bank brand, AigImoukhuede during the 2005 bank consolidation exercise acquired Capital Bank International and Marina International Bank, which he fused into Access Bank to create a much larger institution. The quest to expand the Access Bank brand did not stop with the Nigerian mergers and acquisition deals. He made forays into the African continent to do a few acquisitions. In April 2008, he took

Access Bank to Rwanda and acquired Bancor SA; moved to Democratic Republic of Congo to acquire Banque Privee du Congo and crossed over to Cote d’ Ivoire to seal the deal that saw the acquisition of Omnifinance Bank. By September of the same year, Aig-Imoukhuede and his team found their ways to Burundi and came back with Finbank, as addition to the growing league of Access brand. No doubt, Aig-Imoukhuede has the reputation of being relentlessly competitive. Ten

years after becoming CEO, Access Bank has catapulted into the Top 10 in Africa’s most fiercely competitive environment. It also prides itself is the fastest growing bank on the continent and Aig seems to be enjoying all the frills and thrills that come with it all. He was recently quoted as saying “Whatever else we have been accused of, nobody can accuse us of standing still”. Truly, there are quite a few things that Access Bank under the leadership of the Sabon-gida Ora-born lawyer-

Business Courage A Publication of GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, OFR PUBLISHER SEMIU SALAMI ADEJUWON OSUNNUYI BIODUN ALADE EMMANUEL OGBONNAYA

EDITOR STAFF WRITER REPORTER REPORTER

SEYI OKUMODI

SENIOR GRAPHIC ARTIST

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Wigwe

turned banker and perhaps, the most scathing remains the controversial circumstances in which he acquired the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc. There are reports, which not even the Central Bank of Nigeria has been able to provide convincing response till date that as at the time Access Bank acquired Intercontinental Bank, both AigImhokhuede and Wigwe owed the bank well over N16 billion. The loan documents show that Aig-Imokhuede and Herbert Wigwe, as the Director and CEO respectively of Access Bank and also co-owners of United Alliance Company, borrowed a total of N16.3 billion from InterContinental Bank as of May 31, 2009. The loan was to be repaid in 36 months. With Aig-Imhokhuede’s exit, there is a general belief both within and outside the banking sector that the strat-

egy would not change drastically, given the fact that the new chief executive has always being part of the system from the beginning. . As part of the consolidation exercise in the post-AigImhokhuede era, Wigwe will have to work with the likes of Obinna Nwosu as his deputy alongside three new executive directors. Nwosu has over 20 years banking experience- operations and relationship management at Access Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank, having joined Access Bank in 2002, as a general manager/head, Retail Banking Division until December 2012, when he took a study leave for a Masters Degree in Public Policy at Columbia University, New York. Also on the board is Ojinika Olaghere, the executive director, Operations and Information Technology, with extensive experience in banking operations, Information Technology, Business Development and Enterprise Business Support. She joined Access Bank in 2007 from Ecobank, as general manager in charge of Enterprise Business Support. Another addition is Elias Igbinakenzua, as executive director, Corporate and Investment Banking. Igbinakenzua brings on board, over two decades of banking experience from Ze-

nith Bank Plc, where he resigned as the executive director, Corporate Banking in July 2013. In his new role, Igbinakenzua, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria, will build on the bank’s leadership position in the corporate banking space, drawing on his wide industry experience. Also to compliment the efforts of the bank at the board level is Roosevelt Ogbonna in charge of corporate banking. Until now,, Ogbonna was the divisional head, Commercial Banking and under his leadership, the bank’s commercial banking franchise experienced impressive improvement in performance. Ogbonna joined the bank in 2002, from Guaranty Trust Bank and is reputed for his very deep technical, business development and strong leadership skills and has successfully led the execution of several transformational projects across the bank. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and holds a Second Class Upper Degree in Banking and Finance from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, having attended several Executive Management Development Programmes in leading institutions.

Similarly, Victor Etuokwu will continue to lead the bank’s retail business as executive director, Personal Banking. Etuokwu has over 20 years of banking experience cutting across banking operations, retail banking, internal control, business acquisition and integration. He joined Access Bank in 2002, from Citibank and was appointed an executive director in 2012. Etuokwu holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters of Business Administration from the Universities of Ibadan and Benin respectively. Wigwe had said that the Board had undergone a rigorous selection process to identify first class talents, who possess the necessary attributes to drive the bank’s medium term strategy. “The team is a blend of internal and external candidates, male and female banking professionals and possesses all the skills and competencies that will be needed. “I am confident that together, we will build upon our achievements thus far and realise our objective of becoming the world’s most respected African bank,” he said. Earlier, when Wigwe’s appointment was confirmed after it was rumoured that AigImhokhuede had resisted his elevation, the outgoing Access Bank boss had remarked that “The first chapter of Access Bank’s remarkable transformation story has been completed and I will retire satisfied and giving God all the glory for the successes recorded during my tenure. I thank the Chairman, Mr. Oyebode, other members of our Board and all my colleagues in the Bank for their wonderful support. “Early in 2012, I disclosed to our Board of Directors about my desire to retire at the end of 2013; pursuant to which the Board of Directors unanimously decided that Herbert Wigwe would be the next CEO of Access Bank. He has been an outstanding deputy to me and has a complete understanding of our strategies, culture, technology and competitive environment. “Importantly, he has strong relationships with our entire management team and customers. We believe that Herbert’s background and skills make him a perfect fit to lead Access Bank as we enter the next chapter of our transformation,” Aig-Imhokhuede had

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said. On his part, Wigwe had said that he was “excited to take on this new role,” adding that “Access Bank has incredibly talented employees and is in a strong position to further its leadership in the industry. I look forward to leading Access Bank in years ahead and helping to make it even stronger than it is today. I would like to thank the Board for their strong endorsement and the opportunity to lead this great institution. I look forward to meeting our employees, customers, and shareholders across our various markets in the weeks and months ahead”. Wigwe started his professional career with Coopers and Lybrand Associates, an international firm of Chartered Accountants and later at Guaranty Trust Bank where he spent 10 years and managed several portfolios including financial institutions, Corporates and Multinationals. He serves as the Chairman of Intercontinental Homes Savings & Loans Plc and has been a Director at Associated Discount House Limited since December 1, 2011. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), an Alumnus of Harvard Business School Executive Management Programme, Wigwe holds a Master’s degree in Banking and International Finance from the University College of North Wales; a Master’s degree in Financial Economics from the University of London and a B.Sc. degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. For now, what future lies ahead of Aig-Imhokhuede remains unclear, but there are strong suspicion that he has his eyes firmly on the job of Sanusi-Lamido, who is expected to exit the apex bank in July when his first term of five years runs out. Interestingly, Aig-Imhokhuede has not hidden his interest in the job and sources say he has sufficiently pulled enough strings to turn the lever in his favour, notwithstanding the legion of highly qualified contenders within the CBN itself. Whatever happens, however, what is certain is that for the first time in over 11 years, Access Bank will have to run without its charismatic, youthful and excessively ambitious former CEO. BC

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Monday, December 30, 2013

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Feature Agriculture

By Veronica Dariya

vailable statistics show that private sector investments in Nigeria’s agriculture have increased appreciably, with the private sector investing about $8 billion into various agricultural projects in the past two years. Observers attribute the renewed interest to invest in the agricultural sector to the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), designed to promote `` agrobusiness’’, while boosting food security and wealth creation in the country. Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, said that an additional four $4billion was being injected into the sector by companies like Dangote Group, Indorama Chemicals and Notore Chemicals, among others. The minister, who spoke at a recent forum in Abuja, also said that Syngenta, the world’s leading seeds production company, had established a company in Nigeria. He quoted Michel Demare, the Chairman of Syngenta, as saying that ``the direction Nigeria is going makes me feel that the demand for seeds is going to rise in the country.’’ Adesina noted that the best performing stocks in the Nigerian market today were agriculture-related stocks, adding that they even performed better than the banks’ stocks. He also said that banks were currently adapting their profitdriven business to accommodate agricultural projects. The minister, while receiving officials of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) who came under the aegis of the US Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) Infrastructure Trade Mission to Nigeria, restated the government’s determination to boost investment in agriculture. Adesina said that the ``investment drive’’ was important for the agricultural sector to open up the potential of some crops in some states. ``We hope to discuss mechanisation systems; how tractors can be leased to farmers, as against each one of them owning one. ``The Federal Government would also ensure that basic amenities such as roads, water and power around staple crop zones are provided to enable processors to establish their processing plants in areas where food production is high,’’ he said. Besides, the minister said that leading global institutions

Cassava farmland

such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation had been investing in the country. Adesina said that the World Bank invested $500 million, Bill and Melinda Gates invested $5 million and IFAD invested $80 million, while the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) invested $1.5 million, among others. Moreover, a report released by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that the US-based multinational food security company, Blumberg Grains, planned to invest $250 million in largescale food storage facilities in the country. The minister and Philip Blumberg, the Chairman of Blumberg Grains, reportedly signed the Letter of Intent (LoI) for the establishment of the facilities. The report quoted Adesina as saying that the food storage facilities, when completed, would create at least 1,000 jobs and aid efforts to boost food production in the country. ``We are excited that a company with the reputation and resources of Blumberg Grains chose to establish its West African production operations and processing facilities in Nigeria. This is a mark of confidence in the structural reforms of our

agricultural sector. ``By manufacturing storage warehouses in Nigeria, farmers, agro-processors and the financial services industry will be able to reduce post-harvest losses, while improving market access and incomes across agricultural value chains,’’ he said. Saying that the Federal Government’s goal was to make the country a global powerhouse in food production, Adesina stressed that the facilities would further enhance Nigeria’s regional standing in agriculture. He said that the investment would increase exports of ``made-in-Nigeria” manufactured products and make the

Adesina

country an agro-business centre for food safety and security. The report also quoted Blumberg as saying that Nigeria had a huge potential agricultural market and that the country would provide a significant opportunity for the company to establish its presence in West Africa. ``Our commitment is also a response to the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition (NAFSN) programme of the Group of Eight Industrialised Nations (G-8). ``The programme aligns members’ support to Nigeria’s agricultural objectives as well as to the country’s own commitment to promote a business-enabling environment for both domestic and international private sectors,’’ Blumberg said. Blumberg Grains is a leading US-based food security company which provides integrated crop and food storage systems, technology and management. The company works with private companies and countries to modernise agricultural value chains and increase the quality and marketable output of harvests. The Federal Government has also entered into partnership with Brazil on rice, poultry and soya bean production. The former Minister of State for Agriculture, Bukar Tijani, said that the partnership would encourage the transfer of agri-

cultural technology to Nigeria. Tijani who spoke when Luiz Fernando Mainarde, the Secretary of Agriculture of the State of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, led a delegation to the ministry earlier in the year, said ``The total demand of rice in Nigeria is about five million tonnes per annum and our farmers produce just over two million tonnes per annum. ``We want to borrow technology and expertise from Brazil to enable us to become a major producer and exporter of rice, poultry and soya bean,’’ Tijani said. At the meeting, Mainarde said that the Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff, had instructed the delegation to strengthen the trade relationship existing between Nigeria and Brazil. He said that their visit was on the request of Vincent Amerib-Okun, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Brazil, who visited the state four times to facilitate the visit and ensure cooperative agreement for the transfer of technology to Nigeria. All in all, stakeholders urge the Federal Government to continue with its drive for foreign direct investments in the agricultural sector. This would boost employment and grassroots development in the country, they add. BC Dariya is of the News Agency of Nigeria

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News

Crude oil theft

Nigeria loses $1bn revenue monthly to oil theft – Okonjo-Iweala

he Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala has said that the Federal government loses N160 billion ($1billion) revenue every month to oil theft. Okonjo Iweala stated this while fielding questions from newsmen on the drop in oil production at the ongoing Spring Meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, on Thursday in Washington. She said ``the drop in crude oil production is due to a variety of reasons including loss of 150,000 barrel per day due to recent shut-in of shell Nembe operations. ``Shut-in due to force Majeure declared at Qua Iboe Terminal, resulting in a loss of about 65,000 barrel per day. ``Some other losses including those of Agip, loses at Okono, Brass and Amenam Terminals due to repair works on equipment,’’ she said. “Force majeure” is a common clause in contracts that essentially frees both parties from liability or obligations in case of unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the parties. The circumstances include war, strike, riot, crime, or an event described by the legal term ‘Act of God’ (such as hurricane, flooding, earthquake, volcanic eruption) among others. Such circumstances prevent one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract. According to the minister, ``a great deal of loss in production is also closely linked to oil theft and illegal bunkering, which have been going on for some time.” She said the thefts were getting more evasive as the crimi-

nals were going beyond the outer pipelines and moving into more sensitive pipes. ``We estimate total loss at over 300,000 barrel per day,’’ she said. Okonjo Iweala said that the current production figure was lower than the actual oil production level in 2012 and lower than the projected output of 2.528 million barrel per day in the 2013 budget. This, she said, would underpin the oil production projections in 2013 budget which was derived in consultation with the NNPC. ``In dealing with the impact of this on the revenue, the government has had to draw on the Excess Crude Account which was set up precisely for this purpose that is to deal with unanticipated losses due to output and price variation. ``This has reduced the balance in the excess Crude Account to about 6.9 billion dollars,’’ she said She added that the president had been briefed on these developments and action were being taken on different front to stabilise the situation. According to her, the president has ordered the Navy to increase its patrols around the hotspots of oil theft and illegal bunkering. The minister also said the nation had also witnessed shortfall in other sources of revenue including the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) and the Nigerian Customs services. She said to help cushion the effect; government would roll out strategies to improve tax generation and administration to ensure the diversification of the revenue base. ``We are going into a drive, as you know, one of our mission in finance is to increase our overall generation in taxes especially from the corporate and all other sectors. ``We have large gaps in the tax collection in the corporate sector, there is a lot of room to improve and therefore, we have been working quite closely

with FIRS and some consulting firms to help to try and look at area where gaps exist.”

NPA identifies capacity development, infrastructure as priority in 2014

he Nigerian Ports Authority, Apapa Port, on Friday said it would give priority to human capacity development and equipping the agency in 2014. The Port Manager, Nasir Mohammed, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that other stakeholders should buy into its programme for sustainable growth in the national ports operations. ``We intend for port operations to improve in 2014 from what it has been this year and there has to be a synergy among all stakeholders in the industry,” he said. Mohammed said that terminal operators would have to increase their capacity in terms of facilities and training of personnel to enhance their services. ``Terminal operators will need to improve facilities for evacuation of containers in and out of their terminals and to also expose their personnel through training to what obtains in the global industry.

``They will also have to increase capacity in terms of yard space because a number of them are already global players who know how the ports operate in very advanced countries,” he said. He also urged other government agencies operating at the ports to imbibe the actions already started by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to ensure a reduction in physical contact and increase electronic operations. ``The government agencies working in the port should act like the NCS by improving their systems to encourage more electronic transactions. We must work along with global demands,” he said. According to him, importers and agents must also imbibe the culture of sincere declarations to avoid spending longer time by agencies carrying out verifications. Mohammed said it was also important that government addressed infrastructure challenges that were evident around the port location. ``We are positive that government will improve the roads around the port location, particularly the Creek road axis.” He added that rickety trucks would be phased out from working inside the port to avoid the challenges of breakdown and sometimes causing accidents. ``The truck associations already have an agreement with a private partner for new trucks and the arrangement will guarantee improved truck operations. ``The shipper will be guaranteed of timely and safe delivery of his cargo because there will not be breakdown of the trucks on the way.” Mohammed expressed the hope that Federal Government would complete the truck park around Tin-Can Island port which would stop trucks from indiscriminate parking on the roads. ``Hopefully, the government will complete the holding park being built close to the Tin-Can port and this will be a plus for the improvement plan for 2014.”

External reserves fall $6bn below target

Mohammed

igeria’s external reserves have again fallen by $6bn below the Federal Government’s $50bn target, according to the latest figures obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria. The statistics showed the reserves recorded $43.93bn as of December 23, 2013, indicating approximately $6bn below the $50bn target. In 2012, contrary to the Federal Government’s plan to raise the country’s external

Okonjo-Iweala

reserves to $50bn, the reserves closed the year at $44.26bn. The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said in July 2011 that the Federal Government had set a target of $50bn external reserves for 2012 from the July figure of $36.37bn. Okonjo-Iweala, at a meeting with the Organised Private Sector in Lagos, had stressed the need for the country to shore up its external reserves, saying that there was the need to build up the reserves to $50bn before December, 2012. She pointed out that this would help the country to stand on its feet in the event of any global economic recession. Unfortunately, the reserves closed the 2012 at $44.26bn as of December 24, 2012. Although the reserves rose by $11.34bn, representing a 34 per cent increase in 2012 from $32.92bn in 2011, it failed to meet the government’s desired goal. Before dropping to the $43.93bn on December 23, 2013, the reserves had last week fallen to a record oneyear low of $44.19bn on December 17. The amount in the foreign reserves as of January 2, 2013 was $44.33bn. The reserves started rising through the year and peaked at $48.8bn on April 30. From May, however, the reserves started falling gradually. Between May 2 and August 5, 2013, the foreign reserves had fallen by $1.8bn from the peak of $48.85bn to $46.98bn. Again, the reserves fell by $3bn between August 14 and December 17. They fell from the peak of $47.1bn on August 14 to $44.1bn on December 17, 2013, indicating $3bn drop within the period. Also, between September 6 and November 25, the reserves fell by $2bn from $46.77bn to $44.66bn. The reserves recorded a nine-month low of $45.08bn on October 14. The $44.26bn, which the reserves reportedly closed the year on December 24, 2012, is about $330m above the $43.93 it recorded on December 23, 2013.

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News

Ahmed

Kwara votes N3.2bn for Infrastructure in 2014 budget

overnor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has voted N3.219 billion for infrastructure development in the state’s 2014 appropriation bill. This is contained in the N124.5 billion budget proposal presented by Ahmed before the state House of Assembly. A copy of the bill, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, showed that priority was given to on-going road projects in the state. The governor said that efforts in 2014 would be geared towards the completion of the Cargo Terminal Complex at the Ilorin International Airport with Apron and Taxi-way. He said that attention would be on equipping the International Aviation College, Ilorin, by purchasing two additional aircraft for the practical training of students. The bill also proposed to construct and rehabilitate more roads across the state, including Ilesha Baruba-Gwanara-Okuta road in Baruten Local Government Area. In his reaction, Mallam Sulaiman Yaru-Yite, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), in Baruten, lauded the inclusion of Ilesha-Baruba-Gwanara-Okuta road in the proposal. He said in Okuta on Friday that construction of the road would improve the socioeconomic development of the boarder area. The NURTW boss also commended the state government for including the boarder communities’ roads in the budget. He said that the development drive in the area would compel the people to have a sense of belonging in the nation’s development efforts.

Yuletide: Hotels record business boom in Asaba

otels in Asaba recorded a boom in business during

the yuletide as parents and children patronised them for some special Christmas programmes. Hotels, including Nelrose, Grand, Benizir Orchid, Valerie, among others, became beehive of activities, especially children’s programmes. The General Manager of Nelrose Hotels, Clement Odeiga, said that the hotel recorded higher patronage during the yuletide. Odeiga attributed the increase to the various activities organised by the hotel and residents’ gradual realisation of the importance of relaxation during holidays. He said that most of the hotels in Asaba had lots of special activities, different from what was recorded in the previous years. ``This year, we introduced more programmes for children, unlike the previous year where 50 per cent of all our programmes were for adults. ``But this year we decided to introduce pool parties, children’s games, swimming competition as well as live band performance to thrill them. We had more than 500 children who attended our Christmas party and swimming competition unlike last year when we had about 300 in attendance,” he said. The situation was different in some hotels without such programmes during the season. The proprietor, Bonson Bonlise Hotels, Boniface Uchaogwu, said that in spite of discounts offered on accommodation fees in the hotel, patronage was still low during the period. According to Uchaogwu, patronage has been very low in the hospitality industry in the state in the last one year.

Pursuant to the Second Facility Agreement and the facility agreement between the Company and Oando dated May 30, 2013, as amended, Oando Energy Resources owes an aggregate of $601 million plus interest to Oando. The Second Facility Agreement does not become effective until Oando Energy Resources confirms in writing to Oando that (i) approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange in respect of the Second Facility Agreement has been obtained and (ii) the independent directors of the company unrelated to Oando have recommended the approval of the effectiveness of the Second Facility Agreement to the board of directors of the company, who have approved the effectiveness of the Second Facility Agreement (with directors affiliated with Oando abstaining from the vote). Although the company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the company can give no assurance that such statements and information will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to: risks related to international operations, the actual results of current exploration and drilling activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined and the future price of crude oil.

Oando Energy signs Second Facility Agreement with parent company

ando Energy Resources Inc., an oil and gas exploration and production company in Nigeria, has announced that it had entered into a second facility agreement with Oando Plc, the 94.6 per cent shareholder of the company, pursuant to which Oando Energy Resources will borrow $200 million, at an annual interest rate of five per cent, repayable in cash by February 28, 2014. The intended use of proceeds of the loan will be payment of the purchase price for the proposed acquisition by Oando Energy Resources of the Nigerian upstream oil and gas business of ConocoPhillips.

Dikko, Comptroller General of Customs

Customs saves N27bn with document scanning

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has saved the nation about N27 billion through scanning and verification of

importation documents, which it introduced as part of the cargo clearance process. While the huge savings were made by the NCS, it was, however, gathered that the federal government would have lost almost same amount through poor verification of import documents by service providers between January and November this year. Deputy Comptroller of Customs and Public Relations Officer (PRO), NCS Headquarters, Abuja, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this in a programme on Channels Television. According to Adeniyi, the substitution of Risk Assessment Report (RAR) with the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) will also boost the security situation of the country. “We had to check some of their documents for verification and we were able to generate a further sum of N27 billion, just from January to November. So, if it has just been only the service providers that had done those verification alone, that would have been money lost down the drain. “The Federal Government took the decision on PAAR for many good reasons. So the issue is, if you are looking at a very stronger means of protecting our borders, if you are looking at trade facilitation, then you must look at other channels beyond RAR,” he said. He explained that the task given the NCS by government is to ensure that the country run the PAAR and get better benefits. According to him, the PAAR has an added advantage of reducing the time of conducting procedural process. He noted that before, the importers have to commute from Apapa to Victoria Island and back to Apapa or Tin Can Island with transportation challenge in Lagos. “Under the PAAR system, which the Customs is driving, we are capturing data with electronic systems. We also have in it the added advantage of having a more vibrant platform for collaboration with other relevant agencies. “Not only with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), to ensure higher quality assurance, but also with other agencies that are involved in import business, including the Plant Quarantine, NAFDAC and so on,” he said. Adeniyi said the NCS has a platform through which it can share intelligence with other stakeholders, stressing that the ultimate goal is the evolution of a functional single window system. The NCS image maker explained that with the PAAR, the system is able to make relevant decisions even before the goods arrive, especially in terms of

whether “we are going to open it up and count or simply put it up for scanning.” He maintained that the primary source of information would remain that as provided by the importers, saying what would be needed would be merely to adopt established procedures to verify such information and issue PAAR between 24 or 48 hours. He added that the beauty of PAAR is that it actually relies on the honest and voluntary compliance of the importers’ declaration. He, however, maintained that the process might sometimes go beyond one day in some cases because there might be lots of issues that may come into play in the process of arriving at vital decisions. He pointed out that while the PAAR is a human process, the aim of the platform is to create a system that would be “corruption- proof.” Hence, NCS has painstakingly reduced human contacts, in favour of automation. He said this is part of the reason why the Comptroller General of Customs started with an improvement of the personnel’s welfare packages and salaries, before coming this far. According to Adeniyi, PAAR has been so transparently designed that it will enable the importers to know everything the Customs officers should know, so as to completely eliminate the chances of any ambiguity or extortions and described the Customs Ruling Centre as a “trade portal” through which NCS is trying to put information across to every stakeholder, as everyone could freely go to www.nigeriatrade. org.ng a 24/7 online platform, and enjoy the simplicity of its design.

Obozuwa

FCMB restates support for the underprivileged

irst City Monument Bank has reiterated its support for the underprivileged, saying such move will continue to occupy a prime place in its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.

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The bank stated this when its female employees visited the Heritage Homes Orphanage in Lagos to mark this year’s Christmas. At the party, the children were given various gift items, including educational materials. The Divisional Head, Human Resources and Change Management, FCMB, Felicia Obozuwa, said holding the party with the children was to make them happy by bringing holiday cheers to them. She said, “We decided to host the Christmas party as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. It is a means to give back to the less privileged children. These are children who probably may not be able to celebrate the holiday season. With this, we have put smiles on their faces, by showing that we truly care for them. “We need to encourage and support them and give them a sense of belonging to grow into caring and confident teenagers. This is the first time we are supporting Heritage Homes Orphanage, though the FCMB women have been sponsoring related programmes and visiting other less privileged ones over the years.” The Administrator of the orphanage home, Vivian Osuntokun, commended the FCMB women, saying, “This is a nice project. It will bridge the gap between those who have and those who do not have. I think this will give hope to the children and this is the first time a bank will come to sponsor a party for the children, and the children are having a great time.”

Thomas

No premium no cover may reduce profitability next year – NIA

he Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA, said that the insurance sector may witness reduced profitability in the next financial year due to the implementation of the ‘no premium, no cover’ policy of the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM. Director General of the NIA, Sunday Thomas, who stated

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Monday, December 30, 2013

this, however said that the insurance market will be highly liquid and will be a better place to do business. According to Thomas, the ‘no premium, no cover’ policy is the best thing to have happened in the insurance sector and in the years to come it will become a culture in the Nigerian insurance market and it will enhance service delivery to the insurance public. Meanwhile, the NIA has said that it is putting modalities in place to ensure a smooth takeoff of the marine insurance module of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database, NIID, by first quarter of 2014. The marine module of the NIID aims to eliminate fake marine insurance policies that are in circulation in the maritime industry. It will be recalled that the motor module of the NIID has been in operation for over three years now and it has reduced the volume of fake motor insurance policies in circulation. Thomas applauded the performance of the motor module since it was introduced into the country, adding that the success achieved so far from the first module has led to the implementation of the second module in marine business. He noted that the Association is collaborating with security agencies such as the Vehicle Inspection Office, VIO, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC and the Police to ensure the successful implementation of the project in all parts of the country. The Head, NIID, Bola Omole while presenting her paper on insurance database said that the database in 2013 has uploaded 1.65 million vehicle insurance policies as against 300,000 it uploaded in December 2011. She explained that since the deploying of 25 gadgets to Ogun State for verification there has been high patronage of genuine motor insurance policies by the people. She however identified lack of government buy in, lack of enforcement and low awareness as some of the challenges confronting the performance of the NIID project. She urged government at all levels to enforce this laws that have been established by an Act, adding that is the duty of the government to enforce laws.

Kano earmarks N700m for Geographic Information System in 2014

he Kano State Government says it will spend N700 million to boost its Geographic

Rabiu Kwankwaso, Kano State Governor

Information system (KANGIS) in 2014. The Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Yusuf Danbatta, made the disclosure at a news briefing in Kano on Friday. He said that the state government had fixed Jan. 2, 2014 for the take-off of the recertification of landed properties in the state. Danbatta urged land owners to take proper advantage of the re-certification process to secure and protect their properties. On health, he said that the government had earmarked N1.8 billion in the 2014 budget as its counter-part funding for the malaria booster project. The project, he said, would be executed in collaboration with Dangote Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Department for International Development (DFID). On the independent power plant at Tiga and Challawa Goje dams, the commissioner said over N4.9 billion had been earmarked in the 2014 budget for the completion of the plant. He said that the plant, when completed, would boost electricity and potable water supply in the state. It will be recalled that the state had budgeted over N219. 2 billion for the 2014 fiscal year.

far in stabilising the political environment ahead of the 2015 general elections. The experts made the remarks in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. Harrison Owoh, the Managing Director, H J Trust and Investment Ltd, said that political stability and security would be the yardstick for investments in 2014. According to him, the economy will maintain its growth once the nation is stable. He urged government to pursue friendly investment laws and stable economic policies to support growth and development. David Adonri, the Chief Executive Officer, Lambeth Trust & Investment Ltd., predicted that the economy and equities market would experience impressive growth in 2014 once the security and political environment were stabilised. Adonri said that “global analysts foresee a very active year for the equities market in 2014 as global economies grow in all directions”. He said that good regulatory framework and improvement in corporate fundamentals would enhance investors’ confidence in the nation’s economy. Adonri also identified power, agriculture and construction as the major drivers of the Nigerian economy in 2014.

Customs intercepts contraband worth N21.6m in Owerri

he Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’, Owerri of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has intercepted a truck with 2,257 cartons of assorted frozen poultry products worth N21.61 million. The Area Comptroller of the FOU Zone ‘C’, Victor Dimka

Financial experts tie 2014 economic growth to political stability

ome financial experts on Friday advocated the need for sustained political stability and early passage of the budget to boost the nation’s economic growth in 2014. They commended the Federal Government for its efforts so

Dimka, showcasing some of the prohibited goods seized in the zone recently

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stated this in a statement in Owerri. He said the truck was carrying 1 x 25 ft container with contraband poultry products made up of turkey, chicken and gizzards. The comptroller said the truck with Reg. No. UBJ 41 XA was intercepted along OkadaEkiadoro Benin Express way through an intelligence report. He said that his men apprehended the truck with the driver, Friday Julius, who would soon be arraigned in court. Dimka said that the smuggled poultry products were concealed with 15 pieces of empty cartons of medium sized chest freezer cleverly packed in three rows. He said that the seizures was made on Dec. 23 and destroyed on Dec. 24. Dimka said that the customs services would not rest on its oars until smuggling was drastically brought to a minimal level. ``Consumption of such prohibited foreign poultry which are preserved with dangerous chemicals may have contributed to kidney and other related sickness to human beings,” he said. Dimka lauded the effort of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko and his management team for their immeasurable support in the fight against smuggling in the nation. The FOU Zone ‘C’ comptroller appealed to Nigerians to resist the temptation of consuming imported poultry products. He said that customs would sustain the momentum of curbing the activities of the smugglers as long as they continued to engage in the illicit business. Dimka, therefore, warned all the smugglers and would-be smugglers to relocate from the zone or face the wrath of the customs in the zone. BC

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Monday, December 30, 2013

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Global News money printing programme, the yen has lost a quarter of its value against the dollar so far this year. This has been a key part of Abe’s plan to revive the world’s third-largest economy by making the value of its exports cheaper abroad.

General Motors recalls 1.5m cars in China Kuroda

Japan close to escaping deflation

apanese consumer prices have risen at the fastest pace in five years, showing government policies to end its deflation problem may be taking effect. Core inflation excluding food rose 1.2 per cent in November from the previous year, surpassing market expectations. Japan is now more than half-way towards meeting the central bank’s goal of achieving two per cent inflation by about 2015. This has been due to a massive monetary stimulus policy aimed at weakening the currency and spurring more spending. Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said earlier this week that policymakers have been looking to break the country’s “deflation equilibrium”. Japan has faced nearly two decades of stagnant growth and falling prices because companies and households have held off on spending, based on the assumption that prices will not rise. “The BOJ’s monetary policy differs from that of other central banks in that it focuses on changing public expectations,” Kuroda said on Wednesday. “We’re seeing broad improvements in the economy, markets, public sentiment. This is the best opportunity to end deflation.” Regular wages stopped falling after 17 months of declines, while factory output rose for a third straight month, and retail sales jumped. Buoyed by positive investor sentiment, the Nikkei stock average hit a six-year high on Friday to close at 16,178.94 points. The benchmark index has gained about 56 per cent this year, and is headed for its best annual performance since 1972. The Japanese yen also breached a key level of 105 yen to the US dollar for the first time in five years due to the positive economic data. Due to the government’s

eneral Motors (GM) and its partner firm in China are recalling about 1.46 million cars amid concerns about their potential safety. In one of the biggest operations of its kind to date in China, GM and Shanghai General Motors will recall their Buick and Chevrolet models. The cars could have issues with a bracket securing the fuel oil pump, said China’s quality watchdog. At the same time, Ford will recall up to 81,000 of its Kuga cars. Ford and its joint venture partner, Chongqing Changan Automobile, are calling in the cars over concerns about a steering part. Volkswagen’s Chinese unit recalled 640,309 vehicles last month to check they were using the right oil.

UK could be Europe’s ‘largest’ economy by 2030

he UK will be in a position to overtake Germany as Europe’s largest economy, according to the think tank the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR). The CEBR predicts that Germany will lose its current top spot in Europe by 2030. It cites the UK’s population growth as an aid to economic acceleration. The report echoes the recent confidence of other business groups such as the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Earlier this month the BCC said that the UK economy will surpass its pre-recession peak

Cameron, Britain PM

in 2014. In its annual World Economic League Table, where it ranks the ups and downs of global economies, and forecasts their future position, the CEBR said in addition that China will overtake the US in 2028, which is later than some analysts have suggested. The UK will overall perform second best of all advanced economies, the CEBR said. Yet, this performance will still lag behind growth in emerging countries such India and Brazil. The CEBR in its report added that in addition to the UK’s population growth boosting economic expansion, that “lesser dependence on other European economies” would also aid progress, as well as “relatively low taxes by European standards.” However, as far as Germany, the group said that should the euro “break up”, that “Germany’s outlook would be much better.” As for France, The CEBR said it will be one of the “worst performing” of the Western economies, and will be overtaken by the UK by 2018. This is because of slow growth due to “high taxation” in addition to the general issues of eurozone economies.

Barclays fined $3.75m over data loss

arclays has been fined $3.75m (£2.28m) by a US regulator for allegedly failing to keep proper electronic records, emails and instant messages. The shortcomings occurred between 2002 and 2012, said the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (Finra). Finra said the bank failed to preserve data detailing its orders, confirmation of trades, records of accounts and other information. Barclays did not admit or deny wrongdoing, but agreed to a censure. It had not prevented the information from being altered or destroyed, said Finra. The bank also failed to keep attachments to some Bloomberg emails between 2007 and 2010, and failed to retain about 3.3 million instant messages sent using Bloomberg terminals between 2008 and 2010. Once one instant message with an attachment was processed by the bank, no more could be received that day, Finra said. Brad Bennett, enforcement chief at Finra, said: “Ensuring the integrity, accuracy and accessibility of electronic books and records is essential to a firm’s ability to meet its compliance obligations.” Barclays was fined $435m

in July by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for allegedly rigging US energy markets. It was also warned about a possible £50m fine by the UK-based Financial Conduct Authority in September for a “reckless” deal in 2008 with Qatari investors.

Discounts, promotions spur sales in US holiday season

ales during the 2013 US holiday season grew from a year earlier as deep discounting and increased promotions encouraged consumers to buy more. Holiday sales between November 1 and December 24 rose 2.3 per cent, compared with 0.7 per cent a year earlier, according to data published in the MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse report. This sales growth was the highest in three years. “It was actually a Merry Christmas for retailers,” Sarah Quinlan, senior vice president at MasterCard Advisors, told Reuters, adding that jewelry was the best-performing category. SpendingPulse tracks customer spending on apparel, electronics, jewelry, luxury and home furniture & furnishings categories during the holiday season. Shares of J.C. Penney Inc closed up 2.5 per cent, while Wal-Mart Stores Inc finished 0.5 per cent higher and Target Corp rose 1.2 per cent. Analysts have called the 2013 holiday season the most competitive since the recession in 2008, as many Americans battle stagnant wages, higher taxes and the impact from the government shutdown. Retailers have slashed prices and used other promotions to lure customers in a season that typically generates 30 per cent of sales and 40 per cent of profits. Even though the 2013 holiday season had six fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as bad weather that affected sales in some parts of the country,

holiday sales were a clear improvement on 2012 numbers, Quinlan said. Last year’s sales were hurt by Superstorm Sandy and rising concerns about the “fiscal cliff.” Total 2013 holiday spending rose 3.5 per cent, MasterCard Advisors said. Consumers spent more on jewelry and on children’s clothing, while they held back spending on electronics and luxury items, SpendingPulse data showed. According to comScore, online sales in the period between November 2 and December 23 grew 10 per cent compared with a year earlier, but were short of the data firm’s expectations. A high volume of holiday packages overwhelmed shipping and logistics company UPS delaying the arrival of Christmas presents around the globe. Amazon.com said the entire 2013 holiday season was the best ever for the online retailer, with more than 36.8 million items ordered worldwide on Cyber Monday, the Monday after Black Friday. It also said that its annual membership program, called Amazon Prime, which offers free two-day shipping on items, clocked more than 1 million new members in the third week of December. US consumers shopped less on the final weekend before Christmas despite deeper discounts, signaling they will do more of their spending after December 25 than they did in the same period last year. “We are not close to being done with the shopping season, there is a lot of innings left to play in the game,” said Charles O’Shea, senior analyst at Moody’s Investors Service. Analytics firm RetailNext estimated that U.S. retail sales fell at brick-and-mortar stores over the weekend. That does not include online sales. Analysts at NPD Group said on Tuesday that a slowerthan-expected pre-Christmas holiday weekend would bring bigger-than-expected post-holiday discounts, where retailers will be “in inventory management mode rather than sales growth mode.” BC

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The corporate

manager

With vast experience in national and global business management, Dr. Christopher Ikechi Ezeh has been able to deploy his exposure to turnaround many Nigerian businesses. Even at 70, this astute management expert has continued to impact positively on most firms in which he is involved. Fidelity Bank and John Holt Plc, the two major companies where he is the chairman are testimonies to his shrewdness and management prowess

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

hristopher Ikechi Ezeh is one of the few living legends of the corporate Nigeria who combine courage, hard work and distinct passion in their quest to attain the height of their entrepreneurial pursuit. Chris, as he is fondly called, obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and thereafter, proceeded to Cardiff Business School, UK where he bagged a Masters in Business Administration, Postgraduate Diploma in Social Science Research Methods and a Ph.D. in Marketing and Strategy. While in the UK, Chris instructed MBA students on the Principles of Advanced Marketing and executed numerous marketing consultancy assignments in Europe and Africa in the areas of real estate development, telecommunications, cement manufacturing and independent power generation. An accountant by training, he started his working life with Chrysler (UK) Limited in 1968 and later switched over to the British Gas as well as Conduit Group UK, all still in the United Kingdom. From the UK, Ezeh moved to the Zambia, where he worked as the chief

Ezeh

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accountant of Indeni Petroleum Refinery of Zambia and finally returned to Nigeria to take up appointment with Gilead Consortium, Nigeria; Minaj Group, Nigeria and Nigerian Breweries Plc respectively. However, what could be aptly tagged as Ezeh’s real journey into the world of entrepreneurship and managerial shrewdness began in 1976, when he joined the John Holt Group as Senior Accountant (Holt Engineering). Ezeh had joined the company at a time the firm was consolidating several interests; Allens, Holt Export and Leasing Services, John Holt Ventures and Shipping into divisions of John Holt PLC. A multi-national company, John Holt PLC operates in a highly diversified industry sector. The company is structured into four business segments namely, the Technical Products and Leasing Services segment which includes John Holt engineering unit, which specializes in the sales and maintenance of large power generating sets; Startec, which provides professional lease and financing arrangements, and the fire protection unit, which provides adjunct services such as surveys, installations, servicing and maintenance; The Distribution segment which provides a range of consumer and light industrial goods; The Yamaha and Marine segment which distributes Yamaha petrol and diesel generators, motorcycles, Yamaha outboard motors, water pumps and engines and Almarine boats; manufactures glass reinforced plastic (GRP) boats, and offers lease and hire packages for light marine vessels, air cushioned vessels (ACVs), and the Central segment includes the company’s head office, fabrication unit and assemblies unit. The company emerged from small origins during the era of colonialism and gradually rose to become a ubiquitous trading firm in Nigeria. Its early rise was supported by the export of palm oil, ivory and rubber and the import of Gin, and a few other foreign goods. However, with time, the company upgraded its import merchandise and became an agent for famous multinational brands such as Sanyo and Yahama. It built around the country, stores to house and sell its locally and foreign produced merchandise. During the era of economic nationalism in the country, large holdings were bought by Mathias Ugochukwu, a wealthy businessman. Prior to that, Lonrho Africa, a mining firm based in London had acquired substantial holdings in the company. In the 1990s, the company went through a tough period, posting loses but things began to look up for the company in 2004. During the turbulent

times, Lonrho, which was at that time, its principal shareholder, sold its interest for $2 million and about $10 million in debt. However, ten years after Ezeh joined the group, his outstanding performance was rewarded with his appointment as the managing director. Ezeh’s headship of the multi-national company at the time the Nigerian economy was in serious crisis and at the time when the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) was in place was rather very tasking. However, the challenge of the time practically brought out the management dexterity in Ezeh to the fore. He was able to transform what had been a traditional trading company (that is, importation and sales of overseas manufactured goods and exportation of unprocessed natural products and resources) into a diversified company involved not only in trading but also in manufacturing (boats, packaging, cosmetics, and toiletries) and distribution. In October, 1997, Ezeh further moved up the corporate ladder, as he was appointed as the Executive Deputy Chairman, the position he held till March 1998 when he retired from the company. He remained on the board as a non-Executive Director until March 2001, when he was appointed the Chairman of the Board. Today, under the chairmanship of Christopher Ezeh, John Holt has undergone various restructuring, particularly in direct response to the dictates of the Nigerian economy. Now, the firm is deeply involved in boat

Monday, December 30, 2013

building and also engages in auto sales, real estate, and engineering services. Since 1996, in line with changing trends in the economy, Ezeh, then as managing director, had restructured John Holt along three core areas namely technical operations; motor sale/leasing and trade services. With a dint of hard work, extreme dedication to the core values of the company and with crops of highly dedicated and resourceful management and staff, Ezeh was able to restore the glory of a company that was once a household name in Nigeria to the path of growth. Until the country’s inclement weather took its toll on its operations, John Holt Nigeria Plc, (JHN), was indeed, a trading behemoth with ubiquitous offices, depots and branches even in remote areas. Its showrooms were not restricted to only the upper class for patronage of high-power Wilson generators, outboard engines and Yahama motorcycles; JHN also catered to the needs of middle-income earners for sundry goods as tools, textiles, beverages and household utensils. As part of ways of redirecting the path of the company into greater glory, Ezeh, in 2010, led John Holt Nigeria into diversifying into the real estate business with over N6 billion property portfolio and ongoing development in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. The restructuring of the company had involved closing down non-performing businesses while concentrating on the mainstream ones as the

company looked towards making use of the opportunities in the oil and gas industry especially, in fire protection. While the aim of the restructuring was to merge and consolidate similar operations, unprofitable ventures were closed down in order to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. For example, the West African Drugs was closed down while Haco and John Holt Ventures were restructured. According to Ezeh, the company has fully restructured in its determined effort to return to the path of profitability so that all stakeholders, especially the shareholders, can be happy and enjoy returns on their investment. “We have been able to

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rise to the high demand of firefighting equipment and tools in the country. We now have in place, dynamic management that is capable of moving the company to the next level” he stated. Part of his strategies was the expansion of the company’s activities into area like air conditioner assembly and installation as a way of attracting more customers and sales for business sustainability. Turning around the fortune of John Holt, he confessed, was not an easy task but he was able to achieve his goals with the never-say-die spirit which he believes so much in. As at September 2009, the company’s net assets for the year ending was N2.943 billion, rising by 32.33 per cent when compared with the 2005 figures of N2.224 billion. In the same vein, it recorded N19.453 billion as turnover in 2009, representing a decrease of 11.6 per cent when compared with the 2008 financial year’s figure of N20.881 billion. Aside being the Chairman of John Holt, Dr. Ezeh is also the chairman of Lonrho Africa (Nigeria) and has served as directors in many companies in the past. He was at a time, a director in NAL Merchant Bank, Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Ltd, Poly fibre Industries Ltd, Western Holdings Ltd and Nigeria Ropes Ltd. Ezeh has also served as Chairman of Plateau Confectionery Ltd and Lonrho Africa (Nigeria) Ltd; Director of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group; NEPAD Business Group Nigeria and President, Nigeria - Japan Association. Currently, Ezeh serves as the Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc and he has placed his shrewdness and magic wand at the disposal of the bank. More than anything, Fidelity is reputed for integrity and professionalism and remains one of the

However, what could be aptly tagged as Ezeh’s real journey into the world of entrepreneurship and managerial shrewdness began in 1976, when he joined the John Holt Group as Senior Accountant (Holt Engineering). Ezeh had joined the company at a time the firm was consolidating several interests; Allens, Holt Export and Leasing Services, John Holt Ventures and Shipping into divisions of John Holt PLC

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few corporate entities in Nigeria that enjoy management stability and it is ranked amongst the top 10 in the Nigerian banking industry, with presence in the major cities and commercial centres of Nigeria. Incorporated as a limited liability company on 19 November, 1987, Fidelity Bank Plc obtained a merchant banking license on 31 December, 1987 and commenced banking operations on 3 June 1988 as Fidelity Union Merchant Bank Limited. By 1990, it had distinguished itself as the fastest growing merchant bank in the country. However, to leverage the emerging opportunities in the commercial and consumer end of financial services in Nigeria, it converted to commercial banking and changed its name to Fidelity Bank Plc in 1999. While the bank was issued a universal banking license by the Central Bank of Nigeria on 6 February, 2001, the current enlarged Fidelity Bank is a result of the merger with the former FSB International Bank Plc and Manny Bank Plc (under the Fidelity brand name) in December 2005. On 17 May 2005, the bank became quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and with two very successful Public Offers, and today, it has a shareholder base of over 400,000 comprising individuals, associations and business institutions within the country and in the international business community. The management philosophy of Fidelity Bank has been particular about the quality of people. To qualify as a member of Team Fidelity, a candidate is expected to possess three vital statistics, with the acronym TAC: Talent (an innate mental aptitude), Ambition (a desire to succeed) and Character (a total quality of integrity which will guide the talent and ambition to productive ends). The management is focused on building and maintaining a virile and well-respected brand that caters to the needs of its growing corporate, commercial and consumer banking clientele. For this purpose, the bank is leveraging its pedigree in investment banking (Fidelity was a merchant bank for 11years) and its structures and service offerings for a retail populace. Fidelity Bank also enjoys the respect and partnership of a network of off-shore institutions with which it has correspondent banking, confirmation lines, credit and other relationships. These include, ANZ London, Afr-eximbank, Cairo, Egypt, ABSA South Africa, Commerce Bank, Frankfurt, Citibank, N.A. London and New York, FBN Bank, UK Ltd, SCB, London, HSBC, US Ex-im Bank, USAID, etc. Being a management expert, Ezeh’s comments and insights

Business Courage

Monday, December 30, 2013

Ezeh

on achieving business success in Africa have always been both thought-provoking and practical. Talking about tips on achieving business success in Africa, Ezeh had submitted in one of his comments that “While sub-Saharan Africa is huge (the land mass exceeds that of the United States), individual countries except for Nigeria and South Africa are small. With the exception of South Africa, GDP per capita is low, so the markets we are talking about are small. Because many borrowed heavily in the 1960s and 1970s, most countries have high external debt. High payments on that debt plus foreign aid substantially lower than what was provided in those earlier days mean that most countries have very limited uncommitted financial resources.” According to him, the problem most African economies have been facing arises from the fact that most countries except South Africa have had/ continue to have (except, very recently, Nigeria) military or civilian dictatorships and allocation (as opposed to marketdriven) economies means that a high percentage of the few available resources are likely to be wasted. The high levels of corruption in many countries, he submitted, imply that additional scarce resources have been squandered. “While the above litany of problems and challenges are daunting, I however, do not

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While the above litany of problems and challenges are daunting, I however, do not mean to imply either that Africa is a basket case or that business success in Africa is an oxymoron. Over the years, there have been many corporate success stories in Africa, including (to list a few of the best known) oil companies (Shell, Mobil, Texaco, Chevron, Elf, Total, and so on) in various countries, banks like Citibank in west, east and southern Africa, and so on

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mean to imply either that Africa is a basket case or that business success in Africa is an oxymoron. Over the years, there have been many corporate success stories in Africa, including (to list a few of the best known) oil companies (Shell, Mobil, Texaco, Chevron, Elf, Total, and so on) in various countries, banks like Citibank in west, east, and southern Africa, and so on. Plus, progress being made on some of the tough challenges mentioned above. Countries in Africa are

beginning to realize that to be visible on the rest of the world’s business radar, they need to partner up in regional trade groupings, as has already taken place in Europe, Asia, South America, and North America. Based on calls for transparency from their own citizenry and pressure from institutions like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, Transparency International, and the African Development Bank, many governments are launching serious anti-corruption ef-

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forts.” To Ezeh, while more sub-Saharan governments are realizing that the business of government is to create an enabling environment, and that private sector operators are the ones with the skills and motivations needed to run successful businesses, over the next few years, many parastatals, he had predicted, will be privatized, presenting opportunities for investors with the expertise required to run such operations.” Ezeh’s perception on the question of business success in Africa is predicated on both the philosophical outlook and to various sectors of sub-Saharan economies which are likely to offer special opportunities. As regards philosophical orientation, he believes that the Chinese got it right when they chose the same symbol to represent both problems and opportunities. The relevance of this point, according to him, begins with the observation that badly deteriorated infrastructures across much of subSaharan Africa, and ongoing efforts to privatize those infrastructures (ports, railroads, telecoms, water systems) represent huge business opportunities. Within the next five years, Ezeh says there is very likely to be both substantial infrastructure privatization plus substantial governmental rehabilitative investments in infrastructure across the region. According to him, business sectors likely to offer attractive investment opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa include agriculture, noting that because transport and storage are often lacking, with up to 40 per cent of the staple foods produced each year rot away or are wasted, as infrastructure repairs and investments are made, there should be numerous attractive opportunities for successful food processing-related businesses. He also said that Sub-Saharan Africa has lots of manpower, but (especially in the technical areas), inadequate skilled personnel, adding that as infrastructures improve and the level of economic activity in sub-Saharan Africa increases, there should be many attractive opportunities for businesses offering skills-based training programmes tuned to the environment and to the level of resources available. A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Institute of Directors (IOD), Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (CMA) and a member of the British Institute of Management, Dr Christopher Ezeh also holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Honoris Causa, from Enugu State University of Technology. He is also an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK). BC

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Business Courage

Monday, December 30, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ThebuddingEntrepreneurs

Nigeria’s internet entrepreneur Motivated by failure in his earlier business adventure, Seun Osewa at age 23, founded Nairaland.com which has since grown it to become one of the most popular website in Nigeria. Now, the website currently has well over 850,000 user accounts. Seun, now 31, also runs Nairalist.com, a Nigerian classified ads site By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

ust like the stories of many in his mould, the journey to the top of entrepreneurship cadre, especially in Nigeria, has not always been that of bread and butter. Business is usually tough and certainly not for the weakhearted. But as it is widely acknowledged, only those who can persevere, be focused, determined and courageous can go on to breast the tape. These are, perhaps, the attributes that have seen 30 yearold Seun Osewa go through the thick and thin to attain his present status as an investorentrepreneur, programmer, Webmaster and founder of most visited website in Nigeria today, the NairaLand.com. Today, Seun makes money daily from adverts, google adsense, adwords and so on as his Nairaland forum is said to be the Facebook of Nigeria. Unknown to many, Osewa’s success story was actually motivated by past failure. Sometimes in 2003, he attempted to start a web hosting business but that endeavour failed due to lack of viable income model. Three months after he started the business, he could only boast of one customer, hence, he ran out of capital and the business died. Though he admitted that “It would probably have succeeded if I had managed my capital more wisely or raised more money as I got many hosting requests I couldn’t satisfy later that year.” After that failure, he spent several months researching business ideas and presenting them to friends and family, for the possibility of funding them, but to no avail. He did this for less than two years. Undaunted, Seun further gave his entrepreneurial spirit further push and decided to instal the Simplemachines Forum and opened Nairaland to the public on March 25, 2005 after working on it for about two weeks. That was about 14 months after Mark Zuckerberg

launched TheFacebook.com. Seun followed the dictum that a great way to start a business is to “try and provide solution to something you need, or want to be solved.” For Seun, having realised this great business insight, he needed to create a product that would solve a need. That was the beginning of Nairaland which he said he built to solve a real and complicated problem for Nigerians. He realized the need for “a more general-purpose Nigerian forum with a strong bias towards issues of interest to Nigerians at home.” Due to the failure in his first start-up for lack of consistent cash-flow, the first question Seun asked himself was “Where’s the money?” Hence, from day one, he knew he had to create a viable Income model for his new business. He knew if he could attract enough traffic to the site, he could make money from Google adverts. So, his primary target was to attract enough traffic to the site through great content, better organization and great guestfriendliness. Eventually, he decided to start a web forum, because it was the only idea that required no additional capital: “I already had Internet access and a $15 per month VPS graciously paid for by a family friend. I created three forums in November 2003 (one for higher institution students, one for IT discussions, and one to cover the emerging GSM industry; the Mobile Nigeria Forum at MobileNigeria. com). When the Mobile Nigeria Forum took off, he re-launched it in February 2005 with the assistance of one John Sagai Adams, who posted a link to the forum on his mailing list and participated enthusiastically in those early days. Other mobile enthusiasts like Yomi Adegboye, he revealed, pitched in to make the site a success. In a month or so, the forum had about 300 members, but the growth potential didn’t satisfy Seun. He decided to start Naira-

land when he noticed two odd things about Mobile Nigeria. The first thing was that despite its narrow focus, it was the only Nigerian community that gave voice to Nigerians at home. As he noticed, most other Nigerian sites were owned and dominated by Nigerians in the US or UK as they covered only issues of interests to Nigerians abroad. Secondly, according to him, the off topic section of the forum, covering topics outside telecoms, like romance and jokes, was becoming more vibrant than the Mobile Nigeria Forum itself, suggesting the need for a more general-purpose Nigerian forum. “This gave me the confidence to take forums like Naijaryders and Talknaija head on by starting a general purpose discussion forum with a strong bias towards issues of interest to Nigerians at home. I felt that such a site could attract enough traffic to make enough money from Google adverts. That’s why I started the Nairaland Forum.” Like he had envisaged, today, he has over about 650,000 user accounts. While about 30,000 were logged on in the last 30 days, most Nairalanders, according to him don’t even bother to login or regis-

Osewa

Management Principles

Key organisational control techniques

ontrol techniques provide managers with the type and amount of information they need to measure and monitor performance. The information from various controls must be tailored to a specific management level, department, unit, or operation. To ensure complete and consistent information, organizations often use standardized documents such as financial, status, and project reports. Each area within an organization, however, uses its own specific control techniques, described in the following sections.

Financial controls: After the organization has strategies in place to reach its goals, funds are set aside for the necessary resources and labour. As money is spent, statements are updated to reflect how much was spent, how it was spent, and what it obtained. Managers use these financial statements, such as an income statement or balance sheet, to monitor the progress of programmes and plans. Financial statements provide management with information to monitor financial resources and activities. The income statement shows the results of the organization’s operations over a period of time, such as revenues, expenses, and profit or loss. The balance sheet shows what the organization is worth (assets) at a single point in time, and the extent to which those assets were financed through debt (liabilities) or owner’s investment (equity). Financial audits, or formal investigations, are regularly conducted to ensure that financial management practices follow generally accepted procedures, policies, laws, and ethical guidelines. Audits may be conducted internally or externally. Financial ratio analysis examines the relationship between specific figures on the financial statements and helps explain the significance of those figures: *Liquidity ratios measure an organization’s ability to generate cash. *Profitability ratios measure an organization’s ability to generate profits. *Debt ratios measure an organization’s ability to pay its debts. *Activity ratios measure an organization’s efficiency in operations and use of assets. Budget controls: A budget depicts how much an organization expects to spend (expenses) and earn (revenues) over a period of time. Budgets not only help managers plan their finances, but also help

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Business Courage

Monday, December 30, 2013

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ThebuddingEntrepreneurs

Osewa

ter. “They just read the site like a newspaper site and search it with Google. Our daily visitor count is much higher,” he said. Interestingly, Seun himself could not say the particular tipping point that helped launch Nairaland into the mainstream in the Nigerian internet community but recalled that it got about 30 registrations a day from its coverage of the Gulder Ultimate Search. “I remember when the Job section became so popular that most Nigerians at home thought Nairaland was a job portal. It was a bit annoying, but I embraced it,” he said. Though it is generally believed to be the leading most visited website

in the country, Naijaland currently has NaijaHotJobs, NigeriaBestForum, Goal.com, and Jobberman among others to contend it. Seun believes that compared to Nigerian forums that preceded Nairaland: local point of view, better organization, more serious topics, and guest-friendliness are what have been able to set Nairaland apart from other Nigerian online forums over the years. Like most entrepreneurs, some of the initial challenges he encountered when he first started out was the issue of electricity. “I had to get an inverter with my last savings to run MobileNigeria, he noted. The young entrepreneur agreed

them keep track of their overall spending. A budget, in reality, is both a planning tool and a control mechanism. Budget development processes vary among organizations according to who does the budgeting and how the financial resources are allocated. Marketing controls: Marketing controls help monitor progress toward goals for customer satisfaction with products and services, prices, and delivery. The following are examples of controls used to evaluate an organization’s marketing functions: Market research gathers data to assess customer needs—information critical to an organization’s success. Ongoing market research reflects how well an organization is meeting customers’ expectations and helps anticipate customer needs. It also helps identify competitors. Test marketing is small-scale product marketing to assess customer acceptance. Using surveys and focus groups, test marketing goes beyond identifying general requirements and looks at what (or who) actually influences buying decisions. Marketing statistics measure performance by compiling data and analyzing results. In most cases, competency with a computer spreadsheet programme is all a manager needs. Managers look at marketing ratios, which measure profitability, activity, and market shares, as well as sales quotas, which measure progress toward sales goals and assist with inventory controls. Human resource controls: Human resource controls help managers regulate the quality of newly hired personnel, as well as monitor current employees’ developments and daily performances. On a daily basis, managers can go a long way in helping to control workers’ behaviours in organizations. They can help direct workers’ performances toward goals by making sure that goal are clearly set and understood. Managers can also institute policies and procedures to help guide workers’ actions. Finally, they can consider past experiences when developing future strategies, objectives, policies, and procedures. Common control types include performance appraisals, disciplinary programmes, observations, and training and development assessments. Because the quality of a firm’s personnel, to a large degree, determines the firm’s overall effectiveness, controlling this area is very crucial. BC

that Nairaland has actually become a cash-flow positive as he makes from the business slightly more than the basic needs of the site -Internet access and hosting such that he seems not ready to look outside for investors. For instance, about two years ago, when MIH Internet Africa, the owners of Dealfish and Kalahari in Nigeria made an offer to acquire a stake in Nairalist, Seun rejected the offer. The deal, according to people close to him, would have fetched Nairalist close to $200,000 (about N30 million). In the same vein, he has also turned down an offer of about $1 million for the purchase of Nairaland, the largest online forum in Nigeria. His preoccupation, for now, is to attend to the various challenges facing the site stressing that “Facebook has one employee for every 300,000 monthly active users while Nairaland has one employee (me!) for just 30,000 active users, so I think the priority for now should be to make Nairaland 10 times more efficient.” Seun’s initial dream with MobileNigeria was to make more than N60, 000 a month, which seemed like a reasonable salary at that time, and then use any extra income as capital to start a more promising business. “This was reasonable to me; after all, the total capital I wasted in my failed hosting business was under N60, 000. Nairaland flew past this target within the first year, and continues to grow,” he confessed. Apart from the desire to create a place where Nigerians at home could feel at home, Seun didn’t have lofty visions for Nairaland. His ambition was to remain number one. “I just wanted to succeed at something for once, and I thought this was the cheapest thing I could try,” he revealed. Though Nairaland is a social network forum, Seun said he is not in a hurry to make it become a social networking hub, adding that if he got five naira every time a developer offered to help him make Nairaland like Facebook, he would be rich enough to buy the moon. “But here’s the thing. You can’t beat Facebook even if your website is perfect. Social networks benefit from ‘network effects’, which means the bigger they are, the better the experience. Facebook has grown so big that the only thing other social networks can do is die. MySpace, Hi5, and even Google’s social network (Orkut), and Microsoft’s Live Spaces have been beaten and are still losing members every day. If Google and Microsoft can’t beat them, I don’t think I should waste my time,” he said. However, there’s an element of Facebook he would like to incorporate, though and that is the ‘social graph’. According to him, “It’s the reason why Facebook can have 500 million users on the same site and yet, unlike most big forums, doesn’t feel over-crowded. The social graph approach scales so well.” BC

Personal Finance Common threats to family businesses and how to avoid them

very business is faced with challenges. However, as a family business owner, you are faced with unique threats to your business that, if not recognized and addressed quickly, will drastically affect your success in the market place. Here are five common threats that every family business faces and tips on how to manage them. Family feuding: There is simply no fun and games when it comes to family feuds in your business. Family businesses are faced with internal conflict that typically arises from the inability to separate your business and personal lives. Sometimes the feuding is due to the varied interests of each family member, personal egos or personal rivalries that spill into the business environment. Regardless of the cause, if you do not find a way to stop the feuding, it will be absolutely impossible to define and achieve common goals for the business. In addition, excessive conflict in your organization can increase employee turnover and create a hostile work environment. Nepotism: Managing family is a delicate matter, and it is important to be aware that the fastest way to alienate the people that work for you is to create a company culture based on nepotism. Everyone wants to help out family, but hiring, promoting, and paying someone based on a familial relationship rather than on their actual merits and abilities, is a recipe for disaster. You will quickly find that non-family employees will lose the motivation and desire to work for you. In addition, family employees may become complacent because they will not face consequences for non-performance. Ultimately, nepotism does not empower your employees, and as a result your bottom line will suffer. Letting emotions run the business: Separating your emotions from the business is not an easy task, especially if you are directly managing a family member. It is difficult for people to receive critical feedback from peers or their boss and even more difficult to receive it from someone they love. Be aware that if you let emotions interfere with your business, it can make you appear weak to your employees and customers, and severely affect your ability to make sound business decisions. On the other hand, if you are insensitive, you may appear cold and unapproachable. Lack of sensitivity with family employees can also cause problems at home if you are not careful. You will need to determine the right balance of emotion needed based on the dynamics of your business environment. Losing non-family employees: There are two main reasons non-family employees will leave: limited growth opportunities and family conflict. Most employees want to advance within a company. Unfortunately, in most family businesses, there are often limited opportunities for advancement, because family employees occupy all leadership positions within the company. Without opportunity to advance or take on a leadership role, many talented and ambitious employees will move on. Another problem is that non-family employees will leave because they feel as if they are always in the middle when a family feud breaks out. As a business owner, you need to realize that every business needs a good mix of people to help you grow. Non-family employees add balance to the organization because they have the ability to view the business from an unemotional position. If given the opportunity, they can offer valuable input on how to make the company better. No succession plan: There is going to come a time when someone retires, leaves, or perhaps passes away. If you do not have a plan, you are setting your business up for failure. BC

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Business Courage

Monday, December 30, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Solar-panelled shelters are currently being tested at the UNHCR’s camps in Ethiopia

By Sean Robson Cape Town

efugees and displaced people are, arguably, the world’s most vulnerable people. They face the daily realities of living for years in shelters designed for emergency use while braving inhospitable environments, high temperatures, floods and little or no means of communication with the outside world. While most users will spend an average of 12 years in refugee camps, current tent shelters have a lifespan of around only six months. Now though, technology could help improve this. New prototype shelters, which are flat-packed and solar powered, are currently being tested by Somali families in camps in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia. The panels have a guaran-

A solar-panelled house

teed lifespan of three years, while the steel frame has a lifespan of 10 years. The shelters are the result of a joint project between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Ikea Foundation. The UNHCR is leading the way in trying to find innovative

Going mobile 2013: The year “mobile” went from being a gadget to a state of mind By Matthew Wall

his year was the year we all went mobile. And we’re not just talking smartphones and tablets. We’re talking mobile workforces staying connected in and out of the office and using their devices for work and play. We’re talking mobile data, stored in the cloud; and mobile corporate structures trying to adapt to the new age of data sharing, collaboration and crowdsourcing. Mobile didn’t simply refer to a gadget, but to a state of mind. New paradigm: And this

new mobility, powered by the roll-out of faster 4G networks, brought many challenges as well as opportunities for business. David Chan, director of the information leadership network at Cass Business School in London, believes that networked mobiles have caused a fundamental shift in our behaviour the way we shop, work, create and interact - but that many businesses failed to adapt to this new paradigm. The demise of traditional High Street retailers, such as HMV, Blockbuster and Jessops, in the face of the online shopping revolution was a case in point. “This was the year we began to realise the limitations of our current mindset,” says Chan. “We still follow a Newtonian model - we see businesses as machines we can control. “We need to move to a more organic organisation - senior managers have to learn to let

solutions to some of the obstacles faced by the 45 million refugees and internally displaced people (IPDs) in the world. It has created a division dedicated specifically to innovation and technology. Known simply as UNHCR Innovation, the division is headed by Olivier Delarue who enthusiastically

describes his mandate as empowering refugees in new ways, including expanding opportunities to foster quality education and create genuine livelihood opportunities. Just over 18 months old, UNHCR Innovation has quickly set about creating a number of key partnerships to support the

go. Agility and innovation are not compatible with this old mindset.” This failure to adopt more fluid, situational management structures results in major IT failures, he argues, from the botched launch of “Obamacare” health insurance in the US, to the online banking breakdowns suffered by Royal Bank of Scotland and its subsidiaries, Ulster Bank and NatWest. “The world is moving so fast our grand IT plans are almost obsolete before they’ve even been started,” he says. Damian Saunders, a cloud networking director at Floridabased virtualisation and software company Citrix Systems, agrees. Speaking to Technology of Business reporter Paul Rubens in November, he said: “I take a contentious view and say that IT outages are rarely to do with technology. There’s normally a role that technology plays in the outage, but when I look at the root cause, by far the greatest cause is people and processes.” In other words, not updating software or not testing systems sufficiently. This year exposed the limitations of our creak-

ing technology infrastructures, our legacy computer systems, and our outmoded managerial thinking. Sharing generation In 2013, powerful smartphones equipped with accelerometers, GPS navigation systems, high-definition cameras, clocks and wireless connectivity, began to be used in all sorts of innovative ways. Patch, pills and tablet app Healthcare is increasingly using technology to assist patients Fiona Graham reported in July on how a California Institute of Technology (Caltech) team created an app, CrowdShake, that can turn a smartphone into a simple seismometer capable of detecting vibrations from earthquakes. By sharing data amongst a community of users, early warning systems like this can potentially save lives. In other features, we explored how personal healthcare went mobile, with smartphones now measuring our heart rates, blood pressure and calories burned, recording data we can upload, visualise, share and learn from. This trend towards sharing

creation of new processes and use technology to improve the lives of displaced people. In addition to its collaboration with the Ikea Foundation, it has also teamed up with global courier service UPS to create a system to track the delivery of services and non-food items. “We are tracking services

Mobile devices

and collaboration challenged the traditional corporate desire to command and control. Crowdsourcing, engineering and science expertise accelerated a number of projects, from DNA analysis to app design. Data tsunami Meanwhile, microchipped objects capable of recording and sharing data wirelessly, and working in combination with smart analytical software, began to accelerate our understanding of how the “internet of things” was changing the world

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Business Courage

Monday, December 30, 2013

Technotalk through mobile devices so whenever we give something to a refugee and wherever we deliver a service to refugees, the system will know exactly what has taken place,” explains Delarue. The solution, which is known as Liveconnect, is currently being tested in Ethiopia and will eventually allow UNHCR to track all non-food items that an individual receives from the organisation and its partners. “This is about service quality: a dignified way to treat refugees as individuals rather than as labels or numbers. We are creating tools for these individuals to be empowered and not assisted,” says Mr Delarue. Being separated from friends and family is yet another hardship faced by many refugees. Refugees United volunteer showing app Refugees United has a quarter of a million registered users, many of whom are in Kenya Danish brothers David and Christopher Mikkelsen set up family tracing platform Refugees United in 2008, inspired after meeting a young Afghan refugee trying to reconnect with his family. In 2010 the system became available through a free mobile service, allowing people with even the most basic of handsets to quickly register their details via SMS, and be matched up with those looking for them. Family tracing had previously been a laborious and intensive process done with pen and paper, with traditional non-

profit organisations only able to help a small number of people. “Our biggest partner in East Africa is the Kenyan Red Cross and up until we implemented our tools with them they would look at opening around 700 cases a year. Very often we open 700 cases a day at a relatively low cost,” says David Mikkelsen. Refugees United’s platform can now also be accessed through unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) - a sort of souped-up text message system that works more like a secure form of chat - and via a toll-free number staffed by multi-lingual operators, as well as online. It recently reached 250,000 registered users. Many of these are across Kenya, which has an estimated 500,000 displaced persons. Both Olivier Delarue and Christopher Mikkelsen agree that it is vital not to simply impose a technology on users but instead acknowledge and refine the tools communities are already using to create solutions effectively across the digital divide. “That is why we have onthe-ground partnership and why we have to build mobile teams around the technology. It is not about the technology in itself but instead about enabling people to become more efficient in the field by using technology,” says Christopher Mikkelsen. Refugees Both the UNHCR and Refugees United say helping people develop their exist-

ing tools is key The South African-based Praekelt Foundation is dedicated to creating mobile technologies to assist non-profit organisations in working with society’s marginalised people. Praekelt has developed a mobile messaging platform called Vumi that aims to help organisations develop population-scale messaging applications. “I think practically where this can affect refugees [in the future] is that we now have infrastructure where we can provide connectivity and access to information significantly faster than before,” says Simon de Haan, Praekelt Foundation’s chief engineer. “One of the projects we are working on with Vumi is the text-based aspect of Wikipedia Zero. You can dial in with a USSD code and then you get a text-based menu on your phone to access information.” The idea is that people who only have access to feature phones can access Wikipedia articles. The hope is that in the future a dedicated Wikipedia page can be written to provide region-specific information to assist refugees. But while technology clearly has a role to play in assisting and empowering refugees and displaced people, as Olivier Delarue puts it: “Importing new technologies is not a means in itself, rather it’s mostly about working with communities to identify, amplify and modernise the solutions they are already developing.” BC

around us. From pills that text you once you’ve taken them, to home heating systems that can be controlled remotely by mobile phone, connectivity opened up a myriad of new possibilities. But all these digital sensors have led to an exponential increase in data, requiring storage, protection from prying eyes, and practical analysis. “Big data” became a catchall phrase covering a multitude of topics, but boiled down to smart ways to make this data

truly useful. Clever software drew shapes from the data blizzard, enabling firefighters to identify the most risk prone areas of a city; the police to spot patterns of behaviour that led to the arrest of criminals; and financial institutions to mine audio recordings for potentially fraudulent conversations. Security threat The business impact of the US National Security Agency’s Prism digital surveillance scheme, as revealed by Edward Snowden’s leaked documents, warrants a feature all to itself. But in short, business confidence in the confidentiality of corporate data and the security of cloud-based data storage services took a real battering in 2013. Big Brother Security concerns hit the headlines around the world in 2013 Cyber security and the threats from extortionist hackers, intellectual property thieves and fraudsters, rose swiftly up the agenda for most companies. And the rapid rise of mobile helped exacerbate these concerns, as IT managers struggled to enforce security protocols

governing their use. Samsung’s Knox platform offered one encrypted, password-protected solution to the problem, whereby a walledoff section of the smartphone could be controlled and protected by the employer, leaving the rest of the employee’s phone free for Angry Birds and indiscreet conversations. Perhaps the last word should go to Gartner’s Steve Prentice, who showed admirable prescience in January. “More cloud computing, services and storage. More mobile devices with more apps, more games, more browsing, more shopping and more sharing with our ‘friends’ on social media. All of which increases the demand for bandwidth, faster speed and universal coverage,” he said. “And with the marketing muscle of big corporations in support, countless millions of machines (from simple sensors to jet engines) will join the digital conversation, building the internet of everything, delivering an accelerating flow of data and the consequent demand for advanced analytics.” BC

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with Esther Ozue (ozueesther@nationalmirroronline.net) 08059234648 (sms only)

Using online collaboration tool to transform your work

eamwork is one of the most important aspects of the modern workplace. However, with the widespread of Internet availability, members of a team could be anywhere in the world. However, for teamwork to be effective, it is important for companies to adopt modern work practices and technologies that help co-workers, wherever they are, to share their work in a simple and efficient way. This is where a good online collaboration tool comes in. Online collaboration allows a group of people work together in real-time over the Internet. Those engaged in online collaboration can work together on word processor documents, Power Point presentations and even for brainstorming, all without needing to be in the same room at the same time. There are many great online collaboration tools available, which can help your team accomplish its goals. Listed below are benefits of online collaboration that will help you and your organisation make a decision on this useful technology. It is easy to keep track of projects - Online collaboration tools have a variety of project tracking capabilities that make it easy for team members to see the evolution of a project from day one. From tracking who made the latest changes to a document, to how the document was before the changes, to tagging a colleague to review the document. Team members can be anywhere - As long as they have an Internet connection, team members can be working remotely from anywhere in the world. This means that it’s possible for a team to be completely dispersed, while still working in an organized way. Co-workers in different states or countries can easily work together on the same project, which helps organisations put together the best possible team for a project, It also means that while employees are away from the office on a business trip, they don’t need to be disconnected from the project, and can contribute to it as if they were on their desks. Ease of reporting - Nearly all work projects have some kind of reporting associated with them, and report time is usually stressful. Sometimes, you can lose track of some of the activities that have been done for a certain project, especially when you are working with a large team. However, by using a good online collaboration tool, you can quickly generate detailed reports that include all of the activities associated with a certain project, giving team members more time to work on result-generating activities. Actions are done quickly - With a good online collaboration tool, you don’t have to arrange a meeting or phone call in order to review documents. Documents can be uploaded into the tool, and reviewers can be automatically notified via email that documents have been uploaded. Reviewers can then annotate the document and make any necessary changes and notify all team members that the document has been reviewed and is ready. This makes it much easier to keep a steady and organized work flow on a project, with team members promptly contributing when necessary. Documents are all stored in a single place - This makes it easy for all team members to have access to all necessary documents, regardless of their location and any updates to a document are seen immediately. Finally, online collaboration is good for organisations of any size, as long as there is interest in working together over the Internet to achieve same result. Not only is online collaboration great for working with your colleagues, but it’s also good when working on documents with client as it create a sense of teamwork and transparency and improves client relationships. BC

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Business Courage

Dell Leads HP, Samsung on worldwide PC monitor market share

ell Company stayed in the top position in third quarter 2013 with worldwide market share of 13.9 per cent on shipments of 4.8 million units. The figures took the company ahead of other PC giants like HP and Samsung. Meanwhile, total worldwide PC monitor shipments were more than 35.0 million units during the period under review, an increase of 4.5 per cent compared to the previous quarter and 1.2 million units more than forecast, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly PC Monitor Tracker. Year-over-year growth was -8.6 per cent in 3Q13, largely due to the ongoing decline in PC sales. “Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan)(APeJ), Western Europe, and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) outperformed the overall market in the third quarter and increased their regional market shares,” said Jennifer Song, research analyst, Worldwide Trackers at IDC. “China and India were the top growth drivers within APeJ, while Germany and Russia were the leading country markets in Europe.” Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of 2013, IDC is forecasting a quarter-overquarter decline of -3.2 per cent in worldwide shipments to 33.9 million units. However, IDC slightly raised its total shipment forecast for 2013 from 134.7 million units to 136.3 million units, which represents a decline of -8.5 per cent compared to 2012. By 2017, worldwide shipments are expected to drop further to 109.6 million units, lower than the previous forecast of 110.8 million units, as the adoption of mobile devices at lower price points is expected to continue. On Technology Highlights, the Tracker revealed that LED backlight technology adoption continues to increase with 84.9 per cent market share in 3Q13. This represents a yearover-year increase of 14.4 percentage points. Also, screen size of 21.x-inches wide has held the largest worldwide share for the last four quarters, with 21.4 per cent share in 3Q13. More so, aspect ratio of 16:9 continues to dominate with 77.5 per cent market share, which is more than 4 times the second most widely used aspect ratio of 16:10; monitors with TV tuners are

expected to grow to 7.7 per cent market share by 2017, up from 5.7 per cent share in 2013, led by LG and Samsung with a combined market share of 95 per cent in this category, while touchscreen monitors are still a small segment of the total PC monitor market at 0.3 per cent share, it is mostly in the US at 48.6 per cent share with Dell holding a 28.6 per cent portion of the US market. However, the Vendor Highlights showed that Dell stayed in the top position in 3Q13 with worldwide market share of 13.9 per cent on shipments of 4.8 million units. While the US declined by -13.0 per cent from previous quarter, APeJ and CEE delivered the biggest gains for Dell with 4.4 per cent and 46.0 per cent quarter-over-quarter growth, respectively.

Björn

Ericsson releases Consumer Trends 2014

ricsson ConsumerLab has identified the hottest consumer trends for 2014 and beyond. For more than 15 years, ConsumerLab has conducted research to explore people’s values, behaviours and ways of using ICT products and services. Its global research program is based on annual interviews with over 100,000 individuals in more than 40 countries and 15 megacities. Michael Björn, head of research at ConsumerLab, said: “The most important trend we see is the mass demand for apps and services across all industries and societal sectors – which has the potential to fundamentally change everyday life.” * Apps change society. The fast global uptake of smartphones has completely changed the way we communicate and use the internet. Now we enter a new phase of rapidly-diversifying smartphone use – and people are looking for apps across all sectors of society. This includes everything from shopping and daycare to communication with authorities, and transportation. Apps are becoming more important than what phone you use. * Your body is the new

Monday, December 30, 2013

password. Sites are demanding longer passwords with a mixture of numbers, letters and symbols – almost impossible to remember. This is leading to growing interest in biometric alternatives. For example, our research found that 52 percent of smartphone users want to use their fingerprints instead of passwords and 48 percent are interested in using eye-recognition to unlock their screen. A total of 74 percent believe that biometric smartphones will become mainstream during 2014. * The quantified self. Blood pressure, pulse and steps are just some examples of how we want to measure ourselves with mobile devices, using personally-generated data. You only need to start an app to track your activities and get to know yourself better. A total of 40 percent of smartphone users want their phone to log all of their physical activities and 56 percent would like to monitor their blood pressure and pulse using a ring. * Internet expected everywhere. Internet experience has been falling behind voice; smartphone users are realizing that the signal bars on their phone no longer provide reliable guidance, since a signal that is adequate for a voice call may not be good enough for internet services. Our research found that the lowest satisfaction is with the internet quality experienced on the subway. * Smartphones reduce the digital divide. Internet access on a global scale is still inadequately and unequally distributed, giving rise to what is referred to as the digital divide. The advent of cheaper smartphones means that consumers no longer need costly computing devices to access internet services. A total of 51 per cent of consumers globally feel that their mobile phone is the most important piece of technology – and for many it is becoming the primary device for internet use. * Online benefits outweigh concerns - As the internet becomes an integrated part of our daily lives, the risks associated with being connected are becoming more apparent. 56 percent of daily internet users are concerned about privacy issues. However, only 4 percent say that they would actually use the internet less. Instead, consumers apply strategies to minimize risk such as being more cautious about the type of personal information they provide.

Etisalat Prize for Innovation winners receive prizes

tisalat Nigeria has formally unveiled winners of this year’s edition of the Etisalat

Willsher

Prize for Innovation to the media. The winners Adebayo Adegbembo of Genii Games and Uche Solomon Okocha of Efiwe Mobile Application, smiled home with their prize money of $25,000 for the Most Innovative Service and $10,000 for the Most Innovative Idea respectively, and pledged to support the desire of Etisalat Nigeria to deepen telecommunications beyond voice, one of the main reasons why the company endowed the prize. Speaking at the event, Matthew Willsher, acting chief executive officer, Etisalat Nigeria explained that the prize was instituted as part of efforts by the company to “support the drive to engender and promote mobile broadband penetration in Africa.” The prize, according to him, “is unique because it helps us meet the desires of our customers beyond the business of telephony.” Willsher pointed out that supporting innovation comes naturally to Etisalat. “Our business strategy is based on four basic elements, part of which is innovation. Innovation has been the bedrock of every product we launched in the last five years of our operation in Nigeria,” he said.

StarTimes Hits 1.5m Subscribers

tarTimes, the famous Paytv station of NTA-Star Tv Networks Limited, has commended the enthusiasm shown by both the government and Nigerians to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting. Justin Zhang, general manager StarTimes, told newsmen during the Company’s staff get-together in Lagos, that the Company in the last three years has recorded over 1.5 million customers due to its customer-friendly operations and inclusion of more local contents and channels. “After we launched in Nigeria in 2010, we started with aggressive marketing and we did not take issues related to customer care light. Today we have launched in 31 States in Nigeria. Currently, we are the

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only Company with digital TV licence operating in the country. And we are the only company with the capacity to cover the whole country, basically before the 2015 deadline for digital broadcasting. “When we launched, only few people knew about StarTimes; we had our mast in Lagos Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan. But through the efforts of our staff we have been able to push our operations to other parts of the country. “Secondly, Nigerians want digital services; before we launched, no company could afford to them the local contents in customer-friendly fees. So, far, we can say that we have met the requirements of both the government and the people of Nigeria. For the future, we are still looking at increase the contents,” he said. Zhang said that “Nigeria’s population is big; therefore it is a big market. When we launched in Abuja, many customers reached out to us, beckoning on us to open operations in their areas. “And being the partner with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has given us the confidence that we have government’s backing to move on with digitization. “Just like the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has emphasized, digital broadcasting is the in-thing now. So, in working towards the 2015, the government can be assured that we are ready for the migration, especially in providing coverage to the whole country. It is our social responsibility to help the government meet the 2015 target. The migration will not be of benefit to pay Tv companies, government will derive huge benefits from it and the viewer are going to be served better”. Zhang, said that StarSat, the Company’s satellite TV will be launched next year. “The essence is that more Nigerians are getting interested in digital TV stations; they want to watch more local channels and we want to reach them. Meanwhile there are certain areas that the signals may not reach, so we want to penetrate those nooks and crannies with the StarSat satellite television signals,” he added. BC

Zhang

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Business Courage

Monday, December 30, 2013

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

ive years after the meltdown of the Nigerian capital market, some investors and operators appear to have shaken off their investment shocks by describing 2013 as the year of recovery and consolidation. The stakeholders say that their new enthusiasm about the nation’s portfolio climate stems from the rebound of high rate of securities transactions, the recovery of the national economy and the rising public confidence in government and governance. In the first week of December 2013, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) overall transactions grew from a loss position, recorded during the downturn in 2008, to a level which is widely considered as one of the best in the frontier market today. The stakeholders say that the major drivers of the market growth developed from the strict adherence to corporate governance and zero-tolerance to aberrations by the regulators in the year under review. Other key growth indicators of the market are regulatory reforms and initiatives, as well as strong financial fundamentals posted by publicly quoted companies. Apart from the licensing of market makers by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2012, the introduction of securities lending, short selling and consistent monetary policies contributed to the market stability. Specifically, the stability of the exchange rate at N157 to a dollar throughout the better part of 2013 encouraged more foreign investors to remain in the capital market, while stemming capital flights and encouraging foreign investments in local debt papers. Available securities transactions at the NSE as at Dec. 9, 2013 showed that the equity market grew by 37.96 per cent year-to-date. The visible market growth made the Nigerian bourse to be rated the best investment destination in sub-Saharan Africa. The All-Share Index of the Exchange in the period under review appreciated by 37.96 per cent year-to-date to close trading at 38,738.15 points, as against the opening index of 28,078.81 points. The Index, a measure of the market direction, grew by 34.5

Nigerian Stock Exchange

per cent in 2012. The market capitalisation, which opened trading for the year at N8.98 trillion, grew by N3.41 trillion to close trading on Dec. 9 at N12.39 trillion, reflecting a growth of 37.97 per cent. In spite of the market growth, the NSE witnessed only the listing of Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) and Infinity Trust Mortgage (ITM). Providing an insight into the market performance in the period under review, Arunma Oteh, the Director-General of the SEC, attributed the growth to some factors. She said that the factors included the concerted efforts of operators and regulators as well as the Federal Government’s reforms and initiatives, aimed at boosting activities in the market. Oteh debunked claims in some quarters that the recent growth in the market would soon fizzle out, saying: `The capital market is not driven by euphoria but by fundamentals of different sectors of the economy represented on the exchange.” She said that the financial sector had recorded appreciable growth. ``The banking sector is leading because globally, everybody recognises the bold steps which Nigeria took to address the challenges facing the financial sector. ``Besides, many people recognise that Nigeria is, indeed, the preferred investment destination in spite of

the challenges,” she said. Oteh said that SEC was monitoring the current reforms in the nation’s economy, including the government’s privatisation programme, so as to ensure that privatised companies were encouraged to get listed on the local bourse. She also said that efforts were underway to create an enabling environment for energy companies operating in the upstream and downstream sectors, as well as telecommunications companies to also get listed on the stock exchange. Okechukwu Unegbu, the former President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), said that the market’s growth could also be attributed to the activities of market makers and the impressive financial results by listed companies. He, however, said that the Federal Government must make the national economy investor-friendly by reviewing the nation’s business laws. Unegbu also called for a reduction in the nation’s domestic debt and the effective implementation of the 2014 budget with a considerable emphasis placed on infrastructural development. On his part, David Adonri, the Chief Executive Officer, Lambeth Trust Investment, noted that the stock market growth this year had surpassed the performance of 2012. He said that increasing

investors’ confidence and internal reforms, especially the commencement of market, had affected the market positively this year. He pointed out that the stability and growth of the capital market would be sustained if the regulatory framework remained effective. Adonri , however, underscored the need for the Federal Government to pursue sound fiscal and monetary policies that would be market-friendly in the years ahead. He stressed that the regulatory initiatives could only be meaningful if local investors took due advantage of new and dynamic frameworks, current market trends and improved companies’ results to increase their stakes in the bourse. Nevertheless, Dr Doyin Salami of the Lagos Business School expressed reservations about the gains so far recorded in the market. Salami, an economist, expatiated that his queries about the much-touted market growth were due to the dominance of the activities at the NSE by foreign portfolio investors. He said that as at Dec. 5, 2013 foreign portfolio investment profile in the nation’s bourse amounted to about $13 billion. Salami solicited the encouragement of domestic retail investors, even though he welcomed new foreign investments in the nation’s economy, particularly in the equi-

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ties market. ``Capital market regulators need to show more concern on how to improve the participation local investors in the market so as to avoid another round of meltdown in the event of investment outflow by foreign investors,” he said. Salami said that the regulators must evolve strategies and create pragmatic policies aimed at increasing local investors’ participation in the nation bourse. He said that the active engagement of domestic investors in the nation’s portfolio investment would only be visible and sustainable if concerted efforts were made to make ongoing reforms investor-friendly. He, nonetheless, described the current situation in which emphasis was placed on market automation to the detriment of local investors as a dangerous trend. In spite of the optimism and misgivings about the growth of the country’s capital market in 2013, Salami said that tangible efforts should be made to address the waning confidence of local investors in the market come 2014. He blamed the limited confidence of local investors in the market on their alleged alienation by the government in efforts to mitigate investors’ losses after the 2008 meltdown. Market analysts underscore the need for regulators to quickly embark on another round of investors’ awareness campaign nationwide. They say that such awareness campaigns would be handy in efforts to assuage the fears of investors and provide the much-needed technical knowledge on the dynamics of the capital market. The analysts also urge the Federal Government to honour its earlier pledge to remove market-based taxes for the system. The elimination of stamp duties and Value Added Tax (VAT), among other levies, as promised by government in December 2012, would aid efforts to create the much-needed market liquidity, they add. The analysts also urge market regulators to strengthen the Investor Protection Fund (IPF), while resolving the recurring menace of unclaimed dividends. BC Joel-Nwokeoma is of the News Agency of Nigeria

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Business Courage

Monday, December 30, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship

he Japanese car maker, Honda will launch the allnew City sedan in the Indian car market on January 7, 2014. The bookings for the new City have already been commenced and the deliveries will start after the official launch. It will be offered in both petrol and diesel guise. While the petrol model carryover the same 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine producing 117bhp, the diesel model gets the 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine that develops 98bhp. The new Honda City diesel is the country’s most fuel efficient car as it offers a whooping mileage of 26kmpl. The manual petrol variant returns 17.8kmpl of fuel economy, while the automatic offers 17.9kmpl of mileage. It comes equipped with features like a touch screen infotainment system, automatic climate control, push button start, reverse camera, keyless entry and others.

Models The new City features both 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine. The DTEC engine is coming for the first time with this mid-size sedan, while it is same engine that powers Honda Amaze. But now it has been tweaked slightly to offer better performance and fuel economy, and as a subsequent result, it is offering a incredible mileage of 26kmpl. It makes the Honda City, India’s most fuel efficient car. On the other hand, the iVTEC engine combined with EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) technology of Honda City offers high engine performance with increased fuel economy. The company has claimed a mileage of 17.8 kmpl for the manual transmission models and 17.9 kmpl for the automatic transmission models. Experts believe that it offers mileage around 14kmpl on city roads while on highway it delivers 17kmpl Honda City Exteriors Since the inception of first generation of Honda City, the Japanese automaker assured to provide a car that appears good and drives good. In this sense, this new generation model is no different as it continues the same legacy of quality exteriors. The new design philosophy termed as “Exciting H design” has been applied in this new model for the Indian market. Honda itself refers the styling as “Sleek Cross-motion”. This design will soon be applied to oth-

er Honda cars as well. The front fascia now features a low and sleek design along with aerodynamic bumpers. It still retains the same premium chrome radiator grille and the fog lights sitting beneath the grille and embedded into the body colored bumpers are eye catching. The headlamps are fullyfocused, sharp, angled, twin barreled and curvy. The front bumper is now sharper and arrow-shaped to ensure that City is up on vigour. Come to the side profile and you will feel the difference with strong character lines running through the doors and meeting the rear tail lamp. Chrome door handles and impeccable arrangement ensures that new City scores high in every department. Working on the philosophy of ‘why repair if isn’t broken?’ Honda has not overdone anything and gave only the upgrade that was needed. Rear of the sedan features combination lamp and a lid lamp for aggressive stance.

The 10 spoke alloy wheels are still commendable and look awesome as the car cruises on the roads. Sunroof on the top also gets a decent update. The boot ending is impeccable and the metallic looks are ready to magnetize its followers in the country. The boot space is a whopping 510 litres that can digest almost every heavy luggage. Rest magnificent features which remain unchanged are ducktail spoilers, rear under spoiler, side under spoiler, back up sensors, illuminated side step garnish, etc. Moreover, Honda has installed a rear view camera capable of relaying images with different angles. A smart start/ stop option gives City an added advantage among

its rivals. Exterior Measurements In terms of measurement the new Honda City as promised by the Japanese carmaker is slightly increased in length and width. As per company’s claim, the new Honda City is the widest car in its class which is evident from its upgraded dimensions. It now measures 4,440 mm in length, 1,695 mm in width and a 10 mm height increment measuring 1,495 mm. The wheelbase gets an extra upliftment of 50 mm which now spans at 2,600 mm. The chassis rigidity now comes to 24 percent. It has a ground clearance of 165mm. Honda City petrol manual and auto-

matic variants weigh as 1065 and 1085 kgs, respectively. On the other hand, the City diesel is a bit heavier as its weight is measured as 1165 kgs. Interior Likewise the new design elements for exteriors, the interiors design of new Honda City is also termed as ‘Layered Floating Cockpit’. The class leading interiors are now updated with quality textures to have an ideal premium feel from inside. Honda City has now got ample headroom and legroom with comfortable seats and adjustable head and arm rests. The head room is such that City interiors can easily seat a 6 foot plus person on both seat rows.

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Business Courage

Monday, December 30, 2013

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Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship system is compatible to any of the advanced equipments like iPod, MP3 player, USB Memory and Mobile phone with MP3 player

The dashboard and the central console have been modified quite brilliantly. It now gets a large 5 inch touch screen display on the dashboard that controls all the audio happenings in the new City. Furthermore, it features built-in handsfree for communication. Now it supports all components connectivity such as Bluetooth, USB, AUX-In and inputs for Ipods. Another interesting addition to the upcoming City is a hightech looking exclusive touch panel for all the aircon control.

Honda goes ahead of the competition and features a unique four power output sockets at front and rear, to ensure your smart phone’s battery is always charged up. The silver door handles and lining still holds the same sleekness and sophistication seen in the outgoing City model. Moreover, the fuel consumption display with warning, foot rest, day/night mirror, key alarm, headlight adjuster for its height, headlight alarm, etc are superb in their assigned jobs.

Interior Comfort The all new Honda City comfort level has definitely been upped compared to its ongoing model with the inclusion of rear AC vent, a first for Honda City. Besides, the floor is now flat thereby making rear seating more comfortable than before. Steering wheel is wrapped in leather and looks beautiful. The driving position is superb as goes with every car coming from Honda’s stable. The slick gear stick also gets leather covering which makes it nice to hold and easy to drive. The dashboard now sits at a higher position but short drivers need to not worry as the seat height adjustable system is there to assist you. The rear seats continue to be positioned higher which gives rear passengers a good view of the road ahead. In terms of convenience features, the cabin is updated with 8 speakers to enhance music experience, automatic air-conditioning, touch panel, smart key entry, cruise control for safety and shark fin antenna.

Engine and Performance The fourth generation of Honda City will come up with both 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol and 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel engine. The i-VTEC engine is capable to generate maximum power of 117.4bhp and top torque measures at 145Nm. While it has been mated to both 5-speed manual and CVT automatic transmissions, the diesel engine is coupled only with a 6-speed manual transmission. Accessories The new Honda City is packed few exciting features like, a 5-inch display, audio with in-built handsfree, eight speakers and four power outlets at both front and rear seats, rear wide camera, rear AC vents and compatible with jackpot. It also receives all-new touch panel air conditioner and start stop function. To increase the comfort levels, the company has even worked on air-conditioning, and a much powerful one with rear AC vents has been featured in this new sedan. While the audio

Braking, handling The larger diameter disc brakes as compared to the older version are fixed at the front wheel and the new brake master cylinder has been made longer but with a smaller diameter. Drum brakes do their duty in the rear wheels. Honda claims that it allows a more powerful brake booster performance and offers a lower pedal ratio for a more linear brake pedal feel. ABS (Anti lock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) offers high safety in case of instant braking. The collapsible electric power assisted steering with a turning radius of 5.3 meters, makes the drive butter smooth. McPherson Strut with Stabilizer and coil spring suspension is used in the front and torsion beam axle with stabilizer and coil spring suspension is used at the rear. Safety and security The new Honda City offers more safety features, especially for pedestrians. The engine hood hinges, front fenders, front grille and front windshield support structure are especially designed to absorb energy easily and bend out of the way whenever possible for better pedestrian collision safety. Other safety features include dual front SRS air-bags, active headrests to prevent whiplash injuries for the front passenger and driver , with the usual combination of ABS (Antilock Brake System) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution). Rear windshield defogger is very helpful in winters, while the G-CON structure creates protective shell around the passengers thus reducing the impact of a crash. The crumple zones ensure added safety of passengers and pedestrians. An extremely protective pretension seatbelt and limiting force-control belt arrangement is present in Honda City for keeping the inmates in position after an impact. BC

Autocare How to keep your car transmission in good condition

. Check the fluid level: The fluid in an automatic transmission operates the clutches, provides cooling and lubrication, and even drives the vehicle. So, few things are more important than proper fluid operating level for keeping the transmission working. Most automatic transmissions have a dipstick for checking the fluid level. If you’re not sure where yours is or how to check the transmission fluid level, refer to your owner’s manual. 2. Check transmission problems promptly: Most transmission problems start out small. They get worse over time. Very often, you can eliminate major repairs simply by taking care of the problem early on. Whether it’s a warning light on the dash, a few drops of fluid on the garage floor, or a change in the way the transmission operates, your best bet is to take your car in to your technician. In many cases you’ll be able to avoid a major repair simply by catching it while it’s still a minor one. 3. Regular service: Transmission fluids have a number of unique properties that can wear out over time. And when they wear out, you can bet the transmission itself won’t be far behind. One of the best ways to keep your transmission in good working order is to have it serviced annually. A complete fluid and filter change every year can add years to your transmission’s life, and in the end, save you money. 4. Add a friction modifier to the fluid: New fluid can really help your transmission last longer. But there are a number of additives on the market that have demonstrated the ability to increase transmission life and reliability significantly, even beyond the extra miles you could expect from regular service. 5. Install an auxiliary cooler: The main reason for transmission failure is heat. Transmission temperatures can quickly exceed 300? F: At that temperature, seals begin to harden, clutches begin to burn, and the fluid itself breaks down. To help eliminate excess heat from the automatic transmission fluid, have an auxiliary cooler installed. This is particularly important on vehicles that tow trailers, carry heavy loads or travel over rough or mountainous terrain. 6. Install a cooler line filter All automatic transmissions have some type of filter inside them. But these filters vary in effectiveness. Meanwhile, loose dirt and metal particles can quickly erode thrust washer and bushing surfaces, clog up passages, and reduce transmission life. One of the best ways to eliminate these contaminants is to add an in-line filter to the transmission cooler lines. These filters are inexpensive and highly effective in removing damaging particles from the transmission fluid. 7. Service the cooling system: You may not realise it, but your car’s cooling system does more than keep the engine running cool: It also cools the transmission fluid, through a heat exchanger built into the radiator tank. So a faulty cooling system cannot only damage your engine; it can reduce transmission life as well. In fact, transmission damage may occur long before the engine overheats. To avoid both engine and transmission problems, keep your car’s cooling system clean and in tip-top condition. 8. Tune the engine: The engines and transmissions in today’s cars are linked far more closely than in the past. A problem with engine performance can put much more strain on the transmission than one that’s running properly. That’s another reason why it’s important to keep your car’s engine in good running order. A good running engine reduces the stress on your transmission, so the transmission can last longer without requiring major repairs. 9. Help the transmission shift: Virtually all transmission wear takes place during the shifts; almost none occurs between the shifts. So, one way to reduce transmission wear is to reduce the load during the shift. Pay attention to the speed when your transmission shifts normally. Then, just before the normal shift speed, learn to back off the gas just a bit. Easing off the gas will force the shift, while reducing the load on the clutches. BC

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Business Courage

SEC approves Oando’s N30.7bn special placement

he Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has approved Oando Plc’s N30.7 billion fund raising through a special placement exercise. Oando received the approval from SEC following the completion board meeting held recently where directors of the company and other parties to the issue endorsed the proposal to issue 2.5 billion ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N15.00 per share. The shares were fully subscribed to. Out of the total amount (N30.7 billion) raised, N19.3 billion of the funds will be allocated to reducing the outstanding balance of Oando’s ongoing $1.6 billion acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ Nigerian assets, which has a scheduled completion date of January 31, 2014. Commenting on the placement exercise, Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, said, “This represents another key milestone in the achievement of our overall strategic re-focus. A significant portion of the proceeds will be used to finance the closure of our upstream asset acquisition process; a transaction we believe will transform us into a major indigenous producer of oil in Nigeria. “The inherent value to our esteemed shareholders is evident, as we look to grow our asset base and income streams, whilst at the same time

Tinubu

enlarging the portion of revenue we are able to declare as profits, through the increased margins the upstream business offers us. “We are excited about the future in store for our company, as 2014 will witness the culmination of all our efforts over the past 12 months, as we begin to reap the dividends of a carefully planned and executed strategy.” The capital raising effort is a firm indicator of Oando’s short term corporate and operational strategy to vastly increase its equity portfolio through a three-pronged approach to reduce debt, improve diversification in upstream, and focus on higher margins. BC

By Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

detailed investment and operational budget over a 10-year period and the initial financial structure and funding. The establishment of the agency, to be facilitated by Member States and modelled after the ATI, would help insulate Foreign Direct Investors from associated risks thereby encouraging investments in large and complex high impact sectors. It will also facilitate access to finance and reduce risk premium and stimulate exports from the region as well as intra-community trade. Council also endorsed a recommendation by the ministers of finance for an implementation Committee comprising representatives of Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, West Africa Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) and ATI to commence procedures for effective partnership between ECOWAS and the ATI. The establishment of the Agency is part of a programme by the Commission to make the region more attractive as an investment destination. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s oil industry woes

$1bn MIGA fund to insulate FDIs against political risks he setting up of a regional Investment Guarantee Agency with an authorised capital of $1 billion to help mitigate political risks associated with investments in West Africa has been approved by Ministers responsible for ECOWAS affairs in Member States. The establishment of the Agency in partnership with the African Trade Insurance (ATI) was one of the decisions taken by the 71st session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, which ended on 17th December 2013 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire’s economic capital. Specifically, the Agency will provide political risk insurance, export trade guarantee services and Re-insurance services to local insurance companies. This was in response to the request by the region’s ministers of finance following a meeting of their experts. The ministerial meeting considered the report of a 2012 study commissioned by EU-BizClim on behalf of the Community. The study presented the economic and financial justification for the establishment of the agency, with a

Monday, December 30, 2013

he furore over the alleged disappearance of about $50bn in crude oil sale earnings and subsequent confusion of the true state of affairs, again underlines the imperative of bringing sanity into the operations of the nation’s oil and gas industry. Long regarded as the bastion of corruption, the raging controversy, which stemmed from the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s leaked letter to the President, indeed confirms that efforts at improving transparency and accountability in that sector have failed woefully. If the CBN, the banker to the Federal Government cannot fully grasp the complexities involved in crude oil sales, then who can? Nigeria has one huge problem, the unfortunate consequence which is that billions of dollars in oil revenues will continue to remain unaccounted for, with huge sums ending up in private pockets. This is rather tragic at a time oil theft is on the rise, reaching industrial scale with losses of up to $33 million a day, and threatening the nation’s foreign exchange earning capacity, even though oil prices have been relatively steady this year. The situation has become so bad that the Federal Government is now highly exposed to price shocks in the oil market having substantially depleted the Excess Crude Account as it has been forced to draw on the savings just to augment state budgetary allocations. Yet the solution to all these woes is a political decision by the Goodluck Jonathan administration that will emphasise ‘enough is enough’. Many wonder how the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has grown so uncontrollable that its can withhold monies due to the government treasury and give all sorts of excuses for not remitting fund as and when due, which gives room for all sorts of manipulation to short-change Nigerians at the end of the day. Could it be a case of the tail wagging the dog, because all hands are soiled ab intio? Nigerians needs answers. To say that the NNPC has been one big disappointment to Nigerians is an understatement, with the current situation we finds ourselves as the only oil producing nation that is dependent on petroleum products imports to fuel cars and homes. Nigerians are frustrated that the oil and gas sector has failed to impact on the generality of the population as a result of gross mismanagement of oil revenues both at the point of collection and point of disbursement. We should not continue to grope in the dark, while we hold a candle. NNPC must be divorced from the government and made to run as a commercial entity. What I suspect, personally, is that this government lacks the will or capac-

ity to change things. The oil and gas sector is being bashed from two sides – oil theft by criminals in the creeks and revenue theft by criminals in suits. The crackdown on oil subsidy fraudsters gave an impression that the government was ready to change things but the bigger issue of dark deals in the crude oil market has nullified such impressions. The refusal of the government to push through the Petroleum Industry Bill, which is spending its seventh year in the National Assembly, lends credence to accusations that those in power are reluctant to let go of the honey pot. Yet, this does more damage to the industry itself as uncertainties surrounding regulation have prevented oil firms from investing huge capital required to produce more oil and more importantly exploit our huge gas reserves in the last three years or so. Indeed, many of the oil majors are divesting, selling off assets, which should send ominous signals to the authorities but we are deluding ourselves that local operators are taking over. I wonder how many Nigerian banks can fund a large scale exploration campaign in untested regions. What is clear is that proposed industry reforms as contained in the PIB must be pushed through as a matter of urgency. As we move into another year, this government must decisively address the oil theft issue. It is most disconcerting that even after the cessation of hostilities by Niger Delta militants; the Nigerian government still cannot secure our most valuable asset. Succeeding chiefs of naval staff have complained about inadequate platforms – warships and aircraft - to patrol the nation’s 800 kilometre plus coastline and inland waterways. Instead, the government has had to depend largely on handouts in the form of old coastguard vessels from the US to arm the navy which is eloquent testimony to how unserious we can be about the things that matter the most. Some have accused so-called big wigs in government of being involved in the large scale oil theft, but this situation must change as part of an overall effort to make the oil and gas sector work for Nigerians. One positive thing I will acknowledge is the new commitment to privatise the refineries. This will be one step forward in bringing some efficiency to the sector and ends underhand deals associated with the oil swaps. Oil as we all know is a finite resource and as the world moves towards green energy sources and discovery of shale oil in the US, for example, the earning power of crude oil producers is being threatened in the long run. Nigeria must make BC the best of what we have, now. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, December 30, 2013

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Customs discredited existing scanners to justify contract for 50 new ones’ By Francis Ezem

major operator in the international supply chain in Nigeria at the weekend took a wipe at the Nigeria Customs Service over its report in which it alleged that most of the scanners inherited from the service providers are substandard and therefore responsible for the lapses timely delivery of cargo at the various seaports. The Comptroller General of the service, Abdullahi Dikko had following the expiration of the seven-year Build, Own and Operate Destination Inspection contract and its subsequent takeover of the scheme had undertaken a tour of some of the formations where he also inspected the scanners. The Customs boss, who was quoted as saying that the scanners are in terrible shape had also announced that plans are underway by the service to acquire 50 new ones to replace the old ones and at the same time keep some as back-up. A competent maritime source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that the claim by the service was just a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it, arguing that the service merely wanted to justify its desire to acquire 50 new ones, in which hundreds of millions of tax payers money will be spent. According to him, the CG

Dikko

of Customs merely wanted to justify the proposed contract for the acquisition of 50 new ones, wondering whether Nigeria actually needs as much as 50 scanners at all her air, seaports and land borders in addition to the ones already acquired by the service providers. “It is contradictory that the same service, which does not believe in the scanning of goods and which had always hidden under allegations that importers and their clearing agents are not honest in their declarations to subject larger chunks of imported goods to 100 percent physical examination because it ‘pays’ them to do so to begin to complain about the scanners”, the source said. “From the onset, Customs does 100 percent physical examination on more than 80 percent of imported cargo and this has been a point of difference between the service, terminal operators and the service providers because the policy was responsible for the perennial port congestion in the country”, the source also argued. He had also insisted that from the time the scanners were installed to the expiration of the contract, those scanners were never operated up to 25 percent installed capacity because most of the consignments were physically examined since the service

does not believe in the cargo scanning in the first place. It was also gathered that most of the scanners, especially the fixed ones are the latest models in the world presently with nine MEV capacity and dual vision, which were tested by all the relevant government agencies before and after their installation. Many other government officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Ministry of Finance and even the relevant committees of the National Assembly had taken their turns to inspect the scanners and applauded the efficiency. But Customs Area Controller in charge of Apapa command, Charles Edike had while speaking with newsmen recently insisted that the scanners are currently in bad shape, which also informed the decision of the CG to acquire 50 new ones. He also disclosed that on the takeover of the DI scheme, the management of the service invited the manufacturers of the scanners after which it was discovered that the greatest challenge faced by the scanners was that of maintenance. “When you buy a motor car and you know that you will hand it over to another person after six months, the zeal with which you will maintain it will not be the same if you are not going to transfer the same car to another person in the next two of three years”, Edike argued. The Federal Government had following the re-introduction of DI hired the services of four service providers comprising Cotecna, SGS, Global Scansystems to provide Computerised Risk Management System (CRMS) while Webb Fontaine was to take charge of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA). Under the CRMS, these three service providers were also to provide scanning services under the nation’s Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) as well as train officers of the service, who eventually took over the scheme at the expiration of the seven-year contract. BC

Market Indicators for Week Ended 27-12-13 All-Share Index 40,231.68 points Market Capitalization N12,875,019,134,881.15 Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING PRICE

FCMB OANDO

CLOSING PRICE

CHANGE

3.48

3.81

19.00

19.97

5.11

2.00

2.10

5.00

MAYBAKER

9.48

NEIMETH

1.00

1.05

5.00

HONYFLOUR

3.40

3.57

5.00

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING PRICE

CLOSING PRICE

CHANGE

CONTINSURE

1.22

1.18

AIRSERVICE

3.29

3.20

-3.28 -2.74

UPL

4.06

3.98

-1.97

NEM

0.69

0.68

-1.45

COURTVILLE

0.69

0.68

-1.45

Inter-Bank Rates TENOR

RATE%(PREV) 18-Dec-2013

RATE%(CURR) 25-Dec-2013

CALL

11.5000 - 11.5000%

0.0000 - 0.0000%

OBB

11.1000 - 13.2500%

10.2500 - 14.5000%

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

91-Days

22970.71

RATE (%) 10.95

DATE 04-Dec-13

182-Days

30000

11.2

04-Dec-13

364-Days

71326.14

11.66

04-Dec-13

Open Market Operation TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

105-Days

30000

133-Days 111-Days

RATE (%)

DATE

11.94

12-Dec-13

20000

12-Dec-13

30000

11.94

06-Dec-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$400m

$399,981,037.58m

18-Dec-13

$400m

$399,981,436.45m

16-Dec-13

Monday, December 30, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, December 30, 2013

A23 39

STOCKWATCH Stock Exchange weekly equities summary as at Friday, Dec 27, 2013 SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 0.50 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 42.50 PRESCO PLC 37.40 Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. NT Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 4.42 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 1.70 CHELLARAMS PLC. 4.15 JOHN HOLT PLC. NT TRANSNATIONAL CORP. OF NIG.PLC 3.96 U A C N PLC. 66.00 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. NT CAPPA & D’ALBERTO PLC. NT Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. 1.01 G CAPPA PLC NT Non--Building/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 69.00 ROADS NIG PLC. NT Real Estate Development PINNACLE POINT GROUP PLC NT UACN PROPERTY DEV 17.65 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC NT UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INV NT UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST NT CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC NT Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. 17.79 GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. NT GUINNESS NIG PLC 240.01 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 30.00 JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. 4.60 NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 161.50 PREMIER BREWERIES PLC NT Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 71.40 Food Products BIG TREAT PLC NT DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 9.30 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 11.38 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 86.56 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 3.38 MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC 0.50 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 23.16 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 13.50 P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC. 5.35 U T C NIG. PLC. 0.63 UNION DICON SALT PLC. 11.00 Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 62.48 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 1,185.10 Household Durables BETA GLASS CO PLC. NT NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. NT VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 4.67 VONO PRODUCTS PLC. 1.82 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 35.39 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 53.80 Textiles/Apparel UNITED NIG. TEXTILES PLC. NT FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 9.25 DIAMOND BANK PLC 7.25 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INC. 15.01 FIDELITY BANK PLC 2.45 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. NT GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 26.96 SKYE BANK PLC 4.10 STERLING BANK PLC. 2.28 U B A PLC 7.93 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 8.65 UNITY BANK PLC 0.50 WEMA BANK PLC. 1.17 ZENITH BANK PLC 22.90 Insurance Carriers, Brokers & Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INS. COY. PLC NT AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 0.83 CONFIDENCE INSURANCE PLC NT CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INS. PLC 0.50 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 1.16 CORNERSTONE INS. COY. PLC. 0.57 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC 1.99 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC NT GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC NT GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. NT INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INS. PLC NT INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INS. PLC 0.56 INVESTMENT AND ALLIED ARN. NT LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. NT LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. NT LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC NT MANSARD INSURANCE PLC 2.45 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. NT N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. 0.60 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.50 OASIS INSURANCE PLC 0.52 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.60 REGENCY ALLIANCE INS. COY PLC NT SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 0.50 STACO INSURANCE PLC NT STANDARD TRUSTASSURANCE PLC NT STANDARD ALLIANCE INS. PLC. NT UNIC INSURANCE PLC. NT UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC NT UNIVERSAL INS. COMPANY PLC 0.50 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 0.97 Micro Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NT NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 0.75 Mortgage Carriers, Brokers &Services ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC NT ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 0.50 RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC NT UNION HOMES SAVINGS&LOANS PLC 0.5 Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS 2.58 CRUSADER ( NIG) PLC. NT DEAP CAPITAL MGT & TRUST PLC NT FBN HOLDINGS PLC 16.10 FCMB GROUP PLC 3.20 NIG SEW. MACH. MAN. CO. PLC. NT NIGERIA ENERYGY SECTOR FUND NT ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 0.50 STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC 19.69 UBA CAPITAL PLC 1.57 HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. 3.91 UNION DIAGNOSTIC &CLINICAL PLC NT Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. NT Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 3.51 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 2.55

NOTE NT=Not Traded on 27-12-13

QUANTITY

52 WK HIGH

52 WK LOW

SHARES OUTSTANDING

2,200,000,000 476,955,000 1,000,000,000

EPS

0.10 2.29 7.55

MOV. (%)

N/A -3.41 0.54

83,200 252,769 50,300

0.64 107.81 41.14

0.50 20.92 8.24

0.50 42.00 37.20

4.26

60,000,000

0.00

N/A

2,202,106

7.18

0.68

1,199,549,736

0.07

-3.39

4.27

140,150 100 12,220 172,547,783 447,559

2.08 6.43 5.89 5.89 71.10

0.71 4.15 1.07 0.50 28.00

2,191,895,983 963,900,300 389,151,408 821,666,666 1,600,720,323

0.11 0.16 1.09 0.09 4.38

9.68 N/A N/A N/A N/A

1.55 NT 1.17 4.18 63.75

20 3

26.00 95.49

5.05 95.49

148,500,000 196,876,000

0.33 4.50

N/A N/A

NT NT

2,724,316 3

2.66 14.46

0.72 14.46

920,573,765 125,000,000

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

1.22 NT

87,258 133

83.75 10.60

19.86 6.61

1,200,000,000 20,000,000

6.74 1.69

0.00 N/A

69.00 NT

NT 382,600

7.28 19.25

7.28 8.82

1,375,000,000

0.00 2.20

N/A -1.94

NT 18.00

1,000 NT 100,000

100.00 50.00 10.50

100.00 50.00 0.00

20,000,000 250,019,781

5.82 0.19

N/A N/A

NT NT NT

2,640

0.50

4,772,528,415

0.00

N/A

0.50

1,041,128 10,082 72,722 1,717,647 6,393 918,289 10,000

19.48 0.68 297.41 30.00 9.09 179.40 0.97

3.13 0.68 209.10 5.34 0.81 91.10 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 0.00 8.66 0.63 0.00 5.03 0.00

N/A N/A -7.69 N/A N/A -0.31 N/A

NT NT 260.00 23.88 4.64 162.00 NT

19,432

75.90

38.12

640,590,362

4.46

N/A

71.40

NT 1,708,308 2,231,863 213,562 9,251,820 59,670 15,285 1,828,700 1,000 266,259 131,245

0.50 10.68 12.85 109.24 3.74 1.21 29.70 14.00 5.94 0.93 6.83

0.50 3.85 3.26 50.00 1.83 0.50 17.51 3.65 5.35 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 40,000,000 1,233,375,004 360,000,000

0.00 0.00 0.81 3.38 0.34 0.00 0.00 1.05 0.08 1.13 0.00

N/A -0.53 2.34 -5.71 9.74 N/A N/A 3.85 N/A -3.08 N/A

NT 9.35 11.12 91.80 3.08 NT NT 13.00 NT 0.65 6.83

289,608 265,862

64.53 1250.00

8.33 400.00

3,129,188,160 792,656,250

1.57 28.34

0.29 0.86

62.30 1,175.00

NT NT 193,250 200

15.58 36.19 5.54 2.88

10.03 32.27 2.91 0.57

63,360,000 819,000,000 300,000,001

3.90 13.92 0.71 0.00

N/A N/A 3.78 N/A

NT NT 4.50 NT

412,459 437,748

56.00 76.00

21.02 27.60

3,176,381,636 3,783,296,250

1.34 1.42

-5.63 -9.75

37.50 59.61

0.97

0.57

843,284,027

0.00

N/A

24,700,803 28,711,946 47,290,466 17,307,731 NT 16,809,146 5,994,573 1,262,092 31,753,458 2,022,447 33,484,981 442,781 8,179,558

12.39 7.66 16.01 3.47 8.30 29.99 7.05 3.05 9.60 15.30 1.16 1.88 22.80

4.70 1.92 9.90 1.13 3.04 13.02 2.65 0.80 1.64 2.34 0.50 0.50 11.96

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

1.61 1.71 3.67 0.68 0.60 3.08 0.97 0.63 1.70 0.44 0.18 0.00 3.30

-3.85 6.15 1.15 -3.92 #VALUE! 0.19 -1.44 0.00 2.72 -13.50 0.00 0.00 8.02

9.62 6.83 14.84 2.55 NT 26.91 4.16 2.28 7.72 10.00 0.55 1.17 21.20

1,000 1,110,099 NT 270,000 890,851 229,753 801,609 31,104,000 NT 150 20 NT 323,000 NT 105,000 7,954 100,000 109,450 26,000 11,526,452 248,328 235,152 761,584 100 315,000 200 10 9,000 800 100,000 15,000 21,998,757

0.50 1.42 0.64 0.52 1.45 0.72 2.44 0.50 0.69 0.60 0.50 2.50 2.50 0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 2.87 0.63 1.01 1.11 0.50 1.24 0.53 0.59 0.50

0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 0.58 0.50 1.08 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.06 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

0.00 0.19 0.00 0.05 0.15 0.02 0.24 0.01 0.00 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.25 0.00 0.37 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.09 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 1.66 N/A 5.26 N/A N/A -3.23 N/A 0.00 N/A

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.55

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

8,493,173,450 2,581,733,505 13,000,000,000 16,000,000,000

0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.07

N/A N/A N/A N/A

NT 0.84 NT NT 1.10 0.60 2.00 0.50 NT NT NT NT 0.60 NT 0.50 NT NT 2.41 NT 0.57 NT 0.52 0.62 NT NT NT 0.50 0.50 NT NT 0.50 1.00

4,100 1,300

6.60 1.22

0.00 0.72

345 200 400,000 160,000

1.65 0.50 0.50 0.99

1.37 0.50 0.50 0.50

681,155 NT 37,500 15,696,484 169,019,982 NT 100 112,124 287,674 2,878,401

2.1 0.61 2.02 21.50 5.70 0.15 552.20 1.33 20.72 1.70

0.5 0.50 2.02 8.57 2.90 0.15 555.20 0.50 10.64 0.00

1,000 30,000

5.05 0.50

4.32 0.50

498,600,908 3,553,138,528

0.13 0.00

N/A N/A

NT 0.50

46,875

10.54

7.39

152,178,750

0.00

N/A

1,000 1,499,970

4.80 2.50

0.50 0.61

486,473,856 1,500,000,000

0.58 0.24

4.78 6.25

3.35 2.40

N/A=Not Avialable

1.18 0.19 4,200,000,000 8,679,148,676 13,175,732,404 7,812,500,000

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

0.03 0.02 0.30 0.00 0.63 0.00 0.15 2.45 1.23 0.00 12.68 0.13 1.53 0.29

NT 0.74 N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A -1.23 N/A N/A N/A 1.49

NT NT 0.50 NT 2.69 NT 0.99 16.30 3.40 NT NT 0.52 19.40 1.57

SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER PLC 62.50 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 2.09 NEIMETH INT PHARM PLC 1.00 NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. NT PHARMA-DEKO PLC. NT ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SLN PLC 0.66 Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC 0.50 Electronic Communications Services MTECH COMMUNICATIONS PLC NT IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC 5.85 NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. NT TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. NT Processing Systems CHAMS PLC NT E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC 2.69 Telecommunications Carriers STARCOMMS PLC NT Telecommunications Services IHS NIGERIA PLC PREF SHARES NT IHS PLC 2.51 MTI PLC NT INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. NT ASHAKA CEM PLC 19.40 BERGER PAINTS PLC 8.00 CAP PLC 48.45 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 9.98 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 211.00 DN MEYER PLC. 1.48 FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC 0.50 IPWA PLC NT LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 112.30 PAINTS & COATINGS MANFACT.PLC 1.85 PORTLAND PAINTS & PRDT NIG. PLC 5.50 PREMIER PAINTS PLC. NT Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC NT CUTIX PLC. 1.73 NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. NT NIGERIAN WIRE IND. PLC NT Packaging/Containers ABPLAST PRODUCTS PLC. NT AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS NT BETA GLASS CO PLC. NT 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 NT STOKVIS NIG PLC. NT NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. NT Metals ALUMACO PLC NT ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. 10.50 MINING SERVICES 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 0.50 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 16.42 Petroleum &Petroleum Products Distributors AFROIL PLC NT BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC NT CONOIL PLC 67.93 ETERNA PLC. 4.01 FORTE OIL PLC. NT MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 117.00 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. 54.44 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 165.05 SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC NT Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. 3.31 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 1.32 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 4.25 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. 1.09 Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 0.50 Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC NT Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL PLC NT IKEJA HOTEL PLC 0.72 TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. NT TRANSNATIONAL CORP. OF NIG.PLC NT Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.50 Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. 2.55 LEARN AFRICA PLC 1.99 STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. NT UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 3.92 Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLCPLC 0.82 Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC NT SECURE ELECTRONIC TECH.PLC NT Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 3.32 NIG. AVIATION HANDLING COY PLC 6.00 ASeM CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Property Management SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC NT CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC NT Personal/Household Products ROKANA INDUSTRIES PLC. NT HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals AFRIK PHARMACEUTICALS PLC. NT INDUSTRIAL GOODS Electronic and Electrical Products NT ADSWITCH PLC. NT NATURAL RESOURCES Metals W.A. ALUM. PRODUCTS PLC. NT OIL AND GAS Petroleum & Petroleum Products Distributors ANINO INTERNATIONAL PLC. NT CAPITAL OIL PLC NT 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. NT ETF’s Sector ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND NT

52 WK HIGH

52 WK LOW

SHARES OUTSTANDING

EPS

MOV. (%)

690,750 24,093 451,100 2,195 5,000

69.00 3.38 1.76 8.59 3.50

18.97 1.23 0.58 7.36 1.83

956,701,192 980,000,000 1,925,717,268 153,786,012 100,000,000

3.07 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00

-3.85 -2.79 -12.28 N/A N/A

65.00 2.15 1.14 7.36 NT

831,311

0.96

0.50

2,960,000,000

0.11

0.00

0.62

7,000

0.50

2,941,789,472

0.00

N/A

0.50

0.91

4,966,666,668

0.00

N/A

QUANTITY

26,165 1,000 19,717

18.70 2.94

13.12 2.07

108,000,000 492,825,600

0.00 0.03

N/A N/A

5.85 NT NT

4,200 3,000

0.50 4.97

0.50 3.13

4,620,600,000 4,200,000,000

0.04 0.04

N/A N/A

NT 2.70

4,000

1.47

0.50

6,878,478,096

0.00

N/A

NT 150,000 60

2.25 3.79 0.50

0.00 1.70 0.50

4,400,000,000 4,893,594,400

0.00 0.00 0.00

N/A N/A N/A

NT 2.66 NT

2,500 1,990,707 44,285 85,480 42,940 338,292 117,319 800,000 297,523 946,153 100,000 136,432 NT

2.86 29.98 12.20 67.50 12.99 210.01 3.54 0.75 1.34 110.00 2.41 7.22 10.93

2.86 8.01 6.82 13.78 4.00 102.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 39.80 0.50 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

0.07 0.80 0.91 1.66 1.12 5.77 0.06 0.00 0.00 6.83 0.36 0.43 0.00

N/A -7.62 0.00 -3.10 -0.70 7.93 N/A N/A N/A 8.03 N/A N/A N/A

NT 21.00 8.00 50.00 10.05 195.50 1.48 NT 0.76 103.95 1.95 6.25 NT

NT 248,766 1,996,401 NT

2.00 2.39 0.73 2.58

2.00 1.20 0.50 2.58

510,396,608 2,220,000,000 15,000,000

0.05 0.19 0.00 0.00

N/A -2.81 N/A N/A

NT 1.78 NT NT

NT 1,000 7,149 150 NT NT NT

3.98 5.94 13.18 13.28 3.60 1.86 0.63

3.98 1.71 9.04 12.68 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 0.00 3.23 0.90 0.24 0.22 0.00

N/A #VALUE! N/A N/A

NT NT 13.75 NT NT NT NT

NT NT

8.69 0.14

8.26 0.14

265,409,280 2,918,000

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

NT NT

25,000,000 683,974,528

5,000

9.35

5.68

393,120,000

0.76

#VALUE!

6.66

NT 100

7.75 12.39

7.75 10.55

75,600,000 100,000,000

0.00 0.24

N/A N/A

NT NT

170

0.50

4,058,989,226

0.01

N/A

NT 43,412

3.22 1.38

3.22 0.67

50,000,000 220,000,000

0.04 0.00

N/A N/A

NT NT

1,721,415

1.02

0.50

6,262,701,716

0.00

0.50

9,115,201

24.80

9.32

2,262,711,568

1.24

3.92

15.80

NT 10,000 6,105 505,450 7,500 47,280 16,100 24,999

20.71 0.70 76.00 4.87 115.64 146.00 59.00 190.01

20.71 0.50 16.96 1.32 7.73 106.00 16.20 118.75

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 2.69 0.61 1.43 9.93 1.04 12.91

N/A N/A 0.00 -4.07 #VALUE! -1.02 N/A 0.02

NT NT 67.93 4.18 108.30 118.20 NT 165.01

4,035,497,307

0.00

N/A

100

0.72

0.50

200

3.48

281,805

2.45

1.00

980,294,400

0.00

-7.04

1.42

79,800 70,049

5.10 3.45

2.19 0.73

589,496,310 198,819,763

0.52 0.00

-3.63 N/A

4.41 1.20

302,500

1.64

0.85

865,808,912

0.00

N/A

0.52

10,000

0.75

0.50

3,211,627,907

0.00

N/A

1,000 561,030 260 NT

8.00 1.72 4.53 1.95

3.00 0.64 4.08 0.50

1,548,780,000 2,078,796,396 1,772,884,297 25,813,998,283

0.23 0.00 0.00 0.22

N/A 0.00 N/A #VALUE!

NT 0.72 NT NT

3,773

0.51

0.50

8,000,000,000

0.43

N/A

0.50

4,000 18,306 100 70,443

4.10 3.09 2.78 5.77

1.57 1.39 2.52 3.00

403,200,000 771,450,000 425,641,111

0.22 0.00 0.00 0.61

N/A N/A N/A 2.62

NT 2.10 NT 3.82

184,113

1.29

0.50

1,507,000,000

0.21

N/A

0.78

5,530 108,530

5.15 1.88

4.90 0.80

236,699,511 5,631,539,736

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

NT 0.66

105,713 861,238

5.90 8.81

1.27 5.08

634,000,000 1,230,468,750

0.50 0.43

N/A 0.00

3.61 6.00

1.43

1.04

45,000,000

0.12

N/A

6,000

2.26

1.02

201,885,335

0.00

N/A

0.60

30,000,000

0.00

N/A

0.50

24,898,850

0.00

N/A

NT NT

1.88

1.63

125,005,250

0.00

N/A

NT NT

0.50

6,650,000

0.00

N/A

NT 50,000 NT 450

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 NT NT NT

NT NT NT

0.50

20,000,000

0.00

N/A

3.05

2.76

194,700,000

0.00

N/A

NT NT NT

400

2,706

2,003

#VALUE!

Monday, December 30, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, December 30, 2013

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Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

It is to the eternal credit of all the Military Government in Nigeria in general that, each pledge itself to observe and to be bound by the basic principles of the rule of law - JUSTICE CHUKWUDIFU OPUTA, RETIRED JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA

Emerging dynasties: Retired jurists’ children serving as judges There is no doubt that a judge occupies a prestigious office. Apart from the reverence that goes with the exalted office, there are other benefits and perks that make the appointment attractive. The emerging trend nowadays however, is that children of retired judges stand better chances of being drawn to the Bench than others aspiring for the same positions. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary writes.

Let’s remove immunity clause from 1999 Constitution –Awokoya 42

Olofin of Ilishan-Remo: Oba Adebo’s legal bid to regain crown 45

2013: Notable events that shaped the Judiciary 46

ometimes in March 2001, the appointment of judges in the Lagos State judiciary generated furore between the then former state Chief Judge, CJ, Justice Christopher Segun and a group of retired judicial officers in the state under the auspices of association of retired judges and magistrates in the state. The main issue then was the criteria for the appointment of new judges in the state. In a petition purportedly signed by six retired judges, the group had faulted Segun for insisting on appointing non- indigenes into both the lower and upper benches in the state. According to the group, ‘’it is against the principles and protocol of indigenisation as practised and recognised in the other 35 states of the Federation’. ‘’ But Segun had maintained that acceding to the retired judge’s request would sound the death knell of not only the judiciary, but also the administration of justice system in the state. He was quoted as saying: ‘‘All they want me to do is to appoint their children as judges. Two of them had already approached me. If they think they can blackmail me, they have missed the road. I ask them, were they themselves appointed this way? They want to ruin the Bench. If we do not appoint people that have been in service for upward of 22 years, who have been tested and found to be worthy, who are we going to appoint? If we accede to their request wouldn’t the system stagnate?” Indeed, the qualification an applicant for the position of a judge must possess depends on which court the applicant aspires to occupy, whether superior or inferior court. The courts in Nigeria are categorised into superior and inferior courts. The Superior courts also known as the courts of record are the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, the High Court of the states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Sharia Court of Appeal and the Customary Court of Appeal. On the other-hand the inferior courts comprise the Magistrate or District courts, the customary courts, the Sharia Courts and the Area Courts. The 1999 Constitution prescribes that in any of the superior courts, applicant

Justice Ademola

Justice Candide-Johnson

ALL THEY WANT ME TO DO IS TO APPOINT THEIR CHILDREN AS JUDGES.

TWO OF

THEM HAD ALREADY APPROACHED ME.

to the Bench must have been qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in the country and has been so qualified for a period of not less than 10 years. Concerns have been raised by lawyers and other stakeholders in the administration of justice over the mode of appointment of judges in the country. Investigation has shown that in reality the appointment of judges is often a departure from the provisions of the constitution and enabling legislation. It depends more on how an applicant aspiring to go to the bench can pull the strings. That explains why in today’s judiciary majority of the judges are children of retired or serving judges or influential Nigerians. Some lawyers are worried that merit is most times relegated

Justice Williams

to the background. In the same vein, the elevation of judges from the lower bench to the higher bench at times does not depend on merit or the quality of judgements they deliver but on hierarCONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Law & Justice

Mr. Dele Awokoya is a consummate lawyer with 31 years post-call experience. He had his pupilage at the Chambers of Chief Gani Fawehinmi where he gained considerable experience and honed his skills in advocacy before setting up his law firm, Awokoya, Awokoya & Co. In this interview with KENNY ODUNUKAN, he speaks on Dele Giwa murder case, the new Evidence Act and criminal prosecution in the country among other issues. Excerpts.

Monday, December 30, 2013

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Let’s remove immunity clause

As a lawyer who had his pupilage at the Gani Fawehinmi chambers in the early 80s’, what is the most exciting case you handled in the law firm before you set up your firm? First and foremost, I will say that most of the cases were monumental in themselves. So, I cannot point or single out any particular one as the most exciting. I can’t really identify one as landmark. The Dele Giwa’s case was a landmark in itself and many cases like that. What was the experience like during Dele Giwa’s matter? The experience we had during those days was that we felt that some people were responsible for Dele Giwa’s assassination and it was important that all evidence and personnel be brought into focus towards ensuring that justice was meted out to the perpetrators of the offence. Unfortunately, the persons perceived to have perpetuated the crime are still not apprehended till now and we hope by the grace of God that the perpetrators are brought to book. We also took a bold step to mention the names of the alleged perpetrators. All I can say for now is that the Dele Giwa‘s assassination was a landmark crime committed against the fourth estate of the realm which Dele Giwa personified. So my take is that that case must be revisited and perpetrators must be brought to book. Do you ever regret working in Gani Fawehinmi chambers as a result of constant intimidation and harassment by the police and security operatives? Could you share your experience at that time? I was never intimidated at any point in time. This is because when Chief Gani Fawehinmi addressed you in the office, he gives you courage and when you are doing anything, you know you are supported with the law and once you are supported by the law, you know nothing can stand on way to achieving your ways. The Nigerian Gays and other people of eccentric sexuality are increasingly advocating their sexual rights, although the National Assembly has passed a bill prohibiting the act, what is your view on the trend?

Awokoya

First and foremost, I will address it from a religious point of view, most of our religious organisation in Nigeria frowned at the concept of gay talk less of gay marriages therefore I am against homosexuality in the country. It is my view that our freedom of choice is absolute and should be in accordance to societal norms and practices. When you look at homosexuality from social perspective, you will find out that our society also frowned at it and considered it highly immoral. So if the legislators attempt to consider the proposal of gays in our country, it will definitely not be in the interest of the Nigerian people and their culture. So my advice for the gays is for them to be re-orientated in the fashion God wants as he set it down in the Bible and I think they should be made to understand these points clearly. How will you react to the emerging consolidation of the Nigerian legal market with the merger of law firms in the country? As far as I am concern, partnership is the ideal style of operating for most law firms. It is in consonance with change and contemporary law prac-

tices. My take is that so long as the economy of the country improves, we will certainly have such kind of partnership in our country. Law partnership firm is the key to any successful law firm. If we want our firms to outlive us, then we must align ourselves with the prevailing world order which is partnership. I must also add that the bad economic situation of Nigeria has hampered the successful running of the law partnership firms in Nigeria. If the economy is bad, lawyers cannot combine resources to create the legal framework that will enable sustainable legal partnership firms. If the economy is bad, it will be difficult to project the various law firms in the ways they should run. So we need to emphasize on the importance of good economy in order to enhance

THE DELE GIWA MURDER CASE SHOULD BE REVISITED AND PERPETRATORS MUST BE BROUGHT TO BOOK

a good working environment for most law partnership firms. You were one of the lawyers who faulted the Evidence Act, particularly in relation to law of defamation and computer-generated evidence at a seminar organised by G.M Ibru & Co last year. Have you altered your position on the issue? Law is not static, law must also change. We are in a computer -age economy and the law must adapt itself to the computer age. There are things which the computer age has now introduced; the law must adapt to the trend of these developments. So the Evidence Act must be amended to reflect the changes in the computer-driven economy. If you are to propose amendments to criminal law in the country, what innovations will you suggest to the lawmakers? There are many amendments I would to propose, but first and foremost it is the police that must be re-orientated, it is the police that have that constitutional responsibility of detecting and solving crime. That aspect of police in the administration of justice system

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Monday, December 30, 2013

from 1999 Constitution –Awokoya must be enhanced, once that is done, I am so sure a lot of things will follow. Do you share the view that there is a need to codify property law in the country as we have in Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) It has always been my view that law must evolves with time, it is my view that whatever aspect of the law that need to be adjusted must be accordingly adjusted in trend with time. If there is a need to codify the property law, then let it be. You have been seen practising law for the past three decades, what is your advice to the young and upcoming lawyers in the country? My advice to young lawyers is that they should serve their pupilage for not less than three to four years before venturing into a practice on their own and frankly, a lot of the lawyers that I see; that I have heard; that I have discussed with, are not happy with the quality and standards of our educational system. This also has to do with the whole of our educational system in Nigeria. A holistic approach to solving our educational system must be put into place. Young lawyers are complaining of poor remuneration, what is your take on this? Senior lawyers will pay according to the briefs they get. You do not expect a lawyer who handles landlords and tenants brief to pay the kind of emolument with a lawyer who handled shipping matters. The kind of payment lawyers receive from clients differ and that will determine how much they pay their juniors. Nonetheless, I will also advise senior lawyers to improve the amount of emoluments they pay to their juniors in order to enable the latter perform their tasks optimally. A National Industrial Court judge was quoted recently to have suggested that only retired judges should sit on election petitions. What is your take on this? I don’t agree with that position at all, this is because once you are retired; you cannot be compelled or disciplined by any agency again. Once you are retired, you should begin to write books for younger generations to learn. Younger ones should learn from retired ones. What is your view on the judiciary performance this year? The performance of the judiciary has not changed over the years. We have the good, the bad and the ugly. Well, in this year, we have had judgements which some people queried, we have also had fantastic judgements, there is not so much different from what we’ve had over the years. My own take on the judiciary is that it could be made much better than what we use to have before.

MY ADVICE TO YOUNG LAWYERS IS THAT THEY SHOULD SERVE THEIR PUPILAGE FOR NOT LESS THAN

THREE TO FOUR YEARS BEFORE VENTURING INTO A PRACTICE ON THEIR OWN What is your comment on the Supreme Court acquittal of Chief Bode George? The Supreme Court has spoken, and that is the final. The Supreme Court makes a declaration, that is the law in itself and there is no body that can question or challenge it.

oured. My opinion is that the SAN conferment is a privilege which should be sustained and maintained. Which particular judge will you live to remember? I admired Justice Yaya Jinadu and I still do. I admired Justice Candide Ademola Johnson and also Justice Afolabi Balogun. These were the judges that made me firm by their candour and demeanour. Justice Jinadu is probably some kind of judge that you would probably have some kind of fear for by reasons of manner he looks at you and the comment he makes. But then I enjoy appearing before him. Justice Jinadu will make sure you do your research very well. I will always do my research 200 per cent before I go to his court. I probably know what I have to say in two hours probably in

twelve hours before. In other words, if I have to address the court in two hours, about twelve hours before, I would have prepared so hard. What can you say about former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter to President Goodluck Jonathan? My opinion about it is that the letter was political and I will leave the letter to the politicians. I am not a politician. It was written with a political undertone. He knew what he was doing when he was writing the letter. You have to recall that while he (Obasanjo) was president, a letter was also written to him by General Ibrahim Babagida. That letter was also political and so my response is that it is another political gimmick by the politicians and it is sad that politicians had led us to this sorry state of affairs in the country.

How will you assess the EFCC after ten years of existence? EFCC was a novel introduction by the Obasanjo’s government which has attempted to put right some issues relating to financial crimes in Nigeria’s economy. I will personally give them 80 per cent, that means they have done wonderfully well. What will you recommend for inclusion or exclusion in the 1999 constitution? I will only query the manner in which the constitution has been made. It could have done much better. I am not criticising the language but the methodology, there are some grammatical errors, not really much but it could be done much better. I also believe the immunity clause should be thrown away; it should be discarded in its entirety because it constitutes one of the reasons which make some of the Governors to be omnipotent. That omnipotence should be buried. Let them be made to be in the same circumstance with the ordinary people. Do you subscribe to the idea that the SANship award should be abolished? The rank of SAN should not be scrapped; lawyers who have contributed to their profession should be hon-

It wasn’t a difficult task–Olufemi Ogungbemi

y first solo appearance was before Justice Adegbuyi Oduneye of the Lagos High Court. I had represented my company in court several times while serving as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member with Nigeria Agip Oil Company.That experience guides me from time to time and also fine tuned my knowledge about court appearances and presentation. In fact, appearing for any matter in court was not a difficult task as far as i am concerned.Immediately I

finished my NYSC year, I joined a renowned law firm in Lagos, Felix Olusegun Fagbohungbe & company where I was instructed to appear in a civil matter in a Lagos high court. On the day of the trial,

Ogungbemi

I got to court much earlier and prepared extremely well. Subsequently, the matter was

called; I announced my appearance and informed the court that the case was meant for continuation of trial.In the course of the trial, I objected to a document tendered by the claimant and urged the court to discountenance it on the basis that the document was not pleaded. At the long run,after several arguments on the objection, the judge admitted the document while citting some cogent reasons. I was further enlightened and also had my confidence restored. It was indeed a memorable day for me.

Law & Justice

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Fathers as retired jurists, children as serving judges CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41 chy. By the provisions of the constitution, the moment the office of the CJN or the CJ of state is vacant, the next in line to the CJN or the CJ take over in that succession. In separate interviews with the National Mirror, some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have harped on the need to appoint quality judges to the Bench. For instance, former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi, SAN said ‘’you cannot speak well of a few of the judges on the bench in terms of their performance, in terms of their commitment, integrity.’’ Former Director of Public Prosecutions of Lagos State, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey also believes that ‘’not everybody who is a judge is competent. Many of them are products of tradition.’’ ’It follows that judges must be appointed based on merit. Assuming and conceding that a number of children of some retired judges presently on the Bench are appointed to the Bench on merit and competence, it is instructive to place on record that that some families are almost producing third generation of judges in the country. An illustrious family that has been producing a generation of judges is that of the former Chief Justice of the Federation, late Justice Adetokunbo Ademola. In 1955, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, son of the then Alake of Abeokuta, Oba Ladapo Ademola, was appointed Chief Justice for Western Nigeria, thus becoming the first Nigerian head of the judiciary in the country. His string of ‘firsts’ continued when, three years later, he became the first Nigerian Chief Justice of the entire Federation. The CJF was later to hand over the baton to his eldest son, Adenekan Ademola who became a judge of the High Court in 1970. Five years later, he became a member of the Court of Appeal. He was on the Court of Appeal Bench till 1991. The third generation of judges in line in the family emerged with the appointment of Adeniyi Ademola as a judge of the Federal High Court. Mention can also be made of the family of Justice Akinwunmi RhodesVivour who was a former judge of the old Western Region. Some years after his exit from the Bench, his son, Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour also became a judge of the Lagos State High Court. Justice Rhodes-Vivour was later elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench. Having received the baton to climb the temple of justice from his father, he has reached the pinnacle of country’s judiciary by his present appointment as a justice of the Supreme Court. The impact of the family of a former judge of the Lagos High Court, late Justice James Oladipo Williams to the administration of justice cannot be wished away. Justice Williams was appointed to the Bench on June 1, 1975, he retired on May 22, 1987 and died on February 14, 1998. Barely five years after his demise, two of his daughters, Ayotunde Phillips and Funmilayo Atilade, became judges of the state high court in February 1994

Justice Philips

Justice Ademola

and July 1996 respectively. Today, Justice Phillips is the Chief Judge of the state high court and ranks number one on the list of 56 judges in the state judiciary while her younger sister is number two in hierarchy. When she bows out from the Bench in July next year, Atilade will take over the leadership of the state judiciary from her elder sister. The family of late Justice Candide Ademola Johnson also deserves a mention. Johnson was appointed a judge of the High Court of Western Region in 1968, transferred his service to Lagos State Judiciary in 1974 and appointed the state Chief Judge in 1985. He eventually retired in June 1989. Although he died on July 8, 1995, six years after his retirement, one of his sons, Samuel Adebowale Candide-Johnson was appointed a judge of the Lagos State High Court on May 24, 2001. Interestingly, the family left behind by the late former Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Timothy Akinola Aguda, who contributed immensely to the development of the country’s jurisprudence, has also produced a judge in Folashade Aguda- Taiwo. Aguda-Taiwo, daughter of the late jurist, until her appointment in July 2002 was the Deputy Director and head of Legal Drafting and Conveyancing Department, Nigerian Law School Lagos Campus. The Oshodi family of Lagos Island that produced Justice Wahid Ajao Oshodi is also striving to produce generation of judges. Wahid Oshodi was appointed a judge of the Lagos State High Court on March 6, 1978 and he retired on January 14, 1992. Nine years after his retirement, his son, Olatunde Hakeem Oshodi became a judge of the state judiciary on May 24, 2001. The Abiru family of Ikorodu has also produced two generation of judges, the first being the late Justice Mubashir Abiru , who was appointed to the High Court of Lagos State Bench on April 1, 1983. Prior to his appointment he was a Senator in the second republic between

1979 and 1983. When the military took over from the civilian administration, he went into private law practice until his appointment to the Bench on April 1, 1983. He retired as a judge in 1985. His son, Habeeb Adewale Abiru, has taken after his father as a jurist. He was appointed a Judge of the State High Court on May 24, 2001 and he has been elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench. The transfer of the gavel from the former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Omotunde Ilori to his daughter, Justice Olusola Williams is equally worthy of acknowledgement. The Ilesha-born retired judge was appointed to the Bench of Lagos State Judiciary on September 1, 1980. He became the state CJ on December 27, 1996 and retired two years later on January 5, 1999. Barely three years after his retirement, his daughter, Olusola, spouse of Tokunbo Williams SAN, was appointed a judge in the Lagos State judiciary on May 24, 2001. One of the sons of late Justice Afolabi Balogun, Christopher, appeared to have been appointed to the Bench in a similar manner some years after his father’s retirement. Late Justice Balogun was appointed a judge of the state high court on September 1, 1969 and he retired in May 1985. His son, Christopher, is now a serving judge in the state judiciary. However, since a judge in the exercise of his judicial function is ‘’personification of justice’’ efforts should always be made by the National Judicial Council (NJC) or the state Judicial Service Commission not to sacrifice merit in the appointment of judges in the country.

Justice Abiru

Justice Olusola Williams

IT IS INSTRUCTIVE TO PLACE ON RECORD THAT THAT SOME FAMILIES ARE ALMOST PRODUCING THIRD GENERATION OF JUDGES IN THE COUNTRY.

Justice Balogun

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Monday, December 30, 2013

Olofin of Ilishan-Remo: Oba Adebo’s legal bid to regain crown Oba Ishmael Obafemi Green Adebo, Ademo 111 ascended the throne of his forefathers as the 10th Olofin of Ilishan Remo in 1954. Seven years after, he had a running battle with the Ilishan Council of Chiefs, which perfected his deposition with the approval of the Governor-in-Council. Adebo explored a legal option and his purported deposition was quashed. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary writes.

FAMOUS CASES

lishan is a sleepy town in Ijebu Remo division of the old Western Region and the present day Ogun State of Nigeria. Ilisan lies closely with Irolu and Ikenne. The old Ijebu Ode Abeokuta road passed through Ilisan. Irolu, Ilisan and Ikenne are bounded on the Western side by Odogbolu Local Government Area. Ilisan is one of the 33 Remo traditional towns and one of the popular towns in Remo right from the beginning of history. Today, the prominence of the town is waxing stronger due to the take-off of Babcock University, the first private tertiary institution in the country established by the Seventh day Adventist missionin Ilishan Remo in 1999. At present, there are four ruling houses in the town namely, 1.Ademo/Ladejobi/ Serolu ruling house 2.Iwoye / Leranja / Awetan ruling house 3. Agaigi ruling house 4.Isoku / Koregun /Fesogboye ruling house Sometimes in June 1961, the then reigning monarch, the Olofin of Ilishan, Oba Ishmael Obafemi Green Adebo, Ademo III,who was installed into office on January 1, 1954, was deposed by the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Ilishan council. The Governor-in-council relied on the recommendations of the Obas and Chiefs in council and approved the deposition prompting Adebo to challenge the action legally in the law court. The background to the case showed that on February 15, 1961, Adebo received a letter from the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs referring him to a telegram of the same date inviting him toattend a meeting of the Council of Obas and Chiefs on February 27, 1961. The main agenda of the council was to consider recommendations for Adebo’s deposition. The embattled Oba replied the council through a letter dated 23rd February, 1961, acknowledgingthe invitation to attend the meeting but indicated his inability to attend on the appointed date because of his ill-health. The monarch did not give room for any missing gap hence, he enclosed a medical certificate along with his reply. Specifically, Adebo asked the Coun-

cil to give him reasonable sufficient information as to the nature and details of the charges preferred against himand ‘’perhaps sufficient description of the identify my accusers long before the meeting takes place wherever that may be.’’ The monarch said this would enable him to properly prepare his defence. He explained that ‘’at no time did the applicant (Adebo) receive a copy of any charges or allegations against him but that the next the applicant heard of the matter was in a letter dated the 10th June, 1961 from the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, inviting his attention to the notice in the Western Region Gazette that the Governor-in-Council, on the advice of the Council of Obas and Chiefs, had approved of his deposition in exercise of powers conferred by the Chiefs Laws, with effect from the 8th June, 1961, and that the notice referred to was published as Western Region Notice No 738 in the Western Region Gazette No 27 Volume 10 .The gazette dated 8th June 1961 stated that as follows: ‘’in exercise of the powers conferred by section 22 of the Chiefs Law Cap 19, the Governor-in-Council has approved the deposition of Oba Ishmael Obafemi Green Adebo, the Olofin of Ilishan, Ilishan Local Council.’’ Aggrieved by this development, Adebo invoked the inherent jurisdiction of the court to quash his deposition. He predicted his case on the breach of the principle of natural justice. In an affidavit filed on behalf of the respondent (the Governor-inCouncil) it was stated that on February 7, 1961, the respondent became satisfied that the deposition of the applicant was required according to customary law and was necessary in the interest of peace, order and good government. The respondent also maintained that before exercisinghis powers, the Governor-in-Council consulted the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the area. But Adebo sought an order of Certiorari and argued among others, that the Governor-in-Council acted without giving him an opportunity of being heard. The respondent’s counsel however rested his case solely on the ground that the exercise of the power of deposition conferred by section 22(1) of the Chiefs Law was an administrative, not judicial act and that therefore certiorari did not lay in respect of it. Justice Charles before whom this matter was brought initially re-

Remo monarchs at a public function.

viewed a number of cases observed that when the legislature conferred a power on an authority to make a determination affecting an individual in his property or person, it intended that such power should be exercised judicially in accordance with the rule of natural justice. In other words, the individual affected must be given an adequate opportunity to be heard. That proposition, he said, was clearly recognised by the Privy Council in Smith-v- Queen (1878) 3 App. Cas. 614. Part of the judgment reads;‘’In considering section 22(1) the first thing to notice is that the power conferred by its affects rights in the strict sense. Secondly, the power is not one which can be exercised against chiefs’ collectively; it can only be exercised against chiefs individually. Thirdly, it can only be exercised after a determination of the existence of grounds which admits of specification of particulars in respect of individual concerned.’’ The court observed that when the deposition of a chief was alleged to be required by customary law there could not be any practical difficulty in informing him of the conduct which was alleged against him as contrary to customary law or informing him of the rule of that law which required his deposition. According to the court, ‘’the same is the case if a deposition is alleged as being necessary for peace, order and good government; the way or ways in which a chief has offended against the interests of peace, order and god government can be specified.’’ The Governor-in-Council before

IN JUNE 1961, THE THEN REIGNING MONARCH, THE

OLOFIN OF ILISHAN, OBA ISHMAEL OBAFEMI GREEN ADEBO, ADEMO III, WAS DEPOSED BY THE COUNCIL OF OBAS AND CHIEFS IN ILISHAN COUNCIL determining upon the deposition of a chief was bound to act judicially by affording him an adequate opportunity of hearing the complaint against him. The court said failure to so act vitiated an order of deposition and rendered it liable to be quashed on Certiorari. As no cause has been shown why the order of Certiorari should not issue against the respondent, the court held that such order would be granted quashing the order of deposition. Accordingly, the court granted the application urging it to quash the deposition order. Today, Oba Michael Sonuga, is the current Olofin of Ilisan Remo, Ogun State. After his training as a lawyer in England, he worked as a banker. He also worked with the Royal Mail in United Kingdom. Back home, he worked with the Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry before he ascended the throne.

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2013: Notable events that shaped the Judiciary U The controversial pension scam judgement

ndoubtedly one of the judicial decisions by which the outgoing year 2013 will be remembered is the highly controversial judgment delivered by Justice AbubakarTalba on January 28, 2013 in the case involving a self-confessed pension fund fraudster, John Yakubu Yusufu. Yusufu had been arraigned alongside others for stealing N32.8billion from the Police Pension fund. He pleaded guilty to the charge and the judge convicted him, but gave him a sentence that many considered a mere slap on the wrist. Justice Talba sentenced Yusufu to two years on each of three charges which were to run concurrently but the judge also offered him an option to pay N750, 000 fine. Without batting an eyelid, Yusufu paid the fine and walked out of the courtroom as a free man.

Al-Mustapaha, Sofolahan’s conviction, acquittal On January 30, this year, the former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and the protocol officer to the slain Mrs Kudirat Abiola (wife of Chief Moshood Abiola) Lateef Sofolahan, were sentenced to death by hanging by a Lagos High Court for their alleged roles in the killing of Mrs. Kudirat Abiola. The trial of the accused had lasted whopping 12 years before the damning judgment was delivered by Justice Mojisola Dada. Al-Mustapha was alleged to have masterminded the killing while Sofolahan was alleged to have divulged details of Mrs. Abiola’s whereabouts on the day of her murder. Kudirat was assassinated along the Lagos/Ibadan express way on June 4 1996 in what was widely believed to be a state-sponsored murder in the dictatorial regime of the late maximum ruler, Sani Abacha. A surprising twist occurred in the case of Al-Mustapha on July 12 when the Court of Appeal in Lagos quashed the death sentence passed on him by the lower court. Three justices gets NJC’s hammer In February, the National Judicial Council recommended the immediate compulsory retirement of three judges, namely Abubakar Talba, Thomas Naron, and Charles Archibong. The NJC explained that its recommendation for immediate compulsory retirement of the judges was based on ethical grounds, stressing that the said justices had infringed rules of the profession and abused their offices in some ways. Oil Subsidy fraud In July this year, an unprecedented measure was taken in the battle against corruption as the Federal Government, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, hauled 20 oil marketers before different courts on the allegation of fraud. The oil marketers from six different oil companies were accused of having defrauding to the tunes of billions of naira mostly by collecting oil subsidy payments for products they never supplied. The marketers were said to be working for oil companies such as

As the year 2013 winds down to pave way for a new year, KAYODE KETEFE, Assistant Head, Judiciary Desk, takes a review of the outgoing year and reports on major events that shaped the Judiciary within the year. The highlights of these occurrences encompassing high- profile cases and significant judicial events are as follows:

Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar

Bode George

NIGERIA’S JUDICIARY CONTINUED TO

EXERCISE A DEGREE OF INDEPENDENCE, BUT MANY OF THE CORRUPTION CASES AGAINST POLITICAL FIGURES REMAINED STALLED

Nasaman Oil Service, Eternal Oil and Gas plc, Ontario Oil & Gas plc, Nadabo Energy Limited, Pacifica Silver Line Limited, Axenergy Limited and Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited. . The said oil marketers are big names in the society. For example, the son of the former National Chairman of PDP, Ahmadu Ali, Mamman Nasir Ali, was arraigned for alleged N4.4 billion fraud. The son of the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party Mahmud, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Mahmud Tukur of Eterna Oil and Gas, was arraigned for alleged N1.8 billion fraud. The son of the Ibadan-based businessman, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao, Abdullahi Alao, of Axenergy Limited, was also arraigned for the alleged multibillion naira fraud. One common denominator of these cases is that they are still pending in courts with only little progress having been made. Slow prosecution of indicted politicians The year 2013 also witnessed the continued prosecution of notable politicians who had been charged to court in the years earlier. However not much progress was made on these cases in the outgoing year as the cases keep suffering adjournments upon adjournments with hardly authentic progress. These

cases included the case of the former governor of Enugu State, Mr. Chimaroke Nnamani, and 11 other persons who were arraigned on a 124-count charge of alleged money laundering at the Federal High Court in 2007; the case of the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who was arraigned before an Abeokuta High Court by the EFCC in April 2012 for alleged fraudulent conversion of land and diversion of public fund and the case of the former Oyo State governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who was arraigned by the EFCC in 2008 on similar alleged mishandling of public fund. Other cases included that of the former Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, who was arraigned by the EFCC before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos in 2007 for alleged mismanagement of the sum of N1.2billion poultry project during his tenure as the governor of the state and the case of the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, who was first arraigned on December 23, 2008, for money laundering on a money laundering charge. All these cases have been adjourned till different dates in 2014. Justice Salami bows out amidst controversy On October 15, the suspended former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salam, officially retired from judicial service after attainment of retirement age of 65 years. It would be recalled that Salami was suspended by the National Judicial Council in 2001 in the aftermath of his face-off with the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, retired Justice Iyorgher KatsinaAlu. The suspension came when Salami refused to apologise to Katsina-Alu has directed by the NJC.

Justice Archibong

Controversies galore as Supreme Court acquits Bode George Many Nigerians were shocked on Friday December 13, 2013, when the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal that had affirmed the lower court’s conviction of George. The apex court, in an unanimous judgement, held that George was wrongly convicted and that his conviction could not stand because the law under which he was convicted was not in existence when the conviction was made. It will be recalled that George was sentenced to a 30 month- jail term in October, 2009 by Justice Joseph Oyewole of an Ikeja High Court for offences that included contracts splitting and inflation. His conviction was affirmed on January, 21, 2011, by the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal. In reversing this conviction, the Supreme Court declared that “The charges framed against the appellant in respect of splitting of contracts and disobedience of guideline in Exhibit P3 is unknown to any law written at the material time.” Conclusion The globally respected international non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Watch, in its World Report 2013 , stated concerning Nigerian Judiciary thus “Nigeria’s judiciary continued to exercise a degree of independence, but many of the corruption cases against senior political figures remained stalled in the courts.” National Mirror also sought view of a few lawyers on their perceptions of the Judiciary in 2013. A senior lawyer who had practised for over three decades, Mr. Dele Awokoya, said “The performance of the judiciary has not changed over the years. We have the good, the bad and the ugly. “Well in this year, we‘ve had judgment which some people queried, we have also had fantastic judgement, there is not so much different from what we’ve had over the years. My own take on the judiciary is that it could be made much better than what we use to have before.”

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Nature and functions of the law of torts THE ADVOCATE OLUGBEMI FATULA

08037213732 (sms only) E-mail: afribic@yahoo.com

tort as a legal wrong is a branch of the civil law; the other main branches include contract and property law. According to Salmond, tort is: a civil wrong for which the remedy is a common law action for unliquidated damages, and which is not exclusively the breach of a contract, or the breach of trust or other merely equitable obligation. (see Salmond & Heuston, Law of Tort, 18th ed p. 11,. Whereas in criminal law the plaintiff is always the state and the defendant, if found guilty of a crime, is punished by the state, in civil law the dispute is typically between private parties (though the government can also sue and be sued). In the case of torts, the plaintiff is the victim of an alleged wrong and the unsuccessful defendant is either directed by the court to pay damages to the plaintiff (the usual remedy) or else to desist from the wrongful activity (so-called “injunctive relief”). Examples include intentional torts such as battery, defamation, and invasion of privacy and unintentional torts such as negligence. Contemporary tort theory focuses on the legal consequences of accidents, where the relevant forms of liability are negligence and strict liability. Tort law is a body of law that addresses and provides remedies for civil wrongs not arising out of contractual obligations. A person who suffers legal damages may be able to use tort law to receive compensation from someone who is legally responsible, or “liable,” for those injuries. Generally speaking, tort law defines what constitutes a legal injury and establishes the circumstances under which one person may be held liable for another’s injury. Torts cover intentional acts and accidents. In contrast to criminal law (in which the wrongful act or omission is against the State and the State is the

Law & Justice

Monday, December 30, 2013

plaintiff), i.e the prosecutor in tort law, the act or omission is against a person and that person is the plaintiff. The touchstone of tort liability is negligence. If the injured party cannot prove that the person believed to have caused the injury acted with negligence, at the very least, tort law will not compensate him. Tort law also recognizes intentional torts and strict liability, which apply to defendants who engage in certain actions. In tort law, injury is defined broadly. Injury does not just mean a physical injury. Injuries in tort law reflect any invasion of any number of individual interests. This includes interests recognized in other areas of law, such as property rights. Actions for nuisance and trespass to land can arise from interfering with rights in real property. Conversion and trespass to chattels can protect interference with movable property. Interests in prospective economic advantages from contracts can also be injured and become the subject of tort actions. A number of situations caused by parties in a contractual relationship may nevertheless be tort rather than contract claims, such as breach of fiduciary duty. The central idea in tort law is that liability is based not so much on acting badly or wrongfully, but on committing a wrong. At the same time, a victim’s claim to recover for harm to her depends on the wrong the injurer has committed being a wrong to her. It is not enough that the injurer has committed a wrong

and that she (the victim) has suffered as a consequence. The defendant’s liability to the victim and the victim’s claim against the defendant depend on the defendant’s having breached a duty of care to the victim. Just as harm without wrong is no tort, wrongs without harms are typically not torts either. Assuming that every motorist has a duty to exercise reasonable care in driving his or her car, and that the intended beneficiaries of the duty include all the pedestrians and other drivers who might be put at risk by one’s failure to drive with adequate care. So torts require both wrong and in most cases harm except in the case in which injunctive relief is awarded in order to prevent harm that is virtually certain but yet to occur. Torts relating to wrongful interference with goods are useful appendages to property law and restitution. An award of damages for tort may have an admonitory effect; an injunction granted to stop a threatened or continuing tort (e.g. nuisance, or inducing breach of contract) may act as a specific deterrent. Tort law may also be used as a vehicle for determining rights and compensating for injuries to a number of other individual interests that are not recognized in property or contract law and are intangible. These include privacy interests and reputation. These are protected by a number of torts such as privacy torts and defamation. Defamation and privacy torts may, for example, allow a celebrity to sue a newspaper for publishing an untrue and harmful statement about him. Other protected interests include freedom of movement, protected by the intentional tort of false imprisonment.

THE CENTRAL IDEA

IN TORT LAW IS THAT LIABILITY IS BASED NOT SO MUCH ON ACTING BADLY OR WRONGFULLY, BUT ON COMMITTING A WRONG.

Role of the Bar in effective prosecution of crimes FUNKE ADEKOYA

ection 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (Third Alteration Act) provides an accused person with a constitutionally guaranteed presumption of innocence. This protection is given further weight by Section 139(1) of the 2011 Evidence Act which places the burden of proving the particular offence upon the prosecution. Laudable as the above protection of accused persons may be, the truth is that oftentimes in the eyes of the public this protection unduly benefits the accused person, whose trial may never be concluded either as a result of prolonged delays, usually instigated by either the defence counsel or by a lackadaisical prosecution. During this period the witnesses will have disappeared, or charges are eventually dismissed due to lack of diligent prosecution. The end result is that the constitutional cloak protecting the accused has been subjected to indiscriminate abuse by both prosecution and defence counsels alike. In view of the fact that both prosecution and defence counsel ought to be joint ministers in the temple of justice, this paper seeks to highlight how cooperation between the prosecutor and defence counsel will enhance the effective prosecution of crimes and thereby restore public confidence in the criminal justice system.

Prosecution Of Crimes In Nigeria -The Lapses As comprehensive as the process for prosecution of crimes may seem to be in Nigeria, it is by no means bereft of lapses. These lapses may occur at various stages of the process.

Investigation Using the criminal investigation process as a starting point, the machinery responsible for executing this function is often rendered impotent by the lack of sophisticated technologies that would expedite and enhance the investigative process. In many criminal trials, success or failure can turn on the issue of forensics. Blood samples and fingerprints, and in cases of financial

CASES ARE OFTEN RUSHED TO COURT WITH GREAT FANFARE BUT WITHOUT SUFFICIENT AND THOROUGH INVESTIGATION crimes, banking documents, can serve to eliminate a suspect or ensure a conviction. However cases are often rushed to court with great fanfare but without sufficient and thorough investigation. When the prosecution is subsequently stalled due to insufficient evidence, the public cries foul and the prosecution is accused of having ‘settled’ the case. The prosecution is usually seen by society as its protector and champion while the defence counsel are unfairly thought of as those who take advantage of every “loophole” in the law to gain an acquittal for their clients. As a result a failed prosecution is seen as a triumph for the defence counsel and a loss for the society. I believe that characterisation does not properly depict the role of a defence counsel. The role of a defence counsel and the role of a prosecution counsel is the same so far as a criminal trial is concerned. Their roles are similar - to help the court find the truth and nothing but the truth. In that respect where an accused person provides an alibi as his defence, the defence counsel should make the details of the alibi known to the prosecution/ Investigating Police Officer, who should fully investigate it before commencing a trial. Where case files are sent to the DPP for advice before a charge is filed, enquiry should be made by the prosecution counsel as to whether any alibi has been put forward by the suspect and if so, the result of its investigation. If properly done, this should result in effective prosecutions be-

fore the courts. Both prosecution and defence counsel should work together from the time a crime is being investigated, to ensure that any ensuing prosecution is effectively carried out, as an unsuccessful prosecution is a waste of government resources.

Commencement and Trial Top on the list of the challenges to the criminal justice system is the incessant delay in concluding trials. The major causes of this delay are believed to be corruption and incompetence. Even before the commencement of the trial, in many instances even where the defence counsel is prepared for the case, the prosecution for selfish reasons will still delay in commencing the trial. Sometimes, the police even connive with the accused upon receipt of monetary incentives, to do all within their powers to frustrate a case. When the charge is filed and after the plea is taken, they may decide not to turn up in court leading to the case bring eventually thrown out for want of diligent prosecution. It must be stated that defence counsel are also guilty of using similar unmeritous methods to stultify and frustrate the criminal trial. On the issue of incompetence, it is the norm for unprepared counsel on either side to request for adjournments on flimsy grounds or even fail to turn up in court on the date the matter comes up. •Adekoya, SAN, a founding partner in AELEX Partners writes from Lagos. TO BE CONTINUED

Monday, December 30, 2013

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Community Mirror For me, bad governance was one of the reasons why I left the PDP. I have been shouting and the PDP does not care. But this is the first time they will care. GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE, CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI

Traders petition AG over market demolition WALE IGBINTADE

bout 10, 000 traders of old Alaba Market have petitioned the Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr. Ade Ipaye for alleged threat by chairman of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area, LCDA, to demolish their market. The petitioners urged the state government to caution the chairman, and his business partner not to resort to act of self help

since the matter was already in court. In the petition of December 23, 2013, by their lawyer, Mr. Lekan Alabi, the petitioners alleged that the chairman, Alhaji Fatai Ajidagba had already transferred the market to a private developer, TUNDAAS Nigeria Limited and is bent on demolishing it. The petitioners stated that as law abiding citizens and in order to avert unlawful demolition of their market, they approached

the Lagos High Court for an interim injunction restraining the local government and the private developer from carrying out their threat. They added that despite been in procession of court, the LCDA chairman has boasted that it would not cost more than four gallons of petrol to set the market on fire. The petitioners urged the chairman and developer not to engage in self help since the matter is already before

a court of competent jurisdiction. “Our prayer is to implore you to caution the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area,LCDA, and his business partner to join issues with our client in court rather than engage in act that will result in collusion with the law’’, the letter stated The petitioners are Ebere Nwosu, Ebere Umeohanu, Ifeoma Umeh, Friday Akaegbulen, Okey Okoye,

Olufunilayo Olumide, Chief I.A Anyiam and Madam Patricial Iho,Alfa Hassan Alesimloye, Oluoku Ramon, Ozidi Ezeanochie, Balogun Bello and Sunday Akidi. They had in suit NoLD\1128\2013 prayed the court for a perpetual order restraining the Lagos State Government (1st defendant), Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (2nd defendant) and TUNDAAS Nigeria Limited (3rd defendant) from demolition of stalls and taking over the market. The claimants are also asking the court to declare that the temporary occupa-

tional license granted them and other market men and women by the Lagos State Government in 1980 to operate the market is still valid and subsisting. They are praying the court for a declaration that the Memorandum of Understanding,MoU, reflecting a meeting on Feburary5, 2013 purportedly entered into by the 3rd defendant (TUNDAAS Nigeria Limited) with unnamed market representatives is illegal, being a violation of the letter and spirit of the temporary occupational license granted to them.

Water drillers laud FG on new policy KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

Child labour: A group of cobblers desperately soliciting to mend sandal for a customer in Lagos at the weekend PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

Less privileged persons receive medical care in Kwara FRANCIS SUBERU

WITH AGENCY REPORT

ore than 700 persons have been treated for different ailments during the two-day Aro Bamgbose Free Healthcare Services Empowerment Programme in Omu-Aran, Kwara State. The programme coordinator, Musa Bello, Bello said it attracted people from three wards within Omu-Aran Township and

adjoining communities of Oko, Arandun and Ipetu. He said most beneficiaries received free medical treatment and drugs for malaria, typhoid, cholera, hypertension and diabetes. He added that the programme which was targeted at the less privilege was aimed at improving their life expectancy. The programme, which involved tests, diagnosis and treatment, will enable the people to know their

health status in order to have a clean bill of health, he said. He noted that when people know their health status, they will then take precautionary measures and know what to do not to escalate their conditions. “This is a programme that is of immense benefit to the people, especially the low income earners, as well as the less privileged. It is aimed at improving their health conditions and for them to contribute

meaningfully to their immediate environment.’’ Bello expressed satisfaction at the large turnout and commended the traditional ruler of OmuAran , Oba Charles Ibitoye and the various associations for their support at the success of the programme. A beneficiary, Mrs Khadijat Aminu, commended the organisers for the gesture and expressed hope that other Nigerians will emulate them.

he Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners, AWDROP, has lauded the federal government for its new water policy that incorporates the body into the national borehole rejuvenation and revitalisation programme. In a statement by its president Mr. Michael Ale, the association said the policy also recognised the necessity of the code of practice for water well construction in Nigeria which was approved in compliance with the code in water well drilling programmes. He applauded the present policy on Public Private Partnership, PPP, which stipulates that state governments should adopt the partnership approach for the development, operation and maintenance of water infrastructure. According to him, proper handling of borehole works across the country is highly desirable to ensure their sustainability while a fool-proof risk reduction mechanism is also needed to ensure the safety of drinking water. To this end, he com-

mended the federal government for its on-going revision of the Nigerian standard for drinking water quality while appealing to all state ministries of water resources to embrace and develop a comprehensive safety plan for public water supplies and rehabilitation. Ale noted with delight the commitment of the federal government towards ensuring that Nigeria attains nationwide Open Defecation Free, ODF, status by 2025 and that states, LGAs and communities embrace the Community Led Total Sanitation, CLTS, approach and commit funds towards its achievement. Speaking on abandoned water supply projects nationwide, he praised the government for approving that a joint task team comprising representatives of the Federal and state governments, including the association be set up to ascertain technical, financial and legal status with the assistance of independent consultants to be hired by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, to ensure that all abandoned projects in the 36 states and FCT are captured in their reports.

Monday, December 30, 2013

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World News

“They said ‘Gezi’ and smashed windows. Now they say ‘corruption’ and smash windows. These conspiracies will not succeed” –TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, TAYYIP ERDOGAN

Female suicide bomber kills 14 in Russia A t least 14 people were killed and scores were wounded yesterday as a female suicide bomber struck at a railway station in southern Russia, officials said, heightening concern about terrorism ahead of February’s Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. No one immediately claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack in Volgograd, but it came several months after Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov called for new attacks against civilian targets in Russia, including the Sochi Games. Volgograd, 900 kilometres (550 miles) south of Moscow, lies about 650 kilometres (400 miles) northeast of Sochi, a Black Sea resort flanked by the North Caucasus Mountains. Suicide bombings and other attacks linked to Islamic rebels roaming the North Caucasus have rocked Russia for years. The government has deployed tens of thousands of soldiers, police and other security personnel to protect the Olympics, President Vladimir Putin’s pet project, and

Blast at Egyptian military building injures four soldiers

bomb targeted an Egyptian military intelligence building north of Cairo yesterday, wounding four soldiers, the army said, in the second bomb attack on the security forces in the Nile Delta in less than a week. The bomb went off near an entrance to the building in the village of Anshas, 100 km (60 miles) north of the capital, partly destroying the back wall. The army described the bombing as a terrorist attack. Its statement referred to “groups of darkness” and did not name the Muslim Brotherhood, which it declared a terrorist organization last week. That decision was a response to a suicide bomb attack on Tuesday on a police compound in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, north of the site of yesterday’s explosion. Since then the government has used the new classification to detain hundreds of the movement’s supporters and thousands more are already in jail.

Investigators working near the body of a victim after an explosion outside a train station in Volgograd, yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS

the organizers have pledged to make the Sochi Games the “safest Olympics in history.” Vladimir Markin, the spokesman for the nation’s top investigative agency, the Investigative Committee, said the suicide bomber detonated her explosives in front of a metal detector just behind the station’s main entrance. “When the suicide bomber saw a policeman near a metal detector, she became nervous and set off her explosive device,” Markin

said in a statement. He added that the bomb contained about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of TNT and was rigged with shrapnel. Markin said that security controls prevented a far greater number of casualties at the station, which was packed with people at a time when several trains were delayed. Markin put the death toll at 14. While Volgograd’s regional governor, Sergei Bozhenov, who said earlier in the day that 15 died,

later confirmed 14 deaths. Russia’s Health Ministry said about 50 people were injured, and Markin said 34 were hospitalized, many in grave condition. The Interfax news agency said that the suspected bomber’s head was found at the site of explosion, which would allow security agencies to quickly identify her. Female suicide bombers, many of whom were widows or sisters of rebels, have mounted numerous attacks in Russia.

South Sudanese youths abandon war march on Bor town

housands of South Sudanese youths - loyal to rebel leader Riek Machar - have abandoned their march on the strategic town of Bor, officials said. South Sudan’s information minister said community leaders had persuaded most of the “White Army” fighters to go home. A UN surveillance flight earlier located the group 50 km north-east of Bor, but did not reveal its size. At least 1,000 people have died in this month’s fighting. More than 121,600 are believed to have fled their homes. The White Army is a name that inspires fear in South Sudan. This loose grouping of armed youth from the Nuer ethnic group was at least partly responsible for the 1991 Bor massacre, in which at least 2,000 people were killed. Then, the White Army fought alongside Riek Machar, who

had split away from the main southern Sudanese rebel group fighting Khartoum. In 2011 and 2012 a new incarnation of the White Army went on the rampage, killing hundreds of civilians from the Murle ethnic group. At the time, Machar was vice president - and although he travelled to meet them, he was unable to stop their advance. Tens of thousands of civilians have sought refuge in UN camps, and reinforcements have been arriving to give them

extra protection. What began as a power struggle between Mr Machar and President Salva Kiir has taken on overtones of a tribal conflict. The Dinka, to which Mr Kiir belongs, are pitted against the Nuer, from which Machar hails. The government has offered a ceasefire, but the army says its forces are still battling over oilfields in the north. Government troops are currently in control of Bor, the capital of Jonglei state they had taken from the rebels.

Government troops are currently in control of Bor, the capital of Jonglei State they took from the rebels PHOTO: REUTERS

WORLD BULLETIN Israel retaliates after rockets fired from Lebanon The Israeli military fired a barrage of shells into southern Lebanon in retaliation after five Katyusha-style rockets were launched against the Jewish state yesterday, officials said. The attacks struck uninhabited areas of both Israel and Lebanon without causing any casualties or damage, officials on both sides said. The Israeli government accused the powerful Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah of being behind the rocket fire and threatened an even tougher response to any further attacks. “About 20 shells from Israeli territory have struck the border region of Arqub after the launch of rockets against Israel this morning,” a Lebanese security official told a news agency. The shelling came in response to two Katyusha-style rockets fired from Lebanon that struck an open field west of the town of Kyriat Shmona, Israeli military radio reported. “Artillery responded to rocket attacks from Lebanon against Israel that left no victims, targeting the area where these projectiles were fired from,” an Israeli official told a news agency.

Thousands flood camp in Central African Republic More than 100,000 people displaced by inter-religious violence in Central African Republic are sheltering at a makeshift camp at Bangui airport, a medical charity said yesterday, calling for urgent aid. Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) said it was receiving between 15 and 20 wounded a day at the site from fighting in the riverside capital, where the deployment of French and African peacekeepers in early December has failed to halt violence. Attacks by Muslim Seleka rebels, who seized power in March, and Christian militias have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced an estimated 400,000 in Bangui this month. MSF said the airport camp, which stretches for kilometres beside the runway, lacked proper sanitation as well as supplies of food and water as U.N. agencies have failed to keep pace with the scale of the problem. “If nothing is done in the next two weeks there is a risk of an epidemic breaking out,” said Lindis Hurum, MSF coordinator at the airport camp. “MSF demands an increase in the emergency actions being taken by humanitarian agencies.” Without proper infrastructure at the camp, thousands of families are sheltering from the tropical sun under cardboard boxes or makeshift tents made of blankets tied to sticks.

World News

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Monday, December 30, 2013

‘Bombs kill 517 in Syria’s Aleppo since December 15’

arrels packed with explosives and dropped from Syrian aircraft have killed 517 people in the northern province of Aleppo since 15 December, activists say. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 151 were children and 46 women. The city of Aleppo has been the focus of bitter fighting between President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and rebels. A Norwegian frigate is meanwhile preparing to collect chemical weapons from Syria for destruction. The arms are due to be taken from the Syrian port of Latakia to Italy. CHANGE OF NAME

OKI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oki Franca Mejakpofo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alalade Franca Mejakpofo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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OGUNLEYE: Formerly known and addressed as Mr Ogunleye Ayodeji Seun & Mrs Ogunleye Ruth Modupeola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Jesumileye Ayodeji Seun & Mrs. Jesumileye Ruth Modupeola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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There, they will be loaded onto a US Navy ship and taken to international waters for destruction in a specially created titanium tank on board. The global watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical arms stockpile, has called on Damascus to “intensify its efforts” to help the operation. The OPCW said it was up to Syria to mitigate the risks involved in transporting the stockpile to the port. Syria agreed to abandon its arsenal to avert possible US military action in response to a sarin nerve CHANGE OF NAME

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AKINJO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinjo Omotayo Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adewoye Omotayo Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid. Teaching Service Commission, (TESCOM), Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State and general public take note.

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OLAREWAJU: Formerly known and addressed as Olarewaju Folashade Keji, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Raji Folashade Keji. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Bamidele Folake Omowunmi to remain valid for all transactions and dealing, instead of Bamidele Fatimoh Omowunmi but the same person bears both. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ABIOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Rasak Abiola Falilat, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Rasak Falilat Faremi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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gas attack on the outskirts of Damascus in August. Under a deal brokered by the US and Russia, the complete elimination of all chemical weapons material and equipment must be completed by the first half of 2014. OPCW chief Ahmet Umzucu said in a statement that the international community was “poised and ready”. He said the UN, Russia, and other countries directly involved in the removal had agreed on how to escort the cargo vessels from Syria, after a two-day meeting in Moscow. Equipment involved in the operation includes RusCHANGE OF NAME

OWOLABI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Owolabi Bolatito Bisola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogungbile Bolatito Bisola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AFON: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Afon Dorcas Olubunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alagbe Dorcas Olubunmi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

EGBUNA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Egbuna Chinenye Francisca, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Prince Paul Johnson Chinenye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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ANAOWA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Stella Ijeoma Anowa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Stella Ijeoma Thompson Ogborokpa. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

KUTI: Formerly known and addresed as Miss Kuti Wasilat Abike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeleye Wasilat Abike. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Alhaja Sidikat Adufe Mrs. Olorunkemi Sanusi Alhaja Silifat Oyewole Mrs. Frances Olaide Ogunmuyiwa

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To assist the less priviledge. Any objections to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

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EDEAGU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Edeagu Chinelo Lydia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Edeh Chinelo Lydia. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

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AKANDE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akande Kafayat Olabisi, now to be known as Ahmed Kafayat Olabisi. All other documents remain valid. N.Y.S.C, MAPOLY, public note.

“most critical” chemicals. Shifting battle-lines and road closures caused by bad weather appeared to be the main causes of the delay. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based activist group with links to the opposition, condemned the continuing use of barrel bombs in Aleppo and urged CHANGE OF NAME

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THE CHRISTIAN GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC IDAH

outside intervention. The organisation, which relies on secret networks to relay information from the ground, also described those who failed to criticise the raids as “complicit in the massacres that have been committed and continue to be committed by the Syrian regime”. CHANGE OF NAME

AJEKIGBE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajekigbe Elizabeth Olaoluwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olatunji Elizabeth Olaoluwa. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE

The Nigeria Police Anambra State is calling on the owners of these 18 motocycles, Toyota Carina with Reg. No AR 168 MUS,One scrap Audi 80 with Reg. No 297 KJA and one scrap pathfenda jeep Reg. No LY 978 EKY parked at Obosi Police station for collection before it will be Auctioned on 14 Jan 2014. The commissioner of police Anambra state directs the public to go to Obosi police station to claim their vehicles, motocycles and properties with proof of ownership before the Auction date. Signed: CSP Dimale J.O. Divissional Police Officer Obosi Divission.

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EBEREONWU: We formerly known as Mr Lawrence Ogoamaka Ebereonwu, Mr Anselam Emeka Ebereonwu, Mrs Angela Ebereonwu, Mr Emmanuel Kelechi Ebere Onwu, Mr Vernatius Chidi Ebereonwu, Mr Joephry Chimezie Ebereonwu, Mrs Grace Ifeoma Ebereonwu and Mrs Eunice-Mary Nkechi Ebereonwu now wish to be known as Mr Lawrence Ogoamaka Eberechukwu, Mr Anselam Emeka Eberechukwu, Mrs Angela Eberechukwu, Mr Emmanuel Kelechi Eberechukwu, Mr Vernatius Chidi Eberechukwu, Mr Joephry Chimezie Eberechukwu, Mrs Grace Ifeoma Eberechukwu and Mrs Eunice-Mary Nkechi Eberechukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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ADEBORO: Formerly known and addressed as Mr Kayode Idowu Johnson also known as Olukayode Adeboro Idowu Johnson, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Olukayode AanuJehofa Ifeobaorun.All former documents remain valid. UNILAG, ISN, FUNAAB, NSE and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named forum has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for incorporation under the Companies And Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990 Part C.

THE OF TRUSTEES ARE: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Hon Jude Emepuru Mba Prince Chidi Ogalabu Mr. David Chijioke Obeleagu Mr. Chukwudi Ebenezer Ibeh Mazi Chukwuma Ojukwu Mr. Innocent Onwunali Jonathan

– Chairman – Vice Chairman – Secretary – Treasurer – Financial Secretary – Public Relation Officer

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To assist already existing bodies and government to control the purity and quality of processed water that is in the market in order to cut shot or apprehend the sub-standard processed water products that are in circulation which has caused a lot of ill health and damages to our people and silmutaneously tarnished the image of our country processed water industries. 2. To serve as an advocate of goodwill in maintaining price control of all processed water in the market. 3. To promote and protect the intrest and welfare of the members and nigerians at large. 4. To encourage members to maximize their potentials for the fulfilment of their destinies. Any objection to the registration of this club should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi, Maitama Abuja (FCT) within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARRISTER AMAEFUNA OBIORAH UCHENDU; 08063260200

PUBLIC NOTICE

ABIA YOUTH CONSULTATIVE FORUM

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named Forum has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for incorporation under the Companies And Allied Matters Act N0 1 Of 1990 Part C.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

- President - Member - Member - Member -Member -Member -Member

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IGHIFA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ighifa Elizabeth Itohan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ojiesebholo Elizabeth Itohan. All former documents remain valid. St. Bernadette Nursing and Primary and general public take note.

ASSOCIATION OF PROCESSED WATER SELLERS OF ABIA STATE

THE OF TRUSTEES ARE:

Bro. Moses Oluwole Asamo Bro. John Onyebuchi Ezeigwe Bro. James Attah Onoja Bro. Eberechukwu Uwadoka Pastor Samuel Ibrahim Folorunso Bro. Oluwakayode Olukunle Adele Sis. Helen Uche Uganneya

ANASIUDU: Formerly known and addressed as Mr. Victor Anasiudu, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mr. Victor Nwakaeze. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Fellowship has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for the registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Act No.1 of 1990.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES ARE:

AKANMU: Formerly Miss Akanmu Taiwo Lateefat, now wish to be addresed as Mrs Hammed Taiwo Lateefat. All formal documents remain valid. First Bank, Ede, Osun State and general public take note.

AKINYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinyemi Adetola Abiodun, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Macaulay Adetola Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

HUMUANI ALAGA FOUNDATION

1. 2. 3. 4.

YEKINNI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Yekinni Abimbola Abiola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Badmus Abimbola Abiola. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State TESCOM and general public take note

AKINYOMBO: Formerly known and addressed as Mr Festus Ifeolu Akinyombo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Festus Ifeolu Festus. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to inform the general public that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part ‘C’of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE:

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AREO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Areo Bosede Yemisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeleke Bosede Yemisi. All former documents remainvalid. General public should please take note.

This is to confirm that Akinlaja Remilekun Oluwatoyin is the same person as Akinlaja Oluwaremilekun Oluwatoyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Akinlaja Oluwaremilekun Oluwatoyin. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

MATTHEW: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Matthew Inikurogha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Inikurogha Nancy Binabarakumo Ovuru. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

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SANGODEJI: We formerly known and addressed as Sangodeji, now wish to be known and addressed as Gbadebo. This Applies: Gbadebo Isaac Olufemi, Gbadebo Esther Olayemi(Mrs), Gbadebo Emmanuel Inioluwa. All documents bearing our former names remain valid. General public take note.

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OKOTIE: Formerly known as Miss Benedicta Oghenetega Okotie now wish to be known as Mrs Benedicta Oghenetega Oyiborhoro. All former documents remains valid. Abia State College of Health and general public take note.

ALAOFIN: Formerly known as Miss Alaofin Abosede, now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Asogbo Abosede. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and general public should please take note

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AJOMOLE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajomole Idowu Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Arisoyin Idowu Grace. All former documents remain valid. College of Education Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State and general public take note.

ABODERIN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Aboderin Florence Bolade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojo Florence Bolade. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti and general public take note.

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ASHANA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ashana Oluwafunke Oyeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alana Oluwafunke Oyeyemi. All formerly documents remain valid. Ekiti South West Local Government, Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State and general public take note.

AKINWUMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinwumi Funke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayodeji Funke. All formerly documents remain valid. The Nigeria Police Force and general public take note.

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sian armoured vehicles, US satellites and Chinese surveillance cameras to protect the hazardous cargo. Mr Umzucu said Syrian authorities now had to “consider all possible options” to ensure the chemicals’ safe transport from 12 storage sites in Syria to the loading bay in Latakia. The port lies 300km (185 miles) north of the capital Damascus. The OPCW earlier said that it did not expect to meet the 31 December deadline for shipping out the

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Comrade Mbah Chukwuemeka Comrade Richard Chibunna Hon. Jude Emepuru Mba Hon. Chimezie Paul Udeogu Mrs. Orji Nnenna Amanda Mr. Chinyere B. Ugochukwu

– President – Deputy President – Secretary – Treasurer – Financial Secretary – Member

1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. To bring to together all known Christian graduates of the Federal Polytechnic, Idah, in Christian fellowship. 3. To train and equip believers to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. To serve as a participatory instrument for positive changes in the society (Abia State). 2. To help in sensitization of Abia youths to know their political rights in order to participate fully in political activities of Abia State and Nigeria at large. 3. To work hand in glove with the government in power to curb/ control youth unrestiveness problems etc by supplying the govrnment in power programmes/ activities that would engage youth profitably. 4. To partner with the govrnment in power in ensuring job opportunities for the youth of Abians so as to reduce crime/ social vices in the society.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama , Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Any objection to the registration of this club should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi, Maitama Abuja (FCT) within 28 days of this publication.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

SIGNED: ADEWALE DISU & CO. 08038265179

SIGNED: BARRISTER AMAEFUNA OBIORAH UCHENDU; 08063260200

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Monday, December 30, 2013

Defection: North-West PDP worst hit JAMES DANJUMA AND WOLE ADEDEJI

he North-West zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is worst hit in the recent defections by its key political office holders to the All Progressive Congress (APC). PDP Secretary in the North-West, Bishir Tanimu, told journalists at the weekend in Katsina that two governors from the zone, many National Assembly members and several public office holders had dumped the party for APC. Tanimu said: “As you

know, two governors, many National and state Assembly members from the governors’ states and one from Katsina State recently defected to the APC.” He described the development as worrisome, claiming that though PDP witnessed defections in other regions, North-West was worst hit. Tanimu, however, said that PDP had initiated move to bring back some of its members that defected to APC. On report that a former Katsina State deputy governor, Garba Aminchi, and several others had

dumped PDP, Tanimu said the party was yet to get a formal notification to the effect. He said: “The only person we know so far that has left the PDP in Katsina State is a House of Representatives member, but Alhaji Aminchi has not informed us about having left or his plan to do so.” However, the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Prof. Shuaib AbdulRaheem, yesterday said that PDP is still the ruling party in the country despite the defection of some of its major supporters. The recent defection of

five governors elected on PDP platform, according to him, had not affected the party in any way. Prof. AbdulRaheem, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, said the defection of some PDP chieftains to the APC would enhance the growth of the nation’s democracy. The FCC boss, who addressed PDP members at his Ajikobi Central Ward in Ilorin, said: “I think it is part of the democratic processes that people will align and realign, merge and disengage. But we say in this country, in a context, it is very beautiful thing for democracy. In fact, I, as Chairman, Federal

Character Commission, applaud it as a welcome decision. “So, the issue and the pillar of the integration of the nation towards national understanding through a dialogue are already taking place. We are now practising democracy in the spirit in which the founding fathers of our country have actually envisaged. “This new configuration is likely to strengthen the inclusiveness and sense of belonging that Nigerians have always hoped for. “My message is peaceful co-existence. It is natural for people to think differently to behave differently. But each and everyone hold

it an obligation to respect the views, the abilities and disabilities of other side. “So in politics there should not be any reason for violence. We have already enough violence in this country. We must not by any means whether by our action, or by our utterances encourage anything that is going to increase the tension and to increase the feeling of insecurity in any place. We as a people in Ilorin, we hold it an obligation to this nation as a peaceful people historically to show by example that we can practice politics without bitterness, that we can do politics without violence.”

Suswam absolves Fulani herdsmen of killing Tiv indigenes

Children playing with an elephant at the Wildlife Park in Jos, at the weekend.

Rights violation worse under Jonathan’s administration –Shehu Sani A ZA MSUE KADUNA

resident of Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, Mr. Shehu Sani, at the weekend said human rights violation has worsen under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. Sani, while condemning the recent arrest of some members of the Kano State House of As-

sembly by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said the action was deliberately aimed at punishing the state governor, Alhaji Musa Kwankwaso, for his stand against tyranny. In a statement sent to National Mirror, Sani said notwithstanding the corruption allegation against the lawmakers, the arrest was a “political calculation to disable Governor

Kwankwaso and give an edge to stooges of the Federal Government in the state.” He, however, urged the defecting PDP governors to remain steadfast in their fight to restore hope to Nigerians. Sani said: “We are back to the era of brigandage and arbitrariness. Using the anti-corruption bodies to help reinforce the political ambition of President Goodluck

Jonathan is subversive to our collective national interest. President Goodluck is increasingly becoming desperate and sadistic in his pursuit of another term in office. “The President, by the conduct of his government, is everyday proving right comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Human rights violation has worsened under President Jonathan’s administration.”

IPMAN lauds FG, NNPC for stemming fuel scarcity OTHMAN SALIHU KANO

he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has hailed the Federal Government, the Nigeria National Petroleum

Corporation (NNPC) and its Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, for quickly rising to address the fuel scarcity that recently hit Kano and its environs. It will be recalled that Kano State was recently hit by fuel scarcity for over two

weeks thereby creating hardship for motorists. In an interview with journalists, IPMAN Chairman in Kano, Alhaji Bashir Ahmad Danmallam, revealed that after his executives’ consistent visit to Abuja and Lagos for supply of fuel, President

Goodluck Jonathan immediately directed NNPC to ensure that the scarcity was addressed. Danmallam said: “Following the directive, supplies also get to Yobe, Katsina, Jigawa and Bauchi states thereby ending the scarcity.”

overnor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State yesterday said some yet to be identified criminals, under the guise of Fulani herdsmen, have been attacking and killing Tiv indigenes in the state. It will be recurred hat there were killings in Guma, Gwer West and Makurdi local government areas by men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. However, Suswam, while briefing journalists at the end of a security meeting held at the new banquet hall in Makurdi, said: “Some criminals are the ones attacking Benue communities, not Fulani herdsmen. “We called a meeting after the communal clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and the Tiv farmers. “This situation is applicable to other areas in the

state like Agatu but it is more pronounced in these councils. “We called all the prominent people of Minda extraction for a roundtable to discuss possible ways of solving the problem once and for all and we discovered that criminals are the ones attacking Benue communities, not Fulani herdsmen.’’ The governor added that the security meeting became necessary following the continued attack and killing of innocent Benue citizens in Guma, Gwer West and Makurdi. Suswan said a committee had been raised, chaired by a Retired Permanent Secretary, Mr Moses Anagende, and 11 members to recommend ways of arresting the criminals. He said the committee haD one week to submit its report.

Traders hail Kano tax harmonisation law OTHMAN SALIHU KANO

raders in Kano State have hailed the introduction of tax harmonisation law passed by the state House of Assembly. The traders expressed the belief that the development would end the recurring confrontation between them and tax officials. The recently introduced tax law has clearly spelt out categories of internal

generated income, mode of remittance and timeline of payment, all in due consideration of economic reality. It will be recalled that the Growth and Employment in States (GEMS), a nongovernmental organisation facilitated the private bill before the Assembly. Addressing journalists yesterday, the Secretary of Kano State Traders Union (KASTU), Mallam Aliyu Lamin Gwale, hailed GEMS for the effort.

North

Monday, December 30, 2013

Nasarawa Deputy Speaker to contest House of Reps’ seat IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

he Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Elisha Agwadu, has declared his intention to contest for the Lafia/Obi federal constituency in the House of Representatives in the 2015 general elections. Agwadu said this during a chat at Agu Hospital, Lafia, the state capital. He said; “It is better for one to go forward than to be in the same position, by which people will then become tired of one.” He said the electorate from his Obi II state constituency had wanted him to return to the state assembly for the third time to which he told them that: “It is good to allow some of us who have the capabilities of doing things to move forward. “I have already made it clear that I am going to contest for the Lafia/Obi federal constituency seat and leave the vacant place for the younger ones to fill.” The deputy speaker

added that the idea of him contesting the House of Representatives’ seat was purely based on destiny. As according to him; “If God has destined me, nobody can stop me. I have the hope that I will be a federal lawmaker by 2015 and nobody can stop my destiny. He also made it clear that he has never given it a thought to defect from PDP to any other party because the ongoing crisis in the PDP is a family issue that is temporary. “By the time they would even resolve this crisis, you won’t even know. Very soon you will see that all of them that have defected to APC will find a way of coming back. “Why should I even think of defecting to another party? It was my personality that gave me the vote; or was it the party that gave me the vote? Even if I go to Zero Party, if the constitution permits, my people will give me the vote; so there will be no need for me to defect to another party,” he concluded.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We’ll not borrow to finance 2014 budget –Kano govt OTHMAN SALIHU KANO

he Kano State government has vowed not to borrow a dime both within and externally to finance its 2014 appropriation budget. It also pledged to complete all ongoing and the over 700 inherited projects left by previous administrations in the state. However, while those started by the incumbent administration would be completed with the allocation of about 90 per cent of the 2014 budget to it, the ones left behind by previous administrations would be tackled piece meal.

Budget and Planning Commissioner, Yusuf Bello Dambatta, explained this when he gave the budget breakdown to journalists in Kano at the weekend. According to him, some of the projects are dated back to the military era and that they still remain uncompleted, though they are among those slated for completion in the 2014 fiscal year. Dambatta added that the Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso leadership inherited projects spread across the state, adding that some of the projects would be completed by local governments where the projects

are cited. According to him, the state government was committed to the completion of all projects in the state. “Like the Magwan Water Restaurant project, which was abandoned since the late Audu Bako era; you can bear me witness that the place is now being turned into the First Lady’s College.” The commissioner further hinted that N4.9 billion was earmarked for the Independent Power Project (IPP) in a joint project arrangement between the state and the local governments. He said the lump sum

of N5.9 billion was also set aside for the completion of the metropolitan project. He added that the famous malaria programme embarked upon by the state was allocated N1.2 billion to see to its completion. Dambattta said: “While fertilizer procurement would gulp N700 million, constituency projects was allocated N2.2 billion. “We are determined to judiciously use N3 billion to complete the Northwest University project. Also, Jakara/Kwarin Gogau Wuju-Wuju project would take N4 billion and we will use N3 billion for compensation,” he offered.

‘Katsina council election to hold next year’ JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

atsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, has said that the long-awaited local government election in the state will hold in the first quarter of 2014. It will be recalled that the last council polls had been conducted in 2008 during Shema’s first tenure as governor. The election which had been put off on more than one occasion, had led some members of the opposition party to threaten the state government with court action. But the state governor, who spoke at a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, zonal meeting yesterday, assured that election would take place next year in all the 34 council areas. Shema also said that the materials needed to conduct the exercise were on ground and that a date would be announced in January for political parties to begin preparations. “Everything has been made ready for the smooth

conduct of the exercise,” and that the election would ‘take place next year, God willing,’ he said. The governor, represented by Senator Umar Tsauri, however, called on PDP supporters in the state to come out en mass whenever the election day comes, to vote for the party’s candidates. Speaking on the spate of defections that recently engulfed the PDP, Shema said most of them were originally not PDP members and had gone to join the group they used to belong to. He said some people that had left PDP in the past were today nothing to write home about, and that the fate of some of those that recently left the party could tow a similar line. He, however, concurred that the party was facing challenges, adding; “We all know that PDP is facing some challenges and anyone trying to say otherwise is deceiving himself. “But we have been able to identify those challenges and doing so means we have solved by half the challenges facing us as a party.”

Bachama traditional dancers in Adamawa State performing during the 8th Pissi Tangle Cultural Festival at Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

Applicant sues Nigerian Army over ‘discrimintory’ selection process OTHMAN SALIHU KANO

n applicant in the ongoing enlistment into the Nigerian Army Short Service Course 42/2013 has instituted a case at the Federal High Court, Kaduna, against the Chief of Army Staff, LieutenantGeneral Azubuike Ihejirika and the army authorities over discriminatory selection process.

The applicant, Abubakar Abdullahi, through an originating summon he filed on November 1, 2013 and made available to National Mirror yesterday; is seeking a declaration that the exclusion of the plaintiffs from participating in the selection screening and interview of the Army Direct Short Service Course, 2013 is illegal. Counsel to the plaintiff, Mohammed Bello of A. S. Yusuf & Associates said

his client is also aggrieved over the act of shortlisting dated October 11, 2013 and the subsequent selection interview held between October 18 and November 1, 2013, describing the entire recruitment process and the eventual selection flowing there from as discriminatory. According to Abdullahi, the action violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the African

Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act and the Armed Forces Act, and therefore illegal, invalid, unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever. The plaintiff is also seeking an order nullifying the shortlisting, screening, interview and selection of the Army Direct Services Course 42/2013 as they violate the 1999 Constitution as well as the African Charter as mentioned above.

FG urged to demarcate grazing land for Fulani herdsmen WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

he Federal Government has been called upon to demarcate a grazing land for the Fulani herdsmen as a way of checking incessant clashes between them and the farming communities in the country. A renowned public commentator, Abdulakarim

Olola Kasum, who also doubles as the President of the Afonja Descendants Union (ADU) Ilorin, Kwara State, made this call in the wake of the recent clash between the Yoruba people of Alapa in Asa Local Government Area of the state and the Fulani herdsmen in the community. He said the clash between the two has become a recurring issue in many

other parts of the country, which only a demarcation and limitation of their encroaching while grazing their flocks would help to avert. According to him: “Once again, the recurrent decimal of ubiquitous communal clash between Fulani cattle nomads and native farming population anywhere in the country strongly reminds the Feder-

al Government to find lasting solution by demarcating grazing land for Fulani cattle nomads.” Kasum said before the violent clash in Alapa, the area had long been boiling over disputes between the Fulani cattle rearers and the Yoruba farming community over the grazing land and that this dispute formed the eventual background to the clash.

Monday, December 30, 2013

CHAN 2014: Egwuekwe may shun Nigeria

s the zero hour draws near for the naming of the 23-man squad for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) starting on January 11 in South Africa, Nigeria’s coach, Stephen Keshi, is worried over the medical fitness of his players. National Mirror learnt yesterday, that at the last count, four players have had knocks, two serious, two very negligible. Those not on the watch list are Solomon ‘Cafu’ Kwambe, who had a good game against Gokana United on Saturday in Rivers State and Umar Zango, the Kano Pillars central defender, who did not make the trip to the Port Harcourt friendly. On the flip-side, serious worries have emerged over top striker, Gambo Mohammed, who also did not travel for the game in Port Harcourt and Adeyinka Adedeji, who travelled for the game and was listed to start only to cop a hamstring injury while warming up for the kick-off. The medics have

however not given up on Mohammed and Adedeji, who incidentally have a similar case, but their chances are 50-50, as the date for the naming of the final squad for the championship draws near. “We have worries medically but we will wait till the last minute to see if the players can pull through,” Keshi said at the weekend. The home-based Super Eagles will this morning tackle Nigerian league champions, Kano Pillars, at the mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium. The Eagles have so far played four practice matches against local Nigerian sides, winning three and drawing one against Gokana United due largely to the poor state of the newly built stadium.

Keshi

…Ideye cheers up team in PH

ynamo Kyiv of Ukraine striker, Brown Ideye, was in the Super Eagles’ camp in Port Harcourt at the weekend, not only to encourage his teammates preparing for the CHAN, but also to assure the coaches of his state of fitness ahead of the Mundial 2014 in Brazil. The striker breezed into camp just before dinner time on Saturday and went back-slapping and exchanging pleasantries with his teammates some of whom he has not seen since after the friendly against Italy at the Craven Cottage, London over a month ago.

Ideye said he was in good shape and despite the holidays he had been keeping fit and getting set for the restart of the Ukrainian season as well as the Eagles preparations for the World Cup in Brazil. He also said he believes that despite the departure of some key players from the home based Eagles the team still has the potential to shock the continent at the CHAN tourney. “My mates will do well at the CHAN tourney because we have a good team and a very good technical crew backed by a performing NFF,” he said.

Sport

I keep my mind open with regards to the African Footballer award, as whatever will be will be –IVORIAN MIDFIELDER, YAYA TOURE

CHAN: Keshi expresses injury worries

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why I chose Lille –Enyeama

igeria’s goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, has revealed that he turned down Porto and Spanish club, Getafe, to join Lille. “I had several offers from Porto and several Spanish clubs like Getafe, but I finally chose Lille because by then they were doing well on the league table and

my brother, Aniekan, was also playing in France,” Enyeama told L’Equipe magazine. The 31-year-old goalkeeper also spoke about his trials at Bolton Wanderers then in the English Premier League. “I was close to signing for Bolton, but I don’t know why I didn’t because I did

well at the trials. Could it have been a problem between my agent and the club? I cannot tell but I moved on,” he said in an extensive special feature on him by the top French sports magazine. ‘Vinnie’, as he is known in France, joined Lille as a free agent in 2011 from Israeli club, Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

Enyeama

Mba’s AFCON goal defined 2013, says FIFA Mba volleying the ball for the winning goal

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI, SPORTS EDITOR

orld soccer governing body, FIFA, has picked Sunday Mba’s winning goal in the final of South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as one of the 13 moments that defined the outgoing year. On its website yesterday, FIFA rated the goal as the second among the 13 unforgettable and memorable moments of 2013. FIFA said of the winning goal Mba scored against

Burkina Faso on February 10 at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, “It was a goal worthy of winning any match, and Sunday Mba’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations-winning strike brought joy and relief to an entire nation. “Nigeria had not won a major trophy in 17 years going into the continental showpiece, but despite the best efforts of debutant finalists, Burkina Faso, Mba’s precise volley – after flicking the ball over his opponent’s head – proved sufficient to secure the African crown.” Lionel Messi’s fourth

Footballer of the Year award on January 7 is listed as the first among the 13 defining moments. FIFA said of it, “Having scored 91 goals in 69 appearances during 2012, Lionel Messi’s reward came at the start of this year with a record-breaking fourth successive FIFA Ballon d’Or. The little Argentinian duly superseded Marco van Basten and Johan Cruyff and achieved a feat he described as ‘just too great for words.” Cristiano Ronaldo’s one man show that earned Portugal the Brazil 2014 World Cup ticket is rated 13th

among the monumental feats of 2013. The global soccer body had this to say, “While there was drama across the various play-offs that brought an end to qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, there was no debate over the star performer. Cristiano Ronaldo, having struck the only goal of the first leg against Sweden, settled his all-star duel with Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a stunning hat-trick in Stockholm (on November 19) and reaffirmed his status as one of this generation’s truly great players.”

Sport

Monday, December 30, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gesture: Fresh trouble brews for Anelka

he England Football Association is to investigate WBA striker, Nicolas Anelka, after his controversial gesture against West Ham. The 34-year-old marked his return to the Baggies’ side with two goals, while Saido Berahino was also on target against the Hammers in the 3-3 draw at Upton Park.

Anelka

But Anelka was forced to explain his goal celebration after he seemingly performed the ‘quenelle’ salute, made famous by French comedian Dieudonne and linked to anti-Semitism in his homeland. The Frenchman tried to defend himself on Twitter, suggesting he was paying tribute to Dieudonne, a personal friend. He tweeted: “This gesture was just a special dedication to my comedian friend Dieudonne,” Anelka Twitted. Meanwhile, the incident has caused a huge storm in France, with Minister for Sport, Valerie Fourneyron, condemning the gesture and describing it as shocking and disgusting through her official Twitter account. “Anelka’s gesture is a shocking provocation, disgusting. There’s no place for anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred on the football field,” she wrote.

Ayew nears Marseille switch

arseille and Sochaux are close to agreeing terms for the loan deal of Ghanaian striker Jordan Ayew, according to reports yesterday. The reports said the 22-year-old had spoken to Sochaux Manager, Herve Renard, and was reassured by this conversation. Ayew, who wants to find a club for more game time as the 2014 World Cup finals beckons, has made 15 French Ligue 1 appearances for Marseille this season and scored one goal.

The player is currently struggling for game time at Marseille, playing second fiddle to the likes of Andre Pierre Gignac and Saber Khalifa. The deal hit a stumbling block however when it became apparent that Ligue 1 rules state a team can only have seven players away on loan at any one time, making it mandatory for the club to sell off one of the players currently away from the club before the deal could be concluded.

CHAN 2014: Egwuekwe may shun Nigeria S

uper Eagles defender, Azubuike Egwuekwe, yesterday said he may opt out of Nigeria’s team to the 2014 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) due to kick off in South Africa on January 10. This will be a second major blow to the Nigeria ‘B’ team after the departure of midfielder Sunday Mba for French second division side CA Bastia last week. Egwuekwe told MTNFootball.com he is studying offers from France and Italy that could well see him take a flight to Europe soonest. “I cannot say categorically that I will play in CHAN or not,” the towering defender, who plies his trade at Warri Wolves, said. “There are offers for me already, but I don’t want to

reveal the club’s identity for now,” he added. Egwuekwe has substituted injured Kenneth Omeruo in the main Super Eagles’ defence since the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. At a time, he was a regular in the Eagles’ squad as Coach Stephen Keshi began rebuilding the team following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2012 AFCON in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The Eagles’ B Team has also lost Godfrey Oboabona, Izu Azuka and Gomo Onduku to European clubs. Nigeria will make its debut at the 2014 CHAN and is drawn in Group A along with host South Africa, Mali and Mozambique.

Egwuekwe

Black Stars date Warriors

Ayew

hana will play Namibia’s Brave Warriors on January 4 in a pre2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) friendly. The match will be played in Windhoek, where the local Black Stars have camped since last week. The Black Stars B Team will leave Namibia on January 8 for its tournament base in Bloemfontein. “Ghana are our good football friends and the ties between us go a long way,” Namibia Football Association President, John Muinjo, said. “It is important that we en-

gage other African countries and keep our coach busy with his players as well. “We are pleased to have a good relationship with the Ghana Football Association and ahead of the World Cup, we are looking at further friendly games against them.” Brave Warriors Coach, Ricardo Mannetti, is however yet to announce the team to face Ghana. The Black Stars face tough opponents at the tournament after drawing Libya, Ethiopia and Congo in Group C.

Arsenal 2013 champions

livier Giroud’s header earned a scrappy win over Newcastle as Arsenal overtook Manchester City to regain top spot in the Premier League till the end of this year. The Gunners created several chances early on but Newcastle almost went ahead in first-half stoppage time when Moussa Sissoko’s shot was saved and Mathieu Debuchy headed against the bar. As the game became disjointed, Giroud nodded in Theo Walcott’s free-kick. Walcott had a lob cleared off the line before Arsenal

withstood late pressure. The hosts sent goalkeeper, Tim Krul, forward in search of a late equaliser, with Hatem Ben Arfa firing wide from a great position. Yet the Gunners will now be top of the league on New Year’s Day for the first time since the 2007-08 season with a point advantage over Manchester City. That season, their title challenge faded away, but after a run of three games without a win, Arsenal have now earned consecutive victories after a 3-1 win triumph at West Ham on Boxing Day.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Monday, December 30, 2013

Ezekiel’s brace keeps Standard on top STORIES: IKENWA NNABUOGOR

igerian kid sensation Imoh Ezekiel fired in a brace for Standard Liege as they hammered hosts Kortrijk 5-1 in the final game of the Belgian Jupiler League first round on Saturday to maintain their stranglehold on top of the log. It was a sweet way to end the first round for the wonder kid, who had gone eight games without hitting the target, doubling his side’s lead in the 13th minute. The former 36 Lion striker followed up on his effort, hitting the target again on the added time just before the break. Ezekiel was not done with his great showing,

setting up Brazilian-born Belgium international Igor Alberto de Camargo for the fifth goal to complete a comprehensive routing just before theor disappointed fans. Ezekiel also had a hand in the visitors’ opener, teeing off Jelle van Damme who made hay after just six minutes. The youngster, who is wanted by top European clubs, was on from start to finish, making his 19th start for the table toppers this season. “It was a great way to end the first round and I’m glad to end it with two goals,” Ezekiel said. “I have really worked hard for this, having gone some games without scoring. I thank God for this great feat and I hope it con-

tinues. “Standard have looked good right from the start of the season and we have done well to get this far. We still have task to do and I hope this continues till the end of the season.” The victory installed Standard champions of the first round as the Jupiler League went on winter break until January 18th. Ezekiel, who has now fired in eight goals in 21 games, catapulted himself back on top 10 in the scorers’ chart, occupying the joint fifth position. Last season, he netted 16 times as Standard finished the season disappointing sixth to grab a play-pff ticket and ended up getting a Europa Cup ticket.

Odemwingie’s no-show continues at Cardiff E stranged Super Eagles’ striker Osaze Odemwingie was left on the bench for 90 minutes as Cardiff City only managed 2-2 draw before their home fans against fellow strugglers Sunderland on Saturday. Manager Malky Mackay did not consider throwing the former Lille star into the deep end as his wards threw away a precious two-goal lead to end the exciting game 2-2 and

shared points which did not lift them from their 16th position. Mackay turned to Frazier Campbell and young England striker Jordan Mutch for goals and got his wish as the duo scored both goals and returned each other’s favours in assisting the goals. ‘Osaz’ has continued to find goal scoring hard to come by as he has only managed a goal in 14 appearances.

EPL Results Everton

2–1 Southampton

Newcastle

0 –1 Arsenal

Chelsea

2–1 Liverpool

Tottenham

3–0 Stoke

Osaze

The former Lokomotiv Moscow striker started last Thursday’s game, losing 3-0 to Southampton at home but was replaced at the start of second half. Mackay brought the 32year striker to the Welsh side after troubled times at West Brom, for a fresh start. The goals seem to be taking a whole long time to start flowing, leaving the Uzbekistan-born Nigeria international no choice to up his game.

Ezekiel

Ameobi fails to save Newcastle

uper Eagles’ striker Shola Ameobi’s search for his season’s first goal continues as the lanky striker failed to hit the target in Newcastle’s 1-0 home loss to Arsenal yesterday. Ameobi replaced Curacao-born Dutch striker Vurnon Anita in the 74th minute but he failed to cancel out Olivier Guiroud’s 65th minute goal. The Kwara-born Eagles striker dropped to the bench after grabbing starter’s shirt in a number

of games following his impressive feats but has pitifully fallen below expectations in front of goal. He has only managed a goal for the Magpies but in a League Cup back in August as the North East side claimed a 2-0 win. Having started eight games this season, Ameobi has failed to follow up with the goodies and will have to work a lot harder to break the jinx. He has so far made 13 league appearances for seventh placed club.

Ameobi

Akpala fires blank against Sivaspor

t was not a good evening for on loan striker Joseph Akpala as he fired blank for Karabukspor in their 3-1 loss to Sivaspor, who were without former Super Eagles’ striker John Utaka in the final league game of the first round in the Turkish Super League yesterday. As usual, Akpala, who has regained his scoring touch since his summer loan move, was on from start, but failed to save his side from defeat. Sivaspor had fired themselves into the lead after just nine minutes and doubled it 15 minutes

later but Karabukspor pulled a goal back just before the recess. Sivaspor made the game safe in the 85th minute. Akpala was however replaced in the 73rd minute

Akpala

and he stepped out for his 11th outing so far. The former Belgian League top scorer has so far netted four times in the league, as well as two times in the FA Cup.

WORLD RECORD

Longest fingernails (male) - ever

Vol. 03 No.754 Monday, December 30, 2013

y last piece, ‘Our politicians’ most sensible choice now’, attracted quite some reactions and observations. Many wanted to know if our politicians were not deliberately laying the mines that might eventually blow up the country to give credibility to the US ‘prophecy’ of a likely breakup of Nigeria in 2015. And then the most shocking of the reactions: “Is it not glaring that Nigeria needs at this time of the destructive partisanship being demonstrated by our politicians, a strong leader, preferably a man with a military background that could arrest the centrifugal forces tearing us apart?”

Permit me to put in perspective the much touted, but hanging US ‘prophecy’ on Nigeria. I will feel more comfortable with the word ‘prediction’ because prophecy has a

N150

The longest fingernails on a pair of male hands belonged to Melvin Boothe (USA) whose nails had a combined length of 9.85 m (32 ft 3.8 in), when measured in Troy, Michigan, USA on 30 May 2009. Unfortunately, Melvin passed away in December 2009.

In a time like this HeartBeat callistus Oke

Callistusoke@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275 (SMS ONLY) anthonykila@mail.com spiritual ring to it. The ‘prophecy’ of a likely break up of our country comes from a mere reconstruction of a future reality from data gathered over time on emerging tendencies in our politics that are more adversarial than conciliatory; patently gaping absence of service delivery in governance that has alienated and disconnected majority of Nigerians from the political processes; and of course, the self serving manipulation of ethno-religious forces by our politicians. The United States of America, as the sole super power in a unipolar world, feels obligated to have a firm control of the world through the power of perception, which is nothing more than proactively moving to contain future global eruptions and negative trends today. It is part of the strategy to master the world to protect its strategic national interests! Central to the realization of this strategic objective is the National Intelligence Council (NIC), the center for midterm and long-term strategic thinking within the Intelligence Community (IC). It is was formed in 1979 to, among other things, serve as a focal point for policymakers’ questions and communicate with experts in academia and the private sector to broaden the IC’s perspectives. It periodically commissions reports on the continents of the world, which serve as inputs into the US policy positions on the continents. Nigeria, due to her strategic position in Africa, has always come under NIC’s focus. For example, an NIC’s report tagged, “Global Trend 2025: A Transformed World”, released in 2008, predicted the rash of terrorism we are currently witnessing across

THE FACT THAT THE US ‘PROPHECY’ OF A LIKELY BREAKUP OF THE COUNTRY STILL HANGS SHOULD HAVE SERVED TO MODERATE THE COMBATIVE NATURE OF OUR POLITICS the continent, including Nigeria. “Given that significant portions of Africa, those areas outside the nations’ capitals, will essentially be ungoverned, there will be many opportunities for terrorist groups that threaten the West to seek haven across the continent…Those terrorists groups seeking sanctuary for their fugitive principals or who want to hide dangerous weapons may find the distant regions of some African countries inviting precisely because they are unlikely to be interrupted by government. “Indeed, an overwhelming majority of terrorism in Africa will be caused by indigenous groups waging war against their own or neighbouring governments or against other population groups, defined by religion or ethnicity”, the report stated. An earlier one titled “Global Trend 2010”, released in November 1997, projected that “Nigeria’s economic mismanagement, corruption, and political instability will not be resolved over the next 15 years. Fifteen years after Nigerian leaders are only bickering over

the access to political power with no attention paid to the declining objective material situation of Nigerians. The fact that the US ‘prophecy’ still hangs should have served to moderate the combative nature of our politics; for the politicians, adversarial rhetoric should have given way to consensualism to enable the right solutions to our problems worked out rather than the unending debates aimed more at making the governing elite look incompetent and unfit. And on the choice of a leader to match the prevailing mood of the country, I make bold to say it has nothing to do with military background. Such perception is part of the military hangover. In the states we have some good happening leaders and they never had military background! If only our politicians will realize that all hands should be on deck to arrest the looming slide into perdition. Our leaders should be supportive of the system by eschewing destructive politics. Deborah Tannen, the American scholar and author might have had Nigeria in mind when she stated in her book, The Culture Argument (Moving From Debate To Dialogue) that “In the argument culture, the quality of information we receive is compromised, and our spirits are corroded by living in an atmosphere of unrelenting contention”. Pick up any of the national dailies or turn on the radio and television stations, the big stories are always centred on the contentious clashes between the ruling politicians and opposition politicians: government policies are pilloried with no attempt to provide alternatives and political leaders are taken to the cleaners and projected as grossly incompetent even by people that have no track record of performance while in office. I agree with Professor Tannen that “Public discourse requires making an argument for a point of view, not having an argument”. On the difference between making an argument and having any argument, the best illustration I can think of is the Christian admonition that we criticize in love! Politics is not war. This is what the spirit of bipartisanship is all about. Nigerians can differentiate between a bad leader and a good one. Leaders who have lost elections can confirm this.

Sport Extra

Schumacher hospitalised after skiing accident

ormer formula one world champion, Michael Schumacher, has been taken to hospital after a skiing accident in the French Alps. It occured while the 44-year-old was skiing in

the French resort of Meribel in the popular Three Valleys area. It is understood he was wearing a helmet when he hit his head on a rock, and that he did not lose consciousness and initial re-

ports suggest his injuries are not serious. He was flown by helicopter after the accident to Grenoble Hospital. “Michael fell on his head when he was on a private skiing trip in the

French Alps,” a spokesperson said yesterday. “He was taken to hospital and is receiving professional medical attention. We ask for understanding that we cannot give out continuous information

about his health. “He was wearing a helmet and was not alone and none other was involved in the fall.” The duty manager at the hospital said Schumacher NFF President, Aminu Maigari “is undergoing a scan”. Schumacher

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