Monday, july 29, 2013

E-commerce transactions may hit N100bn mark

…as more Nigerians shop online EXCLUSIVE KUNLE A ZEEZ Johnson

Vol. 3 N0. 674 INUSA NDAHI AND A ZA MSUE

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t least five members of vigilance group known as ‘Civilian JTF’ were at the weekend ambushed and killed by Boko Haram Islamic sect in Mainok Village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Popularly called 'Yan Gora' in Maiduguri, the state capital, the group has CONTINUED ON PAGE 3>>

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lectronic commerce is fast transforming retail services in Nigeria with available data from the

Nigerian Interbank Settlement System, NIBSS, showing that the volume of online retail transacCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

THE

BUSINESS SECTION

Publicis, Omnicon merge to create $35bn ad giant Agric sector loans rise to 3.7 per cent –CBN P.7,A4

Free ree insi inside ide

Monday, July 29, 2013

N150

Again, Boko Haram kills 25 in Borno

CAN president in US, charges Muslims to seek dialogue Police flayed for UNIBEN student's killing P.10

Senate may still create states –Mark

EGYPT: PROTEST CLAIMS 83 LIVES

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Abuja indigenes divided over land swap P.7,52

Mark

LG workers begin nationwide warning strike today

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Brick barricades along the main street of Nasr City, a district of eastern Cairo, the day after a crackdown on supporters of the deposed former President Mohammed Morsi.

Rivers crisis:

DAY 20

Pray against underage, gay marriage conspiracy –JNI

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PDP accuses Amaechi of plot to pervert justice Lawmakers carpet CP for ill-treating House leader

One dies, nine injured in Ogun auto crash

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Monday, July 29, 2013

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Monday, July 29, 2013

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Again, Boko Haram kills 25 in Borno CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

been assisting the Joint Task Force, JTF, operatives in arresting suspected members of the Boko Haram sect.

Also, about 20 civilians were killed by another suspected terrorists group in Kukawa, a border town with Borno, Niger and Chad Republic.

Our correspondent gathered that the Mainok incident took place when some volunteered youths from Ajilari, Gomari and Bulunkutu Kasuwa wards of Jere and Maiduguri metropolis stormed the village in their patrol vehicles with the aim of arresting suspected Boko Haram sect members.

Unfortunately, the group went without the cover of the JTF and were overpowered as the terrorists fired sporadic gunshots at their convoy, killing four and injuring one.

Mainok, about 50 kilometres from Maiduguri, is one of the areas dominated by suspected Boko Haram members until last month when the JTF raided the village, killed over 40 terrorists and burnt over 100 motorcycles suspected to have been used for terrorist activities.

When the reported killing of the five ‘Civilian JTF’ members filtered into Maiduguri yesterday when their bodies arrived at Umaru Shehu Specialists Hospital, some of the aggrieved members of the group mobilised to Mainok village with the backup of military task force and set the entire village ablaze.

Confirming the incident, the JTF spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, in a statement to journalists said that members of the youth vigilance group were on operation in Mainok town at the weekend and in the course of the operation, they were attacked by suspected Boko Haram terrorists which led to the killing of one ‘Civilian JTF’ and another sustaining injury.

Sagir said that the deceased and the wounded were in Shehu Umar Specialists Hospital, Bulumkutu, in the Maiduguri metropolis.

He added that on hearing the news at about 11p.m. on Friday, the JTF troops were drafted to the area and had been operating on Mainok and surrounding villages to apprehend the bandits.

In Dawashi, it was gathered that a group of ‘Civilian JTF’ from Maiduguri had stormed the village in search of Boko Haram members.

The sect members, it was learnt, came out from their hiding, fully armed and started shooting indiscriminately, leading to the death of 20 civilians and many others seriously injured.

The victims, it was gathered, were mostly fishermen and traders on their legitimate businesses in the area.

It was also gathered that the whole of Dawashi, Daban Masara and Malan Karanti of Kukawa are stronghold of the terrorists.

An eyewitness who did not want his name mentioned said: “A group of Civilian Joint Task Force from Maiduguri stormed the Dawashi in search of Boko Haram members when the suspected sect members came out armed and fired sporadic shots that killed over 20 innocent persons while 12 others sustained serious injuries."

The Media Coordinator of the Multinational Joint Task Force, MJTF, in Baga town of Kukawa Local Government, Lt. Haruna Mohammed confirmed the incident in a statement made available to our correspondent.

"As at the time of compiling this report, the victims were still lying on the premises of MNJTF Field Ambulance, receiving medical treatment from the injuries sustained during the attack.

"As part of the excellent civil-military relations and humanitarian gesture demonstrated by the MNJTF, a dozen of Boko Haram victims affected by the Saturday attack in Dawashe district of Kukawa Local Government, Borno State, got medical treatment in the Headquarters Field Ambulance in Baga,” Mohammed stated.

He added that heavily armed Quick Response Group from the MNJTF had been deployed to ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.

In Plateau State, five villagers and one assailant were killed in an attack on Kumbur village, Wase Local Government Area on Saturday.

The Chairman of Wase Local Government Council, Mr. Muhamadu Zakari,

who confirmed the attack and the killings, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Jos yesterday that the attackers also injured several others.

Capt. Salisu Mustapha, the Media Officer of the Special Task Force, STF, who also confirmed the attack, said that the task force personnel, who rushed to scene of the attack, killed one of the fleeing assailants.

Mustapha, however, said that he was not sure of the number of casualties among the villagers.

He said that Zakari was “a reliable source” in ascertaining how many people were affected by the violence.

Mustapha said that the attackers had wanted to use the village route to launch heavy attack on Wase, adding that they were, however, repelled by men of the STF. He added that peace had been restored to the affected area.

Zakari, who condemned the attack, wondered how the attack was possible “in spite of the heavy presence of security men in the area.”

He described the incident as “most unfortunate” since stakeholders had been deliberating on how to end the lingering hostilities.

“We only pray that God will intervene in this matter while we do everything humanly possible to restore lasting peace in the area,” he said.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Plateau State, Mrs. Felicia Anselm, said that she had not been fully briefed on the incident.

“As soon as I get the full details, I shall get back to you,” she told NAN. NAN, however, reports that Wase and other parts of Plateau South have become theatres of protracted violence as rival communities persistently attack each other in guerrilla-style attacks usually carried out at night.

NAN recalls that the STF Commander, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Ayoola, met with stakeholders last Monday where affected communities discussed the persistent violence and pledged to work toward peace Meanwhile, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>

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Photo News

Monday, July 29, 2013

L-R: Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Jonathan Kish Adamu; Managing Director, UBA Trustees, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni and the Kaduna State AccountantGeneral, Mr. Ishaku Shekari, during the meeting of bond holders of the state’s N8.5bn organised by UBA Trustees in Lagos, at the weekend.

L-R: Chairman, Avon Healthcare Limited, Dr. Awele Elumelu; Acting Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Abdulrahman Sambo and Chief Executive Officer, Avon Healthcare, Mrs. Simbo Ukiri, at the launch of Avon HMO, at the weekend.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Chairman of the Board of Directors, Oando Plc, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo; Group Chief Executive, Mr. Wale Tinubu and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Femi Adeyemo, at the company’s 36th annual general meeting in Lagos, at the weekend.

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Chief Sonny Odogwu; MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank, Plc, Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi; Recipients, Zik Prize in Leadership Award: Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso; his Delta State counterpart, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; his wife, Roli; Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Bisi and former Chairman, Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, during the Zik Prize in Leadership Award ceremony in Lagos, at the weekend.

National News

ASUU may end strike as union, FG meet today EMMANUEL ONANI AND OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

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he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may suspend its over onemonth-old strike this week, as the union and the Federal Government meet today.

ASUU National President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, is to lead his members to the last lap of talks with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who is the leader of the government’s high-powered negotiating team.

Other members of the government team are Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai and her Labour and Productivity counterpart, Chief Emeka Wogu.

Although both parties met for hours last Friday at the SGF’s office, it was agreed that ASUU should

• Bishop urges resolution of crisis return to the dialogue table today in a bid to reach a common ground on the thorny issue of “Earned Allowance”.

Apart from the issue of earned allowance for the striking university teachers, another bone of contention, according to Anyim, is the issue of funding of university education, especially the noticeable infrastructure deficits across the nation’s ivory towers.

It was in an effort to address the problem of infrastructure, according to the SGF, that the Federal Government inaugurated a 22-man implementation committee on Needs Assessment Report to Nigerian Universities. It is headed by the Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam.

National Mirror gathered that the Suswanled committee will meet

with ASUU leadership on Thursday.

Expressing renewed optimism on the likelihood of the striking lecturers returning to classroom, Anyim had said: “You might also recall that the implementation committee of Needs Assessment Report to Nigerian Universities was just inaugurated (Friday).

“The Chairman of that Committee is Governor Gabriel Suswam. After the inauguration of that committee, we appealed to him to join us in this meeting...

“On this note, I am convinced that their desire to see this matter resolved is simply because of their commitment to national progress,” Anyim said.

Anyim added that the Needs Assessment was to underscore government’s sincere desire to bring the university education

to world ranking.

It will be recalled that several meetings held in the past to persuade ASUU to suspend the lingering strike were deadlocked.

A previous meeting scheduled by the Senate and House of Representatives’ joint committees on education was botched, as ASUU president, Fagge, staged a walk-out, which they had hinged on “shoddy” treatment by the lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Kubwa, Anglican Communion, has advised the Federal Government to resolve the issues leading to the ASUU strike in the interest of the children and the collective future of the nation.

Academic activities have been paralysed in the nation’s universities due to the refusal of the government to fulfill the

agreement it signed with the union.

This is even as it praised the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan in widening the admission space for tertiary education by establishing 13 more universities across the country since his assumption of office.

The advice was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday after the second session of the Second Synod of the Diocese held in Abuja.

The communiqué, which was signed by the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev Duke Akamisoko, noted that the recent revelation by the Minister of Power that about 120 million Nigerians are without access to power was rather embarrassing for a nation at the verge of celebrating 100 years of her corporate existence.

The Synod also urged stakeholders in the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to make it

truly a “We, the people of Nigeria” document.

The church also commended the House of Representatives for the move to introduce autonomy for local government councils in the constitution, adding that this should be supported by the state Houses of Assembly to give it the force of law.

The church, however, frowned at the failure of the Senate to expunge Section 29(4)(b) which stipulates that married girl-child is considered to be of full age, adding that such action is in contradiction to Section 29(4)(a) which adequately defines the meaning of full age.

Speaking earlier on the theme of the Synod entitled: “God is light and in Him, there is no darkness at all,” Rt. Rev. G. Akinbiyi stressed that if Nigerians allowed the light of Christ in their endeavors, the nation would be better place for all.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Monday, July 29, 2013

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PDP accuses Amaechi of plot to pervert justice SAM OLUWALANA AND WALE IGBINTADE

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he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has accused Governor Rotimi Amaechi of plotting to scuttle the prosecution of the Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, who is likely to be charged to court soon for attempted murder of his colleague, Hon. Michael Chindah.

This is even as 27 members of the Assembly have accused the state’s Police Commissioner, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, of ill-treating the House leader.

The state PDP Chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah, made the accusation yesterday in a statement in Port Harcourt over what he termed as reliable information that Amaechi had directed the state Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Worgu Boms, to prevent the prosecution of Lloyd.

Obuah said that Amaechi was hell bent on frustrating the prosecution of Lloyd through the attorney-general.

He said: “If Governor Amaechi desires peace, he

would have gone to see the badly battered lawmaker and show concern for the sake of humanity.

“But instead of that, he is plotting that the attorney-general of the state should enter a nolle prosequi to terminate the criminal proceedings to be commenced against Lloyd.

“Such an action will not only be morally wrong but amounts to an abuse of office and miscarriage of justice.

“It will heighten bitterness and provoke the sympathisers and relatives of Hon. Chindah who may be forced to believe that the actions of Hon. Lloyd was not an accident but planned and masterminded by the governor and Lloyd.

“Irrespective of what has happened, it is inhuman and absolutely wrong for the governor to be blocking the due process of justice in such a highly sensitive case where a lawmaker would have murdered another on the floor of the House as was shown on television.

“Much as nobody is perfect, the actions we take when others are de-

liberately injured will help to heal wounds and soothe pains.”

Obuah cautioned that if the attorney-general issued a nolle prosequi to terminate the trial, the situation might heighten tension and further threaten the fragile peace in the state.

In a related development, 27 members of the Assembly, led by the Deputy Leader Leyii Kwanee yesterday accused Mbu of inflicting “dehumanising treatment on Lloyd, who was alleged to have been

blindfolded, tortured and tear gassed while in detention.”

The lawmakers spoke in Port Harcourt against allegation that Lloyd was already going blind in detention.

They said: “We need to ensure that democracy is respected in Rivers State.

Hon. Chidi Lloyd reported himself to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday. He was flown into Port Harcourt on Friday. We thought he would be charged to court that day.

“Meanwhile, as I speak with you now, he is being held at the State CID by the same police authorities under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu. “We have been refused access to him. We have just been informed that Hon. Chidi Lloyd is going blind, occasioned by the teargas that was sprayed all over him, particularly in his eyes. He was also being refused access to Medical help has also been refused him.

“Today (yesterday), the

27 pro-Amaechi lawmakers have met in all the churches. We have been praying, seeking God’s intervention. We all know that Nigerians are prayerful people. We are also not losing sight of the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to a lot of conventions and treaties bordering on human rights.

“We are assembling a team of lawyers, who will look at the possibility of putting together all the human rights abuses that have been inflicted CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>

L-R: President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil; President Cristina Fernandez of Argentina and President Evo Morales of Bolivia during the World Youth Day prayer night as Pope Francis completed an historic trip to his home continent with a Mass on the Copacabana beach in Brazil on Saturday.

E-commerce transactions may hit N100bn mark CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tions or non-store shopping alone increased from N62bn in 2011 to N77.5bn in 2012 with the expected volume to surpass N100bn this year.

The emergence of mega online retail outfits has been providing payment convenience for over 40 million Nigerians currently online.

Investigation by National Mirror revealed that most Nigerians with internet access, especially those in the corporate world, are showing a rising preference for shopping online as against physical shopping.

Some of the benefits of online shopping are that it saves time, offers convenience and provides flexible payment options.

In the last two years, some online retail outfits, including Jumia.com, Konga.com, Ryte Deals and a host of others, have sprung up with transac-

tion volumes increasing by the day.

The aviation industry, where individuals and corporate entities can book flights online at discounted rates; the hospitality sector, where hotel booking is increasingly being done online and telecommunications and pay-television sector, where easy payment for top- up cards and satellite television services subscriptions can easily be transacted are areas where e-commerce is transforming people’s lifestyles in Nigeria.

Findings also show that the wide array of product offerings available from online retailers, including mobile devices, tablets and PCs, cameras, fashion products, home appliances, books, toys, games, DVDs, tickets to events, wines and spirits, is the key driver of the online shopping revolution.

Some even offer home

delivery and discount meals from selected restaurants.

Many of the retailers have also grown the business by profiling customers and potential customers, bombarding them with product adverts anytime they go online.

Jumia, arguably the biggest online retailer in Nigeria today, keeps track of products potential customers have viewed online and direct adverts to such customers.

Customers are also wooed by the free delivery services, pay on delivery and liberal return policies for goods that remain intact.

Some customers, who spoke with National Mirror on their online experience, identified trust, cost reduction, time savings, convenience and efficient services delivery as some of the key values they derived from online shopping, which they also

said had affected their lifestyle.

A banker, Mrs. Tinuke Bamidele, said: “I go online these days to make purchases because it saves me time, I have various payment options such as cash on delivery, payment through my credit or debit cards by simply going online to do the transactions and the items purchased are delivered within two or three days. For me, this saves me a lot of time.”

Also, Sola Adeoti’s experience is not different.

The university student said: “Why do I need to waste my time moving around in the current heavily-congested Lagos roads to go and do shopping? I prefer online purchase since the products are also available on display online.

“You can see the products and make a choice, and order it. But I prefer the cash-on-delivery arrangement.”

Findings also revealed that the volume of transactions from online purchase is a function of internet availability and access to Nigerians and in recognition of this, it was gathered that Nigeria currently targets increased internet users from around 40 million to about 70 million Nigerians by 2015.

The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, said recently that government was taking concrete measures to achieve the target as a focal point in its broadband agenda.

She noted that increasing the number of Internet users in the country would boost the volume of e-commerce in the country, stressing that this was dependent on the number of people with internet literacy.

Johnson said: “To increase internet literacy, it simply means that we

need to take conscious effort as a country to make internet available and accessible to Nigerians.

“With just over 30 million Nigerians estimated to be online, Nigeria plans to extend Internet access to over 70 million Nigerians, who will be involved in online purchase activities by 2015 and with this we believe we would have further strengthened our e-commerce industry in terms of volume as more and more people leverage the efficiency offers by online platform.”

National Mirror gathered that increased teledensity, internet access, speed and reduction in the cost of access are currently driving e-commerce in Nigeria.

Statistics showed that teledensity ratio had increased in fixed line access from 0.51 per cent in 2011 to 1.5 per cent in 2012.

The ratio is expected to CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>

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Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

E-commerce transactions may hit N100bn mark CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

increase to 10 per cent by 2015.

The ratio of mobile subscriptions increased from 68.49 per cent in 2011 to 71.54 per cent in 2012. The figure, which surpassed 80 per cent at the end of April 2013, according to analysts, will increase to 97.69 per cent by 2015.

Also, the Universal Service Provision Fund, USPF, says that access of rural population to Information and Communication Technology increased from 1.5 per cent in 2011 to 1.65 per cent in 2012.

Mobile phone coverage in the rural areas stands at 40 per cent in 2012 and is expected to hit 80 per cent by 2015 and 100 per cent by 2017.

Speed of broadband access has increased from 1.0 in 2011 to 1.8 in 2012 and is expected to increase to 5.0 by 2015 while cost of broadband subscription (3GB package/

yr) has reduced from N93, 000 to N72, 000 in 2012.

Johnson stressed that with the execution of the National Broadband Plan recently submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan, it is expected that broadband Internet subscription would go down by 50 per cent in the next three years.

Co-founders of Jumia. com, Mr. Tunde Kehinde and Raphael Afeador, said in spite of the infrastructural challenges in the country, Nigeria is a ready market for e-commerce.

“This e-commerce opportunity can only be properly unlocked and harnessed, if more Nigerians are made to be online.

“As an online retailer, we partner with merchants and banks and other e-payment institutions and from less than 50 people when we started the business a year ago, we have grown our staff

strengthen to about 500 as at today,” Afeador said.

He added that Jumia. com runs a flexible policy on warranty and retur n policy that guarantees customers satisfaction and “that has infor med the level of patronage we have recorded in the last 12 months of our operations where we have also boosted our staff strength.”

Konga.com, another online mega store, said it is devising various means to meet the yearnings of Nigerians online.

Apart from several flexibility options in payments and goods delivery,

the firm has also decided to open a pick-up centre across the country, where goods ordered are easily picked up by the customers.

“There is an added benefit of being able to return packages to any of its centres in line with our seven-day return policy.

Upon entry, customers will be attended to by Konga representatives, who will be able to assist with any order placed and other general enquiries and requests,” the company said in a statement.

It added that this provided a slightly familiar

physical element to the online experience and increases the convenience for customers as the centres were open seven days a week to cater for people’s busy lifestyle.

On the fear of online fraud, which some Nigerians have pointed out as deterrent to online shopping, Chief Payments and Value Added Services Officer, Interswitch, Mrs. Titilayo Shogaolu, said security of payment platforms in Nigeria was increasing and stressed the need to constantly update security infrastructure to guard against online fraud.

She said: “Interswitch connects banks, online platforms such as online retailers, airlines, hospitality industry and for subscriptions-based services such as DSTV and as such, we constantly improve the security of our network, ditto with most of the companies that are connected to our network as a payment processing link to their customers.

“But we need to constantly upgrade our security because as you are, the online fraudsters are also devising means of defrauding people online every minute.”

Again, Boko Haram kills 25 in Borno CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Oritsejafor, at the weekend called on northern Muslim leaders to reach out to Boko Haram top commanders for ceasefire and dialogue.

Addressing Nigeria Christians in Washington DC, United States, at the weekend, Oritsejafor said during the militancy in the Niger Delta, he personally went to the creeks in search of peace with the then militants.

While commending the ‘Civilian JTF’ for their role in arresting Boko Haram members, he reiterated his earlier call on the US to designate the sect as a foreign terrorist group.

The CAN president said since the onslaught on Christians in the North, the United States has not offered any humanitarian assistance to the victims.

He said: “I will briefly give an update on the state of our communion so to speak. In my first term, about 3,000 Christians were killed. Last year alone averaged of over 100 every month. In March 2010, about 500 Christians were slaughtered in one night on an attack on their villages.

“In April 2011, our members lost over 500 churches, thousands of

homes and businesses in a 48-hour period and in 2012 about 70 per cent of all Christians killed worldwide were in northern Nigeria alone.

“While the sending in of federal troops has put the terrorists on the defensive, the most intriguing aspect is that it has galvanised local Muslim youths who despise extremism to come out to assist the authorities in fishing out the terrorists embedded in the community.

“This is a huge turning point and a welcome development. And this is what we have consistently called for – for Muslims of goodwill to join hands with us in rooting out terrorism which threatens the continent and world peace and for the state to stand to its duty to protect.”

Oritsejafor said: “Personally, during the Niger Delta militancy over oil in the South, I went to the dangerous creeks in engine boats to seek peace with the restive youths.

“I have urged northern Muslim leaders to reach out to their own people in like manner and have an internal dialogue to stem the extremist insurgency.”

L-R: Assistance Regional Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Olambe Region, Pastor Daniel Akinpinyi; his wife, Acting Assistance Regional Overseer, Olapeju, and General Overseer, MFM Worldwide, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, during the unveiling of Lagos Region 46 at Olambe, Ogun State, yesterday.

PDP accuses Amaechi of plot to pervert justice CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

on Hon. Chidi Lloyd, the leader of the 7th Assembly, with a view that if justice cannot be assured on the shores of Nigeria, human rights transcend borders.

“We may seek justice to ensuring that Hon. Chidi Lloyd’s rights are protected and his cause is also ventilated, probably in the International Court of Justice, if it comes to that.

“The Speaker (who is in Namibia for conference of Commonwealth Parliamentarians) will also draw the attention of the Commonwealth to the ugly development.”

The lawmakers also lauded the senators in concurring with the members of the House of Representatives in taking over the state House of Assembly, which they described as a welcome development and in the best

interest of Nigerians.

They declared that the state police commissioner is a “major” problem in the deepening political crisis, insisting that the decision of the members of the National Assembly to immediately redeploy him must be respected and implemented.

The 27 lawmakers noted that with a “neutral” police commissioner, they would sit, move the state forward, adding that the reconciliation committee of the party, headed by Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson would not serve the interest of the state.

Meanwhile, Boms has commended the National Assembly for taking over the legislative functions of the state House of Assembly.

The AG in a statement entitled: “The contrived Rivers State political crisis and the take-over of its

legislative House by the National Assembly,” commended the National Assembly for the decision.

The statement reads: “The House of Representatives and the Senate and indeed the well-meaning Nigerians saw the plot and rose against it.

“I urge them to celebrate the intervention for, through it, countless lives have been saved.

“By this, the National Assembly has proved, beyond doubt, that the primary responsibility of governments is the preservation of lives and property.

“I had stated several times that the disturbances were planned in advance, they were invented and not genuine, all to achieve a predetermined end and that is why the planners and their sponsors do not want any genuine approach to resolving it as such genuine resolu-

tion will not hit their target of removing Governor Rotimi Amaechi at all cost and by any means.”

Boms also alleged that because the sponsors of the disturbances were not interested in the resolution of the crises, they had headed for court to stop the commission from sitting, litigated against the Senate and House of Representatives from intervening in the matter.

He noted that: "This is why I did not and do not agree with those who reason that the National Assembly, like the Nigeria Police in Rivers State, should do nothing until someone dies or the governor is illegally removed or a state of emergency is declared.

“To the contrary, the National Assembly should receive fulsome commendation from all, regardless of which side of the contrived divide we stand."

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Monday, July 29, 2013

7

Publicis, Omnicom plan $35bn merger AYO OLESIN

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

G

lobal advertising firms, Publicis and Omnicom, have announced a merger plan that will create the world’s biggest advertising group, worth $35.1 billion.

The tie-up could spur rivals to do deals to keep pace with big changes from technology and the internet.

The companies said yesterday that the transaction - presented as a merger of equals - would bring the necessary scale and investment firepower to cope with rapid changes wrought by technology on the advertising business.

“This is a new company for a new world. It will be able to face the exponential development of new internet giants like Facebook and Google, changing consumer behaviour, the explosion of big data, as well as handle the blurring of roles of all the players in the market,” Publicis Chief Executive Maurice Levy said.

The transaction marks a return of jumbo-sized mergers and acquisitions among the world’s ‘Big Six’ advertising groups, which have spent the past few years buying up much smaller targets in emerging markets and among web marketing specialists.

Other deals might now follow. Current leader WPP could make a move for U.S.based Interpublic, France’s Havas or Japan’s Dentsu.

The new company - Publicis Omnicom - will be traded in New York and Paris. It will overtake WPP and have combined sales of nearly $23 billion and 130,000 employees. It brings together Publicis brands such as Saatchi & Saatchi with Omnicom’s BBDO Worldwide and DDB Worldwide.

In Nigeria, Saatchi & Saatchi runs a partnership with SO&U; Leo Burnett has a long standing relationship with Rosabel while DDB Worldwide has an affiliation with DBB Lagos. It is not immediately clear how the merger will affect the local affiliates.

The French and U.S. companies said shareholders in Publicis and Omnicom would each hold about 50 per cent of the new firm’s equity.

Omnicom Chief Execu-

tive John Wren and Publicis CEO Levy will jointly lead the new company for the first 30 months, then Levy will become non-executive chairman and Wren CEO. The two veteran CEOs chose the neutral territory of the Netherlands for the new holding company.

It all began when Levy casually mentioned the idea of a merger to Wren at a social event in New York about six months ago.

“I said it almost as a joke, but then once we each went back and reflected, it didn’t seem so crazy,” Levy said at a press conference at Publicis headquarters.

The two executives later brought in Rothschild Group to advise Publicis and Moelis & Company for Omnicom, choosing independent firms instead of larger banks in part to try to prevent leaks.

But when thorny issues cropped up in the talks, Wren and Levy settled things in one-to-one phone calls, the two men said.

Under the deal, Publicis shareholders will receive one newly issued ordinary share of Publicis Omnicom Group for each Publicis share they own, plus a special dividend of 1.00 euro per share.

Omnicom shareholders will receive 0.813 newly issued ordinary shares of Publicis Omnicom Group for each Omnicom share they own, together with a special dividend of $2.00 per share.

There is no premium involved in the merger, although Publicis was slightly smaller in terms of market capitalisation than Omnicom. A person close to the deal said that the dividends were designed to bring the equity stakes to parity.

The groups said the transaction would create “significant value for shareholders”, with expected synergies of $500 million. No job cuts are planned.

Levy

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Sen. Smart Adeyemi; Minister of FCT, Sen. Bala Mohamed and Minister of State for FCT, Chief Olajumoke Akinjide, during the ground-breaking ceremony of Abuja Rail Mass Transit Station in Abuja, at the weekend.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Senate may still create states –Mark GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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resident of the Senate, David Mark, has told Nigerians agitating for creation of new states that the issue had not been foreclosed by the National Assembly.

Mark gave the assurance while addressing angry Idoma people under the aegis of Idoma National Forum, INF, who visited him at his Apo, Abuja residence at the weekend.

He said though in its report, the Senate Committee on Constitution Review dismissed all the requests for new states for not meeting the constitutional requirements of the 1999 Constitution, particularly Section 8, there were still opportunities for the National Assembly to revisit the matter.

According to him, the major impediment to the creation of new states is Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, which makes

the exercise very cumbersome.

The Senate president, however, assured that the process was being streamlined to make it less cumbersome.

He said: “I have never minced words about my position for the creation of additional states. It is not that we cannot live together with our brothers and sisters but I am a firm believer that state creation will bring more development and progress nearer to the people.

“You should continue with the agitation for state creation and work towards meeting the requirements. I am sure that when the conditions are met, states would be created.

“Milk may have been spilled but not fallen over.

There is still a window and the National Assembly will hearken to the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.”

Mark urged the people

to continue to maintain peace and unity and promised to continue to be good ambassador of Idoma nation, Benue State and Nigeria at all times.

He promised that his actions and deeds would be guided by the fear of God, fairness, objectivity and the rule of law.

Earlier, the President of the Idoma National Forum, Dr. Okopi Alex Momoh, urged the National Assembly to review requests for the creation of states, pointing out that with over 61 requests, something must be wrong with the management of states in the country.

Momoh appealed to the National Assembly to investigate and verify the claims for state creation in order to address the issue and feelings of most Nigerians.

He praised Mark for providing quality leadership in the Senate and being a worthy representative of

the Idoma nation.

Meanwhile, Mark has reiterated the need for full insurance coverage for journalists because of the violent and unfriendly environment they operate.

The Senate president spoke against the background of the increasing number of journalists, who have died recently because of their political reports and coverage of crisis-prone areas.

Speaking while declaring open a two-day retreat for Senate Correspondents in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, at the weekend, Mark said proper insurance for journalists was imperative because in the event that something happened to any journalist, he or she would be properly taken proper care of.

He also appealed to the Senate Correspondents to raise their reportage of the activities of the Upper Chamber because, according to him, they are the eyes with which the country sees the lawmakers.

Anambra: Court asked to stop transparent ballot boxes’ use ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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firm, Bedding Holdings, has approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for an order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, from deploying the transparent ballot boxes for the Anambra State governorship poll.

Bedding Holdings was on June 5, 2012 judicially awarded the patent right to the ballot boxes currently being used by

INEC for elections.

Justice Adamu Bello of the Abuja Federal High Court held last year that the company owned the patent right to the ballot boxes.

The court had restrained the defendants, particularly INEC and Jega, from further using the ballot boxes or an imitation of the boxes without the consent of Bedding Holdings.

In the fresh application, the firm told the court that the defendants, particularly INEC and Jega, against whom the orders in the judgement were made, had continued to act in breach

of the orders by using the ballot boxes without its consent.

It cited instances when INEC and its chairman had used the ballot boxes, despite the subsisting judgement to include the re-run election held in Ilorin North-West Local Government into the Kwara State House of Assembly on June 30, 2012; Edo State governorship election on July 14, 2012; Ondo State governorship election of October 20, 2012; the election held in Oguta Constituency, Imo State on June 29 this year, among others.

INEC, Jega and Emchai

Limited had made efforts to stay the execution of the judgement by filing applications to that effect.

But Justice Bello, in a ruling on May 28 this year, dismissed the applications for lacking in merit.

The judge frowned at INEC’s continuous use of the ballot boxes despite the fact that his judgment was still subsisting.

Bello, however, stayed hearing in a pending contempt proceedings initiated against INEC and Jega, pending the determination of their appeal against the June 5, 2012 judgement.

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Monday, July 29, 2013

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, July 29, 2013

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News

Monday, July 29, 2013

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Journalists’ laptops, cameras, others stolen at airport presidential lounge OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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aptops, cameras and other working tools belonging to displaced aviation journalists at the Presidential Lounge of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, MMA, Lagos, have been stolen by yet to be identified persons.

This was discovered at the weekend when the Protocol Department of the lounge, headed by one Mr. Afolabi Oduniyi, finally agreed to release the items to the journalists after almost 18 months of seizure.

It will be recalled that aviation journalists were branded “security risk” by the late National Security Adviser, NSA, General Andrew Azazi and were thrown out of the lounge on Sunday, February 4, 2012.

The journalists before the ejection had been using the lounge since 1979. Items stolen at the lounge were worth millions of naira.

No fewer than 12 laptops and five sophisticated cameras belonging to journalists from major media houses in the country were missing from the lounge when the journalists attempted to claim their working tools.

Some of the missing laptops and cameras had earlier been captured in the inventory taken in April 2012 in which both Oduniyi and the journalists led by Mr. Chuks Iwelunmo, signed.

The only three laptops not stolen were those padlocked by their owners before the abrupt ejection by Oduniyi in 2012.

One of the journalists, Mr. Wale Olufade of The Sun newspaper said his bag containing a camera and some accessories was completely missing, while Mr. Isaac Ayodele of The Nation newspaper said his bag was torn open and the laptop and

hard disc removed. Mr. Sola Ojedokun, of The Guardian newspaper, whose camera was also stolen, had his laptop missing.

Besides, Mr. Abel Orukpe of Daily Independent newspaper and Mr. Franklin Ihejirika of the Nigerian Pilot could neither see their laptops nor the bags that contained the equipment while Mr. Pullen Uwamagbe of the Nigerian Observer could not find his Nikkon camera.

Following the discovery of the theft, the journalists who had earlier been called upon to collect their items refused, insisting that the lost items should be re-

placed before collection.

In his attempt to assuage the feelings of the reporters, Oduniyi promised to look into the matter and asked the journalists to send the cost of the missing items to his office.

He, however, begged the journalists not to disclose the issue to their bosses in their different offices as he said this might cause him his job.

It will be recalled that in 2010, money belonging to the wife of the former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Christopher Alao-Akala was stolen inside the inner

FAAN writes PenCom for clarification over new scheme OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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L-R: Managing Director, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Yinka Marinho; Managing Director, Lagos Ferry Services Company, Mr. Babatunde Williams; Governor Babatunde Fashola; Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko and others, during the governor’s inspection visit to the Ebute-Ero Jetty, Elegbata, Lagos, yesterday.

Momodu: Groups flay police for dismissing, transferring killer officers SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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ivil society groups in Edo State have criticised the alleged transfer of the leader of a police patrol team and the outright dismissal of another officer without trial over the extra-judicial murder of a 500 Level, 22-year-old student of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Mr. Ibrahim Momodu.

Momodu was allegedly shot on Friday May 27, by a Corporal, Mr. Amadin Idahosa, during a patrol led by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Ogida Police Station, Chief Superintendent of Police, Mrs. Carol Afegbai, who ordered his secret burial the following day.

According to the Momodu family lawyer, Mr. Jefferson Uwoghiren, Idahosa shot and killed the victim during a stop-and-search exercise on the orders of Afegbai, who alleged that the victim had wanted to shoot her when he was stopped for

a search.

The latest in the murder case as National Mirror followed-up the report revealed last Friday that Mrs. Afegbai has allegedly been transferred out of Edo State to Ibadan, Oyo State to continue her police duties while Idahosa has allegedly been summarily dismissed by the Nigeria Police even without any of the officers being formally prosecuted for the murder.

Efforts made to officially confirm or deny these allegations were unfruitful as no officer of the command was ready to speak on the contentious issue.

Reacting to the reported transfer in a media document that was made available to our correspondent in Benin at the weekend, the coalition of civil society organizations in the state led by friends of the slain student such as Messrs Osaze Edigin, Kola Edokpayi and James Ehigiator, flayed authorities of the Nigeria Police for quickly ef-

fecting the transfer and dismissal of the alleged killer police officers after submitting an incomplete autopsy report that was rejected by the state government penultimate week.

The group said: “It is sad to note the conspiracy to exonerate Mrs. Carol Afegbai because of her rank. This is to buttress the fact that she is being transferred to Ibadan to continue her sadistic and malicious killings.

“This action is contrary to the rule of law. In a situation where citizens have no confidence in the rule of law, things will definitely fall apart and the centre will no longer hold.

“Carol Afegbai is not above the law. The gruesome and premeditated murder of Ibrahim Momodu is part of a consistent act of serial killings by Carol Afegbai and her killing team.

“How can you kill an individual and bury him immediately. We reject this mo-

dus operandi and demand that the killer DPO and her killer team be charged to court for murder and conspiracy so as to serve as deterrent to any other triggerhappy police officer.”

Speaking under the banner of Edo State Civil Society Organisations, the group said the purported dismissal of Idahosa is as an orchestrated plan to exonerate Afegbai.

The group posed eight questions to the police, seeking to know among other facts: “How many witnesses testified in any orderly room trial organised; whether the DPO of New Benin Police Station, under whose jurisdiction Afegbai buried the remains of Momodu, got any signal to the effect.

“Who gave Idahosa the order to shoot Momodu; why did Afegbai hurriedly buried Momodu even when it was clear he was killed extra-judicially and why did Afegbai allegedly admitted, initially, that she shot Momodu in self-defence?”

chamber of the lounge.

The money was later found through the Closed Circuit Television, CCTV, cameras installed in the lounge. It was discovered that a personnel working with the protocol department was responsible for the disgraceful act.

Also, just around the same period, a wrist watch belonging to a governor was stolen on one of the armchairs in the lounge. About two years ago, a staff of the protocol department was captured on camera stealing rugs and other items at the lounge.

ollowing the compulsory migration to the new pension scheme as propelled by the National Pension Commission, PenCom, the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has written to the commission for clarification.

FAAN management wrote PenCom to get clarification on the commencement of the new regime in order to allay workers’ fears, some of who are bent on resigning from the agency as a result of the new pension scheme, while many of the old workers described it as unfavourable.

National Mirror had reported exclusively about the planned mass resignation of members of staff of the agency recently because of the new scheme.

Information gathered by our correspondent indicated that no fewer than 30 per cent of its total 6, 000 workforce are considering tendering their resignation letters to avoid being caught up in the new scheme.

PenCom had earlier in the year wrote the management of FAAN and ordered it to migrate from its internal pension scheme to the new scheme of PenCom latest by March 31, 2014.

Initially, the deadline set for FAAN to migrate to PenCom scheme was 2015, but the management wondered why the commission drew the date backward by one year.

If the new pension scheme is sanctioned by

FAAN management, the implication is that pensionable staff; those who have spent at least 10 years in service or attain the age of 45 will have their monthly retirement benefits reduced by over 90 per cent.

For instance, a Level 17 officer whose basic salary is about N320, 000 and who is entitled to same after retirement will now earn between N22, 000 and N25, 000 monthly as monthly benefit.

However, an online statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, yesterday assured the workers that the directive from PenCom for it to migrate from the Defined Benefits Scheme run by the authority to the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, in line with the Pension Reform Act 2004 of the Federal Government of Nigeria would be looked into by the management.

Dati said the directive which states, among other things, that staff of FAAN opting to retire under the Defined Benefits Scheme should do so between now and March 31, 2014, implies that anyone who chooses to remain in service after the said date will automatically migrate to the Contributory Pension Scheme.

He said the management has written to PenCom for clarification on the exact transition period for the migration and other related issues that have given the staff concern, promising to keep all staff abreast of further developments on the issue.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Monday, July 29, 2013

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Man jailed eight years for defiling 12-year-old girl ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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L-R: Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; Chairman, Board of Directors, Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Col. Ibrahim Hassan Biu (rtd) and a member of the board, Ambassador Danladi Weyep, during a visit to the governor, at the weekend.

One dies, nine injured in Ogun auto crash FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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ne person died while nine others were critically injured in a lone accident at Itori village in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State on the Abeokuta – Lagos Expressway at the weekend.

The Itori Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Fatai

Bakare, confirmed the accident involving a red Mazda passenger bus with registration number: Lagos MUS 418 XE. Bakare said the bus lost control when the driver suddenly ran into the bad portion of the Itori bridge, which is about a kilometre away from the FRSC office, and ran into the bush.

The commander said but for over-speeding the driver

could have been able to manage the emergency when he ran into the bad portion.

He said the bus contained 10 occupants - three males and seven females who were rushed to the Ifo General Hospital for medical attention.

Bakare added that one of the women later died in the hospital while the nine others were still on danger list.

My father wished he clocked 90 –Odunewu’s son LEONARD OKACHIE AND MURITALA AYINLA

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he late veteran journalist, Ahaji Alade Odunewu’s wish was to clock 90 years on earth.

His first son, Mr. Akanni Odunewu, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with our correspondent shortly after the three-day prayer conducted by the Chief Imam of Rabiatu Abayomi Oredapo mosque, Lawanson, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arikewuyo, at the Odunewu’s residence at Ikoyi, Lagos.

Odunewu, described as the father of modern journalism in Nigeria, died last Thursday in Lagos at the age of 85 years.

Akanni said his father wanted to stay around for some years with his children, following the death of their mother last year, adding that his father was a complete gentleman, who was resolute about things and equally committed in the pursuit of whatever he believed in.

He said: “My father was a fulfilled man, except that he did not live to see his 90th

n Ado Ekiti High Court has sentenced a labourer, Mr. Innocent Eze, to eight years imprisonment for defiling a 12-year-old girl.

Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye, who found Eze guilty in a two-count charge of indecent assault and defilement, sentenced him to one year imprisonment for indecent assault, and seven years for the other.

However, the eight years will run concurrently.

The judge said: “It is unfortunate that a 12-year-old girl would have been sexually defiled as was done to the victim in this case. It is more unfortunate that the matter came to the public domain.

“The convict, by his act, had succeeded in placing a stigma on the person of the victim, which may take a long time to erase. Then trauma suffered by the victim is definitely such as would take a longer time to forget.

“The act of the convict is not such as should be encouraged. This is definitely a barbaric act and the sentence must be such as would serve as deterrent to the convict and others who still harbour similar tendencies.”

Eze, an indigene of Nsukka, Enugu State, had on August 31, 2011 at IjanEkiti, raped the 12-year-old girl who assisted him to fetch water from a public well close to his residence.

The girl had earlier rejected his love advances.

Media must be objective, patriotic –Ekiti deputy gov

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kiti State Deputy Governor, Prof.

Modupe Adelabu, has said that the media had an important role in strengthening and sustaining democracy in the country.

Adelabu said the media, being the only information source tested and trusted by the populace, must be conscious of the type of news it pushed to public domain for consumption.

The deputy governor spoke at the weekend in Abeokuta, where she was given an Award for Excellence by the management of Paramount FM 94.5 radio, during the 10th anniversary of the broadcast outfit.

Adelabu dedicated the award to Governor Kayode Fayemi who, she noted, brought a new dimension to governance in Ekiti State.

She spoke as a guest lecturer on the theme: “The

birthday as he had wished.

“He was a man who loved journalism and committed everything to his profession.

I did not study journalism, I am an economist. My siblings too did not study journalism, but we are grateful for great success he achieved in his chosen career. He left an indelible mark.”

Akanni also disclosed that the eight-day prayer for the deceased would hold on Friday at Ikoyi Club, Lagos.

Many distinguished Nigerians eulogised Odunewu in condolence register at his residence.

For instance, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, wrote: “The loss of a truly great icon shun the en-

tire world of great journalism and committed nationalism. Papa, you live a great life and left excellent legacies. May you rest in perfect peace.”

Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has commiserated with the family of the late former Chairman of Nigerian Press Council, NPC, Odunewu, popularly known as Allah De. This was as the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola paid a condolence visit to the Ikoyi home of the family of late Allah De. Signing the condolence register after commiserating with the family, Fashola prayed God to grant repose to the departed soul.

ABIODUN NEJO

Ekiti PDP aspirants not afraid of primaries –Adeyeye

ADO EKITI

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Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, has described as false, claims that the State Executive Council of the party was pushing for consensus candidate because some contenders were afraid of primaries.

Adeyeye, who has endorsed the consensus option

alongside virtually all aspirants, spoke against the accusation by a contender that those who supported the idea were afraid of primaries.

The aspirant said he had done enough work to guarantee his victory “if primary election is held”.

He said: “As far as I am concerned, I am not afraid of primary election and no aspirant has expressed fear over

He gave the injured minor N100 to “buy drugs” after the act and escaped from the scene not knowing that a neighbour attracted to the scene caught him in the act after peeping through the window.

The culprit’s attempt at fooling the judge with claims that he was at work “brushing road for a timber lorry” by the time the incident occurred was punctured by witnesses who testified before the court.

In her reaction to the judgement, the Ekiti State governor’s wife, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, said it was a major victory for her crusade against sexual and child abuse and an indication that the state would not be a safe haven for sexual offenders.

role of the media in grassroots’ development and democratic sustainability,” at the DLK Events Centre, on MKO Abiola Way, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Responding to a question, Adelabu urged the media to be mindful of its role as the purveyor of news and be objective in the dissemination of its constitutional role as the Fourth Realm of the Estate.

Consumption of contaminated food worrisome –Society ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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he Mycotoxicology Society of Nigeria has expressed worry over the growing health hazards of consumption of food contaminated with mycotoxin on human beings and animals.

It said urgent steps must be taken to reverse the trend.

The National President of the society, Dr. Olusegun Atanda, who listed the inherent dangers to include damage to kidney, liver and immune suppressions, advocated increased sensitisation

primary election.”

In a statement by the Director General of Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement, PAAM, Hon. Bisi Kolawole, the governorship aspirant said: “It smacks of high level of indiscipline for any aspirant to be kicking against a position (consensus) openly canvassed by President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the leader of the party.

and good agricultural practices as the way out.

Atanda, who spoke at a three-day workshop organised by the society at Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, FPA, regretted that about 25 per cent of food produced across the globe were destroyed by mycotoxin.

The university teacher, who spoke on the theme: “Mycotoxin Hazards, Management and its Regulation in Nigeria,” described mycotoxin “as secondary metabolic of fungi produced on agricultural produce often from farm, during processing, storage and up to the

“It is also wrong for members of the PDP to have sponsored the kind of attack that was made on members of the State Exco of the party and anyone will believe that those who carried out such barbaric act should not be sanctioned.

“The major problem of the PDP is indiscipline and if we must continue to make progress as a party, there must be

dining table.”

He said Africa was prone to a lot of hazards of mycotoxin because food items like yam, tomatoes, potatoes and many others were being exposed to contamination when stored in moisturised places thus making them susceptible to fungi.

Atanda, who said cooking food contaminated with mycotoxin would not prevent it from causing kidney and liver disorders, advised the public to avoid eating yam, tomatoes, potatoes and other food contaminated in the process of storage. discipline.”

Meanwhile, a pressure group in the party, the Ekiti PDP Redeemers Forum, EPRF, has adopted Senator Bode Olowoporoku as its preferred aspirant for the 2014 governorship election.

EPRF President, Hon. Wole Adedara, and Secretary, Comrade Faleye Idowu, hinged the former National Assembly member’s choice on his contributions to the creation of the state and its growth.

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South East

APC cedes Enugu governorship ticket to Nsukka DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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head of the 2015 election in Enugu State, the yet-to-be registered All Progressives Congress (APC) has zoned its governorship ticket to Enugu North Senatorial District popularly known as Nsukka zone.

The decision to zone the ticket to Nsukka was taken at a meeting held at the weekend in Enugu.

A member of APC merger committee, Osita Okechukwu, however, appealed to aspirants from Enugu East and West to support the decision.

Okechukwu, who was the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) governorship candidate in 2011, said: Enugu East and West senatorial districts have produced the governor for eight years each. Therefore, equity, fairness and justice demand that power should shift to Enugu North.

“In 1999, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani from Enugu East became governor and he ruled for eight years. Sullivan Chime, who hails from Enugu West, took over in 2007 and by the time his tenure comes to an end in May 2015, he must have ruled for eight years. So, we believe in APC that for equity, fairness and justice to prevail, the next governor should come from Enugu North, which is Nsukka zone.”

Okechukwu called on the people of Nsukka zone to support APC’s aspiration to produce the next governor.

He assured that APC would provide infrastructure, create jobs and enhance security of lives and property.

Okechukwu described the party as an amalgamation of like minds with the sole objectives of providing good governance for Nigerians and stamping out corruption from the nation’s public life.

Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Four NSCDC men beaten to coma in Ebonyi A LIUNA GODWIN EBONYI

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o fewer than four men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were at the weekend in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, beaten to a pulp following a clash between them and the task force on environmental sanitation agency.

The clash began when the task force officials caught the NSCDC men for allegedly loitering along opposite Federal Teaching Hospital and attempted arrest them for prosecution.

But instead of identifying themselves properly, the NSCDC men shouted the task force officials down.

The development did

.50 arraigned for loitering

not go down well with the task force personnel and a fracas ensued as a result.

The task force, however, called on the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Paul Okorie, and that of the National President of Ebonyi State Youths Assembly, Mr. Chinedu Ogeh, to intervene, but all efforts to make peace with the civil defence members failed.

Addressing journalists shortly after the fracas, a senior Ministry of the Environment official, who did not want his name mentioned, said: “It is difficult to identify a law enforcement agent or a paramilitary personnel when he or she is not in uni-

form. Until you have encounter with them, you cannot know that they are not civilians.

“The four NSCDC men who clashed with the task force were not in uniform and that is why the task force officials could not identify them.

“The way they dressed did not even show that they are NSCDC personnel. Before the fracas, we came to disengage them from the scene to avoid further fight. We took the NSCDC and we have already discussed with them on how to repair their vehicle that was damaged during the fracas.

“We promised to assist them financially to enable them fixed their vehicle, but they should al-

ways make sure they put on their uniform during sanitation exercise so as to avoid further clash.”

He, however, urged law enforcement agents to stop violating the law, saying: “The truth of the matter is that, being a policeman or a soldier, civil defence or road safety official does not guarantee anybody to be on the road during sanitation.”

Meanwhile, 50 persons were arraigned in court sitting in Abakaliki for refusing to participate in the monthly sanitation exercise.

Magistrate Chinua Ukwa convicted them for violating the law and charged them to pay fine of N4,000 while some of them who could not pay were taken to the Abakaliki prisons.

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (left) and the new UNICEF country representative to Nigeria, Jean Googh, after their meeting.

Groups laud Ekweremadu for robust representation DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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roups in Enugu West Senatorial District have paid glowing tributes to Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu for his robust representation.

They commended Ekweremadu for alleviating the plight of the people of his constituency.

The groups - EnuguMmaku community, the Greater Oduma Improvement Union and the Ndiabor traditional council visited the deputy senate president yesterday in his Enugu residence.

The groups said they came to congratulate Ekweremadu on the projects he attracted to his senatorial district.

The groups listed such projects to include provision of electricity, roads constructions, human empowerment schemes, scholarships and water, among others.

They, however, prayed God to strengthen the deputy senate president with wisdom.

In his response, Ekweremadu said the understanding of the problems of his people spurred him into public life.

He particularly pointed at the now asphalted Nnenwe-Oduma Road, which was previously bad, as one of the reasons for his aspiration to lead his people.

Chime denies borrowing for projects’ execution We are sure of winning Anambra Chime said: “Publicity class of the University of DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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overnor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has denied borrowing to execute projects.

Chime rather attributed the successes of his administration especially in the areas infrastructural development, security enhancement and provision of basic social amenities across the state to prudent management of resources and a clear understanding of the people’s needs.

The governor spoke at the weekend during a dinner in honour of 1980

Nigeria Law Faculty and some of their lecturers.

Stressing that his administration was not borrowing to finance the major projects, he said: “We have not been borrowing to do projects in Enugu State. It is just that we always know where and how to apply money as it comes.

“Before we receive any money, we already know where it is going and what projects or programmes it would be used to execute”.

On why he did not publicise his achievements as some of his colleagues,

should rather come from the people who are enjoying and benefiting from the projects rather than the government that executed them.

“Government is not about us, but about the people and once we forget ourselves and our pockets and concentrate on solving the problems of the people, then we are sure to achieve a lot for our people.”

The governor said he was also inspired by the desire to return Enugu to its past glory which, according to him, he enjoyed while growing up.

governorship poll –NCP CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he National Conscience Party (NCP) has said that it would win the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

Addressing a press conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Anambra State Chairman of NCP, Sir Peter Okala, said that the party would win the governorship poll because it is crisis-free.

Okala, who was in Owerri to seek support of Anambra indigenes resident in Imo, said both the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had lost focus because they were crisis-ridden.

He said: “This is the bane of the problem we have in the country. People leading us in the past have no conscience and without conscience, you cannot relate with your fellow human being.

“It has been selfish accumulation of interest. APGA is busy fighting for how to share the local government fund while PDP fighting over oil blocs - all in a bid to amass wealth.

“The governments at state and national levels have been fighting through the barrel of guns, killing our youths.”

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

23 PDP aspirants flex muscles for Obi’s seat

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INEC can’t deny APC’s registration, says ACN FELIX NWANERI

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he Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, yesterday said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has no reason not to register the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the party has met all requirements to consummate its merger.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in spite of recent media reports concerning the antics of some

negative forces within INEC over APC’s registration, the emerging party’s leadership has no doubt that in the end, the electoral body will do what is right in accordance with the law.

It therefore dismissed as a mere speculation, the report that INEC was planning to write a letter to the proponents of APC to find another name because of a court case instituted by a political association over the APC acronym.

It said: “We are convinced that INEC has no discernible reason to write

1985 coup: IBB borrowed NAP manifesto –Braithwaite WALE IGBINTADE

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lder Statesman and politician, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite has revealed how former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida borrowed the manifesto of his party, the Nigerian Advanced Party, NAP, shortly before the August 1985 coup detat.

Babangida had in August 27, 1985 overthrown the then Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari in a bloodless coup.

In an exclusive interview with National Mirror, Braithwaite stated that he gave IBB the manifesto which he failed to return until two years after.

According to the elder statesman, it took repeated efforts by then National Publicity Secretary of NAP, Senator Ben Obi to retrieve the documents from the former Head of State.

He said: “Unknown to us, General Babangida was planning a coup; he actually came to me and pretended that he was a member of the Nigerian Advanced Party. He requested that we lend him not only the manifesto and the constitution of the party but the tape of our 1982 convention held at the Federal Palace Hotel.

He came to my house and

politely requested for our manifesto and the tape, he said it was of interest to him, so we lent him.

“It took almost two years before I could retrieve them from him and I was sending Senator Ben Obi back and forth to retrieve our documents from him. Ben Obi was the publicity secretary of NAP as well as my Personal Assistant. It took two years to retrieve NAP literature from Babangida.”

According to him, due to the quality of NAP’s manifesto, the late Aminu Kano accompanied by G. Ikokwu and late Abubakar Rimi came to his house to negotiate collaboration on the ground that the NAP manifesto was the closest to their socialist manifesto in bringing widespread social benefit and relief to Nigerians.

He warned that there are signals that the forthcoming 2015 election may not hold unless certain corrections are made.

He declared: “I see a situation where the 2015 elections will not even hold unless a lot done is done between now and then to avert an inferno. Part of the things that needed to be done is convoking a National Conference. Government should be seen dealing ruthlessly with the corrupt elements among them.

such a letter to us. In the first instance, there exists no court injunction anywhere restraining the commission from registering APC. There could be many court cases, but until there is a court order, no one can preempt what a court will do and act on that basis.

“Again, we have met all the stipulated requirements. INEC has also inspected our proposed headquarters in Abuja and sighted all our interim officers. The merger process may be novel, but we have played according to the rules and we expect nothing less from INEC.” The party expressed satisfaction with the state-

ment credited to Mr. Kayode Idowu, spokesman for the INEC Chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, that there is no court injunction compelling the commission to stop the merger.

“We believe we are on the same page with INEC as far as this trail-brazing merger is concerned, and that has been confirmed by the INEC spokesman, and we therefore call on the commission to do the proper thing right now - which is the registration of APC. “There is no doubt that INEC is under tremendous pressure, from both the card-carrying Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members of the commis-

sion and their collaborators who are mortally afraid of the merger, and who will want the electoral body to commence, right now, the process of rigging the 2015 election in their favour.

“But we urge INEC not to compromise its neutrality and integrity by acting contrary to the law. We remind the commission that Nigerians are keenly watching how it will handle this merger issue, and whatever it does will determine whether or not Nigerians can count on it to organise free, fair and credible elections in 2015.

“Given the already overheated polity ahead of the 2015 elections, we believe

INEC will not do anything that will aggravate the situation,” ACN said.

The party appealed to supporters of the emerging APC across the country to remain calm over the registration issue, saying: “We know that many of our teeming supporters are upset by the report of the shenanigans in INEC over this issue. But it is important for them to remain law-abiding as we await the decision of the commission. We are confident, going by the words of INEC itself that the court case instituted by those laying claim to the APC acronym has no bearing on what is going on.”

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, presenting a condolence letter to the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, during a visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Fasehun, an agent of military govt –OPC SINA FADARE

T

he Gani Adams-led faction of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, has accused the founder of the group, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun of being a mole in the then struggle against military rule in Nigeria.

OPC noted that Fasehun has chosen to thread the path of perfidy with all the dire consequences.

The group in a press statement issued yesterday by its General Secretary, Mr. Tanimowo Babajide and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Akeem Ologunro, said

that it was unfortunate for Fasehun who claimed to have been fighting for the cause of Yoruba to suddenly turned coat by supporting those alleged to have killed the wife of late Chief MKO Abiola, Kudirat.

The statement said that while Adams has been consistent and remain focused in his defence of Yoruba cause at all time, “Fasehun’s antecedents have proved beyond any doubt that he has always had a price tag that can be paid for anytime by the highest bidder.”

OPC lamented that the actions and utterances of Fasehun especially on

the issue pertaining to Yoruba cause, has always been in the negative.

“While professing to fight for the rights of the Yoruba race, Fasehun had always been a mole eating from both sides of the mouth. For the benefits of those who do not know the genesis of the crisis, it started after a large portion of our members realised that Fasehun was trying to use the group as a platform to join the Abacha’s five political arrangements in 1998,” the group said.

The group regretted that “in those dark days of the battle for the restoration of the June

12 mandate, most of us were always surprised that Abacha and his men always seemed to know much about our strategies and plans. But we are now convinced that the source of those leaks was no other person but Fasehun.”

Going down the memory lane, the group argued that “In trying to deceive the Yoruba race, Fasehun decided to choose the UPN as the name for his political party. He also claimed that his visit to Kano has given his party a political mileage. But nothing can be further from the truth than this claim.”

14

Politics

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23 PDP aspirants flex muscles over Obi’s seat

O

n August 14, 23 governorship aspirants under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will file out to test their popularity and acceptability in the party’s primaries to pick the PDP ticket for the November 16 election in Anambra State.

Anambra has been under the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, government in the last seven and half years but it has always been a state dominated by the PDP as most elective offices both at the state and the federal levels are dominated by the PDP. It is however safe to say that the state which had seen two PDP governments; the Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Christ Ngige administrations has continued to record a massive support for the PDP. This explains the high number of aspirants the current exercise has recorded.

However, with the release of the gubernatorial timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, all eyes are on the state as the hunt for Governor Peter Obi’s successor heats up in a contest that has thrown up many possible aspirants for the coveted seat.

Events around who emerges governor in Anambra have always had a charged cloak of high politics around them. Beginning from the days of Mbadinuju (1999 – 2003) to Ngige between May 29, 2003 and March 17, 2006 was a period that opened the eyes of the people of the state to not just the possible goods that could come from a government but also to the reality of the “animal farm” they were living in, where godfathers and not voters called the shots. The people of the state and indeed the whole of Nigerians have not forgotten so soon the revelation that came when Chris Uba openly challenged Ngige before former President Olusegun Obasanjo to deny knowledge of being a beneficiary of a rigged governorship election.

This conspiracy of Ngige and the Uba continues to account for the morass in which issues of leadership in the state subsists till date.

This drama continued even after Peter Obi through the courts unseated Ngige; his controversial impeachment and reinstatement is today a benchmark on how not to impeach a sitting governor. Obi clinched a second term in a feat that left him with a fractured party. With this second tenure in its twilight, the gladiators are stepping into the arena again, each with his unique markings.

At the close of the exercise, the PDP has sold expression of interest and nomination forms to the Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Uba; Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo; Senator Emmanuel Anosike; Senator Alphonsus Igbeke; Nicholas Uka-

OBIORA IFOH takes a look at the contenders and the pretenders out of the 23 aspirants that have indicated interest to fly the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flag in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

Nwankpo

chukwu; Tony Nwoye; former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih; Uzoh Chukwudum; Okeke Ugochukwu; Okoye Michael; Okonkwo Onuorah; Obiogbolu Odikasigbue; Ugokwe Sonny; Okeke Ubaka; Charles Odunukwe, Chuba Ikpeazu; Azodo Okwunna; Okonkwo Chukwunonso; Onyema Wilfred; Kramer Ifunayachukwu; Onyenisi Obianuju; Adimachukwu Calista and Udemba Chinyere.

From precedence, some of these aspirants would burn out and possibly loose the steam to pursue any aggressive campaign ahead of the party primaries.

Others would wait till the last minute before announcing their withdrawal from the race and ultimately throw their weight behind one of the heavyweights.

The heavyweights in this regard include the likes of Uba, whose family continues to have a measure of grip in the politics of Anambra State. Aside the resources at his disposal, Uba’s trump card is his connection with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he served loyally as Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs.

Should Uba emerge as the PDP’s flag bearer, his presence in the contest would test the earlier vow by the people of the state to run the Uba family out of politics because of the alleged ignoble roles it has played in the state. He lost the party ticket in 2010, but picked the Labour Party, LP, ticket.

Ukachukwu is upbeat about nailing it this time around. His solid financial base has allowed him to successively prosecute several elections and his collection of expression of interest and nomination forms are clear indications that he still has the fire in him. Like other aspirants of the PDP, it would take the primary or whatever the party decides to know if he would even-

Uba

tually be the one to confront the candidates of other political parties at the polls.

Then enters the dark horse in the equation, Nze Nwankpo.

Until last week, he was the Special Adviser to the President on Technical Matters and the Secretary of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) in addition to the several other positions he has held in service to President Goodluck Jonathan. He brings an intellectual slant to the contest for the PDP ticket and eventually the Anambra governorship race.

Nwankpo has had his fair share of experience in the private sector where his work has involved conflict resolution in the Niger Delta. His credential as a well known campaign strategist and mobiliser of men and resources are a remarkable edge over other contenders. He could bring to bear his experience in the 2011 Presidential elections when he created and directed the affairs of “Coalition for Fresh Air in Nigeria”, the campaign organisation that contributed to branding President Goodluck Jonathan/Vice-President Namadi Sambo as breadth of fresh air for Nigeria.

Nwamkpo said Anambra needs a candidate that will perform better than Obi. Accord-

Ukachukwu

ing to him, “ Governor Obi has done some fundamental things. ..

Obviously, we shouldn’t get anybody that is below Peter Obi into Anambra again. It will be a bad dream. Anybody that does not have the fundamentals to be able to do better than Governor Obi should not be in that race. All of us will help him find his successor, and we ultimately pray God to help us find a successor.”

There is also Chief Mike Okoye, a human rights activist and constitutional lawyer with over 30 years of experience in the profession. The lawyer turned politician believes that Anambra State needs a leader with intellect and reach to be able to surpass the contributions of the past leaders in the state. He hails from the Anambra North, which is known to have not produced a governor of the state since the current dispensation.

As these gladiators flex their muscles for the contest ahead, true to the party’s characteristics, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has boasted that the party will win the November 16 governorship election.

After the stakeholders’ meeting of the party leadership and the Anambra PDP, it was agreed that should the party approach the election in its present fractional state, it would certainly lose the election again. The meeting resolved that all members of Anambra State PDP will work in unity to ensure victory for the party in the forthcoming governorship election.

The party also resolved that all those who have cases in court should withdraw them, failing which the party will take severe disciplinary measures against them. In addition, it was agreed that no member of the party in Anambra State shall institute any suit on any matter affecting the conduct of the forthcoming congresses and primary election for

the November governorship election without allowing the party exhaust all internal processes as outlined in the party’s constitution for the resolution of conflicts.

Part of the stakeholders’ resolution is that no matter the outcome of the primary election, no member shall engage in antiparty activities but all aspirants shall work together to deliver the party’s candidate in the November governorship election in the state, and that in the conduct of the congresses and primaries, the party will ensure a level playing field guided by equity, fairness and transparency.

This understanding if respected will go a long way to minimise friction in the whole process and will eliminate the existing factional tendencies which had been the bane of the Anambra PDP. In all, it is crucial that the PDP sticks to these agreements and should not attempt to go the way it has always gone by choosing a consensus candidate from among the lot. Doing this will certainly demonise the process and set the ground work for another round of brigandage in the state.

A free and transparent primary would allow Anambra people to break away from a past where moneybags invalidated popularly expressed wish of the electorate.

They certainly have no desire to be serfs to characters whose true identities are subject of controversies. They expect that political parties fielding candidates must look out for the people with proven track records.

If it must be in contention in the November election, the PDP must thus allow its gladiators slug it out.

The outcome of the primaries will go a long way in determining how far the PDP can go in the ultimate contest in November 16 as there are other formidable aspirants in the ruling APGA, the All Progressive Congress (if registered) as well as the Labour Party.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Monday, July 29, 2013

15

Hard road to 2015 I STAND FOR A NIGERIA WHERE

HeartBeat

EQUALISATION OF

CALLISTUS

ALL OPPORTUNITIES

OKE

IS THE ACCEPTED

Callistusoke@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275 (SMS ONLY)

W

hen I wrote my last piece, The North, US apocalypse and 2015, I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to stir the hornet’s nest. But I got more than I bargained for in the volume of vituperations I got as reactions from the North. Interestingly, I also got some plaudits for what one person called my ‘gutsy analytical discourse on neo independence Nigeria’. Dare I say, I was also presented with an ugly scenario of the difficult task ahead for President Goodluck Jonathan, my ‘South South brother’, in his bid for a second term, should he choose to run.

Nigeria’s exclusive politics lends itself to unusual manipulation. Stigmatisation is a tool in the hands of those myopic elements who easily get infuriated by ‘unfavourable analyses’ that expose their hegemonic game plan. Labeling me a South South irredentist for stating the obvious that Nigeria belongs to both the majority people and minority people, is an exercise in histrionics. The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was labelled a ‘tribalist’ because of his

F

SOCIO-POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CREED realistic approach to Nigerian politics at a time Nigeria was still in its embryo.

I unequivocally stand for a Nigeria where all are equal irrespective of geography, religion and ethnicity. I stand for a Nigeria where equalisation of all opportunities is the accepted socio-political and economic creed. This is not a utopian craving; rather it is a realistic longing, the only way the future progress of the country is assured. If the American system threw up the Barack Obama presidency, even when the Black-American population is the nation’s third largest ancestry group, Nigeria must be a land where political opportunities are dictated by factors of not who you are but what you are.

Someone called and threw the shrinking popularity of President Jonathan at my face. “Mr President is squandering the opportunity of the South South. You have had your chance and you could not make good

use of it”.

When I asked how, I had a long education on political networking and the imperative of political alignment and realignment.

Then followed the bombshell: “President Jonathan has alienated the South West and the majority of the dominant coalition in the North. What this translates into is a Yoruba-Hausa/Fulani political alliance for the 2015 campaigns. I do not see how Jonathan can survive it”.

Scary prognosis, I admit. It does not require deep thinking to know that within the ruling PDP political equation, the South West has been consigned to irreverent status. The decline began with the loss of the speakership of the House of Representatives in 2011. It was a slap in the face of Jonathan for his anointed South West candidate to be so easily pushed aside the way the South East and North West caucuses of the party did. Accommodating it the way he did in the name of realpolitik, detracted from Mr. President’s political sagacity. An Obasanjo presidency would have put up a serious fight to secure a more equitable power sharing formula in the National Assembly that would have satisfied the regional hegemonies.

The near intractable crisis in the Rivers State offered a window into the solidity of the strategic enforcement framework for the second term project of President Jonathan. I was reminded that Chief Olusegun Obsanjo bent forward backward during

the build up to 2003 general elections. He was said to have literarily knelt down for his vice, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, to secure the ticket.

“Why can’t Jonathan swallow any insult from his brother South South governors to secure the total support of his own zone? He needs the zonal leaders for his second term bid more than they need him. That he allowed the crisis to get out of hand does no good to his image as a networker”, opined a contributor.

In the weird world of politics of give and take, one day can make a difference. Rescuing the second term project is contingent on a number of factors.

President Jonathan must up the ante, reach out to those he has alienated and put the cards on the table. Definitely he does not need a rambunctious Chief E.K Clark or a bellicose Asari Dokubo.

He needs high profile networkers who can mend fences and make offers that will be difficult to reject. Money and other pay offs might not be what are need to break the ice; it could be recognition.

Someone told me to go to hell with ‘our oil’, adding that oil has been a curse to the country, because according to him, oil is the reason why there is no creativity in governance. “Oil can be bought, so what is the big deal about South South oil?”

Oil is a big deal in a sharing federation like ours!

Reflections on state of Nigerian democracy

or us in Nigeria, this is a season of reflections and stocktaking. One question that usually engages my attention is: Does democracy guarantee good governance in any country? And this provokes more questions such as, how do we know a government is good? What features and indices benchmark good governance in a country? These seemingly innocuous questions are, however, loaded with so many complexities. In creatively answering them, we must necessarily come to term with our local and national peculiarities, cultural relativities and diversities, and our historical circumstances.

Alhamdulillah, our nation has grappled with the worst in the past and survived against all odds. Our challenges and failures in the first and second republics, the imperfections of our years of military rule and our unfulfilled ambitions of the third republic, have sufficiently enriched us in managing this fourth republic. So, we must still congratulate ourselves for endurance and understanding, certain that our evolution in governance will be recommended for critical study and analysis of democratic transformation in Africa, in years to come.

From my study and experience of countries of South East Asia, one can venture to say that there is no perfect democracy.

None of these countries operates a democracy in the classical sense. But they have all injected their governance frameworks with some fundamental values, which serve to nourish their respective nations and accelerate national development through popular participation in governance. Nigeria can be better, serving as pathfinder for peace and development in the continent.

Therefore, in our efforts to re-invent governance in Nigeria and inject our system with the best practices in public management, we need to evaluate our political institutions and democratic practices on a definitive scale I call PERFECTA. There is a popular perception that governance and politics are the preserve of certain cabals, dictated by some godfathers, financed by a few money bags and played by bootlickers and jobless people only. This notion ought to change.

My position is strengthened by an outline of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), which defines governance as the process of decision making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented) and in which government is just one of the actors. While government represents a political and administrative machinery, governance covers all the various actors, including the media, civil society organisations, bureaucracy and the policy elite, etc, working with overlapping interests and concerns, and conflicting approaches and strategies of canvassing and promoting those vested interests.

Therefore, in Nigeria, what is glaring is that our nation is contending with the crisis of development simply because of the disconnection and misalignment in our governance framework resulting in the exclusion of majority of people from the decision making process. Both government and governance suffer when the three spheres of actors and stakeholders are not united round a common cause of a national vision, but promoting different and conflicting interests and presenting different attitudes toward the national agenda of unity

ONE OF OUR WEAKNESSES THAT HAVE COMPROMISED OUR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE TRUE NATIONHOOD IS OUR ATTITUDE OF ETHNIC ARROGANCE TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER in diversity, sustainable development and equal opportunities without compromising merit.

Also, EQUITY and inclusiveness must be our watchwords to encourage all citizens to have collective stake holding of the government and governance. For us at this historical threshold, it is equally vital that we inject our institutions and processes with a culture that ultimately commends us as being RESPONSIVE. Fundamentally, however, we cannot lay claim to political stability and maturity when our system and practices reflect disrespect for the constitution and the rule of law. The onus here is that we must strive to evolve a political system that prides itself with FIDELITY to the rule of law.

Borrowing from the foregoing, we must be interested in the EFFICIENCY and EFFECTIVENESS of our processes of public management. We must also ensure that in advancing our diverse interests, we should strive towards CONSENSUS. One of our weaknesses that have compromised our ability to achieve true nationhood is our attitude of ethnic arrogance towards one

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

another. This national malaise prevents us from accepting a collective responsibility for the pains of underdevelopment we have all conspired to inflict on this giant of Africa.

But no individual or ethnic group is excusable from the burdensome rot that has become of our land and the strong stench of the Aegean stable fouling our political space and public sphere. In our quest for good governance as the bedrock of national development, our processes and systems must be hallmarked TRANSPARENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY. We have all sinned and fallen short of Nigeria’s glory. We need sincere repentance and concrete atonement for our gross national iniquity. These require us to collectively embrace the best practices of good governance a la PERFECTA, sacrificing our ethnic pride and private interests.

And national salvation shall be ours.

Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs.

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

16

Editorial

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

All the Facts, All the Sides All the Facts, All the Sides

A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, OFR PUBLISHER BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, OFR PUBLISHER

STEVE AYORINDE STEVE AYORINDE YELE AKINROLABU YELE AKINROLABU SEYI FASUGBA SEYI FASUGBA BOLAJI TUNJI BOLAJI TUNJI GBEMI OLUJOBI GBEMI OLUJOBI LANRE OYETADE DOZIE OKEBALAMA DOZIE OKEBALAMA ADESOYE ADEKOYA ADESOYE ADEKOYA CALLISTUS OKE CALLISTUS OKE ISE-OLUWA IGE ISE-OLUWA IGE KAYODE BALOGUN JNR KAYODE BALOGUN JNR FRANK OBOH FRANK OBOH

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NFF and Amateur League match fixing scandal T he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), a couple of days ago, penalised four amateur clubsides, players, referees and officials who allegedly colluded and came out with scandalous results in two recent play-offs. In one of the fraudulent matches, Plateau United’s feeder team mauled Akurba FC of Nasarawa State 79-0, while the Police Machine FC of Adamawa made a 67-0 mince meat of Babayaro FC of Gombe State. The outrageous results had drawn the special attention of the NFF, which quickly raised a panel to probe the mockery dressed as results of the matches. Announcing the report of the panel last week in Abuja, NFF’s First Vice President and Chairman of the Federation’s Organising Committee, Chief Mike Umeh, said the two centre referees: Umar Garba, who handled the Police Machine vs Bubayaro match; and Mohammed Mohammed, who took care of the match between Plateau Feeders and Akurba, had been banned for life.

The same punishment was meted out to Assistant Referees S. Ciroma, A. Shina and H. Muritala; as well as the Match Commissioners, Olu Okuneye and M. Bakare. Umeh said the four amateur clubs were equally banned officially for 10 years.

“The desperate and fraudulent means taken by Plateau United Feeders and Police Machine FC of Adamawa to win was not in doubt;

WITHOUT PUNISHING CRIMINALS BEHIND

MATCH FIXING IN THE

COUNTRY, NIGERIANS

MIGHT WAKE UP TO 500-0 AS A FOOTBALL MATCH RESULT VERY SOON and the cancellation of the competition after the matches was not disputed by the teams. Conversely, the intentional loss by Bubayaro FC to Police Machine of Adamawa; and also the loss of Akurba FC of Nasarawa to Plateau United Feeders were also not disputed by the teams.

It was, therefore, clear to the Committee that the question of who tops the table at the Bauchi Centre to qualify for the Nationwide Division 3 League was responsible for the match fixing.

While the winners were desperate to win, the losers were too willing to lose”, Umeh stated.

Match fixing has become a global phenomenon. In the recent past, it attracted the attention of the European law enforcement agency, Europol, in Europe. After an 18-month probe of the vice at different levels of the game in Europe, the Director of Europol, Rob Wainwright, reportedly said: “This is the work of a suspected organized crime syndicate based in Asia”. He said the syndicate connived with criminal net-

works around Europe. A total of 680 games deemed suspicious by soccer authorities were investigated. About 380 of such tournaments, including world cup and European championship qualifiers, were suspicious in Europe alone. When aggregated, 425 matches, club officials, and criminals were involved from 15 different countries. In the developing world, 300 matches in South America, Asia and Africa were suspected to have been fixed.

Most of the matches involved national teams in Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Two world cup qualifiers in Africa and seven in South America were also involved.

The damning and recurring nature of match fixing has attracted sanctions in different countries. Early this year, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) extended its match-fixing sanctions on 41 players in South Korea to worldwide life bans.

The scandal dated back to 2011 when more than 50 players and coaches in the K-League were indicted for accepting money to fix matches. Only 21 players who admitted involvement in the scandal were given a chance to return to soccer. Similarly, President of the South African Football Association, Kirsten Nematandani, was suspended ahead of investigations

into allegations of match fixing before the 2010 World Cup competition. It is, indeed, estimated that E16 million ($21.7 million) had been bet on matches by criminals, yielding roughly E8 million ($10.8m) as profit, with the highest single bribe of E140, 000 paid in Australia. Chris Eaton, a former Head of Security with FIFA, once lamented that the, “sport is now under unprecedented attack by criminals and opportunists who conspire to manipulate the results of competitions around the world”.

Therefore, NFF’s decision to punish the culprits involved in the Nigerian scandal is a commendably bold step. Reports indicated that match fixing had been a recurring decimal in Nigerian soccer history, but that soccer authorities had demonstrated the lack of courage in dealing with the reprehensible act. Without punishing criminals behind match fixing in the country, Nigerians might wake up to 500-0 as a football match result very soon with the inevitable flight of credibility from the game of football. Referees are fingered as acclaimed accomplices in match fixing, with home teams.

The Referees Association should redeem its image through the right ethical training for its membership.

With the present experience, the NFF may need to create a whistle blower organ to monitor and keep abreast of the crime of match fixing in the country.

ON THIS DAY July 29, 2010 Between 80 and 140 people died when an overloaded passenger ferry capsized on the Kasai River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The disaster occurred when the passenger boat travelling to Kinshasa from Mushie in Bandundu’s western Kwilu district capsized on the Kasai River, east of Kinshasa. At least 80 people were confirmed dead, with other death tolls putting the casualty figure at 140.

July 29, 2005 Astronomers announced their discovery of the dwarf planet, Minor-planet designation 136199 Eris is the most massive known dwarf planet in the Solar System and the ninth most massive body known to orbit the Sun directly. It is estimated to be 2326 (±12) km in diameter, and 27% more massive than Pluto, or about 0.27% of the Earth’s mass. Eris was discovered in January 2005 by a Californian, United States Palomar Observatory team led by Mike Brown.

July 29, 1973 Greeks voted in a constitutional referendum to abolish the monarchy, beginning the first period of the ‘Metapolitefsi’. The constitutional amendments were to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic. The proposal was approved by 78.6% of voters with a turnout of 75.0%. This initiated the first period of the ‘Metapolitefsi’, a period in Greek history after the fall of the Greek military junta of 1967–1974.

A2 18

Business Courage

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cover

Confronted by the increasing rumbles in the global oil market and a multitude of domestic infrastructure and development challenges, there are increasing pressures on Nigeria’s economic managers to focus on fiscal prudence as a way of achieving macroeconomic stability. But how far can we really go?

Tola Akinmutimi, Abuja

F

or several years of leadership, greed and followership apathy, Nigeria’s natural resources have been mismanaged or squandered in such a reckless manner and with impunity that today, the country ranks amongst the poorest globally and majority of its people, given the deep-rooted poverty level, have become more of scavengers in a land of plenty.

Indeed, a study of Nigeria’s socio-economic indices when analysed on developmental basis provides failed hallmarks as the challenges of insecurity, joblessness, waning real sector capacity, inept and visionless leadership and ethno-religious bigotry and corruption weigh down the supposedly ‘giant of Africa’ , thus vitiating her capacity to translate its developmental potentials and huge revenues grossed through reckless exploitation of the rich natural and human resource endowments into national competitive advantage.

Available statistics reflect very clearly that of the oil producing countries globally, Nigeria occupies the least developed in terms of per capital, investments, infrastructure and other socio-economic performance parameters, with the poor lamenting their plight as the political leadership continues its ravaging, parasitic predations of the economy with relish.

For instance, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its 2010 Poverty Report, the latest so far, stated that 112.519 million Nigerians or 69 per cent of the estimated 163 million population live in poverty conditions. The absolute measure puts the country’s poverty rate at 99.284 million or 60.9 per cent while the dollar per day measure, puts the poverty

rate at 61.2 per cent as against the subjective poverty measure, which puts the poverty level at 93.9 per cent The Statistician-General of the NBS, Dr. Yemi Kale, while unveiling the report in February last year, projected that the figure might increase to 71.5 per cent when the 2011 figure is computed.

“The NBS estimates that this trend may have increased further in 2011 if the potential impacts of several anti-poverty and employment generation intervention programmes are not taken into account,” Kale said.

The estimated 2012 Gross domestic product based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) per capita GDP of the country stood at $2,700. PPP GDP is gross domestic product converted to international dollars using purchasing power parity rates.

To many analysts, the poor scorecard which portrays very clearly the picture of a sickly country could not have been different in view of the recklessness at which its earnings from crude oil and non-oil exports have been and continues to be squandered over the last three decades. In fact, there seems to be a consensus among some experts that if there is anything that is working in Nigeria today, it is the highly corrupt public service system, which has become the wastage channels the political leadership is exploring to steal from the common wealth which should have been used to transform the people.

The rot in the Nigerian project has been subject of global attention over the years with most organisations committed to accountability, transparency and good governance lamenting the country’s poverty and other socio-economic poor performance ratings as ironical.

Decaying infrastructure, housing deficit, burgeoning unemployment, malfunctioning

Nigerians living in squalor despite the oil wealth

health facilities, surging crime rates and many other social and economic failures remain the sordid signposts of the country’s landscape.

From Transparency International, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund to other development monitoringagencies and institutions globally, reports on Nigeria have one thing in common: fiscal recklessness and corruption as bane of the country’s underdevelopment.

It is therefore against the backdrop of these failings that analysts see the recent lampooning of the country by World Bank for its failure to efficiently manage trillions of naira earned as oil revenues and the negative implications for macroeconomic stability and sustainable, inclusive growth as a welcome development.

Apparently abreast with the worrisome depressive dynamics of the international oil markets as well as threats to Nigeria’s crude oil supply, the Breton Woods institution caution the Federal Government on the need to sustain the momentum of its fiscal consolidation and reserves growth by adopting and implementing appropriate and fiscal and monetary frame-

works .

Although the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has over the past few months, after studying the international oil market and Nigeria’s dwindling crude oil export potentials, been preaching the gospel of fiscal retrenchment, the unwilling political gladiators who, based on their stance, have been unable to read through the lines as the global economy continues to exhibit its convulsive trend.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s economic development failure, a seasoned financial consultant, Dr. Boniface Chizea, linked the stunted economic growth of the country, which had accounted for its lagging behind most of its counterparts that were at about

the same level of development in the past to lack of fiscal discipline as reflected on the damaging level of resource leakage due to the unprecedented level of corruption in the country.

He explained that unless and until the country is able to tame this monster, Nigeria, he said, would not witness the commensurate level of development which most compatriots would wish to see. He advocated the cleansing of the electoral process to ensure that votes count and the right people are voted into power. “Where votes count, politicians are motivated to perform and to leave a legacy.

We must also have a culture of working with the budget, you cannot imbibe the requisite discipline necessary for resources to be prudently managed if we

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EDITOR STAFF WRITER SENIOR REPORTER

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Yusuf

Kale

do not work with the budget.

Chizea also insists that the regulatory authorities would have to adopt a more balanced perspective on the management of the economy. “In my opinion, it is wrong for the CBN to be overly focused on managing the exchange rate without worrying about the level of interest rates in the economy. Affordable cost of credit would give a boost to growth of the economy, create badly needed jobs and reduce social costs due to antisocial behaviours”, he added On why corruption and other fiscal abuses have characterised the management of oil revenue resources despite the existence of institutions like NEITI and others, the management consultant pointed out that institutions that have been established to regulate activities in the oil sector and have not kept fidelity to their mandate because of the prevailing level of corruption in the country, should be made to rise up to the challenge of ensuring that leakages in the sector are curtailed.

In addition, he argued for the international community’s cooperation with the country in the fight against corruption in the hydrocarbon resources sector by ensuring that they do

not allow their interests to deal in stolen oil.

He explained further that the leadership of the country must be committed to the fight against corruption; otherwise, it would not be possible to tackle the menace. “We must intensify efforts to ensure that we witness growth in other important sectors of the economy such as agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing and aim to pursue export led growth. Nothing informs regarding acceptable conduct than to ensure that in the first place that sanctions for infringement are in place and that they are dispassionately enforced as and when necessary,” he said.

Chizea said that if those indicted in oil subsidy saga are being protected; “then, what message are we sending out?

The EFCC cannot do what it is not allowed to do despite the fact of its declared mandate on paper. It is common knowledge that the organisation has operated selectively and generally as dictated by political exigencies.”

According to financial analysts at FBN Capital, the potential risks of overdependence on oil earnings for virtually all activities that have to do with governance in the country in the face of sharp and sustained decline in oil revenues may jeopardise various initiatives designed for long term macroeconomic stability.

The analysts stated: “The figures for reserves include the excess crude account (ECA) and the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). Because of a shortfall in oil revenues in the federation account, the FGN has au-

thorized withdrawals from the Excess Crude Account for distribution between the tiers of government. The balance has decreased by more than $4 billion this year, to $5.3 billion as at the end of May, although some payouts have been driven by political expediency.”

Just as Chizea expressed concern over the political system, the FBN analysts also expressed worries over the usual face-off between the executive and the legislature on the benchmark price for crude oil, a development they identified as unhealthy for effective planning and sustainable growth.

Reflecting on the implications of the worrisome upheavals in the global oil market and their implications for fiscal stability in the domestic economy, the Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muda Yusuf identified two dimensions to the problem of resource management in the country namely, high level of corruption and the capacity of the leadership to manage resources efficiently.

While pointing out that these problems constitute the most formidable obstacles to deploying the huge earnings from oil to developmental areas that are key to sustainable growth of the economy, he also identified the disenabling policy environment as another constraint to Nigeria’s efforts to become a leading player in the global economic order as enunciated in the Vision 20-2020 policy blueprint.

“There are two major dimensions to the problem of resource management in the Nigerian economy. The first is outright

corruption and looting of the treasury, which is often with an amazing impunity. The second has to do with capacity to manage resources efficiently. The capacity challenge is at the levels of the bureaucracy and the political leadership. The intellectual and moral authority to provide quality leadership is lacking at many levels of the governance structure.

“Corruption has become prevalent in virtually all aspects of our national life both in the private and public sectors. But public sector corruption does more damage because of the quantum of resources at stake.

It is also more harmful because the resources are the common wealth of the people, held in trust by the leaders.

“Governance capacity determines the choice of government priorities, quality of policies, capacity to execute government programmes and the quality of resource allocation within the economy”, he added.

The LCCI boss noted further that since the major drivers of the oil and gas sector are bureaucrats and politicians, as long as this structure remains, productivity and efficiency in the sector will continue to be a delusion.

Yusuf added that most often, decisions taken within such structures were not driven by national interest and that appointments were not based on merit and therefore, the way out is to “completely decouple the sector from both the bureaucrats and the politicians.”

On the Nigerian position in the oil sector, the economic expert lamented that with Angola

gradually taking the position of Nigeria as the leading oil producer in Africa, the first major challenge for the country to regain its leading position is the increasing output loss from the wanton vandalism of pipelines and oil theft which he insists must be frontally tackled.

Secondly, he pointed out that the policy space was not conducive for good private sector investment as regulators are also operators and the entire system operating within a public sector framework.

As a remedial strategy to addressing the problem of the non-conducive policy environment in view of the fact that the existing conditions cannot drive efficiency and productivity, Yusuf posited that the only option open to the country was to ensure better security of investment in the sector and creation of clarity and certainty in the policy space.

As governments in other oil producing countries continue to respond to the depressive trends in the global oil market by adopting proactive strategies needed to mitigate the negative implications for their economies, most analysts believe that Nigeria can only play the Ostrich to the detriment of its future and socio-economic deprivations of the millions of her rapidly growing poor population.

The question then is, will the nation’s leaders wait and mortgage the future of the people, particularly the teeming youth population, at a time when others are empowering their citizens to become change agents of the emerging global order?

Only time will tell. BC

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News banks back to their role of intermediation for national economic development. For the economy to be diversified and sustainable development achieved, agriculture has to be given a pride of place as largest employer of labour.

The funding is therefore important for the agric sector but for that to be effective the sector needs to be stripped off inherent risks that impair bank lending.

Sanusi, CBN Governor

Agric sector loans rise to 3.7 per cent – CBN

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eposit Money Bank’s (DMB’s) credit to the agricultural sector has risen to over 3.7 per cent, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

According to a statement from the apex bank, this figure, which is for 2012, indicates an increase of 85 per cent over the two per cent growth of the agricultural sector share of banks’ credit five years ago.

Also, data obtained recently from the Bankers Committee’ show that between July and November last year, the country’s lenders issued over N6 billion in credit guarantees to farmers. The loans came with the following broad parameters: Average loan guaranteed amounting to N397 million, with a range of N4 million to N1.5 billion and average duration of loans at 285 days.

“It is anticipated that under NIRSAL, collaboration between banks and counterparties will push loans under guarantee in excess of N20 billion by end of the first quarter of this year,” the CBN said.

The increase has been linked to the N200 billion agriculture credit scheme and N600 billion Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

The NIRSAL guarantees up to 75 per cent of bank loans to the sector. Sources within the banks said the regulator plans to spend an estimated $500 million to create further incentives for the banks to sustain the flow of agric credit.

The NIRSAL initiative, which is brainchild of the CBN, the Bankers’ Committee and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (FMARD), seeks to create incentives and catalyse processes to encourage the growth of formal credit, direct and indirect, for the agriculture value chain, as a mechanism for driving wealth creation among value chain participants.

According to the apex bank,

NIRSAL is also expected to be a catalyst for innovative risk management strategies, longterm financing for agribusiness and significant job creation by new entrepreneurs.

“The mandate of NIRSAL is to act as the custodian of all credit guarantee schemes, interest draw back schemes, and commercialisation initiatives related to an integrated value chain approach to agriculture and agribusiness in Nigeria,’’ the CBN said. Under NIRSAL, there are five pillars to be addressed by an estimated $500 million that will be invested by the CBN, according to the programme document.

There is also a Risk-sharing Facility of $300 million, planned to address banks’ perception of high-risks in the sector by sharing losses on agricultural loans. There is equally an insurance Facility of $30 million intended to expand insurance products for agricultural lending from the current coverage to new products, such as weather index insurance, new variants of pest and disease insurance. Besides, there is also a Technical Assistance Facility amounting of $60 million meant to equip banks to lend sustainably to agriculture, producers to borrow and use loans more effectively and increase output of better quality agricultural products, among others.

The current improvement in the sector was linked to access to credit through the new policy focused on increasing private sector participation, emphasis on the entire agriculture value chain, and using agriculture to boost employment, wealth creation and food security.

Analysts have commended the performance by Nigerian banks as demonstrating their fate in the capacity of agriculture to transform the economy.

The CBN explained that with the credit trend emanating from the banks, Nigeria might be close to winning its economic diversification objectives that will lead to less dependence on oil.

The NIRSAL is one single programme that has brought

Brian Tracy storms Nigeria for Remarkable Leaders’ summit

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

A

s part of efforts geared towards improving leadership qualities in personal and business management among professionals, renowned expert in personal success, leadership and management, Brian Tracy, has been scheduled to deliver time-tested tips for five days across three selected cities in Nigeria, including Lagos and Abuja.

The US based speaker, who would be in the country between August 26 and 31, is the seminar leader for the 2013 Remarkable Leaders’ Conclave and Business Workshops organized by Brimass, one of Nigeria’s fastest growing business Support Company.

The conclave and seminars which have the theme “The Making of Innovative Leaders: Winning Leadership Strategies for Building World-Class Organisations and Societies” will hold in Lagos, Abuja and other selected cities.

In a statement made available to Business Courage in Lagos, the founding partner and Chief Operating Officer of Brimass International Limited, Stephen Oji, said the company will provide over 4,000 delegates including entrepreneurs, business managers, business executives, political leaders, decision makers in government agencies, students and emerging leaders opportunity

Tracy

to listen to and interact with Tracy at six different summits over two days, adding that there would also be more than 10 exclusive sessions and private seminars for interested organisations.

Oji, who implored prospective delegates to visit the organisers website, www.brimass. com, stressed further that Tracy will be teaching his best productivity secrets and give ideas that will help delegates take their leadership in business and politics to the next level, adding that, participants will also learn how to create spectacular results, awaken their inner leader and have the professional and personal life they have always wanted.

According to him, “It is going to be an exciting and dynamic event that will allow participants to become professionals with keen insights into what makes a strong, innovative and successful leader whether in business or in politics. Attendees of this conclave will make the leap to extraordinary performance, innovation, and influence at work and in life.”

While in Nigeria, Tracy, who has consulted for more than 1,000 companies and addressed more than five million people in 5,000 talks and seminars throughout the US, Canada and 55 other countries worldwide, will speak at two sessions at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on August 26, he will be at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island on the second day, where he will also speak at three sessions.

Three private seminars or exclusive sessions will hold on the third day while the private seminars are expected to continue on the fourth day and end on Saturday.

Ecobank Nigeria increases lending to agric sector

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cobank Nigeria says it will grow its agriculture support loans to over N50 billion in the next one year. This, according to the bank, is in line with its policy to support the growth and development of the agriculture sub-sector of the economy, this being its own contribution to the agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

Ecobank Country Head, Agric and Export Finance, Abel Ajala who disclosed this said the bank has introduced concessionary interest rates for its agriculture finance scheme, as well as created a robust Agriculture and Export units adequately manned by professionals for easy loan risk assessment, ensuring that beneficiaries utilize fund given

Aku, Ecobank MD

to them judiciously.

Ajala noted that Ecobank is currently supporting the agriculture value chain that comprises the producers, the processors and markets/exporters of agricultural products.

He reiterated that the focus on the agric sector has become necessary to stem an impending food crisis on the continent.

According to Ajala, agriculture accounts for over 40 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product of most African countries and must be supported to stem the declining fortune in recent years. He commended the agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Government, noting that Ecobank has been supporting the Central Bank of Nigeria and Ministry of Agriculture transformation agenda by giving loans to customers in the agriculture value chain system including those in export business.

He advised farmers to see agriculture as a business saying stakeholders are ready to support the sector to take centre stage in local food production, employment and wealth creation for discerning Nigerians. .

Ekiti woos local, foreign investors

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he Ekiti Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ronke Okusanya, at the weekend, urged local and foreign investors to tap into the numerous potentials of the state.

Okusanya, who made the call in a statement issued in Lagos, described the state as the haven of tourists in Nigeria.

She urged individuals, corporate organisations and other tourists to invest in the sector.

“Ekiti State is richly-endowed with tourism potentials.

Tourists to the state will be irresistibly charmed with the beauties of Ikogosi. Ikogosi is a centre where warm and cold water oozing from different sources flowing separately to join in a pool, but each retaining its thermal identity,” she said.

The commissioner said the state was blessed with several

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Fayemi

other tourist centres, noting that the state government had provided enabling environment for them to strive.

“Ekiti would continue to do its best in the promotion of regional tourism through standard infrastructure development. Governor Kayode Fayemi in a space of time has shown responsiveness to the plight of the tourism industry.

And as a visionary leader, he is working round the clock to open the state’s tourists’ site for the world to explore.

We are bent to cooperate with stakeholders because they are the drivers of the industry. And with them on ground; we will be able to widen the scope of revenue generation through genuine private and public sector participation,’’ she said Other tourist centres in the state are Olosunta and Orole hills in Ikere Ekiti. Erinta water falls in Ipole Iloro, Ero water dam and Fajuyi square among others.

BOI pledges support to Nigerians in the Diaspora

T

he Bank of Industry (BOI) has expressed determination to support Nigerians in the Diaspora to invest in the manufacturing sector of the economy.

Betty Obaseki, Principal Manager, Strategic Planning, BOI, said this at the sixth Diaspora Week capacity building workshop for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Abuja..

The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as part of activities to mark the 2013 Diaspora week.

The bank said it was considering setting up a special desk in Lagos and Abuja to attend to the need of Nigerians in the Diaspora, especially to enable them to invest in the manufacturing sector.

“We are considering setting up a special desk in collaboration with the ministry to attend to the needs of Nigerians in the Diaspora,’’ Obaseki said.

She, however, said that “the

same products would be made available to Nigerians in the Diaspora and those at home.

“There will be no special consideration because we have a dedicated desk to meet their needs.’’

The manager said banks had shifted focus from funding large entrepreneurs to small and medium entrepreneurs to enhance the growth and development of the economy Obaseki said the bank was mostly interested in funding equipment and machinery for production and not trading, noting that ``trading does not add significant value to the economy’’.

According to her, the bank encourages initiatives that transform raw materials to finished products.

She said the best way to grow and develop African and Nigerian economy was to add value to their natural resources rather than export them as raw materials.

“So, to ensure growth in the African and Nigerian economies, we have to strengthen our entrepreneurs to enable them to transform our natural resources to the finished products.

“We need to know the area where we have comparative advantage; this is what we try to encourage in the BOI. “We are looking to fund Nigerian entrepreneurs; we don’t want to fund foreigners, though this does not rule out the funding of foreign companies,’’ he added.

However, such foreign companies must have a minimum of 30 per cent Nigerian ownership before it could qualify to access the fund.’’

She assured the participants that they need not know anyone to access the bank’s loan: ``we are happy to be here to partner with you and you don’t need to know anybody before getting the loan,’’ she said.

John Achukwu, Director of Operation of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to ensure that they bring in quality machines that were of international standard to avoid being frustrated.

Evelyn Oputu, BOI MD

“We have to be sure of the integrity of the machine they are bringing if they are coming as industrialists. If they are bringing products, we have to be sure of the quality of the products they are bringing so that they are not frustrated out,’’ he said.

Abia communities seek first line charge payment of 13 per cent derivation

By Tola Akinmutimi, Abuja

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il producing communities in Abia state have joined their counterparts in other oil producing states in clamouring for the direct payment of 13 per cent derivation fund to the communities.

The communities in a memorandum sent to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and jointly signed by 10 leaders are demanding that the 13 per cent derivation fund is first line charge on the federation account.

The communities maintained that the 13 per cent derivation existed before any revenue formula and that the amount due to the Fund was usually constitutionally set aside before the sharing of the balance of the total oil revenue of 87 per cent by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) at its meetings.

The letter reads: “Therefore, RMAFC has no right to send the 13 percent derivation fund through any state government account who is the third beneficiary of the Federation Account “It is also clear that 13 per cent Derivation Fund is not part of the consolidated of any tier of government. The fund is not part of state/local government Joint Account, the fund as provided in the 1999 constitution is on its own and should be treated as such” they stated.

The leaders of the communities recalled that the fund was not a privilege but a legitimate and statutory as the oil and gas producing communities fought for it during the 1994/75 National Constitutional Conference where Chief Edwin Clark was the leader of the oil and gas producing communities to the conference.

“It was due to the pressure exerted by the oil and gas producing communities of Nigeria that made the 13 per cent derivation fund as one of the main decisions and resolutions of the 1994/95 conference.

During the 1999 Constitution Drafting Committee, the oil and gas producing communities

were there to pile pressure to ensure that 13 per cent derivation fund is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria” the group said.

While alleging that for 13 years, the governors of the affected communities have received the 13 per cent derivation fund meant for the development of oil and gas producing areas and squandered the resources on activities that had no bearing with the socio-economic needs of the communities, they posited that constitutionally, the RMAFC had no right to send the 13 per cent derivation fund through any state government accounts.

Group canvases NLNG model for a National Shipping Line

By Francis Ezem

T

he Nigerian Association of Master Mariners has faulted calls by some Nigerians on the Federal Government to float another National Shipping Line as part of measures to boost job creation and also provide a platform for the training of Nigerian cadets to undertake their mandatory sea time training as prescribed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

NAMM is an umbrella body for retired indigenous ship captains, chief engineers and engineers, most of who were trained in the United Kingdom, India and Philippines.

President of the association, Captain Adejimi Adu, who spoke in an interview, noted that what the government should rather do is to adopt the model of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), which is a form of public private sector partnership.

NLNG is a partnership firm in which the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has 49 per cent, Shell Gas BV, SGBV, 25.6 per cent, Total LNG Nigeria Limited 15 per cent, while Eni International (N.A,) N. V. S. a. r. l has 10.4 per cent.

“Given past experiences with the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) and the Nigeria Unity Line (NUL), both of which were wholly owned by the Nigerian government, no patriotic Nigerian would back the floating of another shipping line under a public sector arrangement” According to him, the Government-NLNG model, which represents a good Public-Private Sector Partnership arrangement under which

Adu

the government is not given controlling equity, which would make it have control over the day-to-day running of the company is a better arrangement if the government must refloat another national shipping line.

“Just like the case of the NLNG, what government needed to do is to create the enabling environment and allow private people to run the shipping line on a day-to-day basis so the fate of the NNSL and NUL does not befall the proposed shipping line.

He argued that encouraging the government to float another shipping line might be a dicey situation because of the general belief that government’s property is nobody’s property, which he said has negatively affected other business organisations floated by the government.

While going down the memory lane, he noted that following the demise of the NNSL primarily due to government undue interference in the dayday running of the company, another shipping line the NUL was floated to replace.

“The NUL was set up with one ship while so many employees of the company were in the office depending on that one vessel and expectedly, the NUL collapsed just like other business ventures belonging to the Nigerian Government”, he regretted.

“As against the proposal for singlehandedly floating a shipping line, the government should provide the environment, make investments if it chooses to do so but should not have controlling equity to pave way for private sector people to run the business”, he insisted.

The NAMM-boss, also disclosed that the NLNG is currently doing very well because the government does not run the company itself or has the power to appoint the managing director, arguing that it would have appointed a politician, who knows next to nothing about the business.

“This arrangement has succeeded with the NLNG; government can also replicate it in the merchant shipping business by some minority interest but leaving the operations and management in the hands of

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News capable private sector people”, he asserted.

He however expressed the hope that such arrangement would re-launch Nigeria into the global shipping arena, which would also increase her chances of lifting crude oil, which had over the years made exclusive preserve of foreign shipping companies.

Those proposing a fully government -owned shipping firm said the ideas was to address the vacuum created by the absence of a single on Nigeria’s fleet.

Operators concede huge losses to high incidence of fake products Stories by Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

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eal sector operators in the country said they have conceded huge investment losses to high incidence of imported fake and adulterated products over the first half of the year.

The operators, under the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), lamented that in other countries, only standard products are allowed to enter through their borders unlike Nigeria where it seems that security operatives at the border posts are not vigilant enough.

The president of the chamber, Goodie Ibru, made this known during a second quarter press conference on the economy in Lagos, where he stated that a conducive operating environment for investors was imperative to boost investment confidence.

“Influx of substandard products has taken a toll on the market share of many manufacturing companies. Also related to this is importation of finished products in complete disregard for current tariff regime,” he said.

He mentioned that the health sector which comprised mainly pharmaceutical companies, importers of surgical and other medical equipment were also affected by the massive

Ibru

faking of premium brands.

He went further to state that the influx of used spare parts as well as substandard spare parts has become a major problem for enterprises in the automobile sector. “This category of spare parts currently accounts for about 80 per cent of market share,” he said.

He disclosed that one of the key issues affecting the oil and gas sector was the incursion of adulterated products especially lubricants into the market.

Suggesting a way out of the challenge, the vice president and chairman of the trade promotion board of the board, Remi Bello, said that more vigilance should be exercised at the ports by men of the Nigerian customs service.

“The best solution is to appeal to customs to be on the look out to seize and destroy these fake products as it is done in other countries which only allow standard products to enter their markets,” he said.

He advised that customs should fashion a close working arrangement with trade groups in order to make identification of fake products easier and more effective at the points of entry.

He also noted that the use of fake and adulterated products, apart from its negative economic impact, was also risky, stressing that another way to discourage the dealers was to stop patronizing them.

Ibru, also called for the unlocking of the Nigerian credit market as critical to stemming the gradual crowding out of domestic entrepreneurs by foreign investors.

“The current tightening of monetary policy is inhibiting domestic production and encouraging imports. The outcome of the last monetary policy committee meeting of the CBN portends even more difficult times for investors in the economy as far as cost of funds are concerned,” he emphasized.

He however commended the inflation rate which has stood at single digit: 9.0 per cent in January, 9.5 per cent in February, back to 9.0 per cent in May and decelerated to 8.4 per cent in June.

“This is a positive development for the economy and private sector because low and stable inflation preserves real incomes, investment plans and welfare of the citizens,” he said.

On foreign reserves, he noted that at $47.99 billion in mid July, the trend was positive as it could cover approximately 11 months of imports.

However, he cautioned that dwindling oil output and development in the global oil market pose a risk to sustainability of the reserves at current levels.

On investment climate

issues, apart from security which has yielded positive results due to intervention of security agencies in affected states, he lamented that the credit situation and public power supply continue to pose major problems and remain unsatisfactory to investors.

Aluya

Manufacturers blame SON, NAFDAC for poor patronage

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anufacturers in the country have expressed concern over the poor patronage of made-in-Nigeria products and the need to enlarge the scope of research, development and standards by relevant government agencies for the sector to become globally competitive.

The manufacturers, under the aegis of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Apapa branch, also sought to have a clearer understanding of the mandates of the two agencies in view of some perceived conflicting roles.

The position of the manufacturers was made public at a business luncheon held in Lagos which also, featured presentations by Director General of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu and his NAFDAC counterpart Dr. Paul Orhii.

In his address, the chairman of MAN Apapa, John Aluya, noted that it was important for the business community to send a positive message to the government on their increasing interest to grow and expand the frontiers of their business endeavors.

“Clearly, our interest has been and will continue to revolve around the concept of growing our economy with greater interest in increasing patronage of made-in-Nigeria products,” he said.

He said it was noteworthy for them to understand the checks and balances of the operating agencies and scope of function.

According to him “members have expressed their anxiety over the conflicting role of these two agencies and would be glad to have a clearer pronouncement on the areas of overlapping functions.”

He explained that it was

important for government to adopt a policy framework that will enhance development and encourage business enterprise.

Aluya noted that apart from some obvious limitations to the growth of manufacturing, which infrastructure deficiency accounts for over 70 per cent, it was imperative to stress that overbearing posture of some government agencies was really a big clog in the wheel of progress.

“Therefore, we challenge the leadership of SON and NAFDAC to be the bull in the pack by distinguishing themselves through timeline services, reduction of service costs and collaborative development of industrial research and development,” he stated.

In his presentation titled “increasing product acceptability in the Nigerian market through quality checks and standardization”, the SON Director General, represented

by Mosunmola Samuel, a principal standards officer, noted that standardization and quality play vital roles in ensuring products acceptance.

He assured the manufacturers that the genuine ones among them who were not engaged in counterfeiting and the production of substandard products will continue to receive support from the agency.

“SON will continue to engage stakeholders in investigating consumer complaints and assisting manufacturers in taking corrective measures,” he said.

The SON DG advised them to ensure strict compliance to standardization as this will not only add value to their products but will also increase the competitiveness of industry.

He also tasked them to adhere to the application of quality control in their productions, according to him “quality control secures a reasonable product quality at a competitive cost level and leads to increase in sales and makes the company competitive through accurate prediction of costs involved.”

Making his presentation titled “NAFDAC and manufacturers: creating a synergy for quality products and industrial growth” Dr. Paul Orhii, represented by Adedeji Akinwunmi, deputy director, chemical import control, noted that for regulation to be effective, communication and collaboration was essential among all stakeholders in the sector.

“The agency is working in synergy with other relevant government regulatory agencies such as SON, to ensure that established quality standards are implemented in the manufacture of regulated products,” he said.

He disclosed that NAFDAC regulates one-third of the economy in the food, agricul-

tural and pharmaceutical sectors, which is a significant role in the promotion of industrial growth.

He also informed manufacturers that the agency in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and in consultation with the pharmaceutical arm of MAN seeks to put aside a N200 billion fund at structured low interest to allow for the upgrading of the entire pharmaceutical industry value chain.

US investors seek potential Nigerian business partners

I

n a concerted bid to promote bilateral trade between Nigeria and the United States, Nigeria-USA Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) and the United States Government’s Commercial Service have concluded plans to seek out new potential Nigerian companies to collaborate with their American counterparts.

This opportunity comes on the platform of a planned trade and investment summit to hold in Lagos Nigeria in August.

Disclosing this to wouldbe participants, the CEO of NUSACC, Lee Karem, encouraged Nigeria-based businesses seeking to do business with US-based enterprises to register for this Trade Mission as up to five Nigerian businesses will be matched with at least one US based business that will participate in the Trade Summit.

He said that past summits held in the US attracted more than 150 organizations, while the 2012 Summit held in Nigeria attracted more than 300 Business and Government representatives and that through the platform, private sector investments worth close to $1 billion have been injected into the Nigerian economy within the last two years.

“The Nigeria-USA Chamber of Commerce International Trade and Investment Summit aims to bring American investors to Nigeria for investment purposes. The event is supported by American USExport – Import bank, overseas

Kareem

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Business Courage

Monday, July 29, 2013

A7 23

News products investment cooperation, US IT, and a variety of other support systems whose function is to assist in boosting American companies foreign investments,” he said.

He explained that the summit represents a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s existing bilateral trade relationship with the US and that the focus of the summit will be on breaking the cultural divide by connecting Americans with Nigerians to foster effective business relations.

According to Kareem, those expected to benefit from the summit would be drawn from Government Advisors, and Policy Makers; Development Financial Institutions; Regulatory Agencies; Private Equity Investors; Project and Export Finance Banks.

He also listed expected beneficiaries to include: Investment and Commercial Banks; Business Consultants; Fund and Asset Managers; US and Nigerian Businesses.

“The summit delivery format consists of a combination of interactive panel sessions, keynotes from industry thought leaders, and Q&A sessions. In some cases, some participants might be invited to give presentations on their respective fields of expertise,” he said.

He stressed that networking sessions will be an integral part of the summit, with sessions designed to facilitate the exchange of key insights needed to generate and share creative strategies for financing projects and building successful business portfolios.

He said that honorary guests expected at the event will include the executive governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola; US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence P. McCulley and Olusegun Aganga Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Interbank lending rates fall on huge cash inflows

I

nterbank lending rates eased marginally to around 10.16 per cent at the weekend from an average 10.3 per cent the previous week, helped by liquidity from matured treasury bills and flows from government agencies.

“The market is seen flat next week until the debiting of the new cash reserves on Aug. 7, which is expected to take out huge liquidity from the system with rates hitting the roof,” one dealer said.

The regulator announced last Tuesday that it will impose a 50 per cent cash reserve requirement on banks’ public deposits to curb the practice of taking deposits and lending

the money back to the government at a profit. The squeeze on liquidity is also aimed at supporting the naira.

Dealers said the current cost of borrowing among banks has been pushed down by the repayment of about N56 billion ($348 million) in matured treasury bills while N80 billion meant for public sector wages also hit the system.

The market opened with a cash balance of about N514 billion on Friday, compared with N300 billion the previous week.

The secured Open Buy back (OBB) eased marginally to 10.1 per cent from 10.15 per cent last week, 1.9 percentage points lower than the central bank’s benchmark interest rate.

Overnight placement dropped to 10.15 per cent compared with 10.25 per cent, while call money closed at 10.5 per cent compared with 12.5 per cent the previous week.

Dealers say the new cash reserve measure, taking out around N900 billion of public sector cash deposited with lenders, could push up cost of borrowing in the market.

BOI urged to review charges on government funding

T

he Bank of Industry (BOI) have been urged to carry out a downward review of charges on intervention funds being given to industrialists in order not to stifle the sector’s nascent growth.

Chairman of the Ikeja chapter of the Manufacturers association of Nigeria, Isaac Ade Agoye, who stated this in a parley with the development bank in Lagos, expressed the need for manufacturers to get much desired respite from the burdensome charges attached to loans obtainable from the bank.

He claimed that the unimaginable deductible surcharges on the loans meant for industrial development, if not promptly redressed may hamper the growth and survival of the real sector, stressing that many members persistently raised eyebrows over the burdensome surcharges on BOI loan disbursement.

Some of the charges he listed included: mortgage debenture, collateral mortgage agreement, personal guarantee, professional fees, 10 per cent interest rate, appraisal fee, commitment and monitoring fees among others.

“We consider these surcharges as too cumbersome and demanding, hence we decided to invite the BOI management for enlightenment. We do hope that this gathering will offer us the opportunity to find

a lasting solution to our fears and eventually pave the way to our survival and growth,” he said.

He explained that if the sector was made easy and less cumbersome by way of accessibility of loans it could act as a stop-gap measure for mitigating the high rate of unemployment.

“We have the capacity to do so, all we need is encouragement. I have no doubt that the managing director of BOI will shed light on all grey areas, thereby allaying the phobia we have nursed over the years,” he said.

He stressed that BOI should do away with some of the surcharges which he described as inimical and irrelevant to the exercise of lending. Lamenting that a situation where charges on loans amount to 21 per cent and above was certainly worrisome.

In his contribution, the managing director of Haffar industries ltd., Michael Adebayo, stated that BOI should rise up to the challenges and growth of the sector by inducing funding terms with 3.5 to 5.0 per cent interest rates.

“This will also boost the effort of BOI and the federal government in diversifying the economy and reviving the manufacturing sector so that it can grow,” he said.

In his response, the executive director operations, BOI, Mohammed Alkali, explained that under the CBN’s N235 billion for refinancing/restructuring of SMEs/manufacturing disbursed at interest rates of 7.0 per cent through commercial banks, N232 billion has already been disbursed to 550 beneficiaries cutting across all the key sectors He also stated that the bank’s vision was to be a leading self-sustaining development funding institution operating under sound management and banking principles that would promote the emergence of a well developed and virile industrial sector.

“With our intervention in the manufacturing sector, capacity utilization has gone up from 30 to over 60 per cent; a total of 8,070 jobs have been saved and an additional 3,472 created,”

Alkali

he said.

Giving a summary of BOI’s intervention in the real sector, he disclosed that risk asset portfolios of over N146 billion of which 90 per cent went to the manufacturing sector with 56 per cent of that going to the agro and agro-allied sectors.

while paying or withdrawing cash.

CBN urges Rivers residents to embrace cashless policy

T

he Deputy Project Leader of the Central Bank cashless policy, Eme Eleonu, has urged Rivers people to embrace the cashless policy to improve its effectiveness and ensure economic growth.

Eleonu who made the call during a seminar on Rivers Cashless Policy in Port Harcourt, said that the central bank had initiated the policy on cash transactions to drive development and modernise payment systems in Nigeria in line with vision of being among the top 20 economies by the year 2020.

“There are so many new channels in the policy to check fraud in banks and to reduce risks. These include Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and Point Of Sale devises (POS). With your ATM card and POS, you can deposit your cash, transfer airtime to your phone and check your balance and your money is safe,’’ he said.

Eleonu said that the CBN would soon introduce finger print verification for customers which would enable the bank to identify the rightful owner of an account to reduce fraud.

He urged Rivers people to use their mobile phones for cash transaction to avoid getting stranded by the ATM network.

Eleonu gave assurance to customers of the safety of their cash even if they misplace or are robbed of their phones.

Chris Okorie, a banker from the First Bank of Nigeria Plc, also encouraged Rivers residents to adopt the cashless policy to reduce the risks of moving cash. ``You can open an account with your phone without going to the bank with a copy of your utility bill or passport photograph,” he said.

He also encouraged ministries and corporate organisations to embrace Internet banking to reduce the risk of moving bulk cash to the office or site.

Julie Uzo, a staff of the State Ministry of Education, urged banks to be efficient in their service delivery.

Uzo also urged them to expand their network base to a size that would accommodate their various services to reduce, if not eliminate, the frustration Nigerians go through

Eleonu

PTDF to establish oil, gas research museum in Oloibiri

T

he Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), has concluded plans to establish an oil and gas research centre and museum in Oloibiri, Bayelsa.

Dr Oluwole Oluleye, the PTDF Executive Secretary, who disclosed this during the 2013 Ministerial platform and Mid-Term report of the Fund, said the project would be sited at Oloibiri where oil was first struck in the country in 1958. ``We are establishing an Oil and Gas Research Centre and Museum in Oloibiri, Bayelsa, because it is the host community of the first oil well in Nigeria. This is to preserve the historical artefacts in the evolution of the Nigerian petroleum industry as well as serve as a learning centre for technological application and research,’’ he said.

Oluleye said work had reached advanced stage on the National Centre for Skills Development and Training in Port Harcourt, which is meant to provide vocational and technical training for Nigerians. ``The centre when completed, will provide vocational and technical training for technicians and craftsmen in fields such as welding and fabrication, construction, automobile engineering and so on,’’ he said.

Oluleye said apart from its overseas scholarship scheme, the PTDF is also involved in the upgrading of universities in the country.

He said PTDF was working very closely with international oil companies in the country to ensure that the trained scholars are employed on completion of their educational programmes.

The executive secretary said the mission of the PTDF and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is to use training as a catalyst to transform operations in the oil sector, in line with international best practices BC

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Business Courage

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global News

Adongo

Ghanaian farmers raise alarm over fertiliser shortage, smuggling

T

he Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), has raised alarm over the effectiveness of the government’s Fertiliser Subsidy Programme (FSP).

The Programme Coordinator of PFAG, Victoria Adongo, said in a statement that recent developments on the FSP could have a negative effects on output from the farmers.

She said that farmers in the country were finding it difficult to cultivate crops at the right time due to fertiliser shortage.

“We have noticed that fertilisers are not available to farmers even with the government’s subsidy programme.

With the shortage, the result is that you buy at a higher price of about GH¢60 instead of GH¢51, ’’ she said.

According to her, the situation is gravely affecting food crop farmers, particularly those in the Upper East and West regions of the country.

Adongo identified sharp practices such as smuggling across nearby borders as major cause of the shortage. ``We will be heading towards a drop in food production and a rise in the cost of food if this trend is not tackled immediately.

She called on the government to ensure strict enforcement of the law against smuggling and ensure that those involved in the act are brought to book

The World Bank’s Food Price Index showed international prices of wheat fell by two per cent, sugar by six per cent, soybean oil by 11 per cent, and maize, or corn, by one per cent during the fourmonth period between February and June.

The index, which weighs export prices of food, fats and oils, grains, and other foods in nominal U.S. dollars, fell by two per cent.

Improved weather conditions after last year’s droughts helped bolster the production of wheat. The bank said it expects good harvests from the major producers to continue as long as unfavourable weather in northern and central Europe, Russia and China does not drag on production.

Global maize production is expected to reach a record high this year, according to the report, partly driven by a revival in demand from U.S. ethanol producers.

While prices have stabilized recently, the volatility of food prices in recent years has prompted developing countries with high poverty and weak safety nets to respond by ratcheting up consumer food subsidies, it said.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have made a big push in the past year to urge countries to scrap subsidies on consumer food to ease pressures on government budgets and free up more funds for health and education spending.

Both institutions have also questioned whether such subsidies truly improve poverty - as they can often go to largescale farmers or well-connected people instead of the poorest.

“Poorly designed food subsidy programs that lack transparency and accountability in implementation do not benefit poor people,” said Jaime Saavedra, active vice president for poverty reduction and economic management at the World Bank. “These programs can be very costly and prone to corruption, and waste scarce fiscal resources.”

According to the report, more direct forms of transfers, such as food stamps and public works, are more effective in

World Bank says global food prices fell again in latest period

G

lobal food prices fell by two per cent in the latest four-month period, marking the third straight period of declines, as declining imports in the Middle East and North Africa, and lower demand pushed prices down 12 percent from their August 2012 peak, the World Bank said.

Ivory Coast convicts eight for violating government cocoa price

Japan consumer prices rise for first time in 14 months

E

ight people have been convicted in Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa grower, of buying cocoa beans below the government-guaranteed price during the current mid-crop harvest, the Coffee and Cocoa Council said.

Ivory Coast introduced a minimum price for farmers at the beginning of the 2012/13 season, ending more than a decade of sector liberalisation in an effort to raise farmer incomes and encourage reinvestment in ageing plantations.

The CCC marketing board set a farm-gate price of 725 CFA francs ($1.46) per kg for the October-to-March main crop, which was largely respected by the merchants.

However, many have ignored its price of 700 CFA francs/kg announced for the

Mamadou Coulibaly, Ivory-Coast Minister of Agriculture

April-to-September mid-crop beans, farmers say.

“The (CCC) has apprehended a certain number of operators ... In total, we count eight cases of convictions for the non-respect of the minimum guaranteed price,” the marketing board said in a statement.

Those convicted received jail sentences ranging from 10 days to six months. Two more cases are pending, including one for smuggling.

Despite farmers’ assertions that price violations by buyers have increased, the announced figures represent a decrease in successful prosecutions during the mid-crop.

Courts convicted 14 buyers during the cocoa main crop, the CCC told reporters in April.

Ethiopia signs $700m mobile network deal with China’s Huawei Jim Kim, World Bank President

tor saying the six billion birr ($321 million) it generates each year is being spent on railway projects. Ethiopia plans to build 5,000 km of railway lines by 2020.

helping the poor.

E

thiopia has signed a $700 million agreement with China’s Huawei Technologies

Debretsion G. Michael, Ethiopia Minister of Communication and Information Technology

Co Ltd to expand mobile phone infrastructure and introduce high-speed 4G broadband network in the capital Addis Ababa and 3G service throughout the country.

Huawei, the world’s second largest telecom equipment maker, has been involved in developing phone and internet services in the Horn of Africa country for several years.

Africa’s rapidly expanding telecoms industry has come to symbolize its economic growth, with subscribers across the continent totalling almost 650 million last year, up from just 25 million in 2001, according to the World Bank.

Andualem Admassie, acting chief executive officer of staterun Ethio Telecom, and Jony Duon, his counterpart at the Chinese firm, signed the agreement that will double subscribers to 56 million.

“Although our target is 40 million, now including 3G it will 56 million by 2015. That would be the capacity,” said Debretsion Gebremichael, Ethiopia’s deputy prime minister and minister of communications and technology.

The agreement is half of a $1.6 billion project split between Huawei and ZTE, China’s second-largest telecoms equipment maker. Both firms will finance the amount.

Ethiopia will sign the other half of the agreement this week, Debretsion said.

Ethio Telecom is the only mobile operator in the country of more than 80 million people, one of the last remaining countries on the continent to maintain a state monopoly in telecoms.

Although lacking much of a telecoms industry, the government last year gave approval for private companies to provide value-added services - all services other than standard voice calls.

Ethiopia’s ministry of communications and information technology says it has received applications from 218 firms to provide such services. South Africa’s MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile phone company, has already been granted a licence.

The government has ruled out liberalising its telecom sec-

J

apanese consumer prices rose for the first time in more than a year in June, a sign that policies aimed at ending deflation could be yielding results.

Data showed that consumer prices, excluding food, rose by 0.4 per cent - the biggest increase for five years.

However, the rise was mainly due to higher energy bills rather than increased domestic demand.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said that he will end more than a decade of falling prices.

Japan has suffered a shortage of energy since the closing of almost all the country’s nuclear reactors, which followed the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. As a result, it has been importing much of the energy it needs.

Since becoming prime minister late last year, Abe has looked to decrease the value of the yen with government spending and ultra-loose monetary policy, in order to help boost exporters’ earnings.

However, the weaker yen means it is more costly to import fuel.

Analysts said it was too early to declare the end of deflation.

“If you look at a narrower basket of goods without energy, the clear rising trend isn’t there yet and we can’t say with great confidence that Japan is clearly on its way out of deflation,” said Koichi Fujishiro, from Dai-ichi Life Research Institute in Tokyo.

“Only when wages start going up will we be able to say that it’s a more sustainable and meaningful trend. So far, it can still end on a short blip up.”

The Bank of Japan has set an inflation target of two per cent. BC

Abe

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, July 29, 2013

Business Courage

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

B

orn in a rustic village of Ayekale, in the ancient town of Oyo in Oyo State on November 11, 1948, to the family of late Joseph Alagbe and late Asiawu Oyerinola Jolapamo, Dr. Isaac Morakinyo Jolapamo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Morlap Group, like many of his peers ,had a humble beginning.

To him, growing up in those days was an interesting adventure. The young Isaac Jolapamo attended Oniyanrin Baptist Central School, Oyo, between 1955 and 1960 for his primary school. He later moved to Anglican Secondary Modern School, Akinmorin between 1961 and 1963.

After completing his modern school education, the young Jolapamo was to proceed to the teachers training college in Oyo but one of his uncles who lived in Lagos felt that his brilliance deserved more than ending up in the teachers training institute.

He left Oyo for Lagos with his uncle where he was enrolled at the Baptist Academy to continue his secondary education in Form four. His stay with his uncle was short-lived as a result of undisclosed family issues.

Disappointedly, Isaac had to drop out when there was no hope of continuing his education and ended up as automobile mechanic apprentice after only a term at the Baptist Academy. His apprenticeship at the time significantly paid off as the man whom he worked under just returned from England with vast automobile technical experience uncommon in the country at the time.

While undergoing his apprenticeship, the young Jolapamo still put formal education

Jolapamo

He ventured into the maritime business by accident. A combination of factors almost derailed his brilliant career prospect until he finally found his way into the Nigerian Navy and by extension, the larger marine business. Today, he is not just a player, he is one of the leading lights in the domestic league of Nigerian operators in the competitive but highly capital intensive maritime business. He is Isaac Morakinyo Jolapamo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Morlap Group

A9 25

on his priority list. He demonstrated that he was a man with a strong heart to achieve, as despite all odds, he gave formal education a decisive pursuit as he enrolled for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level and made five papers. He then enrolled as an external candidate at the Government Trade Centre, Oyo, where he obtained the City and Guilds of London (Intermediate in Motor Vehicle Technology).

As fate would have it, that qualification was enough to qualify him for enrolment into the Nigerian Navy (NN), where he eventually rose to become a marine engineer, thereby starting a first formal work experience and hence his lifelong romance with the maritime sector.

As Jolapamo told Business Courage last week, his entry into the Navy occurred by sheer providence. He had run into a top navy officer whose car got broken down and as an automobile mechanic apprentice who knew his onions, Jolapamo offered to fix the car and subsequently while they were discussing, he told the naval officer about his qualification, but the naval man couldn’t believe his story as he wondered why he was satisfied being a roadside mechanic despite his brilliance.

To doubly convince the naval officer, the young Jolapamo had to go back and present his certificate and that was how he joined the navy in 1967.

He continued on-the-job training as a Trainee Marine Engineering Officer, serving onboard various classes of naval vessels as Engine Room Rating during the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970.

However, determined to develop and boost his capacity as a fulfilled man in life, Jolapamo toyed with the idea of going to the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA, in order to become an officer, but as providence would have it again, that dream fizzled out because he never made it like his peers did.

Consequently, he enrolled at the Royal Navy Marine Engineering College, GOSPORT, HANTS, England, where he bagged the Naval Marine Engineering Qualifying Certificate Parts 2 and 3, Higher National Diploma (HND) equivalent), as well as Full Technological Certificate of the City and Guilds, London, Institute of MechaniContinued on pg A10

Business Courage

cal Engineering (Plant Maintenance Option) in 1974.

Jolapamo returned to Nigeria in December 1974 to serve initially as a Chief Engineer on the NN Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) and later the Covet class of vessels. However, having served the navy for a few years, t h e r e was an incidence

Monday, July 29, 2013

that happened which eventually took him out of the force in late 1975.

When he left the navy in 1975, he left Nigeria’s shores once more in pursuit of the proverbial Golden Fleece and finally berthed at the Nascov Technical College, Denmark, from

where he obtained the Danish Department of Trade Marine Engineering Theoretical Course Certificate in First Class in 1976.

Thereafter, same year, he joined the East Asiatic Company, Denmark, which then had a partnership with Fajemirokun shipping line serving as Merchant Marine Engineering Officer on the company’s cargo vessels worldwide. But once again, his stay was also shortlived because the union created so much trouble about a position which he was later given in the company.

Incidentally, that was the time the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), was about taking off and people were being recruited across the country. So he joined the NNPC in 1977 as a marine officer but later served in various management capacities as pioneer staff of the Marine Transportation Division responsible for coastal movements of petroleum products from the two coastal refineries at Warri in Delta State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State as well as the storage tanker located inshore Bonny.

As one of the few qualified Nigerians who gained management positions in the NNPC during its early days; Jolapamo was one of the engineers through whose expertise crude oil was sent to Kaduna Refinery from Bonny. He was later promoted and transferred to the NNPC Headquarters as the Shipping Coordinator/Programmer, all between 1977 and 1985.

Again, just like what had happened to him in the navy, he had to leave

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

the corporation abruptly too.

“I can say I am a person who doesn’t do things half-heartedly. I like to do things with total dedication and I am also a person who says things the way they are. But unfortunately, it doesn’t help in those days. It is even worse now,” he said as he tried to explain reasons that forced him to resign from the NNPC. However, when he was leaving the NNPC, Jolapamo’s dream was to join one of the oil majors in the country then, but unfortunately, rather than the dream seeing the light of the day, it however landed him into the entrepreneurship terrain.

One of his friends then who also happened to have resigned almost at the same time with him had made him to rather look inward and start his own business.

Though not known to be flamboyant and clearly not an underdog, today, Jolapamo, has become a colossus in the maritime industry so much that he could be said to know the industry so well like the back of his hands. He never planned to be an entrepreneur though. He had always envisaged to retire as an employee, contented with working for people rather than get involved in the intricate and highly complicated world of entrepreneurship.

“In fact, when I started business, a friend of mine who registered the company that I am using today, eventually went back to paid job though he was already a businessman at that time. I could remember he was encouraging me to stay in the business line, and I told him that for crying out loud, I am not called to be a business man, I was aspiring to become a director in the work I was doing then and retire, but things changed within two years of mentioning it to me that I had to call him that “please kindly help me with

what you had told me before because now, we have to register a company. So you can see that it wasn’t my plan. It was God’s plan for my life and I have taken or used the best of the opportunity that I have” He told Business Courage last week.

However, going into the business terrain, Jolapamo who confessed he wasn’t familiar with any other business except the maritime which he had been doing all his life, had to pitch his tent with the familiar terrain. According to him, the only business, he revealed, which came to his mind, was the business he had been doing all his life, that is, maritime business, especially in the area of shipping management.

Hence, that was the beginning of the Morlap Shipping line which he established in 1985.

Being a capital intensive business, while he could not immediately buy his own ship then, Jolapamo started with managing few vessels until he started getting direct contracts. Then, in 1988, his first ship berthed on the shores of Nigeria, thus signalling his arrival into serious maritime business Little wonder that the Morlap which he established then with little capital has today diversified into other businesses such as marble mining and processing, agriculture and bunkering which is part of the shipping outfits. In the shipping industry, there are five areas which include ship management, ship ownership, bunker suppliers, brokers and agency service.

Jolapamo, a recipient of Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Technology (D.TECH) Honoris Causa from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho said he has no regret over his decision to leave paid employment for entrepreneurship.

Surprisingly, Jolapamo sees himself more as a technocrat

I told him that for crying out loud, am not called to be a business man, I was aspiring to become a director in the work I was doing then and retire, but things changed within two years of mentioning it to me that I had to call him that “please kindly help me with what you had told me before because now, we have to register a company. So you can see that it wasn’t my plan. It was God’s plan for my life and I have taken or used the best of the opportunity that I have

‘

A10 26

than a businessman. “I am more of a technocrat. But then I found myself in the business world, and I had to cope with it.

In terms of breakthrough, I can say I tumbled into doing business. When I was leaving NNPC, I was not leaving with the hope of doing business; rather, I was leaving with the hope of going into another oil company where I could rise like I had projected I would do in the NNPC. But then, that vision was cut short and I had to practice some of the things I was doing in the NNPC. To me, that could be a breakthrough because if I had not taken that decision of leaving, I wouldn’t have been where I am today,” he said.

In retrospect, Jolapamo said he had no regret so far. “God has been the one directing my ways and I have been taking the paths he wants me to follow. For instance, my joining the navy like I said, wasn’t programmed, my leaving the place was not programmed either,” he noted.

To Jolapamo, no doubt, the journey has been a rough one but he admits that his staying power has been the fact that “shipping has always been like a passion for me.”

While the maritime business could be said to be highly capital intensive and many indigenous firms have not been able to survive the turbulent waters, Jolapamo believed that the country has undeveloped maritime culture which it still does not want to develop. “You will recollect there was a time we were having the liners that were being run by the late Moshood Abiola, Danjuma and co, but most of them are no more today basically because we are yet to develop our maritime culture.

I believe that both the private individuals as well the government are not taking the necessary steps that are supposed to be taken to develop it,” he said.

As the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Morlap Group, encompassing coastal tanker ownership and management; petroleum shipping and trading; and solid mineral mining and processing; agricultural and agro-allied industry among others, Jolapamo said he founded his business on integrity as he is a man never known to compromise on truth.

Guided by this philosophy, he said that he has been able to effectively manage his businesses to survive the turbulent waters of the Nigerian business atmosphere. Though he admitted that it has not been easy doing the maritime business in Ni-

Business Courage A11 27

Monday, July 29, 2013

Jolapamo

geria, he believes that with the right environment, things could still be better. “You see, there is a problem with this country and the problem is that when you are an honest businessman that wants to do honest business, you are limited. When you do your business with integrity, you are limited because not many people would want to do business with you. But to me, as far as I know, I have done honest business all through; I have not committed any crime.

I don’t have any skeleton in my cupboard. I can look at the demagogue in the face. Based on this, if it is in other clime, then we wouldn’t be where we are today. We would not have been where we are today for the obvious reason that we don’t know how to do it the Nigerian way. But here we are today, and we thank God that we are still surviving. It is quite unfortunate that our own atmosphere in Nigeria has been live and let’s die, and not live and let’s live.”

Though to a large extent, Morlap Group could be said to be doing pretty well among its peers, the maritime guru noted that he is not yet satisfied with the state where his business is today because unlike what happens in other clime where his peer companies are flourishing, like many other businesses in

‘

There is a problem with this country and the problem is that when you are an honest businessman that wants to do honest business, you are limited. When you do your business with integrity, you are limited because not many people would want to do business with you. But to me, as far as I know, I have done honest business all through; I have not committed any crime

the country, he is still grappling with the country’s peculiar situation.

In his bid to ensure there is maritime culture among Nigerians, he founded the Indigenous Ship owners Association of Nigeria (ISAN), the umbrella industry body of ship owners and operators in Nigeria in which he is also the incumbent Chairman. Since coming on stream, ISAN led by Jolapamo has always been in the forefront of championing the cause of pro-

‘

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moting the business of Nigerian ship ownership and for management as well as developing a vibrant shipping industry which will create job opportunities and boost wealth creation, in addition to promoting foreign exchange savings.

Under his stewardship, ISAN has since inception about five years ago witnessed a dramatic increase in membership and, as at July 2007, the association had over 50 registered and active shipping companies

as members with a combined gross tonnage of over 300,000 gross registered tonnage (GRT).

“ISAN was established because we are fighting a course.

We used to have a shipping company association before but you cannot compare a shipping company with that of shipping ownership association. The owners know what trouble you have to pass through in buying a ship, what trouble you have to go through in manning it, maintaining it and all the rest.

So far, we have been fighting for the cabotage law and we believe it’s going to materialize,” he said.

Jolapamo says the logic behind the new association is to “separate the wheat from the chaff by saying it is now ship owners association. We all know that foreign ship owners are here, so we want to distinguish ourselves by saying we are indigenous and we are not people who are said to be having canoes and not ships. It is about developing the maritime culture. It is about getting our people to do it. Today we say we are losing about N3 trillion on cargo trades coming into this country.” Jolapamo submitted.

He regretted that the continued absence of a single ocean going vessel on Nigeria’s fleet, several years after the demise of the Nigerian National Shipping Line, has continued to inhibit the country from taking her place as a maritime nation and as world’s sixth largest producer of crude oil.

It would be recalled that several attempts by ISAN to address the issue has always met brick wall. In 2007, the association had taken the bold step with the idea of floating the ISAN shipping line with an initial Paid Up Share Capital of N50 billion raised on the basis of N1 billion contributed by members, who also make up the shareholders of the company.

“ISAN Shipping Line was set up to enable Nigerian ship owners participate effectively in the lifting of the nation’s cargo including crude oil because the indigenous operators in the shipping industry have been in a sorry state,” Jolapamo said.

He lamented that the industry has been “floundering like a rudderless ship for a very long time and we appear helpless. We are not only helpless now but are now spectators in an industry where we should be calling the shots and this is the major challenge for seasoned players whose fortunes are dwindling by the day”, he lamented. BC

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Management: Case Study

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any entrepreneurs look at their businesses as a way to build wealth for themselves and their families. But new research shows that if the founder dies, a firm typically suffers significant setbacks that affect the value.

The research was done by Professor Sascha O. Becker at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom and Professor Hans K. Hvide at the University of Bergen in Norway.

It looked at 341 privately held companies up to 10 years old where the majority owner and founder had died, comparing them to similar companies where the managing entrepreneur was living. The companies they studied were based in Norway, where the government keeps very detailed records on businesses.

Sales dipped by 60 per cent, on average, four years after a business owners’ death, and employment at the firms was down 17 per cent. The survival rate of firms where the owner died two years afterward was 20% lower than at similar firms where the owner was living. At the same time the likelihood of bankruptcy rose at firms where the owner passed away.

“It seems founder-entrepreneurs are the ‘glue’ that helps to hold a business together,” said Professor Becker, Deputy Director of the Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE) in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick, in a release about the findings. We expected businesses that experienced the death of a founder-entrepreneur to have some kind of a dip in performance immediately after the death owing to the upheaval, but we anticipated there would be a bounce-back.

However the results were quite surprising. Even four years after the death, most firms show no sign of recovering and the negative effect on performance appears to continue even further beyond that.”

Some other key findings: * One- to two-year old firms saw the biggest effect if the owner died. * Those whose owner was highly educated saw more substantial declines than at firms where the owner was less educated. * Family firms fared no differently than non-family owned firms. * The impact is less when an owner who holds a minority

Common family bu

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very business is faced with challenges. However, as a family business owner, you are faced with unique threats to your business that, if not recognised 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.

Becker

stake dies than when a majority owner dies. * The effects of owners’ deaths are not as strong when they are part of an entrepreneurial team.

The study was not focused on succession planning at the firms. However, it seems to underline the importance of doing such planning, so a firm holds onto its revenues and value and avoid bankruptcy if the entrepreneur passes away.

While many CEOs are proactive in naming a successor in the event that they pass away, they don’t always run their firms in a way that would make it easy for someone else to take over.

Experts often advise owners, who want to sell a business to document business procedures, keep thorough financial records and make sure that a firm isn’t dependent on the presence of one person to continue relationships with key customers. These steps would be just as beneficial if an owner died, an a new leader had to step in. However, many owners never get around to taking them.

Some of the firms in the study fared better than others.

I’d like to see more research on what was different about the firms that bounced back even-

tually. It would be helpful for owners who want to make sure that even if they can’t reap the

rewards of their hard work that their families will.

Source: Forbes

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 organisation can increase employee turnover and create a

Management Principles

Keys to inspiring leadership

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orget the stereotypical leadership image of a buttoned-up person in a gray suit hauling around a hefty briefcase. Today, standout leaders come in all shapes and sizes. She could be a blue jeans-clad marketing student, running a major ecommerce company out of her dorm room.

He might be the next salt-and-pepper-haired, barefoot Steve Jobs, presenting a groundbreaking new device at a major industry conference.

“Our research indicates that what really matters is that leaders are able to create enthusiasm, empower their people, instill confidence and be inspiring to the people around them,” says Peter Handal, chief executive of New York City-based Dale Carnegie Training, a leadership-training company.

That’s a tall order. However, as different as leaders are today, there are some things great leaders do every day. Here, Handal shares his five keys for effective leadership: Face challenges Great leaders are brave enough to face up to challenging situations and deal with them honestly.

Whether it’s steering through a business downturn or getting struggling employees back on track, effective leaders meet these challenges openly. Regular communications with your staff, informing them of both good news and how the company is reacting to challenges will go a long way toward making employees feel like you trust them and that they’re unlikely to be hit with unpleasant surprises.

Win trust Employees are more loyal and enthusiastic when they work in an environment run by people they trust. Building that trust can be done in many ways. The first is to show employees that you care about them. Take an interest in your employees beyond the workplace. Don’t pry but ask about an employee’s personal affairs. Let your employees know that you’re interested in their success and

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Business Courage A13 29

Monday, July 29, 2013

Management: Case Study Personal Finance Why most entrepreneurs fail in business

usiness threats

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 familiar 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 You have probably heard the phrase, “It’s not personal, it’s business.” Well, in a family business, it is always personal. 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.

discuss their career paths with them regularly.

When employees, vendors or others make mistakes, don’t reprimand or correct them in anger. Instead, calmly explain the situation and why their behaviour or actions weren’t correct, as well as what you expect in the future.

When people know that you aren’t going to berate them and that you have their best interests at heart, they’re going to trust you.

Be authentic If you’re not a suit, don’t try to be one. Employees and others dealing with your company will be able to tell if you’re just pretending to be someone you’re not. That could make them question what else about you might be inauthentic. Have a passion for funky shoes? Wear them. Are you an enthusiastic and hilarious presenter? Get them laughing. Use your strengths and personality traits to develop your personal leadership style.

Earn respect When you conduct yourself in an ethical way and model the traits you want to see in others, you earn the respect of those around you. Leaders who are perceived as not “walking their talk” typically don’t get very far. This contributes to employees and other stakeholders having pride in the company, which is an essential part of engagement. Also, customers are less likely to do business with a company if they don’t respect its values or leadership.

Stay curious Good leaders remain intellectually curious and committed to learning. They’re inquisitive and always looking for new ideas, insights and information. The best leaders understand that innovation and new approaches can come from many places and are always on the lookout for knowledge or people who might inform them and give them an advantage.

“The most successful leaders I know are truly very curious people. They’re interested in the things around them and that contributes to their vision,” Handal says. BC

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 realise that every business needs a good mix of people to help you grow. Non-family employees add balance to the organization because they have an 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.

Failing to recognize the positive impact non-family employees have on a family business is a huge mistake.

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.

According to Nancy Bowman-Upton in the Small Business Administration publication Transferring Management in the Family-Owned Business, it is estimated that less than 33 per cent of family businesses survive the transition from first generation ownership to second generation ownership. Sometimes this is due to the family not having interest in running the business, but in most cases, it is due to the lack of creating a plan. A succession plan is absolutely necessary to ensure the business lives on from generation to generation.

Tips to manage threats to your family business: * Clearly define the goals of the company and make sure everyone is on the same page. *Outline each family employee’s role and responsibilities and hold them accountable. *Keep an open line of communication at all times. *Address all concerns quickly and in a non-emotional manner. *Create a fair promotion and salary system that is based on individual merit and ability. *Take a management course to learn how to separate your emotions from the management process. *Provide opportunities for advancement in your business for non-family employees. *Be prepared and create a succession plan to ensure your business lives on after you are gone. BC

E

ntrepreneurship is a way of life that offers unlimited possibilities to those who truly believe in it and live by it. But at the same time, entrepreneurship is a way of life that can totally alter the course of your life if misunderstood.

Entrepreneurship is not something you can fake your way through; you are either doing it right or not doing it right simple. There are no ways around it.

To help you better make that choice, here are seven Indicators of entrepreneurs who are headed for doom. As you go through the list, be sincere to yourself and tick each of the signs currently present in your entrepreneurial life.

Seeking money before adding value This is one of the most obvious signs of most entrepreneurs heading for doom. If your primary motivation for being in business is to acquire wealth rather than to create and add value, then you’ve started off on the wrong foot. If the drive for money supersedes the drive to create innovative products/services that will add value to your target market, then is time for some serious soul searching.

Most entrepreneurs who think like this never actually attain that level of financial freedom they so much desire.

Low Business IQ The entrepreneur on the path to failure won’t see the need to develop his/her business IQ because of the quest for money.

Such an entrepreneur feel business is all about how much you can make. The fact that how much you can make is a function of how much you know and how much you can do is usually ignored. Thus, they forget that a business just like every other discipline requires certain competencies (knowledge, skill and experience) in order to remain functional.

Jack of all Trade The great Albert Einstein notably stated; “genius is the ability to focus on one particular thing for a long time without losing concentration.”

Such is not the case for the entrepreneur heading for doom.

In fact, the exact opposite is the case; trying to do more than one thing at a time eventually not achieving excellence in any.

As an entrepreneur, your success or failure will be as a result of how well you maximize your strengths.

Risk-Averse Entrepreneurship is about unleashing your passion and creativity to do something that you truly care about. It doesn’t matter whether what you have in mind to create is popular or generally acceptable, what matters is that it mattered enough to you that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make your idea become a reality.

The entrepreneur on the path to failure is the one who would never launch out because of the fear of failure, being laughed at, losing money, being called crazy etc. Daring the un-dared for the sake of making change happen is the essence of entrepreneurship and it means looking your fear in the eye and stepping out in spite of it.

Shortsightedness The entrepreneur on the path to doom is the one that will never think of tomorrow. If you cannot literally see yourself and your business far into the future beyond today, then you are on the path to destruction. Why would you want to go into business just for today’s sake alone? Why would you want to build a business the world will no longer remember after you are gone?

The essence of entrepreneurship is to perpetually be of service to humanity.

Poor money management Being an entrepreneur means being able to do more with less. The entrepreneur on the path to failure is the one who is extravagant. Thrift or frugality is a requirement for your entrepreneurial journey if you hope to become successful. How else do you intend to succeed if you cannot judiciously manage the resources in your disposal?

Insecurity There is a limit to what an individual can achieve alone, thus the need for team work. The entrepreneur on the path to destruction is the one who will never empower others nor seek the help of others for fear that they might outshine him/her. Great things are seldom achieved alone. BC

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Monday, July 29, 2013

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Samsung reaffirms it Smartphone leadership position by once again displacing Apple as the ‘most profitable phone firm’ even as it faces mounting pressure to produce eyecatching new gadgets

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

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he battle for which of the phone makers tops the Smartphone market has continued to be an interesting debate to behold. Last Friday, while Apple, the American technology company was still savouring its leadership position, Samsung Electronics, the South Korean multinational electronics company headquartered in Suwon, South Korea jolted the world as it was proclaimed the most profitable mobile phone company in the world, thus displacing Apple.

With strong volumes, high wholesale prices and tight cost controls, Samsung has finally succeeded in becoming the handset industry’s largest and most profitable vendor. Recording quarterly profit, it was reported that Samsung Electronics was able to secure the feat as a result of its growing smartphone sales and a surge in earnings at its display panel division.

According reports, hitting the number one position, Samsung’s handset division had an estimated operating profit of $5.2 billion (£3.4bn) in the second quarter of 2013, while its closest rival, Apple’s iPhone operating profit was estimated at $4.6 billion, with the iPhone range classified as “underperforming”.

In all, while a total number of mobile phone shipments were said to be 386 million in the April-to-June period, four per cent up on the same time last year, 27.7 per cent of phones shipped were made by Samsung.

Separately, Samsung, which is also the world’s biggest TV maker, reported second-quarter profits of $7 billion for the entire company. “This was the mobile phone industry’s fastest growth rate since the second quarter of 2012,” Neil Shah, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics had remarked.

According to him, “Strong demand for entry-level Android devices in Asia and Latin America drove much of the growth.

Samsung continued to dominate, shipping 107 million mobile phones worldwide.”

Interestingly, while global smartphone shipments hit 230 million in the quarter, 47 per cent higher than in the same period of 2012, of those, 33.1 per cent were manufactured

by Samsung as Apple’s share of the smartphone market, at 14 per cent was its smallest for three years.

According to industry analysts, the current iPhone portfolio is underperforming and Apple is at risk of being trapped in a pincer movement between rival 3-inch Android models at the low-end and 5-inch Android models at the high-end.

To many, Apple’s profit margin on handsets had been fading because of “lacklustre” sales for the iPhone 5 and tougher competition from rivals.

Samsung’s Galaxy range of smartphones has been one of

the biggest contributors to its recent growth. Samsung confirmed this as it said the launch of new models such as the Galaxy S4 in April had helped boost sales of smartphones during the period.

However, it warned that the pace of growth of smartphone business, a key driver of its recent success, may slow down.

“Entering into a typically strong season for the IT industry, we expect earnings to continue to increase,” said Robert Yi, head of investor relations at Samsung.

“However, we cannot overlook delayed economic recovery in Europe and risks from increased competition for smartphone and other set products,” he said.

But while the high-end smartphone market, which Samsung dominates along with Apple Inc, is slowing, the South Korean giant is struggling to convince investors it can crack the rapidly growing low-end segment, where its rivals include China’s Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp.

“It is clear that the global smartphone market is stalling because of the slowing growth of high-end smartphones and rising competition from lowerpriced smartphones,” said Ahn Young-hoe, a fund manager at KTB Asset Management, which owns Samsung shares.

“There is no major momentum for Samsung. The key is whether Samsung, which sources smartphone parts inhouse unlike Apple, will be able to cut parts costs and increase volume and market share to offset reduced smartphone margins.”

Samsung warned that global

JK Shin, Samsung President

smartphone sales growth could weaken further in the third quarter, and said it expected stiffer competition due to new product launches. Apple is expected to release the iPhone 5S and a low-end iPhone later this year.

However, despite the fact that its success in the smart-

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Business Courage A15 31

Monday, July 29, 2013

Technotalk phone business has seen Samsung displacing Nokia as well as Apple as the world’s biggest mobile phone maker and its market share in the sector rising sharply, accounting for almost 95 per cengt of the Android smartphone sector’s profits, the big question has continued to be; what new eye-catching gadgets would Samsung come up with again to sustain the tempo?

To analysts, that might be a difficult bridge for Samsung to cross as increased competition, saturation in key markets and the emergence of low-cost smartphone devices from China remain key threats.

The fear among many is that Samsung may have to lower the prices of its products - which may hurt its earnings. Analysts say Samsung needs to introduce new and innovative products if it is to maintain its market share and keep charging a premium price.

“The big question right now is whether they have got that card up their sleeve,” Bryan Ma of research firm IDC told the BBC. “What is the killer product that they have in the pipeline that is going to help sustain this growth,” he added.

According to Samsung Securities Analyst Harrison Cho, “I expect Samsung’s smartphone profit to stagnate in the current quarter compared to the previous quarter as there are no sensational products in the market. This is a problem facing not only Samsung but Apple and the entire industry. Apple’s new iPhone, which is expected to be released early September, will be nothing new.”

Tim Cook Apple CEO

It would be recalled that Samsung and Apple had been locking horns in what looks like an unending legal patent battle.

The duo had been involved in series of ongoing lawsuits regarding the design of smartphones and tablet computers between them.

In the spring of 2011, Apple began litigating against Samsung in patent infringement suits, while Apple and Motorola Mobility were already engaged in a patent war on several fronts. Apple’s multinational litigation over technology patents became known as part of the mobile device patent wars: extensive litigation in fierce competition in the global market for consumer mobile communications.

By August 2011, Apple and Samsung were litigating 19 ongoing cases in nine countries and by October, the legal disputes had expanded to ten countries. By July 2012, the two companies were still embroiled in more than 50 lawsuits around the globe, with billions of dollars in damages claimed between them.

While Apple won a ruling in its favour in the US, Samsung won rulings in South Korea, Japan, and the UK. On June 4, 2013, Samsung won a limited ban from the U International Trade Commission on sales of certain Apple products after the commission found Apple had violated a Samsung patent.

Apple had sued its component supplier, Samsung, alleging in a 38-page federal complaint on April 15, 2011 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Califor-

nia that several of Samsung’s Android phones and tablets, including the Nexus S, Epic 4G, Galaxy S 4G, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab, infringed on Apple’s intellectual property: its patents, trademarks, user interface and style. Apple’s complaint included specific federal claims for patent infringement, false designation of origin, unfair competition, and trademark infringement, as well as statelevel claims for unfair competition, common law trademark infringement, and unjust enrichment.

Apple’s evidence submitted to the court included sideby-side image comparisons of iPhone 3GS and i9000 Galaxy S to illustrate the alleged similarities in packaging and icons for apps. However, the images were later found to have been tampered with in order to make the dimensions and features of the two different products seem more similar, and counsel for Samsung accused Apple of submitting misleading evidence to the court.

Samsung counter-sued Apple on April 22, 2011, filing federal complaints in courts in Seoul, Tokyo and Mannheim, Germany, alleging Apple infringed Samsung’s patents for mobile-communications technologies. By summer, Samsung also filed suits against Apple in the British High Court of Justice, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington D.C., all in June 2011.

While in Seoul, Samsung filed its lawsuit in June 2011 in the Central District Court citing five patent infringements, in late August 2012 a three-judge panel in Seoul Central District Court delivered a split decision, ruling that Apple infringed two Samsung technology patents, while Samsung violated one of Apple’s patents. The court awarded small damages to both companies and ordered a temporary sales halt of the infringing products in South Korea, though none of the banned products were the latest models of Samsung or Apple devices.

The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Samsung violated one of Apple’s utility patents, over the so-called “bounceback” effect in iOS, and that Apple was in violation of two of Samsung’s wireless patents.

Apple’s claims that Samsung copied the designs of the iPhone and iPad were denied.

The court also ruled that there was “no possibility” that consumers would confuse Samsung and Apple smartphones, and that Samsung’s smartphone icons did not infringe Apple’s patents. BC

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

Aligning social media to the sales funnel

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ocial media is one communication channel that is just as important to your business as it raises awareness of your brand, bringing leads to the table and interacting with customers by putting many people into your existing marketing communications channels.

Aligning social media to sales funnel will impact on sales volume and revenue. The traditional sales funnel starts when a prospective customer does something that triggers your sales and an inclination to buy like scheduling a meeting with a salesperson from there, the stages a prospect goes through will vary based on the industry and the length of the sales cycle while using social media extends the sales funnel as it defines where a prospect is in the buying cycle and provide a clear list of metrics to measure activities within these stages.

Below are five categories in the social media sales funnel: Exposure Exposure focuses on brand reach. Social media provides an opportunity to significantly increase the number of people who are exposed to your brand at a fraction of the cost of public relations, TV, radio, and online advertising. The idea is that the more people that see your brand, the more they are likely to remember your brand and the better the opportunities your company has to create sales.

Influence Influence describes those people who were exposed to your brand by an influencer in your industry. This is different from exposure because those who are exposed to your brand by an influencer convert more like those who found out about your company through a referral from a friend.

Influencers have loyal followers, fans, and readers who trust their opinions. Therefore, when they mention your brand, their words carry more credibility and influence than when you mention your brand yourself and they are more likely to buy than someone who might have seen one of your status updates.

Engagement In the engagement category, you quantify those who are engaging with the brand in the social channel as anyone who took a physical action during the time frame.

Think about all the opportunities someone has to engage with a brand on the variety of social networks available.

Social media’s big differentiator from traditional marketing channels is its ability to facilitate two-way interactions as people can easily interact with the brand and people are more likely to buy if they have taken the time to engage with it.

Action/Conversion This stage of the funnel is solely dedicated to qualified leads and those who go on to purchase your products or services. Regardless of which goal you select, after getting people to engage with you, sales will result. However, it is important to understand how lead generation in social media works and how it differs from other traditional advertising channels.

Customer Retention Customer retention is important in determining the overall profitability of the customers you generate. It is very important to measure the customer’s life cycle to see whether there is a measurable difference in their activities, although a customer might interact with the social media channel during the sales process, it is important to understand that no customer is purely a social media customer.

Important considerations are how long social media customers stay, and how much new business is referred from social media customers.

Finally, the best way to show where social media is contributing is to measure by isolating all the customers in your customer relationship management (CRM) system who have used the social media channel. This adds another layer of credibility to your data because you can demonstrate the differences from those who came through the social media channel from those who came through other marketing channels.

Also if the communications you are using today to drive your sales will not facilitate a deeper relationship with social media contacts, adjust them so that it doesn’t effect your business as it can lead to reduced sales and revenue generation. BC

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Annetts

MTN moves to develop local software Stories by Kunle Azeez

D

etermined to raise the bar for local software community, Nigeria’s leading telecommunication firm, MTN has flagged off a competition for mobile application developers.

Christened ‘MTN App Developer Challenge’, the competition is is focused on development oflocal content relevant to the Nigerian market.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative in Lagos, the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Larry Annetts, said the MTN App Developer Challenge is a demonstration of our commitment to deliver a bold new digital world to our various stakeholders.

“This initiative represents a tangible and credible platform to make our brand promise a reality as well as promote the growth and use of locally relevant content, which would help develop the Nigerian ecosystem via partnerships that are beneficial to the ecosystem at large,” he said.

He said mobile applications have become an essential feature for most mobile users, adding that a growing number of Nigerians now rely on their mobile phones as the preferred choice to stay in touch and be developments in society. He said this has made local Nigerian mobile content more relevant and important than ever before.

According to Annetts, in fulfilment of its brand promise and commitment to enriching the lives of Nigerians, had partnered with neXva, a multi-OS app ecosystem solutions provider, to launch a branded version of the App Store called MTN NextApps Store.

He said there are 1330 Apps on MTN store currently, made up of 1213 Free Apps, and117 Premium Apps. He said the collection is growing with a large focus on Nigerian applications.

Also, the General Manager Consumer Marketing,

MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi expressed optimism that the Challenge would produce results that are beneficial to the country, especially in the area of development of locally relevant applications that address the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.

Categories for entries in the MTN App Developer Challenge include Entertainment and lifestyle, Productivity, Games, Education, Health and a special category for student entries.

The Best Overall Winner will receive a Hyundai IX35 car and N1 million in addition to a Samsung Galaxy S4 mobile phone as well as six months promotion on the MTN NextApps store. Six Winners that will emerge from each category will receive N1 million and a Samsung Galaxy S4 mobile phone as well as six months promotion on the MTN NextApps store.

Airtel, FirstBank partner on FirstMonie payment solution

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ne of Nigeria’s leading telecoms service provider, Airtel, has partnered with First Bank Nigeria Plc to offer Firstmonie Talkmore, an all-new, revolutionary mobile payment solution, to Nigerians.

The strategic partnership which was sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), last week in Lagos makes it possible for Firstmonie Talkmore to run essentially on Airtel platform to make mobile payment services easy and accessible to a broader spectrum of Nigerians.

The partnership is the first major collaboration between leading operators in the nation’s banking and telecoms industries to provide a first class mobile payment solution to Nigeria.

Specifically, subscribers on Airtel network who sign up to Firstmonie will be able to send and receive money, buy airtime, pay bills and carry out other forms of transaction on their mobile phones without operating a bank account. In

Monday, July 29, 2013

addition, any duly registered subscriber on the Airtel network who signs on to Firstmonie will automatically receive N100 e-value and will be eligible for N240 bonus airtime.

Speaking on the special offering, the Director Regulatory Affairs and Special Projects, Osondu Nwokoro observed that Firstmonie could not have been better timed in view of the current drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria to entrench a cashless economy in the country.

Accordng to him, “As pioneers in the GSM sector and leaders of innovation in the industry, we have no doubt that Firstmonie will definitely revolutionize the mobile payment industry and further endear the Airtel brand to the Nigerian people.”

According to Nwokoro, Airtel has been a leading driver of innovative mobile payment solutions across Africa having singularly planted Mobile Money platforms in 16 countries across the continent.

“It is this experience and expertise that we are bringing to bear on Firstmonie in the hope that it will deepen customer loyalty for Airtel and stimulate customer acquisition for FirstBank.

“We also have no doubt that our prospective subscribers now have one more reason to join Airtel while those who are dissatisfied with the service they receive from their current network providers have just been given the perfect reason to port to Airtel, the network that works,” Mr. Nwokoro further explained.

Also speaking on the offering, Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Folake Ani-Mumuney stated that the product, which facilitates the integration of both the unbanked and underbanked population into the financial system, also offers an excellent medium for Airtel subscribers to send funds securely to their families and friends across the country.

“Firstmonie offer is open to subscribers of the Airtel network across the nation and registration is initiated by dialing *894# on any basic mobile phone or by logging on to Firstmonie dedicated website.

ICT firm brings digital lifestlye home to Lagos

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Nwokoro

igital Direct, the first fully fledged Information and Communication Technology outlet in Lekki Phase 1 in Lagos, has concluded plans to open its ultra-modern Information Technology experience store on the highbrow Admiralty Way to ensure a convenient digital lifestyle for the inhabitants of Lekki and its environs.

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The bee-hive preparations for a launch have been tailored to serve the tastes and needs of the people who live in Lekki, particularly the Phase 1 Estate.

The imposing two storey building, the aesthetics of the display, the hiring of a professional team, the intense orientation courses, and the entering into partnerships with only reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers, all point to awareness that the people of Lekki deserve the best. schools, banks, oil and gas companies, Small and Medium Enterprises and homes are expected to be the immediate beneficiaries of the customeroriented investment.

According to a statement made available to Business Courage, Digital Direct is coming into Lekki to ensure that the latest laptops, phones, cameras and printers are available within 72 hours of launch anywhere in the world.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of Digital Direct, Tolu Ijogun said, “Digital Direct has gone into partnerships with Samsung, Dell, HP, Lenovo, D-Link, Huawei, Swift 4G, Luidia, Nokia, Microsoft amongst other credible OEM’s to ensure that preferred brands get to end users at Lekki at affordable prices, “The store layout and display, he said, has been deliberately designed to achieve an encounter between the product and the consumer resulting in an ultimate shopping experience. The team has been trained to deliver customer satisfaction beyond the purchase of a prescribed spec but following up to make sure that the spec yields value.”

Ijogun revealed that Direct Care is the support arm of the company which is equipped to offer premium after sales service to all brands. Each OEM would have an Engineer standing by to offer support to customers.

Etisalat partners TECNO for OEM Week

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igeria’s fourth largest telecom servce provder, Etisalat, has collaborated with leading mobile device manufacturer TECNO for the 2013 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) Week in a clear demonstration of willingness to continue offering best customer satisfaction.

The OEM Week which kicked off last week was designed to showcase the newest and best-selling mobile devices available at Etisalat Experience Centres nationwide.

During the Etisalat/TECNO OEM Week, Etisalat customers have the luxury of choosing from a display of various

Evans, Etiisalat CEO

TECNO products including the P3 which is the most affordable entry-level Smartphone in Nigeria, Phantom A, TECNO’s flagship high-end Smartphone with the latest version of Android 4.0 Operating System and the dual SIM T341.

All customers who purchase and activate any of the TECNO products automatically get freebies such as 32inch LED televisions, limited edition flasks, T-Boys and other branded items.

Speaking, Head of Devices and Terminals, Etisalat Nigeria, Olayiwola Onafowokan said, “This is an opportunity for our customers to get oneon-one enlightenment on the different devices on display, discounts and gifts, as well as technical support from our Geek Force.”

According to him, “The OEM Week also presents customers with an opportunity to enjoy free 100MB data monthly, for 12 consecutive months, for every TECNO P3 purchased and activated.

Customers who also buy the TECNO T341 will receive free six months Facebook bundle”.

He said, ”We want customers to have what they desire and also enjoy free data when they activate the devices. The OEM week is all about a one-on-one service that you would not get from the usual device sales points.

“Etisalat, through its Experience Centres across Nigeria, is making devices available to customers at friendly prices during the OEM Week. More than that, Etisalat ensures each device comes with a 13-month warranty, which is 30 days extra against the usual postpurchase warranty. This is also our strategy of assisting OEMs to directly highlight devices to customers, along with benefits, that are usually missed”, He concluded.

Also present to mark the commencement of the Etisalat/TECNO OEM Week was Business Development Manager of the Operations Department for TECNO, Joe He, who said his company’s main objective was to connect with customers and delight them. BC

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Business Courage A17 33

Monday, July 29, 2013

Nigeria earns N305bn from non-oil export – NBS

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igeria earned about N305.1 billion within the first three months of 2013, according to figures obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

A breakdown of the figures highlighted under “2013 Export First Quarter” in the NBS’ report on ‘Merchandise Trade’, showed that export from natural rubber was N158.38 billion; raw cocoa beans attracted N62.198 billion; Sesame seeds, N20,76 billion; cotton yarn, N16.44 billion; and Leather products, N8.56 billion.

Similarly, within the period under review, the export value of flowers and buds stood at N8.19 billion; footwear, N7.07 billion; tanned or crust hides, N5.41 billion; frozen shrimps and prawns, N4.96 billion; ginger, N4.09 billion; sacks and bags, N3.84 billion; cigarettes, N2.75 billion; and aluminum alloys, N2.54 billion.

The exports mentioned above, which are captured under the sub-heading, “2013 Export First Quarter” in the NBS report, totaled about N305 billion.

However, the NBS further said, “Analysis on exports by section revealed that mineral products contributed N3,034.2 billion or 87.9 per cent of total exports during the quarter, followed by plastic, rubber and associated articles with N168.1 billionn or 4.9 per cent; and prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirit, vinegar and tobacco with N115.2 billion or 3.3 per cent.

“Exports to various continents showed that Europe ranked first with N1.66 billion or 48 per cent of total ex-

ports, followed by the Americas with N830.2 billion or 24.1 per cent; Asia with N591.8 billion or 17.1 per cent and Africa with N304.2 billion or 8.8 per cent.”

Meanwhile, crude oil exports stood at N3, 030.7 billion during the first quarter of 2013, the NBS said, representing a decrease of N1.07 billion or 26.1 per cent when compared with the previous quarter.

Based on the Bureau’s statistics, analysts linked the drop in exports to the significant decrease in crude oil export.

Out of the exports to Africa, however, the report noted that ECOWAS contributed N178.2 billion or 58.6 per cent.

Exports by country of destination showed that United States took the lead

with N414.1 billion, followed by Netherlands with N386.0 bllion; Brazil with N343.0 billion, India with N332.6 billion and Spain with N327.6 billion.

The NBS added that exports to various continents showed that Europe ranked first with N1.66 billion or 48 per cent of total exports, followed by the United States with N830.2 billion or 24.1 per cent; Asia with N591.8 billion or 17.1 per cent and Africa with N304.2 billion or 8.8 per cent.

Furthermore, exports by country of destination showed that the United States took the lead with N414.1 billion, followed by Netherlands with N386.0 billion; Brazil (N343.0 billion); India (N332.6 billion) and Spain (N327.6 bil-

lion). Non-oil exports have become a major contributor to the growth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product within the last one year.

The Central Bank of Nigeria had said that the industrial sector contributed 66.9 per cent of the Federal Government’s non-oil earnings in the first quarter of 2013. The apex bank, which made this known in its economic report for the first quarter of this year, noted that this represented an increase of 15.1 and 9.3 per cent over the preceding and corresponding quarter in 2012, respectively.

Meanwhile, Nigeria will export 63 cargoes of crude oil, totaling 58.2 million barrels or 1.94 barrels per day for the month of September 2013, according to data obtained from Bloomberg.

With cargoes ranging in size from 250,000 to one million barrels, the report said this will keep Nigeria’s daily crude exports for September little changed from August, and will cover 17 grades excluding Bonny Light.

Breakdown of the crude export loading programme shows that the country will ship 12 consignments of Qua Iboe grade, seven of Agbami, five each of Brass, Akpo, Bonga and Forcados, four of Usan, three each of Amenam, Erha, Escravos and Antan, two each of Yoho and Okono, and one each of Abo, EA, Okwori and Pennington.

Traders with knowledge of the loading programme, however stated that it remains unclear whether Nigeria will export Bonny Light in September, especially as no shipments for this grade were planned for August. BC

The Stock Market last week

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turnover of 3.725 billion shares worth of N75.874 billion in 39,060 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of The Exchange in contrast to a total of 1.917 billion shares valued at N25.133 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 32,368 deals. The Financial Services sector (measured by volume) led the activity chart with a turnover of 1.702 billion shares valued at N14.698 billion traded in 19,826 deals. The Financial Services sector represented 45.68 per cent, 19.37 per cent and 50.76 per cent of the total traded volume, value and deals respectively.

The Conglomerates sector followed with a turnover volume of 597.153 million shares worth N1.052 billion in 1,410 deals contributing 16.03 per cent, 1.39 per cent and 3.61 per cent of the total TOP 10 PRICE GAINERS: Company ACADEMY PRESS PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL BERGER PAINTS PLC VITAFOAM NIG PLC. IPWA PLC CUTIX PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. EVANS MEDICAL PLC. CHAMPION BREW. PLC.

Open 1.75 1.40 1.25 9.46 3.69 0.60 2.00 15.40 3.09 4.84

Close 2.45 1.85 1.65 11.38 4.30 0.68 2.25 17.01 3.40 5.32

equity turnover volume, value and deals respectively. The ICT sector came third with a turnover volume of 516.087 million shares worth N1.007 billion in 264 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, IHS Plc and Dangote Cement Plc (measured by turnover volume) accounted for 1.348 billion shares worth N48.722 billion in 1,692 deals contributing 36.19 per cent, 64.22 per cent and 4.33 per cent to the total equity turnover volume, value and deals respectively.

Traded during the week were 197 units of NewGold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) valued at N421, 356 executed in four deals compared with a total of 234 units valued at N504, 991 transacted the previous week in five deals.

Gain (N) 0.70 0.45 0.40 1.92 0.61 0.08 0.25 1.61 0.31 0.48

% Change 40.00 32.14 32.00 20.30 16.53 13.33 12.50 10.45 10.03 9.92

Also, 1,770 units of FGN bonds valued at N194, 830 were traded during the week in 15 deals in contrast to 1,100 units valued at N123, 765 transacted the previous week in seven deals.

INDEX MOVEMENT The NSE All-Share Index depreciated by 5.85 per cent to close on Friday at 37,249.93 while the market capitalization of the listed equities on the main board also declined by 5.33 per cent to close at N11.967 trillion. Also, the NSE 30 Index inch down by 5.86 per cent to close at 1,779.74 All the NSE indices depreciated during the week: NSE Consumer Goods (7.05 per cent), NSE Banking (7.23 per cent), NSE Insurance (2.87 per cent), NSE Oil/Gas (5.82 per cent), NSE-Lotus II (7.21 per cent), NSE In-

TOP 10 PRICE LOSERS: Company Portland Paints & Products Nig. Plc ETERNA PLC OANDO PLC P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. IKEJA HOTEL PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Transcorp PLC NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED

Open 4.78 3.99 15.40 52.98 0.93 28.20 5.94 1.30 178.00 1.75

Close 3.96 3.33 13.08 45.00 0.81 24.91 5.25 1.15 157.51 1.56

Loss (N) % Change -0.82 -17.15 -0.66 -16.54 -2.32 -15.06 -7.98 -15.06 -0.12 -12.90 -3.29 -11.67 -0.69 -11.62 -0.15 -11.54 -20.49 -11.51 -0.19 -10.86

dustrial Goods (6.59 per cent) and NSEASeM (1.24 per cent).

SUMMARY OF PRICE CHANGES Thirty four equities appreciated in prices during the week lower than 58 equities of the preceding week. Fiftytwo equities depreciated in prices higher than 26 equities of the preceding week, while 107 equities remained constant lower than 109 equities of the preceding week. BC

A18 34

Business Courage

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship

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nfiniti proudly admits that the 2014 Q50, which replaces the Infiniti G37, is its best-ever sport sedan. That may be, but for better or worse, the new Q50 will be remembered not for that claim but rather for being one of the first cars with the ability to be driven nearly autonomously.

With every available electronic driver aid engaged, it is possible to drive the sedan on a straight stretch of freeway for miles at a time with your hands off the steering wheel and your feet off the pedals, though not that Infiniti advises that you do so.

Whether you consider that ability to be progress or the beginning of the end of driving pleasure depends on your perspective. Infiniti stresses that the driving aids, most of which are extra-cost options, can all be turned off with the touch of a button.

Setting aside the electronics, what becomes of the 2014 Infiniti Q50 is not so much an all-new sport sedan as a re-bodied and refreshed G37. The Q50 sedan still rides on the familiar FM platform and is powered by the same 3.7-litre V-6 mated to the same seven-speed automatic transmission.

Infiniti no longer offers a manual transmission, although product planners claim they are lobbying for one because, of course, you can get one in the BMW 3-series and the Audi A4, if not the new Lexus IS.

Powertrain Infiniti’s hybrid powertrain from the M sedan, consisting of a 3.5-litre V-6 and a lithium-ion battery pack, is newly available in the Q50 Hybrid, which boasts city/highway/ combined EPA fuel economy figures of 29/36/31 mpg, as compared with the standard car’s 20/30/23 mpg.

Trim levels for the Q50 are the 3.7, the 3.7 Premium, and the 3.7 Sport; all-wheel drive is optional across all models, including the Q50 Hybrid.

The G37 continues for an interim period as a price-leader model, which means its price will have to come down. The 2013 G37’s base price is $650 higher than the 2014 Q50, so the old Infiniti will have to compete with the $30,825 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 until the Japanese brand gets a smaller, front-wheel-drive car of its own.

This concession to dealer demands saddles the Infiniti

brand with an old badge just as it is trying to acclimatise consumers to its new naming protocol, whereby all cars have a “Q” prefix followed by numerals and all crossovers and SUVs have a “QX” prefix. The previous G37 two-door models also carry over as before but, to add to the confusion, take on the new names Q60 coupe and Q60 convertible for 2014.

The numerals in the new Infiniti names have nothing to do with engine displacements, which will be indicated by fender badges. The Infiniti Q50 is slightly lower and longer than the G37 and some two inches wider, and it rides on the same 112.2-inch wheelbase.

Seventeen-inch Bridgestone run-flat allseason tires are standard, while the optional Sport and Premium trims provide nineteen-inch all-season or Dunlop summer tires.

When the Q50 debuted at last January’s Detroit auto show, it looked overstyled as it rotated under the bright display lights.

Exterior/Interior The exterior, done in Japan at Nissan’s studios by a dedicated Infiniti design team, features all-LED lighting at the front and mostly LED bulbs at the rear (only the rear turn signals and license plate light use incandescent bulbs).

To-

tal interior volume is up by three cubic feet, to 102 cubic feet, resulting in a bit more front head and shoulder room.

The black dash and dark maple trim, was comfortable and elegant, but six-footers in the rear seat brushed their noggins against the headliner.

Trunk volume is unchanged, at 13.5 cubic feet, and the rear seatbacks easily fold forward to create a nearly flat surface.

The Q50 Hybrid has fixed rear seatbacks because the battery pack is behind and below the seats, and its trunk space is reduced to only 9.4 cubic feet.

As if to underscore that electronics are running the show, the Q50’s InTouch system boasts two large touch screens.

The top screen is a conventional navigation, climate, and audio display controlled by a centre console knob or your fingertip.

The lower

screen, touch-operated only, presents a confusing array of programmable features and is where you can fine-tune the various driver-assistance systems.

A centre console toggle enables you to quickly select from among your pre-programmed setups.

InTouch is easier to use than Cadillac’s CUE system. If one dynamic parameter characterizes the 2014 Infiniti Q50, it is the steering, both for the steer-by-wire technology it introduces and for its dominant role in the behaviour of the driver-assistance systems.

Drive assist Infiniti’s world-first Direct Adaptive Steering system effectively has no physical connection, with only electronic control units (and a backup electric clutch on the steering shaft) between the steering wheel and the front wheels of the Q50.

Tuned with the muchballyhooed assistance of Infiniti Red Bull Formu-

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Business Courage A19 35

Monday, July 29, 2013

Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship

Autocare Understanding your car’s instrument cluster warning lights

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la 1 driver Sebastian Vettel, Direct Adaptive Steering also gives you a choice of four different response and effort combinations.

Like a lot of these driver-selectable systems, though, there doesn’t seem to be an ideal setting. In theory, steer-by-wire technology allows engineers to infinitely fine-tune the steering, and Infiniti product planners hint that a special Vettel-tuned performance package might be in the works. Given his efforts in tuning Direct Adaptive Steering so far, perhaps Seb should stick to F1 garages, because in its current iteration, the steering feels artificial, disconnected, and even unpredictable.

With the driver aids off, the Q50 has the light, non-communicative steering. Though it doesn’t seem like nothing that an owner won’t get used to, but it feels downright weird at first.

As for hands-free driving, it’s made possible by the Q50’s optional Active Lane Control, another world-first piece of technology from Infiniti that is explained in this passage from the press kit: The system is included as part of the Lane Departure Prevention system, not only adjusting for unintended lane drift, but also making finer adjustments for minor road surface changes or crosswinds (as detected by the camerabased, lane marker detection system).

The system goes beyond the traditional Lane Departure Prevention system, taking it a step further by not only evaluating the road ahead (the camera is located above the rearview mirror) for unintended lane drift but also by making small steering input angle adjustments if the Q50 undergoes minor direction changes due to road surface changes or crosswinds (as detected by the lane marker detection system).

B y reducing the need for steering input for the driver, the driver’s effort may be reduced. Here’s the real-life explanation: You push a button on the steering wheel and a car-shaped symbol in the driver-information screen illuminates green, indicating that all driver-assistance systems are on. You head onto the freeway, turn on radar cruise control, find yourself on a straight stretch of road with not much traffic, and remove your hands from the steering wheel.

The Q50 inherently tracks pretty straight, but when the car inevitably veers toward one side of the lane, you get a beeping tone and a gentle, effective correction to the steering to keep the wheels between the lane markers. If the road is relatively straight, you can maintain a hands-free stance for miles on end, just so long as the Q50’s cameras can continue to read the lane markers.

Naturally, Infiniti does not recommend these shenanigans -- or even officially acknowledge that they are possible -- instead couching the technology as a means of eradicating driver fatigue. Nonetheless, this is as close as we’ve come to autonomous driving, closer even than a similar system in the new Acura RLX allows.

As for the rest of the 2014 Infiniti Q50, it’s what we’ve come to expect from the Infiniti G37: a quite good sport sedan with a well-balanced, rear-wheel-drive chassis; a very strong, 328-hp V-6 that’s well mated to a seven-speed automatic; and an at-

tractive exterior and interior.

A revised intake and exhaust and some additional isolation and insulation measures have helped quell the harshness of the V-6 that we’ve long complained about, and the car is about 50 pounds lighter than a comparable G37 thanks to the use of lightweight steel in the body structure.

It’s not much, but it’s better than a weight gain. Even though Infiniti has retained the old G37 sedan for price-conscious buyers, the Q50 3.7’s point of entry is a relatively modest $37,605, although at that price you get vinyl upholstery, not leather, which is a $1000 option on the Q50 Premium 3.7. The cheapest all-wheel-drive model starts at $39,405, and prices rise quickly from there. Our fully optioned, 2014 Infiniti Q50 Sport 3.7 AWD stickered for $53,605, including a $1400 navigation package, a $3100 deluxe touring package that includes Direct Adaptive Steering, and a $3200 technology package that includes Active Lane Control.

Infiniti is entering a new era, what with moving its headquarters from Japan to Hong Kong last year, marketing itself through Formula 1 racing, and revising its model nomenclature to ape the naming conventions of the Germans with which it so aspires to compete.

The 2014 Q50 looks great, appears to be extremely well built, and will likely be very reliable. But in blanketing the Q50 with a suite of electronic nannies, Infiniti is gambling that it can retain the enthusiasts it has so carefully cultivated over the past decade even as it chases luxury car buyers who are all too happy to find other things to do with their hands than grip the steering wheel. BC

any car owners love caring for their cars by providing them a thorough wash on each weekend, taking them for a routine service, installing various add-ons and of course, enjoying driving miles and miles of distance. But frankly, how many of us actually care to read their complete user manual as soon as the car is bought home?

Perhaps only a few, and that too only when the real need arises during an emergency breakdown. In fact, one of the most important things that car owners must know about their car is to correctly interpret the dashboard warning icons.

So, what are the dashboard warning icons? These are small symbols which are normally located on instrument cluster, along with speedometer (behind the steering wheel), that indicate and provide an overview about the basic health of your car.

Also, over the last few years, these indicators have gradually replaced the fashion of old-style analogue meters and because they tell about some of the most significant aspects, knowing them is necessary.

Most of the warning icons in regular cars are almost selfexplanatory – so let’s kick-start with the basic ones first.

(1) High-beams on • Cause: As simple as its name suggests. The blue semicircle icon with horizontal straight lines on its left indicates that your vehicle’s headlamps are turned on at the high-beam mode which ethically should not be, if you are driving on city with already sufficient lighting on the road for the sake to prevent glare on the eyes of driver in front.

• Safe to Drive? Yes. (2) Fog-lamps on • Cause: This icon appears almost same as the highbeam but with vertical mark passing through horizontal lines and illuminates with yellow colour. It glows as soon as the fog lamps are switched on.

• Safe to Drive? Yes. (3) Engine Oil Level • Cause: The oil level symbol is extremely important and should never be ignored because it tells about your car’s engine oil state. Please turn off your car immediately if you notice this icon lit while the car is running. Check the engine oil and pressure level, top-up when low but if not and icon still illuminates, seek for prompt assistance.

• Safe to Drive? Yes (Immediate check-up recommended) (4) Battery Condition • Cause: A very helpful mark this is – The battery icon, typically, could have two meanings: Either the alternator is not charging or your car’s battery is soon going to be conked off.

Don’t panic, because you can still continue to drive but if the destination is far, then better halt at some workshop to know about the exact situation. After all, it’ll be much better than being left stranded on an open road.

• Safe to Drive? Yes (Immediate check-up recommended) (5) Handbrake On: • Cause: An exclamation mark inside the circle signifies that the hand brake / parking brake of your car is lifted.

Some fresh drivers generally forget to lift down the handbrake lever before starting off and this is not a nice practice. Please remember to turn off the parking brake before taking off for the sake of your car’s rear brakes. This lamp might also remain illuminated when the brake fluid level is reaching the empty figure.

• Safe to Drive? No. BC

A20 36

Business Courage

Sterling Bank’s rights issue attractive – ARM

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sset & Resource Management Company (ARM), a leading investment services company, has said the ongoing rights issue of Sterling Bank Plc provides investors with a highly attractive opportunity given the intrinsic potential of the stock.

In an extensive review of the bank’s fundamentals, ARM said the right issue’s price was an “attractive entry point” and thus placed a “buy” on the stock at the rights issues price.

According to ARM rating explanatory note, “buy” rating means that investors should “accumulate security to a substantial extent constrained only by portfolio diversification considerations.”

Sterling Bank is raising N12.5 billion through a rights issue of about 5.889 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N2.12 per share. Application list, which opened on June 24, 2013, will run till July 31, 2013.

According to the investment company, the overall outlook for the bank has been bolstered by improvements in operational metrics, which underscored the breadth of the ongoing recovery.

ARM pointed out that the latest interim earnings report of the bank for the first half ended June 30, 2013 showed that profits before and after tax surpassed analysts’ estimates, which made the bank’s shares to be more attractive.

“Clearly however, the right issue price at N2.12 offers a more compelling entry point at a 52 per cent discount to fair value, current price-tobook value is at a slight premium to Tier II peer average at 0.8 times whilst price-earnings ratio at 6.2 times compares with peer average of 8.6 times,” ARM stated.

The report noted that key extracts of Sterling Bank’s first-half results significantly exceeded analysts’ forecasts.

According to the report, gross earnings rose 28 per cent to N41.8 billion, tracking five per cent ahead of analysts’ forecast while profit before tax and profit after tax rose a much faster 93 per cent and 97 per cent to N6.3 billion and N5.9 billion, which were well ahead of analysts’ forecasts of N5.2 billion and N4.7 billion respectively.

It attributed the strong bottom-line

Adeola, Sterling Bank Plc Boss

performance to the improvements in the bank’s cost efficiency, noting the improvement in the cost-to-income ratio and increasing success of the bank’s deposit mobilization strategy.

“Since expanding programme for using direct sales agents, which has seen its sales force quadruple to over 1,600, funding costs have declined steadily from a three years high of 6.5 per cent, indicating that it has brought net benefits from more efficient deposit mobilisation,” ARM stated.

The report commended what it described as general improvement in the asset quality of the mid-tier banks and particularly the continuing improvement in assets quality of Sterling Bank.

“While the results are unaudited, overall improvements suggest that industry-wide asset quality improvements are taken firmer hold across the mid-tier banking in general and Sterling Bank in particular,” ARM pointed out.

While underscoring the fact that Sterling Bank’s capital adequacy ratio is slightly ahead of the 10 per cent minimum regulatory standard, it noted the well-laid out plan by the bank to raise additional capital totaling $400 million in Tier 1 and II capital over the next 12 months, beginning with the ongoing $80 million right issue.

The net proceeds of the rights issue, estimated at N12.13 billion, would be used to finance branch expansion, infrastructure upgrade in support of automated and cashless payment, enhance information technology and additional working capital.

Interim report and accounts of Sterling Bank for the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 showed that earnings per share doubled to 38 kobo in 2013 as against 19 kobo in comparable period of 2012, underlining the increasing attraction of the bank as a high-yield stock. On the basis of the six-month report and current price, earnings yield stands at a double-digit rate of 14.2 per cent.

The first-half report came on the heels of initial filings showing extensive shareholders’ interests in the bank’s ongoing N12.5 billion rights issue.The report showed that profit before tax rose by 93.5 per cent to N6.27 billion as against N3.24 billion recorded in corresponding period of 2012. Profit after tax nearly doubled from N3.01 billion to N5.92 billion, representing an increase of 96.7 per cent.

The bottom-line performance was driven by the bank’s growing brand acceptability and customers’ deposit as well as efficient cost and risks management. Gross earnings rose by 28 per cent from N32.68 billion to N41.86 billion.

While interest income grew by 18 per cent from N26.34 billion to N31.08 billion, net interest income grew faster by 27 per cent to N15.17 billion in 2013 as against N11.96 billion in comparable period of 2012. BC

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A bankers’ economy

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t last, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi pointedly addressed the nagging question plaguing the nation’s economy in his usual briefing that followed last Tuesday’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting where the MPC, apart from holding the key Monetary Policy Rate at 12 per cent for the umpteenth time, imposed a 50 per cent Cash Reserve Requirement on all public funds deposits in the banks’ vaults. What that simply meant was that banks are now required to lock down half of the estimated N1.3 trillion government funds is their possession with which they have been enjoying a booming business by lending the money to the owners themselves. Now that money cannot be lent out.

As the CBN governor explained, the intention was to curb the liquidity surfeit in the banking system, which had put pressure on the naira exchange rate and foreign reserves and done nothing to tone down fears of an inflationary spiral in the short term even though inflation rate is down to 8. // per cent as at May. According to Sanusi, the introduction of CRR on public funds became necessary in order to check “the perverse incentive structure” under which Deposit Money Banks “source huge amounts of public sector deposits and lend same to the government.”

The CBN governor pointed out that banks had been making tidy profits by taking government money on which they pay virtually no interest and lend same at between 13 and 14 per cent.

For such perverse behaviour to be discouraged, according to the CBN boss, “part of it is to basically take away some of that money and therefore, the reserves requirement is supposed to make sure that excess liquidity in banks’ balance sheets is evenly distributed. We’ve got about six or seven banks that already account for the bulk of these deposits. We are not going to put them into distress.”

The governor also warned that: “If spending continues and we are concerned about the liquidity conditions, we foresee in the nearest future, continued increase in the CRR across the board as we continue to maintain tight liquidity conditions.

“In election years, everywhere in the world, not just in Nigeria, politicians spend money and spending money means pressure on the exchange rate, pressure on reserves and pressure on inflation.

“So the next 12 months would be difficult; we would have to respond at every stage and make sure that no matter what happens we do not have stability threatened.”

The CBN governor’s frustration about the absurd situation we have found ourselves can be understood and no one can blame the banks for taking advantage of a situation created by the government itself in the first place.

Large pools of government funds sitting in banks only point to the fact that

the government is functioning below optimum levels in terms of investments is social goods and infrastructure which are in rather short supply here. It is the most compelling evidence of the mismatch between fiscal and monetary policy that has been with us for eons. If government was working, it would not have idle funds available for banks to play with ab initio.

As it had been said previously in this column, the fixation on managing interest rate and foreign reserves in an economy that needs the right ingredients for meaningful economic growth is tantamount to begging the issue. How do we contend with a paradoxical situation where we say banks are awash with cash, yet the productive sectors of the economy are starved of funds? Representatives of the Organised Private Sector have shouted themselves hoarse on the need to get the banks to lend, and at affordable rates. Keeping the MPR at 12 per cent for close to three years now has not helped in any way. Sanusi is afraid of increasing government spending ahead of the 2015 election yet we see little evidence of such spending except perhaps for the opulent mansions springing up in Abuja and state capitals.

How do we address pervasive poverty without industrialisation and creating jobs? Yet we run off to China seeking loans when we have over $46 in reserves that can be invested in exactly what we need to transform the economy so that we can stop importing fuel and virtually everything else. In the days ahead, crude prices are likely to come under pressure due to waning demand in the West and we will see how long the reserves will last if a real crisis occurs.

Foreign reserves accretion, naira stability and containing inflation within decent levels is largely a function of productivity not exporting raw materials as we have done for the last 100 years.

This rigmarole concerning monetary policy actions will continue forever unless we do the needful, which include urgent action to resolve the power sector crisis and not only within the privatisation framework; establishment of interregional rail links to bring down transportation costs; channelling a bigger percentage of bank credit portfolio towards agriculture; investing in human capital development and the knowledge economy and harnessing oil and gas resources in a more sensible way targeted at exporting refined products rather than crude all with the added effect of reducing social tensions.

Dissipating valuable time and effort on politics and politicking at this time is obviously not the way to go and I dare say that trying to prevent banks from instinctively pursuing profits where the opportunities are clear is as futile an effort as a chronic gambler trying to beat the casino. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, July 29, 2013

A21 37

Stock prices close on negative note

A

ctivities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed on a negative on Friday as stocks of some highly capitalised companies recorded price losses.

The All-share Index at the end of Friday’s trading depreciated by 140.94 basis points or 0.38 per cent to close at 37,145.64 points against the 37,286.50 points recorded on Thursday.

Market capitalisation of all listed securities dropped by N45 billion to close at N11.763 trillion compared with N11.808 trillion transacted on Thursday.

At the end of transactions, Guinness led the price losers: dropping by N22 to close at N230 per share.

Julius Berger share price dipped by N3.76 to close at N79 per share, while Cadbury lost N1.03 to close at N51.17 per share.

Guaranty Trust Bank depreciated by 45k to close N24.70 per share, while Dangote Sugar fell by 33k to close at N11.67 for a unit of its shares.

On the gainers chart, Total led with N7 to close at N159 per share.

Nestle followed with a gain

of N5.02 to close at N955.02 per share, while CAP share price grew by N3.48 to close at N46.95.

MRS share price appreciated by N3.28 to close at N36.14, while Okomu Oil rose with N2 to close at N44.50 per share.

Investors bought a total of 273.29 million shares worth N2.5 billion traded in 4,842 deals.

Total shares bought dipped much compared with the 422.66 million shares worth N2.9 billion traded in 5,709 deals on Thursday BC

Wema Bank returns to profitability, awaits approval on N40bn new capital

W

ema Bank plc, has announced its audited results for the financial year ended December 31, 2012 and also, its half year unaudited results for the period ended June 30, 2013, showing an 18.3 per cent increase in total deposits to N174.3billion in 2012 and a return to profitability in its 2013 half year results.

In the statement, the bank also announced the successful completion of its N40 billion capital raising exercise which commenced earlier in the year and which it says, will further bolster its return to profitability and top performance in 2013 in line with its multi-year strategic plan. The N40 billion capital inflow was successfully realised from a mixture of private and institutional investors and is currently awaiting final approval by regulators.

Segun Oloketuyi, managing director Wema Bank said he is

pleased with the bank’s performance and return to profitability as at June, 2013 which he said is in line with the bank’s projection. He further stated that despite the capital constraints experienced in 2012, Wema Bank was able to record considerable growth in total deposits and net interest income, while capitalising on existing business relationships to generate impressive growth in Fees and Commission Income.

Oloketuyi also stated that while the bank closed with a loss position in 2012 due to additional impairment charges on legacy loans, the books are now clean and its Non-Performing Loans ratio had dropped to 3.39 per cent by June 30, 2013.

Wema Bank has returned to profitability and with the new capital inflow, the bank is expected to meet its 2013 performance targets.

Established in 1945, Wema

Market Indicators for Week Ended 26-07-13 All-Share Index 37,554.73 points Market Capitalisation N11,763,731,161,136.91 Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

Oloketuyi

Bank currently offers a range of products and services in corporate banking, retail banking, e-banking, Trade services, treasury, SME banking and financial advisory to its numerous customers. BC

T

Reginald Ihejiahi, Fidelity Bank MD

FBN Capital, if the market reacts negatively to these figures, such reaction will be modest, because “(a) we believe that the

positive read-across from the funding income result will be more significant than the negative on the typically lumpy noninterest income; (b) related to (a), any evidence that Fidelity is growing its risk assets will be reassuring for the market, given that Fidelity is over-capitalised with a capital adequacy ratio of over 31 per cent (as of Q1 2013) and (c), with public sector deposits accounting for less than three per cent of Fidelity’s total deposits (end-2012 data), Fidelity should weather the ‘storm’ related to the hike in the cash reserve ratio on public sector deposits by the central bank earlier this week much better than peers,” it said. BC

CLOSING PRICE

CHANGE

0.60

0.66

10.00

32.86

36.14

9.98

PHARMDEKO

1.87

2.05

9.63

WEMABANK

0.98

1.07

9.18

IPWA

1.00

1.09

9.00

MRS

Fidelity Bank’s Q2 results dip by 44.1 per cent he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last Friday published Fidelity Bank’s second quarter 2013 results with profit before tax (PBT) of N5.245 billion, a decline of 6.3 per cent, and profit after tax ( PAT) of N3.915billion, a decline of 44.1 per cent as against Q2 last year.

While the interest income jumped by 10.7 per cent at N25.069 billion during the quarter, non-interest income declined by 26.3 per cent to N6.404 billion.

Fidelity shares had gained around 31 per cent, close to the All Share Index’s 33 per cent as at Thursday.

According to analysts from

OPENING PRICE

COURTVILLE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING PRICE

ACADEMY

CLOSING PRICE

1.80

HIS

CHANGE

1.62

-10.00

3.38

3.05

-9.76

252.00

230.00

-8.73

NPFMCRFBK

0.87

0.80

-8.05

COSTAIN

1.40

1.30

-7.14

GUINNESS

Inter-Bank Rates TENOR

RATE%(PREV) 19-July-2013

RATE%(CURR) 26-July-2013

CALL

10.1500 – 10.2500

10.1000 – 10.5000

OBB

10.1000 – 11.6000

10.1000 – 14.0000

Primary Market Auction TENOR 91-Days

AMOUNT (N’mn) 32,888.9

RATE (%) 11.60

DATE 24-July-13

182-Days

30,000

12.75

24-July-13

364-Days

52,000

13.3381

24-July-13

Open Market Operation TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

182-Days

70,000

13.15

18-July-13

210-Days

70,000

13.18

18-July-13

80-Days

30,000

12.50

15-July-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

MARKET DEMAND $300m

$300m

24-July-13

$300m

$300m

$300m

22-July-13

A22 38

Business Courage

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Julius Berger Nigeria: better performance on debt reduction

By Johnson Okanlawon

J

ulius Berger Nigeria Plc strengthened its overall performance outlook with improved cost and resource efficiency as it sought to restructure its balance sheet into a more supportive base for sustainable long-term returns.

While immediate performance was evident in appreciable increases in the top-line and bottom-line, significant reduction in gearing ratio from about 165 per cent to 54 per cent and stronger retention further stabilized the outlook for the construction company.

Audited report and accounts of Julius Berger Nigeria for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed that turnover increased by 19 per cent while profits before and after tax grew by 24 per cent and 82 per cent . The improvement in the underlying profit-making capacity and returns of the company was underlined by increases in all profit-making indices.

Julius Berger started the arduous task of strengthening its balance sheet, especially reduction of huge overbearing debt.

With the retention of about 63 per cent of net profit for the year and 48 per cent reduction in borrowings, it brought its financial leverage to its lowest position in recent years while increasing equity funding for operations.

While the decision to retain more earnings and strengthen the balance sheet resulted in modest increase in actual cash payouts to shareholders, it substantially increased the underlying value of the company as net assets per share rose by 55 per cent. Besides, returns on equity and assets were higher at 53 per cent and 6.9 per cent in 2012 as against 45 per cent and 5.8 per cent in 2011. Almost a double in dividend cover suggests the company is in better position to sustain dividends in the years ahead.

However, the immediate liquidity of the company weakened during the period, though it remained positive and within acceptable limit. With less financial coverage and significant reduction in working capital, the liquidity position was the low point of the performance outlook.

Financing structure Group total assets inched up by 3.9 per cent from N172.25 billion to N179.03 billion. Balance sheet size was driven mainly by long-term assets

Goetsch

which rose by 35 per cent from N71.40 billion to N96.65 billion as against 18 per cent reduction in current assets from N100.84 billion to N82.39 billion. A total liability was almost flat at N163.89 billion in 2012 as against N162.50 billion in 2011. Bank loans had dropped by 49 per cent from N16.04 billion to N8.21 billion. Paid up share capital remained unchanged at N600 million, consisting of 1.2 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each. Equity funds however rode on the back of retained earnings to N15.14 billion in 2012 compared with N9.75 billion in 2011, indicating an increase of 55.4 per cent.

The underlying financing position was stronger with equity funds accounting for 8.5 per cent of total assets in 2012 as against 5.7 per cent in 2011.

Both reduction in loans and increase in equity funds substantially deleveraged the balance sheet with debt-to-equity ratio of 54.2 per cent in 2012 as against 164.6 per cent in 2011.

Efficiency Average number of employees increased from 18,670 persons to 19,234 persons.

The staff structure however remained almost the same with wide gap between senior staff and junior staff as well as senior and management cadre.

Some 95.3 per cent of employ-

ees were categorised as junior staff while 4.04 per cent and 0.63 per cent fell under senior and management staff respectively. Although average cost per employee improved from N2.32 million to N2.57 million, the staff structure counterbalanced such robustness, especially in the absence of a breakdown of staff costs across the cadres. Total staff costs had increased from N43.23 billion to N49.44 billion.

Fundamentally, the company was more efficient and relatively productive during the year. While average contribution of each employee to the bottomline improved from N0.532 million to N0.642 million, total cost of business, excluding financing charges, dropped marginally from 93.7 per cent to 93.6 per cent of total turnover.

Profitability Civil works provided the main linchpin for top-line performance in 2012. While the group recorded improvements across business lines, the size of civil works and growth rate reflected on the total turnover.

Civil works also remained relatively more profitable than other segments. Turnover in the civil works segment rose by about 21 per cent from N103.40 billion in 2011 to N124.99 billion in 2012. Building works, the second largest segment,

was almost flat at N76.31 billion in 2012 as against N75.89 billion in 2011. Services contributed a modest N271.96 million to group turnover, 16.3 per cent more than N125.76 million contributed in 2011.

Broadly, construction contracts accounted for about 97.7 per cent of group turnover with an increase of 17.7 per cent to close 2012 at N196.95 billion as against N167.40 billion recorded in 2011. Contribution from provision of services meanwhile more than doubled at N4.61 billion compared with N2.01 billion recorded in previous year, an increase of 129.4 per cent.

With these, group turnover grew by 19 per cent from N169.41 billion to N201.57 billion. Cost of sales increased by 15 per cent to N156.73 billion compared with N135.79 billion.

Gross profit leapt on higher margin to N44.84 billion, 33.4 per cent above N33.62 billion recorded in previous year. Total operating expenses increased by 39 per cent from N22.92 billion to N31.86 billion. About 80 per cent increase in non-core business incomes mitigated 39 per cent increase in interest expenses, leaving pre-tax profit with an increase of 24 per cent.

Interest and other incomes increased from N1.17 billion to N2.07 billion while interest expenses rose from N1.95 billion to N2.71 billion.

Both the civil and building works maintained considerable profitability during the period.

Profit before tax stood at N12.34 billion in 2012 as against N9.93 billion in 2011. After taxes, profit for the year jumped by 82 per cent from N4.41 billion to N8.01 billion. Basic earnings per share stood at N6.83 in 2012 as against N3.68 in 2011. The company distributed N3 billion on the basis of N2.50 per share as dividends for the 2012 business year, a modest increase of 4.2 per cent on N2.88 billion paid out on the basis of N2.40 per share for the 2011 business year. With large retained earnings, net assets per share increased from N8.12 to N12.62.

Beyond the surface, the group’s underlying profitability improved during the period, indicating that the outward profit and loss growths were driven by fundamental strengths. Gross profit margin improved from 19.8 per cent to 22.2 per cent.

Pre-tax profit margin also increased from 5.9 per cent to 6.1 per cent.

Liquidity The liquidity position of the company declined during the period. Current ratio, which measures the relationship between current assets and relevant liabilities, declined from 1.60 times in 2011 to1.20 times in 2012. The proportion of working capital to turnover dropped from 22.4 per cent to 6.7 per cent. Debtors/creditor ratio stood at 158.5 per cent in 2012 as against 451.8 per cent in 2011.

Governance and structures Julius Berger Nigeria is the leading construction company in Nigeria. Incorporated in 1970, it became a publicly quoted company in 1991 and now has 1.2 billion shares in the hands of more than 10,000 shareholders. There were no major changes in the ownership, group structures, board and management of the company during the period under review.

Bilfinger Berger SE, remained the majority core investor in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, with 39.87 per cent equity stake. Watertown Energy Limited holds 10 per cent equity stake, the second largest by a single shareholder. Other substantial shareholders include the Lagos State and Benue State, which hold 5.50 per cent and 5.21 per cent through their investment companies.

A major shareholder, Oasis Petroleum Company, which held 9.7 per cent equity stake by the year-end, reduced its stake to 0.2 per cent, boosting current percentage holdings by less-significant Nigerian shareholders to 39.2 per cent. Altogether, 77 per cent of the equities of the company were in strategic, non-retail holdings, leaving 23 per cent equity stake as free float. Its free float was three per cent above 20 per cent minimum requirement of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Julius Berger Nigeria Group includes four wholly owned subsidiaries and two largelyowned subsidiaries.

There were no major changes on the board and management of the company. Avm. Mohammed Nurudeen Imam (rtd) still chairs the board of directors while Engr. Wolfgang Goetsch remains the managing director.

Julius Berger Nigeria generally complies with code of corporate governance and the scope and presentation of its report were adequate. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage A23 39

Monday, July 29, 2013

STOCKWATCH Stock Exchange weekly equities summary as at Friday, July 26, 2013 SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 0.50 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 44.50 PRESCO PLC 40.00 Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. NT Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 4.67 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 1.58 CHELLARAMS PLC. 4.41 JOHN HOLT PLC. 1.35 S C O A NIG. PLC. 1.40 U A C N PLC. 63.00 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. NT CAPPA & D’ALBERTO PLC. NT Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. 1.30 G CAPPA PLC NT Non--Building/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 79.99 ROADS NIG PLC. NT Real Estate Development PINNACLE POINT GROUP PLC NT UACN PROPERTY DEV 15.90 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC NT UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INV 50.00 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC 0.50 Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. NT GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. NT GUINNESS NIG PLC 230.00 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 24.65 JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. 0.90 NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 170.01 PREMIER BREWERIES PLC NT Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 69.50 Food Products BIG TREAT PLC NT DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 9.50 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 11.67 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 86.30 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 3.15 MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NT N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 26.50 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 12.45 P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC. NT U T C NIG. PLC. NT UNION DICON SALT PLC. NT Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 51.17 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 955.02 Household Durables BETA GLASS CO PLC. NT NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. NT VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 4.41 VONO PRODUCTS PLC. NT Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 44.05 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 62.52 Textiles/Apparel UNITED NIG. TEXTILES PLC. NT FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 10.70 DIAMOND BANK PLC 6.80 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INC. 14.00 FIDELITY BANK PLC 3.00 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. NT GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 24.70 SKYE BANK PLC 4.50 STERLING BANK PLC. 2.63 U B A PLC 7.83 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 12.00 UNITY BANK PLC 0.61 WEMA BANK PLC. 1.07 ZENITH BANK PLC 19.45 Insurance Carriers, Brokers & Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INS. COY. PLC 0.50 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 0.90 CONFIDENCE INSURANCE PLC NT CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INS. PLC 0.50 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 1.22 CORNERSTONE INS. COY. PLC. 0.54 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC 1.57 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. NT GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC NT GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC 0.50 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. NT INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INS. PLC 0.90 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INS. PLC 2.25 INVESTMENT AND ALLIED ARN. NT LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. NT LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. 0.50 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 0.50 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC 2.15 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. NT N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. 0.76 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NT OASIS INSURANCE PLC NT PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.53 REGENCY ALLIANCE INS. COY PLC NT SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 0.50 STACO INSURANCE PLC NT STANDARD ALLIANCE INS. PLC. 0.50 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 0.50 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC NT UNIVERSAL INS. COMPANY PLC 0.50 Micro Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NT NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 0.80 Mortgage Carriers, Brokers &Services ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC 1.53 ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 0.50 RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC 0.50 UNION HOMES SAVINGS&LOANS PLC NT Other Financial Institutions CRUSADER ( NIG) PLC. NT DEAP CAPITAL MGT & TRUST PLC 1.82 FBN HOLDINGS PLC 17.12 NIG SEW. MACH. MAN. CO. PLC. NT NIGERIA ENERYGY SECTOR FUND NT ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 0.62 STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC 16.00 HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. 4.32 Medical Equipment UNION DIAGNOSTIC &CLINICAL PLC 0.50 Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. 2.23 Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 4.60 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 2.05 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER PLC 60.00 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 2.70

NOTE NT=Not Traded on 26-07-13

QUANTITY

52 WK HIGH

52 WK LOW

SHARES OUTSTANDING

EPS

MOV. (%)

Previous

200 000 246 974 123 821

0.64 51.04 16.15

0.50 14.53 6.40

2 200 000 000 476 955 000 1 000 000 000

0.10 6.73 2.75

N/A -5.32 0.00

NT 47.00 40.00

NT

4.26

4.26

60 000 000

0.00

N/A

NT

1 185 472

5.94

0.48

1 199 549 736

0.11

-5.08

4.92

249 145 2 400 83 677 3 433 292 949

2.54 7.60 8.82 8.28 60.15

0.74 5.81 5.32 5.52 28.70

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

0.08 0.24 0.00 0.35 6.89

8.97 N/A N/A N/A N/A

1.45 NT 1.42 5.32 63.00

NT NT

26.00 95.49

14.09 95.49

148 500 000 196 876 000

0.00 4.50

N/A N/A

NT NT

535 100 NT

7.97 14.46

2.46 14.46

920 573 765 125 000 000

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

1.45 NT

447 525 NT

62.26 10.00

21.55 3.01

1 200 000 000 20 000 000

4.93 4.73

-4.49 N/A

83.75 NT

NT 219 367

7.28 20.15

7.28 8.82

1 375 000 000

0.00 1.66

N/A -0.56

NT 15.99

NT 135

100.00 50.00

97.00 50.00

20 000 000 250 019 781

11.75 0.75

N/A N/A

NT 50.00

145 506

0.50

0.50

4 772 528 415

0.00

N/A

0.50

NT NT 58 994 38 035 55 000 1 692 577 NT

4.63 0.68 277.00 27.00 3.20 178.00 0.97

2.23 0.68 186.00 5.23 1.61 72.50 0.93

900 000 000 272 160 000 1 474 925 519 2 112 914 681 562 000 000 7 562 562 340 126 000 000

0.00 0.03 9.46 0.25 0.00 5.08 0.00

N/A N/A -11.54 N/A N/A -3.68 N/A

NT NT 260.00 24.69 0.99 176.50 NT

333 869

54.45

38.31

640 590 362

2.69

N/A

65.00

NT 325 333 384 311 121 528 1 405 402 NT NT 694 534 NT NT NT

0.50 19.90 16.20 95.00 6.60 2.70 43.96 6.70 5.66 0.88 4.22

0.50 4.15 3.64 52.50 1.91 1.00 20.41 3.86 5.66 0.50 4.22

2 000 000 000 5 000 000 000 12 000 000 000 1 879 210 666 7 930 197 658 3 722 493 620 178 200 000

0.00 0.00 0.91 3.79 0.51 0.00 2.50 1.07 0.08 1.13 0.00

N/A 0.00 -4.50 -4.11 -6.25 N/A N/A -4.16 N/A #VALUE! N/A

NT 9.50 12.22 90.00 3.36 NT NT 12.99 NT 0.79 NT

40 000 000 1 233 375 004 360 000 000

326 347 83 508

55.49 1075.17

9.15 367.83

3 129 188 160 792 656 250

1.35 25.43

-3.54 -4.50

53.05 1 000.00

NT NT 234 537 NT

15.58 42.66 6.75 3.67

10.03 34.39 3.01 2.66

63 360 000 819 000 000 300 000 001

3.90 1.61 0.54 0.00

N/A N/A 0.00 N/A

NT NT 4.41 NT

984 949 347 762

53.00 68.00

22.07 22.56

3 176 381 636 3 783 296 250

0.70 1.44

-9.18 0.84

48.50 62.00

NT

0.97

0.57

843 284 027

0.00

N/A

NT

11 766 712 912 006 3 019 292 4 028 167 NT 15 621 259 4 585 813 5 204 081 14 049 547 1 317 738 18 653 691 1 265 765 13 244 826

11.70 9.27 17.05 3.20 8.30 29.05 10.17 2.91 8.70 13.09 1.92 1.75 22.75

4.76 2.01 9.97 1.14 3.04 11.64 2.73 0.97 1.64 1.96 0.50 0.50 11.70

17 888 251 479 14 475 243 105 9 873 614 567 28 974 797 023 16 271 192 202 29 146 482 209 13 219 334 676 12 563 091 545 32 334 693 693 13 509 726 273 33 675 576 085 12 821 249 880 31 396 493 790

1.42 0.90 2.81 0.43 0.60 2.10 0.71 0.54 0.67 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.09

-4.38 -1.45 -5.08 -3.23 #VALUE! -6.51 -6.44 -3.66 -6.12 -2.83 0.00 -7.76 -9.95

11.19 6.90 14.75 3.10 4.75 26.42 4.81 2.73 8.34 12.35 0.60 1.16 21.60

400 000 10 802 701 NT 1 000 000 42 000 103 001 1 608 408 NT NT 10 000 NT 721 163 30 000 NT NT 123 965 123 965 105 900 NT 804 692 NT NT 1 103 367 NT 85 000 NT 60 000 708 026 NT 3 627

0.50 1.01 0.64 0.50 1.20 0.50 3.51 0.50 0.69 0.50 0.50 0.97 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 2.30 0.50 0.86 1.11 0.50 2.35 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 0.61 0.50 1.31 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.95 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

20 585 000 000 7 809 391 256 211 626 000 6 000 000 000 10 372 624 157 8 820 010 363 5 100 846 808 8 847 298 420 4 549 947 000 3 827 485 380 720 000 000 5 061 804 000 6 420 427 449 28 000 000 000 7 323 313 227 3 437 330 500 4 083 713 569 10 000 000 000 7 998 705 336 5 332 830 881 5 649 693 923 5 003 506 791 2 508 315 436 6 668 750 000 5 203 757 266 6 141 087 609 8 493 173 450 2 581 733 505 13 000 000 000 16 000 000 000

0.00 0.05 0.00 0.05 0.14 0.02 0.28 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.16 0.01 0.37 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00

N/A 0.00 N/A N/A 0.00 0.00 0.00 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.00 N/A N/A N/A 0.00 0.47 N/A 5.56 N/A N/A 0.00 N/A 0.00 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

0.50 0.90 NT 0.50 1.26 0.54 1.58 NT NT 0.50 NT 0.90 0.50 NT NT 0.50 0.50 2.14 NT 0.72 NT NT 0.53 NT 0.50 NT 0.50 0.50 NT 0.50

NT 16 000

6.00 1.15

0.00 1.00

300 100 10 000 000 1

1.51 0.50 0.50 0.99

1.33 0.50 0.50 0.50

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

0.03 0.02 0.00 0.00

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

1.53 0.50 0.50 NT

NT 70 000 11 911 385 NT NT 236 686 820 629

0.61 2.02 19.60 0.15 552.20 0.66 16.00

0.50 2.02 8.50 0.15 555.20 0.50 6.40

3 778 005 975 1 333 333 333 32 632 084 358 5 880 000 2 500 000 3 608 657 661 18 750 000 000

0.00 0.00 3.03 0.00 12.65 0.00 0.87

N/A N/A -8.20 N/A N/A N/A 3.56

NT 1.34 18.65 NT NT 0.62 15.45

400

5.31

5.05

498 600 908

0.12

N/A

4.32

3 500

0.50

0.50

3 553 138 528

0.00

N/A

0.50

6 780

10.54

7.39

152 178 750

0.06

N/A

2.23

931 704 1 475 059 2 228 349 430 538

3.30 3.20 68.00 5.61

0.50 0.76 19.30 1.62

486 473 856 1 500 000 000 956 701 192 980 000 000

0.00 0.44 2.62 0.20

2.45 0.00 9.09 0.00

4.49 2.05 55.00 2.70

N/A=Not Avialable

0.01 0.07

6.60 0.96

SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

NEIMETH INT PHARM PLC 1.38 NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. 7.36 PHARMA-DEKO PLC. 2.05 ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SLN PLC 0.64 Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC 0.50 Electronic Communications Services MTECH COMMUNICATIONS PLC NT IT Services NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. 18.70 TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. 2.29 Processing Systems CHAMS PLC 0.50 E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC 3.47 Telecommunications Carriers STARCOMMS PLC NT Telecommunications Services IHS NIGERIA PLC PREF SHARES NT IHS PLC 3.79 MTI PLC NT INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. NT ASHAKA CEM PLC 25.00 BERGER PAINTS PLC 9.50 CAP PLC 46.95 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 9.05 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 190.00 DN MEYER PLC. 1.48 FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC NT IPWA PLC 1.09 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 99.50 PAINTS & COATINGS MANFACT.PLC NT PORTLAND PAINTS & PRDT NIG. PLC 6.00 PREMIER PAINTS PLC. NT Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC 2.00 CUTIX PLC. 1.83 NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. NT NIGERIAN WIRE IND. PLC NT Packaging/Containers ABPLAST PRODUCTS PLC. NT AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS 1.71 BETA GLASS CO PLC. 10.90 GREIF NIGERIA PLC NT NIG. BAGS MANFACT. COY PLC NT POLY PRODUCTS (NIG) PLC. NT W A GLASS IND. PLC. NT Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC NT STOKVIS NIG PLC. NT NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. 6.77 Metals ALUMACO PLC NT ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. NT Non-Metallic Mineral Mining MULTIVERSE PLC NT Paper/Forest Products HALLMARK PAPER PRODUCTS PLC. NT THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. NT OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SER. PLC 0.52 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 13.50 Petroleum &Petroleum Products Distributors AFROIL PLC NT BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC 0.50 CONOIL PLC 33.67 ETERNA PLC. 3.15 FORTE OIL PLC. 43.82 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 116.95 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. 36.14 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 159.00 SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC NT Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. NT Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 1.54 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 4.85 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. 1.32 Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 0.50 Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC NT Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL PLC NT IKEJA HOTEL PLC 0.94 TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. NT TRANSNATIONAL CORP. OF NIG.PLC 1.43 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.50 Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. 1.62 LEARN AFRICA PLC 1.70 STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. NT UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 4.38 Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLCPLC 1.03 Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC NT SECURE ELECTRONIC TECH.PLC NT Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 4.80 NIG. AVIATION HANDLING COY PLC 6.82 ASeM CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Property Management SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC NT CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC 0.97 Personal/Household Products ROKANA INDUSTRIES PLC. 0.60 HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals AFRIK PHARMACEUTICALS PLC. NT INDUSTRIAL GOODS Electronic and Electrical Products NT ADSWITCH PLC. 1.63 NATURAL RESOURCES Metals W.A. ALUM. PRODUCTS PLC. NT OIL AND GAS Petroleum & Petroleum Products Distributors ANINO INTERNATIONAL PLC. NT CAPITAL OIL PLC 0.50 RAK UNITY PET. COMP. PLC. NT UNION VENTURES & PET. PLC NT SERVICES Apparel Retailers UDEOFSON GARMENT FACT. NIG PLC NT Food/Drug Retailers and Wholesalers NT JULI PLC. 2.14 ETF’s Sector ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND 2 638.00

QUANTITY

52 WK HIGH

52 WK LOW

SHARES OUTSTANDING

EPS

MOV. (%)

Previous

101 896 412 477 16 993

1.96 12.91 4.28

0.76 8.59 3.50

1 925 717 268 153 786 012 100 000 000

0.09 0.00 0.00

0.00 N/A N/A

1.38 7.36 1.87

304 731

0.80

0.50

2 960 000 000

0.10

0.00

0.64

11 127

0.50

0.50

2 941 789 472

0.00

N/A

0.50

NT

0.91

0.91

4 966 666 668

0.00

N/A

NT

608 10 000

18.70 3.59

13.12 2.41

108 000 000 492 825 600

0.00 0.01

N/A N/A

18.70 2.29

11 127 10

0.50 4.97

0.50 4.04

4 620 600 000 4 200 000 000

0.00 0.04

N/A N/A

0.50 3.47

NT

1.47

0.50

6 878 478 096

0.00

N/A

NT

NT 2 948 970 NT

2.25 3.50 0.50

0.00 2.46 0.50

4 400 000 000 4 893 594 400

0.00 0.00 0.00

N/A N/A N/A

NT 3.79 NT

NT 281 795 9 401 185 026 502 826 232 677 10 000 NT 192 063 153 500 NT 3 238 000 NT

3.32 30.00 12.57 43.98 15.49 132.51 3.51 0.75 0.99 56.50 3.36 5.28 13.40

2.86 9.10 7.27 14.50 4.20 95.00 0.93 0.50 0.91 37.00 0.52 2.27 10.93

260 000 000 2 239 453 125 217 367 585 560 000 000 1 241 548 285 15 494 019 668 242 908 200 2 109 928 275 513 696 000 3 001 600 004 792 914 256 400 000 000 75 000 000

0.00 2.14 1.09 2.28 1.47 8.33 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.10 0.26 0.23 0.00

N/A -6.19 2.59 3.99 -8.59 0.00 N/A N/A N/A -0.25 N/A N/A N/A

NT 26.65 9.26 45.15 9.90 190.00 1.48 NT 1.29 99.75 NT 5.78 NT

200 000 407 300 NT NT

2.00 2.50 0.73 2.58

2.00 1.33 0.50 2.58

510 396 608 2 220 000 000 15 000 000

0.03 0.11 0.00 0.00

N/A -7.58 N/A N/A

2.00 1.98 NT NT

NT 1 711 13 236 NT NT NT NT

3.98 6.91 12.71 15.03 3.60 1.86 0.63

3.98 2.19 9.53 13.28 1.60 1.05 0.63

N/A N/A

42 640 000 6 215 000 000 240 000 000 199 066 550

0.00 0.05 0.05 0.90 0.24 0.22 0.00

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

NT 1.90 11.00 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

67 934

9.20

5.70

393 120 000

0.76

0.00

6.77

NT NT

7.75 12.39

7.75 10.55

75 600 000 100 000 000

0.00 0.43

N/A N/A

NT NT

NT

0.50

0.50

4 058 989 226

0.00

N/A

NT

NT NT

3.22 1.38

3.22 1.38

50 000 000 220 000 000

0.04 0.00

N/A N/A

NT NT

4 338 187

1.02

0.54

6 262 701 716

0.13

1.96

0.51

12 936 604

24.80

10.94

2 262 711 568

1.73

0.00

13.50

NT 10 000 31 750 347 923 333 760 8 154 286 545 38 137

20.71 0.70 41.89 5.59 28.69 163.50 72.00 240.00

20.71 0.50 19.61 2.12 9.12 111.51 32.29 125.00

125 487 475 3 716 976 579 693 952 117 1 249 162 828 1 080 280 628 300 496 051 253 988 672 339 521 837

0.00 0.00 0.47 0.61 0.00 6.11 3.62 14.63

N/A N/A 33.08 -1.56 47.24 -0.73 N/A -0.62

NT 0.50 25.30 3.20 29.76 117.81 25.28 159.99

NT

0.72

0.50

4 035 497 307

0.00

N/A

NT

NT

3.48

3.48

0.19

N/A

NT

3 221 230

3.65

1.12

980 294 400

0.21

1.32

1.52

114 500 11 300

3.67 6.40

2.11 3.28

589 496 310 198 819 763

0.58 0.25

2.11 N/A

4.75 NT

100 000

1.64

0.85

865 808 912

0.08

N/A

0.50

NT

0.75

0.50

3 211 627 907

0.01

N/A

NT

NT 3 729 425 NT 25 796 045

8.00 2.59 4.76 1.95

3.00 1.16 4.31 0.50

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

0.18 0.92 0.00 0.22

N/A 0.00 N/A 0.00

NT 0.94 NT 1.43

10 000

0.50

0.50

8 000 000 000

0.00

N/A

0.50

96 084 295 845 NT 51 408

3.68 8.00 2.92 6.82

1.64 1.94 2.78 3.09

403 200 000 771 450 000 425 641 111

0.14 0.29 0.01 0.50

N/A N/A N/A -8.75

2.00 1.80 NT 4.80

1 453 026

0.80

0.50

1 507 000 000

0.00

N/A

1.29

NT NT

5.15 1.88

4.90 0.80

236 699 511 5 631 539 736

0.00 0.03

N/A N/A

NT NT

231 753 547 422

2.78 11.75

1.54 5.15

634 000 000 1 230 468 750

0.38 0.81

N/A -5.93

4.46 7.25

NT

1.43

1.04

45 000 000

0.12

N/A

NT

11 000

1.02

1.02

201 885 335

0.00

N/A

0.97

500

0.60

0.60

30 000 000

0.00

N/A

0.60

NT

0.50

0.50

24 898 850

0.00

N/A

NT

NT 500

1.88

1.63

125 005 250

0.00

N/A

NT 1.63

NT

0.50

0.50

6 650 000

0.00

N/A

NT

NT 20 000 NT NT

0.21 0.50 0.31 0.63

0.21 0.50 0.31 0.63

24 200 000 5 857 500 000 15 000 000 98 600 000

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

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

NT 0.50 NT NT

NT NT 100

0.50

0.50

20 000 000

0.00

N/A

3.05

2.76

194 700 000

0.00

N/A

NT NT 2.14

100

2 706

2 422

0.00

2 638.00

40

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27 41

Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

“An agent acting under a power of attorney should, as a general rule, act in the name of the principal.”

FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA, JUSTICE DAHIRU MUSDAPHER

New SANs: Fresh controversies trail appointment

ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFIED AND

MEET ALL THE CRITERIA AND HAVE BEEN SHORT-

LISTED ON THE BASIS OF THIS SHOULD BE GIVEN

Many of our lawmakers are mentally lazy –Oshilaja 42

F.R.A Williams

Justice Mukhtar

About 12 days ago, the Legal Practitioners Privileges’ Committee (LPPC) announced the appointment of 17 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria. The committee had named them as those who deserved this year’s award out of the 43 people it had earlier shortlisted. KAYODE KETEFE, Assistant Head, Judiciary Desk, examines the SAN award controversy, amidst renewed clamour for the reform of the selection process.

O

ne of the fascinating moments that stakeholders in the legal profession look forward to every year is the announcement and conferment of awards on new Senior Advocates of Nigeria. This has become an important event in the legal calendar every year as new set of distinguished lawyers joins the elevated rank of the silk.

The award is a privilege awarded by the Legal Practitioners Privileges’ Committee (LPPC), as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession and it is an equivalent of the rank of Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom. The rank of SAN is usually conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria of not less

Why nine S’Court justices dragged Concord Press to court 45

than 10 years’ standing and who have distinguished themselves in the profession or scholarship. The title was first conferred on Chief F.R.A. Williams and Dr Nebo Graham-Douglas on April 3, 1975. As of today, 401 lawyers have been appointed senior advocates.

A number of criticisms has however haunted the award in recent years to the extent that a section of Nigerian lawyers has already called for its abolition on the grounds that it seeks to elevate some lawyers over the rest of the Bar and give them discriminatory visibility.

Some people have also alleged that the award has been politicised over the years with favoritism and other factors, displacing objec-

The 17 new SANs 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Godwin Obla Prof. Lawrence Atsegbua Olufunke Aboyade Adele Eberechi Olumide Sofowora Uko Essien Udom Anthony Ikechukwu Ani Suraj Sa’eda Anthony Anaenugwu.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

Olalekan Yusuf Moyosore Onigbanjo Joe Ad’ojo Abraham Akinlolu Kehinde Biriyai Dambo Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume Aliyu Abdullahi Victoria Awomolo.

tivity and merit. The LPPC has not been totally insensitive to all these criticisms as it reviewed the criteria for its conferment a few years ago.

This year, the LPPC announced 43 names as those shortlisted for the award.

However, those who were conferred with the award from the above figure are: Godwin Obla; Prof. Lawrence Atsegbua; Olufunke Aboyade ; Adele Eberechi, Olumide Sofowora and Uko Essien Udom, Anthony Ikechukwu Ani; Suraj Sa’eda, Anthony Anaenugwu.

The remaining are Olalekan Yusuf, Moyosore Onigbanjo, Joe Ad’ojo Abraham, Akinlolu Kehinde, Biriyai Dambo and Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, Aliyu Abdullahi and Victoria Awomolo.

Against the annually recurrent decimal of conferring the award on a fraction of those shortlisted, some criticisms have once again faulted the mode of the selection process of the award just as many stakeholders recommended that all those who are qualified and shortlisted should be given the award every year.

For instance, a Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, recently wrote a letter dated July 12, 2013, to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the Chairperson of the LPPC, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, in which he condemned the practice where qualified legal practitioners who had previously been shortlisted, were not invited for interview for an undisclosed reasons.

Falana had written in the petition thus, “In the ongoing exercise, some of those who met the criteria but who were not invited for the interview had been shortlisted on three or four previous occasions.

“As usual, the reasons for excluding them from the list of qualified applicants are not going to be disclosed. But such secrecy can no longer be justified as the LPPC may be compelled to disclose the reasons that informed its discretion under FoI Act 2011” “ National Mirror sought the view of some senior lawyers on this proposal. , Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, said “I will support that all those people who are qualified and meet all the criteria and have been shortlisted on the basis of this CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

42

Law & Justice

Monday, July 29, 2013

Many of our lawmakers are Mr. Babatunde Oshilaja is a consummate lawyer with 35 years post-call experience. In this interview with WALE IGBINTADE, he speaks on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution, allegations of corruption against judges and insecurity in the country among others. Excerpts.

Oshilaja

Access to Justice (AJ), an advocacy group, has recently petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), urging it to investigate the allegation made by a retired judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Okechukwu Okeke that a Supreme Court Justice, Clara Ogunbiyi, extra-judicially attempted to influence the outcome of a case pending before him. How will you react to this?

I think nobody would want his reputation built in cold sweat soiled. Judges are special species and the loneliest of human beings you can find. This is because when they took up the job; they would not interact openly with the public and they are expected to be aloof in their lifestyle. When you come to their court and you submit your processes and arguments, they wakeup in the middle of the night alone within four walls, tolling because the law says they must render their decision within a specified period of time. If they are unable to do that, they must find an explanation for the extension.

I sympathise with those on the Bench because I cannot take up that job. I have considered everything that is worth- considering but somebody has to do the job otherwise, my own place will not be there as counsel at the Bar. That job is tough and no thanks. If my parent is not a judge, would I have the gut to visit a judge who is handling a case on a property where I live?

Where would I find that courage? I support the position of Access to Justice to implore the NJC to investigate the matter.

IT IS DAWNING ON EVERYBODY THAT THE CONVOCATION OF THE

NATIONAL

CONFERENCE IS THE IRREDUCIBLE MINIMUM THAT CAN SAVE THIS COUNTRY.

Because, it is Justice Okeke today, it could be someone else tomorrow.

Recently, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in a petition written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria faulted the appointment of some judges into the National Industrial Court.

What is your take on this?

You cannot say Trade Union Congress is not an interested party in labour matters that concern the National Industrial Court. If in the enactment of the National Industrial Court Act, the Union found that the provision made for the appointment of judges was not being met by the newly appointed candidates, I believe they ought to be heard.

I think we should look at the positive aspect of their petition, because the public have a right to be concerned about the quality of temporal justice and that quality starts and ends with the candidate that sit on the Bench to administer justice. So, the TUC members are well -grounded in

their complaints and they should be heard.

How would you react to a proposed legislation by the House of Representatives which seeks to amend Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution and give the lawmakers absolute power to execute impeachment proceedings against a sitting president?

Nigeria’s democracy is in its infancy; hence we cannot compare our democratic experience with the fifth republic in France, the United States of America or even Britain or Canada. That notwithstanding, this is a democracy of universal adult suffrage, so if elected representatives of the people in the House of Representatives are discussing the removal of the president or his vice as provided by the constitution and they are seeking way to amend the constitution, once the procedure for amendment is undertaken and they are able to get the required 2/4 as specified in Section 143 they could go ahead.

But, let me remind the lawmakers that impeachment has been a troublesome subject under our constitution since 1999.

The popular case that went as far as the Supreme Court on this matter was the impeachment of the governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa. Under the 1979 Constitution, it was only the House of Assembly of the state that will be the accuser, the prosecutor and the judge. It was discovered that in a democracy, it would not be right on a constitutional platform to have a complainer to be the prosecutor and the judge.

That was what informed the drafters of 1999 Constitution to introduce a “neutral body”, in the person of the Chief Justice of Nigeria in the case of impeachment of the President or the Vice-President, and the Chief Judge of a State in the case of impeachment of the governor or his deputy. That is what I call checks and balances.

My reaction would be in two folds, one, I had the experience in the courtroom in the case of the impeachment of the deputy governor of Ekiti State during Ayo Fayose’s tenure. What I discovered was that the Chief Judge of the state at that time, constituted a panel while she was in United Kingdom.

Because the constitution says the Chief Judge, it was argued that the Chief Judge could be anywhere and carry out this duty.

The point is if you are going to constitute a panel, that involves taking active step, but, if the CJ is outside the country, how then can that person constitute a panel? How is it done, on the telephone or by e-mail? That is one of the challenges we faced in the Abiodun Aluko’s case which I handled personally. It was taught that the court never had jurisdiction in impeachment matters but we were able to convince the court that court has jurisdiction and the court agreed with us.

The lawmakers also faulted the constitutional provision empowering the CJN to raise a panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against the president.

What is your take on this?

If you remove the Chief Justice as a functionary within the impeachment process, who do you substitute? For me, it is

the case of Balarabe Musa that the House of Representatives have gone to the grave to wake up. So, they should empanel legal experts, constitutional lawyers who have tried their hands in this area. These are scholarly areas that need ingenious minds because of the importance of impeachment. I support impeachment because it is the right of the people that put you in office.

However, gross misconduct is not defined in our constitution and I wondered why that lacuna is there. The interpretation that was given is that anything the House considered as gross misconduct.

This is not tidy. I had expected that more time, more care, more thoughts and attention would be given to this provision, so that nothing is left in doubt. But, to say gross misconduct is anything the lawmakers who are politicians assign to it is suicidal.

How do you see the crisis rocking the Nigerian Governors’ Forum?

Where are these governors coming from? Are they not on the street level with you and me before they became governors? What refinement has that office reposed on them that will make them behave better than us? So, what played out at the governors’ forum is symptomatic of the Nigerian political landscape. I am not surprised because that is the quality on the street level. We don’t have the courtesy of admitting wrong. There was an election in one country and while the votes were being counted, the other candidate called his rival and said, ‘’you have it, let us celebrate‘’. If it were to be in Nigeria, petition would be flying all over the place.

That is the measure of our development, what transpired at the governors’ forum is a reference to the level and quality of our political development.

Law & Justice

Monday, July 29, 2013

mentally lazy –Oshilaja THERE IS NO FUTURE FOR THE LEGAL PROFESSION UNLESS WE TAKE IMMEDIATE REMEDIAL STEP TO GO BACK TO SIONS’

REGULATED PROFES-

ACT, WHICH THE GOVERNMENT OF GENERAL BABANGIDA ABROGATED

their trainers cannot afford. I am lucky that during my set, the Regulated Professions’ Act enacted in 1978 was in place.

That no matter your profession, you must serve a compulsory five years’ pupilage before you can stand out to profess and practice your profession. As soon as we got to the expiry of our five years pupilage that Decree was abrogated and the mess started from then on till now.

There is no doubt that the rate of insecurity in the country is alarming. What do you think should be done to curb it?

That is a question too much for me to handle because I do not have the materials with which to advice government on issues of security. I am aware the government is in control of the Police, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the State Security Service. So, if we have this level of insecurity that is so palpable that all of us can see, then the Nigerian State is very sick. The earlier urgent steps are taken the better because some people don’t take the Patriots seriously when they called for convocation of the National Conference.

But now, it is dawning on everybody that that conference is the irreducible minimum that can safe this country.

How do you see the future of the legal profession in the country?

There is no future unless we take immediate remedial step and the step we have to take is to go back to Regulated Professions’ Act which the government of General Babangida abrogated. Today, lawyers come to the classroom to take advice from the presiding judges or their colleagues about what to do in a case they collected money and they are paid for in the closet of their chambers. Today lawyers are called to the Bar and the next day they open their chambers.

They lack required experience, no pupilage, no training and as Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN) said, the call to the Bar is just the beginning and the certificate to be an apprentice. But these young lawyers don’t want to do that, they don’t want to be an apprentice to anybody.

Again, when there is opportunity to be an apprentice, they ask for salaries that

What is the way out?

If you are going to redeem, it is not only the legal profession that should be affected but all the regulated professions should be involved. Today, some of the foreign companies in the country come with their architects, civil engineers and mechanical engineers because they realised that a local product around here prefer to work in an air-conditioned room rather than go on the field. They want to put in ties and dress like lawyers and accountants when their work is in the forest or in the field.

Some of our lawyers don’t have a library, if you go to the high court library, you will see them there and they said they are practitioners. Their clients come around the court to consult them, it is the Bar Association that should put its foot down and find a way to create a private Bill at the National Assembly that the law profession should be regulated and that until you serve a number of years of pupilage you can practice on your own. So if you project what is happening now into the future, some people will ask Nigeria to give them fiat to bring their lawyers from abroad to conduct their cases in Nigeria.

It happened when I was still under pupilage. I was mediating a joint venture between a Nigerian company and a foreign company. The foreign company employed Chief FRA Williams, SAN of blessed memory, and attached to him a British lawyer, who complained to me that I am the only one doing the job. He said anytime he comes, Chief Williams is in the car either driving to court or coming from court; that he flew down from the United Kingdom.

But, I told him that if he had the quality of the audience he would get from Chief Williams, he should not ask for more. Because when I do the work, I take it to him and he would correct and make addition or subtraction. Today, I pride myself as one of the luckiest Nigerians to work with the best at the Bar and that is what is sustaining me till today and I am grateful to God for that privilege. Go to court today, it is the judges that are telling counsel to read the Rules of court , you then ask, where are they coming from, are they not coming to court with their Rules , but they don’t read it, it is not in their

heads, not in their finger tips. That slows down the course of justice and the quality is questionable.

Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011, says that an application for stay of proceedings in respect of any criminal matter brought before the High and Magistrates’ court shall not be entertained until judgement is delivered. Is this a fair law?

Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State is so clear and lucid and requires no forensic interpretation because grammatically it meant what it says. It is a matter of public policy that the public is interested in the work of the judiciary because the judiciary as an arm of government is directly involved with the public.

Judiciary is the only arm of government whose doors are opened on a daily basis to complaints and grievances against government, against fellow citizens that is brought to court. The court is expected to expeditiously handle complaints brought to it. Delay over the years has been a thorn in the flesh of the relationship between the public and the judiciary. Over the years, the Supreme Court has frowned on delay in dispensation of justice in the country.

The Apex Court in several of its decisions said that because of the malignant nature of the issue of delay in the delivery of justice, parties should wait until the case is finally decided in the court of trial before you proceed to the Appellate Court for complaints against the final judgement or any interlocutory decision

43

that has been delivered before or during trial.

Don’t you think a litigant should have right to appeal against a decision of the court?

The appellant can appeal against the interlocutory decision of the lower court in an appeal against the final decision of the court. Some delays are legitimate, a lawyer can fall sick, the staff can go on maternity leave, there might be other things that we cannot avoid. Text writers like Lord Denning in his book The Due Process of Law says that delay makes justice sour and that there is a temporal element to justice. If justice is not given timely it cannot serve the purpose that it is meant for.

In criminal proceedings the prosecutor sets the pace being the one that brought the charge to court. Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State has put paid to delay. The State has borrowed this from the previous decisions of the Supreme Court. It is only in this country that we complain because a lot of our legislative members are mentally lazy. They don’t read at least judgment of the Supreme Court that has anything to do with the interpretation of our laws and due processes of law which ought to be taken in hand fresh from the bakery of the Supreme Court.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has taken the cue from series of judgement of the Supreme Court. It is not a matter of procedural law but a substantive law but subject to the provision of the Constitution. The question is what is in the Constitution that will give you the right to go for interlocutory appeal.

In a situation like this where there is a substantive law you have to go to the appellate court armed with a provision of the constitution. The only thing they can see in the constitution is the provision of fair hearing. But, the fair hearing provision does not say you will not be heard at the end of the trial. What the provision is saying is that rather than going piece meal with your complaints, wait till the end of the trial, tie all of them together and both can be heard together and decided by the Court of Appeal and if you are not satis-

44

Law & Justice

Monday, July 29, 2013

‘Some applicants have been shortlisted three times but denied’

Gomez

Aboyade

THE REAL FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE IS THAT THE AWARD IS DISCRIMINATORY. THE RANK OF SAN SHOULD BE ABOLISHED, IT DOES NOT PRESENT A LEVEL- PLAYING GROUND FOR LAWYERS AND THIS IS BAD should be given.

“I don’t think a situation when you say a number of people are qualified and have been shortlisted and then you announce that you are giving only so and so number of people out of them is good. It is in this kind of situation that wuruwuru factor creeps in. I think all those who are qualified should be given” In his response, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde said, “You cannot afford to give everybody every year. Even in a situation where you have 43 people shortlisted, you must

Obla

Arbitration’ll facilitate FDI in Nigeria –Experts WALE IGBINTADE

E

xperts have listed the positive impact of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by promoting business opportunities in the c country.

A statement issued by the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA) said this was indicated at the recent International Market Place Conference in London.

The conference, organised by the Law Society, attracted speakers and delegates from all corners of the world, was themed ‘Innovation, Opportunities and Challenges in Emerging markets,’ and highlighted the business opportunities that exist for firms of all sizes in providing legal services in commercial transactions and projects in, and between, emerging markets.

The statement stated that

Dr. Augusto Lopez-Claros, World Bank Director of Global Indicators and Analysis, who gave a keynote address, put into perspective the contrast between developed countries, which are growing slowly, and some poorer countries that are developing fast.

“Even with annual growth of 6%, compared with less than 2% for mature economies, it will be 2116 before the people of poorer countries earn the same as us,” he said. He also reminded delegates that ‘economic miracle’ China is still ranked 100 out of the world’s 190 countries in terms of income per capita.

While delivering an address at the event, Mr. Yemi Candide-Johnson (SAN), a Director of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA), spoke about the business opportunities and challenges within Nigeria and the role of ADR in promoting FDI.

Female SANs till date Names

Date of Conferment

1. Mrs.Folake Solanke, SAN

March 5, 1981

2. Mrs P.C Ajayi-Obe, SAN

June 5, 1989

3. Otunba (Mrs) C.O.Ajayi-Okunuga, SAN April 4, 1995 (Deceased) 4. Mrs. Abimbola Williams, ,SAN

September 14, 1998

5. Mrs. Olufunke. A .Adekoya, SAN

September 10, 2001

6. Mrs.Anayo Offiah, SAN

September 9, 2003

7. Miannaya Aja Essien, SAN

December 12, 2007

8. Nella Andem-Ewa, SAN

April 12, 2010

9. Mrs. Sylvia Shinaba, SAN

April 12, 2010

10. Mrs. Dorothy Udeme Ufot, SAN

April 12, 2010

11.Agatha Obiozo Mbamali, SAN

August 26, 2011

12. Anthonio Titilola Akinlawon, SAN

August 26, 2011

13.Mrs. Joy Okungbowa Adesina, SAN

September 10, 2002

14.Chief (Mrs) Connie – Jean Aremu, SAN

September 10, 2002

15 Ms. Funke Aboyade

(Just named SAN in July 2013)

16 Victoria Awomolo

(Just named SAN in July 2013)

have used some kind of criteria to select them out of say hundreds that could have qualified. If you give everybody this year and next year hundreds of people qualify, are you going to give them? So there is no way you would not exercise some discretion to decide whom to choose among those that qualified.

“Having said that, I will also add that more people can be given the award. If more lawyers are given the award, judges to the superior court can be appointed among them. Such a situation would enrich our administration of justice.”

Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, said, “The award is supposed to be a privilege and not a right. When a number of people are shortlisted for having qualified for the conferment of award and only a fraction of them are conferred with the award; it goes without saying that some measures of arbitrary judgement must have been involved in making the selection.

“I would suggest as a kind of reform a more open and objective criteria should be employed to ensure that all those who are qualified would be given the award. “Higher criteria might be employed to ensure that the number is kept down automatically, but this would be on merit as all those who meet the specified standards would be given the award.

The octogenarian lawyer, Pa Tunji Gomez, who is also Chairman of the Abolition for the Rank of SAN Movement, said “‘the real issue goes beyond who is to be given and who is not to be given. The real fundamental issue is that the award is discriminatory. The rank of SAN should be abolished, it does not present a level- playing ground for lawyers and this is bad.”

A senior lawyer, Chief Victor Odunaiya also said “I believe if 20 people apply and they all met the criteria then those who are senior at the bar should be considered first. Then the remaining set should be considered the following year, but sometimes they will just take someone who is just ten years at the bar and make him senior advocate and while people who have spent 30 years at the bar are left out. This is not good” .

LEGAL TIPS SERVICE OF COURT PROCESS UNDER NIGERIAN LAW The service of writ of summons or originating summons is very fundamental to the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the claim.

•Where a party is not served he will have no knowledge of the claim against him. He can therefore bring an application to strike out the action for improper service.

The essence of the service is to enable the defendant become aware of the suit against him in court and be able to put up a defence if he intends to do so.

•Service is usually done by the Bailiffs or Sheriffs or other officers of the court.

•There are two types of service (a ) Personal Service and (b ) Substituted Service.

•Personal service is one that is served personally on the defendant whereas Substituted service is one that is effected by other means other than personal service.

•For instance, by advert in newspapers or in a gazette or by pasting in the last known address of the defendant.

Time of Service •Service can be done on any day except Sunday and public holidays between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm.

•Note that service outside jurisdiction connotes two things(a) Service outside the state of issue and (b) Service outside Nigeria.

Written by Francis Famoroti, Head, Judiciary. We welcome feedback and reactions from readers via our e-mail: nationamirrorlaw@yahoo.com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, July 29, 2013

45

Why nine S’Court justices dragged Concord Press to court The N450m libel suit instituted by nine justices of Supreme Court against Concord Press of Nigeria (CPN) at an Ikeja High Court in 1993 was one of the celebrated cases of that period. But the suit was struck out when CPN apologised to the justices. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary writes.

S

ometimes in January 1993, the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Bello and eight other justices of the court filed a N450 million libel suit against the Concord Press of Nigeria (CPN) , seeking damages for an alleged defamatory publication in its weekly newsmagazine, the African Concord .

In the suit filed at the Ikeja High Court, each of the justices sought an award of N50m compensatory damages for the alleged libel.

In their statement of claim, Justice Bello and his brother justices contended that the offensive libellous publication was published in a December 1992 edition of the newsmagazine with the headline: ‘’Justice Mohammed Bello : Kick him out now! Lawyers demand’’.

Specifically, the Supreme Court justices claimed that the reference to them severally and individually in the publication that Gen. Ibrahim Babangida administration had allegedly bribed them with Mercedes Benz exotic cars’ gifts amounted to libel and had brought them to odium and ridicule. They claimed that the publication also tended to lower them in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public.

Foremost lawyer, Chief F.R.A Williams (SAN) had instituted the action on behalf of Justice Bello and other Supreme Court justices at a time when the activist- lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi was abroad for medical attention.

Immediately the fiery lawyer learnt that the justices of the apex court had gone to court; he called his chambers on phone from London and asked his juniors to enter appearance for CPN in the matter. It was an opportunity Fawehinmi had for long sought to engage the titans of the legal profession in a legal battle.

Prior to that period, Fawehinmi, who was not on terms with the CPN publisher, Chief M.K.O Abiola suddenly, became CPN’s lawyer and he defended the company during the hearing of the suit.

Williams equally led Otunba T.O.S Benson (SAN), Babashola Rhodes (SAN) and a number of other lawyers on behalf of the justices.

Each time the court sat, Abiola, often resplendent in flowing Agbada, with a cap to match, personally appeared in court with his aides alongside some top management staff of the company.

Abiola

Justice Bello

THE CASE LATER ASSUMED A NEW

DIMENSION WHEN ABIOLA BOWED TO PRESSURES FROM UNDISCLOSED QUARTERS TO COMPEL

THE CPN AND THE THEN

FAMOUS CASES Indeed, the case was laden with several twists and wits. When the hearing of the case commenced, of note was an application brought by Fawehinmi, which asked the presiding judge, Justice Omotunde Ilori to disqualify himself from handling the suit on the ground that Justice Ilori and Chief Williams are in-laws. Ilori’s daughter, Olusola (now a judge) is married to the senior advocate’s youngest son, Tokunbo.

Fawehinmi, who led a number of lawyers including Mr. Femi Falana, had argued that Justice Ilori should hands off the matter on the ground of real likelihood of bias as he might give justice in the case in favour of his in-law.

But Justice Ilori in his ruling declined to disqualify himself from hearing the case. He declared courageously that as a judge, he had sworn on oath to do justice to all manner of people without fear or favour, illwill or affection, adding that to succumb to Fawehinmi’s request would amount to an abdication of his sacred duty as a judicial officer. He held that the activist- lawyer‘s submissions were without precedent.

The judge eventually began the hearing of the matter, which was adjudged a celebrated case at the time.

After the disposal of the preliminary interlocutory applications pending before the court, CPN, which pleaded justification as a de-

EDITOR OF AFRICAN

CONCORD, BAYO

ONANUGA TO APOLOGISE TO THE JUSTICES fence called its first witness, Samson Atayero, a vehicle licensing officer at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Others who testified during the hearing of the matter included, a retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Andrews Obaseki, and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, who was in office between January 1, 1990 and August 26, 1993.

Perhaps, the most humorous aspect of the case was captured when the ex-SGF stepped into the witness box to give his evidence. Fawehinmi had asked him to state the period when he occupied the office of SGF to which he promptly replied.

The next question posed to Alhaji Aliyu by the human right lawyer, however provided a comical relief for scores of people who thronged the court to hear the proceedings.

As Fawehinmi puts it ‘’please, tell the honourable court your academic qualification and highest educational background when you joined the civil service?’’

In annoyance, Alhaji Aliyu replied that ‘’I did not come to court to look for job or seek any employment’’. But Fawehinmi insisted that the witness must answer his question while Williams prayed the court to protect the

Onanuga

witness from being asked embarrassing questions.

Justice Ilori however, passionately told Aliyu that as a witness on oath, he was bound to answer all questions put to him to the best of his knowledge and ability. The judge assured him of adequate protection by the court.

The ex-SGF then answered ‘’ My Lord, my educational qualification is Teacher’s Grade Two certificate’’.

Fawehinmi in his characteristic manner chorused ‘’ Teacher’s Grade Two certificate, and he rose through the ranks to become the SGF!’’. This comment drew laughter from most people in the court room but Williams interjected that there was nothing funny in this testimony because the witness was being truthful.

He said Fawehinmi was merely asking questions along that line to generate catchy headlines for the news media.

The case later assumed a new dimension when Abiola bowed to pressures from undisclosed quarters to compel the CPN and the then editor of African Concord, Bayo Onanuga to apologise to the justices. Those who brokered the out-of-court settlement of the matter had advised Abiola to ensure that the apology was published in a conspicuous space of the National Concord and the weekly newsmagazine in a bid to placate the Supreme Court justices. Onanuga disagreed with his employer on the decision to make a U-turn in the case.

This obviously prompted his sudden resignation from the company. Fawehinmi too was unhappy with the development and he withdrew his legal representation for CPN and the African Concord.

The management of Concord Press eventually apologised to the Supreme Court justices over the offensive publication and this made Williams to withdraw the suit at the high court. As soon as the motion for the withdrawal of the suit was filed by Williams and mentioned in court, the judge struck it out.

46

Law & Justice

Monday, July 29, 2013

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GINDIRI INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR/SUPPLIERS The Plateau State College of Education, Gindiri plans to award contract for the following under the Virtual Library for the 2011/2012 Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) normal intervention projects: S/NO ITEMS/DESCRIPTION 1 Virtual Library subscription for 1 year (various volumes). The virtual Library is a collection of full Text books, Journals and databases from various publishers and sources which can be accessed by members at anytime From any internet connected computer, laptop or other Portable device.

2 i) Switches, D-Link switches, 16 ports catalyst 3560g Series ii) Routers, Mikrotik wireless Router, for segmentation and Distribution. iii) Panels, 48 Port Patch Panel iv) CISCO Access point v) Roll of Cables, Cat6 cables vi) 1 NO of Network Security solution – AVG Antivirus Network Edition (25 Licenses) vii) 2 NO 12 Rack Cabinet with accessories SUB – TOTAL 3.

Computer System 25Nos of HP Laptop, Branded Computers HDD 500GB, 4GB RAM 18 Flat Screen, Intel Core 13 processor, windows 7 operating system, DVD RW 4.

Server for the Library HP Server DL 380NO 140x2, 2GB RAM 20TFT 5.

Storage Area network for storing and Archiving materials a Dedicated Sever Disk storage facility of 3TB for Archiving.

6.

1 – 8m C-Band V-SAT Dish with 1024KB/512KB Bandwidth Subscription for 1 year V-SAT Equipment 1.8m Dish + LNB 4 WATT BUC, Linstar Modem, Anti-Lightening, Installation, Delivery and Delivery Activation and subscription for 1 year.

7.

Training of personnel (Multiply by number of staff)

QUANTITY LOT

6 3 3 4 1 Roll 25 2 25

1

LOT

2

In view of the above, the college is inviting reputable contractors and suppliers to submit the following document for Tender Pre-Qualifications:i) Evidence of registration/Incorporation of company by Corporate Affairs Commission either as a contractor or supplier or both. ii) Evidence of registration with the College of Education, Gindiri either as a limited Liability company. iii) Company three years income Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC). iv) Company support staff and their experience in the field. v) Recent bank statement from any reputable commercial bank(s) in Nigeria. vi) List of similar projects successfully executed in the last three years including clients, consultants and certificates of practical completion. vii) List of Plans/Equipment viii) Submission of pre-qualification documents The documents i-viii above must be in a sealed envelope to be addressed to: The Registrar, College of Education, P.M.B. 01000, Gindiri, Plateau State.

It is to be personally deposited in the tender box provided in the office of the Registrar of the College between the hours of 12.00 noon to 4.oopm on the working days not later than 2 weeks from the date of this publication.

Note: That this is not an invitation to tender and also note that only successful contractors/suppliers will be invited to tender for the job. The college is not bound to accept any particular applicant or any condition attached to any application. Only successful applicants will be communicated. You will be informed of the opening date of the tender pre-qualification on the submission of application which should include your GSM Number please

David Fabong Principal Assistant Registrar, For: REGISTRAR.

I

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Legal approach to combating HIV/AIDS

n the last article the issues relating to stigmatization and discrimination against people living with AIDS in Nigeria was discussed. To discourage stigmatization and discrimination there should be a national law to establish safe social and legal environments in which more people are willing and able to get tested for HIV and are empowered and encouraged to change their behaviour according to the results.

With such safe environment, infected persons can readily disclose their status without fear of discrimination. There is no Federal law currently in Nigeria against stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV. Laws and policies that protect against discrimination based upon HIV status or health status more generally have been widely enacted by many countries.

According to the UNAIDS 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, 61 per cent countries report having laws or regulations that protect PLHIV from discrimination. These laws are embodied in antidiscrimination provisions found in international conventions and agreements, national constitutions and laws, and multiple court decisions affirming that arbitrary discrimination is wrong and damaging to society.

It is true that the Nigerian constitution, 1999 contains provisions against discrimination against any Nigerian citizen on account of been of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion in the practical application of any law in force in Nigeria or any executive and administrative actions of government.

The grounds of non- discrimination in that section of the constitution do not include the ground of health status. Thus people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria are not constitutionally protected against any form of discrimination, though the Nigerian constitution contains provisions providing for respect for the dignity of human person. Fortunately Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights not only provide for equality of all persons before the law, it also guarantees the right of every person to the dignity inherent in a human being and to freedom from all forms

THE ADVOCATE OLUGBEMI FATULA

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

of exploitation and degradation of man.

Though the Federal Government (FG) had introduced many policies for the protection of the rights people living with HIV/AIDS including rights against discrimination, but these policies are not backed up by any legislative instrument to give it legal validity by the FG. A number of cases have also been brought to the Nigerian courts relating to the rights of the people living with HIV/ AIDS to human dignity and freedom from discrimination and marginalization. Nigerian courts must be urged to imbibe the attitude of their counterparts from other jurisdiction such as United Kingdom, Namibia, South Africa, Canada, etc where the courts have held that people living with HIV/ AIDS are entitled to all rights including freedom from marginalization and discrimination.

Government should put in place poverty alleviation programmes and create jobs to help reduce unemployment. Prostitution should be legalized and regulated so that anyone who wants to indulge in it can be registered and issued with a licence.

Nigeria is advised to emulate countries such as New Zealand. In 2003, New Zealand decriminalized prostitution in its Prostitution Reform Act. The Act permits and regulates sex work, but prohibits sex work by those younger than 18 years of age.

The Act requires that all reasonable steps be taken to use an appropriate barrier (condom) if the act engaged in is likely to transmit infection.

To put a check to the growing problem where people al-

PROSTITUTION SHOULD BE LEGALIZED AND REGULATED SO THAT ANYONE WHO WANTS TO INDULGE IN IT CAN BE REGISTERED AND ISSUED WITH A LICENCE

ready infected with the virus purposely infect others with the infections, there must be a law that would make such an act a crime. But criminalization must be limited to intentional transmission, i.e. where a person is aware of his or her HIV positive status, acts with the intention to transmit HIV, and does in fact transmit it. This is because while criminalizing intentional HIV/AIDS transmission would punish harmful conduct by imposing criminal penalties, and prevent HIV transmission by deterring or changing risk behaviours, applying criminal law to unintentional HIV transmission does not serve these goals.

Nigeria should enact a federal law to criminalize intentional transmission of HIV/AIDS and also use criminal law as an instrument of controlling the spread of the disease.

Though the efficacy of using criminal law to control diseases is still debatable, factors that may not make it work successfully in Nigeria include, the nature of AIDs as a disease itself and the unwillingness of the victim to instigate criminal proceedings because of the attendant negative publicity and HIV status disclosure effect.

Since the efficacy of male circumcision in reducing female to male transmission of HIV has been proven beyond reasonable doubt even though male circumcision is not completely efficacious and there is no evidence yet that it reduces the risk of an HIV infected man infecting a female partner, the Nigerian government should further promote the practice of male circumcision but such practice must be safe, affordable and performed by well trained medical professionals. Male circumcision should however not replace other known methods of HIV prevention and should always be considered as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package.

Dr. Fatula, a lecturer writes from the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

World News

“I will not go into exile, like Bettino Craxi was forced to. I will also not accept being handed over to social services, like a criminal that has to be re-educated.”

Turkish PM threatens to sue newspaper

FORMER ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, SILVIO BERLUSCONI

48

Egypt’s crisis: 83 killed as Brotherhood vows to continue protest PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

D

eadly clashes broke out during funerals of slain supporters of Egypt’s ousted Islamist president yesterday, as the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood urged his supporters to stand fast after dozens of them were killed in weekend violence.

An Egyptian Health Ministry official said the death toll in weekend clashes between security forces and supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi has risen to 80, but an official at Cairo’s main morgue put the toll at 83 after 11 bodies arrived at the facility yesterday.

Setting the stage for more confrontation, the military-installed interim president gave the prime minister the power to grant the military the right to arrest civilians in what government officials said could be a prelude to a major crackdown on Mohammed Morsi’s supporters or Islamic militants who have stepped up attacks against security forces in the Sinai Peninsula.

The extent of the bloodshed has dashed hopes of reconciliation between the country’s two camps, sharply divided over the July 3 military coup that removed Egypt’s first freely elected president following protests by millions of Egyptians demanding he step down.

Islamists staunchly reject the

M

100 prisoners recaptured out of 1,100 in Libyan jail About 100 inmates out of more than 1,100 who escaped during a prison riot in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi have been recaptured, a security official said yesterday.

Armed violence and lawlessness, caused in part by militia groups who often do as they please, has hobbled governance in wide areas of the oil-producing North African state following the 2011 war that toppled Muammar Gaddafi.

Some 1,117 inmates on Saturday broke out of the Kuafiya prison on the outskirts of the city, the cradle of the 2011 uprising that has now become a hot spot for violence.

Officials said there had been an attack on the facility from outside as well as a riot inside.

Mohammed Sharif, head of security in Benghazi, said some prisoners had turned themselves in and others had been captured.

South African chef too fat to live in New Zealand A supporter of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi holding a banner during a protest in Cairo, on Saturday.

PHOTO: AP

new leadership and insist the only possible solution to the crisis is to reinstate Morsi. Meanwhile, the interim leadership is pushing ahead with a fast-track transition plan to return to a democratically elected government by early next year.

Egypt’s interior minister, who is in charge of the police, also pledged to deal decisively with any attempts to destabilize the country, a thinly veiled warning to Morsi supporters occupying two squares in Cairo in a month-

long stand-off with security forces.

The international community, meanwhile, urged restraint.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued a strongly worded statement on Saturday, saying he told Egyptian authorities it is “essential” they respect the right to peaceful protest. He called on all sides to enter a “meaningful political dialogue” to “help their country take a step back from the brink.”

The worst bout of violence

since Morsi’s ouster took place before dawn on Saturday when police and armed men in civilian clothes opened fire on his supporters as they sought to expand their sit-in camp by moving onto a nearby main boulevard.

Authorities conceded that the vast majority of the 72 killed in Cairo were demonstrators, but the Interior Ministry said some policemen also were wounded as the military-backed administration sought to defend the bloodshed.

Malians vote in presidential election amid threats of violence alians began voting yesterday in the country’s first election since last year’s military coup and subsequent French intervention that drove out rebels, who had captured most of the country’s north amid a political vacuum, Aljazeera has reported.

The ballot opened at 8:00am local time (08:00 GMT) yesterday under heavy security a day after one of the main armed groups in northern Mali said it would “strike” polling stations.

WORLD BULLETIN

“The polling stations and other voting places for what they are calling the elections will be targeted by mujahideen strikes,” the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) said in a statement carried by the Mauritanian ANI news agency.

It did not specify what form the attacks would take. The group warned Malian Muslims against taking part in the election, ordering them to “stay away from the polls”.

Al Jazeera’s reporter in Bamako said there

was heavy security at Aminata Jop, the main polling station in Bamako, as well as a lot of confusion among voters who could not find their names on the registers.

“There has been a bit of confusion about the electoral lists, but at the same time officials are telling me that 80 percent of people have actually managed to get their electoral cards, which will enable them to cast their votes,” our correspondent said.

Nearly seven million people are eligible to vote

Authorities in New Zealand have told a South African chef he is too fat to be allowed to live in the country.

Immigration officials said Albert Buitenhuis, who weighs 130kg (286 pounds), did not have “an acceptable standard of health”.

He now faces expulsion despite shedding 30kg since he moved to the city of Christchurch six years ago.

New Zealand has one of the highest obesity rates in the developed world, with nearly 30% of people overweight.

Buitenhuis and his wife, Marthie, moved from South Africa to Christchurch in 2007. At the time, the chef weighed 160kg.

Until now, their annual work visas had been renewed with “very little problem”, his wife said.

“We applied year after year and there were no issues,” she said.

“They never mentioned Albert’s weight or his health once and he was a lot heavier then.”

Israel to approve prisoner deal in push to revive Palestinian talks

‘Vote hope’ is the message daubed on this sign in Kidal, Mali PHOTO: AP

in Sunday’s polls, but many of those voting are illiterate and struggling to find where they should be going.

There are also logistical issues, with refugees living in the Mbere refugee camp near Bassikounou on the Mali-Mauritania border travelling up

to 18km just to cast their ballot.

Voting was taking place at about 21,000 polling stations across Mali, and in the northern desert town of Timbuktu, seized by al-Qaeda-linked rebels during last year’s rebellion, people turned up in large numbers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday urged divided rightists in his cabinet to approve the release of 104 Arab prisoners in order to restart peace talk with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu postponed the weekly meeting of ministers by an hour to make sure he had majority support for the measure which he described as painful but necessary to help end nearly three years of diplomatic standstill.

“This moment is not easy for me, is not easy for the cabinet ministers, and is not easy especially for the bereaved families, whose feelings I understand,” Netanyahu said in broadcast remarks at the start of the meeting, referring to families who have lost members in militant attacks.

World News

48

Monday, July 29, 2013

Turkish PM threatens to sue newspaper

T

urkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to sue the Times of London for publishing an open letter by a group of celebrities, academics and others criticising his handling of anti-government protests.

Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon and Ben Kingsley were among those who signed the letter that accused Erdogan’s government of “dictatorial rule” and of causing the deaths of five protesters who died after clashes with police.

“The press wants to throw mud to see if it sticks. The Times is renting out its own pages for money,” Erdogan told reporters on Friday in comments broadcast live by NTV channel.

“This is the Times’ failing. We will pursue legal channels regarding the Times,” he said.

Erdogan said the signatories of the letter, taken out as an full-page advertisement in the Times, had “rented out their

Armed men steal jewellery worth £35milllion in France

T

Protesters staged the country’s fiercest anti-government demonstrations in decades, recently.

PHOTO: REUTERS

thoughts” and did not genuinely support democracy.

“If they truly believed in democracy, they couldn’t have displayed such a lack of character to call the leader of a party that won 50 percent of the vote a dictator,” Erdogan said.

The letter also accused Erdogan of undermining the principles of a free press for jailing dozens

of journalists in recent years.

The Times had no immediate comment on Erdogan’s remarks.

Protesters demanded Erdogan resign as they staged the country’s fiercest anti-government demonstrations in decades in Istanbul, Ankara and other major cities beginning in late May. Many accused Erdogan

of adopting an authoritarian tilt or greater religious conservatism after his AK Party won the last three general elections, increasing its share of the vote each time.

Erdogan has dismissed the protesters as “looters” and “terrorists” and accused foreign governments and media outlets of stoking the civil disturbances.

wo armed men yesterday stole more than £35million worth of jewellery from an exhibition at the most glamorous hotel in Cannes, France.

They burst into the Carlton, which is on the seafront in French Riviera resort, shortly after midday and took a briefcase packed with hugely expensive pieces.

One of the men is said to have brandished a handgun at exhibition security staff in a private room at the hotel before fleeing on foot, according to Cannes police.

A Cannes police spokesman said: ‘A full an urgent operation is underway to catch the culprit and recover these jewels. Thieves see Cannes as rich pickings.’

The temporary exhibition at the Carlton was being organised by Leviev, a specialist diamond firm which firm started trading in London’s Old Bond Street in 2006.

The company is owned by Lev Leviev, a London based Russian-Israeli billionaire, who had diamond investments all over the world, including Angolan mines.

Leviev is a prominent sup-

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Dmotunde: Formerly known as Akindiya Mulikat Moronke, now wish to be known as Akindiya Moronke Dmotunde. All former documents remain valid. Uba Bank Plc, Passport Office, Nigeria Immigration Service and public note

Nnadiekwe: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnadiekwe Juliet Ogechi, now wish to known and address as Mrs Juliet Ogechi Ezekiel All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Monday: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Monday Loveth Eniema, now wish to known and address as Mrs Majekodunmi Loveth Eniema.

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PUBLIC NOTICE IGBO TRADERS & JEWELRY SELLERS ASSOCIATION IBADAN

The general public is hereby informed that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters act 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 Mr Ikechukwu Odi 2. Ramond Eze 3. Cosmas Ali

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4. Ejideaku Leonard 5. Peter Ezenyi 6. Chika Igboghalu

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To protect the interest of members 2. To foster unity among members 3. To assist members in their day to day activities Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

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porter of Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Occupied territories, and a close ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Leviev is now permanently based in Hampstead, northwest London.

Jewellery stores that line Cannes’s seafront Croisette boulevard are regularly targeted by armed robbers.

In May, items worth £1million were taken from a hotel safe during the Cannes Film Festival.

An unnamed American woman working for Chopard, the Swiss jeweller and festival sponsor, was keeping the items in her second-floor room at the Cannes Novotel.

Chopard had 40 staff at Cannes whose job it was to persuade stars to wear its products. Julianne Moore, Cindy Crawford and Cara Delevingne were all seen wearing Chopard pieces this year.

A few days later a necklace worth £1.6million vanished after a Cannes Film Festival celebrity party at a five-star hotel in the neighbouring resort town of Cap d’Antibes.

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Monday, July 29, 2013

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49

Community Mirror When people use power to oppress and suppress, they are playing God and they shall come to judgment before God. EDO STATE GOVERNOR; ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE

Oshiomhole to appoint women into boards SEBASTINE EBHUOMAN BENIN

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arket women in Edo State are poised to enjoy better days as Governor Adams Oshiomhole has forwarded the names of 20 of them for board appointments.

Oshiomhole, who said this at a reception organised for him at Imaguero College, Benin, also donated N100m revolving, interest-free loans to women, to boost their businesses, even as he called on them to continue to defend democracy and good governance.

Oshiomhole stated, “Next month, the government will give market women N100 million and you should know how best to share it to support your businesses. This money should be rotated amongst you and you do not have to pay back to the government.

Also, forward 20 names to the Chief of Staff; we will appoint them into various boards because this government is yours and you must participate in it.”

“As our mothers and sisters, individually and collectively, you carried our message of hope across the 192 wards; you canvassed for support; enlightened the people on what we are doing right and even with the promise to do more and at the end of the day, the people listened. They voted and ACN won. You did it before and you have done it again on the basis of what is good for the Edo people,” the governor added.

He further said , “I like holding meetings to remind us of what has changed; how we can build a new world from the ashes of the old; that we can now have a beautiful hall for a secondary school and that from Edo North, Edo Central, Edo South we are building schools; so that your children, will have every reason to look forward to a decent school. Never again will the Edo child be taught in a class without roof or even teachers.”

HIV positive mother abandons baby OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

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woman has abandoned her baby girl in a Volvo car at a mechanic workshop near the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, quarters in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

She claimed she was afraid the new-born child would be infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, if she decides to raise her.

The woman, in a note, said she is a HIV carrier and her decision stemmed from the need

to prevent her baby from contacting the disease.

The baby, who was noticed by the mechanic apprentice, has been taken to Children’s Home in the state capital.

The owner of the workshop, Sunday Alade, said it was one of his apprentice, who informed him of the incident.

Alade said, he immediately went to the nearby Ala Police Division to report the matter after which the baby was handed over to officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

The bad portion on Memudu Street, Orile Iganmu, in Lagos.

FELIX NWANERI

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raders at the Ladipo International Market, Mushin, Lagos State have appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola to come to their aid over threat by one Alhaji Habibu Oki, who claims to be the ‘Baba Oloja’ of

the market.

The President General of the Ladipo Auto Central Executive Committee, LACEC, Ikechukwu Animalu, who made the appeal, claimed that thugs invaded the market and threatened to shut it if the traders fail to recognise Alhaji Oki. He said: “We are being threatened by thugs and some people

KATSINA

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he Katsina State Government is to spend N1.5billion to construct and dualise two roads in the state.

Speaking on the project, the Commissioner for Works, Mustapha Kankia said the Usman Nago-

go Road, is to be constructed and dualised at the cost of N1.2billion.

Kankia, who spoke during the signing of contract agreement between the state and construction firms, said the second project, Sarki Muhammad Dikko Road, is to be asphalted at the cost of N363million.

He said since inception, the state government has carried out

several constructions and rehabilitations of road projects to ensure economic development, employment and capacity building.

He called on the contractors to execute the project as specified in the terms and conditions of agreement, as he reiterated that the government would continue to partner with contractors that are diligent and efficient.

God-fearing woman abandon her baby? Babies are gifts from God.” the commissioner wondered.

She appealed to any mother who cannot take care of her baby to be courageous to come to the children department of the Ministry for proper handing-over rather than abandoning the child.

Mahmud enjoined women who indulge in the practice of abandoning their babies to desist from such, saying anyone caught would be brought to book.

PHOTO:NAN

Traders appeal for intervention over crisis

Katsina to spend N1.5b on road projects JAMES DANJUMA

A letter suspected to have been written by the distraught mother in the Yoruba language urged whoever found the baby to help take good care of her.

“I was left with no option than to abandon her because I do not want her to be infected with HIV/AIDS as I am already infected,” the letter read in part.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Lady Yemi Mahmud, flayed the act, describing it as evil and crime against God. “What could have made any

who claim to be members of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC. So, we are pleading with the Lagos State government to come to our rescue.

“Few months ago, this market was shut down and it took the good understanding of the state government to re-open it. We don’t want another problem in Ladipo. We have been trying to comport ourselves in line with the understanding reached before the market was re-opened. So, we don’t want anything that will disrupt our businesses again.”

Animalu, who lamented that efforts by the leadership of the market union to resolve the crisis over Oki’s imposition are being thwarted by the Mushin Local Government Area and Area D Police, Mushin, even as the traders were asked to leave the state if they are not comfortable with the

arrangement.

His words: “What happened is that, we have 38 independent units. But there is the LACEC, which controls affairs in the market. But recently, one Alhaji Oki, who operates a warehouse, came with a letter that he has been made the ‘Baba Oloja’ of Ladipo.

“Immediately after that, officials of Mushin Local Government informed us that they want to install a ‘Baba Oloja’. They said the existence of a Baba Oloja will not conflict with that of LACEC. “But recently, Alhaji Oki said we should close shop; because they were organising a ceremony and we refused. He went to the Area Commander. But in the course of our discussion, he brought out some documents saying the market now has a ‘Baba Oloja’ and we either accept or leave for our home states.”

50

Ramadan Special

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ramadan 20th, 1434 AH

Muslims urged to be cautious of Salat in and outside Ramadan •Stop wasting money on burials AISHA TITILAYO

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uslims have been urged to be cautious of the Salat no matter how busy they may be during and after Ramadan.

Giving the advice yesterday was Muallim Abdul Qahhar Olowonmi while speaking on; “Qualities of Believers” at the weekly Ramadan lecture of the Ahmadiyyah Muslim Jama’at in Ojokoro-Lagos State.

Quoting Surat Mu’minun to explain these qualities, he noted that those who truly believe in Allah should be very serious about their Salat and observe it with total submission and humility to almighty Allah. “True believers have no cause to fear

any other thing. These are the people who Allah has promised success in this life and the hereafter.”

He explained that a true believer observes Salat right and promptly. “Let us always concentrate on our Salat because once our mind is off Salat, then we have cut the link between us and Allah.”

He also noted that when in Salat, a person is expected to keep the eyes at the place of Sajdah and remember when he or she will be prayed over in other to avoid distractions in Salat.

Explaining another quality of a believer, he said that a true believer should distance himself from vanity, things that will not benefit him. According to him, one of these is burial ceremony.

He revealed that none

of the Companions of the Prophet had a Fidau organised for them. He observed that this act is an innovation where people gather and call Alfas to come and recite the Qur’an when a person dies. “Qur’an is a warning to those who are alive and not for the dead.

This act was never done in the time of the prophet.”

“People only waste their money on burial ceremonies of fathers and mothers they never took care of when they were alive.”

The third quality of a believer he mentioned is that a believer pays his/ her Zakat. “They spend out of what Allah provides for them. Islam does not preach miserliness; it is good to give because Zakat purifies wealth.” He concluded by emphasising that

L-R: Managing Director, Nigeria Gas and Steel Ltd, Chief Hasib Moukarim, presenting a Sewing Machine to Mr. Mutiu Sulaiman while the Administrative Secretary, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), Mallam Ma’aruf Ahmed, at the 8th ZDF’s Zakat distribution exercise at the Syrian Club, Ikoyi-Lagos recently.

Zakat is very important and that there is punishment for a person who do not to pay Zakat when he/ she has the means.

Another lecturer, the Ikorodu Circuit Missionary, Muallim Saheed Mikail spoke on; “Moral values and Information Management” reminding the audience that Islam teaches manners and good character. He narrated that there was a day when the Prophet (SAW) was sitting amidst his Companions and some of them were arguing about a particular issue thereby shouting. Some verses were revealed where they were warned to desist from shouting when the Prophet was on seat so that their deeds will not be in vain. (Q 49, Surat Hujraat).

He advised that Muslims should learn from this and know how to talk and relate with their parents, husbands, Imams, leaders and people of authority. “You should be fair in your relationship with others as you don’t know their status in the sight of Allah. Do not relegate or downgrade anybody.”

He also advised that Muslims should always exhibit manners as taught and exemplified by the noble Prophet (PBUH). “Say the Teslim before you enter people’s houses. Even when they respond to the greeting, do not enter until you are told to do so.” Parents are also enjoined to teach their children these manners and etiquettes.

‘Stop commercialising Lailatul Quadri’ A ISHA TITILAYO

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uslims have been implored to return to stop the commercialization of Lailatul Quadri in order to reap the full benefits of Ramadan.

Delivering the Ramadan lecture of the Somolu Zone of the Muslim Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (MUTAN) held in Somolu, Lagos State at the weekend, the Chief Imam of Kuranga Mosque, Mushin, Ustaz Qaasim Ahmad, said many Muslims have deviated from the original objectives of Lailatul Quadri which is spiritual purity.

He said Lailatul Quadri, a night which falls on one of the last ten days of Ramadan, is meant for prayers and recitation of the Holy Quran, while deploring the commercialisation of the solemn events through introduction of

other things.

Quoting from Quran 97, he said the night is greater than 1000 months. He therefore implored Muslims to take maximum advantage of the night by eschewing acts that might vitiate the original intention of Lailatul Quadri.

Ahmad also charged Muslims to live according to the dictates of the Quran, saying some people only take the Qur’an as prayer book; they don’t take cognisance of its teachings in their daily lives.

The MUTAN Coordinator for Somolu, Alhaji Ibraheem Adesola Abdulkareem, said the theme of this year’s Ramadan lecture was predicated on the need to ensure proper observance of the rites of Islam through education and re-orientation.

The programme also featured talks on youth empowerment and self reliance.

Pray against underage, gay marriage conspiracy, JNI AZA MSUE KADUNA

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he Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) yesterday called on Muslims to fervently pray in these last 10 days of Ramadan against all manners of conspiracies in the name of early and gay marriages as being touted with seeming impunity in the country.

In a statement signed by JNI Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, he said Nigerian Muslims should use the period to

give alms to the poor and needy in the society.

The statement further called on Muslims to use the last ten days of Ramadan to recite more of the glorious Qur’an as well as being punctual in observing the daily obligatory Salats, the Tarawih and Tahajjud in congregation.

“More importantly, they should watch out for Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) which often comes up on one of the five exceptional nights within the last ten nights of Ramadan.

We therefore urge Muslim

brothers and sisters to pray fervently, especially for the Ummah against all manners of conspiracies in the name of gay marriage, and early or under age marriage as now being touted with seeming impunity in the country. Muslims are also reminded of ZakatulFitr (Ordained Alms Giving at the end of Ramadan Fast) which is supposed to be given out to the needy in the last three days of Ramadan or in the early hours of Eid-el-Fitr before SalatulFitr commences.”

L-R: Sururah Adedimeji; Vice-Principal, Mrs. Basirah Dikko; Hajia Riskiah Adedimeji; Nazif Adedimeji and Hafsat Gafar during the valedictory/ graduation ceremony of Mahmoud Ahmadiyyah College, Ijede, Ikorodu last Friday.

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South South

Monday, July 29, 2013

51

Three suspected cult group members held in Bayelsa EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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L-R: Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio; Senate President, Senator David Mark and Deputy Governor, Lady Valerie Ebe, during the 2013 Senate Press Corp Retreat in Uyo

Rivers police foil planned bank attack •Recover 11 rifles OMEIZA AJAYI

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ivers State Commissioner of Police Joseph Mbu has said that his men foiled a planned robbery attack on a commercial bank in the state.

He said his men, in the early hours of Friday, recovered a cache of weapons from three vehicles hidden at the popular Mechanic village in Ihugbo along EastWest Road in Ahoada.

In a report sent to the Force Headquarters in Abuja and made available to Na-

tional Mirror, Mbu listed the weapons to include two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) with 593 rounds of GPMG ammunition, eight AK47 rifles with 1, 635 rounds of ammunition and 57 magazines.

Others are one G3 rifle with magazine, two dynamites with detonators and other explosive canes; two gas cylinders with welding accessories; one sledge hammer, one axe and; three vehicles in which the weapons were concealed.

Mbu said: "The three vehicles involved one Volvo

S40 car; one Mercedes-Benz saloon car and one Nissan Pathfinder Jeep (all vehicle registration numbers withheld) have been impounded by the police."

He said efforts to track down the criminals behind the aborted plan were being intensified as other incriminating exhibits linking the perpetrators to the weapons were also recovered at the scene.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, however, commended the Rivers State Police Command for the recovery.

In a statement signed on his behalf by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, the IGP asked all the police commands/formations across the country to scale up "their game particularly in the area of intelligence gathering towards providing adequate security for the citizenry."

Abubakar reminded Nigerians of the need to always report all suspicious activities to the police, urging them to remain confident in the ability of the Force to effectively discharge its constitutional mandate.

NDDC: FG direct board, management to hand over to SGF SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

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ndications emerged at the weekend that the Federal Government has directed the outgoing board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to submit their handingover notes to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, ahead of the expiration of their tenure on August 6.

Sources said Jonathan gave the directive through the SGF, who supervises the commission.

They said the President planned to dissolve the board and management of the commission to pave the way for the appointment of new members.

One of the sources, who did not want his name mentioned, told National Mirror that the SGF dispatched the memo regarding the presidential order to the

Port Harcourt headquarters of the commission on Friday.

The source said the memo directed that the handing over notes containing detailed financial status and comprehensive report of the activities of the commission must get to the office of the SGF before August 2, 2013.

He said: "The tenure of the present board of NDDC expires on Tuesday, August 6 and in order not to create a vacuum in the leadership of the commission, President Jonathan is set to dissolve the board and appoint new members immediately.

"In fact, Mr. President has directed members of the board and management to submit their handing over notes to the SGF latest by Friday, August 2. The memo to that effect was received from the office of the SGF at NDDC's headquarters last Friday."

It will be recalled that the management and board

of the commission were reconstituted in November 2011, following the dissolution of the erstwhile team headed by Mr. Chibuzor Ugwoha on September 13, 2011.

The Ugwoha-led governing board was sacked by Jonathan principally due to bickering among its members.

Although the appointment was subject to renewal by Jonathan, the present team was mandated to complete the four-year tenure of the Ugwoha-led management, which expires on August 6.

The outgoing governing board is made up of Dr. Tarilah Tebepah, Chairman; Christian Oboh, Managing Director; Lambert Konboye, Executive Director, Finance and Administration, EDFA; Edikan Eshett Eshett, Executive Director, Projects, EDP; Edward Orubo, member; Dr. Ibiamuno M. Aminigo, member; Solomon Ogba, member.

Others include Imao-

bong Johnson, member; Peter C. Ezeobi, member; Dominic Aqua Edem, member; Alloysius Nwagboso, member; Omogbemi O. Oladele, member and Osahon Imaru, member.

Senator Garba Yakubu Lado was nominated to represent the Northwest, Rima Shawulu Kwewum Northeast and Senator Tunde Ogbeha North Central, being representatives from nonoil producing areas.

It was gathered that Jonathan had declined to re-appoint the outgoing principal officers of the commission, especially the MD and the two EDs due to political exigency and challenges posed by the NDDC Act on the appointment into major offices of the commission.

However, it was also learnt that Jonathan has given a nod to Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio to nominate the new managing director of the commission.

o fewer than three suspected members of a secret cult have been by a police patrol team at Etegwe community near Tombia junction in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The incident, which occurred last Friday at about 9:0pm, generated tension among residents who decried frequent cult clashes in the state capital.

The suspects are currently being detained at Akenfa Police Division as investigation continues.

An eyewitness, who did not want his name mentioned, confided in National Mirror that trouble started when two rival cult groups accosted each other on the road.

As they used foul language on the other, violent fight ensued.

Traders and passersby scampered for safely as the suspects stabbed one another.

Shop owners and res-

taurants located in the area were forced to shut down to avoid likely looting and attack by the warring cult gangs.

Prompt intervention of policemen, who fired warning shots in the air, quelled the tensed situation.

The police, however, arrested three of the suspects as others escaped.

But when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Alex Akhigbe, said he was yet to be briefed on arrest of the three suspects.

The suspects’ arrest is coming barely three months after Governor Seriake Dickson granted amnesty to over 11,000 cult group members, including some women.

Dickson assured then that the former cult group members would be encouraged to acquires skills and learn trades for self-reliance.

The governor said the government had proscribed cult activities in the state and even slammed a 10-year jail term for offenders.

Dickson’s committee will plunder state's fund –ACN E MMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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he Bayelsa State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has raised the alarm that the appointment of Governor Seriake Dickson as the chairman of the reconciliation Committee Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would create avenue for the party to plunder the state’s funds.

In a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Yenagoa, the state ACN Publicity Secretary, Mr. Christopher Abarowei, described the appointment a distraction and an attempt to deceive Dickson into placing the state resources at the PDP disposal.

He said: "This is a distraction that is capable of derailing the governor's restoration and infrastructural development of the state and another tactics by the PDP to eat deep into the

finances of the government.

“It is an exercise that will, no doubt, adversely impact on the finances of the state."

Meanwhile, the Sheu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba EL-Amin Elkanemi, has been appointed as the new Chancellor of the state owned Niger Delta University.

The appointment was approved by the governor and visitor to the university.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, told journalists that the appointment is with immediate effect.

Dickson

52

North

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LG workers to commence nationwide warning strike today WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

I

ndications emerged yesterday that local government workers across the country were getting set to commence a three-day warning strike today.

This is to protest Senate’s refusal to endorse local government autonomy in the ongoing amend-

ment of the country’s constitution.

A statement signed by the state Secretary of the Kwara State branch of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Comrade Afolabi Abayomi, had directed all workers of the councils in the state to join their colleagues in the nationwide strike action.

Abayomi in the state-

ment said NULGE’s National Executive Council meeting which held in Abuja last week had resolved to go on strike because it was aware that some senators who voted against local government autonomy did so because of their "selfish interests and

inordinate ambitions".

“The union is aware that some senators who voted against local government autonomy did so for reasons of their inordinate ambitions to become governors and continue the looting spree, the entrenchment of poverty

and lack of development at the grassroots,” he said.

“If the labour of our people during public hearings to have a local government that is grass root development-oriented, people driven, free from executive lawlessness, encumbrances

and endless pilfering, will not be in vain, then the Senate must revisit the issue of local autonomy immediately”, they added.

They called on all Nigerians, whose mandates the senators abused, to rise against the “unpopular de-

Police parade 29 arrested criminals DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

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wo suspected armed robbers, Mu’azu Sale and Abdullahi Mumini, were among the 29 suspects arrested and paraded before journalists by the Gombe State police command for committing various offences in Gombe municipality.

According to the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Atajiri Fwaje, the suspected robbers were terrorizing people on the road between Deba town and Talasse, Yamaltu/Deba and Balanga Local Government Areas.

Parading the suspects at the Police Headquarters in Gombe, the PPRO told journalists that the arrest of the two suspects followed a tip-off, adding that one of them is the supplier of the locally manufactured gun with which they were arrested.

As for the 27 others, he said they were arrested by the police at various spots in Tudun Wada, Kagarawal and Arawa quarters as

they operated under various syndicates. He added that one of the syndicates was planning a reprisal attack against another group based in Idi Quarters.

He said a group in Idi quarters had earlier attacked two members of one of the syndicate in which they chopped off two fingers of one and afflicted grievous injuries in the others using axes.

The PPRO attributed the success of the command in the state, especially in Gombe metropolis to the introduction of intelligence policing, which has enabled the command to identify various crime spots and hide outs of criminals.

He said the system has encouraged the practice of pro-active approach in the control of crime which is yielding results.

According to him, the command would not relent in its bid to make Gombe crime free as the command is resolute in its determination to ensure that hoodlums would be dislodged and flushed out of the state.

Some of the injured victims of Boko Haram attack in Dawashi village, Borno State, waiting for medical treatment, yesterday.

PHOTO: INUSA NDAHI

Post-election violence: Stakeholders decry non-release of funds JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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takeholders in states affected by the 2011 post-election violence, at the weekend, decried what they called the non-release of funds promised them by the Federal Government to assist the victims.

A Jos-based legal practitioner, Mr. Yakubu Bawa, who spoke on the matter called on the Federal Government to ensure the release and disbursement of funds to victims of 2011 post-election violence.

Gombe denies rift with management of state varsity DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

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he Commissioner for Higher Education in Gombe State, Dr. Mohammed Isa Wade, has denied the existence of any crisis between the state government and management of the state-owned Gombe State University.

Reacting to claims by the Gombe State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, alleging, among others, the underfunding of the institution and the refusal of the state government to remit its own contribution of N10 million University Pension contribu-

tion, the commissioner said the state government was aware of all the expansion needs of the university and was working towards addressing them.

Though the commissioner confirmed the nonremittance of the N10 million University Pension contributions by the state government; he, however, explained that it was not a thing for government to concede to at once even though it was aware of the arrangements, adding that it was an issue which concerned all civil servants and not ASUU alone.

Wade said the bill was still before the National Assembly, adding that most governments were yet to key into the system

because of one reason or the other.

He said the matter is receiving attention and assured that government would swing into action as soon as issues relevant to NUPENCOM are studied and critically analyzed and an Act is promulgated.

According to him, it was not a thing that should generate conflict between government and ASUU. As for the allegation of underfunding, Wade said most state governments depended on Federal Government grants and such grants are trailed by competing demands. He said, however, that government was thinking of alleviating this dependence.

Bawa, who is a solicitor to some of the over 500 affected victims in Katsina State, told journalists yesterday that most of the victims were facing untold hardship due to the prolonged delay.

He said the N1.9 billion cheques meant for victims of the post-election violence in Katsina State should be backed by cash for immediate disbursement to victims, whom he said are mostly in Malumfashi and Funtua Local Government Areas.

“We heard from other sources that there wasn’t

any financial backing. It means those cheques were empty cheques, so our complaint is for government to come to their aid.

“Since they have promised that they will pay the victims and have issued cheques to that effect, let them make the financial backing available for the various governors to disburse this money to the victims,” he said.

Bawa, who said he had a dual capacity as a solicitor to the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Malumfashi branch and some political leaders

within Katsina State.

He described the delay as painful and uncalled for, more so that it was coming from a government that was suppose to show more care and seriousness on its distressed citizens.

“In Katsina State, we are talking of over 500 people.

Actually the violence affected mainly two local governments, Malumfashi and Funtua Local Governments.

There are other parts of Daura Local Government within Katsina State. In Malumfashi alone, we are talking of above 200 and in Funtua, it is above that".

Abuja natives divided over land swap OMEIZA AJAYI

T

here appears to be a division among the natives of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, over the ongoing Land Swap Policy of the FCT Administration.

The Ketti-Waru Youth Forum, one of the indigenous groups in the FCT yesterday took a swipe at the Original Inhabitants Development Association, OIDA, another indigenous group for what the forum described as lack of foresight on the part of the OIDA. Only last week, OIDA had kicked against the land swap policy during a protest march on the National Assembly, where

the association registered its grievances at the Senate’s rejection of a mayoralty seat for the territory.

However, the Ketti-Waru Youth Forum, which distanced itself from such position, said the rejection of mayoralty status by the National Assembly was a different issue which should not be confused with the land for infrastructural development policy.

At the end of a stakeholders meeting at the weekend, President of Ketti-Waru Youth Forum, Comrade Abubakar Yakubu, lamented that the issue of mayoralty being agitated for by OIDA has now been lumped with the land swap policy of the

FCT. “As such, we the affected communities of KettiWaru Youth Forum distance ourselves from such agitation that we deem unproductive to the development of the territory, particularly the youths,” he stressed.

The forum pledged to support the FCT Administration in all its programmes geared towards the development of the territory, commending the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed and the Minister of State for the FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide, for their visionary leadership especially in evolving the land for infrastructural development policy.

Monday, July 29, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

The loss to Dortmund Do was in order.

We are still in the pre-season and we can aanalyse and move on

Emenike, Musa light up Russia with goals

55

-BAYERN MUN MUNICH CAPTAIN, PHILIPP LAHM

Minister lauds Eagles, Okagbare EVEREST ONYEWUCHI SPORTS EDITOR

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he Minister of Sports and Chairirman of the National Sports Commmission (NSC), Mallam Bolaji aji Abdullahi, has congratulated the homemebased Super Eagles for qualifying for the third edition of the African Nations ns Championship (CHAN) taking place in January 2014 in South Africa.

Abdullahi also lauded sprinter Blessssing Okagbare for winning the 100metres es final in the London Olympics Anniverersary Games and setting a new African an record in the process.

Eagles qualified for the CHAN for the he first-time ever after 4-3 aggregate against nst the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire. Although gh Nigeria lost the last match 0-2 against the he Ivoirians on Saturday, their superior 4-1 victory in the first leg played in Kaduna, na, was good enough to ensure qualification on for the team.

The minister commended the players rs and their coaches for a job well done and nd assured the team of support as they proroceed to the championship.

“I congratulate the coaching crew ew and all the players for the hard work, rk, discipline and brilliance which ensured ed that Nigeria has qualified for the CHAN AN for the first time. I am particularly rly pleased with the performance of the he footballers who gave their best in and out ut of the field. This goes to show the depth th and quality of the Glo Premier League,” e,” Abdullahi was quoted in a statement issued by his spokesman, Julius Ogunro..

He also noted that the success of the he team has demonstrated that the Super er Eagles’ AFCON 2013 win was not a fluke, ke, but an indication that Nigeria is about to dominate African football.

The Confederation of African Foototball (CAF) introduced the CHAN in 2009 09 and it is strictly for home-based foototballers in the national teams.

While congratulating Okagbare for her recent heartwarming performancnces on the track, the minister predicted ed that Okagbare would emerge the world rld champion in the women’s 100m race in the forthcoming IAAF World Champipionships in Russia If she maintained her er current form.

Abdullahi hinged his hope in the he light of Okagbare’s latest victory, which ch saw her broke the Africa women’s 100m m at the weekend in London.

The Nigerian track queen first ran an 10.86 second in one of the heats, which was as better than the previous African record rd of 10.90 held by fellow Nigerian, Gloria ria

Home-based Eagles at training

CHAN: Keshi sends players home at airport

T

Alozie.

Okagbare further improved her personal record by running 10.76 in the final, winning the women’s 100m event at the Olympic Stadium, Stratford, where she failed to make a mark at the London 2012 Olympics.

“She has consistently shown by her performances that she has got what it takes to be a world champion. It is an impressive performance by any standard, breaking the Africa record two times within a short period. It shows that she is world class and ranks among the best athletes in the world.

“I have no doubt that if she maintains her current form and peaks at the right time she will win the women’s 100m at the World Championships in Russia,” the minister said The IAAF World Championships will take place in Russia between August 10 and 18.

…says Abidjan loss is good experience

he homebased Super Eagles yesterday returned from Abidjan, where they lost 2-0 to the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday, but still qualified for next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.

Eagles and their officials returned through Lome, Togo and got into Lagos at about 4:00pm. The players were sent to their different clubs from the airport, according to team administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor.

The next big assignment for the Super Eagles will be the Mandela Challenge contest against the

Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Durban on August 14.

Coach Stephen Keshi described the team’s 0-2 loss to the Elephants as a good experience for the national team.

“We thank God we qualified at the end of the day but my boys did not pick up till the second half and I must say to you that I am happy and this is a great experience for a young side like the home based side,” Keshi said.

Ivorian coach, Saraka Norbert, who spoke at the end of the game on Saturday, had admitted that the Nigerian side were slightly more experienced than his team, even as he refused to blame the two red cards the team received in the first leg in Kaduna for his side’s ouster.

“Nigeria is a great country economically, socially and even in football and we must admit that when we get to their heights in the near future, Ivorian football will be great again,” Norbert said.

Mikel rejoins Chelsea in Miami

M

ikel Obi has returned to Chelsea to be part of the squad for the inaugural Guinness International Champions Cup in Miami.

The Nigeria international, who has been subject of transfer away from Stamford Bridge this summer, is returning to ‘The Blues’ after he was given an extended holiday

following his participation at the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament held in Brazil in June..

Mikel will be looking forward to play his first game under Jose Mourinho on his second return.

Chelsea will play their first game at the competition in Indianapolis against Inter Mikel (left) with team mate, David Luiz Milan on Thursday.

54

Sport

Monday, July 29, 2013

NSSF tasks states on grassroots development

T/tennis Classic: Organisers float N6.5m prize

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

YEMI OLUS

T

he Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) ended in Awka, Anambra State at the weekend with the NSSF President, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammad urging states’ ministries of education to adopt the national policy on sports development.

“This has become necessary in view of the Federal Government’s effort at promoting education through sports,” Mohammed said at the occasion.

“I acknowledge the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission for insisting that sport should be an integral part of formal education which will in turn provide a healthy child for a healthy life style and general enhancement of productivity in Nigeria,” he added.

The NSSF boss also commended Governor Peter

W

inners in the men and women’s singles event will take home N800, 000 and N600, 000 as the star prize of the maiden Lagos International Table Tennis Classics holding next month, even as over N6.5million will be won at the tournament.

Organisers said all players that make it to the round of 16 will also get cash reward at the competition sanctioned by International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF).

The event, organised by the Main Organising Committee of Lagos International Sports Classics in conjunction with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) will see players compete in the senior and junior categories made up of 10 events, while the tournament will be staged according to ITTF and ATTF rules.

Chairman of the MOC and NTTF President, Wahid Oshodi, said that the championship would be open to all ITTFaffiliated associations, while junior events will be for players born on or after January 1, 1995.

Deadline for players’ entry has been fixed for August 13, while qualifying matches in all events for Nigerian based players hold on August 22 and 23 as the main tournament holds at the Teslim Balogun Stadium from August 26 to 31.

Meanwhile, ATTF President, Khaled El-Salhy, has commended lauded the NTTF board for staging the tournament, saying Nigeria might be considered as host for a major tournament in 2014.

Some of the top players expected at the Lagos Classic include six-time Olympian, Segun Toriola, Funke Oshonaike, Bode Abidun, Offiong Edem and Aruna Quadri amongt others.

Defender Godfrey Oboabona played a yeoman role to contain the rampaging Elephants in Abidjan on Saturday

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

P

resident of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has congratulated players and officials of Super Eagles Team B for earning Nigeria’s first-ever qualification to play in the finals of the African Nations Championship.

The Eagles took a 4-1 lead into the return leg in Abidjan but it was looking pitiably insufficient after the Ivoirians raced to a 2-0 lead before the half-hour at Stade Robert Chambroux.

Kevin Koelly profited from a mistake by defender Azubuike Egwuekwe to shoot the Elephants ahead after only six minutes and doubled the advantage from a penalty kick 20 minutes later as

Rabiu Ali tumbled an Ivorian striker in a goalmouth tussle.

But the Nigerians held on for a historic berth and will be at the finals to be staged in the South African cities of Cape Town, Polokwane and Bloemfontein in January next year.

“It takes a team that has strength of character and determination to hold steadfast after that opening barrage on away ground and I commend the team for a job well-done,” Maigari said yesterday.

Nigeria, who missed the last two editions of the championship, joins Morocco, which eliminated Cup holders Tunisia, as well as Libya, Ghana, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Uganda and hosts South Africa in the 16-team finals due next January.

YEMI OLUS

wenty-one state that include host Akwa Ibom are set to feature in this year’s National Weightlifting Championships which commences today at Ibom Hall, Uyo. The six-day event is the first major competition to be organised by the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) in 2013 and would serve as a build-up for the African Championships to be hosted by Nigeria later this year.

According to a board member of the NWF and Chairman of the Media Committee, George Aluo, accreditation has begun while more participants are expected to arrive in the Akwa

…FCT SWAN greets team

he FCT Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) has congratulated the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Super Eagles Team B for Nigeria’s first-ever qualification to play in the finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“FCT SWAN is impressed with the preparation the Eagles got, and we are even more impressed with the Super

Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi for giving our home-based players the opportunity to show the world that they can hold their own if given the chance,” a statement by Assistant Secretary, Bunmi Haruna, said yesterday.

“We want to also urge the NFF to start preparations for the CHAN finals immediately in order to ensure quality performance at the competition,” the statement added.

Obi’s support for school sports development in Anambra State while charging him to do more at the national level.

“The governor’s effort is evident in the sponsorship of the Anambra contingent to NSSF programmes and awards of scholarship to victorious athletes,” Mohammed observed.

The NSSF AGM is an annual event which provides forum for schools sports stakeholders to come together and deliberate on the growth and development of school sports in line with current changes in global/ national rules, regulation and techniques guiding the administration and organisation of school sports.

Established in 1976 under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Education, the NSSF is charged with organising and administering sports at primary and post-primary institutions in Nigeria with technical support from states’ ministries of Youth and Sports.

Weightlifters ready for Uyo

CHAN 2014: Maigari hails T Eagles’ qualification

T Oshodi

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A weightlifter

Ibom State capital.

“At least 20 states are already on the ground while Delta came with the biggest contingent made up of 20 lifters,” Aluo told National Mirror yesterday.

“Ebonyi, Cross River, Kano, Jigawa and Ondo have also registered their presence,” he added.

Delta State won the weightlifting event at the National Sports Festival hosted

by Lagos State last year.

The opening ceremony of the Uyo even will hold today with the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, and Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, expected to attend while a giant trophy will be awarded to the state that wins the championship.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Monday, July 29, 2013

Emenike, Musa light up Russia with goals

S

uper Eagles’ striker Emmanuel Emenike, proved he still has a lot of goals in his boots by netting once to help Russia’s Spartak Moscow bash arch rivals Dinamo Moscow 4-1 in the Moscow derby on Saturday, to remain on top of the log after three rounds of games.

The former FC Cape Town hit man, who had been sidelined by injury for the better part of last season, blasted his side’s third goal in the 30th minute. The multiple Russian league champions finished the game as a contest in the 42nd minute in the amazing first half thriller and that proved to be enough. The hosts could only reply only once from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining on the clock. Emenike had grabbed his first goal of the season in the league opener penultimate weekend to register his name in the scorers’ charts as the leading scorers. He was also on the pitch in the derby for the entire duration of the game.

Still in Russia, Eagles winger Ahmed Musa was also on target for his club CSKA Moscow as they beat Lokomotiv Moscow 2-1 in yet another Moscow derby on Sunday. Musa made the game safe for the defending champions in the 82nd minute, grabbing the winner after hosts had cancelled out Japanese striker Keisuke Honda’s first half lead.

Musa, who was a double

champion last season, was on for 90 minutes. Musa thus upped his goal account to two after he netted his first goal in the champions’ opening game two weeks ago. Both Musa and Emenike are on the race for the top scorers’ prize after just three games in the Russian Premier League.

There was sadly no game time for Super Eagles’ returnee Obinna Nsofor, who was left on the bench for 90 minutes. Nsofor, who was recalled to the national team for the Mandela Challenge date with Bafana Bafana of South Africa on August 14, is yet to kick a ball in the three-week old Russian Premier League, to celebrate his Eagles’ return after two years in the wilderness.

In Ukraine, it was no celebration time for Nigerian midfielder Samson Godwin on his return for Karpaty, losing 2-0 at home to Arsenal Kiev on Saturday. The little known Nigerian, who has spent better part of his career in the former Russian enclave, was on from start but was pulled out in the 70th minute. Godwin was also in action last weekend in the tie against Metalurh Donetsk that ended 1-1, making his first bow on his return after three years In Belgium, it wasn’t a goal scoring start for former Flying Eagles striker Michael Uchebo at the start of the Belgian League last weekend as the Enuguborn star failed to score in his side Cercel Brugges 1-1

Musa (right) being congratulated by a team mate.

draw at Mons on Saturday.

Uchebo, arrived the Brugges-based club last season, was introduced in the 70th minute to bolster up their attack for a possible winner after they levelled up in the 59th minute. The lanky striker played a huge role in Cercle Brugges’ Belgian top flight survival, winning their promotion play-offs to main status.

In the second division in Germany, former youth international Solomon Okoronkwo was in action for Erzgebirge Aue but failed to score as they beat Sandhausen 1-0 at home yesterday. However, Okorokwo did not end the tie without a blemish as he was booked in the 24th minute as he continued to revive his career in the country where he launched his pro career in 2004 with Hertha Berlin. He arrived from Hungary this season after a season at PFC Pecsi.

The former Aalesund of Norway striker was only making his debut for his new club.

In Sweden, former U-20 World Cup star James Owoeri was on target for his side Åtvidaberg who were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Elfsborg on Saturday. The former Heartland striker put hi side in front after just five minutes but the visitors levelled up in the 57th minute as the teams shared spoils. However, Owoeri, who was from start was replaced in the 73rd minute. He has so far netted twice in 10 appear-

Emenike

Gbenga Arokoyo

55

WORLD RECORD

Strongest bird gizzard Vol. 03 No. 674

N150

Monday, July 29, 2013

The gizzard is the portion of a bird’s stomach that grinds food into small pieces. The world’s strongest recorded gizzard is that of the turkey Meleagris gallopavo.

Marriageable age controversy: The Senate’s true story

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he Senate last week voted on the report of its Constitutional Review Committee and at the end of it all, it once again achieved a milestone in altering the 1999 Constitution to bring the document in line with the general aspirations of Nigerians.

However, while the upper house of the National Assembly appreciates and welcomes the healthy debate that ensued among our people on some aspects of the sections that were voted on, it is nonetheless bothered by negative commentaries, which suggest a deliberate misinformation and distortion of what actually transpired on the floor when the distinguished senators voted on each section of the report by its Constitutional Amendment Committee.

It is pertinent for the public to know

Guest Columnist

Enyinnaya

Abaribe

that the senators only voted to amend some clauses in the articles that were already in the Constitution. The section up for amendment had to do with persons qualified to renounce Nigerian citizenship. The 1999 Constitution as amended in the controversial Section 29, states in S 29(1): “Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation”.

S 29(4): “For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, (a) ‘full age’ means the age of eighteen years and above; (b) ‘any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age’.

The prevailing view of the committee before the initial vote was that Section 29(4) (a) was gender neutral, but with section 29(4)(b) specifically mentioning “woman”, it now looked discriminatory and as such is in conflict with Section 42 of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination of any form. The committee thus sought for it to be expunged from the Constitution.

Senators therefore, voted earlier to expunge that sub section and it scaled through by 75 votes. Note that under the constitution, to amend any clause you will need 2/3 of the members of the Senate, which translates to 73 votes. However, the revisiting of the voting on that section was to take care of objections raised by distinguished Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima among others. He pointed out that removing the clause 29(4)(b) contradicts Section 61 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution, which restricts the National Assembly from

THE SNAG, IN ANY CASE, IS THAT THE CHILD RIGHT ACT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY APPLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY considering matters relating to Islamic and Customary law.

Revisiting the section was pure and simple a pragmatic approach, since the Senate, as the representative of the people, represents all interests and all shades of opinion; therefore, there was the need for a fresh vote. However, the needed votes to get the clause expunged fell short of the 2/3 (73 votes) requirement. Fundamentally, the final outcome of the voting remains the position of senate. Thus, S 29(4)(b) still remains part of the Constitution.

This clarification has become necessary because of the wilful and deliberate act to distort and misinform the general public on what was never discussed nor contemplated by the distinguished senators. At no time was marriage, as a section of the constitution, discussed or voted for.

The National Assembly in 2003 had passed “The Child Rights Act”, which specifically took care of the fears being expressed in a cross section of the media.

The Act clearly states in section 21: “No person under the age of 18 years is capable of contracting a valid marriage, and accordingly, any marriage so contracted is null and void and of no effect whatsoever”.

22. 1. “No parent, guardian or any other person shall betroth a child to any person” 2. A betrothal in contravention of subsection (1) of this section is null and void.

Therefore under the Childs Right Act the lawful age of marriage is 18 years.

The Constitution does not provide for many rules of human engagement such as marriage, and only makes provision for specialised laws to take care of such matters. That is why the National Assembly now made a specialised legislation to address the matter of lawful age for marriage as seen above.

In fact section 23 of the Childs Right Act provides stiff penalties: 23. A person (a) who marries a child; or (b) to whom a child is betrothed ; or (c) who promotes the marriage of a child; or (d) who betroths a child commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of =N=500, 000 or imprisonment for a term of five years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

It was the Senate of this Federal Republic that made this law, which is still operative in some states. The snag, in any case, is that the Child Right Act does not automatically apply across the country. It has to be domesticated on state by state basis by the respective Houses of Assembly. Up to date, 12 states are yet to domesticate the law. It is with respect to those states that the advocacy on age of marriage should be directed.

The senate has done its best with utmost concern for national interest and its leadership has ably navigated its affairs with high level of integrity, sense of responsibility and fairness to all Nigerians. It would have made a whole lot of sense had the various commentators displayed the capacity to reason and do due diligence to the issue before rushing to conclude that the Senate did what was not even before it.

Senator Abaribe is chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs.

Sport Extra

R

ed Devils of Congo booked their place for the finals of the 2014 Africa Nations Championship yesterday as the Central African nation defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in Dolisie.

The match ended 2-2

CHAN 2014: Congo sails to South Africa finals on aggregate but Kamel Djabour’s side prevailed on the away goals rule having scored one goal on the road in a 2-1 loss in Kinshasa earlier this month.

The Devils are now set to

make their first appearance in the tournament which will take place in South Africa in January next year.

The Leopards of DR Congo, who won the inaugural tournament back in 2009,

will now play another round of qualifiers to try and secure their place.

Santos Muntubila’s side will play the losers of the tie between Cameroon and Gabon, which will be decided

on the weekend of August 9-11.

Cameroun yesterday in Yaounde scraped a 1-0 victory over the Gabonese and will wait to know its fate in NFF President, Aminu Maigari the second leg.

Congo coach,

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