Thursday, January 17, 2013 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

World Bank warns on risky global economic climate TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he World Bank has urged developing countries to focus on raising their

Kim

Vol. 3 N0. 537

growth potential and strengthening their economies to mitigate the risks associated with the Euro zone crisis. It advised that this would also guard against any negative

fallout from the emerging fiscal regime in the United States. The warning was contained in the Bank’s Global Economic Report, GER, released yester-

DAYS TO GO Stallions ready to break jinx P.29

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Thursday, January 17, 2013

War in Mali: Ground battle begins

N150

rench troops launched their first ground assault against Islamist rebels in Mali yesterday, broadening their operation against battle-hardened al Qaeda-linked fighters who have resisted six days of air strikes. France has called for international support against Islamist insurgents it says CONTINUED ON PAGE 3>>

French, Nigerian soldiers set to dislodge rebels Seven Americans, 34 others held hostage

Jonathan nominates Nebo, Turaki as Power, Defence ministers P.4 EFCC declares Wale Babalakin wanted P.5

2015: ACN, CPC set to merge for better governance –Buhari

P.4

French troops with armoured tanks in Mali yesterday.

Tambuwal survives impeachment plot

Reps to probe NNPC’s $1.5bn loan deal CBN axes 236 bureaux de change operators

P.2 P.31

News

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Reps to probe NNPC’s $1.5bn loan deal GEORGE OJI AND TORDUE SALEM

he House of Representatives has mandated the Committees on Petroleum (Downstream and Upstream), Justice and Loans and Debts to investigate an alleged plan by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to take a loan of $1.5bn to settle debts to international fuel traders. The motion to probe the loan deal was moved by Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe

(PDP-Imo) and was unanimously adopted. The sponsor of the motion noted that the loan was neither included in the 2013-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework nor the 2013 budget. Igbokwe said that Section 44 (2) A of the Fiscal Responsibility Act prescribed a mandatory condition for borrowing by the Federal government and its agencies. He added that the Act also stipulated that government corporations and agencies should prepare and submit to the min-

ister, their schedule of estimates of income and expenditure for the next three years. Igbokwe warned that securing the loan could plunge the country into greater financial difficulties in the future. The legislator noted that the collateral for the loan would be crude supply “which is the collective wealth of Nigerians.” Earlier, the World Bank and other financial institutions had warned against the loan. Also, the Senate and former World Bank Vice-

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, mega station at Bashorun in Ibadan on fire, yesterday.

President, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, had condemned the plan by the NNPC to obtain the loan. Ezekwesili said that the process the NNPC was following to obtain the loan was unnecessary and not transparent. Labour unions have also faulted the plan to take the loan on the grounds that it was being done with fraudulent intentions. The NNPC has defended the decision on the grounds that it needs to honour its international obligations and avoid a de-

Tambuwal survives impeachment plot TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

embers of the House of Representatives yesterday stopped a plot by a faceless group to impeach the Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal. Instead the endorsement of his leadership was reaffirmed with a vote of confidence by the lawmakers in a tense session, the first after resumption from the Yuletide holidays. Earlier reports had it that the Transparency Network, a group of lawmakers was making a move for the removal of the Speaker over alleged fraudulent activity in the purchase of 400 Toyota Camry cars for members. Members of the group of seven lawmakers led by Hon. Kaka Gujbawu, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, member from Maiduguri municipal in Borno State, were however said to have gone into hiding as it became clear the plot would fail after it was leaked by an

aggrieved conspirator. Sources said the plot went awry when Gujbawu, a staunch supporter of former speakership candidate, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola (PDP-Oyo), allegedly shortchanged other members of the group by paying them $5,000 each instead of a higher amount allegedly agreed on earlier with sponsors of the plot to carry out the impeachment move. Akande-Adeola and Gujbawu were not at yesterday’s plenary, confirming suspicions of their colleagues of their involvement in the impeachment plot. Hon. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi (PDP-Enugu) had taken more than 15 minutes to issue a stern warning to members of the House who were distracting the House with threats to remove the Speaker to back off or face dire consequences. He dismissed the reported threat as a dream that could not be realised. “Anybody can dream dreams, but anybody who

wants to be Speaker of the House can dream, but it takes 360 members to elect a Speaker,” he said. He warned that “anybody who has any grouse against the Speaker should have the courage to come to plenary or to an executive session to raise the issue.” Ozomgbachi said: “We have very pressing issues yearning for the attention of the House and we cannot abandon such issues of national importance for unserious matters. “I remember that the issue of Camry cars was discussed for not less than three times by this House and we all agreed that the cars should be bought.” But a vote of confidence in Tambuwal, raised by Hon. Razaq Bello-Osagie (PDPEdo) and seconded by Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha(PDPAbia), finally quashed the move, as the suspected sponsor of the plot, Gujbawu (PDP-Borno), was one of the few members absent at yesterday’s sitting. After the passage of the

PHOTO: NAN

vote, over 288 members of the House in plenary rose for the Speaker who later regretted that some of his colleagues were plotting against him despite his efforts to sanitise the House. Earlier, the Speaker had in a welcome speech to members said the House, despite the obstacles and challenges, would intensify its fight against corruption. He said: “We are convinced now more than ever before, that the situation where majority of the citizens continue to live in abject poverty while an insignificant minority corner the commonwealth is not only unjust but unacceptable. “In this regard, we shall continue to adopt a pragmatic and functional approach to ensure that the war against corruption is removed from the realm of rhetoric by exercising absolute diligence in our oversight function so as to enhance transparency and accountability in both high CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

fault that could negatively affect Nigeria’s credit ratings. The loan deal was sealed late last year and involves a consortium of 10 international and local banks including Standard Chartered, BNP Paribas, First Bank, UBA and Union Bank. The loans is payable over a period of five years at an interest rate of 375 basis points above the London Interbank Offered Rate with 15,000 barrels per day of crude pledged as collateral. Also yesterday, the Senate ordered its standing committees on Federal Character Commission, Labor and Employment to investigate alleged malpractices that marked the recent recruitment process in the para-military and Federal Civil Service Commission. The decision of the Senate was sequel to the motion sponsored by Senator Abubakar Bagudu over dissatisfaction with continuous increase in the jobs racketeering across the para-military, ministries, departments and agencies. Bagudu while leading the debate on the motion yesterday said that “there is need for serious concern on the media stories on irregularities in the employment at the Nigeria Immigration Service; the Nigerian Custom Service; the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and other Ministries Department and Agencies. “Over 4,000 employment slots were approved by the Federal Government but were being sold to job applicants and some allocated to various other personalities. Due process involving advertisement for interested members of the public to apply has not been observed. “The employment letters were also allegedly offered for sale between N400,000 and N500,000 by the syndicate whose operation base are Gwagwalada, Karu, and other places.” He also alleged that the recruitment exercise favoured some states of the federation, which was believed to be a total negation of the federal

character principle and the recruitment exercise embarked upon by the NIS had generated a lot of criticisms. During the debate on the floor of the Senate yesterday, Senator Ali Ndume told his colleagues that when one of his constituency members was looking for job, N200,000 was demanded from him, and he provided the money to secure the job. In his own comment to the motion, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba said that what was currently happening now was a time bomb which if exploded, “the problem of insecurity the country is currently facing will be a child’s play with what is going to happen to the country.” Also, Senator Olugbenga Kaka said that the problem exists because government is not doing enough to create more jobs opportunity for the graduates leaving school each year and also called for investigation of recruitment exercise carried out by the agencies of the government. In his remarks, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, blamed a situation where applicants pay money to get employed on desperation. He also accused the Civil Service Commission, an agency charged with the responsibility for recruitment, for failing in its duties. “The Civil Service Commission, an agency charged with the responsibility for recruitment is most guilty because they have to look at federal character, know the number of vacancies available and recruit accordingly. “But there is desperation everywhere and this is a serious thing in the land. “I want to recommend that those people with experiences or story to tell should meet with relevant committees during public hearings and perhaps, point out those that demanded money for employment from them.” Mark charged the committee to do a thorough job in order to minimise, if not totally eliminate the level of injustice going on in the country.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, January 17, 2013

French helicopter arrives at an air base in Bamako.

An Islamist militant manning a machine gun position.

French soldiers walk past a hangar at the Malian army air base in Bamako.

A French Rafale fighter jet lands in Ndjamena, Chad, before being deployed in Mali.

War in Mali: Ground battle begins CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

pose a threat to Africa and the West, acknowledging it faces a long fight against the well-equipped militant fighters who seized Mali’s vast desert north last year. After Islamist pledges to exact revenge for France’s intervention, militants claimed responsibility for a raid on a gas field in Algeria. Mauritanian media said an al Qaeda-linked group claimed to have seized as many as 41 hostages, including seven Americans, in the attack, carried out in retaliation for Algeria allowing France to use its air space. At least two people were killed. French army chief Edouard Guillaud said his ground forces were stepping up their operation to engage directly “within hours” with the alliance of Islamist fighters, grouping al Qaeda’s North African wing AQIM with Mali’s home grown Ansar Dine and MUJWA militant movements. Residents said a column of some 30 French Sagaie armored vehicles advanced toward rebel positions from the town of Niono, 300 km (190 miles) from the capital Bamako. With the Malian army securing the northern border region near Mauritania, Islamist fighters were

pinned down in the town of Diabaly. “Fighting is taking place. So far it is just shooting from distance,” said Oumar Ould Hamaha, a MUJWA spokesman. “They have not been able to enter Diabaly.” A Malian military source said French special forces units were taking part in the operation. Guillaud said France’s strikes, involving Rafale and Mirage jet fighters, were being hampered because militants were using the civilian population as a shield. “We categorically refuse to make the civilian population take a risk. If in doubt, we will not shoot,” he said. Residents who fled Diabaly said Islamists had used the town’s inhabitants to protect themselves in recent days. Many inhabitants of northern Mali have welcomed the French attacks against Islamists who have imposed a harsh form of sharia law, cutting off hands and feet for crimes, and destroyed the famed shrines of the ancient desert town of Timbuktu. Residents said French fighter jets struck the headquarters of the Islamic police in Niafunke, a sleepy town on the Niger river near Timbuktu, as part of Opera-

tion Serval, named after an African wildcat. Defence Minister JeanYves Le Drian acknowledged that France faced a difficult operation, particularly in Western Mali where AQIM’s mostly foreign fighters have camps. Mauritania has pledged to close its porous frontier to the Islamists. “It’s tough. We were aware from the beginning it would be a very difficult operation,” Le Drian said. President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday that French forces would remain in Mali until stability returned to the West African nation. Hollande said France hoped, however, to hand over to African forces in its former colony, “in the coming days or weeks.” West African military chiefs met for a second day in Bamako to hammer out details of a U.N.-mandated deployment which had been expected to start only in September but was suddenly kick-started by French intervention. They said their aim was to send in the first detachments of a 2,000-strong emergency force. “Nigeria is ready and Niger has its troops at the border and is just awaiting the

green light,” said Aboudou Toure Cheaka, special representative of the ECOWAS regional bloc. Regional powerhouse Nigeria, which is battling the Boko Haram Islamist movement, has said the first 190 soldiers from its 900-strong detachment would arrive soon, a position which military authorities also confirmed in Abuja on Tuesday. Military experts fear that any delay in following up on the French air bombardments of Islamist bases and fuel depots with a ground offensive could allow the insurgents to slip away into the desert and mountains, regroup and counter-attack. The Africans will join some 1,700 French troops involved in the operation, part of a contingent expected to reach 2,500 soldiers. France is using Harfang surveillance drones to guide its strikes and also plans to deploy Tiger attack helicopters. While many French troops come battle-hardened from Afghanistan, some regional African forces may need to adjust to desert combat far removed from the jungle terrain many are used to. A contingent of some 200

EU military trainers, led by a French general, is not expected before mid-February. With African states facing huge logistical and transport challenges to deploy their troops, Germany promised two Transall military transport planes to help fly in the soldiers. Britain has already supplied two giant C-17 military transport planes - larger than France’s five C-135 planes - to ferry in French armored vehicles and medical supplies. The United States is considering logistical and surveillance support but has ruled out sending in U.S. troops. Hollande’s intervention in Mali brings risks for eight French hostages held by AQIM in the Sahara as well as the 30,000 French citizens living across West Africa. A French helicopter pilot was killed on Friday, France’s only combat death so far. AQIM and Ansar Dine have vowed to take revenge for France’s intervention on its interests around the globe. The attack in Algeria, where AQIM has its roots, targeted the southern Ain Amenas oil facility, located close to the border with Libya and operated by a

joint venture including BP, Norwegian oil firm Statoil and Algerian state company Sonatrach. Security experts have warned that the multinational intervention in Mali could provoke a jihadist backlash against France and the West, and African allies. U.S. officials have warned of links between AQIM, Nigeria’s Boko Haram and al Shabaab Islamic militants fighting in Somalia. Al Shabaab, which foiled a French effort at the weekend to rescue a French secret agent it was holding hostage, said it had decided to execute him. France has said it believes the hostage was already killed during its botched raid. The conflict in Mali raised concerns across mostly Muslim West Africa of a radicalisation of Islam in the region. In Senegal, a traditionally moderate Islamic country, President Macky Sall warned citizens to be vigilant for attacks. “We must be on the watch in our towns and villages because infiltrations are taking place,” he said in a speech on Tuesday. “You will hear foreign preachers talking in the name of Islam. You must denounce them to authorities.”

PhotoNews

Thursday January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun; wife of former President, Bola Obasanjo and her husband, Olusegun Obasanjo, during Mrs. Amosun’s visit to Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Chairman Akwa Ibom Traditional Council, HRM Edidem Ntuk and Akwa Ubom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, during the Chairman’s visit to the Governor in Uyo, yesterday.

L-R: Guest Lecturer, Professor Joy Ogwu; President, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Chief Philip Asiodu; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Mrs. Adebola Afun and Acting Executive Director, NCF, Mr. Alade Adeleke, during the 11th Chief S.L.Edu lecture in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Governor, Central Bank of Liberia, Dr. Joseph Jones; General Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza and Managing Director, UBA Africa, Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom, during the visit of the governor to UBA in Lagos on Tuesday.

National News

CPC set to merge with ACN for better governance –Buhari OBIORA IFOH WITH AGENCY REPORT

he Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, has concluded plans to merge with the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, to form a new party in order to give better governance to Nigerians and challenge the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the 2015 election. The leader of the party and former Head of State, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), made this known in Abuja on Tuesday during the inauguration of an 18-member CPC Merger Committee. “The sentiment today is for a full merger between the CPC and ACN and not an alliance. What Nigerians want is merger and that is what you are going to negotiate and bring home. “There is already in existence an unexecuted understanding between CPC and ACN for the creation of a new party with a brand new logo and a flag already designed,” Buhari said.

According to him, other paraphernalia of a political party have been put in place. The leader urged the committee to negotiate the best deal for Nigeria, pointing out that the negotiation was national and a fundamental one. He said that petty persons would not stand in the way of a great opportunity to build and run a better Nigeria once CPC and ACN come together. Buhari told the committee to see the avenue as a way in which CPC would go into friendly game with other patriots who had the same desire as CPC for the nation. “You must therefore always remember to negotiate with respect, understanding, and decorum as befits people who are ready and desirous of merging into one tomorrow,” he said. The former head of state said that the unity of the opposition parties was no longer an option, adding that it had become a national imperative.

According to him, the committee should be able to finish the work within six weeks. “Accordingly, it will make the CPC and ACN to be in a position to sign a declaration of intent to fuse their two parties into one,” Buhari said. He said that the new party would root for a proper federation as the basis of the union and for the governance of the country. Also, the new party would as a matter of top-

most priority begin to tackle and plan for the creation of new security architecture for the country, he added. The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Garba Gadi, a former deputy governor of Bauchi State, thanked the leadership of the party for choosing him as the head of the committee. He promised that the committee would work hard not to disappoint the party. Other members of

the committee are:, Alhaji Umaru Tanko AlMakura, governor of Nasarawa, Professor Tam David-West, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, Senator Hadi Sirika, Chief Okoi Obono Obla, Owelle Oscar Udoji, Mr. Ife Oyedele, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, Chief Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Mrs. Lucy Ajayi, Air Cdre (rtd) Bernard Banfa, Mr. B. D. Lawal, Dr Haruna Yerima, Mr. James Ocholi, SAN, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, Professor Buba Bajoga

and Dr. Osagie Ehanire. The All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, National Mirror learnt was left out of the merger talk because of the suspicion that it still harbuors some elements from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Okechukwu, who is a member of the merger committee, however added that the ongoing exercise is the first phase, noting that other parties may be brought in during the subsequent phases.

Jonathan nominates Nebo, Turaki to replace Nnaji, Haliru GEORGE OJI ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan has nominated Professor Chinedu Nebo (Enugu State) and Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (Kebbi State) as replacement for Professor Berth Nnaji and Mohammed Haliru former ministers for Power and Defence respectively. The replacements were contained in the communication sent to the Senate President, David Mark by

President Goodluck Jonathan and read on the floor of the Senate yesterday. Nebo was a one-time Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria UNN, Nsukka and the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye, Ekiti State. He is a professor of Metallurgical and Material Engineering and will replace Nnaji, who resigned on August 28 last year over his interest in two of the companies that bidded for the Afam power plant.

Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, contested the last gubernatorial election under the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, and lost to the present governor and will be replacing Haliru, who was sacked as the minister of defence on June 22 last year alongside the late General Andrew Aziza by President Jonathan for undisclosed reasons. The Senate has not set any official date to screen and confirm the two nomi-

nees. The screening is expected to be held next week following the request by Jonathan to conduct the screening expeditiously. During the commissioning of the Orient refinery in Anambra last October, President Jonathan had assured the people of the south-east geo political zone that he would announce Nnaji’s replacement in two weeks time. He also promised the people that Nnaji’s replacement would come from the zone.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tambuwal survives impeachment plot CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

and low strata. “As we begin a new year, we hope to be able to improve remarkably on the modest efforts we have made towards raising the quality of legislation in this country and the way we have handled issues arising from our oversight functions. “Fellow colleagues, this Honourable House has a contract with the Nigerian people to make sure they reap from the gains of our hard-earned democracy and as you all know our goal has always been to fulfil that mandate to the best of our capacity. “When we came in we promised to pursue an aggressive legislative agenda that will reposition this House not just as a key branch of government determined to deliver on its mandate, but as a veritable defender of the rights of the people.” The Speaker also spoke on the plan to reconstitute the committees of the House for effective performance. He said: “We have endeavoured in the last one and a half year to re invigorate the committee system in the House to ensure that they function as the engine room of the House, being

News

Thursday, January 17, 2013

the major vehicle through which thorough work is done on bills before they get passed into law. “Over time, parliaments all over the world have evolved in such a manner that committees have become indispensable in the law making process. Indeed, the quality of a law is invariably tied to the quality of work done on a Bill at the committee stage. “Therefore the leadership of this House is determined to ensure that our committees get all they need to function properly. “As we strive to bring the House of Representatives at par with best practices the world over, we shall be reconstituting a number of parliamentary friendship groups and adding a few more in the coming days. These parliamentary groups will be announced soon. “Let me also commend the media, Civil Society Organisations and our development partners for their invaluable cooperation. We shall continue to partner with every group that has the interest of this country at heart. Above all, let me commend all Nigerians for their patience, tolerance, perseverance and faith that the end shall be better than the beginning.”

N4.7bn scam: EFCC declares Wale Babalakin wanted OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited, Mr. Wale Babalakin wanted in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N4.7bn. A statement by the spokesman of the commis-

sion, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said that the business mogul was supposed to be at the EFCC’s office yesterday preparatory to his arraignment on a 27-count criminal charge before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos High Court today, but failed to do so. The commission stated that instead of honouring an agreement with it, the suspect decided to go underground. It further requested that

anybody having useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the Commission in its Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja. The commission described Babalakin as darkcomplexioned, stressing that he speaks English and Yoruba fluently. However, Bi-Courtney yesterday denied that its chairman was on the run. A statement issued by the

company’s Head of Communications, Mr. Dipo Kehinde, said, “We don’t understand the game that EFCC is playing. This is nothing but a deep political game. Since Babalakin came out of the hospital, he had reported at the EFCC office in Lagos for more than five times. He was also there on Tuesday. He is on EFCC’s administrative bail. He’s not a man on the run. We have a date in court tomorrow.”

L-R: Rear Admiral Babalola Egbedina; representative of Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Azuka Ajuonu and Director of Logistics, Capt Joshua Ajala, during the inauguration of an office block in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

World Bank warns on risky global economic climate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

day despite some signs of growth in many developing economies. According to the development institution, “the global economic landscape still remains risky as the noticeable recoveries in the economies are fragile and their future prospects remain uncertain.” While noting that since the second half of 2012 conditions in most of the leading financial markets had improved dramatically, the bank however said that the preceding period reflected slowest growth rates in the various economies in the past decade partly due to the Euro area uncertainty. Specifically, the World Bank listed some of the downside risks to the global economy as a stalling of progress on the Euro Area crisis; debt and fiscal issues in the United States; the possibility of a sharp slow-

ing of investment in China and a disruption in global oil supplies. It, however, pointed out that the likelihood of these risks and their potential impacts have diminished, and the possibility of a stronger-than-anticipated recovery in high-income countries has increased. The GER also noted that although fiscal sustainability in most developing countries is not an issue, government deficits and debt are much higher today than in 2007. In view of the growing uncertainty in the global economic system, the World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim, said the Bank would continue to give more support to the developing countries in three key sectors namely, infrastructure, health and education to sustain their recovery initiatives. He said: “The economic

recovery remains fragile and uncertain, clouding the prospect for rapid improvement and a return to more robust economic growth. Developing countries have remained remarkably resilient thus far. “But we can’t wait for a return to growth in the high-income countries, so we have to continue to support developing countries in making investments in infrastructure, health, and education. This will set the stage for the stronger growth that we know that they can achieve in the future”, Kim added. According to the report, international capital flows to developing countries, which fell 30 per cent in the second quarter of 2012, have recovered and bond spreads have declined to below their long-term average levels of around 282 basis points. In addition, the Bank reported further that de-

veloping-countries stock markets are up 12.6 per cent since June, while equity markets in high-income countries are up by 10.7 per cent just as the real-side of the economy has responded modestly with output in most of them accelerating despite weak investment and industrial activity in advanced economies. In his comments, Kaushik Basu, the Bank’s Senior Vice President and Chief Economist stated that “from hopes for a Ushaped recovery, through a W-shaped one, the prognosis for global growth is getting alphabetically challenged.” He cautioned that in view of the fact that governments in high-income countries struggling to make fiscal policies more sustainable, developing countries should resist trying to anticipate every fluctuation in developed countries and, instead, ensure that their

fiscal and monetary policies are robust and responsive to domestic conditions. Similarly, Hans Timmer, Director, Development Prospects Group, the World Bank, pointed out that “the weakness in high-income countries is dampening developing-country growth, but strong domestic demand and growing SouthSouth economic linkages have underpinned developing country resilience – to the point that, for the second year in a row, developing countries were responsible for more than half of global growth in 2012.” The World Bank estimated that global GDP which grew 2.3 per cent in 2012, compared with last June’s expectation of 2.5 per cent is expected to remain broadly unchanged at 2.4 per cent growth in 2013, before gradually strengthening to 3.1 per cent in 2014 and 3.3 per cent in 2015.

While projecting that developing-countries GDP is estimated to have grown 5.1 per cent in 2012, and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent in 2013, strengthening to 5.7 per cent and 5.8 per cent in 2014 and 2015, respectively, the multilateral financial institution also reported that high-income countries has been downgraded from earlier forecasts, at 1.3 per cent for 2012 and 2013, firming to two per cent in 2014 and 2.3 percent by 2015. “Growth in the Euro Area is now projected to only return to positive territory in 2014, with GDP expected to contract by 0.1 per cent in 2013, before edging up to 0.9 per cent in 2014 and 1.4 per cent in 2015. Overall, global trade of goods and services, which grew only 3.5 per cent in 2012, is expected to accelerate, expanding by six per cent in 2013 and seven per cent by 2015,” the Bank predicted.

National News

GEORGE OJI ABUJA

enate President David Mark has again advocated capital punishment for those who engage in terrorism. “In this connection, I strongly reiterate my earlier calls for capital punishment for this category of offences,” Mark said in a welcome address to the senators as they resumed

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Only capital punishment is good for terrorists –Mark from their Christmas and New Year break yesterday. The Senate president also commended the security forces for their untiring efforts in checking the activities of those he described as the agents of anarchy and sectarian strife. He also expressed satisfaction that today the ho-

rizon was not as bleak as it was three months ago. Mark called for continued vigilance and greater sacrifice for terror and insecurity to be totally eliminated. The Senate president said that on their part, senators would continue to work towards the twin objectives of not only en-

hancing the capability of the security agencies to detect and nip the pernicious crimes in the bud, they would also make the penalties for their commission even more stringent. Mark praised the senators for what he described as their stellar performances last year and said

that the lawmakers could not afford to perform any less this year. In particular, the Senate president mentioned the early passage of the 2013 Appropriation Bill, stressing that by that exercise, the National Assembly prudently and constructively made inputs that would help give vent to the government’s economic and social vision. He said: “The inputs we have made derive from a responsible and scrupulous synthesis of the desire of the average Nigerian to be freed from the

shackles of abject poverty and privation and to put the nation on the path for sustainable economic development.” Mark listed the issues that would engage the Senate this year to include the review of the 1999 Constitution, Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, the Education Act Bill, the Procurement Act (Amendment) Bill, the Nigerian Police Reform Trust Fund Bill as well as Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes, Genocide and Related Offences Bill, among others.

Jonathan writes NASS on centenary celebration GEORGE OJI AND TORDUE SALEM

P L-R: Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola; Director, Engineering Services, Ministry of Housing, Mr. Adejimi Hofonu and Special Adviser on Project Implementation and Planning, Yusuf Sulaimon, during the inspection of the ongoing Igbogbo Bayeku Housing Estate, by the governor as part of a statewide project inspection tour in Lagos, yesterday.

FEC approves seven-year jail term for human traffickers ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

he Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved a maximum of seven-year jail term for any person involved in human trafficking in the country. The Council also approved the report on the collapsed Navy building in Gwarinpa area of Abuja in January last year in which two people were killed while three others were trapped. FEC therefore placed a ban on the contractor, E.C.

Oba Industrial Company Limited, from participating in construction of public buildings as sanction for the poor construction of the collapsed naval building. Briefing State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting which lasted several hours, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, said the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, tabled a memorandum before the Council to seek approval for the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibi-

tion), Enforcement and Administration Bill, 2012. He said the existing legal framework for addressing the subject matter which is the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition), Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 (as amended) was fraught with deficiencies and grossly inadequate to effectively combat the scourge of human trafficking in the country. Maku said several provisions in the existing law were not consistent with the requirements of the Trafficking in Persons Protocol, Supplementing the

United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, (Palermo Convention) 2000. The minister said the bill would soon be presented to the National Assembly Speaking on the collapsed building, the Minister of Housing Land and Urban Development, Amal Pepple, said fake engineers were hired by the Navy to demolish the faulty building, adding that officers in the Navy who supervised the demolition would be disciplined according to the Navy and public service rules.

Reverse mini-buses’ ban, NLC tells FCTA OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

he Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, to reverse the ban on the use of commercial mini-buses in the FCT. In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Abdulwahed Umar, the union said there had been disruption of public transporta-

tion at the nation’s capital since the ban was effected on Monday. Defending the ban on Monday, the Secretary of the FCT Transports Secretariat, Mr. Jonathan Ivoke, had said that it would ease gridlock in the territory, explaining that the FCTA had already rolled out 191 buses to ease the plight of the residents. But, Omar countered the augment, stressing that as much as the long buses that

the FCTA wanted to use to replace the mini-buses were yet to be provided, banning them would further inflict pains on the motorists and workers. He said: “That the Federal Capital Development Authority’s Transport Secretariat suddenly banned mini-buses from the city centre because of its plan to introduce long buses is not enough to abruptly stop the mini-buses when the FCDA is yet to provide enough of those long buses it intends to introduce.

“Until there are enough of the long buses accessible to commuters in the satellite towns, the ban must be reversed as it is completely anti-people, ill-timed and threatens peace and socioeconomic development as workers may lose their jobs if they are unable to report for work on schedule while the mini-bus drivers and their assistants who may lose their means of livelihood may find it difficult to survive.”

resident Goodluck Jonathan has written to the National Assembly seeking an audience to explain Federal Government’s plans and programmes for the country’s centenary celebration. In similar letters to both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jonathan explained that the purpose of the letter was to request for a convenient date for the National Assembly to receive a full briefing on the proposed programme for the centenary celebration, so that their input would also be accommodated in the framework. Jonathan disclosed in the letter that already he had constituted a 19-man planning committee for the centenary celebration, headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim. The President added that the committee had articulated a proposed framework for the celebration, which had already been presented to the Federal Executive Council, FEC, and also to the state governors at National Economic Council for their input. He said: “On the 1st of January 1914, the Northern and Southern Nigeria were formally amalgamated into one country – establishing modern day Nigeria. This implies that the 1st of January 2014 marks

100 years of our union as a nation.” While the Senate deferred debate on the letter to a future date, some members of the House of Representatives kicked against the proposal by the Presidency to celebrate 100 years of Nigeria’s unity in 2014. Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN, Lagos) in opposing the proposal, said: “A centenary celebration could cause this country billions. “If we are saying there is no money to implement budgets, I don’t see why a centenary celebration should be a priority.” Gbajabiamila called on the House to disregard the proposal from the President, as payback for his ‘refusal’ to appear before the House over insecurity. He said: “We should ignore the letter the way he ignored our resolution last year summoning him to come and brief us on insecurity in the country, because respect begets respect.” Earlier, Hon. Suleiman Kawu (ANPP, Kano), the Deputy Minority Leader, dismissed the proposal as unnecessary. He said: “The executive refused to come and brief the House on insecurity in the country. The President did not even send a representative, even when the security of Nigerians is more paramount than centenary celebration.” But Hon. Emmanuel Jime (PDP, Benue), Abike Dabiri (ACN, Lagos) and Linus Okorie (PDP, Ebonyi) differed.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 17, 2013

News

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Subsidy scam: Keyamo gives police ultimatum over Lawan FELIX NWANERI

agos lawyer and human rights activists, Festus Keyamo, yesterday gave police authorities in a one-week ultimatum to arraign the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management, Farouk Lawan, for the bribery scandal involving him and businessman, Femi Otedola.

Keyamo, in a statement made available to National Mirror said he would have no other option than to proceed to court to bring Lawan to justice if the police “fail, refuse and or neglect to arraign the lawmaker within the stipulated time.” His words: “I have taken it upon myself as a responsible citizen to bring Farouk Lawan to justice. By this release, a copy of which I am forwarding to the Inspector-General of Police

with a covering letter, I expect that Farouk Lawan and his cohorts in the House of Representatives should be arraigned before a court of law within one week.” Keyamo’s action came even as he absolved Otedola of any wrong doing. He said; “As for Otedola, I have made my position very clear from the beginning that he committed no offence at all. A man who reports an attempt of a crime to the authorities and plays

along to catch the offender commits no crime. Even laymen know this position of the law.” Keyamo decried that Lawan is yet to produce the $620, 000 he collected from Otedola before police investigators even when he did not deny it, fuelling speculation and suspicion that the money has been spent. He dismissed the impression created by the police that it is the Office of the Attorney-General alone

that can give it directives to charge the matter to court. According to him, the real intention is to make the public forget about the matter. He continued: “It is more than six months now that the scandal broke out regarding the collection of $620, 000 by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Farouk Lawan, from Mr. Femi Otedola, a private businessman, for the purpose of doctoring his committee’s report relating to

the fuel subsidy scam probe. “After collecting the money, (which he did not deny collecting), Farouk Lawan actually stood up on the floor of the house and performed the act for which he collected the money. “Till today, Lawan is yet to produce the said money before the police investigators, fuelling speculation and suspicion that the money has been spent. The case is as simple and straight forward as this.”

Alleged rape case: Rights’ commission urges investigation SEKINAH LAWAL AND EMMANUEL ONANI

he National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has called on the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to urgently investigate allegation of “random abduction and rape” of some women in the capital city. In a statement signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammad, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, urged the COAS and the police hierarchy to launch a probe into the allegation that some men in “Army uniform” abducted and consequently raped some women “under the guise that they were prostitutes.” Angwe further “requested that the Chief of Army Staff and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Abuja, should update the commission on any action taken on the subject matter to enable it take further action in line with its mandate.” According to the statement, “The NHRC monitored the report of the incident as aired by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, on January 14, 2013, in which it was reported that on the 20th, 21st and the 22nd of December 2012, some women were allegedly abducted by men in army uniforms in an unidentified black Hilux van around Wuse 2, Abuja, under the guise that they were prostitutes. They were later taken to an unknown destination, where they were beaten and raped. “The Commission,

which also gathered that the matter is already before the Federal Secretariat, Abuja Police Station, however condemned in its entirety, all forms of rights violation and is ready to ensure that the rights of the victims are enforced,” the statement added. Meanwhile, the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Nigeria has reported cases of rape and violence allegedly perpetrated by soldiers from the Brigade of Guards of the Nigerian Army on innocent women in Abuja as well as the increase in cases of rape across the country. According to the National President, FIDA Nigeria, Hauwa Evelyn Shekarau, the impunity with which women and girls are daily raped, defiled and violated in this country is completely unacceptable. The group called on the leadership of the Nigerian Army to investigate and ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are fished out and made to face the wrath of the law.

L-R: Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido; his counterparts from Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi; World Bank’s Vice-President for Africa, Mukhtar Diop, a stakeholder and Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, after a meeting of representatives of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum with the World Bank’s team in Abuja.

N12bn pension scam: Court admits banks documents

he Federal High Court yesterday in Abuja admitted in evidence bank documents in respect of 56 accounts allegedly used in siphoning N12 billion federal civil servants pension funds. A former Director of Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Sani Teidi, and 33 others are standing trial for the

missing funds. A compliant officer with Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc; Mr. Anthony Mapkwe, produced information on 52 accounts, while Mr. Emphriam Atajiri, an official of Skye Bank Nigeria Plc; produced information on four accounts. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that EFCC claimed that the accounts, which are officially used by the Office of the

ACN will rule Nigeria in 2015, says Aregbesola ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said that the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, would wrestle power from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the national level come 2015. Aregbesola, who said this while speaking at the 74th birthday anniversary and conferment of award of excellence by the state chapter of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations,

NIPR, on the National Chairman of the ACN, Chief Bisi Akande in IlaOrangun, said the party has formidable political structure to outsmart the ruling party. The state governor said this is possible because “PDP members are permanently at war with each other, with the leadership seat as unstable as the sea. If they are not in court challenging their leaders, members are formed into factions openly defying their leaders and their party.” He said the opposition

parties have resolved to battle the PDP to a standstill in the 2015 general elections, adding that “a party in disarray cannot govern a country like ours.” Also speaking at the event, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, said the honour done Chief Akande has vindicated him of the insinuations by his critics, who ventured into media propaganda to attack his administration when he was the governor of the state.

Head of Service of the Federation for pension purposes, were hacked into by the accused persons. Justice Adamu Bello adjourned the matter to March 14 for the hearing of the substantive issues. NAN reports that Phina Chidi, Deputy Director, Finance and Accounts and Aliyu Bello, Personal Assistant to Shuaibu, are among the accused. “Despite such virulent criticisms, he remained resolute and focused in office, adding “I am a devout Muslim since birth and I have never belonged to any secret cult.”

Aregbesola

In a related development, Mr Mustapha Gadanya, an EFCC operative, told the court that the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation invited the commission to investigate allegation of ghost pensioners. Gadanya spoke while giving evidence in another criminal suit brought against Sani Teidi, former director in charge of pensions in the Office of the Head of Service. Others standing trial are Ali Abacha, President, Nigeria Union of Pensioners and Actor Zal, the SecretaryGeneral of the union. His words: “From our investigation, it was discovered that there were several thousands of ghost pensioners being paid monthly that ran into millions of naira. “The accused persons were also linked to a fraud of inflating check-off dues of pensioners.’’ The EFCC had alleged that the second and the third accused persons (Abacha and Zal) retained the sum of N1.3 billion from the deal.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Catholic bishops caution on prophecies ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

atholic bishops in Ibadan province have cautioned clerics against dishing out frightening prophecies capable of throwing the nation into confusion and crisis. The bishops, under the auspices of the Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, said such prophesies at a time the country is experiencing diverse socioeconomic challenges could be counter-productive. The bishops made the statement in a communiqué at the end of a meeting at the Pastoral Institute, Ibadan, Oyo State in reaction to the series of prophecies made concerning the New Year signaling that there will be danger and trouble during the year. In the communiqué signed by its President, Most Rev. Felix Alaba Job and Secretary, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye; the bishops cautioned that any country that follows false prophecies rather than the

constitution, is doomed. They expressed concern over the new trend in the country where governance is now based on prophecies rather than the rule of law and constitutionalism. “We feel a sense of duty to call for caution in this regard and warn that while prophetic gifts and private revelations and visions

may have a religious basis, care must be taken not to see them as substitutes for personal and corporate responsibility, honest work and the application of the rule of law and constitution where they are requisite for national exigencies. “A country that follows prophecies and visions rather than the constitution

he Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, yesterday gave reasons why he would not want to be addressed as ‘Kabiyesi’ according to the tradition of how Obas are addressed in Yoruba land. According to the paramount ruler, the accolade ‘kabiyesi’ is too sublime for a mortal king to bear, insisting that he would not delude himself by responding to such praises and splendorous name-calling. Oba Akiolu spoke at a

KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

L-R: Provost, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya; chief launcher and Chief Executive Officer, Eagle Paints, Chief Akin Disu; consultant, Plastic Surgeon, Prof. Sam Ademiluyi; Editor, Prof. Julius Esho; Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr. Jide Idris; Permanent Secetary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olugbile and former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan, during the presentation of the book, Illustrated Clinical Surgery, in Lagos, yesterday.

book launch on illustrated clinical surgery edited by Prof. Julius Osho, at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, LASUCOM in Ikeja. Speaking with National Mirror shortly after the ceremony, Oba Akiolu said it would be wrong for him to ascribe the attribute of God to himself by virtue of his status as Oba of Lagos, saying those kings who associate themselves with the title ‘kabiyesi’ are jokers. His words: “Let’s look at the meaning of the word ‘kabiyesi’ which means unquestionable King. Those calling themselves ‘kabiyesi’

are deceiving themselves. Either rightly or wrongly, the kings are sometimes taken to court and removed. “So, only Almighty God deserves the accolade ‘kabiyesi.’ He is the King of all kings. I would rather like to be addressed as ‘Alayeluwa, Olowo Eko,’ Oba Akiolu, not ‘kabi o osi’,” he added. Oba Akiolu, who also advised doctors in public hospitals against referring their patients to their own private hospitals, said it is only through the grace of God that they can succeed in their profession, not through sharp practices.

Ogun begins rehabilitation of Ope-Ilu-Agbado Station road

etermined to reduce the stress motorists pass through and ensure smooth vehicular movement, Ogun State government has commenced the rehabilitation of failed portions of the 32km SangoIjoko-Oke Aro-Ope Ilu- Ojodun Abiodun Road. The failed portions of the road are currently being repaired by officials of the state works and infrastructure ministry. The portions include those in Ope-Ilu, Agbado Station, Ishasi, Powerline, Toyin Crossing, Ijoko and Oke Aro axis of the road.

the nation, saying; “The seemingly intractable challenge of insecurity, robbery, massive killings through bombings, kidnappings, and ethnic clashes, still persist amid repeated assurance by government and security agencies to be on the top of the situation has largely remained unrealized. “The menace of pervasive

corruption, rather than abating, has been further emboldened by recent insensitive attempts by government officials to downplay the central role of widespread corruption in Nigeria’s many woes and tragedies,” they said. The bishops urged the Federal Government to tackle the challenge of corruption with utmost zeal and sincerity and to stop paying lip service to a situation capable of derailing governance.

2015 elections: Group roots for Jonathan

Why I don’t want to be addressed as ‘Kabiyesi’ –Oba Akiolu MURITALA AYINLA

and the rule of law risks being overrun by false prophecies and visions based on self-interest and greed. In this regard, a word is enough for the wise,” they concluded. The clerics charged security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities to combat social and economic challenges militating against

According to the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, the rehabilitation effort is to ensure free flow of traffic on the road pending when the road will be contracted out to a competent contractor. He assured people living along that axis that the state government is fully aware of the pains the bad state of the road is inflicting on them, hence the palliative measure. The commissioner affirmed that the current intervention is a temporary stopgap, assuring that the road

would still be reconstructed to meet international standard of six-lanes soon. According to him; “The road would be widened and reconstructed in line with state’s standard with appropriate road furniture like drains, pedestrian walk bridges, streetlights, median, greenbelt and pedestrian walkways.” Some of the residents spoken to, expressed gratitude to the state government for coming to their aid while they also called for the quick commencement of the reconstruction of the road.

LASTMA renews traffic control plans

•Deploys more officers to traffic prone areas MURITALA AYINLA

s part of efforts at ensuring that residents of Lagos State have a smooth ride travelling within the metropolis, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has unveiled new plans to manage traffic gridlock in the state, just as it deployed more officers to traffic prone areas. Speaking during a traffic management exercise tagged: Operation ‘unlock the gridlock,’ a renewed approach to managing traffic, especially in traffic-prone areas, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Babatunde Edu, who led top officials of the agency in the operation, said with the new approach, motorists would spend less time travelling within the city. Edu said the influx of people and vehicles into the state necessitates periodic traffic review of traffic management plans, adding that with the new plans, travelling within the state during peak period will be less tedious. He said some roads have been converted to one-way, just as some diversion points have been reviewed

to enable a free flow of traffic and save travel time of motorists “It is part of this year’s agenda to unlock all the gridlock in the metropolis. We have received complaints from residents on the flash points, notable for traffic gridlock. The thrust of the whole exercise is to look at how best we can use the road and have a sustainable culture of road usage. “The ongoing construction work should not be an excuse for any motorist to cause traffic, we all have to sacrifice and be disciplined while using the road. That is one of the reasons we are out to control traffic in the places where road construction work is ongoing. “Before the end of the week, we would also mount road signs in some of the roads to further inform motorists on the traffic directives.” Edu, however, urged motorists in the state to cooperate with traffic officers, adding that LASTMA is not resting on its oars to ensure a free flow of traffic in the state despite continuous influx of vehicle into the state. “We don’t have to wait for uniformed men before we do the right thing.”

he second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, yesterday received a boost when a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, the African-American Unity for Alliance and Good Governance, indicated its readiness to work for him to realise his ambition. The umbrella organisation of Nigerians in the Diaspora in the United States, who gave this indication in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, yesterday by its United States Coordinator, Remi Tella, said the decision was made at a meeting of its executive council held early this month. “In the meeting, we resolved among others to work in support of the re-election of the incumbent President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in 2015,” it stated. The organization said the decision was largely informed by President Jonathan’s landmark achievements in the areas of electoral management and electric power supply in the country. The group said these two areas are most crucial “if we must institutionalise and stabilise our democracy and regenerate our economy for the benefit of generation of Nigerians now and in the future.” The group said; “AfricanAmerican Unity for Alliance and Good Governance, an umbrella organisation of Nigerians in the Diaspora in United States at its executive council meeting in Providence, Rhodes Island, United States on January 4, 2013 resolved, among other things, to work in support of the re-election of the incumbent President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.”

South West

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Fire guts NNPC mega station in Ibadan KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

here was another fire disaster yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, when a petroleum tanker caught fire within the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mega Station on Iwo - Ojoo Road. It was learnt that the fire started about 1.30pm when the tanker was discharging the 33,000 litres

of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise call petrol. It was also gathered that this was the second time within a year when tankers parked within the NNPC Mega Station would catch fire. Though officials of the state Fire Service arrived at the scene late, they were able to curtail the spread of the inferno as only one nozzle was affected. The fire fighters, who

arrived with three vehicles, were able to put the fire under control after two and half hours. Other security personnel like the state security outfit, Operation Burst, policemen from Kajorepo and Akobo in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state were at the scene to ensure security of lives and property. Speaking with journalists, a witness said the fire started with a bang, fol-

lowed by flame. Motorists plying the route were forced to drive against the traffic. School children around Akobo, General Gas and Bashorun areas were forced to close early for fear that the fire might spread to their schools. An official of the NNPC, who spoke on anonymity, said the incident was as a result of carelessness on the part of those off-loading the tanker.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Truck kills Okada rider, passenger in Ogun •Mob chases away FRSC officials FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

ordes of miscreants yesterday chased operatives of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, away from an accident scene at Ilogbo junction on the Lagos - Abeokuta Expressway. Two people were said to have died in the accident. The FRSC men from Itori Unit Command, numbering about seven, had rushed to the scene to rescue victims of the accident involving a cement laden truck and motorcyclist. But the miscreants, angered by the death of the commercial motorcyclist, and his passenger, used stones and sticks to chase the FRSC officials away. The Commander, Itori Unit of the FRSC, Fatai Bakare, who confirmed the death of the two people in Abeokuta yesterday, also said that the

truck with registration number: (Lagos) EKY 103 XB had Dangote Cement logo. Bakare also explained that FRSC officials had to disguise in a private car before they could get access to the scene of the accident and clear the road. The commander added that the victims’ bodies had been deposited at the morgue of the Ota General Hospital. He also said those who sustained injuries were taken to the same hospital for treatment.

Governor Amosun

$1m fine: E-waste ship can’t leave without payment –NESREA

L-R: Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officials, Mrs. Gloria Danfulani; Mr. Wumi Fasakin; Ogun State Sector Commander, Mr. Ayobami Omiyale and Head of Operation, Ogun State Traffic Compliance Enforcement Corps, Mr. Ogunyemi Sheni, at the launch of Class `D’ Licence for commercial drivers in Ogun State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

State of courts’ facilities horrible –Amosun

overnor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has described the poor state of facilities in the country’s courts as intolerable. Amosun called on relevant authorities to redress the situation to re-invigorate justice delivery in the country. The governor disclosed this yesterday in Ijebu-Ode on the first day of his threeday on-the-spot assessment tour of courts in the state. He said: “We really need to restore the glory of our courts. We must equip them with modern facilities so as to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.” Amosun, who inspected courtrooms, libraries, registries, judges’ chambers, among others, at the High Courts, Magistrates’ Courts and Customary Courts in Ogun East Senatorial District, said the facilities were generally far from what they should be. “I must commend our

judges for being able to operate in this difficult atmosphere. They deserve our praise,” the governor said. Ordering immediate intervention in some of the premises, Amosun restated the commitment of his administration to improve justice system in the state. He said: “Justice sector reform is ongoing and we will do everything possible to improve the conditions of our courtrooms; the era

of writing in long hand should be over; we must make our courts conducive to effective justice delivery.” In her remarks, the State Chief Judge, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade, said the tour had provided the opportunity to appreciate the state of the facilities in the courts and improve on them. Speaking in the same vein, the state AttorneyGeneral and Commission-

er for Justice, Mr. Wemimo Ogunde (SAN), said the justice reform process was on course and the governor’s assessment visit was to achieve the goal of raising the standard of justice delivery system in the state. The assessment tour of the courts took the governor to Sagamu, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Abigi in Ijebu Waterside, Ijebu-Ode, IjebuIgbo and Ago-Iwoye.

Nigeria needs mental revolution, not violence –Fayemi’s wife ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

igeria does not need war and violent revolution to effect changes as being canvassed by some people. The wife of Ekiti State governor, Bisi Fayemi, who said this, asked those beating the drums of war to have a rethink in view of its grim implications. She said: “What we need is a revolution that focuses

on changing mindsets, attitudes and behaviour; a shift in our culture of hopelessness and despondence to one of hope and achievement.” The governor’s wife, who spoke at the 21st Convocation Lecture of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti yesterday, said: “Nigeria can be truly great if we can identify leaders who truly understand the social contract of service. “Nigeria is the only

country we have and we are not about to manufacture another one anytime soon.” In the lecture entitled; “New faces, new voices: Creating new leadership paradigms for transformation,” Fayemi charged those calling for war to “go to Somalia and experience what it means to be stateless for over 20 years. Let them go to Rwanda where an entire generation was wiped out and another lives in the shadow of that nightmare.

he National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, said the e-waste-laden ship detained at Tin-Can Port was being guarded by the police. The Director-General, NESREA, Dr. Ngeri Benebo, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos. Benebo also said that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, had taken adequate control of the issue to prevent the ship from leaving. The ship, MV MariviaMonrovia, was arrested at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos a week ago with two containers of e-waste among her cargo. The containers were stuffed with used electronics, including television sets, computers, central processing units, CPUs, digital video recorders, microwaves, pressing irons and stereo sets. The numbers of the two containers are:

ECMU 9894510 and ECMU 9870858. The 23,652-tonne container ship arrived from Tilbury in London. Benebo said: “The ship is still at the terminal at Tin-Can Island Port and will only sail when the fine is paid. “We are waiting for the importers to pay the fine levied on them by the government ($1 million). “We gave them 48 hours but the weekends were inside so we will discountenance the weekend and give them time.’’ The DG said the delay in payment by the ship owners was to their detriment, stressing that “they cannot afford not to pay. “They know the consequence, if they don’t pay. The vessel is there; they are paying demurrage; they are also losing business; so they cannot afford not to pay.” The Federal Government had slammed the $1 million fine on the ship owners, following the confirmation of the contents of the containers to be ewaste.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South-East

Thursday, Janauary 17, 2013

Ohanaeze: We won’t tolerate parallel election –MASSOB NWABUEZE OKONKWO

•Warns S/East govs against interference

He said he would deploy over 5,000 MASSOB security men to any venue where the Ebonyi State Government proposed to use for the conduct of any other election of Ohanaeze. The MASSOB leader said the governor should take the consequences of such invasion. Uwazuruike said Ndigbo would no longer allow the governors in the SouthEast geo-political zone to continue to destroy their unity by sacrificing the fortune of the people on the

ONITSHA

he leader of the Movement for Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has warned against the conduct of another election in Ohanaeze Ndigbo. In a statement issued yesterday in Onitsha, Anambra State, Uwazuruike warned Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State not to distract Ndigbo by trying to conduct another election in Ohanaeze.

altar of greed and personal political aggrandisement. Apparently reacting to radio announcements and advertorials from Ebonyi State Government that there would be another election into the office of the President-General of Ohanaeze Nidgbo in which it was sponsoring Senator Azu Agboti, Uwazuruike described as distraction the action of the Ebonyi Sstate Government to start talking about election of the president-general and national officers of the or-

ganization when the election had been contested and won. He said: “The election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been conducted and completed and the immediate past Presidents-General, including Justice Eze Ozobu and Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, among other prominent Igbo sons, were in attendance and Chief Garry Igariwey was elected unopposed when his compatriots from Ebonyi State stepped down for him. “It is quite unfortunate

that Governor Elechi is planning another election and as Igbo leader, I am warning him that Ndigbo shall no longer continue to suffer in the hands of the governors. “Ohaneze Ndigbo is not an appendage of the state governors and MASSOB has come out to identify with Ohanaeze Ndigbo. “There will be no other election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo anywhere any place and anytime because the election was conducted last Saturday in Enugu and someone won it.” Uwazuruike also warned that Ndigbo would resist

any incursion from the South-East governors or any government to drag its apex socio-cultural organisation into politics of selfishness. He said: “For very long now, the governors had used Ohanaeze Ndigbo to achieve their selfish aims, but I am saying that henceforth, we will no longer tolerate any form of distraction from any governor.” The MASSOB leader said Ndigbo had been united and would not allow any state government to use faceless elements to distract the unity of purpose currently in place.

PDP, councillors hold closeddoor meeting in Enugu

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State yesterday met behind closeddoors with its councillors from the seven local government areas in the Enugu North Senatorial Zone. Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public, the state PDP Chairman, Chief Vita Abba, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that it was to discuss party affairs. Abba said the meeting was organised with the party stakeholders to discuss internal matters to move the party forward in the state.

He said: “This is a political party and we should hold meetings to make the party better.” The party had recently suspended three councillors from Uzo Uwani Local Government Area for gross misconduct and anti-party activities. The party is also grappling with the prolonged absence of Governor Sullivan Chime who went on vacation in September. A source close to the meeting, told NAN that similar meetings would be held with councillors from the other two senatorial zones.

Anambra donates operational Two missing in Ebonyi, Cross River communities’ land dispute vehicles to SSS, Navy Obi expressed satisfac-

Displaced indigenes of Ndeagu-Amagu community in Ebonyi State, during Governor Martin Elechi’s visit to the scene of a communal clash between the community and Adadama community in Cross River State, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

wo persons have been reported missing at Ndeagu-Amagu community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State in a renewed land dispute with the Adadama community in Abii Local Government Area of Cross River State. A News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, correspondent, who was part of Governor Martin Elechi’s tour of the area on Tuesday evening, reports that some indigenes of the area suffered gunshot wounds, while many houses were burnt, as a result of the clashes. Ebonyi Youth Leader, Mr. Chinedu Ogah, said the problem was caused by the Adadama community over the disputed land at the communities’ boundaries. He said: “They invaded

our community, abducted a woman and a boy who is in Senior Secondary School, shot at some people, burnt several houses. “This is the sixth abduction from the Adadama community of our people since August 2012 and all those abducted in the past have not been found. “We restrained our people from retaliating due to the governor’s peaceful disposition at all times, to issues of conflict.” Ogah, who is also the Chief Executive of Chiboy Foundations, noted that the Adadama community encroached on their land and prevented their people from cultivating the said land. “They always attack our people whenever we cultivate on the land and they have even gone ahead to

build houses on our land,” he said. After an emergency meeting with community leaders and political stakeholders from the area, Elechi urged the displaced indigenes to return to their homes, as adequate preparations had been made for their security. He said: “You should offer restraint on the matter and identify strangers among you while we urgently look into the matter. “We will liaise with our counterparts from Cross River State to identify the real causes of the problem and proffer lasting solutions, as we cannot rely only on your account of the story.” Elechi also urged the detachment of the Mobile Police Force stationed in the area not to take sides

but ensure that peace and order returned to the area. “There is no war between Ebonyi and Cross River states but misunderstanding between individuals and communities of both states. “You should ensure that there is no fracas and injuries to any side but use your specialised trainings to maintain peace,” he said. The Chairman of Ikwo council, Chief Celestine Igberi, said he was initially in touch with the chairman of Abii Local Government Area, but nothing concrete came out from their discussions. “His people use engineboats to cross over to our side and attack our people and the policemen in this area can attest to this fact,” he said.

CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

nambra State Government yesterday donated seven operational vehicles, two tricycles and 10 motorcycles to the state command of the State Security Service, SSS, and the Navy. The five Hilux vans donated to the SSS by Governor Peter Obi were received at its command headquarters in Awka, while two vehicles were given to the Navy at its base in Ogbaru. Handing over the vehicles to the State Director of SSS, Alex Okeiyi, the governor said the gesture was in recognition of the agency’s efforts in fighting crime in Anambra State, while assuring that other security agencies would get their own vehicles at the appropriate time.

tion with the existing cordial relationship between his administration and security organisations. He restated the need for collective efforts to build a society with opportunity for all, assuring that his administration would continue to provide security agencies with more assistance to enhance their operations. Responding, Okeiyi thanked the governor for the gesture. He promised that his men would continue to do their best in the fight against crime in the state. The SSS director also assured that the vehicles would be put to good use. He also promised that his men would sustain efforts to live up to expectations while discharging their duty.

South South

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dickson’s family under fear of kidnap threat EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan (left), presenting the staff of office to Uku-Ogharaname, Orefe 111, Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, HRM Oyibo Eshemitan, in Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday.

here was palpable fear yesterday among family members of the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, following anonymous text messages of kidnap threat sent to them. The reported abduction of one of the sisters of the governor in their community, Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state by gunmen was rife yesterday, but police authorities in the state described it as a rumour. National Mirror investigation revealed that

Gunmen kill two policemen, four others •Amaechi orders SSS, Police to fish out journalist’s killers

DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

wo policemen and four other occupants of a car were on Tuesday night reportedly killed by gunmen along Harbour Road in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Our Correspondent gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 11.00pm sent residents of the old Port Harcourt township scampering to safety and shattering the relative peace that area of Port Harcourt has been enjoying in recent months. The assailants, who we gathered were suspected members of a cult group, had trailed one of their targets, who were in the company of two ladies, a friend

and the policemen to a popular joint near number 10 Harbour Road, in the city. An eyewitness, who did not want his name in print, told our reporter that the victims had entered their car, a Toyota Camry, to depart from the bar when hoodlums numbering about four blocked the vehicle and rained bullets on the car, killing all six occupants on the spot. Motorists, who were within the scene of the incident, took to their heels to avoid being hit by stray bullets even as residents of the area are now living in fear over possible reprisal attacks. Noticing what was happening, some motorists who could make a quick a U-turn immediately left the area while others who

could not do so abandoned their vehicles and scampered to safety. The eyewitness also said that the gunmen did not take any property belonging to their victims, including the vehicle that was riddled with bullets, adding that it could not have been an armed robbery attack. “From the way they operated, I suspect that they are not armed robbers because nothing was taken away from the vehicle. They only came close to the car and shot those inside it. “We gathered that two policemen were killed during the attack. Two ladies and two men were also involved. The gunmen operated like members of a cult group and people

within the area are still afraid of a possible reprisal attack,” he explained. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO , Mr. Ben Ugwuegbulam, confirmed the incident, saying it took place along Harbour Road in Port Harcourt. Ugwuegbulam, who however said five persons were killed, pointed out that the police had commenced investigation into the incident with a view to apprehending the culprits. In another development, the state Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has called on the State Security Service, SSS and the police to fish out a hit-andrun motorist, who knocked down and killed a journalist, Mr. Edward Alyemen,

two weeks ago. It was gathered that the motorist had rushed Alyemen, who was initially unconscious to the hospital (where he late gave up the ghost) and abandoned him there without making any effort to inform his (Alyemen) family or report the case to the police. Amaechi expressed sadness that a motorist could hit a human being and decide to abandon the person in the hospital, saying; “since the driver abandoned the man to his fate, then it is no longer an accident. “It is a serious matter because the motorist did not even report himself to the police. I want to call on the director of the SSS to join the police in fishing out the motorist,” he said.

some political appointees in the payroll of the state government are said to be wary of the kidnap threats by unknown persons in the state. Four days ago, after the kidnapping of the mother of the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Betinah Benson, by gunmen at her home at Korokorosei, South Ijaw Local Government Area, the gunmen are yet to establish contact with the victim’s family. Contacted over the anonymous text messages yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Fidelis Odunna, told our Correspondent that the state police command had deployed its personnel to the governor’s community and his private residence in Yenagoa, to step up security. Also in a reaction, the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the reported abduction of the governor’s sister was a rumour fabricated by enemies of the state government. His words: “It is not true that any of the governor’s sisters or any member of his family for that matter was kidnapped. It’s a rumour and our people must be careful the way they go about spreading false information. We are not ruling out the fact that this again is the handiwork of our detractors and their plot has once again failed.” Over 15 persons, including multinational workers have been abducted by gunmen in the state in the past two months.

2015: Ex-Milad urges power shift in Akwa Ibom

Three die in Ovia River with 33,000 litres of kerosene

TONY ANICHEBE

SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN

UYO

s the tenure of the incumbent governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, gradually winds down and the campaign for his successor intensifies, there has been behind-the-scene lobbying by aspirants for the plum job. Investigation by National Mirror shows that erstwhile Cross River State Military Administrator and a prominent indigene of Uyo Senatorial District in the state, Navy

Captain Edet Akpan Archibong (Rtd), has insisted that power must shift to Oron nation in Eket Senatorial District in the spirit of justice, equity and fair play. Archibong, who made this position known yesterday while interacting with journalists in his county home, Itu, said; “There is no point trying in vain to circumvent justice or bend the age-long and tripod system to our own detriment. “Akwa Ibom State has three sons: Ibibio (first son), Annang (second son), Oron (third son). For unity and peace to be sustained,

the rotational formula for the office of the governor, which has been in practice since 1991 when late Obong Akpan Isemin, from Ibibio bloc and Uyo senatorial district became a governor through a consensus arrangement.” According to the former military governor, it is on record that the Ibibio also took another slot between 1999 and 2007 through Obong Victor Attah, upon the agreement that the seat would be rotated among the three ethnic groups in the interest of peace and harmonious coexistence.

BENIN

hree persons were on Tuesday fished out of Ovia River in Edo State, dead. The victims were said to be occupants of a tanker supplying kerosene to villages and settlements from Warri to Lagos. National Mirror gathered that the tanker plunged into the river late Friday but that rescue operation only commenced the following day after one of the bodies was seen floating on the river.

Benin Toll Gate Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Adewale Ameen, told our correspondent that people were not aware of the accident until after the body of one of the victims was seen floating on the river the following day. Ameen said a National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers’ (NUPENG) identity card was found on the victim and upon inquiry, FRSC officials learnt that there were other victims under the river.

He also said officials of NUPENG had confirmed the identity of the ill-fated tanker and its victims. He added that following rescue operation on Saturday, they were able to bring out the engine and chassis of the tanker along with the remaining two other bodies. Ameen’s words: “The tanker is still inside the river with 33, 000 litres of kerosene. The tanker loaded from Warri heading for Lagos but plunged into the river. There was no trace until one of the bodies floated out on Saturday.”

Thursday, January 17, 2013

N4bn fraud: Audu running away from his shadow?

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Lagos deserves special status – Ikuforiji

2014: Oodua groups adopt Fayemi, Aregbesola OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

s the race for 2014 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states gathers momentum, 26 pan-Yoruba groups, under the aegis of Oodua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC), yesterday in Ibadan adopted Governors Kayode Fayemi and Rauf Aregbesola for the elections. ONAC, which is a coalition of several Yoruba and Itsekiri cultural and political groups, said the adoption was informed by the need to protect the “integrity of the Yoruba nation and prevent a decline of the growing public trust in governance at a critical moment in the race’s history.” In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting and signed by the 26 groups, ONAC said that it has “unprecedented stake” in the elections

of the two states, saying that the elections will determine whether “repression, gangsterism and despotism that have been expunged across Yorubaland will return or be finally vanquished.” ONAC added that the adoption came on the heels of the group’s plan for the O’odua Millennium Youth Summit scheduled for early February. The coalition was made up of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Oodua Liberation Movement (OLM), Oodua Students Coalition (OSTUC), Yoruba Farmers and Artisan Movement (YFAM), the Covenant Group, (CG), the Pro-National Conference Organisations (PRONACO-South West) and Yoruba Federalist Coalition (YFC) among others According to the groups, the adoption of the two governors would strengthen democracy and ensure sustainable

development in the SouthWest. Speaking through Akinwunmi Adebola, ONAC said it would defend the candidacy of the two governors “with our brain, strength and brawl,” warning that any attempt to impose ‘alien political forces’ will be met with unprecedented mass resistance. ONAC added: “We are

compelled by historical circumstances to adopt the governors of Ekiti and Osun states for second terms. We realise that Nigeria as it is presently constituted cannot lead to the total liberation of the Yoruba people, given its self-imposed contradictions and with the country currently being managed like a garrison state. However, our mini-

mum programme in the present circumstance is to ensure the promotion and defence of ideas that seek the ultimate goal of liberty, human rights, economic growth and elimination of blood-letting fuelled by political discord in the South West.” Noting that Fayemi and Aregbesola have laid solid foundation for genuine transformation of the

South-West through giant leaps in tourism, environmental protection, economic growth, nonviolence and ability to rekindle the floundering spirit and legacy of human capital development of the forebears of the Yoruba nation, ONAC admonished the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to take a cue from its standing.

Suswam seeks law on executivelegislature relationship OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

he Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, has canvassed an institutionalised arrangement that would compel leaders of the nation’s legislature to meet periodically with the executive branch to iron out thorny issues of governance as part of measures to strengthen the country’s democracy. Suswam, a former twotime member of the House of Representatives, who spoke yesterday against the backdrop of the ongoing face-off between the National Assembly and the Presidency over the 2013 budget, said dialogue was necessary between the two arms of government to resolve contending issues in the governance process. The governor came up

with this position while delivering a paper at a special retreat on the 2013 budget organised for members of the Benue State House of Assembly at the Obudu Ranch Mountain resort. Suswam said that his experience as former Chairman of the Appropriation Committee in the House of Representatives, showed a compelling need for consultations between the two arms before certain decisions are taken, adding that the principle of separation of power was to guarantee good governance and prevent abuse of power and never to create any friction between the two arms of government. His words: “We are not elected to fight but to work together to bring development to our people, there is therefore, no reason why we cannot work together.”

L-R: Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Wemimo Ogunde; Chief Judge, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade and Governor Ibikunle Amosun, during a court assessment visit of the governor to Ogun East Judicial Division, yesterday.

Oyinlola’s sack: PDP files stay of execution of judgement EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lodged a motion for stay of execution of a Federal High Court’s judgement sacking its National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, from office. Justice Abdu Kafarati had last Friday made a “declaratory order” removing Oyinlola from office on the ground that the South-West zonal congress of the PDP that threw up the former Osun State governor’s candidacy was “null and void”. The motion on notice filed by the party’s counsel, Kwon Victory, at the Reg-

istry of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, was brought pursuant to Order 32, Rules 1, 2&4(1), Order 56 Rule 1 of the Court (Civil Procedure) and Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Particulars of the motion indicate that the applicants are seeking an order of injunction (pending appeal), restraining the judgement creditors in the application, “whether by themselves, their agents, privies or assigns or any other person acting through them or howsoever, from giving effect to, or otherwise seeking the enforcement of the judgement of the court delivered

on January 11, pending the hearing and determination of the party’s appeal before the Court of Appeal.” Furthermore, the PDP wants an order of stay of execution pending appeal of all orders of the court granted by way of reliefs contained in the judgement of the court delivered on January 11, pending the determination of the party’s appeal before the Court of Appeal. According to the appellants, Order 32 rules 1, 2&4(1) and Order 56 rule 1 of the Federal High Court rules 2009, empower the court to stay the execution of all orders of the court granted by way of reliefs

contained in the judgement of the court delivered on January 11. In the party’s reasoning, a favourable application will ultimately prevent its appeal from being rendered “nurgatory”, even as it said the appellate court will not find itself in a helpless situation. It will be recalled that Justice Kafarati had on January 11 answered all the questions raised by Chief Adebayo Dayo and Alhaji Semiu Sodipo (plaintiffs), in an originating summons filed by their counsel, Dr. Amaechi Nwaiwu (SAN), against the emergence of Oyinlola as PDP National Secretary.

Politics

hese are not the best of times for the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Konbowei Benson, as he is involved in the political battle of his life over the alleged N78 million fraud rocking the Assembly. The embattled Speaker is battling to save his integrity, even as he claimed to be innocent of the alleged scam. Governor Seriake Dickson had approved N78 million meant for a South African trip to enable all the 24 lawmakers attend the 43rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association session, held between June 29 and July 8, 2012 in South Africa. Trouble started for the Speaker when a group, Transparency and Good Governance Coalition (TGGC), petitioned the Inspector General of Police, alleging that only three lawmakers out of the 24 attended the conference. The petition, signed by the co-ordinator of the group, U.F. Mohammed, alleged that the Speaker and others did not attend the conference, thereby diverting the sum. The group, therefore, prevailed on the police authorities to investigate and prosecute the lawmakers. But, loyalists of the Speaker claimed he could not have dipped his hands into the state’s treasury by virtue of his Christian upbringing. However, there are indications that the Speaker may lose his plum job if he is proved guilty in the court of law. The Speaker had earlier refunded N19.4 million being part of the unspent funds for the South Africa conference into the coffers of the government, following the criticisms of the “questionable” foreign trip. Investigation by National Mirror revealed that some perceived political foes of the Speaker are behind the plot to “ruin” his political ambition. It is not known whether Governor Dickson would eventually intervene to save the Speaker. Meanwhile, critics of Dickson said the governor has been flaunting a toga of “integrity” of his government, but has failed to facilitate the prosecution of some of his aides who allegedly diverted relief materials and funds meant for flood victims in the state. According to the critics, these aides were members of the Flood Responsive Committee inaugurated by the governor. Following the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of Nigerian Police indictment of the Speaker, his Deputy, Victor Sam-Ateki and the Clerk of the House, Aaron Timiye, the trio were recommended for prosecution to serve as deterrents to others. The SFU wrote a letter to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) requesting for legal advice. But the Special Assistant to the Speaker on Media and Public Affairs, Piriye Kiriyamo, denied the allegations and insisted that more than 17 lawmakers attended the conference. Kiriyamo said the matter is yet to get to a competent court of law. He said: “Those who are making the allegations are in a better position to prove what they are alleging. But, for us, we will remain focused on the restoration agenda of the present administration. Prosecution rests with the judiciary. Anyone can express personal view on the matter.” TGGL had alleged that “it was shocking that the lawmakers, after arriving the country, informed the people that the conference, which they never attended was successful and that they were better equipped to perform their functions. Unknown to Bayelsans, the Speaker and other

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Bayelsa Speaker and burden of integrity EMMA GBEMUDU writes on the question mark trailing the integrity of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Speaker, Konbowei Benson, over the alleged N78 million fraud rocking the House.

Dickson

Benson

IT WAS SHOCKING THAT THE

LAWMAKERS, AFTER ARRIVING THE

COUNTRY, INFORMED THE PEOPLE THAT THE CONFERENCE... WAS SUCCESSFUL members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly were said not to have attended the conference, but simply allegedly converted the funds given to them for their personal use. While the conference lasted, the Speaker and members of the House were allegedly engaged in a jamboree in Nigeria, until July 7, 2012.” Further investigation by National Mirror revealed that the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Bello Adoke, had approved the trial of the Speaker, his Deputy and Clerk of the House, over the alleged misappropriation of state funds. It was learnt that the office of the state Director of Public Prosecution is insisting that the Speaker and other suspects involved in the alleged scam should be arraigned in Bayelsa State High Court, because the funds misappropriated belonged to the state government and not the Federal Government. Meanwhile, as the saga unfolds, the TGGC has given the state Ministry of Justice a seven-day ultimatum to initiate legal proceedings against the leadership of the state legislature over the alleged misappropriation of public funds or be forced to do so through a court order. The group there-

Falana

fore, asked the Speaker and his Deputy to refund N56.77 million to the state’s treasury. The TGGC’s stance was contained in a letter written to the state’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), through its counsel, Femi Falana (SAN). It asked the DPP to follow the precedence set by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by its prosecution of two members of the House of Representatives for misappropriation of public funds. The letter further read: “In view of the well-known fact that Herman Hembe and Ifeanyi Azubuogu of the House of Representatives have been charged to court by the EFCC for misappropriation and conversion of public funds in similar circumstances, we have no doubt that the necessary charges would be filed against the said officials at the High Court of Bayelsa State

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

within seven days of the receipt of this letter. “Kindly note that if you fail to accede to our request, we shall not hesitate to file an application for mandamus at High Court with a view to compelling you to arraign the aforementioned suspects in court.” The TGGC further said prosecuting the indicted politicians would help give credence to the much-touted anti-corruption policy of the Federal Government, adding: “The fight against corruption which is an avowed policy of the Goodluck Jonathan administration cannot succeed if some indicted public officers are treated like sacred cows.” Meanwhile, the DPP has advised the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit (FCID) Lagos, to drop the case against the Speaker, members of the House and the Clerk, in connection with their trip to South Africa. In a four page letter, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, (FCID) Lagos, dated, January 9, 2013, endorsed by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), A. N Apokuma Esq, on behalf of the Attorney-General of Bayelsa State, the DPP stated that: “From the circumstances of the case, it is my opinion that a prima facie case has not been made out against the Speaker, members and clerk of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. “They did not intend to defraud the Bayelsa State Government. The action of the leadership in returning the registration fees and other unspent funds to the treasury of the Bayelsa State Government confirms that. “Accordingly, it is my advice that the case against the Speaker, members of the House of Assembly and the Clerk of the House be dropped.” In an interview with National Mirror, former state Secretary, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Alagoa Morris, said he was elated that the impunity of some political office holders in the state is being called to question, stressing that he had called for the removal of the immunity clause in the constitution due to large scale corruption among public office holders. He said: “The alleged criminal acts could be challenged even when a governor or President is in office. The prosecution of the Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, is a welcome development. If he is innocent, then no harm should befall him. But, if found culpable, then he should face the music, which includes impeachment. “I must thank Falana for bridging the lacuna and this will send strong signal to others. Commissioners and legislators should account for their overnight wealth in Bayelsa State and more.” While advocating that the over-bearing influence of these public office holders in their communities be questioned, Morris noted that they cannot be mightier than the people. Political analysts in the state have however advocated that other public officers in the state that have looted the state treasury should be brought to book to face justice. They believed this development would ensure transparency and accountability in the system. They said that the electorate are nursing doubts about the ability of the Dickson administration to battle the scourge of corruption among civil servants, elected and appointed political office holders in the oilrich state.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Politics

Lagos deserves special status – Ikuforiji In the last 10 years, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji has been the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. In this interview with journalists, he speaks on the litigation against him, special status for Lagos, 2015 governorship election, among other issues. FELIX NWANERI, who was at the session, brings excerpts: Are you not distracted by litigations and other allegations against you bordering on your stewardship as Lagos Speaker? Normally, there is no one who is in court, no matter who you are, that will not feel the pain of going in and out of the court; adjournment and all that. But the beauty of it all is that we are not new in the business of leading the House. This is my third term, and the experience gathered along the line has come handy this time around. My colleagues and I have succeeded in building a team. We get things done without any hassles. After first and second terms doing the same thing, we have built the Lagos House to a level that you can say it is on autopilot. About the case in court; I am the chief lawmaker of the state, and I shouldn’t do anything that will be against the law of the land. Because the case is in court, we wouldn’t discuss it. But the truth of the matter is that if the case started with a so-called petition of N7 billion fraud and after three months of investigation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) decided to go to court; not on those charges of embezzlement or fraud, because they have not found anything fraudulent, now its charges are that we have not followed procedures over certain transactions amounting to N500 million. That itself tells you the story. I mean the Speaker of Lagos State does not have a mint where naira is printed. So, if they say I did not go to bank, I did not go to financial institution, to obtain the cash that we used in carrying out transactions, then let EFCC tell the court where that cash came from? So, that one is for the court to decide. The distraction is probably within a few days, within the first few weeks during investigation when at any time they came in to ask for this and that. Immediately it became a court thing, we already know the charges; we already know we have no problem. Do you think the corruption charges preferred against you has anything to do with the perceived cold relationship between you and the executive? I think it is far from that. A lot of interpretations go into the relationship, not only in Lagos, but all over. To be honest with you, this is Lagos; if we can’t get it right, Nigeria cannot get it right. Personally, when the time comes, the story will be told. When it comes to relationship between the executive and legislature, Governor Babatunde Fashola will score a good mark. He came in and met me as a Speaker and inaugurated the House and I emerged again as the Speaker of the House. For him to even tolerate the idea of an independent legislature is novel, because most of his colleagues across the country are not prepared for it. This is probably the only place in Nigeria where the legislature is not an appendage of the Governor’s Office; it is a place where the legislature is independent. To me, if there is any great contribution that Fashola has made towards the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, that particular thing should be emphasised. He has done very well. Does it have anything to do with the 2015 polls? I will not say no; those who are after Ikuforiji know the reasons they are after him. Whether they are from within the party or outside, they know best why they are after him. As a believer and a servant of God, I don’t see much of this as any other thing than trials you must go through as a leader, like every other leader across the world who has

We need to get more serious about life and governance. We need to understand what it is all about and still set aside all the distractions that are not productive. Most of the states in the country are not better than a local government. Most of them, in fact, need to be merged. We should merge them. I don’t want to start giving names. Look at the other states, apart from Lagos, which state in Nigeria can stand on its own? So, if 80 to 87 per cent of your revenue comes from outside your internally-generated revenue (IGR), how can you say you are on your own? Lagos is the only one that has more than 60 per cent of its revenue generated internally. So, it is about the only one that can survive. When Olusegun Obasanjo cut us off from fund for local government (because of new local governments creation), other states all ran back because they could not afford to stand on their own. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu resisted and he was able to cope for that period. If the state was not strong, there was no way he could do that. So, as a person, my love for this country does not support creation of more states. You can make adjustments. In fact, you could merge some of them.

Ikuforiji

suffered one form of tribulation or another. Why should I expect anything less? In any case, God has been so merciful; I mean relatively partial towards me. Look, this is my third term as Speaker of Lagos, a state of 15 million people. Is it because of my academic prowess? Is it because of how handsome I am or because of my complexion? Is it because of my family background? No, think about it; it is not fair to just be expecting people to be fully satisfied like that with you once they see that things are going on well with you. Here we are, 40 of us; we are at peace. We are not throwing tables and chairs, yet there is progress. It remains the House everybody refers to as primus inter pares among other Houses in the country, and I am the leader of that House. I cannot say I don’t want people to throw stone or mud at me. It is just that we want people to be reasonable in whatever they are doing. That people will not envy you, people will not be jealous, people will not try to mess you up, forget it. What is your take on the clamour for state creation, even in Lagos? Honestly, I have heard some people calling for a new state being carved out of Lagos and so on and so forth. I don’t even want to go into the controversy. When you look at Lagos, does it really look like a place you should divide into two or three? I don’t want to waste too much time on it. I knew that the greater majority of the leaders and elders of Lagos wants Lagos to remain Lagos, and the role of the constitution also calls for a sizeable number of people from the area who will be interested in the creation before any creation can take place.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT TO PAMPER LAGOS BECAUSE... IT IS A PLACE EVERY NIGERIAN CALLS A HOME WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION

Are you interested in the 2015 governorship? If in the last 10 years I left everything that I was trained for to choose this new field of politics, it is of course understandable that if I want to remain in politics to the end of my active life, I have to be ambitious. So, if I have been in the House for three terms, shouldn’t I also think of something new? In terms of ambition, yes, I am ambitious like every other human being. But 2015, I cannot say anything about it now because I am a believer. Tomorrow is too far for you to start predicting as if tomorrow is yours. The one who made us, already has plans for us. Two, three years ago, many did not even know whether Ikuforiji would be coming back to the House or not, and I did not know myself. I didn’t know, but the one who made me, who knew me before he made me, knew everything. I have ambition, yes. I am just getting to the first half of this session and you want me to start predicting the next match when I have not finished this match. Please, let me get close to the end of this match. The clamour for special status for Lagos is gaining momentum; what is your view on this? Honestly, it is something very close to my heart. The very first motion I moved as a legislator in September 2003 was to get a special status for Lagos. I gave so many reasons, some of which I may not even remember now. The world over, cities that have served as capitals of big nations like ours are not abandoned. Once the capital moves away, it is in the interest of the entire nation, not just the interest of people who live there. If we are not used to the culture of waste, we would not enjoy what is happening to the infrastructure left in Lagos when the federal capital moved. You see so many things abandoned, you see the remnants of items of the old are still there and nobody is taking care of them. The federation should not continue to generate waste. Lagos, by special nature, by God’s own will, is the only city in Nigeria that can beat its chest to say that all Nigerians are represented here. Abuja cannot. No other state can. I don’t think there is any family anywhere in Nigeria, that does not have an ambassador here one way or another. Even the Koma people, I am sure, have their representatives here. So, it is the responsibility of a responsible Federal Government to pamper Lagos because Lagos is what we want of Nigeria; a place where all of us live. Look at the issue of okada; even people from Niger are riding okada in Lagos. The are the ones fighting the government. This is Lagos; it is a place every Nigerian calls a home without discrimination. You feel comfortable once you land here, no matter which part of the country you were born or come from. That is why Federal Government should be good enough to encourage the survival and progress of Lagos.

Politics

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

N4bn fraud: Audu running away from his shadow? The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, is on the run. SINA FADARE writes on the travails of the Igalla-born politician.

ecember 2012 will certainly remain indelible in the mind of the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Audu Abubakar. It was the month that his shadow refused to depart from him. It was the month the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared him wanted for offences bordering on conspiracy, stealing and misappropriation of public funds. The declaration followed the failure of Audu to honour an invitation by the antigraft agency. According to a statement by EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, an attempt by the EFCC to arrest Audu at his 32, Sulaiman Barau Street, Asokoro, Abuja residence on December 11, 2012 failed as he allegedly evaded arrest. The former governor was alleged to have fraudulently enriched himself to the tune of over N4 billion during his tenure as the governor of Kogi State between 1999 and 2003. The anti-graft agency implored anyone with useful information about Audu’s whereabouts to notify its offices in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Kano and Enugu or report at the nearest police station. This was a fall-out of a protracted legal battle, which culminated in the Supreme Court which finally gave the EFCC the go ahead to prosecute Audu. In a judgement delivered by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, the Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal was wrong to consider the questions referred to it for determination after being aware from the records of appeal that a nolle prosequi had been filed. Justice Rhodes-Vivour averred: “This is so because there is/was nothing before the trial court, so there would be nothing for the Court of Appeal to send back. It amounted to an academic exercise for the Court of Appeal to waste judicial time considering questions from a case that is no longer in existence. There was no longer live issue to be considered by the Court of Appeal in view of nolle prosequi filed in the trial court.” However, prosecutors said that the former governor fled his Abuja residence in order to evade arrest. Against this backdrop, the EFCC therefore declared the embattled former governor wanted, asking him to come and face the music of his deeds while in office. Uwujaren explained that “part of the setback suffered by the commission in the prosecution of the case was the filing of several applications by the defendant for stay of proceedings at the High Court, pending the final determination of the appeal.” Audu had on December 12, 2011, through his lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), filed the stay of proceed-

Audu

ings motion supported by 11-paragraph affidavit. This was 26 clear days after the Supreme Court had on November 16, 2012, struck out a similar application he filed on January 24, 2011. Reacting to the sudden disappearance of his client, Ozekhome, in a letter to the chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, noted that Audu did not bolt away as being speculated, but went out of the country for medical treatment after he had an accident on September 29, 2012. According to him, Audu legally travelled out of Nigeria through the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport as a free citizen of Nigeria on December 4, 2012. Ozekhome said: “Following the said motor accident, Prince Abubakar Audu had been immediately admitted briefly at the Deef Hospital, Aso Drive, Maitama, Abuja, for first aid treatment before he was flown to a hospital in London for further intensive medical attention as an emergency case, after he had achieved some measure of stability. “Throughout his over three weeks stay in Nigeria, the EFCC never invited him for a chat either by letter or phone call. How could he have run away from a purported ‘arrest’ that he was not aware of and over which he was never invited? We want to categorically state that contrary to the false position put forward in the widely circulated statement issued by the EFFC and reported in virtually all Nigerian newspapers of December 12, 2012, and on internet, Prince Abubakar did not flee Nigeria to escape arrest upon your ‘storming’ his house.” Audu emerged as the state’s first civilian governor in 1992 on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC) before the military truncated his tenure. He repeated the feat seven years later and presided as governor of Kogi State on the platform of the All Peoples Party (APP), now All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) between 1999 and 2003. In 2003, Audu lost his re-election bid to Ibrahim Idris of the Peoples Democratic

Lamorde

THE FORMER GOVERNOR WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE FRAUDULENTLY ENRICHED HIMSELF TO THE TUNE OF OVER

N4 BILLION DURING HIS TENURE AS THE

KOGI STATE BETWEEN 1999 AND 2003 GOVERNOR OF

Party (PDP). Audu’s problem started in 2006. On November 3, 2006, a panel of enquiry was set up by the Idris administration to investigate Audu’s tenure. The former governor’s loyalists had complained that the membership of the panel was anti-Audu and that it was an attempt to witch-hunt the former governor. Audu did not appear before the panel. And 10 days after it began sitting, the panel produced a report, which the state government gazetted and a white paper, banning him from politics for 10 years, was issued. But Audu insisted that the panel was a hoax and a ploy by his successor, Idris, to rubbish his political record. Audu had said: “The first time I learnt of the white paper was last week. They said they had set up a panel on November 3, 2006. By November 13, the report of the panel was ready and it was released and put in a gazette. This is something that should, under normal circumstances, take three months to accomplish. It took only 10 days. That’s not all. I was never invited by any panel to defend myself. We don’t know the members of the panel. We didn’t know who chaired the panel; terms of reference, not known; public submission of memorandum, not known. In the

whole of Kogi State, nobody was aware of the white paper panel, not even in the judiciary. All we saw was that the governor signed the white paper. This is very strange.” He regretted that the Idris administration left no stone unturned to ensure that he was nailed by all means possible and at all cost, saying: “They were very desperate to pin me down at all cost. Governor Idris took me to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the EFCC and the Code of Conduct Tribunal. There was no place he has not taken me to.” After a six-month manhunt for him, he was arrested in Jos in 2006. The former governor was subsequently arraigned before a Kogi High Court on December 1, 2006 on an 80-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, criminal breach of trust and embezzlement of public fund. A week to the rerun election, between Audu and Idris, the latter asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to disqualify Audu, the then ANPP candidate from participating in the election because he was indicted for alleged looting of N2 billion from the treasury. He added that Audu was standing trial at a Lokoja High Court on 80 charges preferred against him by the EFCC. Besides, Idris alleged, in form CF002B filled and submitted by Audu to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he had falsely claimed that he attended the London Institute of Bankers knowing fully well that there is no institution like that. He asked the court to stop him from contesting the election. Expectedly, Audu fought back in a counter suit at an Abuja High Court. He also asked the court to stop Idris from contesting the poll because of an allegation of certificate forgery and perjury. Both protagonist and antagonist have now joined the club of former governors. A school of thought had argued that Audu has a case to answer, as long as he is yet to be cleared of any wrongdoing by any competent court of jurisdiction on the alleged fraud. This school of thought argued that there could never have been a smoke without a fire. Reacting to the long footdragging by the judiciary to expediently try indicted corrupt governors including Audu, Debo Adeniran, the coordinator of the Coalition against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), said such footdragging would continue until a special court is created to handle all cases of corrupt enrichment by public officers. The human rights crusader told National Mirror that “the judges of the special court should be those whose antecedents can be ascertained; those who have confronted judicial challenges in the past and have delivered judgement without fear or favour. It should not be those who have one query or the other on the judgments they have passed in the past based on corruption or other manipulations of the process.” It is however yet to be seen how Audu would wriggle out of the present debacle, as the EFCC is hell bent on prosecuting him for corrupt practices this time around.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Signs of things to come EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

FRY

NDUBUISI fryndubuisi@nationalmirroronline.net (08023016709 SMS only)

he campaign posters of President Goodluck Jonathan lit up Abuja few days into the new year. Many have reasoned that the campaigns for 2015 might have started. The Presidency, through Special Adviser (Media) to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, vehemently denied the Presidency’s hand in it, saying it could be the handwork of some Nigerians that were exercising their rights to freedom of expression. However, some discerning Nigerians, not buying into the FG’s rationale, are of the opinion that the flooding of Abuja with Jonathan’s poster was his team’s way of testing the water over his second term ambition. Critical Nigerians believe the scenario that is playing out sign posts the foreboding trends to emerge in the buildup to 2015. In the gathering storm, the North, the South South and the South East are not taking things for granted. The North had earlier unequivocally stated that its claim to the presidency in 2015 was nonnegotiable. The resonating mantra is that power must shift to the North this time

around. The power oligarchs there are quietly working to actualize this. Strategic to the actualization of this Presidency for North in 2015, is the launch of a reunification plan. It is believed that such heavy political big wigs like former military President Ibrahim Babaginda, General Muhammadu Buhari etc, have bought into the project. The region, since power shifted to the South in 1999, believe, it is alienated from the nation’s scheme of things even though certain strategic positions like the heads of the police force, Customs Service, CBN, EFCC, NDLEA , the national judiciary and now Immigration Service, are northerners. Recall that General Buhari, the presidential candidate of the CPC in the 2011 general elections recently preemptively expressed fears over the transparency and fairness of the 2015 general elections, warning that any attempt to tamper with the electoral process would lead to catastrophic consequences. He maintained that as the PDP is not interested in justice, the CPC would take whatever measures to prevent the reoccurrence of the 2011 episode. Very strong language, indeed. Nigerians are all aware of the mayhem that took place in North after 2011 elections, including the cold blooded murder of innocent youth corpers . And from the South East, Ohaneze Nidigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, has been sounding it loud and clear that 2015 is indeed the turn of Igbo to have

THE NORTH HAS HAD MORE THAN ITS FAIR SHARE OF ACCESS TO NATIONAL POWER, BOTH UNDER THE MILITARY AND DEMOCRATIC DISPENSATIONS a shot at the Presidency. The Igbo have made the point that nobody from that part of the country has been given the opportunity to lead Nigeria that they sacrificed so much to build. The North has had more than its fair share of access to national power, both under the military and democratic dispensations. The South West is not agitating, having been one of the greatest beneficiaries of the Nigerian project. The South South that was sinisterly sidelined for a long time is now having its turn. What of the South East? Should they be left in the cold like strangers in their country? Ndigbo under various auspices are out to fight this injustice. They are gathering and mobilising their arsenals. How far they can go is what nobody can fathom. But we have to note the danger of taking any group for granted. The South South appears not done

yet. They are also threatening hell and brimstone. Their position is that every other group was given the opportunity to have a second term. To think otherwise now is like a declaration of war against them. They are thus prepared to resist any move against President Jonathan’s second term bid. Nigeria is indeed sitting on a keg of gunpowder. What is apparent now is that nobody and no group has monopoly of violence. We must be apprehensive of the prediction that the country might disintegrate in 2015. It may be naïve to dismiss this as mere noise making. We must at all time be conscious of truth, fairness and equity. Justice is at the foundation of all peaceful society. If you depart from this ideal the consequences may be grave. It is in recognition of the ominous signs in the air that a group of eminent persons, under the aegis of The Patriots, called on President Jonathan to adopt ‘revolutionary actions’ to halt the country’s acceleration to a failed state status. It is a big paradox that the North that has been in power for ages is still very desperate to come back not bothered by the fact that other groups exist that have not tested national power. Let us tread with caution, if we are interested in preserving the nation.

Professor Ndubuisi, an attorney at Law, is of the Dept of Philosophy, UNILAG

Re: Lamenting decline in Yoruba Nollywood

ince last week when my piece “Lamenting decline of Yoruba Nollywood” was published, a deluge of reactions has poured in. Some were denunciatory, others exhortative, and still there were a few others that agreed with my postulations. My intent here is to put the record straight through clarification on some areas which had engendered controversies, as well as purveying one of the reactions I found interesting. What actually led me to write the piece was a discussion with a friend, who claimed to have bought 10 Yoruba Nollywood videos of which nine featured supernatural elements that mocked reality. I watched some of them with him. While I won’t give real examples, let me give fictitious imitations of the kind of storylines we usually encounter. A banker, who had offended somebody, put money he had taken on loan in the safe in his room, then an incensed spirit materialised in the dead of the night and took the money away! A lady, who was looking for husband for many years, became desperate, and despite warning that she needed more patience, she picked the next wealthy guy that came along only to discover that the man was a corpse, who had died many years before! Let any intelligent person tell me if that is the way the real world operates. I venture to think every profession has some responsibilities that inherently devolve on it - these filmmakers are supposed to be social educators; but pray, would a child who has been constantly fed on the staple of superstitions, magic and empirically unverifiable assumptions like that turn

SOME PEOPLE

ALSO ACCUSED ME OF

“WRONGLY”

ASCRIBING EMERGENCE OF

NOLLYWOOD TO YORUBA ARTISTES. THIS POINT… COULD EASILY BE RESOLVED BY APPEAL TO HISTORY out to be a highly rational adult with a profound analytical mind? Some people also accused me of “wrongly” ascribing emergence of Nollywood to Yoruba artistes. This point ought not to generate any controversy as it could easily be resolved by appeal to history. The pioneers in the indigenous filmmaking in Nigeria (with the celluloid filming technology) were legends like late Hubert Ogunde, Ola Balogun, Kola Ogunmola, Duro Ladipo et al. Even when the home-video revolution occurred, it was started by late Alade Aromire and his Oriire Productions before the emergence of the more business-minded compatriots who now claim to have started Nollywood. Be that as it may, now I reproduced below a reaction from one Mr. Connor Ryan, whose submissions I found interesting on

the grounds that it expands the scope of discussion instead of degenerating into unnecessary vulgar abuses and ad hominem vituperations, like some reactions. He, via the USA Africa Dialogue series, wrote: “My Ketefe, I agree with a number of the points you made. I also agree the subtitling could be improved, though I don’t think the subtitles hinder a viewer’s comprehension of the film. And the titles do have many misspellings. But this point on cultural representation sidesteps what I take to be your main critique, which is that Yoruba videos do not take social education as its responsibility. The freedom of creativity afforded to producers of popular culture is a hallmark of Nollywood. It is an industry that never envisioned itself within the paradigms of filmmaking that predominated in canonical African cinema. We frequently are reminded of Sembene Ousmane’s adage that his films were “the night school” of Africa. In films, audiences could see the source of their alienation and oppression revealed. Nollywood filmmakers have refused these terms of filmmaking and embraced the freedom to shoot whatever stories compel them and their audience. They don’t seek to plunge down to the root of social immiseration, or bring us to a higher, idealist plane of understanding. They rest at the surface of everyday life and discover the romance, pleasure, misfortune, and humour that exist there. Yes, Yoruba films are disjointed, selfcontradictory, and messy. Yes, they are produced to give viewers pleasure. Yes, they are fixated on the superficial: money, sexy women, sexy men, flashy cars, fine cloths. But I am more drawn to what film

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

critic, Siegfried Kracauer, says about the “distractions” of popular culture. The audience encounters itself in these films, insofar as they encounter the fragmented, disintegrated, and contradictory nature of social reality. Moreso than the refined culture of scholars and artists, popular culture is more intimately related with the people who buy and enjoy it. These videos are far from banal, and that they are suffused with magic and humor is part of their virtue. In any film or play reality is refracted (or “distorted) through the film/play’s project of representation. In the genres most common in Nollywood, reality is refracted through melodramatic codes, supernatural deus ex machina, and comedic caricature. Whatever lesson or instruction they depart to viewers is offered not from above, but from below; it grows out of the common place stories that the videos depict.” Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.netmirrorlagos@ 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.

Editorial

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

STEVE AYORINDE

MD/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

YELE AKINROLABU

ED OPERATIONS

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

BOLAJI TUNJI

SUNDAY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

ADESOYE ADEKOYA

CONTROLLER, PRODUCTION

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

KAYODE BALOGUN JNR

SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

OAU at 50: Lessons on preserving university tradition

he Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, deserves to be congratulated for braving the stormy Nigerian educational and economic weather to maintain a tradition of excellence for the past 50 years. Established in 1962, the institution is among the first generation universities in post-colonial Nigeria. “Great Ife”, the sobriquet for the institution commonly used by its multitude of alumni and students, was founded by the defunct Western Nigeria Government as the University of Ife, but witnessed a namechange in May 1987 when it was rechristened as Obafemi Awolowo University, apparently in honour of Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo (1909-1987), the first Premier of the Western Region, who conceived the idea that gave birth to the University of Ife in 1962. Yet the history of OAU transcended the 1960s. There had been a forerunner in the Ashby Commission in 1959, which recommended, among other things, the creation of one university each in the Northern and Eastern regions of Nigeria to cater for the higher educational needs of those parts of the country. It also recommended the establishment of another federal university in the Lagos protectorate, to complement the premier University College, Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan).

The Western Regional Government, however, acted swiftly at the nation’s independence in 1960 when it foresaw a future situation of ethnicity that could erode and infiltrate the admission process to the point of politicization. Besides, the government did not want to tie itself with the rope of the existing federal university for a lifeline, or rely on the other regional universities before its tumultuous crowd of school certificate holders could be admitted. This gave rise to the thought on the University of Ife. The mainstream argument at the time was that the university would fill the gaps in the manpower needs of the region and that of the nation. OAU began with unprecedented programmes and faculties in the subcontinent of Africa: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Chemical Engineering, Electronics Engineering and Electrical Engineering. Its medical school started with an integrated curriculum and community orientation that the World Health Organization later borrowed from. The university, to a great extent, remains unique in several ways, including age. In a country haunted by a creeping culture of cultism on the campuses of tertiary institutions, Ife resisted the vice and purged itself of the antisocial behavior. It produced the fiercest radicals having been a

FOR A COUNTRY, LIKE OURS, THAT IS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP

PRESIDENT WITH A DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY QUALIFICATION… NIGERIANS DO NOT OF A

EXPECT ANYTHING LESS THAN GREAT STANDARDS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES notable breeding ground for a lot of unrepentant activists that champion the cause of the civilsociety; its Law programme has been a reference point in the comity of first-rate Nigerian universities, even as it produced some of Nigeria’s finest and most famous lawyers; and has always been a place where tradition coexists with modern life! Though founded on firm principles and traditions, OAU, like other Nigerian universities debased by politics, corruption, ineptitude, mismanagement and wrong prioritization, etc., appears to be ‘caving in’ as a result of bad public policies, like “federal character and quota system”, catchment area policy,

selection of the university leadership as against popular election by the University Senate, as well as government-induced industrial actions, etc. While we congratulate the Governing Council, Senate, management, staff and students of OAU, we specially commend the Vice Chancellor, Professor Tale Omole, for his visionary step towards rebuilding the institution, its legacies, and repositioning it along its famous glorious paths. In addition, we caution the National Universities Commission (NUC), the regulatory body for all universities in the country, on its stifling overregulation, which is now crippling the capacity of public universities to provide greater access to university education for more of the teeming population of Nigerian students. NUC’s regulations are having choking effects on the dynamism and creative efforts of the universities and, in most cases, extol mediocrity. We likewise implore the Federal Government to pay adequate attention to the development of its citadels of learning. For a country, like ours, that is under the leadership of a President with a Doctor of Philosophy qualification, and with adequate classroom experience, Nigerians do not expect anything less than great standards in public universities.

ON THIS DAY January 17, 2010 Rioting began between Muslim and Christian groups in Jos, the Plateau State capital in Nigeria, resulting in at least 200 deaths. The area has been plagued by violence for the past 20 years, motivated by multiple factors. The clashes have been characterized as “religious violence” by many news sources, although others cite ethnic and economic differences as the root of the strife.

January 17, 2002 Mount Nyiragongo erupted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), displacing an estimated 400,000 people. Mount Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano in the Virunga Mountains associated with the Albertine Rift. It is located inside Virunga National Park, in the DRC, about 20 km (12 mi) north of the town of Goma and Lake Kivu and just west of the border with Rwanda.

January 17, 1991 Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm began early in the morning. The Gulf War, codenamed Operation Desert Storm (January 17, 1991 – February 28, 1991), was a war waged by a United Nationsauthorized Coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq’s invasion and annexation of Kuwait. The conflict is also known as the Persian Gulf War.

Thursday January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today “Our investment in education, to curb violence” 21

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

he University of Ibadan (UI) said it had spent over 400 million in the last three years to renovate and maintain halls of residence for its students. This was disclosed by the institution’s Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Akinola Alada during a Town Hall meeting involving all interest groups in the university on Monday. The meeting was initiated by the institution’s Vice -Chancellor, Prof.Isaac Adewole for the management, students and other stakeholders to discuss pertinent issues confronting the university. Accommodation crisis on campus was one of such issues and the meeting was the second one since the incumbent VC assumed office. The dean, while presenting the cost of running the hostels in the university, stated that only one third of the students’ population live in hostels. He noted that electricity consumption on campus, especially by resident students alone took a huge percentage of the university’s fund. Continuing, he said: “Only 3,000 out of the 21,000 students in the university, representing 30% live in halls of residence but the cost of running and maintaining the hostels have become a big burden to the school.” Giving statistics, in a statement made available by the university’s spokesman, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, Prof Alada said: “ In 2009/2010 academic session, the school spent over N46 million to renovate the various halls of residence, the university spent N149m the following year, while from January to October last year, the university spent N317million. So, in the last three years, the university has spent over N400 million in the running and maintenance of hostels and a larger percentage of the amount was used to settle electricity bill. And when we compared these, we discovered that the money generated from the use of hostels by the students was only about N144 million. This means that the university subsidises students’ accommodation to the tune of N250 million but it is pertinent to know that the Federal Government does not give subvention for students’ accommodation in UI. The Federal Government has even told us to hand-off on accommodation. So, it is by the magnanimity of the management to continue subsidising the facility but as things were, we can’t continue to allow only 30% of the students to enjoy what belongs to all of us. The money we are using in subsidising can be channelled into research and academic activities for all to enjoy.” In his contribution at the forum, the VC, Prof. Isaac Adewole, asked all stakeholders to make sacrifice that could help in moving the university forward. He expressed worry over the indisci-

UI cries out over huge electricity bill

The main gate of the University of Ibadan.

WE WILL INSTALL PREPAID METERS TO MONITOR THE ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A DATA TO TELL USERS OF WHAT THE UNIVERSITY IS SPENDING ON ELECTRICITY pline posture of students, warning them that the university would not condone any unruly behaviour. He said “From all indications and judging from the previous meetings with the students, we discovered that the students were not all that interested in academics but only in their accommodation. And just like the Dean of Students’ Affairs had earlier stated, the Federal Government is not giving us money to run hostels. We sent a team which included students’ representatives to visit four federal universities to see how they run their halls of residence and they suggest-

Adewole, VC

Edosa, student leader

ed that the halls of residence should be run by Facility Managers. The second option was to increase the fee charged. But in the management wisdom, after many consultations, we decided not to increase the accommodation fee. We then resolved at setting up a Hall Management Committee to oversee the running of the halls. We will then use this academic session to experiment how the system will work.” The VC explained further that the school also resuscitated the cafeteria system where the students would be served decent meals at affordable price, adding

that the school would also provide electric cookers and fridges in the kitchenettes, where students would do light cooking. “Also, we will install prepaid meters to monitor the electricity consumption so that we can have a data to tell the users of what the university is spending on electricity. So, no student is allowed to bring cooker to the school again. Let us finish with this experiment, we will then review it and see how it works and if we will have to increase the accommodation fee. But for now, accommodation fee remains N14, 000.00,” he concluded.

Education Today

Thursday January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Enhancing mass education through satellite TV SIMEON NWAKAUDU

ndoubtedly, President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has made unprecedented progress across the country in the creation of access to quality education, especially among the less privileged Nigerians. The statistics are clear and the results are nationwide. These are facts that cannot be disput-

ed, even by die-hard critics of the administration. A few examples will suffice. Schools for Almajiris across the country, special girl-child schools in educationally disadvantaged communities, the on-going construction of schools for out-of-school boys in the South-south and South-east and direct intervention in the improvement of facilities in existing schools in the country. At the tertiary level, the Federal Govern-

ment established nine new Federal Universities with eight already on stream, while another three were recently approved. Within the same period, nine new private universities were also awarded licences to operate. This programmed improvement of education opportunities for Nigerians has been premised on the fundamental goal of creating access to basic and tertiary education

Clinical audiologist and executive director, BSA Hearing Centre, Lagos, Mr. Simeon Afolabi (left) being presented with an award plaque for donating hearing aids to some partially deaf pupils in Lagos schools by the State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye recently.

of the four-year strategy plan- 2011 to 2015- for the development of the education sector in the country. Beyond the achievements that have been recorded so far as regards the creation of access to schools for Nigerian children and adults, the Federal Government has resolved to directly involve the private sector in working out novel ways to reach those in remote communities across the country. The novel arrangement worked out between the Federal Ministry of Education and television outfit, Daar Communications Plc, will ensure that education signals in all subject areas in the basic education sub-sector are disseminated to Nigerian children residing in the 774 local government council areas of the country. At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), for the partnership between the Federal Ministry of Education and the media organisation on the project, Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, said the Federal Government was ready to partner with stakeholders in both the private and public sectors that are interested in contributing to the growth and development of education. He said: “We are determined to involve everyone

in the sector since government alone cannot shoulder the enormous responsibility of creating access for Nigerian children.” Wike noted that though the Jonathan administration had made monumental investments in the basic education sub-sector, collaborations were still required to increase access across the country. He announced that out of the N29 billion needed for the project, the Federal Government would not make any financial commitments, aside facilitating the participation of local and state governments. In his remarks, Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, said that the communications outfit would commit 22 dedicated channels to airing education programmes patterned in line with approved Federal Ministry of Education’s curriculum. He said that necessary infrastructure that will transmit signals directly to schools would be provided across the 774 local government council areas in the country and that satellite facilities to be located in schools would be backed by electricity generators to ensure uninterrupted learning. While disclosing that highly trained and qualified teachers had been recruited to deliver lessons

to students, Dokpesi added that teachers in respective schools would be expected to assist their wards in using the satellite facilities. On his part, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, said for the success of the programme, the states and the local government councils would need to buy into the initiative. He noted that the Federal Ministry of Education had already opened dialogue with various state commissioners for education and secretaries of the Local Government Education Authorities so as to ensure effective deployment of these facilities to schools across the country. The belief is that, through this initiative, many more children in the country would be reached. The programmes would be designed in such a way that children would have preferred watching them to watching of football and cartoon programmes on the TV. A comprehensive analysis of the expected challenges of the project has been conducted by experts with the conclusion that the programme can be executed successfully. Nwakaudu is the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of State for Education.

Teachers move to meet EFA’s target The availability of adequate and competent teachers, especially at the basic educational level, is a key achievement for Education for All (EFA) and the Universal Basic Education projects in the country by 2015. To bring about this target of providing about 75 per cent of school-age children with quality education, the Federal Government, in conjunction with the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) has organised training workshops for teachers in public primary and junior secondary schools nationwide. TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE reports:

he inadequacy of qualified teachers in schools has been identified as one of the factors responsible for the poor performance of students in public examinations in the country. From the basic to tertiary education, the common knowledge has been “there are not enough qualified teachers in schools.” Many teachers are even said to have ventured into the profession as a last resort having sought employment elsewhere to no avail. And this situation, over the years, is worrisome not only to the governments but also to other stakeholders in the very important sector of the economy. Against this background, however, the Federal Government through the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, recently

organised a workshop in which teachers in the public primary and junior secondary schools across the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were trained on the job. A total of 40, 0000 of them, mostly among those teaching core subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Basic Science and Technology, participated in the training held at three locations in each state of the federation and Abuja. Those from primary schools, were in addition, trained on Language communication skill, basic teaching methods, communication management skills and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to make them more effective on the job. The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, at the inauguration of the

Cross section of teachers at a seminar.

Lagos edition of the workshop, tagged: “The 2012 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) capacity building workshops,” explained that the exercise was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the quality of teaching and learning at the basic educational level in the country. According to her, the concept of Education for All (EFA) would be meaningless if the children could not have access to quality education. EFA is an initiative of the United

Nations (UN) that tasks every country of the world to ensure that about 75 per cent of its school- age children have access to quality education by 2015. That is only two years away. Although, Ruqayyatu didn’t say whether EFA’s goal was achievable or not by Nigeria within the target period, she promised that government would continue to give teachers’ education a deserved attention in its plans. CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday January 17, 2013

Teachers move to meet EFA’s target CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 She said: “Education has been discovered to be the heart of development for any nation and countries around the world which have made significant progress in reducing poverty in recent decades are those that have combined effective and equitable investment in education with sound economic policies, adding that, while the present administration would continue to support NTI, especially in producing quality teachers and upgrading their skills through the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) project, it would also continue to encourage the institute to undertake other programmes geared towards teachers’ career development. Ruqayyatu, while explaining that the Federal Government recognises the fact that teachers were a critical factor at improving the quality of education in the country, she noted that, competent and dynamic ones among them would ultimately produce effective human resources that would be useful for national development. She therefore said it was expected that the training would broaden the knowledge of participants and equip them well enough on subject areas of focus and this would in turn, enable them perform well in the classroom. While the minister urged the state and local governments to also embrace the culture of sponsoring their teachers on capacity building, she restated that, the Federal Government on its part, would not renege in improving teachers’ welfare and make the profession more competitive. Sharing similar view, Mr. Nyesom Wike, said the teachers, who, for obvious reasons, could not afford to enroll for higher education would no doubt, be out of date with current trends in education practice. He noted that unless such a teacher is supported through the continuous onthe- job training programmes such as the MDGs workshops, he or she may not be relevant in the present day classrooms. Wike, who is the Minister of State for Education, explained that, throughout the world, the role of teachers was gradually changing due to emerging trends and values in the society and it was as a result of this reality that the Federal Ministry of Education committed to the re-training of teachers, especially at the primary and junior secondary schools. “The target is to provide the children with a solid educational background upon which they will build on as they move up the ladder,” he said. While admonishing participants to remain steadfast and focus on the tenets of teaching, he told them that their responsibility of moulding the character of pupils under their care should be taken more seriously as any mistake in not effectively carrying out this task will spell doom for the future of both the children and the nation. On her part, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, whose office facilitated the project, also re-echoed the importance of the workshop. Apart from helping in the achievement of EFA’s project, she said the training would also be a booster to the achievement of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programmes in the country. Giving the statistics of teachers so far trained under the scheme, Precious said a total of 141, 114 teachers were trained in the first edition of the training in 2006. It involved 156,592 in 2008, 120,000 in 2009, 140, 000 in 2010 and 125,000 last year. And now with a new set of 40, 000 teachers nationwide, the number of teachers to have undergone the training in the last seven years will be totalling 722,736.

Our investment in education, to curb violence –Kano Governor’s aide

With 21 per cent budget allocation to education this year, Kano State, within the last two years, has injected N2.8 billion on infrastructural provisions for basic schools. A total of 501 students were also recently sponsored abroad for MSc programmes while another 300 students are currently being sponsored at some private universities for their degree programmes. In this interview with MOJEED ALABI, the Special Assistant to Kano State Governor on Higher Education, Hon. Lawan Hussain, reveals the real reasons behind the steps and the state’s projection for education this year. Excerpts: What is Kano State doing about its ranking as one of the educationally backward states in the country? You can see that I am here at the Bells University of Technology in Ota, Ogun State. It is unusual for a Kano man to come to study particularly at an undergraduate level and in a private university and not even a public university. So here are about a 100 students being sponsored to study in this university by the Kano State Government right from their 100 level till they finish their programme. Among them are 23 female students to show our commitment to girl-child education. We have set up a system meant to promote girl child education, so we are not subjecting our girls to a system of abandonment that will discourage them from having western education. We want them to be educated like any other person. It is the common belief that when you educate a lady, you are educating a nation but when you educate a man you are educating an individual. You can understand our seriousness when you consider the fact that a female teenage student from Kano can cross all the bridges down here to study. To make our objective achievable, we have also established girl-child science secondary schools and this is running very perfectly. Why the choice of Bells University of Technology? Well, it is not just Bells University of Technology that we are sponsoring our students to attend as another 100 are already enrolled at the Crescent University in Abeokuta, Ogun State and we are now planning to sponsor another set of 100 to Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, in Kwara State. By next year, we will be sponsoring another 100 to Igbinedion University, Benin, in Edo State. All these efforts are coupled with the existence of two stateowned universities; the Kano State University of Science and Technology which has been there for about 12 years, and a newly established Northwest University, Kano, which will begin to run this year. We have admitted about 1,000 students as the pioneer set who are to run various programmes in different departments in the areas of sciences, management sciences and natural sciences. But the students’ sponsorship seems to be focused on private universities. Why is this so? Not at all! This is not so because we had earlier sent a team of inspectors to many universities in Nigeria and the report of their findings was submitted for follow-up. As you are aware, public universities always follow quo-

(UTME) score of 190 and above, but to make it more competitive we have made it seven credits at only one sitting. All of them sponsored here must have seven credits at a sitting. Not even anybody with 180 score in UTME is sponsored; you must have 190 or 200 and above. To assure you that the selection is not based on party politics, I personally wrote to announce through radio stations and televisions calling everybody that possesses the listed criteria to apply and the various universities were available to select the students based on the conditions. We were not involved andi have never met most of the students. And if I may let you know, most of them are products of public schools who cannot even afford the fees of public schools not to talk of private universities.

Hussain

ta system apart from merit and the too many applications they receive from students cannot assure us of this mass sponsorship. So it is better to focus on these institutions that have assured us of admission for our children. We must also take note that we even went to some higher institutions to donate hostels dedicated to our students when we learnt that most of our students schooling outside the state usually face accommodation problem. We built one in University of Sokoto, Sokoto State and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in Kaduna State. We also challenge any university in the Southwest or South-South willing to increase Kano State admission quota to come up and we will build the hostel for our students. So it is not just a question of private or public university. Also, a total of 501 students were last year sponsored to foreign universities for their Masters Certificate programmes in various fields. Some went to Turkey while others were seconded to Ukrain, Malaysia, among others. Beneficiaries were those with First Class and Second Class (upper division) grades. We are already in the process to select the second batch this year and we are committed to it. What are the criteria for selecting the beneficiaries? The criteria are almost same as required by the universities. A minimum of five credits including Mathematics and English Language and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination

With this investment in education, do you think the current spate of violence in the north can be curbed? That is exactly the solution because the problem with the teeming population of our people particularly in the far north is lack of adequate education. Kano has been listed among the educationally backward states and that is why we are all out to change the order. That is why we are so much passionate about encouraging our younger ones from the primary up to the higher institutions to return to schools and take their right places among their peers from other states of the federation particularly the westerners. If one is properly educated how could he or she engage in the killing of another human being? There is nowhere you can find a well educated person killing his fellow human being. It is only the court that can decide whether anyone is guilty as charged and whether he or she should be killed or not. We will not encourage that and we are ready to ensure peaceful co-existence of Nigeria as an entity. That is part of the reason for bringing these students into the western part of the country to ensure adequate interaction with their colleagues. Most of these students have not even travelled beyond the River Niger and now they have been here for about four months and the reports show that they are coping very well. Could you give the cost of this investment? Well, that may be a bit difficult for me to answer, but you all know the fees payable to this university by a single student and from there you may guess what it is costing us to sponsor 100 of them here including payment for their three square meals.

Education Today

Katsina to recruit 3, 000 teachers JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

o fewer than 3000 teachers are to be recruited by the Katsina State Government as part of efforts aimed at improving the teaching and learning process in the 34 local government council areas of the state. The state’s Commissioner for Education, Prof. Aminu Kurfi, stated this shortly after defending the ministry’s budget before the state House of Assembly’s appropriation committee. Prof. Kurfi maintained that the recruitment became necessary for the take off of the newly constructed secondary schools in some parts of the state. He explained that the ministry was facing shortage of qualified teachers but that a budgetary provision had been made to cater for the proposed recruitment. “The state has more than “400 secondary schools and 2,000 primary schools, and we need teachers to cater for the needs of these schools,” he added. Kurfi however, said the ministry had resolved to intensify inspection of schools to assess the performance of teachers. “We have plans to procure seven vehicles for strict inspection to check the excesses of our teachers,” he also disclosed. Henceforth, principals of secondary schools would be held responsible for truancy by teachers. Kurif also said the state government was worried about the low performance of its students in public examinations like WAEC and NECO, but measures would be taken to tackle the problem. He said the state government was considering the introduction of mock examination, which must be passed before a student will be allowed to write both WAEC and NECO exams.

Thursday January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gombe community worries over eightyear- old school without teachers DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

he community leaders in Birin Fulani of Nafada Local Government Area of Gombe State have expressed their worry to Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo on the existence of their only secondary school that has

no permanent teachers since its establishment eight years ago. This complaint was contained in the list of the critical needs of the people of the community and presented to the governor in continuation of his constituency tour of the state, which took him to Nafada South Constituency. According to Mallam

Yakubu Mohammed, who presented the request to the governor on behalf of the community, if not for the NYSC members and patriotic educated citizens of the secondary school, which was taken over by Government since 2005, the school would have been without any teacher. He said apart from the principal, who is the

only permanent staff employed by the state government, academic staff of the school is made up of National Youth Corps members and some patriotic indigenes of the community, who volunteer to teach free of charge so that their children do not suffer in illiteracy. The governor was also informed that apart from Biri Fulani Town, over 40

villages in the ward are without electricity and the people demonstrated this by hanging lighted lanterns along the road leading to the venue of the constituency meeting. Responding, Governor Dankwambo assured the people of the area that the government would look into their demands, especially that bothers on education.

American varsity seeks FG’s intervention on accreditation IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

T L-R: Deputy Provost, College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Mr. Benjamin Omonijo; Provost, Prof. Francesca Aladejana; convocation lecturer and wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; during the college’s 21st convocation lecture delivered by Mrs. Fayemi in Ikere-Ekiti, yesterday.

Firm to introduce computer-based testing system to schools nationwide MOJEED ALABI

ne of Nigeria’s leading computer-based testing and talent management firm, Dragnet Solutions, is set to introduce the computer-based testing (CBT) programme to virtually all the higher institutions nationwide. The initiative, according to the company management, was specifically designed for tertiary institutions to raise the bar of innovation in the country, but may be extended to secondary schools also. According to the firm’s Managing Director, Mr. Robert Ikazoboh, the computer-based testing system, was a method of administering tests in which the questions and responses were electronically recorded, assessed, or both. He said it makes use of a computer or an equivalent electronic device such as handheld computer and it enables educators and examiners to author, schedule, deliver, and report on examinations, surveys, quizzes and general tests with accuracy and immediacy.

“Without an iota of doubt, CBT will revolutionize the test administration in our schools. The current system, pen and paper testing (PPT), faces a lot of challenges. Examiners still mark tons of scripts manually. Examination results are delayed which lead to prolonged follow-up actions, among other drawbacks. But all of these will be adequately addressed by CBT. “It guarantees efficiency in examination delivery, administration and scoring. It far surpasses the traditional manual paper based assessments as the manual efforts of human hands are replaced by the many times more efficient processing power of the computer. And also reduces the need for resources for many elements of the testing lifecycle such as printing and storing of paper, requirements of more invigilators to distribute and collect question papers and answer sheets. Also, CBT ensures that results are released almost immediately as students receive short messages on their phones with their scores. No room for lec-

turers who use results as tools of witch hunting,” Ikazoboh said. The company management believes it is high time Nigeria endorsed the good use of the system as it claims studies have shown that large class size in various higher institutions is inimical to learning but that with constant continuous assessments and feedback better learning outcomes will be achieved. “The problem is that it is difficult to have constant continuous assessments in large classes under paper-based testing system but the new system makes assessment and instant feedback possible and delivers better learning outcomes. It will also eliminate examination malpractices and maladministration and engender a sense of meritocracy, responsibility and transparency,” Ikazoboh concluded. He however, revealed that his company would soon enter into negotiations with relevant government agencies, particularly the Federal Ministry of Education, in order to actualize this lofty dream.

he American Heritage University of Southern California has called on the Federal Government to prevail on the National Universities Commission (NUC) in granting the institution approval to establish its off shore campus in Nigeria. The promoter of the University, Prof. Tony Ogiamien who spoke at a meeting with the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, said the university was ready to extend its cross-border education programme to Nigeria. He disclosed that NUC had invited the university’s team to the country and held successful interaction last month, following a letter of intent for the establishment of its branch campus in Nigeria.

Ogiamien, however, told the minister that since then no response had been gotten from NUC. According to him, the university, if granted licence to operate in Nigeria would not only help to increase access to university education for the teeming Nigerian youths but would also create job opportunities as part of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda. The minister, in his remarks, said it was in the interest of the Federal Government that more universities were established in the country in line with the government’s desire to increase access to university education. Wike, however, said the process of accreditation of a university in Nigeria takes a little time, assuring that something would be done “about the license requested for.

TASUED gets new VC

he Ogun State Government has approved the appointment of Prof. Oluyemisi Oluremi Obilade as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun. The appointment takes immediate effect and it is in accordance with the laws establishing the university. By this appointment, government has also relieved the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Segun Awonusi, of his appointment. A seasoned educationist and Professor of Education in the Department of Continuing Education, Faculty of Education of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU), Obilade has a doctoral degree in Education

from OAU. She also holds Executive Business Education Certificates of the Harvard Business School, Harvard University, United States of America, as well as that of Judge Business School, Cambridge University, United Kingdom. Prof. Obilade with teaching experience spanning over 30 years, was at various times, Commissioner for Education and Acting Commissioner for Health in Osun State. She belongs to various professional bodies including the Nigerian National Council for Adults Education (NNCAE), Nigeria Society of Educators (NSE), Adult Education and Poverty Reduction Network, United Kingdom, among others.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday January 17, 2013

Kano sponsors 93 students to Bells University As varsity matriculates 640

MOJEED ALABI

total of 93 students sponsored by the Kano State Government were part of the 640 students who were matriculated at the weekend by the Bells University of Technology, Ota, in Ogun State. The sponsored students,

including a total of 23 females are currently running degree programmes in the university’s six colleges including the Colleges of Natural and Applied Science, Food Sciences, Information and Communication Technology, Management Sciences, Engineering and Environmental Sciences. The initiative, according

Accommodation crisis in EKSU will soon end –VC MOJEED ALABI

he Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Oladipo Aina has revealed the university’s plans to end the perennial accommodation challenges being faced by students and staff of the university. The VC, who said the actualization of the vision to provide hostels for students and quarters for members of staff would take off this year, also noted that the effort is part of the re-focusing of the vision of the university to become a world class institution. He explained that the buildings would be put in place through Public-Private partnership arrangement and that the institution’s principal officers would occupy the first set of buildings constructed as staff quarters. Speaking at the first prayer meeting of the university in the year 2013, Aina said students’ hostels would further assist them to imbibe the university culture while also

boasting that the campus would be a” huge construction site” this year with the springing up of the new buildings for the Faculties of Agricultural Sciences and Education; the Entrepreneurship Complex and a modern School of Post-Graduate Studies complex. He also hinted that the welfare of staff and students would be accorded adequate priority as he said that an aggressive means to generate revenue through research, consultancy and other ventures are already being be put in place. While commending the staff for their co-operation and dedication to duty in the year 2012, Aina further revealed that there would be a transportation system on campus to ease trekking by staff and students. He urged them to keep up the momentum. During an exhortation by the founder of The Chapel of His Glory, Rev (Dr.) Kunle Salami, the entire members of the university community were told to always ask for divine wisdom and walk in the ways of God.

Okebukola to deliver NOUN convocation lecture tomorrow TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

he former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) and ProChancellor, Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Prof. Peter Okebukola, is expected to deliver the 2nd convocation lecture of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) scheduled for tomorrow. The lecture, entitled: “Open education and the

march to 20: 2020: Can Nigeria make it,” will hold at the National Art Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, at 2:00pm. The convocation ceremony with the conferment of certificates, diplomas and degrees in various disciplines on graduates of the institution will take place on Saturday at the same venue. Dignitaries expected to grace the occasion include NUC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie, among others.

to the leader of the team who represented the governor at the event, Hon. Lawan Hussain, is part of the state’s drive to step up its campaign to eradicate illiteracy and poverty outside the state, adding that “these are just few of the teeming population of students currently enjoying sponsorship by the state government to acquire university education. According to Lawan Kano State is unhappy with its status as one of the educationally backward states “so we are determined to change the order of things by giving education priority as a major step to get our people engaged and reduce to its barest minimum the current spate of violence in the region.” The university’s ViceChancellor, Prof. Isaac Adeyemi, who praised the

Kano State Government for the giant stride, urged other states and government agencies to emulate Kano State towards achieving an economically viable country. Adeyemi, who enjoined the new students to be studious, said the university, now with a total population of 2,047 students is “moving steadily but cautiously to the expected student population of 5,000 at full maturity.” He encouraged the students to socialize and relate with one another while they do not forget their primary objective of academic excellence. “Here at Bellstech, every staff and student strives for the highest standard of behaviour and to be the best. You are therefore advised to brace yourselves to work diligently towards achieving your aims without

fear. Achieving your aims means that you are going to devise a sense of responsibility and hard work. You are not going to spend your time roaming the university environment listening to endless music on your phones, watching movies on your laptops or engaging in idle talks with your friends. Music, movies and conversations are only complimentary parts of the university life and must not be allowed to take the place of your primary aim of coming here, which is learning,” Adeyemi advised. Meanwhile, the university’s parents’ forum has established a cafeteria and e-learning centre on the campus to support the university management in its drive to make teaching and learning conducive for both staff and students.

Cross section of matriculating students of the Bells University, at the ceremony.

Ogun teachers advised on safety, healthy lifestyle in schools TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

ublic school teachers in Ogun State have been admonished to educate their students on the need to take balance diet, practice good sanitation and engage in physical exercise at regular intervals in order to stay healthy all the time. The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Segun Odubela, gave the advice at a one-day workshop organised by his ministry in conjunction with Buzy Support Service at Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi-Aba, recently. The commissioner, who observed that it was the

responsibility of teachers to sensitise students on good healthy lifestyle and strategy that will make them free from diseases, assured participants at the workshop that the state government would continue to create an enabling environment for teaching and learning in schools. “This would promote a smooth operation that would enhance teachers and students performance and on the long run, improve the state’s education development,” Odubela stressed. He however, reiterated that the provision of free textbooks and other instructional materials to students in public primary and secondary schools in the state

and the introduction of unified examinations were efforts geared towards making both the teachers and students at that educational levels better informed. Earlier in her opening remarks, the workshop consultant, Mrs. Bolaji Akindele said the workshop would also expose participants to basic preventive measures that could be taken whenever a student falls sick. Participants at the workshop, which were drawn from both public primary and secondary schools in Egba Division of the state, had the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Ambali Ishola and directors in the ministry in attendance.

Governing councils: Committee of Pro-Chancellors call for tenure extension

he Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities has called for a five-month extension period for the governing councils that were earlier dissolved to enable them complete their tenure. Prof. Micheal Faborode, General Secretary of the committee, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that their tenure should not elapse until July. He disclosed that the decision was made at a meeting held last week Wednesday in Abuja by members of the committee. He said that the councils of the various Federal Government-owned universities were inaugurated on Feb. 13, 2009 for a term of four years. He added that the councils were dissolved through an announcement in the media on October 2012 by the Federal Government. “By our letter dated Oct. 19, 2011, we protested the dissolution of the councils, contrary to the clear provisions of the law establishing the universities,’’ he said. Faborode said that the Federal Government re-instated the councils with few exemptions on February 2012, without making any categorical statement on the period of five months remaining before the expiration of their tenure. He said that this was between October 2011 and February 2012 when the councils were not allowed to function. According to him, the call for the extension is not for personal benefits of any particular council, but simply in the interest of the university system, as well as the enabling Act establishing the universities. He said that as a result of this development, the committee had several formal and informal discussions with top government officials of and a letter had already been written to Mr. President. The committee appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to give due consideration to the issue.

Thursday January 17, 2013

Varsity part-time enrolment reduce in UK

he number of parttime students enrolled at UK Universities fell across the board last year, figures show. The change was most marked for parttime students starting the first year of postgraduate courses, where some 14% fewer students enrolled in 2011-12 than the year before the part-time undergraduate beginning their first year dropped by 8% in the same period. The figures are for the last year before the rise in tuition fees. The data, from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the overall student numbers at UK universities remained stable at just under two and a half million. This is because of a bulge in the number of full-time students applying for undergraduate degree courses before the raising of fees to up to £9,000 in 2012-13. The number of full-time undergraduates starting their first year at university rose by 2% on the year before, to 521,560. However the number of full-time postgraduate students starting their

first year remained static at 207,665, resulting in an overall fall in first-year postgraduates of 5%. The National Union of Students is calling for reform of the way postgraduate courses are funded and last October set out detailed proposals for a new loan scheme. Liam Burns, president of the National Union of Students, said: “These statistics further demonstrate the increasing barriers to access to part-time education, particularly postgraduate courses. “It’s likely that many of those who would benefit from access to these courses are older students in work, who would be helped by the model for postgraduate funding NUS has proposed, which includes provision for part-time professional development through loans co-funded by employers and government.” The government says the number of part-time students has been falling since a peak in 2008-09 and it is taking steps to help part-time students fund their courses.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FROM OTHER LANDS

‘I’ll never have to repay my student loan’

essica Winch explains the rule that means pensioners can take out a loan to cover tuition fees, but never have to pay it back. Christine Armstrong’s pension does not exceed the threshold beyond which student loan repayments are required. She went to university when she was 63 years old. Three years later, she holds a BA in English from Oxford University, UK and is now completing a Master’s degree. Like many undergraduates, Mrs. Armstrong was granted a student loan to cover her tuition fees during her degree, as well as a maintenance grant and a bursary from Oxford. But unlike most of her younger contemporaries, she was not required to pay her student loan back, as her pension does not exceed the threshold beyond which repayments are required. The recent change in the student fees system could make this a possibility for many more pensioners interested in a university education. Under the new

system, people don’t have to repay a student loan if they earn less than £21,000 a year. This threshold will rise in April 2017, in line with average earnings. Research from Prudential showed that those entering retirement this year expected an average income of £15,300 a year – well below the loan repayment threshold. So could a student loan be the ultimate freebie for pensioners? There is no age limit on tuition fee loans of up to £9,000, which apply if you are studying full or part-time and are paid directly to your university or college. To apply for a maintenance loan, which covers living costs, you must be a full-time UK student aged fewer than 60 on the first day of your course. However, there is the option of a maintenance grant, which does not need to be repaid, regardless of age as long as you are a full-time UK student. The maximum grant payable is £3,250 (£3,354 from September this year), You

Armstrong

may not be eligible for a student loan if you already have a higher-level qualification. Nichola Malton, an assessment manager at the Student Loans Company, said: “If a student has an equivalent or higher-level qualification already, then, they may not be entitled to any tuition fee loan support for their new course from Student Finance England. “There are some exceptions in the previous study rules set by the government, so it is important that the student looks into what tuition fee support is available to them depending on their circumstances and the course they are

intending to study, “Once they apply to us for support, we can give them a clearer decision.” Mrs. Armstrong completed a foundation certificate at Oxford’s continuing education department, which cut her degree down to two years instead of three; she was accepted by Harris Manchester College, which takes only mature students. “By then, I had found out that ‘mature’ meant aged 21 and over,” she said. “I lived in college for two years and enjoyed every minute of it. I never felt out of place; the youngsters were wonderful.” She added: “I worked through the legal executive scheme to become a lawyer and I was a deputy district judge when I retired. But I never had a degree and I always felt the lack of it, the first question people ask is ‘Where did you do your degree,’ no matter where you are in your career.” Telegraph

BBC

Makerere varsity ranks high in sciences

akerere University’s ranking has improved to the ninth overall best university in Africa, according to the findings of a new study. The Scimago Institutions Ranking (SIR) World Report 2012, shows that Makerere has leaped from the 11th position in which the Wobemetrics rankings placed it last August. SIR is a comprehensive ranking of worldwide research institutions, with the goal of rating every institution around the world that does meaningful scientific output. The ranking includes 3,290 institutions worldwide that together, are responsible for more than 80% of worldwide scientific output during the term 2006-10 as indexed in Elsevier’s SCOPUS database. The SCOPUS database is the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature and quality web resources with smart tools that track, analyse and visual-

ize research. The report, which annually considers the number of scientific articles, reviews and conference papers contained in the database, is good news to Makerere’s research efforts. In Africa, the top five universities are in South Africa. The University of Cape Town is number one followed by that of Witwatersrand. The University of Pretoria is third, Stellenbosch University is fourth, while the University of KwaZulu-Natal holds the fifth position. Nigeria’s Ibadan University is sixth followed by Tunisia’s El Manar University in seventh place and Sfax University, also from Tunisia, in eighth position. Makerere is in the ninth position before South Africa’s University of the Free State, which is 10th. The University of Johannesburg is 13th, while Rhodes University is 14th. These two are also from South Africa. Universities World News

Students enter Luis Vives Secondary School as teachers protest cuts in public education in Valencia, Spain.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Isle of Man students protest tuition fee introduction

sle of Man students, Irish Sea, are protesting outside Tynwald over the government’s plan to introduce tuition fees. Three demonstrations are planned by students and parents outside the Manx parliament, where members will vote on the issue. Last November, the education department announced Manx students would have to pay tuition fees for the first time. If Tynwald members

vote in favour, students could be asked to pay at least £2,500 a year, from 2014. St Ninian’s student, Jack Gibney, hopes the protests will show it is not just students, who are against the changes. “We hope to be joined by medics and other professionals, because the changes will affect many different people, on many different levels. It seems the Isle of Man is already having problems recruiting young professionals to come and

work here, making it more difficult for Manx students to get to university would hinder that process even more,” he said. Education minister, Tim Crookall, said that because of the “fiscal challenges,” the island faces Tynwald has “no choice” but to support the proposed measures. “If the regulations are adopted, our students would still be better supported than those in the Channel Islands, where contributions are higher,

and England, where they are expected to meet all their fees,” he said. Since the plans were announced last year, a Facebook group called:”The Student Organisation Against Fees” has gathered the support of around 1,365 people. Ex-education minister, Peter Karran, will present a petition signed by more than 2,500 people to Tynwald, on behalf of the island’s students. BBC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday January 17, 2013

UNIZIK students honour dean with Mojeed Alabi mojeedalabi2@yahoo.co.uk or mail@mirroronline.net

EMEKA ATTAH NAU, AWKA

he Students Union Government of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has honored the immediate past Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Edmund Egboh, as

the most outstanding dean of the university. Presenting the award on behalf of the students’ body, Dr. Ezenwa flanked by the SUG executives said the award to Egboh was in recognition of his laudable achievements. Prof. Egboh had recently upgraded and

refurbished the faculty complex; reconstructed networks of roads within the faculty and built lobbies for students’ class discussions and social activities. He also purchased a car for the smooth running of the faculty’activities. The outgoing dean while delivering his valedictory speech attributed his successes to the support of both the staff and

students of the faculty and the university’s vicechancellor, who he said encouraged him to make use of the internally generated revenue for the faculty’s development. “Most of these projects were also carried out through competitive bidding by contractors to ensure transparency and both staff and students of the faculty provided the

moral support which saw the actualization of these projects,” Egboh said. During his tenure both lecturers and students affirmed that the faculty produced several PhD holders and other categories of graduates while they also acknowledged his staff welfare support. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Boniface Egboka, while commissioning

the projects described the efforts as marvelous and the result of what willpower can do. He charged other deans and those holding different positions to always strive to make positive changes while in office. The VC also lauded the staff and students of the faculty for their support towards the actualization of the dean’s dreams.

Students enjoined to emulate good virtues ABASS ALOBALOWO 300L, ENG. LAN., OAU

Prof. Edmund in handshake with Dr. Ezenwa during the ceremony.

NANS appeals to Amosun over TASUED merger DHIKRULLAH AKINOLA 400L, POL SC, OAU

he president-elect of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Yinka Gbadebo, has appealed to the Ogun State Government to reconsider its earlier decision to merge the Tai Solarin University of Education, (TASUED), with the state-owned Olabisi Onabanjo University at Ago-Iwoye. Comrade Yinka Gbadebo made this known in a statement made at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, over the weekend. He said the new leadership of NANS was compelled to write the open letter as part of its commitment to the struggle for quantitative and qualitative education in Nigeria. The NANS national secretariat, he maintained, believed that the first step towards the resolution of any crisis should be dialogue, and therefore appealed to the state government to reconsider its position and allow the status quo to remain. He enjoined the state to inject adequate fund into the institution and make it attain the status of a leading education univer-

sity in Africa. “Whether we like it or not teachers are nation builders and no nation can grow without its teachers. It is therefore better to invest in teachers than even other professions. So NANS advises the state government to take a look back at its decision and listen to the people’s voice over this very important matter. “From available statistics, Ogun State currently produces graduates of

about 55,000 at the secondary schools education level, which naturally cannot be effectively contained by the available tertiary institutions in the state, hence the need to establish more tertiary institutions and the need to strengthen the existing ones and the institution in question, according to the NUC, ranks one of the best universities in Nigeria. So it will be unwise to phase out such an institution,” Gbadebo said.

Alleged phone thief nabbed in EKSU

notorious pilferer, Victor Adebayo, who parades himself as a student of the Part-Time Programme of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has been apprehended by the institution’s security men shortly after snatching a phone belonging to a PreDegree programme student on the campus. The phone snatcher, also known as Adebayo Arowolo reportedly admitted to his crime in the presence of the university’s security officer, Captain Augustine Ajayi (Rtd) before he was transferred to the Police Criminal Investigation Department in Ado-Ekiti. Victor, who said he hailed from Okene in Kogi

State claimed to be studying Business Administration in the university. He is reported to be a notorious phone snatcher, having been reportedly involved in several of such cases within Ado-Ekiti metropolis. Meanwhile, the ViceChancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina has vowed to rid the university of fake students who, he said, constitute themselves as undesirable elements on campus.

Victor

tudents of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, who hailed from Saki in Oyo State have been enjoined to learn good virtues and strive to contribute to the country’s development. This advice was offered recently during the sixth edition of Oba Abimbola Annual Memorial Lecture, organised by the students under the banner of Ife Varsity Saki Students’ Union. It was themed; The Making of a Sustainable City- Concept, Characteristics, Stakeholders, Issues and Challenges. Justice Mutalubi Abimbola of the Oyo State High Court of Justice, who represented the family of the late Oba, said he was delighted with the memorial lecture in honour of his late father, saying that the late monarch will be happy in the grave. He encouraged the students to be pro-active in their studies and be good ambassadors of Saki land. The guest speaker, Prof. Tajudeen Aluko, who frowned at the environmental degeneracy in

the country, held a strong belief that clean environment and economic growth are complementary to each other, adding that it results to a vibrant community who see themselves as stakeholders in all aspects of daily life. Aluko, who is also a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, in Osun State, emphasized that the core areas inhabited by human beings are usually characterized by problems associated with haphazard development, poor access and drainage system, improper refuse dumps and a critical dearth of community and allied recreational facilities. He asserted that more frightening and discernible are the general human and environmental poverty and the declining quality of life. To address the problem, Aluko noted that the nation’s master plans have to be updated adding that the frustration of professional planners in a city can be imagined in the absence of a standardized arrangement. He also urged the Federal Government to put in place an enabling envi-

ronment to drive private sector participation in infrastructure provision in recognition of the huge investment required. Welcoming dignitaries to the occasion, the chairman, Chief Isaac Koleosho, extolled the virtues of the late royal father, saying that the youths should emulate good deeds and not run after money. Advising the students, the patron of the association, Deacon ‘Niyi Ojo told the students to be focused in their studies and exert their best in everything they do as they are the future of tomorrow. The president of the association, Adetayo Sarafadeen, a final year student of Microbiology said he was happy with the success the programme recorded, charging the incoming executive members to continue the good work. The president of the association, Adetayo Sarafadeen, a final year student of Microbiology said he was happy with the successful organisation of the programme, charging the incoming executives to continue from where he stopped.

Ajasin varsity alumni holds reunion in Lagos gramme organized by the Ipaja, Lagos, Nigeria. DAYO OJERINDE

he 2010 set of the graduates of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences Association (SOMASSA), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State (AAUA) have met in Lagos as part of efforts to further cement their relationships and work towards the university’s growth and development. Themed; Unity in Diversity, the event was recently held at the Havannah Suite, Gowon Estate,

Speaking on the rationale behind the gathering, the convener, Opeyemi Akinfaderin, who was the president of the Economics Department while in school said; “There are several reasons why we think there must be a re-union for the AAUA SOMASSA Class of ‘10, and these are; to provide opportunity for personal growth and development, to develop professional and leadership skills, to unite, support and assist members in achieving their individual goals by attending and contributing to pro-

members, among others.” The association, which consists of the 2010 graduates from the Departments of Accounting, Business Administration, Banking & Finance, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science and Public Administration and Geography, shall according to Akinfaderin be opened to all supposed members. One of the members, Temiola Joshua, who graduated from Economics Department, lauded the initiative while submitting that it would help members in a long way.

Thursday January 17, 2013

he opening headline today: “Assad’s wife, children caught trying to escape” Now the story: “Scroll down to see video of yesterday’s troop offensive.” Newsreel extracts for publication should be edited and not slothfully and slovenly slammed without any modicum of professionalism and regard for the reader. “…although there may be some few flaws” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Politics, January 11) ‘Some’ and ‘few’ cannot cofunction. Either: a few or some flaws. “…journalists working in troubled spots around the world” This way: trouble spots “…for instance the Nigerian Union of Journalists, is largely, a trade union.” (Source: as above) Get it right: Nigeria Union of Journalists “…it signifies the complete failure of the Police in its (their) duty of safeguarding lives and property (life and property or lives and properties—if classically applied). “How to bouy Nigeria’s capital vote profile, by NACCIMA” Spell-check: buoy. “His very presence in (on) a government premises in the company….” “We’ve restored peace in (to) Rivers—Amaechi” “…hired assassins have done great havoc with guns acquired illegally.” (THE NATION, January 30) All mercantilist killers (assassins) are hired! So, there is no need padding/qualifying the obnoxious word. “He said the trend is (was) that customers will be served….” (THE NATION ON SUNDAY, January 13) “Clerics calls (why?) for national confab (sic)” (Source: as above) The cleric called for a national conference “Former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late General Sani Abacha….” A voice of your own: Former CSO to the (take note of the article) late….

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Some’ and ‘few’ cannot co-function “The magnitude of their losses also vary (varies).” (Saturday Mirror, January 12) “Govt officials, electricity workers in close-door meeting” No power holding here: closeddoor meeting. “It would interest some people to know that in spite of series of attacks….” Politics: a (also take note of the article) series of attacks…. “We gave our all—Senegal captain” A voice of your own: Senegalese captain SUNDAY Sun of January 13 lit an error: “Okorocha urges Nigerians to be their brothers’ keepers” No news (fixed expression): brother’s keeper (plural context notwithstanding). “160 Chadians arrested over (for) Kano attacks” When will this goof stop? “Saraki commends Jonathan over (for) negotiations with Boko Haram” “…it was seen as a child of necessity aimed at restoring the primary education sub- sector which was in crisis (sic) then back to a sound foundation.” Scrap ‘back’ to avoid being charged with word abuse. ‘Restoration’ has taken care of the verbiage. “All that we have in the present Nigerian society is an hostile (a hostile) environment for the youths and children.” Either: youths or the youth. “Having succeeded in intimidating their opponents at primaries, the electorate became a work-over....” A time to learn: walk-over. “Thereafter he shifted to Malta Guinness where he warmed (wormed) his way into (to) the hearts of journalists and advertising agencies alike.” “In Samaria of old, when BenHadad, King of Aram, laid a siege on (to) the capital of Israel….” “Anyone who monitored the mobilization of women in the

NEWSREEL

EXTRACTS FOR PUBLICATION SHOULD BE EDITED AND NOT SLOTHFULLY AND SLOVENLY SLAMMED last fifteen years in Nigeria could imagine positive results that could have been achieved if the country’s First Ladies have (had) been sincere.” “Because of an improved revenue base, the governor said that the government is (was) in a good position….” “What stops us from returning to the heydays (heyday) of the school.…?” “This does not mean that a lady should not be congratulated for (on) a safe delivery.” “Many of the specie (species) had run amuck simply on the suspicion that another woman is nipping at the apple.” “Industry players blamed the high cost of borrowing from the money market to (on) a number of factors.” “It is high time we make (made) such people pay....” “…especially with regards to human development.” This way: as regards or with regard to. “While congratulating the Federal Government for (on/ upon) this bold move....” “…as the North would be placed on an even keel or competing favourably with their kiths and kin in the South.” Fixed expression: kith and kin. “Tears of instability of power has (have) caused many a Nigerian to turn their attention to alternative sources of power supply.” “The most interesting news

item in recent times is the marching order given to the Nigerian Police” Stock phrase: marching orders. “The police strenght is inadequate to cope with the security of a large population of 120 million Nigerians.” Spell-check: strength. And this: straight. “News from reliable sources tend (tends) to portray a government tendency itching (do you mean inching?) towards sustenance.…” Clean advert copies make a good read because of their usually interesting nature and editorial slant. “That way you don’t miss any of the action (actions) in….” “Please note that vehicle plate numbers with proofs of ownership are required for obtaining new Tags/Stickers.” This way: number-plate. “Solutions for a cash-lite Lagos” Solutions to (not for). “Cote d’ Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea in make or mar encounter” Sport: make-or-mar encounter “Ad, media stakeholders partners on value addition” Brands and marketing: partner “Winners emerge in LG win a trip to Dubai promo” Life is Good: LG’s win-a-trip-to-Dubai promo “His depth and finesse as a professional stands (stand) him out amongst equal….” Current trend: among equal…. “Fire guts ATM machine, office equipment at MMA2” It is mandatory to drop ‘machine’ from that headline! “Communities benefit from World Bank assisted dev project” Voice of The Nation: World Bank-assisted dev project “All strategic decisions in the Peoples Democratic Party under the tepid and visionless presidency of Goodluck Jonathan are taken by a caucus of mediocres.” Get it right by using any of

these: mediocrities, mediocrists or the mediocrity. ‘Mediocre’ is exclusively an adjective. “Ex-head of states, who have cracked and liquidated the nation’s coffers, are to be paid N2.1 billion this year.” Building a new nation: Ex-heads of state. “Vocational equipments, basic infrastructures and qualified personnels must be given priority in our scheme of things.” Uncountable words: equipment and personnel. “The news of the death of… via a ghastly motor accident recently came as a rude shock to us.” Advert condolence: fatal (not ghastly) motor accident. Beyond the correction, since the man died, there was no need for the inclusion of the mode of mishap. Simply: a motor accident. Got the point? “But suffice it to say that those rooting to unseat a recalcitrant lawmaker should be abreast with (of) the legal bottlenecks rather than armtwisting.” “Even there is a lacunae in the recall clause.” Singular: lacuna; plural: lacunae or lacunas. “It is very easy for a moneybag (a moneybags) who has lust to be an assembly man to obtain fake signatures of voters.” “…our eating and living habits can predispose our systems for (to) such diseases as....” “2 vigilante men roasted” First: 2 vigilance men; second: the men were burnt, not roasted! Have we lost our human dignity? “…that is a prerequisite for development in (on) the African continent.” “This is tragic and a degradation of human specie (species).” “Staff of the Federal Ministry of Education and its agencies in Lagos has (have) been told they have till next weekend to present their papers.”

Why education standard is declining –Proprietress MOJEED ALABI

he loss of societal value system has been advanced as the cause of education decline in Nigeria. Proprietress of Soundhope Schools, Ipaja, Lagos State, Alhaja Bimbo Monayajo, made this observation

in Lagos recently. She said the decadence being witnessed in the country had caused untold damage to the expected continued education development and that the get-rich-quick syndrome had also pre-occupied the minds of students across the nation. “Whatever ill being witnessed in Nigeria today has

not gone unnoticed by the children in schools. The adverse effect on them is that they no longer appreciate hard work as a prerequisite for success as it used to be during our own days as school children,” Monayajo said, noting that governments, parents, as well as teachers had roles to play in upgrading edu-

cation from the abyss it is currently situated. “Time has come when we have to accept the fact that we have a huge stake in this issue because we cannot deny that education is the foundation for the future that we desire. Government must therefore provide the right infrastructure and teachers

must always update their knowledge especially in the information technology sphere while parents must complement government and the teachers by paying more attention to their wards,” she added. On the UNESCO’s target for wholesome education for people in all countries of the world by 2015,

Monayajo, whose schools comprise nursery, primary and secondary, said Nigeria had not worked efficiently to meet up with the target. “There is still a lot to be done and it goes beyond seeing education officers making pronouncements in the media. The prospects are yet to be felt in real terms,” she said.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

U-19 World Championship: Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire to fly Africa’s flag 30

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

With humility, we can end our 21-year wait for the AFCON trophy at South Africa 2013 –Former Cote d’Ivoire international, Abdoulaye Traore

Stallions miss Traore, Kabore against Nigeria

urkina Faso will launch their Africa Cup of Nations 2013 campaign against Nigeria without two of their stars, Alain Traoré and Charles Kaboré. The FC Lorient striker and saviour of the Stallions in this competition’s qualifiers, Alain Traoré, did not receive the green light from the medical staff for the first match, as he has not yet fully recov-

ered from his heel injury. As for the Olympique Marseille midfielder and vice-captain of Burkina, Charles Kaboré, he is suspended for accumulation of yellow cards. So a diminished Stallions outfit will measure strengths with the Super Eagles in Group C on Monday in Nelspruit, while Zambia will meet Ethiopia in the group’s other match.

Fans to enjoy free transportation

Super Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi (third left) and his players in celebrating a goal during a friendly game in Faro, Portugal

AFCON: Envoy happy with Eagles’ hotel

igerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Sonni Yusuf, has expressed satisfaction with the facilities at the disposal of the Super Eagles for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicking off on Saturday. Yusuf told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg yesterday that the team got the best hotel allocated to it. Eagles will be staying at the Ingwenyama Conference and Sports Resort, Mbombela. “I must say that the Super Eagles, of the four teams in the group, have the best facilities; the hotel has two standard training pitches located within its precincts. “We also intend to meet with the LOC on the issue of accreditation for key government officials to have access to the team and to discuss other logistics required for the team,” Yusuf said. The High Commissioner added, “The hotel that the team will be staying in was used for the 2010 World Cup and is still in very good shape; it is located in a secluded area of the town, with heavy security.” Yusuf said that the mission had notified the Nigerian community in South Africa to come out

en masse to support the Super Eagles. “In the area of support for our team, there will be no problem at all. Nigeria has one of the largest immigrant populations in South Africa. The proximity of Mbombela to Mozambique, where we also have a large Nigerian community is another advantage for us. “So starting from Thursday (today) when the team will arrive in South Africa, the huge support of the Nigerian community in South Africa will be felt,” Yusuf said. Meanwhile, the High Commissioner has charged members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club in Mbombela,

who accompanied him on the inspection of facilities to be good ambassadors of the country. “I want to express the pleasure of the mission at the enthusiasm your group has been displaying towards our national team. But I must say that this is not a do or die situation; football and sports as a whole is to foster good relationships between people, in this case the purpose is to promote unity among African nations.” He appealed to the Supporters’ Club members and other fans to stay away from the Eagles’ hotel, so as not to distract them.

he Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has concluded a milestone Public Transport agreement for fans with CAF and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 29th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. The transport agreement is for the provision of free train services within metropolitan cities in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal for fans with valid match tickets as well as journalists and other officials carrying accreditation from the Orange AFCON 2013 LOC. In Gauteng, PRASA will make available 20 dedicated trains which will ferry passengers

from Pretoria, Johannesburg, Soweto and Vereeniging to Nasrec Station. This service will be for the opening and the final match of the tournament. For KwaZulu-Natal soccer fans will have 26 dedicated trains transporting them from surrounding townships such as Mlazi and KwaMashu, directly to Moses Mabhida Stadium. Each train has the capacity to carry up to 2000 passengers and the trains will move more than 40,000 soccer fans directly to the stadia. Two long distance dedicated trains will be made available for fans travelling from Gauteng to Mbombela at a fee to be determined by PRASA.

…NOA calls for total support for team

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI

he National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerians to believe in the Super Eagles and support the team as the 29th Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in South Africa. Director-General of the NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri, made the call in Abuja yesterday, while on a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). “We all have a patriotic duty to have faith in the Super Eagles, to do everything within our power at various levels to support the team for this competition. At the

National Orientation Agency, we are calling on all Nigerians to rise up and believe in the Super Eagles. “Football is the major event that brings all of us together, as Nigerians. The Nigeria Football Federation has done its duty of preparing the team very well for the championship, and also to make arrangements for its participation. It is now the turn of Nigerians to give support,” Omeri said. “Nigeria can be the best in everything we do, and I believe that with the preparation that the team has had and the patriotic

fervour of the players and officials, they will triumph in South Africa,” Omeri added. Responding, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, thanked the NOA for the wonderful job it has been doing to rekindle the fire of patriotism in Nigerians and promised that the Super Eagles would not disappoint in South Africa. The NOA delegation presented to the NFF leadership some National Flags, CDs of the National Anthem and scripts of The Pledge while the NFF handed over some adidas wears in return

Maigari

Sport

Thursday, January 17, 2013

‘Why Polo action is on the decrease’ AFOLABI GAMBARI

he organisers’ resolve not to take chances with the security situation in Nigeria, occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency, has casual a lull in polo in the northern part of the country. Activities characterized the organization of polo whose local and international competitions are staged annually in Kaduna, Kano, Jos and Katsina with sponsors literally taking pole position for each of the events. National Mirror investigation revealed, however, that the last one year has not witnessed any competition in the states, a situation not unconnected to the threat posed by insecurity in the land. “It should be noted that the caliber of people who play polo can become easy targets in a situation of insecurity and I think this clearly explains why competitions in the north have virtually become a desert,” an organiser, who pleaded anonymity, said yesterday. “It is unfortunate that this is happening at this time and to a sport that has never lacked sponsorship and enthusiasm. But we can only hope that the situation improves soonest so that action can return to those venues.” At no time has polo suffered inaction in Nigeria than in the past twelve months, but the organiser says the development has nothing to do with the festering leadership crisis in the Nigerian polo family.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cricket: Ibeju-Lekki maintains run IFEANYI EDUZOR

beju-Lekki Cricket Club of Lagos has continued its unbeaten run in the fourth season of the on-going Club Cricket Committee league with 188 runs defeat the FGC Cricket Club of Warri at the TBS Cricket Oval. The team won the toss and elected to bat first scoring 254 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 50 overs in which Femi Sholebo had 40 runs with Endurance Ofem recording 41 runs. Jide Bejibe put up a spectacular form scoring 60 runs while Leke Oyede had 25 runs with Saheed Akolade scoring 13 runs. On the bowling side, Ayo Mene-Ejegi and Michael Agbiboa both bowled 3 wickets each. In the second innings, FGC Warri failed to bat

the provisional scores and were all out in 66 runs in 20 overs, with only Emmanuel Okwudili, Frank Omosejele and Michael Agbiboa scoring above 10 runs while Saheed Akolade took 7 wickets in 8 overs with Leke Oyede taking a wicket. In a related development, GCI Cricket Club of Ibadan defeated Foundation Cricket Club of Lagos at the CCC league by 3 wickets. GCI of Ibadan won the toss and batted first scoring 200 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 50 overs. Kunle Adegbola had 32 runs, with Tope Olayinka scoring 35 as Niyi Adegbola scored 36. In the second innings GCI recorded 201 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 46 overs. Kehinde Olabiwonninu took 4 wickets; Joshua Ogunlola had 3 wickets while Femi John of GCI recorded 66 runs in 42 overs.

Polo actions like this have been off the Northern calendar since early last year

“There is no doubt that Nigeria Polo Federation controls affairs, even though inputs are always welcome from all the stakeholders,” the organ-

iser maintained, adding, “Efforts are in top gear to resume polo action in Lagos soon in line with the annual programme of activity.”

AFCON 2013: Jemaa dreams Tunisian glory Wheelchair tennis: Nigeria unisia striker, Istargets W/Cup tickets

sam Jemaa, has said that he will put “everything on the line” to push his country to the medal zone as the Africa Cup of Nations gets underway on Saturday in South Africa, It will be the fifth time that the 28-year-old striker has participated in the African tournament, but the star player, who currently plies his trade at Kuwait Sports Club, says this term will be different. Placed in Group D alongside the likes of Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, the Tunisians’ first game is sure to be a fiery encounter against Algeria on January 22, Jemaa says the game with neighbor Algeria is a mustwin. “Victory against Algeria will give us a big confidence boost,” he said, adding, “I think it will also help us cruise all the way, so we will Issam Jemaa not take it less seriously.”

IFEANYI EDUZOR

igeria’s Wheelchair Tennis team will start its defense of the African title in Nairobi, Kenya today to vie for tickets to the 2013 World Team Cup scheduled for Italy. The quartet of Wasiu Yusuf, Jude Uwaize, Remi Basanya and Foluke Shittu left Lagos on Tuesday with promise to sweep the top prizes at the four-day championship which runs from January 17 to 21. Yusuf, who is a two-time Paralympian, is the top seed for the men’s draw having also spearheaded Nigeria’s title-winning outing at the East African country in 2012. Basanya and Shittu will be making their debut on the international stage and Coach Frank Tarmena reckons that they will face a stiff competition from South Africa who has been dominating the stage. “Our players’ exposure will give us the edge particularly after our satisfactory outing at the London 2012 Paralympics Games,” Tarmena said, adding that the 12-day pre-tournament camping would boost the team’s chances. Twelve countries will feature in the tournament with the winners representing Africa in the 2013 World Team Cup.

Pep Guardiola

Guardiola eyes EPL job

ormer Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola, has followed the lead of Jose Mourinho after admitting he is keen to manage in the Premier League. Guardiola, who is currently on a sabbatical from the game, is widely expected to end his hiatus by taking over at Bayern Munich during the summer. But in a video message sent to the Football Association to mark its 150th anniversary, the Spaniard declared his desire to manage in England in the future. “As a player, I couldn’t realise my dream to play in

England,” he said yesterday. “But I hope, in the future, I have a challenge to be a coach there and feel the experience of all the coaches and players that have been there. “It is unique, to play in that league. I want to feel the supporters, the environment, the media and the style of the players. I have always found English football fascinating. The support of the home team is amazing. “I am still young, just 41, and I hope the opportunity will some pretty soon.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Stallions ready to break jinx

et to make their ninth appearance at the African Cup of Nations Cup (AFCON) finals kicking off this weekend in South Africa, Burkina Faso will be aiming to reverse the trend of exiting the competition in the first round. Their most remarkable performance was at the 1998 edition of the AFCON finals which they hosted and went all the way to finish in fourth position, just outside the medal bracket. That aside, the West Africans have always failed to go beyond the preliminary stage of the tournament. Since the Stallions first played their first game in 1960 finals, beating Gabon 5-4, they have become somewhat regular ever and qualified for South African finals in a unique manner, beating the Central Africa Republic to book the ticket. Abdou Razack Traoré and Moumouni Dagano hit target while a stoppage time goal by Alain Traore denied the CAR a spot in South Africa. The current team is coached by Belgian Paul Put who was banned for life in his own country in 2007 for fixing matches involving his club Lierse with a Chinese betting syndicate. He signed a three-year deal with Burkina Faso last March and has targeted making it to the knockout stage of the competition. Stallions are in Group C, where they are pooled with defending champion. Zambia, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Put said they will take each game as it comes, but for now the focus is to go beyond the group stages. In a recent interview, he admitted they are in a tough group even as the team is now heading into the final stage of their preparation before the start of the competition. “We are going to take each game as it comes,” the coach said after the draws in Durban, South Africa. “Our group is not an easy one as we have to face the defending champions of the tournament. We hope to qualify for the knockout stage, then we can think about winning the tournament,” he said. The coach said the practice match against Mbabane Swallows has helped to shape up the Stallions ahead of today’s last warm-up with Swaziland. “The team is ready for the AFCON games and there are no injuries. We hope, by the start of the games, that all the players would have recovered.” Two of the key players are however struggling with injuries with influential midfielder Issouf Outtara and striker Moumouni Dagano on a doubting lane. However, Alain Traore is back at training with the Stallions after being immobilised for several long weeks following an ankle strain. Burkina Faso took a gamble on the fitness of the key striker by including him in their final squad for the finals. The FC Lorient attacking midfielder still has to be patient with his recovery before being able to make the starting line-up, but his team mates and all the Burkina Faso supporters will be extremely relieved to see him back on the pitch. Traore is a national hero after qualifying Burkina Faso for the Afcon 2013 when he scored the deciding goal in the dying moments of the clash against the Central African Republic during the third round of qualifiers, and carries a large portion of the

Burkina Faso has gone beyond the group stage once in its campaign at the AFCON finals. YEMI OLUS takes a look at the Stallions’ chances at South Africa 2013.

Burkina Faso team posing before a recent match in Ouagadougou

hopes of a nation’s success on his shoulders. Another key player, Charles Kabore, may not be available for selection in their first game next Monday. This situation could prove to be a big setback to the team that is desperate to secure a favourable result against Nigeria in their first game of the competition to boost their chances of making it to the knock-out stages. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso captain Mady Panandetiguiri believes they have what it takes to win the Africa Cup of Nations. The Antwerp club player in Belgium said even though they were in the “group of death”, the squad was ready to soldier on and reach the finals. He said they have had good preparations ahead of the tournament and they were still training hard. The team arrived in Nelspruit last week and booked at the Ngwenyama Recreation and Resort Sports in Nelspruit, where Nigeria will be based during the tournament. “It won’t be easy but we are going to fight hard. We have what it takes to win the tournament. Playing against the Swazi team Mbabane Swallows team helped us even though we were cautious not to pick up injuries. They gave us a tough game,” he explained. Panandetiguiri said arriving early in Nelspruit, where they will be playing the group stages at Mbombela Stadium, has helped them to adjust to the environment. He said Mpumalanga was good, as the weather is almost the same as that of their country. The Stallions play their first match with Nigeria on January 21. FACTFILE Nickname: Les Etalons (The Stallions) Association: Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball Highest FIFA ranking: 37 (October 2010,

tiguiri, Mohamed Koffi, Henri Traoré, Bakary Soro and Aboubacar Zerbo. Midfielders: Charles Kaboré, Djakaridja Koné, Florent Rouamba, Jonathan Pitroipa, Abdou Razack Traoré, Wilfried Sanou, Préjuce Nacoulma, Ali Rabo, Alain Traoré, Issouf Ouattara and Salif Dianda. Strikers: Moumouni Dagano, Aristide Bancé, Wilfried Dah, Pierre Koulibaly and Wilfried Balima. Key Player: Alain Traore The Coach: Paul Put

Alain Traore

June 2011) Lowest FIFA ranking: 127 (December 1993) FIFA ranking: 89 Colours: Green and white Captain: Mady Panandetiguiri Strengths: The team has an array of young talent that will be on show at the championships. The squad has a nice blend of youth and experience which will no doubt add the much needed vigour to their games. Weaknesses: Burkina Faso is currently battling with the fitness of its key players such as Alain Traore, Charles Kabore, Issouf Outtara and striker Moumouni Dagano. The absence particularly of Traore and Kabore in the first game could hamper the team’s chances of making it beyond the preliminary stages. 2013 Nations Cup squad Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Soulama, Daouda Diakité, Moussa Germain Sanou and Abdoul Ouattara. Defenders: Bakary Koné, Paul Kéba Koulibaly, Soumaïla Bélem, Mady Panandé-

Prediction: Burkina Faso would be hoping to make a name for themselves at the tournament despite not having any real AFCON pedigree of late. With Nigeria and defending champion Zambia in the same group, they will need some extraordinary performances to reverse that trend at the 2013 finals. AFCON Record 1957 to 1965 – Did not enter 1968 – Did not qualify 1970 and 1972 – Withdrew 1974 – Did not qualify 1976 – Did not enter 1978 – Round 1 (as Upper Volta) 1980 – Did not enter 1982 – Did not qualify 1984 to 1988 – Did not enter 1990 to 1992 – Did not qualify 1994 – Withdrew during qualifying 1996 – Round 1 1998 – Fourth place 2000 – Round 1 2002 – Round 1 2004 – Round 1 2006 to 2008 – Did not qualify 2010 – Round 1 2012 – Round 1

Sport

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SLAMMING AND E-mail: folashayoezekiel@yahoo.com Phone: 08027536696

DUNKING

With SAYO OGUNDEJI

Pillars’ guard calls for league improvement

ano Pillars Basketball club of Kano point guard, Yesuf Ibrahim, has called on the Nigeria Basketball Federation to ensure the next premier league season records more improvements compared to the previous ones. The 2012/2013 league season is expected to kick off later in February and Ibrahim who helped his side reach the final of the Final 8 tournament last year believes both the players and the game of basketball will record much improvement in the country if the administrators will identify and proffer solutions to the areas where the game is lacking. He said, “We are getting ready for the commencement of the new league season and the best our administrators

can do is to ensure there are a whole lot of improvements in terms of players and officials’ welfare which I believe will help the game develop more compared to what we have last season. “Credit must be given to the body though for their impressive organisation during last season but they cannot afford to rest on their oars yet as there are other areas where works need to be done in order to raise the game of basketball in the country.” On his team’s failure to impress at the last African Club Championship where Pillars finished in a distant 9th position, the former Dodan Warriors player insisted his side gave their best but were just unfortunate, adding that their desire was to A Senegalese player (left), blocking his Angolan opponent in a match, during the qualifying series for the FIBA U-19 World Champiqualify and do much bet- onship. ter come next season.

Bryant, Howard shine in Lakers’ romp

obe Bryant played relentless defense, spurring his fellow Los Angeles Lakers to do the same. Dwight Howard dominated the paint, scoring easy baskets and blocking shots against the bewildered Bucks. Over the last two games, the Lakers have resembled the powerhouse everybody envisioned before their tumultuous season began. They’re about to find out whether they got it together in time to compete with the Miami Heat. Howard had 31 points and 16 rebounds, Bryant

Dwight Howard

also scored 31 points and the Lakers beat Milwaukee 104-88 Tuesday night for their second straight win after a six-game skid. Metta World Peace added 12 points as the Lakers prepared for Thursday’s visit from the NBA champion Heat with an impressive effort featuring 30-point games for both Bryant and Howard for the second time in their brief tenure together. After a similar effort against Cleveland two days earlier, the Lakers are cautiously optimistic they’ve solved a few problems. “It’s been great,” Howard said. “When we play the way we played these last two games, I don’t see anybody beating us. The problem is we have to do it on a consistent basis and not have any lapses during the game. We’re learning, but stuff like that takes time. The biggest thing, we’ve just got to stick together. We can’t let nothing on the outside tear us apart.”

U-19 World Championship: Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire to fly Africa’s flag

enegal and Cote d’Ivoire will represent the continent of Africa when the 11th edition of the FIBA U-19 World Championship for men dunks off in June in Prague, Czech Republic. Draw for the championship which holds from June 27th till July 7th, 2013, was made on Tuesday in Prague and the two African countries were placed in groups C and D. Lithuania is the current champion of the biannual tournament after it defeated Serbia 85–67 to win her first major youth championship, at having taken the second position at the 2003 edition. Nigeria, who has made six appearances at the tournament, failed to qualify for this year’s edition and all hope will be on the two representatives to do the continent proud. Interestingly, while no African team has ever won the tournament Cote d’Ivoire who is making her first appearance is expected, with Senegal, to perform better than Nigeria and Egypt whose best efforts at the championship saw Nigeria placing 11th position on three occasions while Egypt has no record to her credit. Meanwhile, a number of leading national teams have reacted to Tuesday’s draw for this summer’s Championship

and while their opinions varied on the preliminary round opponents they will face, there was unanimity that the Czech Republic would do a great job of hosting the tournament. “The Czechs will be playing at home so they will certainly be a strong team. It will be like they are playing with six men on the court with their fans,” said Tomas Masiulis, coach of the defending champions Lithuania, who were drawn in Group B with the host, Argentina and Iran. Masiulis said his team would be the defending champions only in name - not in superstar quality like they had in 2011. “This is another team, another story. Of course we will fight for everything. But we don’t have Jonas Valanciunas under the basket. But we have a lot of other talented players. We have to show our Lithuanian team basketball,” he said, referring to current Toronto Raptors centre Valanciunas, the MVP of the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship. “Every tournament - youth or senior - Lithuania tries to fight for a medal. We haven’t talked to the federation yet, but I think we will try to fight for a medal as well.” Though Cote d’Ivore will be making first appearance in the tournament but they remain hopeful the experience will

be of great help to the team’s future ambition. “This championship will be very difficult for the African teams. It will help us progress in African basketball. I’m sure the games will be good,” said Ivorian basketball representative Francis Denis. Czech coach Petr Jachan said all the groups are well balanced and that having the reigning champion Lithuania in their group is an attractive opponent. “My wish was to play the first game against a team from the first pot (the top ranked teams) and that wish is fulfilled,” he said of his team which will be making its U19 World Championship debut. About Argentina and Iran, Jachan said: “It is tough to foresee a quality of the team from the last pot (Iran). Those teams are unknown to us, even exotic. Argentina are a traditional participant at this event, and they will have a high quality team for sure.” Group A:

Croatia - Spain - Canada South Korea

Group B:

Iran - Czech Republic - Lithuania Argentina

Group C:

Senegal - Serbia - Brazil - Australia

Group D:

China – Cote d’Ivoire - USA – Russia

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance “No country can develop and compete at the global level at this information age without adequate and sound software base”

“The newly formulated Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2012 would further improve NCAA’s oversights of all the players in the industry to the benefit of all stakeholders” -

- Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, Prof. Cleopas Angaye

CBN axes bureau de change operators UDO ONYEKA

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has revoked the license of 236 Bureaux De Change (BDC Operators) in its efforts to sanitise the BDCs sub sector. In a circular signed by Director of Trade and Exchange Department, Mr. Batari Musa stat in part “This is to inform all authorised dealers and buyers (BDC Operators) and the general public that the operating licence of Bureaux De Change companies stated below is hereby revoked with effect from January 14, 2013”. The list of the revoked companies is posted on the CBN website. The statement also said “Consequently, all authorised dealers, buyers and general public are advised that with effect from January 14, 2013, any foreign exchange dealer transaction, including sale to and purchase from BDCs as well as transfer of funds through them and or on their behalf is illegal.” Even though the circular did not post reasons for the revocation, however a source close to the CBN said the action is not unconnected with ongoing reform in that sub sector and the entire financial sector. “The objective is to sanitise the market of quacks and also

make those that have not been doing things the right way to sit up. We expect this to positively affect the activities of Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators in the country, the source said. It would be recalled that in February last year following an examination CBN meted out various degrees of sanction on 37 firms in the sub-sector over market infractions that were identified in their operations. The disciplinary action, which was approved by the CBN Governor, was the outcome of a spot

check that was carried out on a total of 51 BDC firms in both Lagos and Abuja. The apex bank last year also placed five BDC firms on indefinite suspension, 24 of the affected BDCs on one month suspension (13 located in Abuja and 11 located in Lagos); eight were suspended for three months. It was gathered that some of the reasons for the punitive action were that the firms did not have basic anti-money laundering procedure; they effected change of ownership in their

DIRECTOR GENERAL, NIGERIAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY, DR. HAROLD DEMUREN

Arik Air

institutions without the CBN approval; they sold forex beyond the authorised limits to individuals; some of them had relocated without informing the CBN; and that they sold forex without adequate documentation. A letter signed by Mr. A.A. Bedu, on behalf of the Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department of the CBN, titled: ‘Re: Spot Check on Bureaux De Change,’ addressed to the managing director of one of the affected, confirmed the development.

n spite of huge broadband capacities from several submarine cables at the shores of the country, about 80 per cent of the total broadband capacities is currently not being used.

ADVERT HOTLINES: For advert bookings and information, please contact the following:

LAGOS: 01-8446073, 08094331171, 08023133084, 08034019884 ABUJA: 08033020395, 08036321014

Aero Contractors Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) LagBenin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat)

IRS

L-R: General Manager, De Chills Restaurant, Segun Babalola; Regional Sales Manager, VConnect Global Services Limited Mr. Wale Onibudo and Managing Director, De Chills Restaurants, Mr. Obinna Chinedu, during the presentation of the Business of the Month Award in Surulere, Lagos, yesterday.

80% broadband capacity in Nigeria unused KUNLE A ZEEZ

Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun). Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40,10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15,17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun)Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri) 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 Sun) PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (Mon-Fri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) AbvBeni:08.00, 12.10 (Mon-Fri/ Sat)08.56, 12.10(Sun)

This was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer of Main One Cable Company, Ms. Funke Opeke, while speaking on the company’s plans for the current year in Lagos recently. Opeke noted that three years into the landing of submarine cables also known as fibre optic cables in Nigeria from separate cable operators, Nigeria was yet to make maximum use of the cable capacities. Opeke lamented a situation

FG nets N108bn on VAT, levies at Apapa Ports 32

where Nigeria has more than enough broadband capacities from several submarine cables at the shores of the country, “yet less than 10 per cent of the total broadband capacities from the three cable operators was being utilised in a country of over 160 million persons.” This means with only about 10 per cent broadband capacity being utilised, Nigeria has the remaining 80 per cent not currently being put to use. Glo 1, operated by Globacom,

Lagos-Abuja 7.30 8.30 7.45 8.45 09.30 10.30 10.30 11.30 12.30 13.30 14.30 15.30 16.30 17.30 Lagos-Kano 08.00 09.15 10.30 11.45 14.30 15.40 18.15 19.30 Los-Maid&Yola (Mon-Thur) 09.30 11.30 Fri- Sun 10.30 12.30 Kano-Lagos 07.30 08.45 14.00 15.15 17.30 18.45 Kano-Abj 10.45 11.30 Abj-Lagos 09.00 10.30 11.00 12.00 12.00 13.00

with capacity of 640 Gbit/s, covering distance of 10,000 km from Lagos to UK, connecting 17 African and European countries, landed the shores of Nigeria in 2009, while Main One, which landed in 2010, covers over 7,000 km distance from London, with initial landing stations in Nigeria, Ghana and Portugal. Opeke said all these broadband capacities made possible by the cables remained low on the shores of the country, with less than 10 per cent utilisation.

‘We must drive aggressive broadband penetration’

Rise and fall of Nigeria’s image branding

Business & Finance

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG nets N108bn on VAT, levies at Apapa Ports FRANCIS EZEM

he Federal Government in the 2012 fiscal year generated a whopping N108.3billion from Value Added Tax and levies imposed on imported goods through the Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service between January –December., Meanwhile importers having been groaning under excessive charges at Nigeria’s air, seaports and land border stations, which they argued would continue to make her seaports uncompetitive, which helps to boost activities at neighbouring seaports. The Federal Government charges five percent VAT across board on all imported goods

comprising both containerised and bulk cargo in addition to other fees and levies Statistics released by the command shows that while a total of N55billion was generated on VAT, N53.3billion was collected on levies within the period under review. For VAT, a total of N24. 7billion was collected in the first half of the year (January-June) while N26.8billion was collected in the second half of the year covering July-December. A breakdown of these figures shows that N3.6 billion and N4.7 billion was collected in January and February respectively while N4.1billion and N3.7billion was generated in March and April respectively.

Similarly, while N4.4 billion was collected in May, N4.2billion was collected in June, bringing to a total of N27.4billion for the first half of the year. Still on VAT, a total of N26.8billion was collected in the second half of the year showing that s total of N4.3billion and N4.7billion was collected in July and August respectively. Others include N4.2 billion collected in September, N4.7billion collected in September while N4.6billion was collected in October. For November and December, a total of N4.6billion and N4.3billion respectively was collected. For the fees, a total of N24.7 billion was collected in the first six months of the year while

N26.6billion was generated in the second half of the year. Details show that while N1.3billion and N1.9billion was collected in January and February respectively, N2.3billion and N2.9billion was collected in March and April respectively. Similarly, N4.4billion and N11.9billion was collected in May and June, respectively. Other details show that a total of N28.6billion was collected in the second half of the year comprising of N1.3billion and N1billion respectively for July and August. The service also collected N1billion in September, N1.2billion in

IITA develops improved cowpea varieties for Burkina Faso farmers STANELY IHEDIGBO

L-R: General Manager, DStv, Mr. Mayo Okunola; winner of Walka 7, in the DStv Mega Promo, Mr. Abiodun Abayomi and Consumer Insight Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mrs. Busola Tejumola during the prize presentation in Lagos yesterday.

Naira heads for 4-week low on short dollar supply UDO ONYEKA

WITH AGENCY REPORT

he naira depreciated for a fourth day, headed for its weakest level in almost a month before a currency auction yesterday after lenders bought the least dollars in more than three years at a sale this week. The currency weakened 0.1 percent to 157.20 per dollar as of 10:40 a.m. in Lagos, poised for the weakest close since Dec. 20. The naira gained 3.9 percent last year, the strongest performance among African currencies tracked by Bloomberg. The Central Bank of Nigeria sold $11.8 million at an auction January 14, the lowest amount since June 29, 2009, after offering $50 million to lenders, according to data on its website. The regulator sells

foreign exchange at auctions on Mondays and Wednesdays to stabilise the naira. The apex bank aims to keep the currency within a 3 percent band around 155 per dollar. “Dollar supply is below the needs of the market, putting the naira under pressure,” Tunde Ladipo, chief executive officer of Lagos-based Value Chain Investment Ltd., said by phone yesterday. “Traders are however expecting a rise in supply from today’s auction.” Nigeria’s inflation rate rose for a second month in November to 12.3 percent from 11.7 percent, the National Bureau of Statistics said December 17. The central bank left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 12 percent last year. Yields on 10-year naira debt rose 13 basis points to 11.44 percent, according to yesterday’s prices compiled on the Financial

Markets Dealers Association website. Borrowing costs on the nation’s $500 million of Eurobonds due January 2021 declined one basis point to 3.74 percent yesterday. Meanwhile the country Nigeria plans to sell 164.88 billion naira ($1.05 billion) worth of treasury bills with maturities ranging from three months to one year on January 24, at its twice-monthly auction, the central bank said on Wednesday. The bank said it will auction 34.88 billion naira in 91day bills, 50 billion naira in 182-day notes and 80 billion naira in 364-day paper, using Dutch auction system. Nigeria issues treasury bills regularly as part of monetary control measures to help lenders manage their liquidity and control the money supply.

October, N12.6billion in November and N12.4 billion in December. Stakeholders however believe that the imposition of VAT on imported goods, most of which are also subjected to another round of deductions on the final consumers at the retail outlets amounts to double taxation on the final consumer, which is also believed to fuel inflation. According to them, the Federal Government is loosing more through diversion of Nigeriabound cargoes to neighbouring African seaports to avoid the high cost of operation and the attendant delay in the release of cargoes.

he International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in furtherance of its efforts to improve food production in Africa has developed two cowpea varieties to help advance better nutrition for women and children, and boost the incomes of farmers. The two varieties, IT99K-573-2-1 and IT98K-205-8 developed by the institute have undergone participatory varietal selection with farmers in the central and northern region of Burkina Faso. Local farmers and researchers selected the varieties from a basket of options after a two-year trial, thanks to funds from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). According to statement the varieties being selected are early maturing and high yielding and are also resistant to Striga—a parasitic weed that limits the yield of cowpea.

IITA Project Coordinator for the Appropriate Varieties of Early maturing Cowpea for Burkina Faso (AVEC-BF) project,Dr. Haruki Ishikawa sadi that these varieties mature in about 60 days as opposed to local varieties that mature in about 80-90 days. He added that generally, cowpea is an important crop in Burkina Faso as it provides food and cash for farmers, and fodder for livestock. “Most local varieties in the country record a yield of between 400 kg and 600 kg per hectare. But the new varieties have a potential yield of 2170Kg/ha,” he stated . He noted that farmers love the varieties for their yield, color and cooking qualities and have given the varieties the following local names: Yiis yande for IT99K-573-2-1, meaning a crop that helps farmers to escape from shame arising from hunger; and Niizwe for IT98K-205-8, meaning a crop that has brought an end to hunger.

SAHCOL defends staff on pilfering at airports OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he management of the Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) yesterday defended its ramp personnel over the ongoing pilfering of passengers’ luggage at all the airports in the country. Briefing journalists yesterday on its achievements in 2012 in Lagos, the Managing Director of the ground handling company, Mr. Oluropo Owolabi said that its airside personnel were given enough training to dissuade them from engaging in the dastardly act. He agreed that pilfering has become a major challenge confronting the global aviation in-

dustry, but explained that the ground handling company was commended for its professional handling of passengers’ luggage by its clients both local and international in 2012. He explained that it would be almost impossible for a passenger to know at a particular airport his or her luggage was tampered with, stressing that as a General Manager of the defunct national carrier in J.F Kennedy in the United States of America (USA), Nigeria Airways, there was a challenge of pilfering at the airport until security surveillance was installed to monitor activities at the airside. Owolabi insisted that its airside personnel are well motivated to discourage them from engaging in pilfering.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance

Thursday, January 17, 2013

UN report identifies challenge to Africa’s ICT growth KUNLE A ZEEZ

report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has identified limited access to venture capital as the biggest challenge to the software sector of the Information and Communication Technology industry in African countries and the Middle East. Titled: ‘Information Economy Report 2012’, the UN study shows that ICT software and services are dominated by the developed world but developing economies are catching up. The report said that piracy, poor ICT infrastructure and inadequate protection of intellectual property rights are some of the major challenges hindering ICT software development and

service expansion in developing regions such as Africa. In spite of the challenges hovering on the software sector in the two regions, the report maintained that local software production and development can spur economic growth in Africa and other developing economies. The report urged governments in developing countries, which are significant buyers of software, to help the software sector by putting in place policy measures to facilitate the development of affordable ICT infrastructure and introducing legal frameworks to protect intellectual property rights. According to the report, enhanced access to ICTs in developing countries is widening opportunities in areas including health, education, governance and business creation and expansion.

“Software production can contribute to the structural transformation of economies, that is, wean them away from dependence on low-technology goods and on a limited number of products for export,” the report stated. The report noted that Kenya and South Africa top the continent in supplying software and services for domestic consumption, with areas of focus being smartphones and tablets, as well as mobile applications driven by mobile broadband Internet services. Speaking at the launch of the report, the Director of ICT and Science & Technology Division, UN Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA, Mrs. Aida Opoku-Mensah, said, “Software development is strategic for Africa’s development as it offers a lot of opportunities.”

FG to issue between N210bn and N360bn bonds in Q1

he Federal Government plans to raise between N210bn and N360bn in sovereign bonds with tenor ranging between five and 20 years in the first quarter of the year, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said on Wednesday in a statement. The amount being proposed is higher than its 2012 fourth quarter debt issuance and a great amount than the debt issued in the corresponding period of last year. According to the DMO’s timetable for the planned debt auctions, FGN bond valued at between N85bn and N135bn with tenor of five, seven and 10 years will be sold on January 23; Bonds valued at between N75bn and N135bn, with ma-

he Managing Director of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae, has said the company introduced the “ACE Awards” for its employees in line with the company’s drive for excellence and efforts at ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare products to Nigerians. He said the initiative is another way of the company living up to its corporate brand proposition of valuing the lives of Nigerians, while contributing to economic growth and development of the nation. Speaking during the inauL-R: Group Chief Executive Officer, Philly and Mools Group Mr. Niyi Oguntoyinbo; Stock Controller, SOS guration of the award in Lagos Children’s Village, Abiodun Adejola; Supervisor, Metro Taxi Call Centre, Priscilla Ibe and Group Human Resources, Philly and Mools Group, Mr.Habila Amos at the 2013 thanksgiving presentation of gifts to SOS on Wednesday, Ayebae said the “ACE” awards is derived from the Children’s Village Isolo, Lagos by Philly and Mools Group, yesterday. acronym “Acknowledge and Cele-

resident, Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Emeka Unachukwu has urged Federal Government to woo investors to the Nigerian stock market. Unachukwu, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said the government could do that through public enlightenment, reorientation, and confidence building He stressed the need to rebuild the lost confidence of investors in the stock market. “First of all, what we need to do is to re-establish confidence because a lot people had their income, savings, pensions completely eroded by exercise that went bad in the

first time. “So, the major thing is loss of confidence; it’s going to take a lot of education, confidence uilding from government side to reassure investors that, look, stock market is still one of the best options of investing money all over the world. “But it is not going to come over night; we should consider that businesses that destroyed stock market are the most profitable ones where people would like to invest. “The most profitable business in Nigeria is banking, and we think that it’s from this sector that the stock market crashed, tells you that we have a long road to travel. “In trying to re-establish confidence in the stock market, as far as I’m concerned, the business

really in banking sector has been energised, well-controlled, wellmanaged. “So, what is left is trying to build confidence in the investor, say look, this can work, this area of investment is still viable.” He urged the government to begin to engage business groups and various chambers of commerce to facilitate the revival of the stock market. Unachukwu, however, called for reorientation, education, seminars, enlightenment, public lectures on stock markets. He urged the government to assure investors of the safety of their investments in the stock market. “As soon as investors understand that their investment is not going down the drain, I think, the business will bounce back.”

turities of five, seven, 10 and 20 years will be sold to investors on February 13 while on March 13, bonds valued at between N50 and N90bn each with five and 10 year tenor will be auctioned. All the bonds were re-openings of previous issues, the DMO said. Reuters noted that offshore investors’ interest in local debt has surged since the inclusion of Nigeria’s debt by JP Morgan in its emerging market government bond index last October. Barclays will add Nigerian debt to its index from March 2013. Nigeria issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit.

Fidson Healthcare inaugurates ACE awards for employees MESHACK IDEHEN

Chamber of commerce president urges FG to revive stock market

brate Excellence” and is meant to celebrate excellence amongst the employees of the firm. According to him, the award is aimed at boosting employees’ passion for excellence and also geared at rewarding deserving workers. Calling on organisations to make recognising and rewarding of their employees a consistent affair, the Fidson managing director said the company would continue to acknowledge and celebrate the very best among the best that have shown exceptional capabilities in the course of every challenging financial year. He said those that were nominated for awards have shown exceptional team spirit by towards contributing to meeting organisational objectives.

Casual electricity workers want FG to regularise their appointment MESHACK IDEHEN

asual workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the other electricity generating and distributing companies across the country have said they are appealing to the Federal Government to regularise their appointments in order to move the reforms in the sector forward. Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, some members of the PHCN group, led by Alhaji Abdulrashid Mohammed, said most of them had spent between two to 12 years working in the company without any confirmation of their appointment. The workers said they cannot understand the management of the PHCN which usually com-

plained of shortage of employees in their category, and that the management also discontinued with issuance of confirmation letters after issuing the letter to only few. According to him, their problem had persisted for such a long time because they were not part of electricity workers’ union affiliated to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) due to their not having letters of confirmation of their jobs. He added that the workers many of whom are young graduates of various Nigerian tertiary institutions are appealing to the relevant authorities not to allow their labour go in vain, adding many of the workers are serving in the computer, accounts, marketing among other operational departments of the company.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, January 17, 2013

‘We must drive aggressive broadband penetration’ Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem is the Chairman, Teledom Group, an indigenous Information and Communication Technology company. A quintessential professional, Ekuwem was at different times, the President of both the Nigerian Internet Group and Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria. In this interview with KUNLE AZEEZ, he explains how increased ICT/broadband penetration can be achieved in Nigeria, among others. Available data both from the National Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Communication Technology and other studies have shown that ICT penetration in Nigeria is still low. How do you think this can be tackled? By ICT penetration, I guess you mean both ICT infrastructure and ICT services. The question is what kind of services? I am sure you mean broadband services. Broadband services will flow through broadband infrastructure. What do we do to ensure rapid broadband infrastructure penetration of every nook and cranny of Nigeria so that broadband services can flow through? We need massive broadband infrastructure roll-out across the entire length and breadth of Nigeria. We have Main One Cable’s 1.92 terabits/sec broadband as well as those of Glo One, SAT3 and WASC at the coast. We must get these to the hinterland of Nigeria. We need massive roll out of fibre optic cables, broadband wireless (radio and light-laser) and broadband VSAT to carry terabits/ sec broadband capacity from the coast into the hinterland. We cannot afford digital divides in Nigeria. There is a close correlation between broadband capacity available to a nation, a people, a state and the level of their economic activities and productivity. The World Bank has established the fact that broadband penetration increases GDP of nations much higher than narrowband (like voice). Our voice-centric telecoms revolution has impacted positively on many lives in Nigeria and has given a boost to economic growth rate. You can imagine what will happen when we go broadband in full blast. We need what I call secondary and tertiary fibrebased broadband backbone across the country. Let the secondary connect the state capitals to Main One, and Glo One, among others, and let the tertiary connect the local government headquarters to the state capitals. A lot of resources will be required to do that. We must have fibre to the buildings and fibre to the homes. We must have city-wide and town-wide Wireless Fidelity coverage. All schools, colleges, polytechnics, universities, hospitals, hotels, airports, stadia, places of worship (churches and mosques), government offices, and military establishments, among others must have broadband Internet. We must create demand for broadband services. Have we, as a country, created enough local content to drive ICT penetration. If not, what do you think can be done? We must create content within the broadband pipes. This is very important. We cannot just be downloading all the time, we must also be uploading. We must have a cultural presence on the net. Excessive downloading without commensurate uploading can lead to cultural imperialism and digital colonies. We cannot afford that. Applications will create demand for broadband. We have tele-medicine and tele-health, we have video-conferencing, we have tele-education/distance learning and we have the need to automate teaching and learning processes in the academic institutions in Nigeria. How many classrooms in our educational institutions are smart? Have we made teaching and learning exciting, using ICT?

xxx

ment-to-business and business-to-government interactions being done via time-consuming paper pushing. The Nigerian Communications Commission has to tidy up its broadband penetration model for public presentation in the first quarter of this year. Telecoms operators are still facing a lot of challenges which sometimes affect their quality of service and coverage. How best can government increase the lot of telecoms operators in the country? By government, I guess you mean the Federal Government. In fact, all governments should encourage telecoms operators to provide good quality of service. First, we need constant power supply in our country. Telecoms business is not that of energy generation. We spend a hell of time, money and energy to generate electricity for our operations in the industry. It makes business not sufficiently profitable. Government should do its bit and allow us concentrate on our niche which is telecoms service delivery. Epileptic power supply negatively affects quality of service. Federal, state and local governments must work in concert to eliminate multiple taxation, which operators suffer from. Access to telecoms cell sites in some parts of the country is nightmarish, as there are serious security challenges. Cell sites are vandalised in some parts of the country. There are right of way issues in some states where the fees are terribly exorbitant. I would prefer the states do a perpetual charge regime in which an operator pays annually to renew the right-of-way. The fee in such a situation is very little. That reduces the capital outlay needed by an operator to start or expand business in the state concerned. This augurs well for network expansion, increase in capacity to reduce congestion and sundry issues that impair quality of service. This regime is better, in the long term, than the one time high fees charged by the governments. This brings them perpetual revenue while aiding ICT development in their states. We need a Broadband Development Fund to build what I had earlier referred to as secondary and tertiary fibre backbone. NigComSat has to quickly roll out its broadband network across Nigeria. In fact, I expect NigComSat to give this a priority attention this year.

Ekuwem

IN 2013, WE MUST, AS A COUNTRY, AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE RAPID BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PENETRATION OF

NIGERIA, AS WELL AS

GENERATION OF DEMAND FOR BROADBAND SERVICE DELIVERY What are the options that can be taken in Nigeria to leverage ICT facilities in tackling the country’s nearperennial state of insecurity? We can have ICT-based automation of processes in the Nigeria Police Force, Army, Navy, Air Force, Customs, Immigration, Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Prisons, State Security Service, Road safety, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence, among others. Have you ever seen a Nigerian policeman bend over his laptop to have access to a criminal database to know whether the suspect is a serial offender? Do we have Gamma ray-based scanning of vehicles, VACIS, on our roads and highways to detect bombs, explosives, arms, ammunitions, light weapons and dangerous chemicals with local and remote display of scan outputs using broadband? All these acts of terrorism in our country are perpetrated by human beings who transport their terrorist equipment and tools with impunity undetected. A good deal of citizen-to-government and government-to-citizen interactions can be done online. We are still having government-to-government, govern-

What do you think should be the direction ICT industry should take in 2013? Thank you for the question. I can say that 2012 was a year of talk, talk and talk. By ‘talk’ here I mean very good talk. In 2013, we must begin to walk the talk. We had many stakeholders’ fora on the ICT policy. The Presidential Committee on Broadband was constituted and inaugurated by the president. We had the e-Nigeria Conference and Exhibition on local content development in Nigeria. It is time to act on decisions arrived at in those events. We must launch the ICT policy as well as have the report of the Presidential Committee on Broadband released. We will deliberate on the report and have same updated for action by the presidency and the relevant agencies of government and the ICT industry. In summary, in 2013 we must go the way of use and deployment of Nigerian content in the ICT industry. We need an enabling act like the Local Content Bill of the Petroleum industry. So, in 2013, we must, as a country, aggressively pursue rapid broadband infrastructure penetration of Nigeria as well as generation of demand for broadband service delivery. We must create content. We must develop applications in all sectors of the economy such as education, health, agriculture, defence, national security, law enforcement, government, electoral processes, population, transportation, hospitality and entertainment, among others. We have had a narrowband voice revolution from 2000/2001 to date. The next revolution, that will make a child’s play out of the voice, is broadband revolution. This will accelerate our economic growth and development as well as increase our Gross Domestic Product.

Info Tech

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Nigeria boosts phone subscriptions by 13.3% KUNLE A ZEEZ

elecoms companies in Nigeria have increased the number of active telephone subscriptions in the country by 13.3 per cent in first 10 months of 2012 into October, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission. According to the NCC in its latest industry statistics, active telephone subscriptions increased from 96.1 million in January 2012 to reach 109.4 million at the end of November, 2012. The boost, which saw telecoms operators adding about 13.8 million active telephone lines, represents a 13.3 per cent in telecoms subscribers’ growth in the 10-month period. Analysis of the NCC latest data showed that the Global System for Mobile Communications operators were the major contributors to the current increase in active subscriber base to 109.4 million. From beginning of 2012, GSM operators have continued to record astounding increase on their networks while the CDMA and fixed networks have consistently witnessed a decline month-on-

month. According to the NCC data, while active mobile subscriptions on GSM networks increased from 91 million in January to 105.9 million at the end of October 2012; that of the CDMA operators declined from 4.4 million to 3.1 million during the 10-month period. It was learnt that the GSM active subscriptions standing at 91 million in January, 2012, increased to 92 million in February and94.5 million at the end of March. The GSM subscriptions continued upward growth reaching 96.6 million in April and in May, 2012, the figured grew to 97.5 million active subscriptions. In June, July and August, the combined active GSM subscriber base increased to 98.3 million; 99.4 million and 101.4 million respectively. In September and October 2012, the active GSM subscriptions moved to 103.6 million and 105.9 million respectively. However, active subscriber base on CDMA networks was hovering around slightly over 4 million between February and March but further declined to 3.9 in April.

The figure further plunged to 3.7 million in May; 3.5 million in June and in July, it fell to 3.4 million and finally to 3.3 million at the end of August, 2012. Also in September and October, 2012, CDMA subscriptions fell to 3.2 million and 3.1 million respectively. On the fixed lines, the figure which stood at 688,333 million has, by the end of August 2012, reduced to 488,088 lines while standing at 454,644 at the end of October, 2012. Over the years, only the GSM segment of Nigeria’s telecoms companies have continued to witness impressive performance with CDMA and fixed line networks facing perpetual decline in subscriber base. Analysts have expressed mixed reactions over the viability and success of a merger arrangement being put together among the CDMA operators - Starcomms, Multi-Links and MTS Wireless. However, the ongoing merger plans of the three CDMA firms are expected to raise the performance bar of the CDMA segment.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

HP Windows 8 PC Portfolio: Offering unique user experience

ewlett Packard has annnounced availability of its ts new lineup of consumer er and business Personal Compututers that are designed to work with th Windows 8. The new HP products, ranging ng from stylish notebooks and desktops to a tablet, leverage premium materials and a purposeful design philosophy to deliver a distinct HP look and feel. Unique form factors, including a hybrid PC with a detachable screen, a business tablet with functionality-boosting HP Smart Jackets and an ultrathin all-inone (AiO) desktop, enable users to take advantage of Windows 8 along with HP innovations such as HP TouchSmart technology. Senior Vice President and General Manager, Personal Computer Global Business Unit, HP, Mr. James Mouton, said, “HP’s portfolio of ultrathin notebooks, sleek all-in-ones and high-performance business PCs is designed to meet the needs of customers anticipating the release of the Windows 8 OS.” According to him, “Consumers and organisations now can choose from a broad range of HP PCs featuring multi-touch displays, versatile form factors, sleek designs or customisable solutions that address their needs.” The HP consumer notebook portfolio featuring Windows 8 includes a hybrid PC and notebooks with slim and sophisticated designs, multitouch display technology, strong performance and great value. One of the products, the HP

ENVY x2, is a powerful, ultrathin hybrid PC that delivers the power of a notebook and the freedom of a tablet in one stylish, lightweight device. A notebook that doubles as a tablet, the HP ENVY x2 has a detachable screen that becomes a full tablet when separated from the keyboard via a seamless magnetic latch. The HP ENVY x2 includes a vivid 11.6-inch/295 millimeters (mm) diagonal high-definition (HD) touch display, Beats Audio, an HD webcam plus an 8-megapixel camera, and near field communication (NFC) technology that lets users share content, including photos, contacts and URLs, with a simple tap. Also, the HP Spectre TouchSmart Ultrabook is a premium Ultrabook featuring a 15.6-inch diagonal multitouch Radiance Full HD IPS display, strong performance and a sophisticated all-metal design. Measuring 7 inches/179mm thin, this Ultrabook is HP’s first notebook with Intel Thunderbolt technology, providing blazing-fast transfer of music, movies and data to external devices.

Cisco eager to regain ground as network security leader

A Group Managing Director, JKK Nigeria Limited, Mr. Lekan Yusuf (L) and immediate past chairman, Chief Ayo Otegbola, during the Annual General Meeting of the company held in Lagos recently.

Kitskoo to discuss benefits of network-based ICT services KUNLE A ZEEZ

itskoo Incorporated, an international telecom and ICT services firm operating in Nigeria as Kitskoo Cloud Services Limited, has concluded plans to organise a one-day customer forum for IT managers in Nigeria. The event, being oraganised in partnership with MainOne Cable Company and Tech Mahindra is aimed at highlighting the business benefit of network-based ICT services to the target audience of ICT managers and consultants drawn from different segments of the Nigerian business community. It also serves as the company’s official launch and direct

introduction of its own products and services aimed at adding value to the Information Technology community in Nigeria. Speaking on the event, the Executive Director, Kitskoo Cloud Services Limited, Mr. Monu Ogbe, said the essence of having a direct engagement with the business community is to improve the company’s understanding of how best to serve the requirements of IT managers and personnel from the invited organizations. This, he noted, will help build value and enhance the working relationship between Kitskoo and its clients. He said: “In organising this event, we are asking the following questions in relation to our customers’ IT needs: What do our customers want? Where do they want it? And,

when do they want it? By tailoring solutions to each customer’s demand, we will be adding value to their business because the IT demands of each organisation are unique. “We also see this forum as a means of providing our customers with opportunities to collaborate with government, enterprises, service providers and each other. Our customers’ businesses are driven by critical mass, speed and performance. We believe that collaborative competition supports these requirements and help make services more affordable.” Also speaking, Service Manager, Kitskoo Cloud Services, Mr. Gilbert Kimeng, spoke about Kitskoo’s business offerings and their benefits to the business community in Nigeria.

fter failing to land a big acquisition in the security space last year and suffering a steady decline in market share, Cisco Systems Chief Executive, Mr. John Chambers, is determined to turn around his company’s lagging security business - whatever the cost. The growing expectation, from Silicon Valley to Wall Street, is that Chambers will not be able to do it with its SecureX product range, and needs to go back to the deal table to boost the business with an acquisition in the coming months. In December 2012, Chambers said he had granted Chris Young - Cisco’s first executive for security at a senior vice president level - a “blank check” for the next two to three years to hire and acquire as he sees fit to overhaul Cisco’s security business and spark a rebound. Cisco has lost around 10 percent of its market share in network security over the past five years to smaller, more in-

novative rivals such as Juniper Networks Inc, Checkpoint Systems Inc, and Palo Alto Networks Inc. The network equipment company fell behind in web applications, social media and video streaming that call for more complex security protection than traditional firewalls provide. Mike Rothman, analyst and president at security research and advisory firm Securosis, said Cisco was “years behind in terms of a lot of capabilities” and that Young “better get his M&A people in order”. Cisco is aware of the deficiency and has been actively looking for acquisitions to beef up its network security offerings for some time, three sources familiar with the matter said. However, there are only a handful of top picks - such as Palo Alto Networks, FireEye, Sourcefire, Fortinet and Barracuda Networks - and Cisco already struck out with at least one before Chambers’ “blank check” strategy.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Brands & Marketing

Rise and fall of Nigeria’s image branding

Balewa

Obasanjo

Shagari

Historical accounts reveal that Nigeria enjoyed good global perception from outset and was positioned as the Giant of Africa as a result of good political decisions made by heroes past but the image slump starting from the Second Republic is giving stakeholders sleepless nights on how to manage the nation’s image. Now, stakeholders are shifting responsibility for national image management from leadership to collective efforts, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

igeria is desperately searching for brand managers to reposition her image which has been largely negative from a global stand point for many reasons. Given the level of commitment to previous image laundering projects such as Good People, Great Nation and Heart of Africa, managed by the former Minister of Information andProfessor Dora Akunyili, stakeholders believe that to achieve any meaningful national rebranding, collective efforts by all Nigerians is the only communication strategy that could yield result. With conflicting views on who should manage Nigeria’s image, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), President, Mr. Mohammed Abdullah says that the institute is the only body that could manage the nation’s image, “NIPR is the only body to manage Nigeria’s image. That is what NIPR is supposed to do. NIPR is alive,” he said. But the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku believes otherwise. “Often times, the outside world does not have a good read of Nigeria.

OFTEN TIMES, THE OUTSIDE WORLD DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD READ OF NIGERIA. EXAGGERATED REPORTS OF CHALLENGES GIVE ERRONEOUS IMPRESSION THAT THE COUNTRY IS ABOUT TO IMPLODE Exaggerated reports of challenges give erroneous impression that the country is about to implode,” he said. Also, the minister said at the national level, the Federal Ministry of Information is the fulcrum of national image and reputation management as spelt out in the ministry’s mandate. But the Director-General of Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Professor Bola Akinterinwa disagrees saying neither the NIPR nor Information Ministry could achieve anything without the consent of the people. “The NIPR

cannot do it without the consent of the people,” he said. Also, Akunyili who complained that the Heart of African and Rebranding project was frustrated by the legislature which failed to support the project with adequate funding, said while the Federal Government is expected to drive the process of managing the country’s image. “All Nigerians have strategic roles to play in the process by engaging in conduct that would promote rather than denigrate Nigeria’s image.”

Babangida

A former senator and governor of old Kadunna state, retired General Ike Nwachukwu said at a recent colloquium on “Managing Nigeria’s Image: Whose responsibility?,” highlighted why the need for rebranding attracting the interest of stakeholders. “Why is the image of Nigeria important? We are all familiar with the cliché ‘perception is reality.’ That being so, it becomes important to us as individuals, families, clans, ethnic groups, businesses and country to manage our behaviours, our pronouncements, our family values, our family land, our group culture, our business dealings, our commitment to service, our outputs, our gains, our advantages; and also our pains, yes our shortcomings, in a manner that anyone or group looking at us perceive us as good, reliable, balanced, civilized and serious-minded. Indeed, the individual, group or country that most will be pleased to be in bed with. Whatever perception or should I say image, that people, group or country have of you, governs relations between you and them, especially, in the international system,” he said. He said the country enjoyed good perception, positioning and brand name in the past as a result of good decisions taken by leaders from the first republic through the civil war and military coup. According to an historical account by Nwachukwu, the Tafawa Balewa’s First Republic decision to support decolonization, anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa among other involvement in pan-African struggle which position the country as a Giant of Africa, soared the country’s image as good people and good nation in Africa. “It is clear how the first six years of post-independent rule built a positive image of the new country Nigeria,” he said. CONTINUED ON PAGE P38

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rise and fall of Nigeria’s image branding CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37 Despite the fall of the Balewa’s government through an assassination of its leaders on July 15, 1966 and the counter-coup that trailed it with a three-year ethnic tension as a result of Biafran war, the nation’s image under General Yakubu Gowon, according to Nwachukwu, is positive as the nation remained committed to its Pan-African states policies and decisions while the citizens at home were well catered for. However, from Gowon to Obasanjo, he said the nation’s image remained stronger until it “suffer a dramatic rehearsal”, during the first civilian administration of Shehu Shagari. “The resulting political decisionmaking and the resultant rapid reduction in Nigeria’s economic power, compounded by external constraints on the political leadership, impacted negatively on Nigeria’s image,” said Nwachukwu. After a coup d’état, Shagari’s government was toppled by Major General Mohammed Buhari and his deputy, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon. While trying to instill discipline to national psyche as a strategy of rebranding the nation’s image, Nwachukwu revealed that nation’s image improved even though it did by violating human rights. “But that was perceived to mean high handedness. It, however, stood firm on Nigeria’s anti-apartheid and decolonization policies. Our image shot up in that period. I was a military governor that regime,” he said. While General Ibrahim Babangida, toppled Buhari’s regime, Nwachukwu who was appointed Adjutant General of the Nigerian Army, then Minister of Employment, Labour and

Akunyili

Nwachukwu

IT IS CLEAR HOW THE FIRST SIX YEARS OF POST-INDEPENDENT RULE BUILT A POSITIVE IMAGE OF THE NEW COUNTRY

NIGERIA

Productivity and later Foreign Affair Ministers, said Babangida also made efforts to reposition Nigeria through programmes. But the annulment of June 12 election a wrong political decision along with widespread corruption further dampened optimism in rebranding Nigeria’s image. According to him, “With regard to political decision-making, it is

well-known that Babangida’s administration had many critics who accused it of engaging in widespread corruption. The one that really flattened that administration was the annulment of the 1993 general elections adjudged to be the freest and fairest election ever in the country. Had Babangida allowed the results of the elections to stand, our image would not have been battered,

to the point that the outcry within and outside Nigeria had nothing but contempt for the government.” After IBB stepped aside, an Interim Government head by Chief Earnest Shonekan was installed to douse frayed nerves. But the dislodgement of the government by late General Sani Abacha and Oladipo Diya’s administration was believed to have further frustrated repositioning of the nation. “General Abacha’s poor and, one could say with the benefit of hindsight, disastrous political decision making, contributed to the production of the most negative image that Nigeria had ever had. This period witnessed the detention of the winner of the annulled June 12 Presidential Election, Chief M.K.O Abiola. By 1995, Abacha committed its greatest and gravest mistake. After a summary trial, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists executed. International condemnation soon followed. Many countries shy away from interaction with Nigeria. Nigeria lost all respect and consideration in international politics. At the same time, corruption became institutionalised as mismanagement of public funds and accountability came under greatest scrutiny ever in that period. Coupled with these, Abacha’s administration dealt the British Airways a heavy blow when it banned it from flying into Nigeria in response to the banning of Nigeria Airways from flying into London Heathrow Airport,” he narrated. In line with opinions of other stakeholders, Nwachukwu affirmed that “we are all responsible for the management of the roadmap but the media must lead, especially in light of the 1999 Constitution that requires the media to be the watchdog of polilcial governance in Nigeria.”

Babaeko’s X3M hit at big ad agencies with radio commercial studio ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

oming into the creative sub-sector in a year when advertising business was tough, the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Creativity Officer of X3M Ideas, Mr. Steve Babaeko, has hit up competition in the industry with the first Nigerian advertising agency full state-of-the-art radio commercial studio after its won 46.7 percent Etisalat creative relinquished by CentreSpread FCB in 2012. Threading on his agency’s acronym, X3M, which stands for “Extreme”, Babaeko told the media on tour of his new facility, that though the industry in 2012 was fret with challenges but X3M did well as a young agency because the idea of starting the company was grounded before takeoff. “Well, 2012 has been a very challenging year as you are aware, a couple of agencies have to fold up in this year so it shows that was a tough business year but part of the business challenge is still against the economy of the country the way it is today,

I mean inflation is hopefully the forecast is about 12 to 13 percent which is also a challenge and then it means that the clients are facing the impact of the economic trunk, so they are spending less and for the little they are spending they want more value therefore these are the challenges that we can’t run-away from.” Obsessed with the vision to cause a creative spark in the Nigerian advertising industry, the recently opened ad shop, located in the Opebi highbrow area of Ikeja, exhume youthfulness and modernity in all its forms, flaunting cutting edge equipment and gadgets in a seamless office setting peopled by young but brilliant talents. The CEO/Chief Creativity Officer has garnered an enviable 17 years hands-on experience in the industry working on brands in some of the most challenging industries like telecoms, Pharmaceuticals, Foods & Tobacco, Broadcasting amongst others. Babaeko started his advertising career in 1995 when he joined the now defunct MC & A, Saatchi & Saatchi working under

the tutelage of Victor Johnson and Busola Williams. He worked on brands like DSTV MultiChoice for 5 years. He left MC & A to pitch his tent with the fast paced Lolu Akinwunmi’s Prima Garnet Ogilvy in 2001 as a Copy Writer and rose through the ranks to become Copy Manager. At Prima Garnet, he worked on brands like BAT, MultiChoice among others and was exposed to some of the best tools and international trainings and exposure in the industry. As a talented creative personnel, he became part of the pioneering team seconded to 141-Worldwide, a second line agency in the Prima Garnet Advertising group in 2005 to give form and shape to the fledging agency with Babaeko as Creative Director. The dreadlock wearing creative director was soon to add the portfolio of the Business Director to the former thus wearing the uncommon designation of Creative/Business Director for I41-Worldwide. As the Creative/ Business Director for the young and highly

awarded 141-Worldwide, Babaeko was neck deep in most of the agency’s portfolio of clients and brands. Some of his landmark assignments for the agency include the launch and sustenance of the Etisalat brand in the Nigeria, BAT business which came to the new agency from inception, DSTV, First Bank and a host of others. According to him, X3M Ideas has hit the ground running with a first major pitch victory against older and more experienced agencies. The new agency emerged one of the top two agencies which finally won the Inbisco – FMCG business. The business according to our sources was shared between Lanre Adisa’s Noah’s Ark and X3M Ideas. It was gathered that the Inbisco’s Kopico campaign is slated to break very soon. The new agency boasts of a state-ofthe-art studio for radio commercials to cut down on turnaround time in a bid to reflect its hunger and readiness to deliver as a nimble and dynamic team of young professionals.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, January 17, 2013

APCON, NIMN sign MoU to boost professionalism

s a welcoming package into the new year, Advertising Practitioner Council of Nigeria (APCON) and the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in promotion and developing marketing and advertising professions in the country. The MoU is a diplomatic step taken by both bodies to enhance high-class capabilities in the industry towards improving Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The understanding between the two bodies would envisage promotion in cross recruitment of practitioners in both fields and fight against operations of unregistered practitioners. According to the chairman of APCON, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, “the two bodies are set to achieve very good quality professional standards in advertising and marketing”. He added that the MoU

became imperative as both bodies belong to the same family. This is “to streamline and strengthen the relationship between the two bodies as the future of advertising and marketing rests on the two bodies. Therefore, the industry must be protected by making sure that people who come in are qualified”, Akinwunmi said. Lugard Aimiuwu, president/ chairman of governing council, NIMN, points out that the MoU “serves as one of the programmes for building a favourable image for the brand Nigeria.” According to him, “The new world is the one where the rule of thumb and ‘commonsense’ have to yield to precision and professionalism, built on skills, driven by competence, shaped by professional ethics and universal best practices, within the framework of law, rules and regulations”. Lugard further added that in our increasing chaotic world, both institutes have refused to

buckle under, but are determined and poised even better to play the role as a change agent in Nigeria’s strategic transformation, It is very beneficial as all certified and duly registered advertising practitioners who crave to expand their global marketing horizon will be eligible to the membership of NIMN under the term of the MoU. All members of NIMN who have always longed for an advertising focus are also entitled to access APCON membership. However, the partnership between the two bodies is set to address challenges, which are usually encountered by the profession, which include untrained, under trained, un-certificated and unregistered practitioners, misrepresentation, exaggeration and manipulation for gain, among other challenges. It was also inspiring as members of the governing council of APCON and NIMN were present at the MoU signing.

L-R: MD/CEO, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Chief Keith Richards, Finance Director Graham Talbot, and Commercial Director, Kachi Onubogu; at the company’s National Sales Conference held in Lagos on Tuesday.

Brand should meet consumers’ needs

was pleasantly surprised when a friend bought a three SIM phone to meet his communication needs. He actually wanted to get a Blackberry but when he saw a three SIM phone (China as it is referred to) and he bought it. His reason was that he could have all his SIM in one phone and not use three phones. The learning in this story is that he had a preference for Blackberry but found a brand that met his needs. The needs of consumers are varying by the day and a discerning brand leverages on such to gain a foothold in the consumers mind. Brands need to consistently strive to meet consumers’ needs by embracing market dynamics. Consumers’ taste and preferences are changing by the day and only brands that connect with consumers retain a large share of the

market. This also becomes important when the market becomes competitive especially with a phone brand. This is why brands should consistently engage in consumer research and insight to determine real needs that will result in a compelling product or service. It has become imperative more than before to feel the pulse of consumers to identify the major needs they have. This in a way gives power to the consumers to dictate the pace for brands. Brands should consistently engage consumers in order to stay on top of their game. Etisalat has been able to sustain the interest of subscribers through its strong focus on creativity to meet consumers needs. The network came with a two sim phone which allowed the subscriber to use any ayoaother network and

ad VA NT AG E icon

Badejo-Okusanya

assionate, aggressive and brilliant, Yomi BadejoOkusanya is a consummate public relations practitioner whose recent election as the Secretary General of African Public Relations Association (APRA) has given Africa a new way to solve conflict through public relations. The former chairman of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Managing Director of one of Nigeria’s foremost public relations consulting firms, CMC Connect (Perception Managers) Limited, YBO as fondly called, has over two decades of work experience in integrated marketing communications coupled with the edge of pioneering perception management business in the Nigeria communications market. Such experiences cut across Corporate Communications, Government Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing PR, Financial Public Relations and Crisis Management which has endowed him with a wide contact base both in the public and private sectors. As

Brand X-Ray with Ayodeji Ayopo Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: mayomipo@yahoo.com also stay connected on the Etisalat network. This is the height of innovation and this paved way for the network to bond well with the consumers. Competition has become stiff and consumers are more discerning than before. There is now a paradigm shift to the “Me Selling Proposition” (MSP) which focuses on the Me (i.e. the consumer). It is no longer the brand proposition but the desires of the consumer. When the ultimate focus is on the consumers and not only on profitability, such brands are bound to succeed in the market place. When other brands stormed the Mobile Phone market with

33 39

dual SIM phones, the consumers welcomed it as it met their needs. Nokia however which has been a leading brand prepared itself well before venturing into dual SIM phone. Nokia had to first undertake a market research to properly identify what the customers preferred. Its late entry into the dual SIM market was hinged on the fact that it wanted quality products to be produced for its consumers. This negated the earlier stance of the Nokia brand in 2009 that it was not going to produce dual SIM phones. The brand eventually realized the need for them and came

a result of this, he has consulted for many organisations and governments such as the British American Tobacco Nigeria, Renaissance Group, Coca Cola, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Peugeot Nigeria Limited, Shell, Diageo, Samsung, Mastercard, Virgin Nigeria, Lekki Concession Company, Lagos and Delta State governments to mention a few. A visionary thinker, he was awarded the Most Outstanding Public Relations Practitioner by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in 2010. He is a member of the National Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Coordinator of the Consulting Group of the African Public Relations Practitioners Association and a past chairman of NIPR, Lagos State Chapter. He serves on the board of several companies with a special interest in entertainment. He celebrated his 50th birthday last week with a colloquium on ‘Who’s responsible for Nigeria Image Management’. up with leading innovation. In the Ghana market alone, three different brands were launched simultaneously. Today’s market has become highly dynamic and vibrant and as a result, brands strategy should focus on adapting to market realities. It is also clearly noticed strong focus should be placed on brands offerings. This is one area that influences consumer decision on brands. It is the key differentiating features of a brand that consumers look out for to identify their preferred brand. This is why I always emphasize the role of consumer research in brand development. The consumers need to be contacted on a regular basis to know their desires and feelings about brands. This goes a long way in building the brands in the minds of consumers and establishing a strong relationship.

Global Business

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Future of Britain’s HMV appears to be limited H MV, the long-established music retailer seeking protection from its creditors, is unlikely to have a future beyond a rump of stores and the internet, if other recent British retail failures are any guide. After years of struggling as its core business of selling CDs and DVDs was hammered by competition from online retailers like Amazon and download sites like Apple’s iTunes, HMV picked consultants Deloitte late on Monday to try to salvage some of its 239 British and Irish stores.

The decision, which puts over 4,000 jobs at risk, is the latest blow to an industry which has seen a string of household names like Woolworths, MFI, and Comet fall by the wayside in a prolonged consumer downturn. “It’s a shame, it’s been around so long. It’s like a bookstore - it’s nice to go and browse and feel them (CDs and DVDs), I’d miss it,” said Paul Wood, shopping at an HMV store in Canary Wharf, London. However other shoppers, typifying HMV’s problems, said they were just

Payroll loans popular in Latin America

bastions of entertainment content on shopping streets - has been crucial to the firm, and support remains. A spokeswoman for Universal Music, the world’s biggest music company, said it was working with HMV and the administrators to support the group. “We are very supportive of them because they have been great trading partners.” However, lenders and stakeholders were not prepared to strike a financing deal with HMV - whose 176 million pounds of debt as of Oct 27 compares with its current market value of around 5 million pounds - suggesting the company will have to shrink dramatically if it is to survive. “I think there is probably still some traction in having a presence on the high street but it would have to be severely reduced to be much more cost effective,” said Maureen Hilton, an analyst at retail researchers Verdict. “There might be some attraction from investors if they can just pick which stores they have. Otherwise I think it will just become an online offer.” Any residual presence online would see HMV following variety stores group Woolworths and rival entertainment group Zavvi. Other collapsed retailers have managed to sell some stores, particularly to supermarket groups growing their convenience shopping businesses, though few have survived to trade under their own brands beyond a handful of outlets.

Tax pain ahead for Greeks as parliament approves increase

Cameron

everal Countries in Latin America are experiencing a spike in loans that are repaid through deductions from workers’ pay checks. These so called “payroll loans” increased by 17 per cent last year in Brazil, the region’s largest economy. In Mexico the surge has been even more pronounced. Eduardo Ayala covers Mexico City by foot, working as a delivery man between governmental departments. He earns about 800 U.S. dollars a month, so when he needed to carry out repairs on his house, he had to take out a loan. Eduardo decided on a so called “payroll” loan in which the bank deducts repayments directly from his twice monthly salary. Eduardo Ayala, Message Delivery man, said,“If it was up to me to pay back the loan, I might decide I couldn’t

looking before buying from cheaper outlets online. HMV, famous for its ‘Nipper the dog’ trademark, is expected to continue trading while a hunt for buyers is undertaken. Neil Saunders, managing director at retail consultancy Conlumino, said potential buyers could be interested in running the brand online or through some of its larger stores. “I think the brand will survive,” he told Reuters news agency. “I think it’s a good brand with a good emotional connection and I think someone will want it. And someone will be interested in acquiring a rump of stores because there are some that trade profitably within the group. “A lot of the grocers have their own download services or mail order services so there could be interest from an existing player who just wants to use that name. Private equity may also see it as an opportunity.” One that will not is US private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC which ruled itself out of a takeover move on Monday, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters, after it bought some of HMV’s debt in December. The support of suppliers - music labels, games manufacturers and others who look to HMV as one of the last

pay one month, then I´d get behind and end up more in debt, so it’s better they just take it straight from my salary and then there’s no problem.” “Payroll” loans have exploded in popularity in Mexico. In the last year the number handed out increased by 85 per cent. Other countries in Latin America have also reported a surge in their use, particularly Brazil. Banks like them, because money comes straight from their customer’s paycheck, which guarantees payment. And they are often the only way for mid to lower income workers like Eduardo to get loans without a credit history. It’s not just the banks getting in on the act. An industry of money lending firms has grown up around paycheck loans. Iliya Zogovic founded “Easy Money” two years ago, and says his customer base is doubling

monthly. But he says that many of these separate financial institutions aren’t subject to the same regulation as banks and often take far more out of their clients pay packets than they can afford. Iliya Zogovic, CEO “Easy Money”, said,“We actually go into companies where the employees already have 80-90 per cent of their salaries in other loans and we try to explain to them that that’s not healthy for them.” Whatever type of small scale loan you take out in Mexico, be it credit card or paycheck loan, the interest is routinely high in comparison with many developed nations. Annual interest rates generally range between 30-50 per cent. Eduardo paid back his loan a year and-a-half ago, but is still paying off the interest. He doesn’t know how much he still owes… but he knows his bank will be keeping count.

reece’s parliament approved a tax increase Saturday that should add to the government’s revenue, but is likely to anger citizens opposed to the country’s austerity measures. The new tax bill, passed in the early hours, is needed to help the debt-stricken country meet its commitments to international creditors, state-run ANA news agency reported Saturday. The legislation makes it compulsory for all taxpayers to lodge an income tax declaration while raising property and corporate taxes, the news agency said. The new tax bill is one of “fiscal necessity” and will ensure that shortfalls are met in a socially fair way, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras told lawmakers ahead of the vote, ANA reported. The measure, intended to raise an extra 2.3 billion euros ($3 billion) this year, is part of a raft of measures enabling Greece to qualify for further international bailout funds. The vote by lawmakers came a day after arsonists critical of the country’s media coverage of the crisis attacked the homes of five prominent journalists in Athens using makeshift bombs. An anarchist group angry at the Greek media coverage of the country’s economic crisis claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement posted on a leftist website. It was the first such coordinated action in Greece since the beginning of

the financial crisis in 2008. The anarchist group, calling itself Lovers of Lawlessness, described the media as “the official representation” of a corrupt system and said it was time for “fear to change camp.” The group said the five journalists targeted were “double tongued,” because they were “using a pro-workers rhetoric, but at the same time winking mischievously at their political bosses.” All five journalists, including two broadcast news presenters, work for mainstream media outlets.

Greece Prime Minister, Lucas Papademos

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 17, 2013

NSE Index rises further by 1.35% JOHNSON OKANLAWON

nvestors’ value in the equities sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange appreciated further yesterday, as twin indicators continued on the upbeat resulting to a further rise by 1.35 per cent. Analysis of price movement showed that 47 stocks gained weight at the close of the day’s transactions, while 13 constituted the losers table in the day.

Specifically, the market capitalisation of listed equities rose by N130 billion to close at N9.624 trillion up from N9.494 trillion recorded on Tuesday, representing 1.35 per cent improvement over the previous day activity. A further review of transaction in the day showed that, the All Share Index appreciated by 406.88 basis points to hit 30,093.83 points from the previous 29,686.95 points. UAC Property Plc and UACN Plc topped the gain-

ers’ list with 10 per cent each to close at N14.96 and N47.30 per share, respectively. PZ Cussons followed with 9.99 per cent to close at N30.93 per share. On the other hand, Portland Paint Plc led on the flip side with five per cent to close at N4.18, followed by John Holt Plc with 4.91 per cent decrease to close at N2.59 per share. Further analysis shows that the banking sub-sector buoyed by activities on the shares of UBA and Diamond Bank

dominated others on sectoral chart with 328.9 million units valued at N2.4 billion exchanged in 3,571 deals. The Other Financial Institutions sector propelled by transactions done on the shares of FBN Holdings Plc closed as the second most traded in the day with 95.2 million units worth N1.2 billion in 1,115 deals. In all, investors bought 622.3 million shares worth N4.9billion exchanged in 7,446 deals.

Source: NSE NIBOR QUOTES 15 JANUARY 2013 & 16 JANUARY 2013 20.00 19.00 18.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 11.00 10.00 9.00 8.00

Diamond Bank climbs to 20-month high as rally predicted in 2013

iamond Bank Plc, one of the leading financial institutions, climbed to its highest level in 20 months, after FBN Capital said banking stocks will lead a 15 percent advance in Nigerian equities this year. The shares climbed 3 percent to 6.80 naira by the close in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, the highest level since

May 2011. The volume of securities traded was more than 3 1/2 times the three-month daily average, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. FBN Capital set a year-end target price of 8.2 naira for Diamond, naming the stock its “top pick” in a note released yesterday. It placed an outperform rating on Diamond, Skye Bank Plc (SKYEBANK)

and United Bank for Africa Plc. (UBA) Diamond Bank’s first-half profit through June rose more than fourfold to 9.99 billion naira ($63 million), from 1.71 billion naira a year earlier, the lender said on July 11. The profit climbed because of “a combination of top line growth and a marked reduction in loan loss provisions, “ac-

cording to FBN Capital. The Central Bank of Nigeria set up Asset Management Corp. of Nigeria, or AMCON, which bought bad debts from the nation’s lenders after a debt crisis in 2008 and 2009. This enabled the banks to enter 2012 with cleaned-up balance sheets, reduced loan-loss provisions, FBN Capital said.

U.S. stocks little changed amid earnings as Apple rallies

.S. stocks little changed amid earnings as Apple rallies U.S. stocks were little changed, following yesterday’s advance, as a rally in Apple (AAPL) Inc. tempered economic concern after the World Bank downgraded global growth forecasts and investors watched corporate earnings. Apple, which slid below $500 a share yesterday for the first time in 11 months, rallied 3.8 percent to halt a three-day decline. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) added 3.1 percent after the bank’s profit almost tripled. Boeing Co. (BA) slumped 3.2 percent as All Nippon Airways Co.

and Japan Airlines Co., the world’s largest users of the 787 jets, grounded their entire fleet of Dreamliners for today. Custody banks Bank of New York Mellon Corp. and Northern Trust Corp. (NTRS) dropped at least 2.8 percent. Chief U.S. market strategist at UBS Securities LLC, Jonathan Golub, talks about the outlook for financials, global currencies and U.S. stocks. He speaks with Tom Keene on Bloomberg Television’s “Surveillance.” Bloomberg The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.1 percent to 1,471.56 at 12:28 p.m. New York time. The Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated 28.39 points, or 0.2

percent, to 13,506.50 today. Trading in S&P 500 companies was in line with the 30-day average at this time of day. The cuts in growth forecasts are reminders that there’s still work to be done,” said Brad Sorensen, director of market and sector analysis at San Francisco-based Charles Schwab Corp. His firm has $1.92 trillion in client assets. “In the U.S., it’s early to talk about the earnings season, but so far we’re relatively pleased with what we’ve seen. We’ve had a good start to the year in stocks. There’s very little doubt that there’s quite a bit of money on the sidelines that could provide a nice boost higher.”

Meanwhile the World Bank cut its global growth forecast for this year as austerity measures, high unemployment and low business confidence weigh on economies in developed nations. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government cut its growth forecast for Europe’s biggest economy. Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean- Claude Juncker said the strength of the euro poses a threat to the region’s economy. Industrial production in the U.S. climbed for a second month in December as demand picked up for business equipment, showing factories expanded even as lawmakers battled over the federal budget.

Goldman profit beats analysts’ estimates on investments

oldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS), once the world’s most profitable securities firm, said quarterly profit almost tripled as gains in the value of its own investments contributed to the first year of revenue growth since 2009. Chief Executive Officer Lloyd C. Blankfein, 58, has undertaken a $1.9 bil-

lion expense-reduction effort since mid- 2011 and said he expected earnings growth to resume when the economy and markets improved. A stock-market rebound and a $500 million profit from selling a hedge fund-administration unit helped revenue recover from the lowest first half since 2005. Fourth-quarter net in-

come surged to $2.89 billion from $1.01 billion a year earlier, the New Yorkbased company said today in a statement. Earnings for common shareholders, which include the cost of preferred stock dividends, rose to $2.83 billion, or $5.60 a share, from $978 million, or $1.84. The average estimate of 26 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg was

for $3.66 a share, with predictions ranging from $2.56 to $4.80. Goldman Sachs rose 2.1 percent to $138.49 at 10:07 a.m. in New York. The stock gained 6.3 percent this year through yesterday after advancing 41 percent in 2012. The firm raised its dividend twice last year, boosting the quarterly payout to 50 cents a share from 35 cents.

7.00 6.00 5.00

15-Jan-13

16-Jan-13

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 30, 093.83 points Market capitalisation 9,624trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

UAC-PROP

13.60

14.96

1.36

% CHANGE 10.00

UACN

43.00

47.30

4.30

10.00

28.12

30.93

2.81

9.99

ACADEMY

1.92

2.11

0.19

9.90

FIDSON

1.18

1.29

0.11

9.32

PRESCO

21.05

22.40

1.35

6.41

NASCON

8.90

9.47

0.57

6.40

DANGSUGAR

7.03

7.46

0.43

6.12

OKOMUOIL

49.00

51.45

2.45

5.00

STANBIC

11.70

12.28

0.58

4.96

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

PORTPAINT

4.40

4.18

0.22

-5.00

JOHNHOLT

2.65

2.52

0.13

-4.91

AGLEVENT

1.48

1.41

0.07

-4.73

SKYEBANK

6.15

5.90

0.25

-4.07

AFRIPRUD

1.75

1.68

0.07

-4.00

UNILEVER

44.00

42.90

1.10

-2.50

ETI

11.86

11.64

0.22

-1.85

GUARANTY

25.55

25.10

0.45

-1.76

151.50

150.00

1.50

-0.99

NPFMCRFBK

1.04

1.03

0.01

-0.96

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

90-Days

49,874.02

14.08

17-Jan-13

91-Days

97,481.64

14.10

17-Jan-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$120m

N/A

$108.4m

16-Jan-13

$50m

N/A

$11.8m

14-Jan-13

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at January 16, 2013 1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

he World Bank’s 2012 World Development Report on Jobs, gave a staggering statistics of the plight of young people all over the world. According to the report, 621 million young people globally are ‘idle’ - that is, not in school or training, not employed, and not looking for work. Report by UN’s International Labour Organisation also shows that approximately 74.5 million or 12.6 per cent of young people around the world are unemployed. Worst hit by this precarious situation is Africa, the world’s youngest continent, where the proportion of the youth among the region’s total population is higher than any other continent. Young people (aged 15 to 24) constitute slightly more than 20 per cent of the continent’s population. It is estimated that 200 million Africans are between 15 and 24 years old. This number is expected to double by 2045. With 10 million young graduates entering the workforce each year, Africa's labour force is projected to surpass both India's and China's by 2040. A cross section of youth A Fact Sheet by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the United Nations Programme on Youths indicated that African youth have the potential to be a great impetus for Africa’s development, provided that appropriate investments in health and human capital are made. However, report further said if youth issues are not addressed, and if high rates of youth unemployment access to financial, physical and soand under-employment persist, Afri- cial capital. Another reason for high youth ca’s development could be negatively unemployment rates, stakeholders affected. observed, is a mindset that tells eduThe recent financial crisis is likecated young people that they must be ly to affect young people much more employed in white-collar jobs. In relathan the general population, given the tion to this sentiment, a low status is fact that most of those presently unalso afforded to vocational training. employed are youth. This sentiment has been expressed in terms of civil Furthermore, most young people in unrest, as demonstrated most promi- Africa do not finish school and uninently by youth in Northern Africa, versities with a plan to engage in selfemployment. In West Africa, however, and a few other parts of Africa. Employment remains the main con- this is beginning to change. Additionally, the ILO’s 2010 Youth cern of youth in the region. The exEmployment Report notes that, while ceptionally high unemployment rates unemployment is relatively high in Africa can be interpreted as one of across Africa, the degree of underemthe main factors behind the revoluployment and working poverty is even tionary activity and recent civil ungreater, thus pointing to a lack of adrest in North Africa and elsewhere in equate job opportunities for youth. the region. Expectedly, many African countries Experts have attributed two prinhave put in place national youth policipal reasons for the continent’s high cies or action plans, having realised unemployment rates. They are: a mismatch between educational systems the importance of youth participaand the skills needed in the labour tion in development and governance market, and the saturated public ser- processes as well as the need to harvices and small private sector bases ness the enormous potential of these that are unable to employ large num- youth. For example, countries such as bers of people. South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Other relevant reasons include Tunisia have developed young entrelabour demand barriers, such as obpreneurship programmes and busiserved discrimination by employers ness start-up schemes supported by towards young people on the grounds small industry development organisaof lack of experience; information tions (SIDO), which provide technical gaps between job seekers and potenskills for new businesses. tial employers; and barriers to the In countries such as Nigeria ad creation and development of business South Africa, national youth service opportunities, particularly in gaining

Equipping African youth for transformation programmes (NYS) adopt an integrated approach to community service, skills development and access to employment opportunities and have proved effective in these countries. However, analysts posit that even though much has been written impressive growth over the past decade and its emergence as the next global economic frontier, neither translated into improved living standards nor created enough jobs, especially for the youth. But how can African youth be competitive in the new global economy? Recent UN report on African youth recommended that all stakeholders, including Governments, the private sector, civil society, faith-based and youth-focused organisations should strengthen cooperation and partnerships to ensure that returns from both formal and non-formal education bring about highly productive outcomes in the labour market. Mo Ibrahim Foundation in its recent report on how to transforming the continent through the youth, noted that the development of Africa’s youth can only be successful and sustainable if all facets of society are in-

volved. It added that Government, the private sector, civil society and most fundamentally, the family, must all play their part in preparing Africa’s youth for a transforming continent. “African formal and informal education systems must place a premium on quality education. Greater investment is needed in higher education, vocational training, and skills development. They must also promote specialization. Graduates should be sufficiently skilled in those sectors that offer the greatest comparative advantage and should be trained to adapt to future growth sectors”, the report said even as the Foundation pointed that Africa has the lowest share of engineering graduates in the world. Yet, such specialised skills are needed to drive and sustain economic transformation. For Ashish Thakkar, founder of the Mara Group, which comprises numerous holding companies that operate in 26 countries, entrepreneur mentorship may be the answer to youth unemployment problem in Africa. “I believe that entrepreneur mentorship and comprehensive support services are essential to providing productive and sustainable employment for Africa's youth, women and emerging business leaders, because small and medium sized enterprises (SME) drive economies and significantly contributing to national GDPs and tax revenue bases for African countries,” he wrote recently.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, January 17, 2013

African ministers meet on child survival A frican health ministers yesterday gathered in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, to accelerate progress on the reducing child mortality throughout the continent. The three-day international conference under the theme: “African Leadership for Child Survival: A Promise Renewed,” will enable the 54 African health ministers and global experts share experience. A joint statement by the Ethiopian Health Ministry’s Director-General for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Dr. Tewodros Bekele, and the Ministry’s Public Relation Head, Ahmed Emano said Ethiopia was selected to host the meeting for its encouraging results registered in the health sector

Teen arraigned for stealing DVD player

19-year-old, Erinfolami Ayobami, has been arraigned before an Ibadan Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a DVD player valued at N36,000. The prosecutor, Oluseye Oyebanji, told the court that Ayobami was arraigned on a two-count charge of illegal entry and stealing. He said Ayobami illegally entered the home of one Orunbato

during the past few years.The previous conference was held in Washington, D.C in June 2012. Since 1990, the number of child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa has dropped by 39pc, according to UNICEF. However, many African countries are not within the reach of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which aims to reduce the under five mortality rate by two thirds. However, Ethiopia has more than halved its child mortality rates since 1990 through campaigns to increase the number of health workers and clinics throughout the country. According to the 2011 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, that figure has been slashed by more than half to 8.8pc.

Elkanah on Saturday at No. 1, Alarape area of Felele, Ibadan, and stole the DVD player. Oyebanji added that the actions contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate Patricia Adetuyibi granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N40,000 with two sureties in like sum. Adetuyibi said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused while the second must be resident within Ibadan Magisterial District. She adjourned the case to Jan. 24 for hearing.

14- yr-old becomes youngest solo glider pilot

14-year-old boy has flown into the record books to become the youngest solo glider pilot. According to First News, Callum Lavender from Chinnor, Oxfordshire, flew the glider just two days after his 14th birthday last month. He had taken a 14-week training course, which included how to fly safely. The law only changed in October to lower the minimum age of solo glider pilots from 16 to 14.

Callum with instructor

After the flight, Callum said: “It was phenomenal. You can’t beat the feeling of being in an aircraft by yourself. So much fun.” It wasn’t quite so much fun for Callum’s mum, Julie, who watched the flight. She said: “I was absolutely terrified… there he was in the front seat and there was nobody in the back.” Callum hopes to join the RAF in the future but, for now, he is back at school. “My friends are pretty impressed,” he said.

Members of Christianah Fate Foundation during a campaign against child sexual abuse in schools at Eti-Osa Local Area, Lagos, recently.

Housewife, 16-yr-old docked for kidnap

housewife, Abigael Popoola, and a student, Opeyemi Ibrahim, were on Tuesday charged before an Omu-Aran Upper Area Court in Kwara for allegedly kidnapping a two and a half year-old girl. Popoola and 16-year-old Ibrahim, who all reside in Omu-Aran, were arraigned on a two-count charge of kidnapping and criminal trespass. The prosecutor, Insp. Fabiyi Abiodun, told the court that a 39-year-old trader, Nafisat Ogunrinde, had on November 19, 2012 reported the kidnap of her daughter to the police. Abiodun said that Ogunrinde had informed the police that the little girl was discovered missing during a naming ceremony in her compound at No. 22, Egbe Road, Omu-Aran. He said that the police immediately launched a search and later discovered the missing girl in Ibrahim’s possession.

Abiodun said that during interrogation, Ibrahim confessed that it was Popoola who asked her to kidnap the little girl. The prosecutor said that although Popoola denied Ibrahim’s allegation, she nevertheless confirmed that she saw the student on the fateful day and even sent her to fetch water for her. ``This is in spite of the fact that they do not live together and are not in any way related except that her place is a stone throw from Ibrahim’s school,’’ Abiodun said. The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed contravened Sections 271 and 342 of the Penal Code. Both Ibrahim and Popoola, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The judge, Fagbemi Adeyemi, granted each accused person bail in the sum of N50, 000 and one surety in like sum. He adjourned the case till Feb. 26 for further hearing

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Why should kids eat healthy?

ids nowadays are prone to health risks and diseases. The reason for this is the food that they eat. Kids would rather choose junk foods rather than healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits. Kids should eat healthy for them to get rid of infection. If they eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals, their immune system will be stronger. They will not suffer from illnesses and infection. Kids who eat healthy foods have sharper minds and high mental capacity. Proper nutrition and academic performance correlates with each other according to research. This means that a kid who eat balanced diet perform better in school. It is important to train kids to eat healthy when they are still young because this habit will be maintained until they grow older. Once they are exposed to healthy living, they will grow having fit body and positive outlook in life. Kids at an early age nowadays suffer from obesity. Because of too much fat they take from eating food in fast food

chains or junks, their body balloons to abnormal weight. They become too chubby which results to diabetes and high blood pressure. Before, it was unbecoming for children to suffer from these diseases but now, kids are already prone to illnesses that are also experienced by older people. Teaching kids to eat healthy is also one way to educate them how to value nutritious food. With proper diet and healthy foods, they would be more selective of what they eat until they grow older. They would also develop much confidence because they look good and in shape. Obese children typically suffer lack of self-esteem so this attitude can be manifested when they become teenagers and adults. When kids eat healthy foods, they will learn to appreciate the essence of life. They would be more careful of what they take in because they know that in the end, it’s their health and life that matter. -knowswhy.com

Media

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Smartphone and tablet apps.

Social media icons

Nigeria and digital media addiction STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

ith increasing internet penetration in Nigeria and the crave to experiment on new innovations, experts have predicted that 2013 will witness addiction to digital media, especially as mobile media may become remote control of a new digital savvy generation. The evolution of digital media has unarguably changed the face of information dissemination and the medium has evolved incredibly quickly since it started a few years ago. Nigeria is one of the top three digital brands in Sub-Saharan Africa, others being South Africa and Kenya. However, in Nigeria, just as in other parts of the world, mobile and social media are the driving forces of the next wave of digital change and there are fears that these are reducing our attention spans and creating new problems in the way we work and live. According to Internet World Stats, the Internet usage in Nigeria with an estimated 170 million population in June 2012 stood at 48,366,179 while Facebook subscriber data as at December 31, 2012, was 6,630,200. Ranking as one of the most active social networkers in Africa, Nigerian online users actively maintain a Facebook profile, while social networking is rapidly emerging as favourite activity in terms of time spent. More Nigerians now spend time on their smartphones and tablets. So what will the potent combination of social and mobile bring in 2013? There are concerns that people now live their second life on these phones whilst surrendering all privacy freely whilst surrendering all privacy freely. In bars & restaurants, schools, churches and any social gathering people keep staring at their phones. This is also the trend in 2013. However, some people have argued that digital media is not an addiction, but rather a way of life. They contend that if one doesn’t like it and reject it one will be left behind as business, media, advertising, interaction all depend on this digital age. Industry watchers have projected that there will be intrusive new advertising formats on mobile and social websites, text

and other push advertising, location-based special promotions linked to shopping in particular, and a growing number of sponsored messages. Telecommunication companies, banks and fast growing consumers goods companies have already cashed in on this opportunity in the country. There are thousands of bloggers in Nigeria today but only few are interesting as many of them post boring stories. However, in the past two years, Nigerian blogs/ bloggers have gained prominence in African continent. Blogs/bloggers like Linda Ikeji, (Linda Ikeji), Bella Naija (Uche Eze), The NetNG (Ayeni Adekunle) and others have distinguished themselves in this enterprise. Experts have predicted that 2013 will see proliferation of blogs in the country, but warned against abuse as most of the bloggers are not professionals in the business of managing information. Similarly, last year saw a lot of abuses on social networking sites. A case study was the murder of Cynthia Asokogu by her Facebook friends. All manner of negatives are involved in this because of the unlimited freedom it permits. There are expectations of high-profile Twitter and Facebook prosecutions along with new social media education programmes in schools and workplaces. Nevertheless, experts noted that this year will see a lot of positives in Facebook. For instance, Howard Tullman, CEO of Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, partner at Chicago High Tech Investors, and columnist for Inc.com in his prediction for 2013 said: "We'll increasingly see new kinds of virtual currencies and services--like Ticketmaster's Facebook app that lets you see where your friends are sitting at an event." Worried by the trend, recently, a veteran journalist and former Governor of Ogun State, Segun Osoba warned of the danger of proliferation of social media and ‘jungle journalism’ to journalism in Nigeria. “This social media is becoming something else, they blackmail, publish fictions, stories that do not exist, this is a terrible thing and dangerous to the trend of Journalism,” said the former chairman of Daily Times of Nigeria. Former Commisioner for Information

in Ogun State,Ms. Doyin Ogunbiyi decried the social media trend in Nigeria adding “It is also imperative to work on individual personal brand, social media is far way taking over the profession, we should then think of journalism without pen and paper.” Live blogs - short updates that incorporate the backchat from social media - are becoming increasingly popular for news and sport but younger people in particular are increasingly ignoring traditional sites and getting their news directly from links in their Twitter or Facebook streams. Analysts said that a trend to watch in 2013 is the growth of social video services like ThisNewsNow - a mobile-first service with a focus on short viral videos and a new informal style. This year the phone will start to control what we see and what we wear. Google Glass and Vuzix (available this year) are essentially mobile computers that take aug-

mented reality to the next stage. Now you don't even need to look under the table to get the football results - they can be beamed directly to your eyes. Face recognition linked to Facebook or LinkedIn can provide an instant biography at a party, saving much embarrassment or providing useful lines for a potential business opportunity. Celebrities are increasingly setting up their own direct routes of communication with fans and will be looking to exploit these further with social media messages, mobile apps and text alerts. Duncan Southgate, global brand director for digital at Millward Brown, a global research agency, opined, "We expect 2013 to be another dynamic year for online display, mobile and social media. Consumers have ever higher expectations of intelligent digital advertising approaches, and marketers will need to deliver more sophisticated campaigns to keep pace with what works."

Media tasked on agenda setting WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

he mass media has been urged to take seriously, its statutory role of agenda-setting in the interest of Nigeria’s nascent democracy. General Manager of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ilorin, Mr. Olabanji Sarumoh made this assertion recently at a programme organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) tagged “the parliament” in Ilorin. Olabanji said it is pathetic to note that the standard and dedication laced with ethics professionalism that the fathers of journalism in Nigeria employed decades ago had been thrown overboard by the modern day journalists According to him, it could not be forgotten in a hurry that the fathers of Nigerian journalism used the instruments of journalistic prowess to make the nation’s independence possible. He stressed that they worked with integrity even in an atmosphere that was not conducive. Similarly, he praised the role and dig-

nity of the latter generations of journalists who functioned under the military to bring about Second Republic, but lamented that shortly after, the media failed in its duty which led substantially, to the collapse of the political arrangement. The NTA General Manager therefore pleaded that journalists should take seriously, the duty of prodding the crop of politicians nowadays to pursue strides of achievements and avoid sectionalism that has become the order of the day in recent time. According to him, the opinions in some quarters tagging some sectors of the media as “South-west” and Northern media to the extent of reflecting in the editorial contents of such news organization is not good enough for the industry. Meanwhile, he called on the Nigeria Union of Journalists to set a standard of working environment, uniform pay packets and provision of modern tools to make Nigerian journalists work and rank with their peers across the globe.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, January 17,, 2013

NBC cautions state govts on digitisation

he National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has advised state governments not to engage in unnecessary expenditure in their quest for digital technologies for their television stations. The Director-General of the commission, Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, gave the advice in Abuja at parley with newsmen on the activities and the focus of the commission for 2013. Bolarinwa said the commission had observed unnecessary investments in transmission equipment by some state governments and stressed the need for collaboration among stakeholders in the sector. He said: “At the last National Information Council we restated this fact that nobody, no broadcaster should invest in transmission equipment because the digital transition will ensure that we have another set of licensee and one of the set will be responsible for transition of digital signals. We have taken the campaign to state governments at every turn but we will keep on and sustain.’’ Bolarinwa said that the commission was closely monitoring the progress of the various stateowned broadcast stations across the federation to ensure that transition was smooth and economically viable.

Media Abroad

He continued: “Last year, a state government, I am not going to mention the name, we saw in the papers that there were going to spend N3 billion on television, we wrote to the state governor, we visited him and they stopped it. “So we are alive to our responsibility, we will ensure that there will be no capital flight because of transition, we will ensure that the transition is smooth and economically reasonable for the Nigerian broadcasting sector.’’ Bolarinwa said that the commission and other stakeholders in the sector would continue to sensitise proprietors of state owned television stations to the right steps to take for smooth transition. He said that the impact of the Federal Government’s efforts in ensuring a smooth transition would be felt when the transition committee inaugurated by government, commenced work. Bolarinwa said that the new deadline for the switch to digital broadcasting in Nigeria would soon be set by the transition committee (digiteam). He, however, called on state governments to desist from further investments in transmission equipment, noting that such transmission equipment might not be useful to the stations when Nigeria eventually transits.

Six journalists killed in the New Year

Bolarinwa

He said that government had already appointed NTA and would soon name a second carrier for transmission of digital signals. “Let me clearly state that apart from STARTIMES-NTA, there is no station, either private or government that has a digital television transmitter. So if states quotes that they digital television transmitter, it is not true, so having said that, it is very clear to me that the state stations do not have digital television transmitter,’’ he explained. Bolarinwa said that the programme for transition in Nigeria was feasible and Nigeria was still on course to transit to digital broadcasting.

ix journalists have already been killed around the world since the beginning of 2013, according to the International Press Institute's Death Watch: two in Pakistan and one each in Brazil, Tanzania, the Central African Republic and Syria. The Pakistani journalists died in a double bomb explosion in the city of Quetta in which 81 people were killed last Thursday (10 January). Saifullah Baloch and Imran Shaikh, respectively a reporter and cameraman with Samaa TV, were killed in the attack by a banned organisation, Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, said the Dawn newspaper. In Brazil, Renato Machado Gonçalves - founder and co-owner of Radio Barra FM, a community station located in São João da Barra - was shot dead in front of his home on 8 January. According to reports cited by the Knight Centre, Gonçalves was attacked during a political meeting during last October. In Tanzania, the body of 45-year-old radio journalist Issa Ngumba was discovered on 8 January in a forest near the western city of Kigoma. He had been hanged and there was a gunshot wound to his left arm, according to a report on In2EastAfrica. He worked for Radio Kwizera, and had been missing for four days. In the Central African Republic, Elisabeth Blanche Olofio was killed on 7 January in a rebel raid on the Catholic community radio station she worked for, Radio Be Oko, in the town of Bambari. It has since stopped broadcasting, according to a UNESCO report. In Syria, Sohail Mahmud Ali, a journalist working for Syria's pro-regime Dunya TV, was shot dead on 4 January while reporting on clashes in the northern city of Aleppo, reported Lebanon's Daily Star. theguardian.co.uk

Opportunities

Seven journalism fellowships for 2013 Completing fellowship applications can be time-consuming. To avoid having to rush through the process, start preparing for these opportunities ahead of time. If you're on a fellowship hunt, keep the deadlines of upcoming 2013 fellowships in sight. World Press Institute Fellowship Deadline - January 31

he four-month fellowship immerses international journalists into the governance, politics, business, media, journalistic ethics and culture of the United States through a demanding schedule of study, travel and interviews throughout the country. All programme costs are covered. Nieman-Berkman Fellowship in Innovative Journalism Deadline - January 31

he Nieman Foundation for Journalism and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society will host one fellow for an academic year to carry out a research project on journalism innovation. Candidates

must propose a project relating to journalism’s digital transformation. Examples might include ideas for new revenue streams to fund journalism, the construction of new tools for reporting or research into news consumption patterns. The stipend is US$60,000. For more information, click here. Reuters Journalism Fellowship Deadline - January 31

he Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University hosts 25 fellows for three, six or nine months to research topics within the institute's areas of focus - the business of journalism, the evolving practice of journalism and relationships between journalism and accountability. Journalists must have at least five years' experi-

ence. Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship Deadline - February 1

ix international journalists join 12 American journalists at the University of Michigan for one year of academic study. Fellows devise a personalised plan of study with access to the courses and resources at the university. The fellowship covers travel and tuition costs and provides a US$70,000 stipend. Applicants must have at least five years' journalism experience. The Fellowship in Global Journalism Deadline - February 11

he Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto is seeking a new

generation of global correspondents with expert knowledge of complex topics. These 15 fellows will be mentored by a professional journalist while freelancing for major media and attend journalism courses and lectures. Fellows graduate with a certificate in global journalism. Joan Shorenstein Center Fellowship at Harvard Deadline - February 15

he Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government is accepting applications for the Joan Shorenstein Center Fellowship. Applicants must be journalists, scholars or policymakers active in the field of press, politics and public policy. Fellows are required to live in residence for one

semester, and will receive a US$30,000 stipend disbursed in four installments over the semester Knight Science Journalism Fellowships at MIT Deadline - March 1

hese fellowships accept 10-12 international and U.S. journalists with at least three years' experience covering science, technology, the environment or medicine. Fellows devise their own plan of study, auditing courses at MIT and Harvard, attending lectures and interviewing faculty members. Fellows receive a stipend of US$65,000 plus tuition and benefits. •

For more details visit Ijnet.com

Cocktail

Thursday, January 17, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (82)

When you dig another out of their troubles, you find a place to bury your own. –Anonymous * * * MY NOTE: I have always believed that what we make happen for others, God will make happen for us. I have always believed that to help others is to help myself. I have always believed that a selfless life is a powerful life. TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

Stolen church relics returned with apology

he pastor of a Missouri church said nine stolen relics, including the material remains of Catholic saints, were returned with an apology note. The Rev. Dennis Schmidt of the Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church in Ste. Genevieve said the relics were found in a zip-locked baggie after the 6 a.m. mass Monday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Tuesday.

Schmidt said the items, which were taken around Christmas, were returned with a note apologizing for the thefts and asking forgiveness. The pastor said the thief has been forgiven, but the culprit’s identity and motive for the theft remain a mystery. Lt. Jasen Crump of the Ste. Genevieve Police Department said the case is not being investigated at Schmidt’s request.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Rare painting worth $18,000 dropped in Goodwill store

rare painting that was dropped off at a Goodwill store in Virginia may soon sell for nearly $20,000—with the proceeds going to a good cause. The painting, an original work by 19th-century artist Giovanni Batista Torriglia, is currently up for auction on Goodwill’s website, with the sale expected to be completed on Wednesday. Goodwill employee Maria Rivera found the painting in a donation bin in November, but she set the item aside on a hunch that it might be of value. “I didn’t know how much at the time, but I knew we had some money here,” Rivera told a local NBC affiliate last week. In fact, Rivera said she based her opinion of the painting on a memory of having recently seen a similar work at a museum. The painting, which depicts an elderly woman drinking a cup of tea, was then taken to an appraiser, who said it’s worth between $12,000 and $18,000. Of course, Goodwill officials say they won’t be surprised if someone, or even multiple people, come

forward claiming to be the accidental donor of the Torriglia painting. However, because there was no proof of ownership left with the painting at the time, Goodwill officials say it’s unlikely an individual could take ownership. Goodwill adds that it will

use the proceeds for its jobtraining program. The unusual discovery is actually part of a larger trend of people making accidental art donations to Goodwill in recent months. In November, a Salvador Dali sketch was found at a Seattle Goodwill donation

center. As with the Torriglia, the Dali work was put up for auction on the store’s website. And a few months before that, a piece of pottery found at a New York Goodwill store turned out to be a 1,000-year-old artifact from a Native American burial site in Oklahoma.

This Giovanni Batista Torriglia painting was discovered in a Virginia Goodwill store.

PHOTO: AP

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Thursday January 17, 2013

ACF tackles Sanusi over comment on regional bodies, others A ZA MSUE KADUNA

he apex northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, yesterday descended on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, over his call for a ban on its activities and those of Ohanaeze, Afenifere, Jamatul Nasril Islam, JNI and the Christian Association of

Nigeria, CAN. ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, in a statement via text messages to National Mirror yesterday, disagreed with the apex bank governor’s position, explaining that such organisations are for national unity contrary to Sanusi’s thinking. The CBN governor had on Tuesday, at a dinner organised by the Northern Reawakening Forum, NRF, said such

bodies are no longer religious or cultural in nature, but political associations masquerading as socio-cultural or religious organisations. Sanusi added that the groups have constituted themselves into cults and business enterprises that have nothing to contrib-

ute to the government and should be banned. But, ACF said; “Not all regional and religious groups are divisive as posited by the CBN governor.” The body said because of their overlapping interests, such bodies tend to reinforce the unity of the country. I

believe their place in the order of things is to inspire national solidarity that comes with relative pluralism and not cloistered particularism.” ACF added: “For example, it is much easier to use such for bringing the people together in order to enable them un-

leash their energy positively. They come together to collective challenge both individuals and groups for public good as against allowing the attitude of “To your tents O Israel” to prevail and inspire ethnic nationalism that is unhelpful.”

Plateau crisis: Group calls on FG to investigate STF JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

socio-political group known as the Berom Youth Moulders, BYM, has called on the Federal Government to urgently initiate the process of investigating the activities of members of the military Special Task Force, STF, drafted to maintain peace in the Plateau State crisis. The call came on the heels of the rising wave of killings by gunmen in some local government areas in the state. No fewer than eight people were killed in Jos South and Riyom council areas within the last one week. Addressing a press conference in Jos yesterday, Chairman of the Berom Youth Moulders, Mr. Rwang Dantong, said they were convinced of STF’s complicity in the killings. Dantong, who also decried what he called ‘yellow journalism’ by a section of the media in reporting the crisis said:

“The action and inaction of the STF members in the killings make us believe that some of them have been recruited as mercenaries in this unending violence. “Why is it that when normalcy is about being achieved, pockets of killings will occur with members of the STF not being far from the scene, but always quick to bare its fangs on innocent people after they have suffered loses? “Why is it that STF always appears after an attack by the gunmen? Why is it that all promises of tracking down the attackers and bringing them to justice have not yielded any fruit? “The only way to restore peace is for the military high command to begin a comprehensive investigation into the complicity of its men in the Plateau crisis with a view to bringing them to book. That way, the crisis will abate and the people will find their own template for peace.”

L-R: Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh; District Head of Zabi, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir and Deputy Chairman, Giade Local Government Area, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, during the launch of 2012 cotton sales season in Giade, Bauchi State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Fire guts Kwara Poly students’ services office Equipment worth N50m in FUT radio station damaged

WOLE ADEDEJI AND PRISCILLA DENNIS

he Office of the Directorate of Students’ Services of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, was gutted by fire in the early hours of

Shema warns contractors handling govt projects JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

atsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, has warned contractors handling government projects in the state to ensure quality and timely completion of same or risk having their contracts revoked. Shema spoke yesterday when he paid an inspection visit to the ongoing construction of multi-billion naira Government House in Katsina metropolis. He threatened that contractors that fail to meet “contractual agreement

as agreed upon” for government-owned projects could have their contracts forfeited. He said the state pays 40 percent mobilisation fees to contractors and wondered why some of them would fail to meet stipulated contractual agreement. Shema also warned contractors handling the Government House project to ensure they complete same by June this year or risk having the contract terminated. He said the Government House was supposed to have been completed in December 2012, but that

the signs that it would be commissioned early were not there. He said a committee would be set up to assess all government projects to ensure timely completion while another would be created to report back on the government house project.

Shema

yesterday. Information made available to National Mirror said the fire started by midnight on Tuesday and affected five rooms of the office block. A source at the state fire office yesterday confirmed the incident but said he was not competent to speak officially. He said they were able to put out the fire before it spreads to other areas. Some files were destroyed and documents that were in the filing cabinet as well as some air conditioner units were destroyed. The fire officer said: “We cannot quantify the loss but there was no loss of life neither was anyone injured.” Similarly, a staff of the directorate said; “nothing happened to anybody in the campus. I was there all through. “The fire started about 1.30am, the fire brigade

came about 2.25am and by 3.15am the fire was put off. We alerted the two offices of the fire brigade and they came. We are happy with them. “It will not affect academic activities. Only some offices used for storing of some documents were affected. In fact right now, examination will start next week,” he added in response to a question from National Mirror. Meanwhile, equipments worth about N50 million were destroyed by fire in the two-yearold studio of the Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna Search FM radio station yesterday with no life lost, reports said. National Mirror learnt that the fire which started about 12.30am was a result of an electrical fault in the studio. It will be recalled that Search FM was Radio Nigeria’s “2012 Campus Sta-

tion of the Year.” The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Musibau Akanji, revealed this during a courtesy call on the Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu in Minna. He said the fire incident, which destroyed the radio station sited in the library complex at Gidan Kwano campus, did not touch any other part of the structure. Akanji, later in an interview with reporters, said the inferno was due to faulty electrical equipment while also denying any act of sabotage as speculated by some people. He explained that so far, investigation has commenced on the cause of the fire adding that soon the station will be back on the air. State governor, Dr. Aliyu in his response, pledged to assist the university build a new studio.

North

Thursday January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

N17m fraud: Yero behind deputy speaker’s travail –Group A ZA MSUE KADUNA

ontroversy has continued to trail the trial of the Kaduna State Deputy Speaker, Dr. Dogara Mato, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC, for alleged N17 million fraud. A youth group under the auspices of Southern Kaduna Progressive Youth Movement, SOKAPYM, yesterday accused Governor Mukhtar Yero

of being behind Mato’s trial for the alleged contract fraud in Lere Local Government. Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, SOKAPYM National President, Caleb Samuel Abbott, said Mato’s arraignment was a calculated plot by Yero to replace him with a loyalist. Abbott also warned Yero to stop removing Christian political appointees and civil servants at the Government House and replacing them with Muslims.

He said: “We have it on good authority that on Monday, 14th January, 2013, Governor Mukhtar Yero masterminded the arraignment of Hon. Dogara Mato, deputy speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly in a bid to intimidate and harass him due to his perceived rising influence.” But reacting to the allegations, the governor’s Director General, Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, said the removal of security personnel

were purely security agencies affair. Maiyaki said on telephone that the appointment made so far was done in line with government tradition. He said: “It is the tradition at all levels in government; the appointment made so far was done without malice. “His Excellency has repeated this over and over again. He does not have any problem with the people of Southern Kaduna

and he has promised to carry all citizens in the state along. “Their allegations are not true. The removal of security personnel and replacing them is purely the affair of the security agencies. “All these people you are talking about are personal appointments of the governor. Former governor Ahmed Makarfi and the Vice President

GOMBE

I’ve not declared my presidential ambition –Aliyu PRISCILLA DENNIS AND WOLE ADEDEJI

iger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu has denied the allegations that he had flagged off his presidential campaign in Plateau State. Aliyu said he would abide by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s directive that all campaigns for 2015 should commence next year. The governor said this during courtesy visits by the Ethiopian Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Ali Abdul Sulaiman, and the ViceChancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Musibau Akanbi, in Minna. The governor said the national headquarters of PDP had asked all those interested in vying for political offices to wait till next year before they could start their campaigns. He said: “It is not true that I have flagged off my presidential campaign. But if it is God’s will that

I would come out, believe me, I will. I am not afraid, I will come out because what will be will be. But I am not out yet.” Aliyu noted that a recent visit by the National Youth Leader of the party, Alhaji Garba Umaru, who hails from the state to Plateau State to thank members of the PDP in that state for electing him, was misunderstood as a presidential campaign for him. Also, the Niger State PDP Chairman, Dr. AbdulRahman Mahmud Ningi, corroborated the governor’s statement yesterday while addressing journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State. He said his visit to Kwara State “has nothing to do with the presidential ambition of Governor Aliyu.” Ningi recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan had directed that public officers should, for now, face the task of developing their various states and establishments. He said: “Aliyu has not even declared any presidential ambition to the best of my knowledge as the par-

ty’s chairman in the state. “Our visit to the NorthCentral states has nothing to do with Governor Aliyu’s presidential ambition rather it is a ‘thank you’ visit over the election of one of us as the National Youth Leader of PDP.” Ningi said a newspaper report misrepresented the

Niger State PDP’s delegation visits to the NorthCentral states as a presidential campaign tour on behalf of Aliyu. The chairman urged journalists to always crosscheck their facts before going to the press in order not to unnecessarily overheat the polity.

Yero

Gombe: Opposition parties reject Feb 23 LG polls date DANJUMA WILLIAMS

Commander, 1 Brigade, Sokoto, Maj. General Tommy Dibi and Sokoto State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danladi Bako, during a visit to the commissioner in Sokoto, yesterday.

Namadi Sambo and the late Yakowa made similar appointments when they were in office.”

he Chairman of the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission, GOSIEC, Mr. Caleb Maina, yesterday fixed February 23 for the conduct of local government elections. However, opposition parties in the state have rejected the timetable and called for more time to study it before coming out with their position. The Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, and the Action Congress of Nigeria, CAN, told journalists immediately after the timetable was released that the time was too short for them to prepare. The state ACN Secretary, Mr. Julius Ishaya, said: “We are going to study the timetable very well to see whether it is feasible, will it give us the opportunity to give a good fight? We are going to the drawing board to look into the matters and see wheth-

er it is possible. We really have to think about it.” The CPC Chairman, Audu Baba Kwami, said GOSIEC was rushing the opposition parties without giving them enough time to prepare. He said: “It is uncalled for, we are opposing it. All the opposition parties are going to meet to present a unified position. “One month is not enough for us to prepare for election considering the size of the state, and two days not enough to present candidates.” But briefing newsmen on the preparations for the elections, Maina said all issues that prevented GOSIEC from issuing a tentative date for the election had been resolved. He explained that the commission had received from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the list of all the registered and deregistered political parties and paced copies on its notice board.

Bauchi sets aside N1.7bn to boost fertiliser production

FG needs to create a national fistula day –USAID

EZEKIEL TITUS

JAMES DANJUMA

BAUCHI

auchi State Government has voted N1.7 billion to purchase chemicals for the production of fertiliser. The Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Tasiu Mohammed, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the Government House. He said the government was determined to end perennial food scarcity in Bauchi State and neighbouring states. The commissioner added that the decision by the administration of Gover-

nor Isa Yuguda to boost food production was in line with President Goodluck Jonathan agenda to put smile on the faces of farmers across the country. When procured, Tasiu said the chemicals would facilitate the production of 16 metric tonnes of fertilisers which would also be sold to other states. He said Yuguda had placed food production on top of the agenda of the administration. The commissioner said the effort was to complement Federal Government’s policy in line with the global move to eradicate food scarcity and poverty.

KATSINA

he USAID Fistula Project has called on the Federal Government to create a national Fistula Day in recognition of women suffering from Vesicovaginal Fistula, VVF. The Deputy Country Director, USAID Fistula Project, Dr. Adamu Isa, made the call yesterday in Katsina State during the empowerment of 100 VVF patients at the Babbar Rugga VVF Centre. Isa said giving such recognition to the issue would ensure a more serious and collective effort to combat

the disease particularly in the North. He said a research carried out in Zamfara State showed that 60 per cent of women suffering from VVF ended up losing their marriages while another 70 per cent ended up not remarrying. The deputy country director said it was discovered that most of those affected were teenagers, while 70 per cent of them lost their children conceived at time of being affected by VVF. He called on the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Fatima Shema, to diligently work with other governors’ wives to combat VVF at the state and national levels.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror Niger to outlaw street begging

“If we let the power of love overcome the love for power, we will have peace in Nigeria” AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNOR; GODSWILL AKPABIO

Robbers attack Katsina businessman JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

ore than 12 armed robbers have invaded the residence of a popular businessman in Katsina State and stole handsets worth N2 million. The robbers also took away unspecified amount of money among other valuables belonging to the victim, his guests and fam-

ily members. The businessman, Al-mustapha Rabiu Dan-Amina, was attacked at his Gidan Dawa residence in the state capital. Narrating the incident, DanAmina said the hoodlums ordered him and guests to lie on the floor,while threatening to shoot anyone failing to comply. He said the robbers took away monies, clothes and other valuables including handsets worth

Students of Baptist High School, Lagos resuming for the new term last Monday.

N2 million. He said they had forced their way into his residence after holding the security guard at gunpoint, even as the police responded immediately. Confirming the incident, the Police Commissioner, Abdullahi Magaji, said one of the robbers was killed during exchange of gunfire while another suspect has been arrested. Magaji, said investigations are

on to arrest other gang members as several stolen items have been recovered. Community Mirror gathered that this is coming only weeks after another incident in which 30 armed men killed two people and kidnapped a French national in Rimi Council Area of the state. The armed men had also bombed a police station, destroying arms and ammunition and other vital documents.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Ijako families fight govt over land FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he Ijako Community in Ado/Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State appeared to be on collision course with the government over a parcel of land which the local council claimed it acquired a long time ago. The parcel of land, situated at Ijako village on the Lagos/Abeokuta expressway, is currently being occupied by the Tippers/ Lorries, Drivers Owners Association on the authority of the local government. While the owner families in Ijako claimed the land is being occupied illegally, the government insists it was acquired legally. Community Mirror gathered the government had in a newspaper publication of June 25, 1993, gave notice of the acquisition but

failed to gazette it. It was further gathered that owners of the land sold portions to some individuals with valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to demonstrate ownership. But the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Muyiwa Oladipupo, who spoke on the matter, restated that government acquired the land some years back, even as families slept on their rights and failing to demand and collect compensation. “So the state can continue to use the land through the local government which loaned it out to the tipper owners. While confirming that the state government was yet to gazette its positions, he urged the family to stop trespassing to avoid crisis on the disputed land. Meanwhile, lawyer to the families, Barrister Segun Ojo,

condemned procedure for acquisition of the land by the government, which claimed to have acquired the land since 1996. Acknowledging that by virtue of provisions of the Land Use Act (1978), all lands belong to the government, Ojo stressed that it ought to have followed due recourse before land can be said to have been validly acquired. “And upon acquisition, such land or lands must be published in the government gazette for public notice and also to avoid possible or likely confusion and controversy’’ Ojo, in a letter of December 15, 2012 addressed to Governor Ibikunle Amosun states: ‘’the position of the law is also clear with respect to the payment of compensation’’. “Upon acquisition, due compensation must be paid to the customary land owners for dis-

lodging them from the land where they eke out life. He adds: “From all material facts, made available to our offices, no compensation has been paid to our clients’ families or any of those individuals who purchased land from them with C of O issued by the government. We make bold to submit, that the land, subject matter of this letter, was never at any point in time acquired by the government as being circulated and or speculated by authorities of Ado/Odo-Ota. According to Ojo, life had been made unbearable by those he described as trespassers “and their hired thugs for our clients’ families members through their criminal activities’’. “These miscreants and hoodlums who are being curiously supported by the Ado/Odo-Ota Local Government have virtually taken law into their hands.

Herdsmen call for assistance after fire incident HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

pokesman of the Fulani herdsmen in Odessa, Onyagede District of Benue State, Mallam Anaruwa Abdullahi, has called on public spirited individuals to come to their aid following the fire incident that destroyed their houses and other equipment including cash worth over N300, 000. Mallam Abdullahi, who spoke at Onyagede, in Ohimini Local Government Area, said this has became necessary owing to plight of the affected victims some of whom are taking refuge under trees, stressing that it endangers their lives more so as some are nursing mothers. He therefore called the local and state government for to rehabilitate them in view of the harsh harmattan season in the state. According to Abdullahi, properties ranging from generators, television, clothing, among other household items including N300, 000, was destroyed in the inferno, even as cause of the fire is still unknown. An indigene of the local government and former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alh Sule Audu, expressed shock at the disaster and called on chairman of the council and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to aid the victims. In his comment, Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Council, Hon. Sunday Mark, described the development as unfortunate, pledging to find solution to their ordeal,while enjoining them to be patient. However, the State Secretary of the MYETTI ALLAH Cattle Breeders Association, umbrella body of Fulani herdsmen, Mallam Golos Abdullahi, said efforts are being intensified to find solution to the problem,even as he appealed to the state and local governments to come to their aid,even as Mallam Anaruwa Abdullahi disclosed that the incident took place when they were out grazing their cattle.

Community Mirror

PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

he Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, has directed the state Ministry of Gender Affairs to come up with a social security scheme to cater for the disabled and Almajiris on

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Niger to outlaw street begging the streets of the state. Under the scheme, the beneficiaries would be enrolled into schools to acquire both Islamic and Western education. The governor, who stated

C&S holds restoration vigil he Cherubim & Seraphim, C&S, Unification Church of Nigeria will hold a vigil tomorrow. January 18, 2013, tagged: ‘Night of Restoration’ at the Seraphim Land, Maba Village, on Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway. The vigil, themed: ‘for our citizenship is in Heaven’, promises spiritual blessings that will remedy age long challenges to participants. The annual prayer conference also has “Word of salvation that enables the elects of God stay connected to ‘King of

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Kings’. The programme would end with Anointing Service. The chief host and Supreme Head, C&S Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence A. O. Akinsanya (JP), would minister, while Prophet E. A. Akintola (JP) from Ogbomosho, His Royal Majesty, (Apostle) S. O. Oyediran, Oba of Ijeruland, Ogbomosho, and other men of God will ensure that participants are spiritually touched and marked for unusual success in the New Year.

this while declaring open a workshop on street begging and launch of the compendium of law reform commission, said the administration would take harsh and hard decisions to outlaw street begging . Aliyu, noted that Islam is against street begging, hence the government would take measures to stop people from interpret-

ing the Quran wrongly. ‘‘Islam is not about begging and is against anything that lowers the self esteem of a person in public. We will stop people from mis-interpreting the Quran. Therefore, we will not be afraid to take harsh and hard decisions, and this is why the government is against street begging.”

He also reiterated the commitment of his administration to fight poverty, while expressing joy at the high rating of the state by the National Bureau of Statistics. In its latest report, the state was rated first among states with the least poverty level in the country. Aliyu, insisted that,” the fight against poverty

is not about giving out money but making people to be self sufficient.” In his speech, Speaker state House of Assembly, Hon. Adamu Usman, stated that aside from lowering self esteem, it exposes beggars to danger, even as he expressed readiness to act swiftly when ever a bill is presented to outlaw street begging.

Chief and Mrs. Tony Chukwu carrying the Oblata to Pope Benedict XVI at Vatican Mass in Rome, Italy

Nigerian couple achieve feat at Vatican FELIX NWANERI

ommendations have continued to trail Nigeria’s landmark achievement at the New Year mass of the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, on January 1. A very significant event at the mass celebrated at St Peters Cathedral in Rome, took place when a Nigerian couple, Chief and Mrs. Tony Chukwu, carried the Oblata to the Holy Father. On every January 1, those who carry the Oblata do so for the whole world. They represent the entire Catholic faithful in offering the fruit of human through the pontiff and asking God to pour His blessings on humanity in the New Year.

Some religious leaders who spoke on the issue, said that Chief Chukwu and his wife were nominated from among the more a billion strong Catholic faithful was a miracle and sign of God’s grace and favour on them, especially in view of their numerous charitable programmes in the church and society at large. “Through the instrumentality of Chief and Mrs. Chukwu, God has accepted the offering of Nigeria and entire world. He has accepted us as peace offering. In a mass televised by major networks, the Pope prayed for peace in Nigeria and the world. We also pray, that God would grant the country and world true peace in 2013,” a cleric said. The event is of great sig-

Town planners for investiture ceremony

he Nigerian Institute of Town Planners [NITP] will hold the investiture ceremony for its 20th National President, Steve Ifeanychikwu Onu FNITP, NPOM on Friday January 18, 2013 at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre Abuja. Chief Steve Onu was elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Insti-

tute at Abuja on November 20, 2012. According to the institute’s National Secretary, Nathaniel Atebije, the ceremony will be chaired by Dr. Musa Babayo,Talban Katagun who is Chairman, Board of Trustees Tertiary Education Fund, while the guest speaker is Chief Mike Ikenna Ahamba, SAN.

nificance to Nigeria and Africa, as the Oblata is not an ordinary offering. First, it is self-offering and those carrying it represent the whole of God’s people at the mass. Chukwu, was said to have declined when informed he had been chosen to carry the Oblata for 2013, saying he was not worthy to carry a peace offering for the whole world. However, he accepted the very rare privilege and honour when reminded that

Jesus Christ came for sinners and paid the supreme price for the world. This was realized through the direct request and intervention of clerics of the Regular Order of Somasca (Somascan Fathers Congregation). The honour to carry the Oblata in a Papal mass has become more difficult in recent times. This is because the Pope is aging and his schedule of activities cut down to barest minimum, so getting a chance to meet with him is something reserved for heads of states and Episcopates.

Residents apprehend robbery suspect OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

esidents of Aratunsin Layout,on Bolajoko Area of Akure, the Ondo State capital, have arrested a suspected armed robber alleged to be terrorizing the neighbourhood. The suspect with two others still at large, were said to have attacked a man with his wife in their home. When residents and some youths reportedly learnt of the incident chased the suspected robbers, arresting one of them identified as Sunday Richard. The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP

Ogodo Wole, who confirmed the incident, said luck ran out of one of the robbers as he was arrested by the youths and some concerned neighbours, who then handed him to the police. Ogodo, added that the suspect is presently receiving treatment at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend other members of the gang. In a related development, another gang of armed hoodlums reportedly robbed residents of Ajebamidele in the state capital carting away N381, 000 and other valuables.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

“President Morsi assured the delegation that the broadcast comments were taken out of an address against the Israeli aggression against Gaza.” – EGYPTIAN PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, YASSER ALI

Liberia’s Charles Taylor ‘wants presidential pension’ PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

iberia’s jailed ex-President and war criminal Charles Taylor appears to have written to MPs demanding an annual state pension of $25,000 (£15,600). Liberian Senate Secretary Nanborloh Singbeh said the letter would be discussed by MPs next week. The letter purportedly from Taylor says the withholding of his presidential pension is a “mammoth injustice”. Last May, a UN-backed court sentenced him to 50 years in prison on 11 counts of war crimes. He became the first former head of state to be convicted on such charges by an international court since the Nuremburg trials of Nazis after World War II. Taylor, who is in jail at The Hague, is appealing against the judgement by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone. It ruled that as Liberia’s president, he aided and abetted Sierra Leone’s rebels during the 19912002 civil war. The BBC’s Jonathan PayeLayleh reports from the capital, Monrovia that the signature on the letter very much looks like

Charles Taylor

that of Taylor. However, the letter contains some simple spelling errors, such as “principal” for principle, “cease” for seize and “giving” for given, he says. May I, with respect, request in this formal manner the intervention of this august body in

bringing an end to this mammoth injustice.” This has raised questions about whether Taylor personally wrote the letter, our correspondent adds. However, Taylor’s brother-inlaw Arthur Saye told our reporter that the ex-president did write

the letter. The letter also calls for the government to give accommodation and diplomatic passports to Taylor’s wife Victoria and his two daughters. “The fact is that I have not received my entitlement as set out under the law as a former president of Liberia since I resigned the office on August 11, 2003,” the letter to the senate reads. “May I, with respect, request in this formal manner the intervention of this august body in bringing an end to this mammoth injustice and cause my law annuities to be made available to me.” Taylor is also quoted in the letter as saying that he is entitled to consular access and diplomatic services at The Hague, but he has been “denied that right”. Our correspondent says Liberian law states that a former president who has “honourably retired to private life and who is not in any way gainfully employed by government” would receive a pension equal to half the salary of the incumbent president. Taylor was forced into exile in Nigeria in 2003 after the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd) rebel movement laid siege to Monrovia.

Obama unveils gun-control proposals

resident Obama yesterday formally proposed the most expansive gun-control policies in generations and initiated 23 separate executive actions aimed at curbing what he called “the epidemic of gun violence in this country.” While no legislation can prevent every tragedy, he said in announcing the proposals, ”if there is even one thing we can do to reduce this violence, if there’s even one life that can be saved, we’ve got an obligation to try.” If all 50 states awarded electoral votes by congressional district, Romney would be president and Nixon would have beaten Kennedy. Obama spoke in a ceremony to formally unveil the proposals

and to sign executive orders and paperwork initiating immediate administrative actions, including steps to strengthen the existing background-check system to keep guns out of the hands of potentially dangerous people as well as to improve mental health and school safety programs. The president also called on Congress to swiftly pass legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines for civilian use and to require universal background checks for all gun buyers. Obama’s proposals include mental health and school safety measures, as well as a tough new crackdown on gun trafficking. Speaking before Obama, Vice President Biden said “we have

a moral obligation” to diminish the prospect that tragedies such as last month’s massacre in an elementary school in Connecticut could happen again. “I have no illusions about what we’re up against,” Biden said. But he added: “The world has changed, and it’s demanding action.” Obama said his agenda is comprehensive and is designed to curb not only mass shootings with semiautomatic weapons but the thousands of deaths from regular handguns that abound in America’s cities. In an emotional ceremony one month and two days after the shooting that killed 20 small children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in New-

Obama

town, Conn., Obama was flanked by children who wrote him letters in the days after the massacre, pleading with him to do something to curb gun violence.

WORLD BULLETIN Collapsed building kills 17 in Egypt An eight-story apartment building collapsed, killing 17 people yesterday in Egypt’s Mediterranean port city of Alexandria — the second tragic accident in the country in many days. Eight other people were injured and rescue teams continued to search for survivors under the rubble, said Assistant Interior Minister Abdel-Aziz Tawfeeq. Military police from a nearby naval base formed a security ring around the site to the rescue operation. The building collapse came a day after 19 police conscripts were killed when the last car of a train they were riding jumped the tracks and smashed into another train just outside Cairo. It was not immediately known what caused the building to collapse in a poor district of Alexandria.

Two die in London helicopter crash Two people were killed and 12 were hurt when a helicopter crashed into a crane on a building in central London. The helicopter hit the crane on top of The Tower, One St George Wharf beside the Thames at about 08:00 GMT. Cars and two buildings caught fire after the burning wreckage fell into Wandsworth Road in South Lambeth. Eighty firefighters tackled the blaze. The pilot, named as Pete Barnes from charter firm Rotormotion, was killed, along with a person on the ground. Mr Barnes had asked to be diverted to a nearby heliport because of bad weather. Metropolitan Police Commander Neil Basu told BBC News it was “miraculous” the crash was not much worse.

US agency to launch PAEGC for access to clean energy In an effort geared towards addressing the challenges in accessing modern energy for agricultural production, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) partnered with the Government of Sweden, Duke Energy, USDA, OPIC, and AfDB are set to launch Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development (PAEGC). The PAEGC program pools over $20 million, with the goal of increasing clean energy access and supporting economic growth in the developing world through funding and support for market-based clean energy innovations for farmers and agri-businesses. In its first round of funding, Powering Agriculture is offering awards of between $300,000 and $1,500,000 for projects that develop innovative solutions for expanding clean energy access to farmers and agribusinesses.

Insight

Thursday, January 17, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Human excesses threaten In the past, the Lagos Bar Beach held the fantasy for tourists. NGOZI EMEDOLIBE writes that its impact has waned considerably as man and nature battle for space at the peril of ecotourism.

or people who opted to spend their leisure time at the Lagos Bar Beach during the last Christmas and New Year holidays, it may have been appreciably fun-filled, with the series of activitiesthe crowd and the games. Without doubt, a greater percentage of this crowd of fun seekers may have opted for the Bar Beach owing to its strategic location, and of course, the brand, Bar Beach…Nigeria’s foremost beach… which until lately was the aquatic symbol of Lagos. However things may not be the same by the time they return there, especially now that the festive season is over. And chances are also very high that there would not be any activity there until in a few months when another holiday would be declared as a result of a religious activity. This is the dilemma of Bar Beach, a resort obviously being hampered by man’s interest to curtail nature. Over the years, the interest of the commercial activities which have sprung up on Ahmadu Bello Way in Victoria Island, Lagos have become a huge threat to the ecotourism essence of the Lagos Bar Beach. This has led to massive construction of barriers to hold back the pool of water in anticipation of ocean surges. While this is scarcely helping, lots of funds are periodically being committed to the project, further making the body of water lose its tourism potentials. Marine scientist, Ikechukwu Onyema, of the University of Lagos, traces this development to when activities started to reclaim the sea for habitation. “The issue, over the years, has been the largescale habitat modification resulting from the construction of the moles, which has obstructed the natural sediment regime and flow. Large-scale dredging and sand mining in the Lagos harbor and Bar Beach area have also gone on for years. “There is also the case of negative modifying effect of shipwrecks over the years. In addition and more recently, is the commencement of the construction of the Eko Atlantic City project. This is a large construction work in a systemic and natural current regulating coastline. All these have affected the dynamics of coastline areas, leading to loss of lives, coastal land mass and infrastructure,” Onyema explained. While a beach should naturally evoke feelings of nature with the presence of trees, Bar Beach has become bare, save for the tonnes of huge rocks lined across the water way to hold back the perennial surges. This has made the entire arena very artificial in nature. But a few people who refused to go out of business owing to the spot have managed to replace nature with something close. At several spots during festive seasons, one would see plastic chairs and umbrellas usually kept for rent by vendors. A vendor at the beach, Toyin Akinola, told National Mirror that activities were usually low but peak during festive periods. According to her, because of lack of patronage during off-peak periods, people in most lines of businesses at the beach have moved to other places. “Bar Beach is no longer what it used to be. I knew when this place was full of business when I used to help my elder sister to sell here. Then, there was hardly anything you bring that would not sell. People used to come around every day. But now they only come when there is a holiday. Once it is over the whole place becomes dry again,” Akinola said.

Deserted Bar Beach after the festive season.

Asked what she felt was responsible for the low patronage of tourists at the Bar Beach, Toyin attributed it to the presence of many other safer beaches in Lagos. “People no longer come here. They prefer the other beaches like Alpha, Lekki, Oniru, Eleko, and even Kuramo. May be they think those ones are more beautiful than Bar Beach. I just wish the government could do something about this place, so that life can come back to it again.” Her position may not be far from the truth indeed. In the past couple of years. Many beaches have emerged in the Lagos area, with cutting edge organisation, making visits to the Bar Beach nightmarish. Some private investors, who understand what potentials are inherent in the business of managing beaches, have also gone into the establishment of private beaches like Oniru and Eleko. Nnamdi Ugwu, who plies his trade at beaches selling beach wears and other paraphernalia told National Mirror that visiting beaches on weekends would help one determine what life at the beaches portends, because that is when activities peak, especially at the more organised beaches. “At Bar Beach, there is no organisation. But you get that when you go to the private beaches. But you will be made to pay money at the private beaches. However, nobody will rob you unless you are drunk and lose control of yourself,” Ugwu said. He was full of praises for Eleko Beach as a better alternative to Bar Beach. “Visitors are charged N200 per head at the first gate. And to park their vehicles, they are required to pay between N500 and N1, 000. Sometimes musicians come in to perform as well. But there is usually a hike during the festive seasons, such as Christmas. If a musician has been scheduled to perform at the beach, it means that guests have to pay more. But there is high safety there. Nothing will happen; there are even guards to protect people from drowning.” This reporter also learnt that one of the greatest concerns for people who visit beaches is security,

WHILE A BEACH SHOULD NATURALLY EVOKE FEELINGS OF NATURE WITH THE PRES-

ENCE OF TREES,

BAR BEACH HAS BECOME BARE, SAVE FOR THE TONNES OF HUGE ROCKS LINED ACROSS THE WATER WAY TO HOLD BACK THE PERENNIAL SURGES which seems to be lacking at the Bar Beach as well. The impact of the tight security situation being maintained in Lagos rubs off on the beach where men from the Ahmadu Bello Way Police Station drive past intermittently on routine patrols, but that has not eliminated the fact that the Bar Beach is a den of bad boys. Ugwu noted that in spite of the presence of patrol teams, several gangs seem to have made the beach their haven. “It may be difficult to rob here, but that does not mean they do not come around here. When you get to Bar Beach, you will see boys you can hit your chest and say they are up to something. I personally believe that they meet here, because of the free nature of the place. You know that anyone can walk into the place without hindrance. They can come here and meet and conclude their plans.” He also said that suspicious characters usually come in to the beach at night, although the ban on motor bikes imposed by the Lagos State Government has drastically reduced the number of such suspicious faces. However, drug-peddlers and prostitutes according to him have continued to make the place their second home. “One can definitely buy any kind of drugs one desires. But marijuana is most commonly sold here. The boys who sell them are young and

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Insight

Bar Beach and ecotourism

Tourists converge for fun at Christmas 2012.

IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. MANY BEACHES HAVE EMERGED IN THE LAGOS AREA, WITH CUTTING EDGE ORGANISATION, MAKING VISITS TO THE BAR BEACH NIGHTMARISH

Horse-riding, popular at Bar Beach

one can identify them from their bags and envelops, which they carry about. “People who use such drugs know them when they come around. Sometimes, you could also see these rich men drive in at night to buy Indian hemp. They usually come in their flashy cars, and blare their horn to alert the boys about what they have come to do. And you will see them running to the cars to meet them and transact their business.” Sex hawkers are also notorious at the beach. “It is at night that they come around here for business. But as in other things, the Bar Beach is losing grip to beaches like Alfa and Lekki in this regard. People who want to pick girls prefer to go to those beaches, depending on the class of women. The lack of tents at the Bar Beach has made women of easy virtue opt for the nearby Kuramo.” However, this reporter found out that the sex trade business which thrives at Bar Beach happens on a take-away basis, where the girls are taken to hotel rooms, unlike at other beaches where such acts happen inside the tents. One startling revelation which came from Ugwu

is that so many of the girls are from the university campuses, which informs why the place is usually alive with activities either during prolonged strikes or semester breaks, which incidentally coincide with the holidays like Christmas, Easter and Sallah. “But the girls are doing this to help themselves, because the economy is bad. A lot of them are students who come from the universities. They come around to hustle like their mates. Whenever there is a break or strike, the prices of the girls would go down, because there are more girls. But when school resumes, the few girls available begin to hike their fees too.” At the early hours of the day, the bar beach, this reporter was told turns to religious ground. For the fact that there is unrestricted access to the arena, spiritualists who cannot gain access to the other beaches opt to come to the Bra Beach to pray with their clients. “The truth is that every time belt has its own class of customers when it comes to the Bar Beach. At afternoons, you will likely see genuine fun-

seekers, who want to enjoy the beach. By evening, you will see fun seekers who are either looking for prostitutes, or drugs but in the wee hours of the day until dawn, you will likely see spiritualists, who have come to pray. They can do whatever they like, because nobody prohibits them, but this does not happen at the private beaches. Of course, those ones will not even allow them in.” These religious tourists are usually from the spiritual churches and often make sacrifices at the shorelines for afflictions ranging from barrenness, to poverty to unemployment to spiritual attacks. And often times, the animals used for the sacrifices come back haunting tourists with their foul smell. This has often caused many tourists nausea. The beautiful thing is that the Lagos State Government is not relenting on its efforts to bring back the fun at the Bar Beach, though it appears like a prick on the major problem. A few months ago, the beach was closed by the government with the plan to reopen it during Christmas 2012. That obviously availed the new look, the beach wore during the immediate past festive period. According to Onyeama, the plan for Environmental Impact Assessment needs to be pursued to the letter. “We must enlighten the shoreline masses and develop an environmentally friendly coastal culture. Similar feats have been achieved in Dubai and elsewhere without devastating environmental consequences. And the time to act is now. “There is the need to realistically and ecologically protect our coastline in Lagos, particularly areas where human activities have caused large-scale deleterious effects,” the don said. How far this would go in bringing back the glory of the good old Bar Beach squarely rests on time.

WORLD RECORD

Largest ship (cargo ship) Vol. 03 No. 537

Thursday, January 17, 2013

N150

The world’s largest ship of any kind is the oil tanker Jahre Viking (formerly the Happy Giant and Seawise Giant), at 564,763 tonnes (1,245 billion lb) deadweight and 260,815 grt. The tanker is 458.45 m (1,504 ft) long overall, has a beam of 68.8 m (226 ft) and a draught of 24.61 m (80 ft 9 in).

State policies and prophetic solutions

very New Year comes with promises of hope for better things, especially in a nation like ours, where majority of the masses engage in daily struggles for survival as if they are living in a war front. As we confront the stark realities of a democracy that has only yielded dividends for the ruling elite, the venal rich, who control the levers of state power and the vast resources, most Nigerians traditionally pin their hopes on divine providence, not government policies, for better life in a new year. God rules the affairs of men. As a preacher, that’s a truth I teach regularly; relying on him for divine direction is the right thing to do as we begin a new year. The trouble is, due largely to the superficial knowledge of the word of God, people do not often know the distinction between man’s responsibilities and God’s. Beset by seemingly intractable problems, there’s always the tendency for us to abdicate our

op racing outfit Ferrari yesterday confirmed that it will unveil its 2013 challenger on February 1 at the Maranello headquarters. The Italian group is the fifth team to announce its launch date, following the lead of Force India, who will also unveil its new car on

Guest Columnist

Chris

Okotie responsibilities and lay them squarely on the host of heaven or some unseen supernatural forces. The popular verse, Righteousness exalts a nation (Prov. 14:34), is one of the most misunderstood passages in the bible. The righteousness mentioned here is not about the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ that takes the Christian believer to heaven. It speaks of a forensic rightness; a moral rectitude and perpendicularity in the management of the affairs of men. You may call it good governance in our current political context. Then, the righteousness of Christ that we receive at new birth is what takes us to heaven. This does not necessarily guarantee paradise on earth. Very often, these two variants of righteousness are used by many people interchangeably, but they actually mean two different things. They point to two different directions: One to heaven, the other to the earth. Thus a nation, regardless of its religious bias, will be exalted if its leaders do the right thing. That is why non-Christian nations like China, Malaysia, and India excel economically even when they are predominantly Buddhist or Muslim; while a multireligious nation like Nigeria is down the lowest rung of the human development index. That said, while we pray for God’s mercy in dealing with the complex and explosive issues ahead of us in 2013, we expect a comprehensive projection of government’s policies and plans by the Federal Government for the New Year just begun, in line with international practice. So far, we’ve seen nothing of such.

NIGERIA SHOULD NOT BE REDUCED TO A NATION LIKE

HAITI

WHERE VOODOO OR SUPERSTITION SHAPES THE PEOPLE’S WORLD VIEW The London-based publication, The Economist, publishes special editions dedicated to detailed projections of the Global Political and Economic Outlook of nations every year. In its latest edition of “The Word In 2013” several nations, big or small are showcased. It serves as an investors’ guide and the compass for global leaders in charting the course of actions best suited for their policy directions. The magazine’s brief summary on Nigeria in 2013 makes interesting reading: “Goodluck Jonathan, the president, will pass the mid-point of his term facing many challenges, but none that threatens his political survival. Boko Haram, a loosely organised Islamist militant group, will channel northern resentment of Mr. Jonathan and the Christian south, obstructing development projects and investment plans. The economy will enjoy another year of 6%- plus growth”. Not cheering news. The logical inference from this brief is that we should expect business as usual in 2013.

The Nigerian government has not told us what it has in store for our people in 2013. A thorough articulation of government policies ought to herald the New Year to reassure the nation and other stakeholders around the world that the shortcomings of last year in all spheres would be addressed decisively this year. In the absence of a New Year resolution by government, the stage is usually left for soothsayers or prophets to make predictions on the fortunes of the nation. What we are served in the media are forecasts on natural disasters, threats of war, air crashes, and impending deaths of prominent individuals, including governors and ministers. Then, Nigerians are implored to pray to avert these misfortunes. Of course, men ought to pray always. However, history has shown that disasters are bound to occur because these are part of the vagaries of nature and signs of the end times. It is the responsibility of our government to take pre-emptive measures to contain or where possible, avert some of these disasters. Nigeria should not be reduced to a nation like Haiti where voodoo or superstition shapes the people’s world view. In Japan, the new government of Prime Minister Shinjo Abe plans a stimulus package of $117 billion dollars to recharge the economy that slowed down last year due to the tsunami, and earthquakes that devastated the country. Mexico’s newly elected president, Enrique Pena Nieto, has promised that in 2013, he’d launch a series of political and economic reforms to help achieve three overarching national goals that will improve the well-being of the people. Britain’s deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg says part of his government’s priority in the New Year is to welcome individuals who wish to make a contribution to his country in the area of trade and investments. And he explained in details what incentives await such class of people. Mr. Jonathan, just what are your plans for this country in 2013? Rev. Okotie, okotie@revchrisokotie. com, a pastor-politician, wrote from Lagos

Sport Extra

F1: Ferrari to unveil challenger next month February 1, as well as McLaren, Red Bull and Sauber. In a separate announcement, Ferrari has also announced that Pedro de la Rosa, who drove for the now-defunct HRT team in 2012, is to join the team in a de-

velopment role. Prior to joining the Spanish back marker at the start of last season, the veteran spent the best part of a decade in a test and development role at McLaren to high acclaim.

“We decided to add De La Rosa to our group of drivers mainly to strengthen one area, namely work in the simulator, which with the current regulations regarding testing, is becoming ever more important,” Team Principal, Stefano Domenicali, said.

Fernando Alonso

Printed and Published by Global Media Mirror Ltd: Head Office: Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street, Lagos Tel: 07027107407, Abuja Office: NICON Insurance House, Second Floor, Central Business District Area, Abuja Tel: 08070428249, Advert hotline: 01-8446073, Email: mail@nationalmirroronline.net. Editor: SEYI FASUGBA. All correspondence to PMB 10001, Marina, Lagos.