Thursday, july 4, 2013 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

NGF crisis: Court orders Fashola, Aliyu, others to file affidavits Amaechi escapes death as car rams into convoy EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

he lingering crisis in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum,

Fashola

Vol. 3 N0. 657

NGF, assumed a new dimension yesterday as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, ordered Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and his

ASUU factions differ over strike in UNILORIN, UNIZIK

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Niger State counterpart, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, to depose to separate affidavits to determine which of the counsel will represent CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Rufai

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Egyptian president, Morsi, overthrown

N150

Head of Constitutional Court takes over

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

gypt’s armed forces yesterday overthrew the elected Islamist President Mohamed Morsi and announced a political transition with the support of a wide range of political, religious and youth leaders. After a day of drama in which tanks and troops deployed near the presidential palace as a military deadline for Morsi to yield to mass protests passed, the head of the country’s armed forces announced on television that the president had “failed to meet the demands of the Egyptian people”. Flanked by political and religious leaders and top generals, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced CONTINUED ON PAGE 49>>

US biggest subscriber to Nigeria’s $1bn Eurobond – Okonjo-Iweala

Access Bank names Wigwe as MD

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UP: People cheering as Egyptian army tanks deploy on a street leading to Cairo University. DOWN: Egyptian soldiers barricaded a street with armoured vehicle in Cairo. RIGHT: Opponents of Morsi drumming during a protest outside the presidential palace. More photos on page PHOTOS: AP 49

State of the Nation Address Bill:

Senators in fisticuffs over Jonathan P.2

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Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

State of the Nation Address Bill:

Senators in fisticuffs GEORGE OJI ABUJA

or over 30 minutes yesterday, confusion reigned on the floor of the Senate as the bitter division among senators on whether or not to veto President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision not to sign the state of the nation address bill into law degenerated into violence. The situation became so tense and rowdy that two senators - Paulinus Nwagu (Ebonyi Central) and Garba Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) came close to fisticuffs but for the prompt intervention of their colleagues who struggled to hold them apart. Nwagu is a supporter of the President and would be travelling to China with President Jonathan next week. The foul mood was triggered by the failure of the Senate President David Mark to determine who carried the day after a voice vote on whether or not to adjourn further debate on the bill. In the midst of the rowdiness, the two senators were suddenly seen pointing at each other, shouting at themselves and angrily trying to engage in a fight but some of their colleagues formed a wall between the belligerents. In the process, Marafa’s eyeglasses fell to the ground as he struggled to get at Nwagu. When everybody had thought that the problem was over and as Nwagu sat down to explain her own side of the cause of the quarrel to some of the senators, Marafa was seen struggling to free himself from the grip of Senator Ahmed Lawan as he insisted on doing battle. It took the concerted effort of the northern senators to finally calm Marafa down and convinced him to let the sleeping dogs lie. Speaking with newsmen after the plenary, Senate spokesman, Enyinnaya Abaribe, however, said the quarrel had nothing to do with the state of the nation address bill but was caused by arguments over the motion on the proposed arming of the Zamfara State

vigilance group by Governor Abdulaziz Yari. Indications that the bill was going to generate tension in the Senate emerged last week Tuesday when Mark first introduced the letter from the President returning the bill back to the Senate. The action of President Jonathan in withholding his assent to the bill only confirmed the suspicion of the lawmakers about what they already knew. The President, had in 2010, also refused to sign the same bill into law after it had been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly. When the debate on the bill opened yesterday, many of the lawmakers were set to do battle with the President. To underscore this position, almost all the senators indicated interest to contribute to the debate. While some senators said that the Senate should veto the President since there was no constitutional provision allowing presidential observations in the lawmaking process, others were of the position that the issues raised by the President regarding the bill were weighty enough to be addressed properly. Jonathan had returned the state of the nation address bill passed to him by the National Assembly for his assent with some observations. Among other observations, the President said he objected to the bill because it was against the spirit and intents of the 1999 Constitution, particularly section 67 of the constitution as the state of the nation address had already been provided for in the constitution. Besides, Jonathan objected to the coercive nature of the bill, with provisions that compels him to deliver the address personally and at a particular date. Surprisingly, the debate on the bill did not flow along party or ethnic/tribal lines as senators from across the divide freely expressed their views on the matter. As the debate progressed and tempers began to rise, the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu moved a motion that further debate on the bill be adjourned to enable the Sen-

ate to confer with members of the House of Representatives on the way forward. Mark consequently put the motion to vote but could not rule on who won the motion; either the ayes or nays. This subsequently generated further confusion and commotion on the floor as both sides began to lay claim to victory by shouting on top of their voices, some saying “ayes”, other “nays”, depending on which side they stood. After efforts to calm the feuding senators down, the Senate President appealed to the lawmakers to close ranks on the matter and conduct themselves as statesmen. Mark said: “May I appeal that there is no need for tempers to rise. We are all democrats and we should solve all the problems by talking, not by boxing. “In any case for the first time in 14 years, I have seen any reason for people to pull out boxing gloves. It is never necessary, we must never do it, we are distinguished senators and we are elder statesmen. “We can do all the talking but we should never resort to boxing. I want to appeal once more that we suspend the debate on this for today, if for nothing else but because of the way tempers have risen. “We are all on the same wavelength and we must do what is in the best interest of this country. We do not have to fight to do it. On this subject matter we are all on the same wavelength.” Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi, who was the first to open debate on the bill, said it was wrong for the President to educate the National Assembly on the constitutional breaches contained in the state of the nation address bill. “Not the National Assembly, not even the President has the powers to interprete the constitution but the judiciary,” he said. Ningi explained that the state of the nation address bill was first introduced in the National Assembly in 2003 and reintroduced in 2005. He said while it was not possible for the bill to be passed in 2003, in 2005, the parliament harmonised the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Photo News

Thursday, July 4, 2013

L-R: Microsoft’s Director for Middle East and Africa, Yasser Hassan; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. Nike Animashaun; Commissioner for Education Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, during Fashola’s meeting with Microsoft executives in Dubai, yesterday.

L-R: Deputy Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema and Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, at the Access Bank Investors’ Forum in Lagos, yesterday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Executive Secretary, Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Jimi Asuni; Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adesina and Chairman, HEFAMAA, Dr. Omotayo Bello, during the agency’s stakeholders meeting PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Former President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Mr. Vincent Maduka and Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah, at a dinner organised by the academy in Lagos recently.

National News

ASUU factions differ over strike in UNILORIN, UNIZIK WOLE ADEDEJI, CHARLES OKEKE AND OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

he factional crisis rocking the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities, ASUU, at the University of Ilorin and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, is affecting the full implementation of the ongoing nationwide strike by the union in the institutions. While ASUU Chairman at UNILORIN, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, said that his chapter would not join in the strike because the national headquarters of the Union did not extend the directive to the university, another faction said to be recognised by the national body countered, saying that it got adequate notice of the strike. With the development, academic activities were going on yesterday in the university though on a small scale because a majority of the students had completed their second semester examination. Egbewole said: “It is im-

• NLC backs strike, says govt must honour agreement

portant to note that before a union will go on strike, there is the need for consultation. Up till now, I have not been informed in any way. “I sincerely believe that other universities who are participating in the strike did not get the directive on the pages of newspapers.” Egbewole also said that he had repeatedly said at “our congresses that we are not averse to a positive working relationship with the ASUU national headquarters, we have made several efforts towards this development which were rebuffed.” The professor, however, added that he believed that “strike is not the solution to any form of disagreement between the unions and the management. “As far as we are concern in University of Ilorin, strike is not the solution to any form of disagreement, and this is not to say that the Federal Government is not at fault in the present scenario.

“If the Federal Government voluntarily and willingly signed an agreement with ASUU in 2004 and up till about one year ago, the agreement was not implemented, it is less than honourable on the part of the government.” But the Chairman of the other faction, Dr. Oloruntoba Oju, and his Secretary, Dr. Kayode Afolayan, in a statement expressed its full support for the action of the national body. The officers, however, explained that the division in the chapter was being tackled saying: “The branch is currently undergoing reorganisation and re-mobilisation so that we will be able to do our duty by ASUU national as appropriate. “The union is also involved in litigation to bring the branch back to its feet in the comity of academics nationwide. “In the meantime, however, there should be no iota of doubt that contrary to the situation in the recent past, the branch is now

duly supportive of the positions of ASUU National.” At the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, the crisis bedeviling the institution’s chapter of the Union reared its head again yesterday as the contending group, the ASUU NAU Progressives, led by Prof. Maduabuchi Dukor, which has been at loggerheads with the local chapter, led by Prof. Ike Odimegwu, opted out of the strike. Addressing journalists yesterday at the permanent site of the university, Dukor, who led other professors at the event, said they decided to shun the strike to give the students the opportunity to conclude the ongoing 2012/2013 second semester examination. Dukor said that they made exhaustive consultation with all the stakeholders in the university before jettisoning the strike. He added that it would amount to a disservice to the parents, the students and the country to stop the scheduled examination

abruptly in the name of obeying the ASUU directive to proceed on strike. Dukor said: “The decision to shun the strike came after a long deliberation. We hereby state categorical that UNIZIK is not part of the ongoing strike. The second semester examination started a week ago, the exam is already in the process and it will be suicidal for us here to call off this exam in deference to ASUU directive that does not take into account the peculiar needs of the University.” He added that after the exam, they would call a meeting to consider the idea of joining the strike. “Heads of departments, deans, directors and deputy director have taken the decision for the exam to go on and that is our decision which is binding on every one of us, we have concluded lectures and exams are ongoing,” Dukor stressed. Earlier, the UNIZIK chapter of ASUU led by Prof. Odimegwu had at a meeting same day with

his supporters at the Multi Purpose Hall; permanent site told anxious lecturers that the University has joined in the strike. “We have joined the strike and it is total and anybody found teaching will be seen as going against the strike, this is our position, the strike started at about 12 o’clock midnight on Sunday,” he said. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has called on the Federal Government to implement all agreement it signed with ASUU to forestall dislocation in the academic calendar. Describing the Union’s grievances as legitimate, NLC also urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, adding that no nation grows without education. This was contained in a release signed by the NLC President, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar and made available to National Mirror in Abuja.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, July 4, 2013

NGF crisis: Court orders Fashola, Aliyu, others to file affidavits CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

them in the case before July 17. Other governors affected by the order are Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi) and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta). The trial judge, Justice Peter Affen, gave the order to resolve the controversy

that had greeted the legal representation of the registered trustees of the NGF, cited as 4th defendants in the suit brought by Fashola. The governor is praying the court to restrain the factional chairman of NGF and Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, from parading himself as the forum’s

chairman. He said in the suit that Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi won the contentious poll, having scored 19 votes to beat Jang, who was said to have polled 16 votes. Listed as co-defendants are: Asishana Bayo Okauru, Osaro Onaiwu and the

registered trustees of the NGF. The suit, slated for hearing yesterday, was, however, for the second time stalled, owing to irreconcilable differences that accompanied the legal representation of the 4th defendant. Hardly had Dr. Awa Kalu (SAN) announced his ap-

Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri (left) with the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Information and National Orientation, Hon. Umar Jubrin, during a courtesy visit of the committee to NOA corporate headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.

State of the Nation Address Bill: Senators in fisticuffs CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

bill and passed it on to the then President for his assent, but because of the 2007 election, the presidential assent could not be obtained. The Deputy Senate Leader stated that contrary to the arguments of President Jonathan, the current amendment did not violate section 67 of the constitution. Ningi said: “The President’s letter has no meaning and no basis, he should either sign the bill or we veto him.” The Deputy Senate President, the sponsor of the bill, noted that section 88 of the Senate’s standing rules allowed for the bill to be committed to the conference committee of the National Assembly. Citing section 58 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Ekweremadu noted that if the National Assembly passed a bill to the President for his assent, he (President) had only three options open to him. These, he said, are that the President either signs the bill into law or withholds his assent to the bill or returns it to the National Assembly with refusal to sign it. He, however, added that the Senate should take advantage of section 88 of the Senate’s standing rules and commit the bill to the conference committee, which would in turn advise the

Senate appropriately. Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa East) said that the President was not against the bill but was merely drawing the attention of the National Assembly to critical provisions of the constitution. He advised that the Senate take note of the President’s observations to see if they were actually in infringement of the constitution and rectify such. Senator Lawan, who was one of those opposed to the bill, noted that this was the first time consideration was being given to a President’s observations in a bill that had already been passed by the National Assembly. He maintained that section 67 referred to by the President did not in any way conflict with the bill. “We do not need to waste time on this bill, our option is clear. We should override the veto of the President and in doing that we are not fighting the President but doing what is right and deepening democracy in this country,” Lawan said. Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West) supported the President’s position and noted that it was not out of place for him to make observations on the bill, stressing that, “He is not against the bill but some of the contents of the bill.” Adeyemi stated that fol-

lowing the observations of the President, it was either the National Assembly came up with another bill or override the presidential veto. He said that in doing this, it would not amount to a show of power but protecting the interest of Nigerians. Senator Olanrewaju Solomon described the President’s observations as simply a diplomatic way of withholding assent to the bill. He cautioned that the Senate could not continue to debate the merit and demerits of the bill but simply to veto the President, noting that, “He has refused to sign the bill and we have the right to veto him.” Citing the budget Appropriation Act, Solomon advised that what the President ought to do was to first assent to the bill and later present an amendment if there were areas he disagreed with. Senator Eta Inang (Akwa Ibom North-East) noted that the question before the Senate was that of jurisdiction, “whether the Senate, albeit, the National Assembly, has the powers to do what the President wants.” He stated that as far as lawmaking was concerned, the President could not propose an amendment to a bill passed by the National Assembly because he is not part of the legislature.

The lawmaker said that once a bill was passed to the President, he had only two options before him; either to assent to the bill or withhold his assent, stressing that he could not propose any amendments. It was at this point that Mark reminded the Senate what happened in 2002 when the National Assembly passed the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Act into law. He said when the National Assembly first passed the law and sent it to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo for his assent, the President returned the bill with some observations, which the National Assembly took into consideration before finally passing a clean copy of the law. He noted that it was in order to accommodate the action of President Obasanjo on the NDDC Act that propelled the Senate to amend its standing rules. He said that by amending the Senate standing rule 88, the lawmakers had boxed themselves into a tight corner. “What we want to do today is historic and we have to be very careful to do it in the national interest,” Mark observed. After the appeal, he again put the motion for adjournment to vote and the ayes clearly had the day.

pearance for 2nd and 4th defendants, when one Mr. F.N. Nwosu, also informed the court that he had the instructions of the registered trustees to so represent. This development forced the court to stand down for about two hours to consider submissions from Kalu and Nwosu on who actually had the mandate of Akpabio, Fashola and others to appear as their advocate. Kalu, who was first to file his memorandum of appearance for the 2nd and 4th defendants on June 4, invited the court to rule in his favour saying,”I cannot be blown aside by an ill-wind, until I withdraw my representation from the court.” While citing the case of FRN vs Abiola, he submitted that since “no counsel will announce appearance for a party without being instructed, change must be proper. “If my Lord rules that the first memorandum of appearance is valid, then no other memorandum can sustain.” Nwosu argued that “appearing for 4th defendant without proper instruction from the party represented does not accord any priority against the counsel properly instructed.” He, therefore, urged the court to summon the trustees or make an order compelling them to swear to separate affidavits, conveying their choice of attorney. Interestingly, Nwosu contradicted Kalu’s position that the NGF constitution recognised 12 registered trustees; six of whom were former governors. His position that NGF had only six trustees was corroborated by Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN), who appeared for the 3rd defendant, having successfully resolved a related quagmire, which emanated from the representation of Jang. The development stalled the proceedings of June 25, thereby paving the way for Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) to appear for Jang. Former Attorney-General of Lagos State, Prof. Yomi Osibanjo (SAN), appeared for the plaintiff, Fashola. In his ruling on the representative status of the 4th defendant, Justice Affen acknowledged the confusion trailing the subsisting matter.

While adjourning the suit to July 17 for the respective counsel to “address the court on the priority of applications and the order in which they are to be heard,” the judge noted that “where two counsel are contending over the issue of appearance, their energy should be directed at their client.” “I will and I hereby do direct that each of the registered trustees of the 4th respondent shall depose to an affidavit, indicating which of the counsel has the authority to represent them; and the majority wish in this regard shall prevail,” the judge said. Affen noted that the “constitution of NGF said there are 12 trustees while the certificate of registration of NGF said there are 10”. In the pending suit, Fashola is asking the court to restrain Jang from parading himself as NGF’s chairman. This, according to the plaintiff, is against the backdrop of the fact that the May 24 election, from where Jang purportedly draw his strength, was won by Amaechi. He stated that Amaechi was duly returned as winner of the contentious election, having scored 19, to defeat Jang, who was credited with 16 votes. In a preliminary objection, however, Jang urged the court to dismiss the suit on the premise that Fashola lacked the legal right to approach the court for the reliefs being sought. He also contended that the FCT High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, stressing that the nature of the suit suggested that it was between Lagos and Plateau states. Some of the grounds of objection are: “There is no proper plaintiff before this honourable court as the governor, Lagos State is not and cannot be a member of the NGF. “The plaintiff has no locus standi to institute the suit because the facts alleged in the statement of claim show that the plaintiff ’s rights and obligations are not affected. “The 1st defendant cannot be sued in his personal capacity during the period of his office as governor, by virtue of section 308 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.”

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Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Amaechi escapes death as car ram into convoy

•No petition yet on CP’s redeployment –IGP •NASS wades into face-off SAM OLUWALANA, FELIX NWANERI, OMEIZA AJAYI AND TORDUE SALEM

overnor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State escaped death on Tuesday night as a suspicious vehicle ran into his convoy on Rukpokwu-Igwuruta Road. The governor was on his way to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred. The driver of the vehicle, a Toyota Avensis, with registration no: Lagos AAA 767 AQ, apparently lost control of his car, swerved from the opposite lane of the dual carriage way and hit a vehicle in the governor’s convoy. The accident happened on the busy Igwuruta Road, after

the C41 Security Post, along the Port Harcourt International Airport. A witness said though no life was lost, but some occupiers of the governor’s security vehicles sustained minor injuries. He added that the driver of the car was arrested and handed over to the police. The witness said security and protocol personnel riding in the vehicle involved in the accident were shocked and were advised to play safe by seeking medical attention immediately. He said: “The governor’s convoy was coming from the airport when this Toyota car lost control and swerved from the opposite side and before we knew it, hit one of the vehicles in the governor’s convoy. “Because of the political crisis in the state, a lot of people initially thought that the

governor’s convoy was being attacked.” The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, David Iyofor, who confirmed the accident, told National Mirror last night that the car involved in the accident was the security vehicle of the governor’s Chief of Staff, COS, Sir Tony Okocha. He also confirmed that the vehicle, a Toyota Prado Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, was hit by a speeding vehicle in the opposite direction and that no life was lost, adding, however, that the vehicle was a complete write-off. Reacting to the incident, Okocha said it was shocking. He, however, gave thanks to God that no life was lost. The COS said Amaechi was shocked by the incident but it did not in any way stop him from embarking on his journey.

Okocha added that while the governor sympathised with those who sustained injuries, he had left everything in the hands of God as the political battle in the state was in the hands of God, adding that the just would be vindicated. The accident came after the state Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, openly lambasted Amaechi, describing him as a dictator. In a related development, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday said he had not received any official communication from Amaechi on the clamour for Mbu’s redeployment. According to him, the governor has not formally sent any petition to the Force and hence the inability of the police to take any action based solely on media reports.

Abubakar spoke at the 2013 Force CID Annual Award at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Amaechi called for Mbu’s redeployment when the Chairman of the Governing Board of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Chief Gordon Bozimo, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt. He said Mbu had long abandoned his constitutional role of securing lives and property in the state, explaining that the crime situation had risen. Amaechi said as the Chief Security Officer of the state, there was no way he could achieve any meaningful result in the fight against crime with Mbu as police commissioner. Meanwhile, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Worgu Boms, has called on the police commissioner to act within the law. Boms urged Mbu to discharge his responsibilities within the precincts of law and not allow himself to be used by political forces against Amaechi. The Attorney-General spoke in Port Harcourt yesterday, even as he decried Mbu’s utterances and conduct which he said could lead to anarchy. He also condemned the

ban on street processions by the commissioner. Boms said Mbu had no legal power to ban protests, explaining that the Public Order Act authorises only the state to grant permission for any street procession. He said: “For the avoidance of doubt and for the information of the public, the commissioner of police has no such powers to ban any type of procession nor does any citizen need to apply to him for permission or authorisation to engage in any type of protest or procession. “Ours is a society founded on and governed by law. The commissioner of police, curiously, did not inform the public under what law he derived his power to ban processions.” Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday ordered its Committees on Police Affairs and Justice to liaise with the office of the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission and Rivers State to fashion out ways of improving the working relationship between the state and the police command. The committee is to report back to the House within one week. The move by the lawmakers followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Peter Ede (ANPP-Ebonyi) over the state of insecurity in Rivers State.

...Investigate alleged ATM scam TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

L-R: DIG ‘E’ Department, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo; DIG ‘A’ Department, Mr. Suleiman Fakai and Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, at the Force CID’s Annual Award in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Reps raise 14-man panel to probe oil theft TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

he House of Representatives yesterday set up a 14-man committee to investigate people or institutions behind oil theft in the Niger Delta. The committee headed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Bashir Adamu, also has as members, the Chairman, House Committee on Marine Transport, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Chairman, Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Dakuku Peterside, Chairman, Interior Committee, Hon. Bature Umar and Chairman,

Committee on Finance, Hon. Abdulmumuni Jibril. Other members are Hons. T. J. Yusuf, Sekonte Davies, Aisha Dahiru, Bamidele Opeyemi, Eddie Mbadiwe, Mustapha Dawaki, Aisha Dahiru and Yakubu Dogara. The House had earlier called on President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately overhaul the operations of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta to ensure a more proactive security check of all oil installations in the country. Adopting a motion introduced by Aliyu Sani Madaki (PDP-Kano) on the issue yesterday, the

parliament, without debate, resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the propriety of contracting the protection of the country’s waterways and oil pipelines to private firms, among others. It also mandated the committee to investigate the allegations made by the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Patrick Akpobolekemi, of the involvement of influential people in oil theft and the fact that the organisation had seized ships belonging to the oil thieves and report back to the House within two weeks. The Federal Government had in the discharge of its

constitutional responsibility, awarded pipeline surveillance contract to protect the country’s waterways so that crude oil theft could be curbed. But the House said engaging a private firm to man the country’s waterways had worsen the level of the oil theft thereby making its presence unnecessary. It noted the revelation by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who said the illegal oil theft (bunkering) could be as high as 400,000 barrels per day. This, according to her, led to a 17 per cent fall in official sales of the crude oil in international market.

he House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Banking and Currency to investigate an alleged dispensing of fake naira notes by some Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, in some parts of the country. Moving the motion under matters of urgent national importance, Hon. Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen, noted that in 2001 the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, introduced ATMs as a platform for transacting business by customers and used as payment modules in carrying out other businesses such as money transfer, payment of utilities and similar transactions which had impacted positively on banking operations, service delivery and safety of customers fund. He said: “Despite the positive features of this payment platform, there has been growing incidence of fake

naira notes dispensed by the ATMs. “Many law-abiding citizens have been victims of this unfortunate, unprofessional and immoral practice which has led to the loss of legitimate funds by Nigerians and that in most cases victims of the fake naira notes dispensed by the ATMs, suffer neglect, anxiety and confusion as no concrete and proactive measures are taken by commercial banks to correct these anomalies.” Tajudeen warned that the trend had the potential of eroding public confidence in banks, impede smooth banking transactions, throw-up ethical questions and slow down investment which would in turn affect the economy. He said: “Dispensing fake naira notes by ATMs may grossly affect the operation, viability and success rate of the recently introduced Cashless Policy by the Central Bank.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Government House, Ilorin. Your Excellency Sir,

LET TRUTH, JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW PREVAIL IN GANMO IFELODUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE.

e make this petition to you with a view to obtaining from the Kwara State Government, which by the Grace of Allah is under your able leadership, just, urgent and firm resolution of the protracted dispute over land and chieftaincy rights between the Igbomina people of Ganmo, who are the original settlers of the town, and the descendants of Idi Ape Family, who arrived much later from Ilorin to settle in the town. Such a course of action as we are requesting of your government is necessary to check the arson and bloodshed that have recently stained the integrity of Kwara State.

The history of Ganmo and the facts of the crisis arising from the conflicting claim of the two groups on land and chieftaincy rights in the town are well documented. The Oluganna family represents the Igbomina people while Oniganmo represents the Idi-Ape descendants in the conflict. It is necessary to state from the outset that the matters (both land and chieftaincy) have undergone various tests since 1972, including litigations from the lowest to the highest benches across the nation, the climax being major ones between 1981 and 2005. These are suit nos KWS/113/81, CA/K/69/90, SC/1/1996 and suit nos KWS/OM/5/91 AND CA/IL/90/2006. In 1981, the Idi-Ape family represented by Alhaji Garba Akosile and six others challenged amongst others, the claim to villages of Ganmo, Alomilaya, Adiloju and Gbagede covered by, “Permit Alienated land No. 0239 and Customary Right of Occupancy Title No. 283, granted to the Igbomina family of Oluganna, represented by Alhaji Abbulkarim Kolawole (as the then head of Igbomina in Ganmo). The action against Alhaji Kolawole and family (Igbomina) however failed in a judgment delivered by Hon. Justice J. A. Ibitoye on 7th September 1989.This attracted appeal and cross appeals under suit nos CA/K/69/90 and SC/1/1996,both at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court respectively. In all the appeals, Alhaji Kolawole and Oluganna family (Igbomina) retained the title to the land of Ganmo and adjoining villages of Alomilaya and Gbagede. As if these were not enough, the Idi-Ape family again instituted actions against Oluganna (Igbomina) family in suit KWS/OM/5/91 and KWS/53/2005 respectively. In suit KWS/OM/5/91, the Idi-Ape family through its representatives this time around, challenged the claims to the traditional head of Ganmo, while in suit No. KWS/53/2005, the same Idi-Ape family sought court interpretation of land ownership earlier decided by the High Court, Appeal Court and Supreme Court respectively in favour of Kolawole family (Igbomina). In suit KWS/53/2005 which was decided by an Ilorin High Court judge, His Lordship, Hon. Justice A. A. Adebara on 27th Day of July 2005, various issues were touched and determined by the learned judge in respect of land matters and invariably the control of Ganmo. Apart from affirming the right of claim to Ganmo land by Kolawole family (Igbomina), the court held that the family has right to prosecute any person that trespasses on the land. It warned, “At appropriate and relevant stage, a committal proceeding can hold against any of the parties to the proceedings in suit No. KWS/113/81 or their servants, agents and/or privies or any person whosoever claiming through them that disregard this

DN O. S. AWOLARAN National Secretary

judgment”. This interpretation thus sealed the hope of Idi-Ape family to lay any claim to Ganmo land. Having failed in its attempts to secure the grip of Ganmo land, the Idi-Ape family them relied on suit no KWS/53/2005 before an Omu-Aran High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Oluyemisi Ajayi, which was to determine who should be traditional head of Ganmo. It needs mention that at various times, both the then Igbomina/Ekiti Division and Ifelodun Local Government Enquiry under which Ganmo is situated, had instituted Panels of Enquiry on the Ganmo Chieftaincy Stool. The contest had also been entertained at Area Courts as far back as 1972. All the cases were decided in favour of Oluganna family (Igbomina). Paradoxically, Hon. Justice Oluyemisi Ajayi decided against Oluganna family (Igbomina) and awarded IdiApe family (Afonja) the chieftaincy stool of Ganmo. Expectedly, the Oluganna family (I.e. the Igbomina), raised an appeal against the lower court decision to the court of Appeal on many grounds which included: (a) That the court jettisoned reports by the Panels of Enquiry to Ganmo Chieftaincy Stool by Igbomina/ Ekiti Division and Ifelodun Local Government (the appointing authority) at various times. (b) That the court refused to take cognizance of the fact that ownership of Ganmo land by Oluganmo as the first settler is directly related to the chieftaincy stool of Ganmo which is in line with Yoruba customs and tradition. (c) That the court also refused to acknowledge the sacrosanct of earlier decision of Supreme Court placed before it during the trial. During the trial before Hon. Justice Oluyemisi Ajayi, the Oluganna family traced its lineage to GanmoNganku who hailed from Oyo-Ile, and claimed to derive its name from the founder of Ganmo, who was appointed and installed as the first Baale of Ganmo by Alaafin of Oyo. The family claimed that Ganmo had been in existence before Ilorin was founded. According to the family history, the first man from Ilorin (Idi-Ape family) to Ganmo was a slave to one Summonu Okunoye, which the Idi-Ape family regarded as their progenitor. The Oluganna family (Igbomina) claimed that the title of Mogaji and Baale meant two different things and further claimed that there was no traditional office known as Mogaji existing in Ganmo or any part of the district under Ifelodun Local Government (Igbomina) in Kwara State. We have gone this far to trace the genesis of the crisis and how it has been repeatedly resolved in favour of Igbomina in Ganmo i.e. the Oluganna family. It should bother any sane mind therefore that despite all the victories of the Oluganna family (Igbomina), the family has remained at the receiving end of injustice through the neglect of the authorities. Suffice it to add that of all cases (about seventeen) instituted at various times, the Oluganna family (Igbomina) had been vindicated except the particular one handled by Hon. Justice Oluyemisi Ajayi (rtd), which was eventually overturned by an appellate court in favour of Oluganna family. From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that the crisis in Ganmo shouldn’t have arisen where there is respect for the rule of law and constituted authority. The community had witnessed organized house burning and de-

CHIEF ADEBOYE OLABANJI Chairman

struction of property, maiming and killings in five different occasions with impunity. The first was between 10th-12th July 2002, followed by others on 18th March 2008, 16th November 2010, 17th-18th March 2013 and 19th-21st June 2013. These attacks had always started from one side-precisely from Idi-Ape descendants at Ganmo. In the 17th-18th March 2013 attack, twenty five houses were burnt, three people lost their lives and others injured. In all, about 120 families were displaced. Similarly, the latest attack of 19th-21st June 2013 claimed many lives and property, including the Oluganna’s palace, which was completely burnt down. The Ganmo crisis poses many unanswered questions to the state government and security agents. Why should a section of Ganmo Community be left unprotected? Why should Idi-Ape descendants of Ganmo resort to self-help after failing in litigation attempts? Has the crisis any ulterior motive yet to be unfolded? It will not be out of place to review other extraneous activities that may prove the suspicions that the provoked crisis has a larger interest and backing. Undoubtedly, Ganmo is a boundary town between Ilorin and Igbomina. The South-West end of Ganmo has the Igbomina House strategically placed to demarcate the boundary. It is recalled that during its construction, effort were made by some unscrupulous people to thwart the efforts. Its official commissioning also witnessed rancor. It is equally an open secret that part of Idofian District in Ifelodun Local Government Area (in Igbomina land) was at a time proposed to be annexed to Ilorin Emirate, a move vehemently opposed by Igbomina leaders. We also have it in good authority that some leaders of Igbomina stock in Ganmo were been lobbied to jettison Igbomina land in order to allow a shift of boundary between Ilorin Emmirate and Igbomina land. This overture, we understand, has also been rebuffed. We do not want to jump into conclusion over the motive on this persistent crisis but we hasten to add that the patience of Igbomina of Ganmo, the proven original settlers nay, Igbomina nation have been over stretched. Ganmo is proven to be Igbomina as represented by the Oluganna and the owner of land and paramount ruler of Ganmo. This is consistent with history, facts and law! Government should do the right thing by according Ganmo its status and Oluganna (Igbomina) his rightful place amongst the Obas in Kwara State. We detest the provocation of our kinsmen in Ganmo which should stop henceforth. We hereby implore the law enforcement agents and all concerned authorities to be up and doing to protect lives and property in Ganmo, particularly the Igbomina Community against the aggression of Idi-Ape descendants. Let there be Peace! The current resort to violence in Ganmo is a test of the will of the Kwara State Government to protect the people and integrity of Kwara as the State of Harmony. It is the historic responsibility of Your Excellency to check the rascality and ensure peaceful coexistence of the people of the town through a decisive action based on Truth, Justice and the Rule of Law. We will continue to support your administration and pray for God’s guidance, all times. Yours faithfully,

LAWRENCE ADEBOYE ESQ Asst. National Secretary

News

Thursday, July 4, 2013

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Kainji Dam can’t perform optimally anymore –FG MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

Candidates queuing for post-JAMB scratch cards at a bank inside the University of Lagos, yesterday.

FEC approves N459m for 17,000 voters’ card readers

ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

he Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved N459 million for the procurement of 17,000 smart card readers to verify the identity and authenticity of voters in future elections. Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, told journalists after the weekly FEC meeting in Abuja that the approval followed a memorandum brought to the Council by the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC) through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Maku said in order to show the government’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections, the Council approved the procurement of the smart card readers in favour of Zinox Technologies Limited for N459 million with a completion period of six months. According to him, the 17,000 smart card reader would be the first batch, saying that there would be other two other installments before meeting the

required number needed. The minister said the smart card readers would be deployed to voting centres to verify the identity of registered voters in future election. Maku said: “The proposal is to ensure that all those who have fake identity cards are identified in all future elections through a special provision that will enable the utilisation in every polling centre of smart card readers. “So when you bring your own voters’ card and there are doubts, it will be passed through the Smart

Card Reader to identify the authenticity of the card and whether really the card belong to you and if it is authentic since most voters’ cards now have bio-metrics, it will be easy for the Smart Card Reader to verify the identity of those who come out to vote. “This will completely stop incidence of double voting which often occasionally occur during elections and to ensure that all those who vote are citizens that have been duly registered in the specific constituency that the election might be holding.”

No row with NASS over budget, says Okonjo-Iweala TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

inister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, yesterday denied rumour of frosty relationship between her office and the National Assembly over the 2013 budget. The denial is contrary to report that the National Assembly is up in arms against her over statement purportedly made by her which irked the lawmakers. The minister, who made the clarification during a media briefing in Abuja, said there was no bad blood between the executive and legislature as both arms have been working together in the task of nation-building. Okonjo-Iweala, who was reacting to reports that the

National Assembly was piqued by the statements credited to her in a recent interview with a private radio station, said for clarity of purpose the interview could be culled from the media outfit and reviewed to prove whether or not she made any comment that was against the lawmakers or tended to create bad blood between both the executive and legislature. Okonjo-Iweala said some media outfits, which monitored the interview, went to published misleading reports about her views on the economy, adding that she never said the economy would collapse by September. She said given her pedigree, she was the most unlikely person to raise such an alarm, adding that what she said was that the Federal

Government may not be able to pay the salaries of civil servants by September due to shortfall in recurrent expenditure. The minister, however, assured that all the gray areas arising from the 2013 budget would be resolved harmoniously with the National Assembly. Meanwhile, oil producing communities in Rivers State have lent their voices to the ongoing clamour for direct payment of 13 per cent derivation to the communities. To press home the demand, the communities have written a letter to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) seeking inauguration of a National Derivation Committee. In the letter signed by 14 leaders of the communities, they are proposing the set-

ting up of state management committee for the funds so that the fund is received by the National Derivation Committee and disbursed to the states. The group said the communities have mechanisms for on sanctioning any erring or defaulting member of any of the committees and assured that there would be enough checks and balances in the administrative committee system. The communities explained that administrative committee system had been used in the past by the Federal Government to implement derivation fund to oil and gas producing communities, adding that by then the 1.5 per cent derivation was never paid through any state government account but was utilised through the administrative committee system.

he Dam supplying water to Kainji Hydro-power Plant in Niger State will no more perform optimally until an alternative is constructed to complement it, the Federal Government said. Director of Dam and Reservoir Operations in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Adanu, made this known to National Mirror in an exclusive interview yesterday in Abuja. He said: “Anytime they say there is low water in Kainji, the reason is that Kainji is not working at full capacity; that is one. Secondly, when Kainji was constructed, there was slight over-design because at that

time, there were a lot of water resources on the Niger. But over the period, all the up-stream users of Niger have maximized the use of the water. “Nigeria is the last recipients of the water from the Niger. So, other countries upstream of us are using this water aggressively. The amount that is left for us now is less than the amount that we projected when we were constructing Kainji. “So, each time dry season comes, the amount of water left is smaller. When there is aggressive irrigation in Timbuktu, especially in Mali, a lot of water is used. Though we have Water Basin Authority that is supposed to regulate this, the amount of water available is no more as much as the one available when the dam was being constructed.”

Business confidence rises in third quarter, says LCCI

ising levels of business confidence in the nation’s economy will result in increased investments in the coming months, according to a new report by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The LCCI, in its aggregate Business Confidence Index (BCI) for the third quarter of the year, said the financial sector recorded the highest confidence of 35 per cent, closely followed by Hotel and Restaurant and Telecoms and Postal sectors with 29 per cent and 27 per cent confidence levels respectively. In the report signed by the LCCI Director General, Alhaji Muda Yussuff, overall business confidence for the third quarter improved significantly at 24 per cent compared with 16.5 per cent and 10.5 per cent in the second and first quarters respectively. According to the BCI, “This is supported by the take-off of budget implementation across the country, ongoing security intervention in some parts of the North, impressive corporate results in most sectors and stable macroeconomic prices - exchange and inflation rate. “This improvement suggests that business leaders are likely going to expand their investments in the months to come but we are not able to say by how much. Investors are still

wary about the state of the economy in the medium term because the lingering limiting factors are yet to be addressed.” According to the report, the agricultural sector recorded impressive 18 per cent growth but the manufacturing sector remains disappointing at five per cent business confidence level. “This implies that expansion and new investment in the Nigerian manufacturing sector remains largely held down by the lingering challenges confronting business environment in the country,” it said. The report noted that apart from the recurrent factors such as poor access to credit, security situation and the dwindling public power supply, the index posted impressive confidence across most business and economic indicators. “Budget implementation, Federal Government’s security intervention in some parts of the North, impressive corporate results and the modest trends of exchange and inflation rate tend to have supported the record rise of business confidence,” the report said. The report pointed out that the confidence level of businesses located in the South West Nigeria inched to a new high of 44 per cent from 38 per cent and 30 per cent in second and first quarters respectively.

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South West 9

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Cultism:•NDLEA Police parade 12 Ado Poly students recovers 122kg of hemp in classroom

ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

welve students of the Federal Polytechnic in Ado-Ekiti were yesterday paraded by the police for alleged involvement in cultism. The police also paraded a female trader in whose drinking joint the suspected cult members were arrested. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Yomi

Akinlaja, said the suspects were arrested following a tip-off that they were holding a meeting of Eiye Confraternity at the location. Akinlaja alleged that two of the 12 suspected cult members robbed a trader in Ado-Ekiti last week and left a note threatening that they would repeat the operations in no distant time. The police chief said a sledge hammer, a stain-

less steel knife, five short cutlasses, one UTC axe, charms, red muffler, beret, canvas shoes and blue beret, laptops, DVD tape, one small hammer, which were on display were among the various items recovered from the suspects. He said that the suspects

would be charged to court after investigations. This was as the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it had taken custody of 122kg of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) kept inside a classroom in a private secondary school in Ado-Ekiti.

NDLEA Assistant State Commander (Operations and Intelligence) Mr. Samson Ofila, said the hemps bagged inside 10 sacks were said to have been dumped there by unknown drug dealers apparently because the NDLEA had dislodged the drugs dealers from their hideouts at

Atikankan, Ojumose and other areas demolished by the state government for urban renewal. Ofila, who spoke on behalf of the NDLEA Commander, Mr. Bamidele Akingbade, said the school proprietor discovered the exhibits and reported his finding to the agency.

Lagos to publish names of hospitals under investigation he Lagos State Government yesterday said that it would begin to publish the names of hospitals, medical centres and pharmaceutical stores under investigation for gross misconduct or unethical practices. Speaking at the 2013 Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) stakeholders’ meeting held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina, said the move would enable members of the public know the certified and safe medical homes. She said the state government is determined to sustain and improve the quality health delivery service already enjoyed by residents, saying the stakeholders’ meeting would further enable the government know the areas to improve on. Adeshina said: “Soon,

we will begin to put the names of those medical homes that are sanctions or being investigated online and publish them. Besides, we will also put the activities of HEFEMAA online to enable everyone have access to it and the agency’s activities.” She said essence of the meeting is to sustain the quality health delivery system already put in place by the state government. HEFAMAA Chairman, Dr. Omotayo Bello. said some safety standard were being jettisoned by some operators of medical homes at the expense of the citizens’ lives, adding that the agency is concerned with how to promote quality and safety of health delivery services. He said while the bodies of medical professionals across the nation concern themselves with accreditation, the agency concerns itself with licensing, registering and accreditation of the premises within which they operate.

FEMI OYEWESO

Two held over Ijebu-Ode cult clash

MURITALA AYINLA

ABEOKUTA

he Ogun State Police Command has arrested two persons in connection with last Sunday’s violent cult clash which left two persons dead in Ijebu-Ode. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, told journalists yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, that the earlier report that five persons were killed in the cult clash was not true. Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP),

confirmed that only two persons were killed in the violence, which allegedly erupted between members of the Eiye Confraternity and the Black Axe Movement. The police spokesman said the violence between the two rival cult groups occurred during the bi-annual Agemo traditional festival in the town, stressing that the police had arrested two of the suspects involved in the incident. He added that the suspected cult members disguised under the cover of the Agemo festival in the town to

L-R: Son of the deceased, Sola Adeeyo; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his wife, Olufunso and son, Gboyega Adeeyo, during a condolence visit to the family on the demise of their father, Alhaji Sulaiman Ajasa Adeeyo, in Ibadan on Tuesday.

Tinubu, Akande endorse Fayemi for second term ABIODUN-NEJO ADO-EKITI

ational Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, yesterday passed vote of confidence in the administration of Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and consequently gave him the nod to seek re-election. The chieftains, who claimed that Fayemi had been performing since the inception of his administration, said it was not wise changing a winning team. They, however, urged the

perpetrate the killing. Stressing that the case is still under investigation, Adejobi added that the matter would soon be handed over to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation. He said: “Only two persons were killed, including one Muftau and another person whose name we cannot ascertain now. It was a clash between two rival cult groups. They only tried to hide under the Agemo procession to commit the crime. We are still investigating.

governor to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party in the state. Tinubu, Akande and other leaders of the party spoke at a meeting with the Ekiti State ACN chieftains in Ado-Ekiti. Tinubu said: “This is not the official endorsement, we are coming for official endorsement of Governor Kayode Fayemi soon. I have heard a lot of people saying I am the sponsor, the endorser and financier of House of Representatives member, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, but

I am here now to clarify issues to all our members”. It will be recalled that Bamidele, also an ACN chieftain, is being rumoured to be eyeing the governorship position, but yet to publicly declare his intention. Tinubu, who was said to have particularly urged Bamidele to drop his governorship ambition, appealed to Fayemi to settle all the differences and bickering within the party. He also asked Fayemi to apply wisdom in handling the matter.

Tinubu said: “I have seen politicians playing sycophancy just to get what they wanted. But, as a leader, you have to be very smart to be able to know sincere advice from mere sycophancy.” Addressing journalists after the meeting, Tinubu, who said he was in Ekiti State for a family affair, added the All Progressive Congress (APC) had come to produce the change which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had not been able to effect in the country in the last 14 years.

Guards remanded for turning school into miscreants’ lodge MURITALA AYINLA

wo guards working with Ilupeju Grammar School in Oshodi area of Lagos State were yesterday remanded by the special offence court sitting in Alausa for turning the school’s premises into miscreants’ lodge. The guards, Okenla Jullius (60) and Adebowale Adeloye (45), were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Special Offence Unit for turning their duty post into lodge for miscreants and their spouses for commercial purposes. National Mirror gathered

that miscreants pay N300 to pass night while those who bring their female partners pay N700 to use the premises. It was learnt that the miscreants began using the premises following the massive clamp down on them in Oshodi and its environs by the taskforce. This was even as the taskforce arrested 166 miscreants in Oko Mola area of Oshodi for constituting nuisance. Among those arrested were underage couple and two twin sisters who, National Mirror gathered, had been living under bridge for years, including seven under aged male and nine female. The guards, who could not meet up with the bail

condition of payment of N50, 000 and two responsible sureties with evidence of tax payment for three consecutive years, were remanded in Ikoyi prison. The taskforce chairman, Mr. Bayo Sulaiman, said the guards were arrested following a tip-off by members of the public who complained about the debilitating state the miscreants treat the school after usage. He vowed that the taskforce would go after other schools used for such nefarious activities. On the 166 arrested, the taskforce boss said that two of the 11women among were pregnant.

South West

Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Marketers forged document to obtain N1.1bn subsidy payment –Witness KENNY ODUNUKAN

witness yesterday told an Ikeja High Court that three oil marketers, Abdullahi Alao, Opeyemi Ajuyah and Olarenwaju Olalusi, forged a document to perpetrate N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud. The witness, Mr. Mohammed Adedapo, an inspector of petroleum products of Q and Q Control Marine Services Nigeria Limited, said this while testifying at the resumption of the marketers’ trial before Justice Lateefat Okunnu. The marketers and their firms, Majope Investment Limited and Axenergy Limited, were charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for alleged subsidy infractions. EFCC said Alao and his co-defendants had imported about 4,000 metric tons of petroleum products but had obtained subsidy payment for 15,000 metric tons. The witness led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Mr. Francis Usani, said Q and Q was contracted by Oando Oil and Gas Plc to inspect the quantity of products brought in by a vessel, MT Brief, on behalf of Majope Investment Limited. Adedapo said the discharge was done at Lister Jetty in Apapa between

January 22 and 23, 2011, adding that the vessel brought in 15,000 metric tons. He said about 4,000 metric tons were discharged into the facility while the remaining quantity was taken away by the vessel. The witness said he wrote a protest letter to the captain of the ship as a result of the discrepancy witnessed in the transaction. Adedapo added that he issued a Shore Tank Certificate to the marketers indicating that only 4,000 metric tons were discharged in the facility. The disclosed under cross-examination by counsel to the defendants, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN) and Mr Oludare Falana, that he did not sign any document indicating that 15,000 metric tons were discharged. He said: “The Shore Tank Certificate showing that 15,000 metric tons was not signed by me. The signature looks like mine but this document did not emanate from Q and Q.” Following his denial that he did not sign the document, Falana asked the witness to sign on a blank paper for comparison of the signatures. Adedapo thereafter signed and the paper was admitted by the court as Exhibit P6. Okunnu, however, adjourned the matter till July 24 for continuation of trial.

FCMB managers jump bail over N146m fraud trial KAYODE KETEFE

wo managers of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Chizoba Okpalangwu and Hadishatu Sule, being tried by the Special Fraud Unit, SFU, of the Nigeria Police for N146,633 million fraud, have allegedly jumped bail. The SFU counsel, Frank Emerho, yesterday told Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Lagos. Okpalangwu and Sule allegedly engaged in largescale fraud through the use of forged documents to obtain N146,633 million salary and loans from FCMB on behalf of a non-existent company, which they called Revue World Resources Limited. After obtaining the loans, the managers were alleged to have transferred the fund to the account of another non-existent company in Sterling Bank by the name

Bizmates Energy, to make the fund untraceable. The bankers also instructed Sterling Bank to transfer the fund back to various accounts in FCMB. The alleged shady deal came to light when Sterling Bank became suspicious and alerted FCMB. After a group internal audit, the FCMB eventually uncovered the fraud and petitioned SFU for further investigation. The FCMB petition was jointly signed by its Head of Legal Services, Mr. Olufemi Adekunle and a counsel in the department, Mr. Adewale Fati. After its investigation, SFU charged the bankers on a four-count charge comprising stealing and fraud. The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Section 8 and punishable under Section 390 (7) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

L-R: Pioneer Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr. Nasiru Komolafe; National Vice-Chairman, Mr. Adegboyega Olugbodi Tomori; Chairman, NURTW, Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Afolabi; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Head of Department, Higher Education of NURTW, National Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Anthony Chukwudi, during a one-day Intensive Seminar for NURTW members in Oshogbo, the Osun State capital.

LASTMA to arrest traffic offenders at home MURITALA AYINLA

he Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has decided that its officials will no longer chase traffic offenders to apprehend them. Officials of LASTMA will henceforth trace such traffic offenders to their homes before arresting them, impounding their vehicles and imposing on them stringent penalties. With this move, anyone who commits traffic offence and fails to pay the stipulated penalties stands the risk of getting his/her vehicle impounded at home while the owner is made to pay fines with evidence of tax payment.

KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

week after nine traders from Bodija market in Ibadan, Oyo State, were killed in Maiduguri, Borno State by suspected members of Boko Haram, the market still remained shut. A visit to the market yesterday showed that over 150 shops and stalls at the beans section of the market were still under lock and key. Some of the traders told our correspondent that they were mourning their colleagues murdered on their way from Mugunu beans farm last Friday. The bodies of the traders

•23 injured officers get N3.4m compensation

It was learnt that the move is to avert loss of lives and maiming of innocent citizens resulting from reckless driving as offenders try to evade arrest. This is even as the state government doled out N3.4 million to 23 LASTMA officers who were either injured by hit-and-run drivers or beaten by traffic offenders in the cause of performing their duties. Speaking on the new LASTMA policy, a highly placed source at the state secretariat said such offenders whose vehicles’ pictures must have been published in the national dailies, would soon receive at home special

task force of the authority any time from now. The source added that those whose vehicles would be impounded were those who had obtained the tickets of the fines but failed to pay into the coffers of the state government and those who ran away from LASTMA officials after committing the offence. However, reacting to the policy, the LASTMA General Manager, GM, Mr. Babatunde Edu, said it was part of the non-aggressive measures of law enforcement embarked upon by the authority. The GM added that such strategy would forestall cas-

Traders’ killings: Bodija market still shut

were received from Maiduguri on Tuesday by the executives of the Bodija market union and handed over to their relatives for burial. Speaking with journalists, a trader at the beans section, Mrs. Bola Lawal, said “we are in mourning mood over the death of our members killed by Boko Haram last week. That is why we shut our shops”. Fully armed policemen were also patrolling every section of the market. This, according to the Public Relations Officer of the market union, Mr. Akeem Emiola, is to forestall reprisal attacks by Yoruba traders in

the market. Emiola, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the union, Mr. Olalekan Azeez (a.k.a Energy), said the executives did not order any of the traders to shut their shops, adding that they were mourning their colleagues. The spokesman also dismissed the possibility of the traders staging any protest. He said: “It is not in our plan to carry out any protest. The state governor has not offended us. It is not the fault of Governor Abiola Ajimobi but that of the Federal Government. “We have been working together peaceful until the un-

Mayhem in Ife as thugs attack ACN members at rally

o fewer than seven members of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Yekemi Abata Egba area of Ife East Local Government Area of Osun State were yesterday hospitalised as a result of attacks by political thugs suspected to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the area.

es of traffic offenders causing accident while trying to evade arrest. Edu said with the nonaggressive measure of law enforcement, the traffic officials needed not to run after offenders or engage in hot argument that could lead to the officials being injured by reckless drivers. He said: “Our men have been empowered with gadgets that can make them take the photographs of the offenders. “With auto inspector devices in their hands, they will get the details of the owners and their addresses. “There is no hidden place for traffic offenders in Lagos anymore and the era of aggressive enforcement of the law has gone for good.”

The seven were those with critical conditions out of the many allegedly attacked by the PDP thugs. The victims were rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Among those attacked are the Ife East ACN chairman, Sunday Omowaiye, Posi Adewoyin, Omole Re-

beca, Femi Adesoji, Taofeek Oke and Oyesiji Michael The name of the seventh victim was yet to be ascertained as at the time of this report. Reports indicated that the ACN members came under attacks midway into a rally organised by the party in the area. The thugs were said to

fortunate incident. Security at the market is very tight now, but we have appealed to our members to maintain peace. “What happened is not the fault of anybody. It is our responsibility to work and that of the government is to provide security but they have failed us." “The best thing for us is to separate from these Hausa people. If I go to Ghana or Cotonou my safety is guaranteed but in Nigeria you are not safe in the North, so what is the essence of being together. The government keeps saying that it is on top of the situation but people are being killed everyday.” have invaded the venue of the rally, brandishing cutlasses, cudgels and guns insisting that the rally must stop. The insistence by the party faithful to continue with the rally despite warnings by the thugs led to scuffle where two women were alleged stripped and beaten to coma, while five men were macheted severely.

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South East

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Abia, Imo on war path over transport firm’s relocation order GEORGE OPARA ABIA

he relationship between Abia State and its neighbouring Imo State may hit the rocks soon, following allegation by the Abia State Transport Company that Governor Rochas Okorocha has stopped its operations in Owerri, the Imo State capital. General Manager of Abia Line Network Limited, Mr. Ugochukwu Uwaeke, alleged that Governor Okorocha had

last month, visited the company’s loading bay at 5, Wetheral Road and ordered its relocation, but did not provide alternative place. According to Uwaeke, the governor said the motor park constituted an eyesore to the aesthetics of the Imo State capital. The General Manager said that of the transport companies loading from the park, only Abia Line was sacked, saying: “Even now, other transport companies like Peace Mass Transit are

still operating at the park.” Uwaeke, however, added that efforts made by the company to secure a loading bay on MCC Road in Owerri were frustrated by the Imo State Government officials. He said: “Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha last month visited our loading bay at 5, Wetheral Road in Owerri and directed its closure. He said that it was distorting the aesthetics of the city, that he did not want motor parks there. But Peace Mass Transit is still loading

at the place till date. “We made effort to secure a loading bay on MCC Road, the area where Imo Transport Company has its park, but we were frustrated by the government officials. “Now, we have no loading bay in Imo State. So, we are not operating in Imo now. We don’t know what the governor has in mind. “But Abia State Governor Theodore Orji relocated Imo Transport to a better place in Umuahia. And Governor Okorocha personally visited

our park and closed it. Now, we have no single loading bay in Imo State. “He should remember that Imo and Abia are brothers. I therefore urge the governor to please relocate Abia Line Network to a better place in Owerri like his brother governor did to Imo Transport in Umuahia. “We have been paying all the fees and levies due to us. We do not owe any government agency in Imo State; so it is not as a result of indebtedness.” Uwaeke, however, said that he had written a protest letter to Okorocha on the issue, but was yet to get a response. But the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chinedu Offor, said the government’s action was not political as it was not directed at Abia Transport Company alone. The directive, he said, affected other businesses in the city.

According to Offor, the action was part of Governor Okorocha’s effort to recover the master plan of Owerri, which, he said, had been defaced. Offor flayed the Abia Line General Manager, saying that he was not only disrespectful, but rude to have accused Okorocha of sacking the company. He wondered why the general manager could not ask questions from the relevant ministry rather than openly criticising the governor. Offor said: “It is not a big issue; if the general manager has any issue, we will address it. He should do the right thing. He could not even get in touch with the commissioner or the general manger of the sister company. “Imo and Abia are brothers, but he should be warned to desist from making careless statements.”

Anambra election: LP vows to end

godfatherism OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State (3rd left) with newly sworn-in commissioners at the Government House in Enugu, yesterday.

Okorocha swears-in 16 new permanent secretaries CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

mo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday swore-in 16 new permanent secretaries in Owerri, the state capital. Okorocha asked the new permanent secretaries to make transparency and accountability their watchword while discharging their duties. He also urged them to remain focused, work hard and always seek positive ways to enhance productivity in public service. The governor, while

•Inaugurates IMSUTH board advising the permanent secretaries to work harmoniously with their commissioners in the interest of the state, said that the period in which senior public officials create bureaucratic bottleneck was over as his administration would no longer condone acts that cause hindrance to development. Mrs. Ann Ngozi, on behalf of the permanent secretaries, promised that they would justify confidence reposed in them and thanked the governor for the ap-

pointments. The others are Dr. John Ihebereme, Amanze Ann Ngozi, Ekeh Anyanwu Ijeoma, Mrs. Opara Nestor, Aharanwa C. O, Dr. Iwuagwu C C., Iheka A E, Udogwu S N, Ezerioha B A, Okoro M I, Mrs. Uwandu Uzoma B, Nwosu G .M., Ucheoma R, Uzoma J. I., Opara H. O and Igwe C C. Okorocha also inaugurated the Imo State University Teaching Hospital Management (IMSUTH) Board. The governor urged the

board members to ensure vibrancy in the activities of the institution, especially in its medical services. He, however, urged them to shun corruption and embark on initiatives that would move the university forward even as he pledged government support to partner with them in making the institution the best in the country. The board members are Prof. Ohaegbulam (Chairman), Prof. E.C Ohanaka, Mr. Azochukwu, Mrs Osunwa, Dr. Joy Njemanze, Dr. Meg Okpara, Mrs. Nkechi Elendu and C Mark.

CBN begins registration of agents for financial inclusion strategy

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said it had commenced registration of agent banks to drive its financial inclusion strategy. CBN Director of Development Finance, Mr. Paul Eluhaiwe, spoke at the 18th seminar for finance correspondents and business editors in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. The theme of the semi-

nar is “Financial Inclusion Initiatives in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects”. Eluhaiwe said that more agent banks would be registered before the end of the year. NAN reports that agent banking was introduced in the country last year as a measure to further promote the financial inclusion strategy of the apex bank. Eluhaiwe said the coun-

try was still lagging behind Kenya and South Africa in the financial inclusion strategy. He stressed the importance of financial inclusion, saying the policy was aimed at reducing the percentage of financially excluded in the country. Eluhaiwe said that the ratio of financial excluded dropped from 46.3 per cent in 2010 to 39.7 in 2012 with the

optimism to reduce it to 20 per cent by the year 2020. He said that the SouthWest geo-political zone of the country now had the lowest exclusion rate of 24.8 per cent, a 25 per cent improvement over 33.1 per cent in 2012. “The North-Western part of the country, however, recorded the highest level of financial exclusion and the lowest improvement between 2010 and 2012.

he national leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has admitted business mogul and politician Chief Ifeanyi Uba into its fold ahead of the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election. The party also announced its plan to bring additional 100, 000 membership cards for those defecting to its fold. It, however, promised to field a candidate that would create jobs and build industry, as well as use the feats to fight kidnapping and other violent crimes prevalent in the state. Speaking when Chief Ubah, one of the governorship aspirants, led hundreds of his supporters to meet with the members of the LP National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja, the party’s National Chairman, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, described the party as one founded on strong ideology of social democracy. He described the aspirant as a philanthropist who has continued to put smiles on the faces of ordinary citizens through his kero-direct programme. Nwanyanwu, however, advised the aspirant to subject himself to the supremacy of the party. Warning those accused of maligning the aspirant and

•Admits Uba the party, he threatened that LP would join issues with the blackmailers. Nwanyanwu said: “I am not unaware of certain characters in Anambra State whose job is to malign people simply because they declared intention to run for office. “It is not strange that when somebody like you (Chief Ubah) comes to a party they can even call an underdog, there will be plan to pull you down, but henceforth if anybody touches you, he touches Labour Party “We are not in the All Progressives Congress (APC). Labour Party is standing alone and we are building our party gradually so don’t go there. If we don’t share same ideology, we have no business standing together. “If Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has the opportunity, he will send most of them to jail if he becomes president “We have killed godfatherism in Edo and Ondo states. So for anybody to think he can impose governor again in Anambra State, he is daydreaming “We are going to bury it in Anambra. Those banking on President Goodluck Jonathan should know that the President won’t vote; he will just provide security for the election, he believes in the rule of law

South South

Thursday, July 4, 2013

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Violence: Tension as Itsekiri flee coastal communities SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

here was palpable tension in Delta State yesterday following Tuesday’s renewed ethnic violence in the coastal communities of Warri North Local Government Area. Already, the Itsekiri have reportedly deserted their homes hours after some Ijaw gunmen invaded and razed five of their communities. This was in spite of the heavy presence of troops from 19th Battalion in Koko, the headquarters of the council in the area. Four persons, including a two-year-old child, were feared killed in the premeditated dawn attacks on Gbokoda, Udo, Ajameta, Obaghoro and Ayerode-Zion. No fewer than 55 buildings were burnt in the communities by the Ijaw gunmen said to be protesting alleged political dominance by the Itsekiri in the council. Reports said the Itsekiri were fleeing their communities for fear of further attacks by the rampaging Ijaw youths. It was learnt that the

•Delta bans speedboats on Warri North waterways panic-stricken Itsekiri abandoned their homes to seek refuge in Warri and other areas considered safe in the state. Similarly, the Ijaw were said to be apprehensive of reprisal attacks by the Itsekiri youths, who were reported to be meeting to review the lat-

YENAGOA

esidents of Bayelsa State may soon heave a sigh of relief as Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday presented a draft of N200 million to Cardinal Resources for the provision of potable water in 10 communities. Speaking in Yenagoa at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the management of the company, Dickson noted with satisfaction the effectiveness of the technology being used for the project. He said: “We have great confidence that this partnership will result in the provision of affordable potable water for our communities. “We are not just talking of 10 communities; this is just the first in the long interaction that we are going to have with you. I am very satisfied with the briefings I got about the reliability of the system that you have developed. “If it works the way we anticipate and we trust that it will; then you have got a great partnership with this state because this govern-

manuel Uduaghan had directed the security agencies to prevent the crisis from escalating. Following the directives, the troops had taken charge of the troubled spots apparently to apprehend the Ijaw gunmen and forestall the escalation of the war.

Representative of the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Mbazor, cutting the tape to commission a water project provided by Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited at the Police Training School in Calabar, yesterday.

Bayelsa awards N200m water project EMMA GBEMUDU

est development in the area. Investigation showed that the Itsekiri youths, who were caught unawares by the latest development, met at a secret location in Koko in the early hours of yesterday. Although the state government had kept mute, it was gathered Governor Em-

However, an Ijaw leader in the area, Chief Adele Dombai, yesterday appealed for calm. Dombai, who is the Tawatonwei of Egbema Kingdom, told his Ijaw kinsmen that the issue could not be resolved by violence but through dialogue. Meanwhile, the state government has restricted the movement of all speedboats

ment is committed to the provision of water for our people wherever they live. “We are committed to fulfilling our obligation as a government to provide basic social amenities in the areas of health, education and security for their well being.” Water scarcity in Yenagoa, the state capital, has been a perennial problem since the creation of the state 17 years ago. Provision of potable water in the state appears to be a great challenge to the state government. A 20 litre jerrycan of water is sold for between N20 and N30 by mobile water vendors. But Dickson said his administration placed priority on the provision of social amenities, stressing that government had not embarked on water projects in view of the peculiar challenges of high iron content inside the ground. He said: “The reason we did not dabble into a lot of water projects as so many others had done in the past is because we are aware of the peculiar challenges we have such as the high iron content.”

of two-horse power engines in the waterways in Warri North Local Government from 6pm to 7am. The Secretary to the Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, made the disclosure yesterday, while addressing the press shortly after the Delta State Security Council meeting in Asaba. Macaulay said security operatives had also been mandated to arrest youths hiding under the guise of youths’ associations to engage in nefarious activities. He said: “The existing law banning the activities of youths’ organisations in the state is still in force.” On the security situation in Asaba, the SSG observed that Asaba had been peaceful, adding that the security agencies were capable of handling any criminal in the state. On his part, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, disclosed that the armed robbers who attempted to rob a bank in Asaba came from Lagos. He disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after the state security meeting in Asaba.

Oshiomhole seeks probe of FG’s claim on road project SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

gain, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday called for the probe of Federal Government’s claim on the reconstruction and beautification of Five Junction in the heart of Benin. Oshiomhole asked the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, to provide vital documents such as the project design document, the contract award document and the evidence of payment to Reynolds Construction Company, RCC.

The governor asked the minister to present these documents, which he said were in possession of the state government, to members of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, which visited him at the Government House. While both the Federal and Edo State governments have been laying claim to the junction, where six major roads in Benin converge, Onolemenmen has consistently said that the road was being constructed by the Federal Government. Addressing the Hon. Ogbuefi Ora Ozombachi-led

committee, Oshiomohole said since the state government had the evidence of being responsible for the construction of the project which the Federal Government was also laying claims to, something was wrong somewhere. This, the governor said, must be properly investigated. He said: “This is an opportunity to clarify an area in which we have had an unnecessary controversy, the area we call the Five Junction, which is one of those areas which over the past 15 to 20 years have been known

for flooding. “They call it Five Junction because there are several adjoining streets not coordinated and because there was no drainage, five minutes of rainfall was enough to block the whole area. “It constituted a serious nightmare to motorists and our people. We had discussions with our Ministries of Works and Environment. We felt that it was worthwhile to construct a roundabout there. But anything you do, which does not take into account the construction of drainage, is a waste of money.”

Pastor sodomises 15-year-old boy in Benin SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

olice in Benin, Edo State, yesterday paraded the pastor in charge of Breakthrough Ministry, Mr. Phillips Ogbebor, for sodomising a 15-year-old boy. The church is situated at 34, Owina Street, off Sakponba Road in Benin. The police also paraded 25 other suspects, who were alleged to have committed various crimes ranging from

cultism, armed robbery, rape, murder, pipeline vandalism, unlawful firearm possession to illegal refinery operation. Ogbebor, who was in chains, was said to have committed the offence almost seven years ago when the boy was 15 years old. The pastor, who refused to talk to journalists, merely muttered: “Let God judge.” But the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Folusho Adebanjo, told our corre-

spondent that the pastor “was arrested for indecent assault on a boy by making love to him through his anus”. The victim, now 22 years old, said he met Ogbebor as a member of his congregation in 2007. The victim, who simply gave his name as Joseph, said he was then a Junior Secondary School II student. Following the trust that soon developed between Ogbebor and Joseph, the vic-

tim alleged that the pastor conducted different rituals with him, using live animals before he placed him on oath just as he continuously had sex with him through his anus. Asked why it took almost seven years for him to make his complaint to the police, Joseph said Ogbebor warned him against telling anybody about the relationship between them or else, “I will die the day I tell anybody about it”.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

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Politics Omisore’s lies can’t stop Osun revolution –Awofisayo

Amaechi: Season of solidarity visits

OGUTA CONSTITUENCY ELECTION RERUN

Violence, ballot box snatching, causes of inconclusiveness –INEC EMMANUEL ONANI ABUJA

he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has explained why it declared the bye-election into the Oguta State constituency of Imo State, “inconclusive”. In a statement released in Abuja yesterday, by Kayode Idowu, the chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, the electoral commission predicated its action on the fact that there were noticeable cases of violence and ballot box snatching, which it observed, violated extant provisions of the Electoral Act. The statement noted that, though security operatives deployed to cover the poll did

the utmost, such efforts did not stop alleged irregularities. The statement reads: “The Independent National Electoral Commission has received reports showing that the election conducted in Oguta constituency of Imo State last Saturday, June 29, 2013, witnessed incidents of violence and unruly conduct by partisans, necessitating the cancellation of the election in eight (8) polling units. This cancellation made the election inconclusive. “Field reports showed that even though security agents mobilised appreciably for the exercise, there were cases of violence as well as ballots and result sheets snatching by thugs, as a result of which the election was cancelled in the following polling

units: (i) PU 001 in Ward 05 (Ndeloukwu/Umuowerre) - with 768 registered voters; (ii) PU 007 in Ward 03 (Izombe) - 939 registered voters; (iii) PU 009 in Ward 09 (Oru) - 708 registered voters; (iv) PU 010 (Ward 09) - 657 registered voters; (v) PU 011 (Ward 09) - 407 registered voters; (vi) PU 012 (Ward 09) - 408 registered voters; (vii) PU 013 (Ward 09) - 667 registered voters and (viii) PU 003 in Ward 02 (Egwe/Egbuoma) 212 registered voters. “The total population of registered voters in the polling units affected was over 4,000; whereas the dif-

ference between the leading candidate and the next in the collated results was 2,011 votes. The procedure is that where the number of registered voters involved in a cancelled election exceeds the difference in the votes of the two leading candidates in collated results, the election will be declared inconclusive. It bears pointing out that the present outcome of Oguta constituency election is similar to what happened with the 2011 governorship election in Imo State, which was eventually resolved. “The Commission finds it worrisome that politi-

cians and hooligans brazenly flouted the restriction order on movement during the election. Reports showed that officials of the Imo State Government and some members of the National Assembly across party lines moved around freely despite the restriction order - some of them with security escorts! Worse, some of these politicians aren’t even from Oguta constituency where the election held. “INEC must here again confess its disappointment that the culture of thuggery, intolerance and unruly conduct continues to

bedevil the electoral process in this country. “The Commission is already making necessary arrangements to conduct election in the outstanding polling units. However, it needs reassurance that there will be adequate security to insulate the process against disruption or interference by thugs, officials and partisans. The Commission hereby calls on the Police to do everything possible to guarantee a secure environment in the areas where the election was cancelled, so that the process can be brought to an early conclusion.”

ACN slams Presidency’s comments on election OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

he Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has berated the Presidency for what it called “seeking to usurp the role of INEC” by describing the rerun election to the Imo House of Assembly in Oguta as inconclusive. The ACN, in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said it was up to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to determine whether the election was ‘inconclusive’ or marred by ‘violence and irregularities’, and not the presidency. Mohammed said: ‘’To the best of our knowledge, it is either the candidates or the parties involved in an election that can take a legal recourse over any perceived irregularities. It therefore baffles us that the Presidency has rushed to declare the election inconclusive and marred by rigging, and to call for the prosecution of those involved, simply because its preferred candi-

date lost.” The party said that going by the information at its disposal, election results were cancelled in eight out of the 232 polling booths for one reason and the other and that definitely was not enough to make any election inconclusive as the percentage of the cancelled results was just four per cent. Mohammed also accused the Presidency of being selective in its quest for the prosecution of those who rig or engage in violence during elections, wondering where the Presidency was when the last gubernatorial election in Ondo State was marred by massive rigging and violence. His words: ‘’Let’s be clear: It is not the business of the presidency to pronounce any election inconclusive or marred by violence. That is the business of INEC. The Presidency was wrong in trying to pre-empt INEC, simply because the PDP candidate lost the election to the Okorocha faction of APGA. Would the presidency have raised the alarm if the victor had come from the Obi faction of APGA?”

Governor Rochas Okorocha flanked by members of his cabinet while briefing journalists over the outcome of the Oguta State Constituency rerun election held on Saturday.

PDP explains Ihedioha, Uzodinma roles OBIORA IFOH AND CHRIS NJOKU

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, explained why members of the party in the National Assembly were present at last Saturday’s State House of Assembly rerun election in Oguta Local Government Area of the state. The party said that the two members were just there to monitor the election. The two members, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and his Senate

counterpart, Hope Uzodinma, were accused of storming Oguta with their retinue of security personnel. Addressing journalists in his office in Owerri yesterday, the state chairman of the PDP, Eze Duruiheoma, SAN, said their presence in Oguta during the election was in the spirit of free and fair election which the party resolved before going into the election. He said: “As the number six man in official protocol, Emeka Ihedioha enjoys certain privileges including security but in all the polling centres we visited the security men did not come down from the vehicle and

in every polling centre we went he always said to the people ‘vote according to your conscience.” Duruiheoma admitted that “Senator Hope Uzodinma and Emeka Ihedioha were the only high profile PDP members in the area.” According to him, weeks before the election, the PDP had reports “that the Imo State government had declared the election a do-ordie,” and to achieve that they “mobilised traditional rulers and civil servants from Oguta council area and warned them that any person from the two groups who does not deliver his or her polling unit/ward would be sacked.”

Also, the PDP has advised Governor Rochas Okorocha to take a clue from President Goodluck Jonathan by allowing a free and fair election in his state. The party berated the governor over what it called a persistent desperate attempt to truncate the wish of the people in the rerun election, describing his actions as shamelessly undemocratic. Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Tony Okeke, in statement said the blatant attempt by the governor and his party, the APGA, to rig the election is a window into the jaundiced disposition of the opposition to free and fair elections.

Politics

SAM OLUWALANA chronicles the avalanche of solidarity visits and support that have come the way of the embattled Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as he continues to battle political intrigues in all fronts.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Amaechi: Season of solidarity visits

ince the beginning of the crisis rocking the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the people of the state have consistently stood up to be counted with the position, vision and aspirations of their governor, Rotimi Amaechi. Despite that the crisis which has pitched the governor who was also re-elected the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, against President Goodluck Jonathan and his loyalists, Rivers people have not hidden their love for the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, who has variously been described as the best performing leader the state has ever had. The flurry of solidarity visits, undertaken by eminent chiefs, sons and opinion leaders of ethnic nationalities from all the parts of the state only accentuate the popularity of the governor among his people. The people of Kalabari Kingdom, represented by the Amanyanabo of Kalabari, leaders, youths and politicians from the area in their visit to the governor, pledged their steadfast support for Amaechi. In their address presented by the representative of the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, His Majesty, King Prof. T. J. T. Princewill, on behalf of all Kalabari people, they expressed their fervent support for the governor and pledged to stand by him in his current travails. They said: “At certain times in the life of a man, the public expression of the love, goodwill, admiration and support of friends and relatives may be highly desirable. For us as Kalabari people, this is a good time to show our solidarity with our son, brother, friend and governor, Chibuike Amaechi. The Kalabari people as an ethnic nationality would continue to work with you. We pledge our loyalty and unflinching support to Your Excellency’s administration.” Closely following the Kalabari visit to the Rivers Government House was that of the people of Etche ethnic nationality in Omuma and Etche local government areas of Rivers State, who on their part pledged their steadfast and total support for the governor. The chiefs, elders and people of Etche resolved to support Amaechi administration while they condemned in strong terms the perceived plots against the governor. In the address presented on behalf of the Onyishi Etchie, they said: “We have come to reaffirm our undying faith in your administration. We have come to say we are with you. We cannot pretend to be on the fence, and we have no intention whatsoever as an ethnic nation to stand on the fence. We stand where we should, and we have the mandate of our traditional father, His Majesty, the Onyishi Etche, his council of chiefs, elders and people of Etche land to assure you that we are standing by you.” Noting that Amaechi has consistently stood on the side of the people while fighting injustice been meted to his people, by forces who have been misappropriating

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L-R: Prof. Tam David-West and Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi share a joke during the latter’s solidarity visit to the Governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently.

the resources of the people of the state, the Etche people added: “We are witnesses to the sudden transfer of 86 oil wells belonging to the Rivers State to Akwa Ibom State. We are witnesses to the annexation of our oil wells at Kula and Soku and the eventual transfer of the proceeds accruing there from to Bayelsa State. We have similarly witnessed the transfer of oil wells belonging to Rivers State to Abia and Delta states and we have equally witnessed attempts to scuttle your hard won victory at the NGF, as well as various moves, in so many ways, to destabilise the bi-partisan body that Nigerians have come to respect and adore under your able and dynamic leadership. “In all these, your Excellency, you have remained calm and focused. You have soldiered on as a true Rivers man and refused to be intimidated. We are proud, very proud of you, and the good people of Etche, whose interests we present, have mandated us to congratulate you on your victory as the Chairman of the NGF.” The next on the line, after the Etche ethnic nationality was the people of Ikwerre ethnic nationality. The Ikwerres also pledged their support for the governor in a 10-point communiqué at the end of a oneday summit in Port Harcourt last Monday. In large numbers, including first class traditional rulers and chiefs, the Ogbakor Ikwerre cultural organisation worldwide, opinion leaders, the clergy and the youth, the Ikwerres stated their resolve to support Governor Amaechi as he faces his current travails. The communiqué read by the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre worldwide at the Government House main gate, Port Harcourt, was signed by Augustine Onyeozu, President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre worldwide; Chief Andrew Uchendu of the House of Representatives and HRM Eze (Dr) Frank Eke, Eze Oha Evo, Eze Gbakagbaka and former Deputy Governor of old Rivers State. The communiqué said: “We condemn in unequivocal terms the unwarranted attacks and campaign of calumny by fifth columnists against the governor of Rivers State. The Ikwerre people continue to appreciate the support and loyalty that the ethnic groups in Rivers State have continued to give to the governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike

WE CONDEMN IN UNEQUIVOCAL TERMS THE UNWARRANTED ATTACKS AND CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY BY FIFTH COLUMNISTS AGAINST THE

GOVERNOR OF RIVERS

STATE

Rotimi Amaechi. We are very proud of the impressive performance of the governor since his assumption of the office in 2007, especially in the conspicuous presence of basic infrastructure in all the nooks and crannies of the state.” While congratulating the governor over his victory and emergence as the chairman of the NGF, the Ikwerres said that they wholeheartedly endorsed the open letter to President Jonathan by the Igbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation worldwide requesting President Jonathan to direct security operatives to stop without delay the “underserved embarrassment being meted to the governor.” Political stakeholders in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State were also not left out of the series of solidarity visits to the Government House. During a visit to Amaechi, they also declared their unflinching loyalty and support for him after a stakeholders’ summit in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The Obio/Akpor elders and political stakeholders resolved to support Amaechi and commended him for his achievements in the state. Chairman of the summit and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikechi Chinwo, said: “Our representatives are trying to misrepresent Obio/ Akpor. They are making us look like we are not grateful. It’s on record that Obio/ Akpor as a local government in Port Harcourt city and in Rivers State has the highest number of infrastructural development that is being constructed by the Rivers State governor, Amaechi. I stand to be corrected and our representatives

are trying to make us look like we are not grateful. I want the people of Obio/Akpor to, in one loud voice, support and encourage Amaechi, that the people of Obio/Akpor are very, very grateful. We voted them in but they are not representing us. They are not giving the true picture of how the Obio/Akpor man feels. We are very happy, we are very grateful to Amaechi and we are behind him because he is a great leader”. Despite the order supposedly issued by the state Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, in which the police was said to have tried to prevent the people of Orashi Kingdom from paying their own solidarity visit to the governor, the people of the area comprising Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni and Abua-Odual local government areas all defied the police order and stormed the Government House in their thousands to pay the governor a solidarity visit. Former Governor Peter Odili is from the area. Leader of the group and the senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Senator Wilson Ake, said they were in Government House to tell the governor and the country that the votes they gave him in 2011 for his re-election as governor of Rivers State were not in error. Senator Ake said: “Our sons and daughters are beneficiaries of your human capital development. Governor Amaechi’s people-oriented projects in the Orashi region cannot be compared to any past administration in the state. The workers of iniquity will not see you. The people of Orashi region and Rivers people will see the last day of the expiration of your tenure. Amaechi, please count on our support at all times.” Responding, Amaechi said it is most despicable that the state is losing oil wells to neighbouring states, and as the governor, he is obliged to resist and defend the territorial integrity of the state. “Orashi is one of the producers of oil in Nigeria, and we have asked the Federal Government to carry out development in those areas. We just have to defend our rights and our land,” Amaechi said. Local government councillors in Rivers State, who are regarded as the first line of grassroots politics all over the country, were also not left as they also paid solidarity visit to the governor. Led by its Chairman, Hon. Lesor Baranu Nwigbaranee representing Ward 15 of Khana constituency, the state chapter of the Nigeria Councillors’ Forum, NCF, expressed their unwavering support for Governor Amaechi and rated his administration’s performance so far very high with a 95 per cent score. The councillors said that they were stating the minds and position of millions of Rivers people at the grassroots, whom they represent and daily interact with, saying that their reaction was borne out of their belief that “except strategic stakeholders speak up, the wishes, aspirations and rights of the people of Rivers State as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, may be unjustly trampled upon.” Dissociating themselves from any plan to cause a breakdown of law and order in CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Politics

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Prince Felix Awofisayo is the president of Oranmiyan Worldwide, a socio-cultural political organisation that also serves as a campaign platform for Governor Rauf Aregbesola. He speaks with FELIX NWANERI, on the fallout of the chairmanship election of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, and criticisms of the Aregbesola-led administration. Excerpts:

Omisore’s lies can’t stop Osun revolution –Awofisayo that he cannot even substantiate when called upon to do so, these are some of the instances. Omisore is a pathological liar. But you know they said a lair must also have good memory. His lies have become so embarrassingly inconsistent that the Osun people have seen through him. Just one example! Now Omisore has accused Aregbesola’s government of procuring a helicopter at the cost of N4.2 billion for his comfort. This is the same man who put the cost of the same helicopter at over N7 billion. So, the cost has suddenly come down to N4.2 billion within a period of one month? That is to tell you that he does not care about facts and truth. When a man who unfortunately supervised the Appropriation Committee of our country while in the Senate does not care about the need to be consistent with figures; that shows you how much of tragedy the PDP has brought to this country.

The rumpus in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum keeps festering, especially with the video provided by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, which captured the election process. What is your take on the issue? We must never lose sight of the import of that video and what it revealed about the character of some people who find themselves in positions of authorities in this country. Where is the manipulation in that video? Was the Director General of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum manipulated to count the ballots papers? Was he doctored to announce the number of votes received by each of the contestants? Where is the manipulation here? Of course, you must expect those who wanted to perpetrate fraud but got exposed in the video to attempt to find excuses for their ignoble actions. But Nigerians are wiser and cannot be manipulated. We all owe the man who had the foresight to put that exercise on record by capturing it on video a lot of gratitude. But for that commendable act, just a few dubious characters would have succeeded in manipulating the minds of all Nigerians and we would never have gotten to understand what truly transpired at the election. But then, that tells us what we must expect in the next general elections with self-acclaimed democrats who cannot accept the outcome of a transparent election which involved just 35 ballots papers. But accusing figures are being pointed at Governor Aregbesola for recording that exercise. What could be the justification for that in your estimation? This question should not even arise in a sane society. I am sure you are aware of the commendations Nigerians home and abroad have given for that visionary action of his to capture the exercise on video, as if he knew his colleagues would not stand by the outcome of a transparent exercise. Assuming that video is not available; let us just imagine what would have happened. So, I want to believe that only those with demented minds will condemn the recoding of that exercise on video. One of the governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore has vowed to send Aregbesola packing in 2014. What is your take on this? Omisore is a collaborator in anything that would subvert democracy. We must establish the fact that those who have followed Omisore’s brand of politics right from the time he came into the consciousness of the people of Osun State can never forget that his name conjures fears of violence, lies, manipulation, distortions, avarice and all that you can think of in that category. But honestly, I salute his courage, because not many people in life can carry the kind of very unimpressive and negative dossier that Omisore carries with him and still have the audacity to dream of wanting to lord it over such people as their governor. The unfortunate thing for him, however, is that the people of Osun State have never been unwise and they have even grown wiser now to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff. The question you must be asking yourself is: What does an Omisore want to say before the voters in Osun State that would make meaning to them? With the innovative and ingenious nature of the governance now in place, how many voters do you think can even be proud of queuing behind Omisore? Not even voters in the polling unit near his house. For a man who was in the Senate for almost eight years to fail to win even in his ward in a system where the people’s votes counted shows that he had illegitimately occupied that seat on behalf of the people of that senatorial district.

Awofisayo

Omisore has said Aregbesola has been inflating contracts and awarding them to his cronies. When the likes of Omisore make allegations of that nature, the first thing you must do is to subject them to simple reasoning. His claims, you must admit, do not even pass simple tests of intelligence. Whether Omisore got to the Nigerian Senate through a credible election or not, the fact is that he served in that hallowed chamber and even presided over one of the most important committees. Unfortunately, not even that unmerited opportunity was enough to have schooled Omisore in the art and science of good governance. When a man alleges that the state has borrowed about N300 billion in just about two years and the whole world know that as the number 34th on the federal allocation ladder and with the paltry sum that is the accruable Internally Generated Revenue in Osun State, the highest possible revenue that will come to the government of Aregbesola in four years is just about N200 billion. The best way to deal with such an ignoble mind is to allow him indulge fully in his own foolery. The administration has completed several road projects and is still constructing several at a very huge cost. Schools infrastructure alone is costing us N30 billion. But Omisore has accused the Aregbesola government of merely embarking on these projects as smokescreen, alleging that many of the projects are not there as claimed. When I say he makes very outlandish claims; claims

THE UNFORTUNATE THING FOR HIM, HOWEVER, IS THAT THE PEOPLE OF OSUN STATE HAVE NEVER BEEN UNWISE AND THEY HAVE EVEN GROWN WISER NOW TO BE ABLE TO SEPARATE THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF

He has said all claims about the Opon Imo device are ruse and meant to defraud the state. Does Omisore even have the intellectual capacity to understand what Opon Imo is all about despite all the explanations, commendations by development-oriented and education-loving intellectuals across the world? The answer is no. But you cannot blame Omisore who still thinks analogue in an age where the world has gone digital. What Aregbesola’s government has done in Osun is to bring schools to the students; the other way round of students always going to schools. He has democratised knowledge in Osun. Revolution has come to education in the state and not even 1,000 Omisores can stop that through his smear campaign. His muddled up figures, concocted and manipulated figures on all government projects are just confirmations of his abysmal failure to understand the nature of the projects, their rationale and even the benefit to the people. He said government is building schools at the cost that are exorbitant. Where did he get his figures from and why can’t he come out with the cost of the schools built by his friend and collaborator, Segun Mimiko in Ondo? We hope he remembers that the people of Osun can never forget that what PDP represents is anti-people policies, and the Omisores of this world are the faces of the PDP in Osun. There seems to be some confidence in his pursuit of the governorship ambition; especially with his claim that the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN is weak in all the senatorial districts which makes the party vulnerable in the next election. Even in the Osun East Senatorial District where Omisore comes from, he has no relevance there. If not, what would make a man who was a senator for eight years not win even his own ward during a credible election? Osun Central, this is another bastion of support for the ACN. He is a persona non grata in Osun West Senatorial District. Where then does Omisore hope to draw his support from? Apart from his newspaper interviews and smear campaigns against Aregbesola’s government, have you even bothered to ask him to test his strength and support base in any part of the state, even in Ile-Ife where he comes from? The people of the state are no fools. With innovative ways of constructing massive roads, feeding of school children, 40,000 youth volunteers engagements, human capacity building in forms of skills acquisition, massive agriculture programmes, reforms in all sectors, prompt payments of salaries; youth development programmes, massive restructuring of education and provision of modern learning tools and many more in the areas of health, security and restoration of peace; who would want change the winning team? PDP, while its reign lasted here, meant fears, intimidation, repression, lack of focus and lack of creativity to get things done. They claimed there was no money because Osun is a civil service state. But then, how come all these gigantic projects are coming up? It takes men of ideas to turn around a state like this.

Politics

Thursday, July 4, 2013

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2015: ‘Jonathan should go the way of Mandela’ Nigeria’s amalgamation will be 100 years next year. Would you say we have achieved the dream of the founding fathers of Nigeria? Certainly not. What we are going through now is not what our founding fathers planned. At that time, democracy was in charge. But now, it is the demon that is crazy. Corruption has permeated every sector of the society. Corruption used to be in the public sector only. Now, it has crept into the private sector as well. That was not the dream of our founding fathers. Our founding fathers dreamt and actualised a federal system. What we now have is a unitary form of government instead of a federal system of government. That is not what our founding fathers fought for. Our founding fathers fought for the development of each region at its own pace. They fought for a united Nigeria, not divided by tribes and tongues or religions. But now, it is the opposite. I’m quite sure that the likes of Zik, Tafawa Balewa and Awolowo will be turning in protest in their graves; they’ll be feeling sorry for all of us. At that time, you could travel from Lagos to Kano, from Sokoto to Port Harcourt anytime of the day without any fear. You can’t do that freely without fear of insecurity today. The basic cause of this insecurity is corruption. You can’t win any election in this country unless you are corrupt. That is the truth. Nigeria is now in difficulty and every time I think about it, it saddens me. If I don’t have children and family here, I would have relocated from this country. Because each time I imagine what would happen to us in 2015, we need prayer for this country. A country where 35 governors cannot conduct a credible election signals a lot of problems for this country. Is there any hope for Nigeria? One needs to sit down and reflect. Our president just needs to do what is right. A primary one pupil knows if you remove 19 from 35, the answer is 16. And if 35 governors, for any reason cannot conduct a credible election among themselves, don’t you feel frightened what CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 the state and make the Amaechi administration unstable, the councillors: They expressed displeasure with those they referred to as undemocratic forces”’ outside the state heating up the polity, and urged political stakeholders in the state to support Amaechi to achieve more for the people of the state. The biggest surprise, which astounded people all over the country, however, was the visit of the former Minister of Petroleum and don, Prof. Tam David-West. He described Amaechi as a victim of injustice, while also noting that despite the fact that the governor is going through difficult times at the moment, he would prevail in the end. His words: “I am not a member of any political party. I am supporting a cause that is very dear to me and that cause is justice. I have been a victim of injustice in my life, so when I see people suffering injustice or victims of injustice, I naturally support them. “We are going through very strange times in Nigeria, stranger still that 16

Former Managing Director and Chief Executive, Nigerian Life and Pensions Consultants, and Head of the Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Solomon Adegboyega Alao, at 75 years of age, has seen the good, the bad and the ugly sides of Nigeria. In this interview, he shares his views on the state of the nation and the 2015 elections with PADE OLAPOJU. Excerpts: no country has ever survived two civil wars. We are moving gradually towards a civil war. So, what can be done to avert a civil war? I don’t want to sound political. If I were the president, I will sacrifice my future ambition and not stand for election in 2015. That will reduce heating of the polity. I will go the Nelson Mandela way and become a hero in Nigeria. He has served two years as President when Yar’Adua died, plus his own four years, making six years. He has been a Vice President for two, so what else is he looking for? He should now sit down and ensure that the person who succeeds him will put the country on the right path.

Alao

will happen in 2015? And the man who is supposed to uphold the constitution is siding or seemingly siding with the minority faction of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, because of his interest. I think we are in trouble in this country. But God favours Nigeria. If not for His mercies upon Nigeria, this country could have ceased to exist years ago. But my fear is that at the rate we are going,

So many people have suggested holding a sovereign national conference as the way out of Nigeria’s problems. What is your take on this? I am not a lawyer, but it does not require one to be a lawyer to know that that is the most sensible thing to do. The amalgamation is a forced marriage and if you don’t allow a change to occur peacefully, it will occur violently. Things are not going well with Nigeria, and our leaders pretend as if they don’t know. Of the first 19 top positions in the Federal Government, there is no South-West person there. And you think the Yoruba are happy? Secondly, a forced

I WILL GO THE NELSON MANDELA WAY AND BECOME A HERO IN NIGERIA. HE HAS SERVED TWO YEARS AS PRESIDENT WHEN YAR’ADUA DIED, PLUS HIS OWN FOUR YEARS, MAKING SIX YEARS. HE HAS BEEN A VICE PRESIDENT FOR TWO, SO WHAT ELSE IS HE LOOKING FOR?

Amaechi: Season of solidarity visits

are now greater than 19 (referring to the outcome of the NGF election). Our governor is going through very difficult times, fortunately, he has the stamina and the strength, the fortitude to bear it.” According to him, Amaechi has outperformed every other governor the state ever had and he therefore commended him for his unparalleled achievements, while calling on all indigenes of Rivers to continue to give him unparallel support. Also the forum of former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly between 1979 and 2011, led by one-time Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Stephen Ezekwem, paid another solidarity visit, to the governor and use the opportunity of the visit to identify with Amaechi. Describing Amaechi as a born leader fighting for justice for the people of Rivers State, the former lawmakers said: “Your Excellency, our solidarity visit is in view of what is happening in the country today, the events that are unfolding in the country and as members of the legislature one

time in the state who had served in different capacities, it becomes imperative on us to come and show our support with you and encourage you and also to tell you that what you are fighting for is justice. If you were not fighting for justice, we would not come and no democracy in the country can succeed without justice.” Also last Monday, the Opobo/Nkoro people also paid solidarity visit to Amaechi. Led by their leaders and elders, the people expressed their unfailing support for the governor, saying that any attack on him is an attack on all Opobo/Nkoro people. In an address presented on behalf of the people, Prof. Wilson Bedford Bell-Gam, stated that Amaechi was being politically persecuted for his belief in fairness and justice in pursuing the common cause of all Rivers people. Pledging to support the governor all the way and stand by him in his trying moments, the people said: “For the past couple of months, the elected representatives, elders, men, women and youth of

marriage that has not produced anything what is there to celebrate? 100 years of instability, 100 years of insecurity, 100 years of bad roads, 100 years of blackout, unemployment, 100 years of abject poverty, corruption and misgovernment? Whether we like it or not, I think we need to sit down and talk. We may not call it Sovereign National Conference because the National Assembly will not accept that as it does not pay them with that word ‘sovereign’. But we need to sit together as ethnic nationalities with equal representation or on state basis or regional basis and fashion out the way we want to go. I don’t want Nigeria to break up. United we should stand. A bigger country has an advantage in the international politics, but I think what is good for Nigeria is a confederation where power will be devolved to the states or regions and the centre is made less attractive. A situation where governors go cap in hand to Abuja to beg for fund is not a federation. In a federal system, the affairs of local government are not the business of the central government, but that of states. In the First Republic, the centre was not this important or attractive. Then, each region developed independently. Awolowo used cocoa to develop Western Nigeria; Sardauna was using proceeds from cotton and groundnut to develop the North. Zik was using palm oil to develop the East and the regions were contributing money to maintain the centre. That was why late Ahmadu Bello, leader of the NPC was not interested in becoming the Prime Minister. He preferred to be the regional premier. I think we should go back to that. I think what we should do is convert the six geopolitical zones into regions and allow each region to control the local government. If we empower the regions, the abuses from the central government will be reduced. Do you foresee a change in status quo come 2015? I believe there will be a change in 2015. If you prevent a peaceful change, then a violent change is inevitable. We should learn from Ghana and South Africa. But I think the progressives will take over in 2015. Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area have watched with total consternation, a string of unhealthy developments unfolding in the political arena in Rivers State and the nation.” They criticised the attempts to discredit the governor and undermine his current achievements and victory in the recent NGF election, even as they also kicked against the transfer of oil wells from Rivers State to other neighbouring states. The member representing Opobo/ Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, in his vote of thanks commended Governor Amaechi for receiving the people at very short notice and said the people of Opobo/Nkoro would not betray his trust. In his response, Amaechi thanked the people for the solidarity visit. For Amaechi, it has been season of solidarity visits meant to shore up the popularity and acceptance of the embattled governor who is not at ease with the Presidency and the leadership of the PDP.

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Thursday, July 4, 2013

Mitigating Nigeria’s ethnic politics EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

FRY

NDUBUISI fryndubuisi@nationalmirroronline.net (08023016709 SMS only)

here is hardly any state in the modern world that is not confronted with problems of ethnicity. It is a common phenomenon in Africa. The West has reasonably coped with this social virus that is a clog in the wheel of progress of many countries. The USA, the world’s lone super power and strongest economy was faced with this scourge at its earlier stage of nationhood. But it is to the credit of its founding fathers and the tenacity of the minority groups that such issue is almost irrelevant in its today’s power and political relations. It could be said unequivocally that merit underlines the conduct of its life, with room, however, for accommodating the interests of the weak. In Africa, ethnic problem has haunted us at all levels. It has been the bane of Nigeria. With close to 250 ethnic groups, evolving a system that will assist in mediating and neutralizing its negative effects has been problematic. It was in an attempt to sort out the evil of this virus that the Federal Government introduced the Na-

magine a condition where every Nigerian has access to good and qualitative education, adequate means of livelihood, infinite opportunities for suitable employment, where conditions of work are just and humane, where facilities for leisure, social, religious and cultural life are taken for granted. Imagine also a situation where the various governments provide adequate medical and health facilities for all persons; where there is equal pay for equal work for all regardless of sex, or any other grounds whatsoever; where children, young persons and the aged are protected against any form of exploitation and neglect. Such a paradisiacal existence may be difficult for many Nigerians giving our lifelong experience with comprehensive poverty and privations, both products of protracted maladministration and corruption. Not many Nigerians also know that the conditions described above, utopian as they may seem, are not just delusive emanations of my imagination, but expressly provided for under Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution. Actually, I have quoted from chapters 17 and 18, which are just a part of the section tagged ‘Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy’. If the President and governors swore to uphold our Constitution, why do successive governments deprive Nigerians of all these blessings? Recently, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina , Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development affirmed that 13 million Nigerians are under the pangs of hunger and malnutrition. Many Nigerians would regard the figure to have been understated. The answer to the above question lies

tional Youth Service Corps scheme soon after the civil war. It was hoped then that the scheme would nurture and blossom the seed of unity and tolerance sown by the government. Forty years of implementation has shown that the NYSC scheme has not achieved this primary objective. Many youths still long for it basically because it is now an escape, albeit a temporary one, from the biting scourge of unemployment. With the brutal murder of serving corps members in 2011, the scheme has become endangered with many question marks hanging over its continuous relevance. Regrettably, time, association, experience and even interethnic marriages have not helped in mediating the destructive forces of ethnicity in Nigeria. Our return to democracy has intensified the clash of centrifugal forces in the country. List all the ethnic-based political acronyms in the country; they help to strength the fears that Nigerian is gradually going unpatched. Probably for administrative and political convenience, the country was partitioned into zones. That could be applied positively to ensure that the nation lives to the spirit and letters of the constitution as provided in Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution. This is to ensure that no group is disadvantaged. Paradoxically, however, zoning has become an albatross for the country. It is the dominant factor for determining who will be the country’s President. With Odua People’s Congress (OPC),

FORTY YEARS OF IMPLEMENTATION HAS SHOWN THAT THE

NYSC SCHEME HAS NOT ACHIEVED THIS PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Egbesu, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the likes, it is obvious that we are not yet ready to build a strong nation, united with the same vision and a common destiny. The fight is who controls the resources at the centre. There is no clear articulated agenda on how to move the nation forward. Every group, every ethnic sect is clamoring to be at the centre. That is the power house where, who gets what is determined. The founders of this nation foresaw this problem; that was why they insisted on a federal system. It worked marvelously in the First Republic; all the regions were up and doing and this manifested in development in the regions. The military intervention in our socioeconomic and political life halted our solid and steady march to greatness. Now we are entangled in this quagmire. It has become obvious the political

union is a good example of a marriage that has broken down almost irretrievably; nobody or group is mustering the will power to remedy the situation, yet we are unwilling to end the marriage. Rather we overheat the polity with banal statements, and many from the so-called elder statesmen. There have been calls for national dialogue, the panacea to the bad situation at hand. The reluctance of the Presidency to this is difficult to fathom. A gathering of the nation’s divergent ethnic nationalities appears the best option now. It is reasoned that a return to a true federalism could do the magic for us. There is no zone in the country that does not have what it requires to make life meaningful for its inhabitants. If we are courageous enough to do this, the tension in the land will be reasonably diffused. The human and material waste presently going on all over the country, especially in the North is regrettable. We must channel our energy and resources to productive engagements for the interest of our teeming population and generations yet unborn. In reality we should be in a hurry to move forward and catch up with developed nations. We can ill afford all the negative forces that work against our collective destiny. Prof. Ndubuisi, an attorney at law, is of the Dept of Philosophy, UNILAG

Enforcing our socio-economic rights IF THE PRESIDENT AND GOVERNORS SWORE TO UPHOLD OUR

CONSTITUTION,

WHY DO SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTS DEPRIVE

NIGERIANS

OF ALL THESE BLESSINGS?

in Section 6 subsection 6 (c) of the Constitution. It renders Chapter Two nonjusticiable; that is to say no Nigerian has the right to go to court to enforce them. Some stakeholders have been calling for the expulsion of section 6 (6) (c) from the constitution over the years to ensure that the chapter shall become enforceable just like other parts of the constitution. The argument of the anti-enforcement proponents has always been that making such socio-economic rights enforceable could lead to deluge of cases, and this could weigh down the administration of justice machinery. But this argument could be countered by the proposition that a special fast track procedure could be fashioned out to make cases under the chapter expeditiously disposable. Conversely, the proponents of “enforceability theory” would scoff at the idea that the conditions painted in the constitution cannot be created. They would readily point to billions of naira that had been and are still being siphoned from the national

treasury by corrupt politicians as money that could have been deployed towards the ends of Chapter Two of the Constitution. Well, there may be some truth in the argument that wealth can only be created and cannot be legislated into existence, and therefore, Nigerians could not start to enjoy all those wonderful provisions of Chapter Two simply because they were inserted into the constitution; that there must be underlying economic realities that would make the dream feasible. Yes, but the pertinent questions are “Is the government doing enough? Should the government say because it cannot make provisions on everything provided in that chapter, it should just ignore them altogether?” My take on this is, make “monumental breach” of the Chapter Two an impeachable offence! Under Section 143 of the 1999 constitution, the president and governors are impeachable only when they are guilty of “gross misconduct.” The Constitution should be amended to provide that any president or governor guilty of “monumental breach” of the socio-economic rights enshrined in Chapter Two should be impeached. This could mean that federal and state legislatures would convene a special session at the end of every year to evaluate and assess the executives’ commitment to the implementation of the provisions of Chapter Two; and if they are adjudged to have been guilty of “monumental neglect” of this chapter, impeachment proceedings should be commenced against them. A foolproof alternative mechanism should also be instituted to check situation where the lawmakers, out of cozy relationship, undeservedly give the president or

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

governor a pass mark. The remedy is to insert provisions making the legislatures’ annual assessment open to the public to allow civil society organization initiate court actions for a declaration that the president or governor is guilty of monumental breach, whereupon the court, upon finding so, would remove the president and order fresh election within 90 days. The Senate President shall fill the void in the interim. There should be a corollary provision that there could only be one such case every year from human right organisations. This would stem the fear of a deluge of cases anticipated from enforceability of such rights as there would only be a single case in a year. The implementation of the suggestion here would at least put a stop to the present culture of monumental neglect of Nigerians’ socio-economic rights. 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, July 4, 2013

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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

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SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

State of the economy

t is no longer a secret that the Federal Government is facing daunting challenges on the state of the economy. The economic situation is obviously not as rosy as some government officials would want the public to believe. Indeed, critics have drawn attention to the imminent collapse of the country’s economy except urgent measures are taken to reduce the bloated cost of running government, diversify the economy and increase crude oil production. To the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, however, the fundamentals of the economy are strong. The economy is buoyant and safe from danger. But at a recent meeting of the FG Economic Team, the same minister did aver that the economy was shaky and that drastic measures were needed to stave it off from irredeemable crisis. This has raised widespread suspicion that the government is seriously weighing the possibility of imposing belt tightening measures on hapless citizens who have been at the receiving end of poor governance as well as grave public sector ineptitude and corruption. The Nigerian economy was touted as the fastest growing economy in the world in

2010. It is, however, difficult to measure the impact of the said growth on job creation, poverty level, power supply, infrastructure deficit, insecurity and corruption. Between 2005 and 2010, the country averaged a quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 6.71 percent, which reached an all time high of 8.29 percent in December 2010. The level of inflation surged to 12.6 percent in January 2012 largely as a result of the partial removal of petrol subsidy. In August 2011, the level of inflation was 9.3 percent, 10.0 percent in September, 10.5 percent in October and November, and 10.3 percent in December. The persisting high level of unemployment in the country has been attributed to the structural disequilibrium in the economy, with growth in consumerism and sectors that encourage rent seeking, which leaves the key productive and high employment generating sectors performing far below their capacities. Similarly, Nigeria’s unending power sector crisis has been visibly responsible for the poor performance of the real and informal sectors of the economy, especially as it concerns job creation. The economy has also been adversely affected by high interest and exchange rates. The global financial meltdown, while sharp

THE COUNTRY’S OVERRELIANCE ON OIL AS A MAJOR REVENUE EARNER IS A GAMBLE THAT CANNOT BE SUSTAINED FOR TOO LONG practices in the capital market have also restrained investors’ drive for shares. The Jonathan administration sought to change agriculture to business and encourage private sector participation in the value chain. The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, was quoted as saying the country loses over $10 billion annually due to the loss of its 1970s market share in oil palm production, groundnut and cocoa. The country still relies heavily on food imports. Overall, however, while there could be a semblance of macro-economic stability, the human development components of the economy are most discouraging. The reform agenda of the FG revolves round the four cardinal anchors of ensuring macro-economic stability and sustainable growth; implementing structural reforms, strengthening public institu-

tions and investing in priority sectors. But the reforms are hindered by lack of political will, politicization of the implementation process, over dependence on external expertise and political corruption. The bureaucracy in Nigeria is still grossly inefficient and hardly effective when it comes to pursuing serious economic and political reforms that can truly transform the nation. To avert further danger, therefore, the FG should recognize reduction of the cost of governance as one of its foremost priorities. A situation where about 74 percent of annual budgets get sunk into recurrent expenditure is unacceptable. The planned merger of some government ministries, agencies and departments (MDAs) performing similar functions should be accelerated. In addition, the country’s overreliance on oil as a major revenue earner is a gamble that cannot be sustained for too long. Earnings from oil should be used to diversify the economy and provide the requisite infrastructure and hospitable business climate that can boost the real and informal sectors and improve the living condition of the populace. The level of poverty and destitution in the land ought to be of utmost concern to the government.

ON THIS DAY July 4, 2012 The discovery of particles consistent with the Higgs boson at the LargeHadronColliderwasannouncedattheEuropeanOrganization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland. The discovery is said to be monumental because it appears to confirm the existence of the Higgs field, which is pivotal to the Standard Model and other theories within particle physics. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is theworld’slargestandhighest-energyparticleaccelerator.

July 4, 1987 In France, former Gestapo chief, Klaus Barbie was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life imprisonment. Barbie (October 25, 1913 – September 25, 1991) was a German soldier also known as the “Butcher of Lyon” for having personally tortured prisoners of the Gestapo while stationed in Lyon, France during World War II. The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany and German-occupied Europe.

July 4, 1776 United States Independence Day. Commonly known as the Fourth of July, it is a federal holiday in the US commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues,carnivals,fairs,picnics,concerts,baseballgames,family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, among other.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today Graduates who cannot read – Shared responsibility 23

he recent plan by the Federal Government to scrap the National Examination Council (NECO) and merge it with the West African Examination Council (WAEC) may have informed the one-day summit organised by NECO last weekend in Lagos. The forum, tagged: “Repositioning NECO for effective service delivery: A collective task,” was first of its kind since the establishment of the organisation about 12 years ago and is expected to be replicated in other five geo-political zones of the country. Welcoming participants, Chairman, Governing Board of the council, Dr. Paddy Njoku, went down memory lane, saying NECO, as an indigenous exam body, was established to break the monopoly enjoyed over the years by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in the conduct of examinations for secondary school students in the country. He noted that the enjoyment of monopoly by WAEC then denied many academically brilliant students of university admission, especially on the year of their graduation from secondary schools. Identifying NECO’s responsibilities in addition to the conduct of the June/July and November/December Secondary School Certificate Examinations to include the conduct of the National Common Entrance Exams for primary school students, National Entrance Exams into the federal unity senior secondary colleges, among others, Njoku explained that the council all along did not fail in conducting not only credible exams, but exams that have met international standard and acceptability. Corroborating him, the Registrar and Chief Executive of the council, Prof. Promise Okpala said the organisation achieved all these despite its various challenges, which he said ranged from inadequate funding, logistics in terms of distribution of exam materials, poor road networks, inadequate ICT facilities, insecurity to exam malpractice. Speaking through the council’s Director of Quality Assurance, Mr. Adolf Nebechukwu, the registrar disclosed that the council had put in place formidable measures such as the use of customised answer scripts for every subject, the introduction of biometric capturing of candidates’ identities to prevent impersonation, as well as the engagement of lecturers of credible character from universities and security personnel during exams. “And all these measures have been working as the council has not only drastically brought malpractice in its exams to a barest minimum, it has also been releasing its SSSC exams within two months of completion,” he added. Presenting a paper on the theme of the forum, an erudite scholar and Vice-Chancellor, Sokoto State University, Sokoto, Prof. Nuhu Yaqub believes that, NECO, so far, has not failed in its responsibilities of conducting credible examinations under its purview. He pointed out that even if the West Africa Examination Council had been performing optimally, another exam body would still have to come into being to conduct public exams, particularly the types NECO has been

Stakeholders root for NECO’s retention ...as Council plans repositioning

The National Examination Council (NECO) last weekend in Lagos gathered stakeholders in the education sector to round off its seven- day workshop organised for senior officers. At the forum, participants appraised the performance of the organisation so far in the conduct of its examinations, examined its prospect and challenges and then came up with strong suggestions that can help the council to become a pride of the nation. TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE reports.

Cross section of participants at NECO stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, recently.

conducting since establishment. According to him, Nigeria has come a long way and therefore will need to have its own indigenous exam body more so that people going to schools and writing exams keep on increasing every year. Prof. Yaqub, who is the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), explained that candidates’ performance in an exam is a function of the nature of questions asked, the importance of that exam, how prepared are they, their state of minds, the facilities available, how conducive the environment is, accessibility to exam venues, as well as the integrity of the organisation conducting the exam, among other factors. He however, pointed out that the country needs holistic approach that would involve not only the exam body and students but also the government, as well as the society. Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Education, Hon. Aminu Suleiman agreed with this, saying it was not only the council that would need repositioning, but the entire education sector. He said, although NECO, which he described as a national pride of Nigeria, has made tremendous impact since its establishment, he believes that more would still need to be done to make it more effective. He however, noted that the interest of the National Assembly was to ensure that quality education is provided for the citizens and credible exams that will place Nigerian stu-

CANDIDATES’ PERFORMANCE IN AN EXAM IS A FUNCTION OF THE NATURE OF

QUESTIONS ASKED, THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT

EXAM, HOW PREPARED

ARE THEY, THEIR STATE

OF MINDS, THE FACILITIES

AVAILABLE... ACCESSIBILITY TO EXAM VENUES, AS WELL AS THE INTEGRITY OF THE ORGANISATION CONDUCTING THE EXAM dents’ side-by-side with their counterparts in the developed world are also conducted. He disclosed that even if NECO or any other government agencies was to be scrapped, it wouldn’t be by executive fiat but that such decision has to be ratified by the National Assembly. In his own contribution, Chairman of Council of WEAC International, Prof. Pius Obayan, who is one of the discussants at the programme said problem about Nigeria was not policy formulation but that of policy development and implementation. He said liberalisation of education sector would do the country no harm but good because the system would not only engage stakeholders’ participation but will also give

room for healthy competition that would lead to quality service delivery. Prof. Obayan, an accomplished educator and a researcher of International repute, decried the placement of importance on paper qualifications over the competency of candidates for admission and employment in the country, saying such situation, if not addressed, would continue to put the country behind in the comity of nations. According to him, the developed countries are no longer emphasising certificates in assigning responsibilities to people but considering personal qualities and ability to carry out those responsibilities satisfactorily. On NECO, the erudite scholar said there was nothing wrong with the organisation, but that whatever anomaly recorded against it is a function of the problem in the larger society. He pointed out that as it was very important that NECO and any other legally established exam bodies in the country or elsewhere around the world conduct credible and acceptable exams, the students, teachers, parents, as well as governments at all levels must also not fail in their respective responsibilities to achieve the desired destination. He described high cases of exam malpractice and mass failure in public exams in the country for instance, as a symptom of the failure of the education sector which in itself is a reflection of the societal problem. “So, students would have to take their studCONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Education Today

Thursday, July 4, 2013

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Corps members’ relatives barred from NYSC orientation camp TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

amilies, friends and other members of the public whose wards are among the newly sworn-in members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Lagos State have been asked to stay away from the orientation camp. Giving the directive at the Iyana-Ipaja Orientation Camp Ground of the organisation in Agege during the swearing-in ceremony of the ‘2013 Batch B’ corps members recently, the chairman of the state’s NYSC Governing Board who doubles as the state’s Commissioner for Special

Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed said he gave the directive to enable the new corps members concentrate fully in all activities demanded of them during the three- week orientation programme. Ahmed, in his address, read on his behalf, by an Assistant Director, Special Services in his ministry, Mrs. Cordelier Okechukwu assured all the 2,151 new corps members posted to the state of their safety while urging them to be law abiding. In her address, the state’s Coordinator of the scheme, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi urged the new corps members to take advantage of the NYSC programme for personal and national development,

Cross section of the 2013 ‘Batch B’ corps members posted to Lagos State during their swearing in ceremony at the Iyana-Ipaja NYSC Orientation Camp, recently

noting that the 40 years old scheme had become a globally recognised platform for participants to

gain practical knowledge of challenges ahead. She also told them to take all the activities, in-

Steward’s son wins MTN quiz competition The closing ceremony of the 6th edition of the annual MTN Foundation’s 21 days of investment in education, tagged: “21 days of Y’ello Care,” held recently with the emergence of the son of a housemaid, Nlemogu Nnaemeka Prince as the winner of a quiz competition. MOJEED ALABI reports Prince’s success story and the company’s determination to make quality education accessible to all.

lemogu Nnaemeka is an SS 2 student of Government Senior College, Ikoyi, and a child of a housemaid, who has his eyes on the future. He is determined to turn the table of poverty to that of excellence, especially for his family, which has had to cope with hard times since his father’s demise some years ago. Nnaemeka’s hope was recently fired up when he took his school to glory by emerging first in a quiz competition organised by MTN’s corporate social responsibility’s vehicle – the MTN Foundation, as part of activities to mark the closing ceremony of its three weeks of dedicated investment in education, which is tagged;

L-R: Winner and student of Government Senior College, Ikoyi, Master Nlemogu Nnaemeka; the school’s Vice Principal, Mrs. Dupe Adelakun; Chief Education Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Okikiola Adegoke, and Project Manager, MTN 21 Days of Y’ello Care, 2013, Mr. Felix Omojola during the presentation of trophy to the winner after the quiz competition.

21 days of Y’ello Care. When declared winner, having beaten his opponents from Lanre Awolokun High School, Gbagada and Eko Akete Grammar

School, Lagos Island, which came second and third respectively, Nnaemeka was overwhelmed with joy and became dumbfounded. He could only mutter; “Glory

be to God almighty.” The young lad, who scored 22 as against his opponents’ 20 and 18 scores, when pressed further for interview, simply disclosed; “I

Educationist tasks teachers, parents on promotion of culture OLUWASEUN LAWSON

n educationist and Head, Education Department, Isolo Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, Mrs. Adejumoke Akinyemi, has urged parents and teachers to assist in the promotion of Nigeria’s cultural heritage for the younger generation to appreciate. She gave the advice dur-

ing the closing ceremony of a two-day workshop organised by the council in conjunction with a South African organisation, Educational Solutions and Services for primary and secondary school teachers in the council area. The programme was themed: “Training the trainers.” Akinyemi said Nigeria’s cultural heritage was gradually being eroded due to ``incursions with modernisation as regards

our arts, language, food and dressing. It is the way we adults promote our culture that will attract our children and youth to appreciate it.” She argued that “since culture is peoples’ way of life, every Nigerian should be involved in promoting those positive aspects of our culture which are fundamental to national development.’’ According to her, it is important that the diverse lan-

guages, modes of dressing, arts and crafts, social justice, values and norms of the society be projected in everyone’s daily activities. ``Culture is the bedrock of sustainable development and the primary identity of a people. Therefore, we should join hands to ensure that our culture is projected for the younger generation and the outside world to appreciate us as a people,’’ Akinyemi said.

cluding the paramilitary drills, Man O War skills, advocacy programmes and physical fitness ex-

ercises very seriously, noting that the activities would help them in future.

am short of words because when I consider my background I feel very surprised. My mother is a steward and my father is late but mother has always been there to support my dream to become somebody in life.” He said he is committed to his academic work to ensure that she does not labour in vain, even though, he was very economical with further details about him and his family, saying the end will surely justifies the means. He thanked his teachers for investing in him and other students and commended MTN for offering such opportunities to public school students. The winner went home with Netbook with MTN education bundle, a commemorative trophy and classroom furniture, which the school’s Vice-Principal, Mrs. Dupe Adelakun, stated would go a long way to inspire the students and the school to excel. Nnaemeka’s success story, according to the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Brett Goschen, has confirmed the company’s target of ensuring a level playing ground for every Nigerian child in terms of access to quality education. He said the annual programme, initiated by MTN Group in 2007, encourages the company’s staff in all its 21 operating countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East to volunteer their resources, time and skills to assist others and the communities where they live and work. “The theme for this year;

Investing in Education for All, is in consonance with the global movement to make education accessible and compulsory for all and sundry across the world. Thus this year’s initiative was organized under three broad themes of; Empowering Teachers, Empowering Learning and Digital Content for Education. Specific activities included the hosting of ICT seminars for teachers, actual classroom teaching, ICT awareness workshops, and the establishment of digital libraries in select primary and secondary schools across the country to promote a healthy, voluntary study habit among students,” He said it would be sad if the likes of Nnaemeka are not encouraged to further their education, adding that, such mindset informed the idea of taking some of its staff to select classrooms nationwide to serve as models to the students. “Apart from classroom appearance of our staff 81 schools, 12 digital libraries were set up in primary and secondary schools across the six geo-political zones while teacher empowerment seminars held in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and thousands of books and other educational materials distributed in schools across the country,” he added. Speaking at the event, the Chief Education Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Okikiola Adegoke, commended the communication company for its bias for education development in the country.

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Education Today

Thursday, July 4, 2013

‘We are deploying physical education to imbibe team spirit in students’ Within the last two years, aerobic display has become the major feature of public presentations by school pupils in Osun State. In this interview with MOJEED ALABI, the state’s Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on General Matters, Mr. Kareem Olajoku, who is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the programme tagged; O’ Calisthenics, discusses the waning values of physical education in schools nationwide and its expected impacts on pupils, as well as success recorded so far through the initiative. Excerpts: Could you please give an idea of your responsibilities as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on General Matters? I have many roles and one of them is to oversee the state’s calisthenics programme which is aimed at refocusing physical exercises in our schools. The overriding objective of the initiative is to reassert the relevance of body fitness activities to mind development; inculcation of team spirit, and discovery of innate talents among younger ones. Do you think physical education should take priority considering the present state of collapse in the education sector in the state, and the nation by extension? I think this is a very rare opportunity to let Nigerians know where we are really missing the point, and that is the primary focus of the present administration in the State of Osun. We must understand the level of rot in the education sector, just like every other sector in the state when the governor came in, and his resolve was to carry out a comprehensive overhaul of the entire system. I don’t want to go into the details of other education programmes and initiatives he has introduced so far because they are too numerous to mention, but my discussion here will be to let you know that abandonment of physical exercises is a contributory factor to why our lifespan is getting shorter in Africa; why we are faced with so many health challenges including mental retardation among our kids. Early discovery of innate talents is also no longer there while our Physical and Health Education teachers have become only football trainers. Why has Africa lost the old glory of communal lifestyle and the increasing spate of violence everywhere? Why has a nation of about 160 million people not been able to build a national soccer team better than what we had in the ‘90s? We underrate the significance of physical exercises to our wellbeing and this simple error has led us to where we are today. But sport has always been part of our school system? That is where we are getting it wrong. Do you think playing individual games of soccer is all they call physical exercise? In fact, sport is just a branch of it. Originally, physical education consisted of gymnastics to improve strength, agility, flexibility, and endurance. The human body is considered a temple that houses the mind and the soul, and physical exercise keeps that temple healthy and functional. In the U.S for instance, physical education was a required course in most school programs. Because physical education is the only subject that is directly concerned with motor behaviour, it emphasizes the meaning of human movement, physiology of exercise, sport sociology, and aesthetic appreciation

ABANDONMENT OF PHYSICAL EXERCISES IS A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR TO WHY OUR LIFESPAN IS GETTING SHORTER IN AFRICA

of movement, as well as the acquisition of skills. But what you have today are schools without space for physical exercises, and our surprisingly government approves the establishment of such private schools. All these only limit the potentials of kids and automatically the potential of our nation. So what has made Osun calisthenics programme different? Basically, what we do is to, through physical exercise, capture the minds of the youths at their tender age between the class of JSS 1 and 3, that is, between the ages of nine and 14 because at that period of time, they are still very young and they are easily influenced by various activities. To test our capability we have initially made it a voluntary group which is not based on individual schools, but the local inspectorate authorities in all the local governments are involved. We gave the forms to them for interested pupils and we assemble them in each of the federal constituencies for trainings. Foreign experts came to train our Physical and Health Education teachers in all the schools in the state and these are the people who now train their students in their schools. Why restrict participation to JSS 1 and 3? Because one of our main targets is also to promote cooperation and make the kids understand that we all need each other to excel, we felt after the general sporting activities in primary school which would have laid their foundation in sport, junior classes are regarded as where pupils need to be really guided. So a child that is used in JSS 1, 2 and by JSS 3 should have been able to understand the gospel we are preaching. So we let you go by SS 1. Then the new intake from JSS 1 will be enrolled, it is a continuous thing, because the idea is that so far we have been able to contain your mind from JSS 1 to 3, by the time you reach SS 1, you should be able to stand up for yourself. A man that tells his child yes, yes, yes for three years is enough to make the child understands that yes is the right answer to any problem. And what has been the success of this programme? Oh, wonderful! Our displays in the re-

Olajoku

cent time and especially the last Oodua World Children Day that gathered thousands of school children from within and outside the country really revealed our great potentials. The spirit of team work was especially captured because with the various inscriptions and words our kids formed we dazzled the world. Through this, they were able to know that apart from their fitness, a single person’s mistake could destroy the whole show. So they were careful, organised and cooperative. They also had chance to make friends across borders irrespective of their backgrounds and social status. We also encouraged the participating students with a token of N200 whenever we had special trainings at the centres for special occasions like that. And I can tell you that we have found out that the participating students now even perform better in their academic works than those not doing. We subject them to medical tests and at trainings there are medical facilities which keep them healthier above their peers. At the same time, because they are meaningfully engaged, they don’t have time for social vices. Only idle hands could be recruited for devil’s works. What advice do you have for parents, teachers and students? My advice is very simple; physical exercises are part of academic programmes, they are not just for fun, and so should be encouraged at all levels. Governments, individuals and organisations should work towards bringing back this culture of physical exercises to our schools and homes to rebuild our society. I just introduced a football competition in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state and I was surprised at the massive turnout of teams from as far as Ogbomosho in Oyo State. This is more of talent hunt and engagement strategies.

Kaduna to build four new science secondary schools AZA MSUE KADUNA

overnor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero said the State Government would establish four new science secondary schools in the state next year. Speaking when he received the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the Governor said one of the schools was to be a girl’s science secondary school. He said the move was to further boost girl child education in the state, adding that “plans are already being put in place for the building of the schools.” Yero also said his administration had concluded plans for provision to be made in the 2014 budget to take care of child destitution in the state, towards providing basic education for all school age children. He assured the minister of his administration’s readiness to domesticate the Child Right Act, saying Government would consider sections of the Act in order to identify areas of peculiar interest to people of the state. In her speech, Hajiya Maina said her delegation was in Kaduna on advocacy for Women’s Right, especially compliance to the Affirmative Action and gender equality in political appointments and economic opportunities.

Varsity celebrates 50 years of theatre with conference, awards TERH AGBEDEH

o celebrate 50 years as the leading academic institution in Africa, the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan (UI) will in August receive its alumni in a grand ceremony at the university. Professor Duro Oni, chairman of both the association and the organising committee said in Lagos that an international conference and a grand homecoming dinner would hold from August 28 to 31. He explained that the conference would host and unite scholars, culture practitioners, as well as government officials across five continents to investigate 50 years of Theatre in the African Academy. He stated that the conference would focus on issues and topics, including Theatre in Africa and African Theatre; Methods, Theories and Frameworks; African Theatre in the Diaspora; Regional Studies; Theatre, Gender and Identity Studies; Theatre and Cultural Orientation; Theatre and the African Film Industry. However, the high point of the celebration will feature the recognition of prominent alumni of the department during the ceremony. Among them are: Professors Geofrey Axworthy, J. A. Adedeji, Wole Soyinka, Dexter Lyndersay, Ebun Clark, Demas Nwoko, Dapo Adelugba, Femi Osofisan and Esohe Molokwu. Others include Professors Duro Oni, Lanre Bamidele, Mathew Umukoro, Saint Gbilekaa, Charity Angya, Mabel Ervierhoma, Segun Ojewuyi and Sunday Ododo. On the same list are Reuben Abati, Chuks Okoye, Tunde Awosanmi, Battiloi Warritay, Wasee Kareem, Longley Evru, Jahman Anikulapo, Sola Balogun, Greg Odutayo, Femi Jarrett, Taiwo Oladokun, and Pamela Udoka. Professor Oni also stated that the 50th anniversary celebration kicked off on March 8, 2013 with the first Geoffrey Axworthy Lecture titled: “The Ritual Pursuit”, delivered by Prof. Wole Soyinka at the Trenchard Hall of the university. The celebration would thus continue in August with both the international conference and the home coming dinner.

Education Today

Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AUN rewards exceptional workers

Katsina sets to tackle falling education standard JAMES DANJUMA

OLAWASEUN LAWSON

KATSINA

orried about falling standard of education in Katsina State at primary and secondary school levels, the state government has said it had begun moves to address the issue. Speaking to newsmen, the state’s Head of Service, Muh’d Lawal disclosed that the state had of recent recorded massive failure in final-year examinations among secondary school students. He said recent findings revealed that of the 380, 000 students that wrote their final-year examinations last year, less than 5,000 had five credits. He expressed worries that education standard was falling in some primary schools due to lack of qualified teachers. To address the issue, the head of service said two committees were set up, namely the committee on development of education; and committee on improvement of standard of education. He said the first committee recently presented its report to government after looking at the performance of students in SSCE, NECO and other examinations. Lawal said government decided to follow the recommendations and asked all commissioners, permanent secretaries and other government officials to go to their various council areas, assess all primary and secondary schools and present report to government. He said the second committee is to seek and obtain proposals to assess the competence of primary and secondary school teachers. The committee, he added, was to liaise with a consulting body at the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to look at teaching and curriculum of the Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsinma and School of General and Remedial Studies, Daura. He said the consulting body would help advertise for 1,000 teaching positions to meet dearth of teachers in special subjects, while teacher training colleges are to be established in each of the three senatorial zones.

L-R: Immediate past Chairman, Governing Council, University of Ibadan, Chief Wole Olanipekun; his successor, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) and the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Adewole at a retreat organised for the new council members in Lagos on Tuesday.

UI Council retreat to stimulate sustainable growth –Chairman TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

he Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd.) has said that the retreat organised for new Governing Council of the university was to enable participants “appraise the past in order to properly project and leap the institution to brighter future.” He stated this on Tuesday

in Lagos at the opening ceremony of the two-day programme which has “Sustaining the change and renewal for growth,” as it theme. Adebayo explained that the focus of the new council members now was to ensure that the university is not only living up to its responsibilities of producing sound graduates and conducting life-saving researches, among others but to also make the institution globally competitive. Commending the admin-

istration of the immediate past chairman of the council, Chief Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adebayo said the current council with many seasoned professionals and erudite scholars as members was determined to build on the legacies of previous councils and ensure the university becomes a pride of the nation. In his remark, Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Isaac Adewole said the retreat programme was to

acquaint new council members of the vision, mission and strategic objectives of the university, identify challenges and opportunities, as well as exploring novel ways of taking the university to a greater height. In his goodwill message, Adebayo’s immediate predecessor, Chief Wole Olanipekun congratulated new Council members on their appointments to steer the ship of the administration of the university, wishing them successful tenure .

Students of Olashore International School, Iloko-Ijesha, Osun State engaging students of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State in a game of volleyball during the former’s excursion to the university.

Educationist advocates cultural awareness for kids OLUWASEUN LAWSON

he Proprietress of Child Ville Schools, Ogudu, Lagos, Lady Gbemi Smith has advised people in position of authorities at public and private level, including

parents and guardians to always help and encourage pupils in the discovery of their talents at the early stage of life. She gave the advice during the school’s drama presentation entitled: “Oba Ovonramwem Nogbaisi,” at the University of Lagos,

Akoka recently. Lady Smith said children would need to be introduced to cultural virtues and other extracurricular values of a society and the nation right from their early stage of life so that they would grow to adulthood with

those virtues. “So I will use this opportunity to urge all the societal agents, especially parents and schools to do what could promote good aspects of our cultural identities and possibly export them for global awareness,” she counselled.

Chrisland Pre-degree College holds valedictory service HAUWA LAWAL

hrisland Pre-Degree College, the sixth form college of Chrisland Educational Organisation at the weekend celebrated its 3rd valedictory service amidst pomp and fanfare. The event, which was witnessed by eminent per-

sonalities and scholars including the wife of the former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Earnest Shonekan, Chief Mrs. Margaret Shonekan; Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, and the Dean of Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Prof. Omotayo Fakinlede, among others, inspired the students to aim high in life. The graduands, who ac-

cording to the college management were trained in line with the curriculum of Northern Consortium of the UK (NCUK), International Foundation Year (IFY), SAT, TOEFL and University of Cambridge International Examinations, are now certified to pursue their degree programmes in either Europe or USA.

They were advised by all the dignitaries to always look into the future with desire to be great and contribute to global success. One of the best graduating students who won prizes in Economics, Sociology and International Relations, Okafor Adaobi, told National Mirror that the journey was both tortuous and interesting.

he American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State has promoted two professors, Dr. Charles Reith and Dr. Linus Osuagwu, to major positions in the university. While Prof. Reith, who served as the university’s Director of Sustainability Initiatives, will take on the additional responsibility of Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), Prof. Osuagwu, who had served as acting Dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, is now the substantive Dean of the school. Their promotions were recommended by the university’s Search Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees. According to President Margee Ensign, “The Board accepted the recommendations of AUN’s search committee by approving an interim Academic Vice President position and by elevating Prof. Osuagwu. We are very pleased by their decision, as well as the well-deserved recognition of both appointees.” As the Director of Sustainability, Prof. Reith is responsible for a number of innovative programmes designed to recycle waste, conserve resources, and foster sustainable livelihoods. Before joining AUN in 2012, Prof. Reith was an adjunct professor and Fellow at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, where he taught courses in energy and environmental policy at the Payson Center for International Development and Technology Transfer. He also launched a series of environmental management courses at the AB Freeman School of Business. Before that, he served as Chairman of the Department of Renewable Resources at Louisiana State University. Dr. Reith has served as environmental and management consultant to clients in academia, the government, and the private sector. He has conducted innovative research and developed strategies dealing with desertification, land rehabilitation, sustainable energy and waste management.

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Education Today

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Graduates who cannot read – Shared responsibility

he recent outburst of an exasperated Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Nnamdi Okore-Affia on the reported cases of Nigerian youth corps members who cannot read has brought to the fore once more the dismal situation of the Nigerian Tertiary Education system. The Director General had lamented the large number of unqualified corps members being dumped on the scheme by Corps Producing Institutions (CIP) which he said had made the mobilisation of genuinely qualified and eligible graduates a herculean task. He further noted that it would be extremely difficult to re-orient corps members who cannot read. To the Director-General, I wish to say that it is no longer news that many Nigerian graduates cannot read and write; all Nigerians, including the President know this. What is mystifying to many Nigerians is how they managed to graduate without being able to read and write. One may rightly conclude that this phenomenon is the culmination of a series of events that began in the primary schools with teachers who can neither read nor write. The responsibility for such teachers in the teaching service lies with the corrupt and unscrupulous officials of the ministries of education who offer teaching jobs to the highest bidders irrespective of their abilities. Their entrenchment in the teaching service may be attributed to failure in another section of the ministry of education,

SOME OF THESE YOUNG ACADEMICS, PUFFED UP BY THE RESPONSIBILITY PREMATURELY ENTRUSTED ON THEM, COUPLED WITH THEIR WARPED NOTION OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM WRECK HAVOC ON THE SYSTEM namely, the inspectorate division, whose efficiency is most often compromised by the preeminent position of financial enticement/inducement in the Nigerian system. The consequence of this is that up to 95% of students in the JSS 1 in some government schools cannot read and write fluently in English language. Even if examinations are conducted to determine the suitability of the candidates for the next class, their outcomes are compromised by the prevailing plague of examination malpractice. A practical manifestation of the consequences of unqualified teachers in the educational system was reported recently in a secondary school in Delta State which had the good fortune of receiving a donation of a complete set of chemistry laboratory equipment. Unfortunately, the chemistry teacher on ground could not set up the equipment. The school authorities invited another chemistry teacher from another institution who promptly set up the equipment.

he newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (FEDPOFFA), Kwara State, has promised to ensure that the polytechnic continues to produce wellrounded graduates and also improve workers’ welfare. The chairman of the council, Chief Okey Ezenwa gave this assurance when he led members of his team on a visit to the polytechnic recently. He commended the leadership of the institution for the success so far recorded, especially in the areas of academic and technological innovations and breakthroughs and promised that his team would work for the progress of the polytechnic and make it globally competitive. Speaking about the lingering industrial action by the academic staff union of polytechnic nationwide, the chairman expressed hope that the Federal Government and the striking labour unions would soon find amicable solution to the issue. He however, assured members of staff that all internal issues affecting them would

always be given prompt and adequate attention while urging them, as well as the students, to cooperate with the new council members so as to jointly move the polytechnic to the next level. Welcoming them to the polytechnic, the Rector, Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo told them that the institution was known as a veritable centre for academic excellence and technological innovations and breakthroughs in the country and would not compromise the standard. “FEDPOFFA will continue to make itself relevant in national development through meaningful researches and technological innovations and break-

throughs,” he stressed. The rector, while further assuring the council of total support and cooperation of members of staff and management, expressed hope that their tenure would witness tremendous success. In their separate remarks, Chairman, Senior Staff Association (SSANIP), Mr. Ayobami Bankole and the Chairman, Non Academic Staff Union, Mr. AbdulAzeez assured the new council of the cooperation of the union members. They implored the council to give room for open and timely communication between the council and the unions to ensure good working relationship, peace and unity. The council members

Education as I see it

The students however, did not benefit from by Tosanwumi Otokunefor info@alphaedufoundation.org the magnanimity of 08030904461 (email/SMS only) this donor because the chemistry teacher did not know what to do grades to candidates who know next to nothwith the equipment afterwards. He later ing in the subject area often for a reward. confessed that he did not have sufficient exMany students do not attend lectures but posure at the university where he studied! show up for examination and the adminThis is indeed a sad epilogue on the prod- istrators are too sympathetic or too nonucts of Nigerian universities system. chalant to enforce the regulations on attenIt is obvious that many unqualified can- dance. This sets the stage for wide spread didates who cannot read gain access to the examination malpractice by both students tertiary institutions because of the rampant and staff who are emboldened by the fact examination malpractice and inconsisten- that the penalties on examination malpraccies in the admission process. Contrary to tice are hardly enforced. expectations, the tertiary institutions fail To make matters worse, some departto reform or sieve out these candidates but ments coerce course lecturers to upgrade rather dump them into the labour market the results of these poor students so that practically unrefined. Many of the products they can graduate. Others allow students to have neither character nor knowledge, and extend the duration of their programmes the clause “Worthy in character and learn- beyond that permitted by the university ing” appears to have lost its essence. regulation. Many students who still cannot Why is this so? Teaching and learning is pass some core courses are allowed to gradon the decline while examination malprac- uate illegally by the introduction of the tice is on the ascent in the tertiary institu- “waiver” clause. Many other laws are viotions. Many professors and senior academ- lated with impunity in an attempt to “help” ics hold two or more adjunct positions in poor quality students to graduate. This is the mushrooming tertiary institutions in the scenario that produces the graduates the country and abandon their responsibili- who cannot read or write. ties in their places of primary assignment In the final analysis the responsibility to young and often incompetent colleagues for graduates who cannot read lies squarewhom they have not mentored. Some of ly with the universities that pronounce these young academics, puffed up by the them worthy in character and in learning responsibility prematurely entrusted on when no trace of either quality exists. them, coupled with their warped notion of academic freedom wreck havoc on the sysOtokunefor is a professor of microbiology tem. They teach little and award fantastic at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

New FEDPOFFA council promises academic excellence, staff welfare TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

were later conducted round the polytechnic’s two campuses, where they visited Adeife Hostel, Library Complex, School of Business Management Complex, Bukateria, 1000- capacity lecture theatre and Administrative, among others. They also paid a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of the host community-Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, the Ilufemiloye Esuwoye II in his palace. Other members of the council present were Mr. Tunde Odanye; Hon. Adamu Gora Kalba; Mr. Halilu Tanko Gilma; Mallam Sani Nura; Mr. Muhammed Adejoh and Alhaji Baba Idi Bamamu.

L-R: Members, Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Hon Adamu Gora Kalba; Chief Tunde Odanye; Chairman of Council; Chief Okey Ezenwa; Rector, Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo, and his deputy in charge of Administration, Dr. Ayodele Olaosebikan during the inspection of facilities by the new Council at the polytechnic’s main campus in Offa, Kwara State, recently.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

NECO sets for repositioning, holds nationwide stakeholders’ forum

ies more seriously and parents would need to pay adequate attention to their wards, needs while teachers would need to teach to the understanding of students and the governments at all levels, as well as the society would need to provide necessary basic infrastructure and personnel, and celebrate excellence performance over mediocrity, respectively,” he counseled. “And for NECO, the body would also need to continue re-evaluating itself for a better performance.” In his own remark, the 1st National Vice President, All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mr. Abayomi Adegunle, promised that his association would continue to support NECO in its efforts to live up to expectations. According to him, ANCOPSS as a ‘producer’ of students has significant role to play to ensure that NECO and any other exam bodies at the secondary school level succeed and so the association will continue to collaborate with the exam body in the fight against exam malpractice. Similarly, the chairperson, Parents/Teachers Association of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, Alhaja Atinuke Idris, who said it was not as if the association is ungrateful to WAEC, pointed out that the establishment of NECO was also very important, especially as it is an only indigenous exam body in the country at that level. “Nigeria also needs its own exam body just like other member countries of WAEC and to scrap NECO will not do this country any good,” she pointed out. “That students have to wait at least a year-round for a re-sit exam in deficient subjects before furthering their studies is not good enough for a country like ours that is encouraging a healthy competition and thriving to increase access to university education,” she stressed. Participants in attendance were drawn from the university communities, All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, Nigerian Union of Teachers, Parents/ Teachers Association of Nigeria, Association of Private Schools’ Proprietors of Nigeria, state ministries of education, as well as secondary school students.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

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EDITED BY MOJEED ALABI mojeedalabi2@yahoo.co.uk

Drama as OAU students hold controversial naming ceremony KEMI BUSARI 400L, POL SC.

ust as the controversy surrounding the birth of a baby by a student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Oyinlola Rotimi, was yet to douse, the students of the institution had, in their funny way, assembled to hold a separate naming ceremony for the baby. National Mirror learnt that as soon as the baby and his mother were discharged from the university’s health centre, they were taken to her Lagos home where the baby’s naming ceremony was held in low key. However, the students on the campus, who felt “shortchanged” that the ceremony was taken away from campus decided to hold a separate ceremony, which was characterized by dramatic displays with various characters mimicking the father, mother and priests representing

the three major religions of Islam, Christianity and traditional one. The ceremony, which drew teeming crowd from the university community, held between 7pm and 10pm at the Moremi Hostel, where Rotimi was alleged to have attempted to flush down the baby before she was rescued together with the baby. Having gathered enough students from Awo, Angola and Mozambique halls, the students dressed in funny attires embarked on procession from Awo Café of the Awolowo Hall amidst singing and dancing with drummers and praise singers doing their businesses as if they were acting a movie. One of the students selected as anchor of the event recognised each character including one described as Prof. Bamitale Omole, who assumed the responsibility to be the baby’s uncle. The spiritual leaders

who gave the baby’s names as Oriyomi, Omomoremi, Oluwanimilo, Titilayo, Eniolorunopa, Bamitale Omole, advised other females on campus to always avoid such embarrassing situation by getting themselves prepared for marriage before giving in to men’s “tricks.” The crowd became uncontrollable when the choir from Awo hall took over the stage to perform. This was followed by distribution of popcorn and other merriments. In an interview with one of the choristers, who craved anonymity, he said the display was not to ridicule neither the parents nor the child but to, in a dramatic way, enlighten the women folk on the danger of getting pregnant before marriage. He enjoined every student to consider life after schooling as very important adding that this should influence their actions and inactions while on campus.

Nebo, Adeojo to grace UNN alumni confab

Oyinlola with her baby.

MOJEED ALABI

he Minister of Power and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and the founder of Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, are two of the eminent personalities expected at the conference of the UNN alumni association which begins in Lagos today. Nebo, who is also an

alumnus of the university is expected as a guest lecturer to discuss the theme; Education Standards and Society, which holds on Saturday at Standard Allainace Event Centre, Lekki. Chief AdeOjo will be the chairman on the occasion. The conference, according to the President of the Lagos chapter of the association, Chief Andrew Oruh, is a quarterly activity aimed at reviewing the activities of the association and the education sector by ex-

tension. He said positions on salient issues about the university are also taken at such conference while public lectures are also delivered to address national educational challenges. He said the three-day conference, which will be attended by participants from about 45 branches of the association including Cameroun, US and Europe, will also feature discussions on ongoing projects being executed by the association on the university campus.

Dignitaries dressed in funny attires at the ceremony held at Moremi Hall of the university.

EKSU lifts ban on students’ unionism

h e a u t h or it y o f t h e Ek i t i S t at e U n ive r s i t y (E KSU) , Ado - E k i t i , has l i ft ed t h e su s p e n si on e arl i e r pl a c e d o n stud ent s ’ u n i on a c t iv i ti es on t he cam p u s. T he Vi ce- Ch a n c e llor of t he u n ive r s i t y, Prof. O l adi po A i n a , had l as t we e k a n noun ced t he li f t i n g

of the s u s p e ns ion bu t wi t h a c ave at that o n ly d u ly re g i s tered s t u d e n t s t h at have p a i d t h e i r s ch o o l fees i n f u ll wi ll b e a llowed t o p a r t i c i p at e i n the s t u d e n t s ’ u n i o n elec t i o n t h at w i ll b e c ond u c t e d ve r y s o o n, eit h e r a s a c o n t e s tant o r vo t e r. A c c o rd i n g t o the

direc tive, any as piring c ontes tant for any elec tive pos ition in the s tudents ’ union elec tion mus t not have below 2.50 Cumulative G rade Po i n t Ave r a g e ( C G PA ) s c ore, and that the approved time table and guidelines for the elec tion would be releas ed s oon.

Students of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, with the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji and other members of the house during the students’ visit to the assembly, recently.

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Campus News

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Judicial Council Bill divides UI students’ union parliament HAMMED HAMZAT 300L, EDU MGT, UI

T Hip-hop star, Olamide Adedeji performing at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife during the environmental campaign at the institution, recently.

Olamide dazzles OAU as Aregbesola bags award DHIKRU AKINOLA 400L, OAU, ILE-IFE

he hip-hop sensation, Olamide Adedeji popularly known as Olamide, recently dazzled the entire community of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, when he performed at an environmental action campaign organised by the institution’s Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies in partnership with the Environmental Health Officers Registration

Council of Nigeria and the National Parks Service, Abuja. Olamide sang to the admiration of his audience, which included the Osun State Governor, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, who was honoured at the occasion for his investment in restoring the beauties of the environment. The governor, who was accompanied to the occasion by members of his cabinet used the occasion to launch his pet project tagged; Igi Aloye, which is aimed at

planting over 2.5 million tree seedlings within the state. Welcoming guests to the event, the Director of the institute, Dr. Awotoye said the award was in recognition of the governor’s initiatives in the development of ecology and environment through his various programmes like O-CLEAN and the tree planting initiative. Describing the environment as humanity’s common heritage, Governor Aregbesola said; “I want the children who are in their for-

mative years to take this initiative with all their hearts. “We have imbibed a positive spirit that we must improve our environment. For us in Osun, the environment is not something to trample upon but something that must cherished and taken care of. To the children; we are borrowing your time and you must not allow us to misuse it. We do not believe that the environment belong to us. It was bequeathed to us by our predecessor and so also we will bequeath it to you.”

he bill to establish Students’ Judicial Council (SJC) as another arm of the Students’ Union Government, University of Ibadan (UI), is causing trouble on the floor of the house of the union’s Students’ Representative Council (SRC). The bill, which was recently presented for public hearing after it had passed the first and second reading stages was sponsored by a 400-level law student, who was the presidential aspirant in the last students’ union election. The public hearing for the bill lasted more than nine hours as debates on its composition and appointment of its judges

Corps members donate classroom to Nasarawa school

LASU medical students debate Nigerians’ access to healthcare

DAYO OJERINDE

MUSBAUDEEN SHEKONI

300L, MASS COM. LASU

he ongoing 7th edition of the annual health week of the Lagos State University Medical Students’ Association (LASUMSA) is focusing on Nigerians’ access to healthcare and the challenges therein. At a symposium held on Tuesday as part of the activities marking this year’s celebration, stakeholders including representatives of the National Health Insurance Scheme, general and private medical practitioners’ associ-

ation and academicians were brought together to discuss the theme: “Access to Health Care: A Collective Responsibility.” Welcoming participants to the programme, the Deputy Provost of the university’s medical college, Prof. Bola Sobande, applauded the students for choosing to contribute to the campaign against Nigerians’ poor attitude to health management. He urged them to step up the awareness, saying good healthcare delivery begins with medical students’ good performances in school.

The representative of the NHIS Chairman, Dr. Adeniji Sanni, who traced the genesis of the scheme said efforts were on to ensure that many Nigerians benefit from its packages. Meanwhile, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), LASU chapter, has been urged to encourage more Muslims to go to school. The National President of the association, Mallam AbdulAzeez Sirajudeen, who delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the LASU chapter’s annual Jihad Week, said govern-

ment at all levels, should open access to quality education by subsidizing fees at all levels. “MSSN is saying that the billions of dollars that Nigeria leaders have always set aside as security votes can be directed toward the provision of free and compulsory qualitative education at all levels to Nigerians. If we spend trillions of dollars on security, a nation with many ignorant people will always remain unsafe and insecure. Therefore, education remains the only viable option to a secure an egalitarian society, as Nigeria.” Surajudeen concluded.

L-R: Medical Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Modupe Okoh; Chairman, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners, Lagos State branch, Dr. Adeyeye Arigbabuwo, and President, Lagos State Medical Students’ Association, Ajayi Babatunde, during the association’s symposium, recently.

as conflicting interests arose. Hon. Obaremi Daniel from Tedder Hall constituency vehemently rejected the proposal that only law students could be appointed member justices saying membership should be opened to all eligible students on the campus. Corroborating Daniel, the Chairman of Mellaby Hall, Anjolaoluwa Boluwatife, argued that having more than two law students in the council is an attempt to monopolize the council saying the idea will not be democratic if allowed to stay. Before the parliament adjourned, the consensus was that the law faculty should produce the Chief Judge and a member while others could come from other faculties.

s part of their contributions to encourage students in the north to go to school, three of the 2012 ‘Batch B’ corps members who served in Nasarawa State have donated some projects to their place of primary assignmentGovernment Junior Secondary School, Lafia East. The corps members; Abdullahi Umar with registration number; NS/12B/1213; Kolawole Olajide (NS/12B/1485) and Adebumiti Hakeem (NS/12B/1906) donated to the school, a staff room with furniture, a single classroom block and a four-room toilet block, respectively. Speaking on what led them to embark on the projects, one of them, Kolawole Olajide, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues said; “The main reason we had to embark on the project was our desire to effect change in our place of primary assignment. We had the belief that we must leave our footprints in the sands of time. And we thank God

that our dreams were fulfilled before leaving the school. We also thank our host community for their cooperation and support during our service year and in the course of the projects.” Olajide revealed that they were able to secure the money for the project through fund-raising and thanked individuals and government officials, who contributed in a way to the success of the project. While commissioning the project, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Education, represented by the Director, Administrative and Supply in the ministry, Mr. Thomas Ogiri, commended the donors for the initiative while calling on the students to maximise the use of the facilities.

Okore-Affia

Thursday, July 4, 2013

“Only family head, principal members can validly dispose off family land (2)” Law Report: dispose of. Finally from the advertisement section of THE GUARDIAN under review: “Government College Umuahia Old Boys Association” In honour of Prof. Chinua Achebe (1930-2013): old boys’ association. “A delegate of the PDP in Ogun State…slumped and died in the early hours of Thursday in an hotel in Abeokuta, the state capital.” This is certainly the old school genre. New class: a hotel. “…even if it means going extra miles….” I will go the extra mile (note the fixed expression) to ensure that this column appears unfailingly every week. “And like (as) someone said recently….” “…in the evacuation of dead bodies to mortuary.” On a clinical note: corpses instead of ‘dead bodies’ and a mortuary or mortuaries, depending on the fact of the matter. “…as well as condoning the place and evacuating the dead and survivors to nearest health facilities.” Bomb blasts and conflicting figures: cordoning off

Dispose of, not off, something

(take note of the spelling and correct entry) the place. “There seems (seem) to be stiff competitions among the foreign media and local press as well as….” “…politicians are also culprits in overheating the system with provocative statements in blaming their opponents over (for) every misdeed.” “…the likely antics of masquerades (masqueraders) behind some of those disasters when one juxtaposes the scenario to the forthcoming general elections.” Additionally: juxtaposes the scenario and/with (not to) the forthcoming general elections. As voter registration begins, let us carry out our civic duty by participating and being our brother’s keeper (not brothers’ keepers, irrespective of the number)! “Baring few skirmishes which regrettably led to the death of four persons….” An anatomy of the season of linguistic violence: there is a world of distinction between ‘a few’ (which correctly applies here) and ‘few’, which

THE GREATEST PROBLEM OF

JOURNALISTS: UNNECESSARY EMBELLISHMENT

(OUTCOME) OF WORDS

connotatively suggests an expectation of more skirmishes— except if the writer has a weird denotative inclination towards potentialities for more skirmishes! Otherwise, the extract is lexically absurd because of his regret. “Just imagine a young man that rounded up his apprenticeship as a welder.” This is an indication of the current malaise in scholarship: a situation where a lecturer cannot distinguish between phrasal verbs, ‘round up’ and ‘round off ’ (which applies here). “Will anybody please let us know which country became a super-power by allowing its best

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brains to roam about the world?” ‘Roam’ encompasses ‘about’. “News from the universities are no longer about innovation.…” News is news (uncountable). “The condition, which is said to be due to an abnormality in either the number or structure of the chromosomes, cuts across every races.” Get it right: every race or all races. “Janet, a twelve-year-old and the third child of her parents’ four offsprings and the only one with the problem…” ‘Offspring’ is non-count. “Since 1993, funding of oil exploration have (has) been beset by different levels of problems.” “In answering this question we classify the outcomes into long term and short term implications.” The greatest problem of journalists: unnecessary embellishment (outcome) of words. “This is clearly a danger signal as the time between discovering an oil field and commercially putting it on stream could be between four to five years.” No analysis: between four and five

or from four to five years. “THISDAY checks reveal that every termination penalties goes from 500,000 US dollars to 2 million US dollars”. Check the discord as already discussed above. “Lack of funds cripple waste management activities” Another error of attraction: Lack of funds cripples. “Nevertheless, the donor country is also interested in this decision to ensure that the loan is repaid as at when due with its accrued interest.” Without any periscope: the loan is repaid when due (not as at when due which is pleonastic). “Government should consider the destructive effect that further delay in the sale of rescued banks would mete out on the banking system”. Stock phrase: mete out to (not on) the banking system. “If the family cannot truely relish at least a decent meat….” Spelling counts: truly. “A man does not have to be a money bag (sic) before he can dress well and look charming in his own little way.” Brighten up your English usage: A man does not have to be moneybags…. Moneybag is a sac!

Good parenting enhances economic development –Fashola MOJEED A LABI

overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has identified good parenting as a strong base for socio-economic and political development for any nation. The governor, who was the guest lecturer at the21st annual lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU) Alumni Association held at the institution’s campus recently, noted that family values and not government programmes that would ensure that children are properly raised, elderly people taken care of and cultural values seen as good heritages. Highlighting the roles of parents in the lecture titled: Good Governance: A Tool for Revitalisation of the Socio-Cultural Values for Social Development,” Fashola stressed the importance of good parenting, saying; “While growing up, my parents taught me to

work hard for prosperity and not to pray for it and that no matter how long people pray for prosperity, if hard work is not ensured, the prayer would not be answered.” He urged Nigerians to retrace their steps from cultural beliefs which affect the quality of lives and how they are governed so that they can be the authors of their own destinies. “There is the need for Nigerians to go back to family values, believe in God because abiding faith has the capability to provide for you.” Fashola also advised the audience not to outsource the responsibility of good parenting because according to him, anyone that fails to manage a home cannot be saddled with political responsibilities.” The Chairman of the occasion and former Interim Head of National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, applauded the association for deeming it fit to organise such programme advis-

ing members to continue to assist the university in the areas of physical and academic advancement. “This period, there is erosion of norms and values and inability of our institutions to compete globally. Global economic development today is no longer true, I want to urge the association to partner with the university to promote physical and academic advancement,” Shonekan said. He also urged the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa to lead the institution to research into ways of confronting environmental challengss such as flood, erosion and sewage control management. The President of the association, General Cecil Esekhaigbe urged members of the association to be good ambassadors of their alma mater and to always come to the aid of the university whenever they are called upon for assistances.

Vice-Chancellor, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Prof. Barineme Fakae (right) receiving books donated by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development from the officials of the organisation.

NEPAD donates books to Rivers varsity SAM OLUWALANA

he New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has donated about 498 books to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUT) in its quest to encourage and re-awaken the reading culture among the youths of the country. The books presented by Mr. Nemi Ibaraye from Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation unit of the organisation were received

by the institution’s ViceChancellor, Prof. Barineme Fakae in his office. The books are in the fields of Mathematics, Literature, English Language, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, among others. Ibaraye noted that NEPAD had also donated books to some secondary schools and other tertiary institutions in the state. He explained that the organisation was out with the books donation initiative to encourage improved reading culture among youths in the country.

Appreciating the gesture, Prof. Fakae thanked the NEPAD team which included Mr. Ekong Effiong and Miss Eme Offiong for their organisation’s contribution to education development in the state and Nigeria in general. He told his visitors that the governor of the state, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi was determined to make changes that people can see in the education sector and that he had declared a state of emergency in the sector to actualise his aspiration.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

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Sport

We have hit the ground running already. We can’t afford any pressure to remain German champions -Bayern Munich Coach, Pep Guardiola

Wimbledon: Djokovic labours to last four 30

Obuh quits, praises team

Flying Eagles’ player, Michael Olaitan, breaking loose from Uruguayan challengers in Tuesday’s U-20 World Cup match which Nigeria lost 2-1

CHAN: Eagles’ll prise ticket from Elephants – Agbim JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

aptain of the home-based Super Eagles, Chigozie Agbim, has promised that the Eagles will beat the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday to secure their first appearance ticket to the 3rd edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN). The Eagles’ stopper, who gave this assurance in Abuja, noted that the team has been working hard to make sure that Nigeria’s flag is hoisted at the forthcoming

tournament in South Africa next year. Agbim told National Mirror, “I think the game coming up on Saturday is the reason why all the players are in camp. Nigeria since the inception of this competition has not qualified for this prestigious tournament that is why we are determined to train very hard to secure the ticket and I strongly believe that come Saturday Super Eagles will come out victorious.” Talking about the players in camp, the Rangers’ keeper said most of the players in camp were

part of the Eagles that won the Nations Cup which he was part of and with this vast experience, the team would fly over the Ivorians. Asked if the team was under any pressure to secure the ticket Agbim replied, “There is no pressure anywhere, all we need is just to believe in what we are doing as well as believe in ourselves.” On his part, the skipper said, “I think I will always do my best whenever I am called upon to do the job and I believe that with God on our side Eagles will come out with surprising result.”

igeria’s U-20 National Football Team coach, John Obuh, has resigned his appointment following the Flying Eagles’ ouster from the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. While announcing his resignation after his team lost 2-1 to Uruguay on Tuesday night in Istanbul, Obuh said the Flying Eagles put up a good fight in the Round of 16 game, but only to crash out of the World Cup. “Despite playing a man short for half of the match, we fought a good fight. The match has been won and lost and we accept the loss in good faith,” Obuh declared. He added, “Our target at this tournament was not to leave the stage this early, but I hope the next coach will take it from

where I stopped. “What is very certain is that Nigeria is a football nation blessed with a lot of talent. The players only have to have a focus and they will be world beaters.” President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Aminu Maigari , commended the fighting spirit of the team, urging them not to allow the setback affect the bright future that awaits them. “We wish to commend your performance against Uruguay, but unfortunately one team has to win and another has to lose. You did your best and went out there to win but it was not meant to be. You should learn from the mistakes you made so that next time we will go all the way,” Maigari consoled the players.

Siasia: Rangers’ disqualification, a bad blow

Ibadan. Speaking with National Mirror in Abuja, Siasia said it was unfortunate that Rangers, which prevailed 1-0 on aggregate over CS Sfaxien of Tunisia to reach the prestigious mini league phase as well as the only Nigerian club left in contention for continental honours this year, would not progress as a result of internal matter between the two clubs. “It is a shame because the way Rangers played with technicality and skill I had chosen them for final of the cup. They are doing very well; I believe they have a very good team and it is big setback for Nigerian football.”

JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

ormer Super Eagles’ coach, Samson Siasia, has described as “unfortunate” Enugu Rangers FC disqualification from this year’s CAF Confederation Cup on Wednesday. CAF said that Rangers were thrown out because they fielded a goalkeeper, Daniel Emmanuel, who was not officially transferred to the Coal City Antelopes from the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of

… We will be third time lucky, says NFF scribe EVEREST ONYEWUCHI

igeria stand a great chance of reaching the African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals for the first time as the Super Eagles are now much stronger and exposed, says NFF General Secretary, Barr Musa Amadu. Speaking in Abuja yesterday, hours before the arrival of the Ivorian Elephants for Saturday’s qualifier in Kaduna, Amadu reflected that the country’s absence from the first two

editions of the championship was down to lack of experience and exposure of the home-based professionals. “We failed to qualify for the inaugural edition hosted by Cote d’Ivoire after failing to beat Ghana in Calabar, and in the qualifying series for the second championship staged in Sudan, we lost to Niger Republic in Niamey and could only draw with them in Kano. “In both instances, our players lacked requisite exposure. Now, I can tell you that the situation is much different. Eight

of the home boys were in Coach Stephen Keshi’s team to the FIFA Confederations Cup, five of them were in the team that triumphed at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and 14 of them were at the training camp in Germany preparatory to the FIFA Confederations Cup and the World Cup qualifiers that preceded it. “So, if you compare the various teams, the present class is stronger and Nigeria would be third time lucky. We have the team to conquer Cote d’Ivoire and reach the finals being staged

in South Africa early next year.” Nigeria heads into the weekend clash in Kaduna with the likes of defender Godfrey Oboabona and attacking midfielder, Sunday Mba, having gained continental fame following magnificent performances at the AFCON in South Africa earlier in the year. Both players also featured at the just-concluded FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil, and have been part of Nigeria’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Goalkeeper and skipper, Ch-

igozie Agbim; defenders Chibuzor Okonkwo and Azubuike Egwuekwe and midfielder Olufemi Oladapo also have ample international experience, while strikers Muhammad Gambo and Dele Olorundare have shone in African club competitions and should have no palpitations if asked to start on Saturday. Meanwhile, the match officials from Mali, led by Centre Referee Mahamadou Keita are expected to fly into Lagos later today and arrive in Kaduna on Friday morning.

Sport

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Transfer!...Transfer!!...Transfer!!!...

Ronaldo torn between EPL, La Liga

eal Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo, admits to missing English football, but claims to be enjoying his time in Spain. Speculation has continued to suggest that Ronaldo could soon be on his way back to the Premier League, with former employer Manchester United prepared to throw open its doors once more. It would, however, require a massive effort from the Red Devils to piece together a package which could tempt Madrid into parting with a player it paid a world record fee for in 2009. Madrid has attempted to curb the rumours

Okonkwo

by announcing on several occasions that it intends to agree fresh terms with Ronaldo, with the 28-year-old having two years left to run on his current contract. Ronaldo has been reluctant to put pen to paper, though, and has once again hinted that he could take in a second spell in England at some stage in the near future. “Everyone knows that Manchester United is a club that is still in my heart and I really, really miss the place,” the Portugal international said. “Part of my life is in Manchester, but in the future we never know.”

Okonkwo gets Pirates’ chop O rlando Pirates have released Super Eagles midfielder, Onyekachi Okonkwo, and Zimbabwean striker Takesure Chinyama after their contracts expired at the end of last month. “We have released them and given them their clearances, their contracts have expired,” Pirates Chairman, Irvin Khoza, announced yesterday. “Orlando Pirates Football Club would like to confirm that midfielder Onyekachi Okonkwo and striker Takesure Chinyama will not

be part of the squad for the 2013/14 season. Both players were handed letters last week by management confirming their releases. “The club would like to thank Okonkwo and Chinyama for their services and wish them the best in their future endeavours.” Chinyama’s departure could make space for Bloemfontein Celtic striker Lennox Bacela who is reportedly close to signing for Pirates. In exchange, Pirates will loan out one or two players to Punya Sele Sele in the process.

Tit bits...

Rooney meets Moyes

ant away Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, arrived at the club’s training ground ahead of what could be a key day in deciding his future. Reports said the England striker met with new United manager David Moyes at Carrington yesterday after becoming frustrated at his first-team role last season. Rooney verbally requested a transfer in May, according to outgoing boss Sir Alex Ferguson, and Chelsea, Arsenal and Paris St Germain have all been linked with a summer move for the player. But the forward is yet to comment publicly on the speculation amid reports he disputes Ferguson’s version of events. A previous transfer request in the autumn of 2010 ended with Rooney signing a new deal at Old Trafford and helping the club to the Premier League title later that season. But Ferguson’s former assistant Mike Phelan, who left United earlier this summer, has questioned whether the 27-yearold really wants to stay this time. “Wayne is at the greatest club you can be,” Phelan said.

Paulinho

Brazil international, Paulinho, will not shy away from comparisons to Chelsea midfielde Lampard. The Corinthians midfiel who is believed to be set Tottenham, was likened to sea’s all-time record goals by Boca Juniors playmak Roman Riquelme. “I am delighted to be co pared to the England inte tional and feel I can learn lot from his style of play in Premier League,” Paulinh

Gerrard

Liverpool Manager, Brendan Rodgers, insists captain Steven Gerrard forms an integral part of his plans for next few years. The England midfielder m the final two matches of las season to have surgery on persistent shoulder problem the Reds boss does not en any issues with him for the the new campaign. “Stevie is 33 now and wi here for the next few years looks great and is in great tion,” Rogers said.

Cesar

Rooney

Shelvey nears Swansea switch

S Ronaldo

Alves woos Silva

Silva (left)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

arcelona defender, Dani Alves, says he has tried to convince compatriot Thiago Silva of PSG to join the Spanish club. Silva has been linked with a move to the Camp Nou and he has admitted having a conversation with Barca coach Tito Vilanova. Alves, who recently won the Confederations Cup with the Brazilian national team, believes Silva would be a welcome addition to the squad

ahead of the new season. “We need to empower the squad for all the competitions we have to play,” he said yesterday. “If he Silva joined he would come to the best team in the world. I’ve described the club to him, what he would find here and the advantages of Barcelona.” Silva started his professional career with Fluminense in Brazil and joined PSG in 2009 from Italian giants AC Milan.

wansea is close to clinching the signing of Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey after agreeing a £6m fee for the 21-year-old, according to reports. Shelvey is now set to discuss personal terms with the Welsh club and undergo a medical. The England international had also attracted the interest of Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace whose bid was reportedly £1m less than Swansea’s. Shelvey started his career with Charlton before moving to Liverpool for £1.7m in May 2010 and has since made 69 appearances for the Reds and scored seven goals, although he has now been deemed surplus to requirements by boss Brendan Rodgers.

Brazil goalkeeper, Julio Cesar, can empathise with his Spain counterpart Iker Casillas after both had endure difficult moments in last year. The Queens Park Range stopper and Casillas playe the FIFA Confederations C final and after the game sw shirts.

Anichebe

Latest reports say Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, will soon hold talks with Victor Anichebe about his a ability for the national team The Everton striker recen his international career on h so he could manage his bo accordingly, but Keshi is ho to persuade the 25-year-old change his mind. “Anichebe is a great strik is young, strong and gives several options in attack. I p to visit him in England and to him face to face,” Keshi yesterday.

Perch

Shelvey

Wigan has signed Newcastle defender James Perch for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old, who be his career at Nottingham before joining the Magpie 2010, has agreed a four-y contract with the FA Cup w ners.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sport

Thursday, July 4, 2013

The late Oliha

NSC regrets Oliha’s death

irector General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Gbenga Elgbeleye, has lamented the death of former Super Eagles midfielder Thompson Oliha, describing it as a loss to football development in Nigeria. Elegbeleye also said Nigeria had lost a former international whose wealth of experience could have rubbed off on youth players across the country. The Director General recalled Thompson Oliha’s commitment and aggressiveness when he represented Nigeria in international football competitions especially during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, saying he would be missed by all he came across.

Elegbeleye commiserated with the family of the late footballer, the government and people of Edo State and the Nigerian Football Federation while praying God to grant his soul eternal peace and the family the courage to bear the loss.

Athletics: Hamajam, others storm Calabar YEMI OLUS

riple-gold winner at last month’s national athletics trials, Soudi Hamajam, is one of the top athletes expected at the third edition of the South South Track and Field Championships which starts today at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River State. Hamajam, who was unarguably the best male athlete at the trials, picked gold in the 800m, 1,500m and 3,000m steeplechase events while guartermiler IFEANYI EDUZOR and Cross River State athlete, Patience Okon, who won the 400m silver behind s the 3rd Governor Ibrahim USA-based Regina George at the trials, Shehu Shema U-17 Boys Soc- would also feature in the competition. cer tournament enters day four, The championships organised by President of Youth Sports Federation Cross River State and supported by the of Nigeria (YSFON), Nasiru Gawuna, Niger Delta Development Corporation has commended participating teams (NDDC) will end on Saturday. for their discipline at the event. Commissioner for Youth and Sports, “We are convinced that the competi- Mr. Patrick Ugbe, said in Calabar yestion will produce talented players that terday that the championships was will do the country proud in future, just open to all the six states in the South as we are committed towards ensuring South of Nigeria. that only qualified players are allowed “It will be for all the states in our to participate in the championship,” region at the primary and secondary Gawuna said. school levels while the elite leg is open “The competition has lived up to ex- to all elite athletes in Nigeria,” Ugbe pectation so far,” he added. explained. All group matches will be decided to“We are glad that the NDDC has supday at the Katsina Township Stadium. ported our desire to develop sports in Host Katsina will confront Kaduna the state, the South South region and in Group A while Niger will face Osun the country while positively engaging to determine the winner of the group. our teeming youths. Plateau takes on defending champi“This effort is also in furtherance on Bauchi in Group B while Kano will of the development of athletes as part meet FCT before the FCT plays Akwa of the sports development programme Ibom for the first semi-final match. initiated by Governor Liyel Imoke.”

YSFON boss hails Shema tourney

he House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts yesterday summoned the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, over the several audit queries raised against the NSC by the Auditor General of the Federation totalling over N3.085 billion in 2010 financial year The queries included the sum of N3,022,643,033.23 released through the NSC to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) which could not be verified in the latter’s books of accounts despite several demands, 64 payment vouchers totalling N55.547million on recurrent expenditure vote not produced for examination despite several demands, payment of N2.448million to a contractor for the cleaning of all the stadia and security outfits without due process, payment of N4million for a three page paid advertisement which was never published in any of the national dailies and payment of N1.5milion to a staff of the NSC for an overseas trip without the supporting document, among others. The DG who was a member of the House of Representatives was billed to appear before the Committee yesterday to defend the queries after several invitations, but sent a team led by Mallam Mustapha Mohammed, a Director in the Commission which the Reps turned back and insisted on the physical appearance of the DG.

The Committee Chairman, Hon. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (ACN-Lagos) ruled that the director was not competent to defend the queries, saying that was how officials of the NSC prevented their immediate past DG, Chief Patrick Ekeji, from honouring several invitations extended to him before his retirement, a situation, he said the Committee would not allow to repeat. The Committee insisted that Elegbeleye must appear physically before it next Tuesday by 1 00 pm and mandated the Clerk of the Committee, Mr. P .W. Giwa, to give an official letter of invitation by hand to Mohammed to personally deliver to his DG as there would be no room for any excuse again.

Elegbeleye

DSTV B’ball: Union extends domination YEMI OLUS

nion Bank yesterday continued its impressive run in the ongoing DSTV Men’s Basketball Premier League when the side humbled Dodan Warriors 70-53 in Week 10 of the championship at the National Stadium, Lagos. The Toyin Ayinlacoached bankers were

spurred by the presence of Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Babatunde Popoola, to defeat the dreaded Col. (rtd) Sam Ahmedufinanced team 94- 80 in a reversed fixture of Week 10 at the same weekend to prove their superiority in the dunking game. As the championship cruises on with the Atlantic Conference Games, Union Bank, which is cur-

rently leasing the Atlantic Conference of the league, will travel to Ibadan this weekend to meet premier league debutants Oluyole Warriors in the Week 11 pairings. Union Bank had defeated Oluyole Warriors of Ibadan 63-46 at the reverse fixture in Week 4 on May 17. Same margin was repeated in the reversed fixture match played the following day.

Kano Pillars and Dodan Warriors players in a match during the last season league at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Sport

Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wimbledon 2013…

How Serena can win again

n a manic Monday afternoon at Wimbledon, Serena Williams, the most dominant force in tennis today, suffered her first loss since February, ending a career-best 34-match winning streak and sending question marks flying over the future of the sport’s top-ranked player. It was a shocking exit for Williams, who just a month ago won her 16th major at the French Open and had racked up an 80–3 record over the last 12 months, including Grand Slam victories at the U.S. Open and at Wimbledon last year. But even with the title in Paris just a few weeks ago, there was little to salvage after a loss to the No. 23–ranked German, Sabine Lisicki, who is nicknamed Boom Boom because of her powerful yet inconsistent strokes. “I couldn’t be more disappointed,” Williams, 31, said flatly near the end of her post-match conference in London. Pressed to explain the loss, Williams said: “I really have to go back to the drawing board.” In the six times Serena has played at a major without her sister Venus, she has won just once, losing in the fourth round the other five times. If no Venus means no trophy for the little sister, that’s not a good sign. So what’s next for Serena? There certainly could be a bit of retooling in

the Williams camp again. “There’s huge room for improvement for me,” she said. “I definitely had my opportunities, and I didn’t take them. You know, just have to know that going forward, if I want to be successful, if I plan on being successful, I’m never going to do it backing off. I have to play the game I can play. For me that’s being more aggressive.” Aggression has always been the name of the game for Williams, who has few rivals who can hit with her toe-to-toe. Lisicki is one of them, as are Li Na and Petra Kvitová, two players who remain in the ladies’ quarterfinals at Wimbledon. Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka, two other rivals, lost last week in London. Yet a loss is a loss. This one suddenly brings a seemingly levitating, I-can’t-be-beat Serena back to earth. And at 31 years old, tennis can break the body down much faster, meaning Williams will have to be careful to avoid the injuries that have felled her sister later in her career. “I have to play the game I can play. For me that’s being more aggressive.” But while she’s smart enough to know when she needs to shake things up, it is pertinent to say Serena Williams is still the best. Culled from ESPN.com

Novak Djokovic under pressure yesterday

Djokovic labours to last four W orld number one, Novak Djokovic, yesterday overcame his toughest test so far at this year’s Wimbledon to beat Tomas Berdych in straight sets. The top seed found Berdych’s power difficult to handle on Court One but edged a first set tie-break and came from 3-0 down in the second to win their quarter-final match 7-6 6-4 6-3. The Czech, a former Wimbledon finalist, saved two break points early on and Djokovic again failed to break through when given a chance in the seventh game. Berdych saved another break

point with a 129mph ace and while both players broke each other twice in the tie-break, Djokovic struck the killer blow on set point, forcing his opponent to go wide following a powerful return. However, the loss of the set galvanised Berdych into a double break of serve early in the second set, which in turn sparked the 2011 champion back to life as he levelled to 3-0. “It was a very close match, it could have gone either way,” Djokovic, who reached his 13th consecutive grand slam semifinal, said.

Del Potro shrugs injury, in semis

Serena down, and out?

uan Martin del Potro recovered from an early injury scare yesterday to beat David Ferrer in straight sets in the Wimbledon quarter-finals. The Argentinian suffered a nasty looking fall during the first game of the match and required lengthy treatment, before playing on to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final. While the knee complaint did look to be causing him some discomfort, Del Potro still managed to take control of the match and broke fourth seed Ferrer twice to take the opening set 6-2. The second set followed a similar pattern and the former US Open champion again found the break he was after to win the set 6-4, leaving him just a set away from the last four. Ferrer, himself struggling with an ankle injury, continued to fight and the clay court specialist held his serve to force the third set into a tie-break. “I think I played my best tennis in this match,” Del Potro said. The 24-year-old will be hoping for a repeat of last year’s Olympic bronze medal match in which he beat Djokovic in his greatest achievement on a grass court to date.

Del Potro

“He could have won the first two sets, he had a double break in the second. “I don’t know how I managed to go ahead and I don’t know how I turned it around. But I am really happy with the performance. I am playing some of the best tennis on grass of my career.” Meanwhile, Djokovic has revealed that his semi-final defeat to Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon in 2010 helped to drive him on in the last three years. Berdych won the match in straight sets to progress to a final with Rafael Nadal, but Djokovic has added four grand slam titles to his name since then.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance Aggressive measures are being implemented to deploy natural gas in building thermal power generation capacity in the country. This programme will raise electricity generation in the country to over 40 gigawatts.

Today marks the historic beginning of the journey towards our nation’s industrial revolution, which is based on the areas where we have competitive and comparative advantage, which is a critical part of National Sugar Master Plan

Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Andrew Yakubu

Investment in free trade zones hits N1.6trn, says NEPZA OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

he Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, Mr.Oluwagbemiga Kuye, yesterday put the total investment generated in the nation’s viable free zone areas at $10bn, which is about N1.6trn. He also stated that with the new drive and the various reforms being undertaken in the sector, the quantum of investment is expected to rise to $15bn (N2.4trn). So far, out of the 25 free zones in the country, nine are fully operational, six are under construction, four in the design stage while six zones are largely owned by the states. Kuye, who gave the projection while briefing journalists on his plans and programme for the agency in Abuja, noted that his dream is to transform the agency from its regulatory role to an industralisation agency. Given the investment update, he said, “To date, we have $9billion investment in all the free zones in Nigeria. This is without the $1bn we just successfully gotten

through General Electric. I believe we should be looking at investment in the sector to the tune of $15bn in the next five years.” In line with the planned industralisation status, the Managing Director added that unlike before when the free zone scheme only favour manufacturing, the agency had mapped out four key sectors which would form its major focus. According to him, the four key sectors include agriculture and ag-

ricultural related sector, solid minerals, manufacturing, petroleum and petroleum products and other sectors that have to do with population, like housing. For instance, in the agriculture sector, he stated that agency is in talks with investors in The Netherlands to come and set up agricultural parks in Nigeria. He explained further, “Free zone scheme has worked in a lot of places. When the concept started in Ni-

UMUAHIA

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will within the next 10 days inaugurate a Financial Literacy Steering Committee as part of its sustained efforts to leverage on the implementation of the financial inclusion strategy through massive sensitisation of consumers across the country. Giving the hint at the 18th

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geria after the UNIDO report, the focus was on manufacturing. Now the focus is on all the sectors of the Nigerian economy. Dubai has used it to develop its health care sector, developed their financial services sector and the United States use it to boost their exports. We are going to do the combination of all these. On his vision for the free zones, he said, “All over the world, free zones are being use as a veritable tool for economic development. Along those lines will need to revive the moribund free zones in the country. Simultaneously we are also carrying out audit of the free zones to identify their viability.

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IRS L-R: Chairman, Africa ICT Alliance, Mr. Jimson Olufuye; President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association, Mrs. Mary Uduma, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi and Guest lecturer, Mr. Richard Lamb, during AfICTA’s ICT summit in Lagos, recently.

CBN to ramp up efforts to boost financial literacy TOLA AKINMUTIMI

MINISTER OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT, OLUSEGUN AGANGA

Seminar for Financial Correspondents and Business Editors organised by the apex bank in Umuahia, Abia State, yesterday, the Acting Director of the Consumer Protection Department, Mrs. Umma Aminu Dutse, said the initiative was amongst others being undertaken by the Bank to enhance cooperation and collaboration and adopt a unified approach to financial literacy in the country. Represented by Hadjia Khadijat Kasim, Dutse disclosed that CBN was also focusing its attention on comprehensive consumer protection frameworks that will specifically define policies

addressing responsible business conduct by financial service providers, full disclosure and transparency, equitable and fair treatment of consumers and protection of their assets against frauds. Noting that financial inclusion emphasises access and usage of financial products and services, she explained that as part of efforts to achieve this the bank had also developed a separate framework for financial literacy as part of the wider financial inclusion strategy and have specified the development of financial education programmes.

US biggest subscriber to Nigeria’s $1bn Eurobond – Okonjo-Iweala

She said: “We are highlighting the importance of financial education and awareness in consumer protection by creating platforms to encourage financial literacy among all financial regulatory authorities. “Later this month, the Governor of the CBN will inaugurate the Financial Literacy Steering Committee (FLSC) and we hope to put in place the Financial Literacy Implementation Committee (FLIC) by the end of the month to enhance cooperation and collaboration and adopt a unified approach to financial education as well as ensure proper coordination of intervention programmes”, Dutse added.

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Messaging apps Govt should engage threaten telcos’ ad agencies – AAAN N7bn annual SMS revenue

Business & Finance

Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

US biggest subscriber to Nigeria’s $1bn Eurobond – Okonjo-Iweala CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

he Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okojo-Iweala has said that investors from the United States led in the subscription of the Federal Government’s $1 billion Nigerian bond which was oversubscribed four times. “The quality of the investors is very high, the majority of the investors are from the United States, then followed by Europe, especially the United kingdom, and then Asia, so those are the top three investors and it is a long list, and because it was oversubscribed we could not even meet the demand of some them, over 200 of the investors were not able to any share of the because it was oversubscribed” The minister noted that the issues were highly subscribed by top names in the business

world including investors HSBC, Global Asset Management, Wellington Management Company, Blackrock among others. According to Okonjo-Iweala, the positive response to the bond which was oversubscribed four times by international investors including those in Europe, Asia and other regions of the world, is an indication of the strong perception that the fundamentals of the Nigerian economy remain strong despite some challenges. She said the $500 million five year bond was oversubscribed by 3.46 with the interest rate 5.125 percent while the 500 million ten year bond was oversubscribed by 4.451 with interest rate of 6.375 percent. The minister noted that this was much better than the rate obtained in 2011 when the country did 500 Eurobond indicating that people have more confi-

dence on the economy. She said that bond was floated to support infrastructure projects across the country, adding that much of the money will be utilised to enhance power sector, and build gas pipeline from East part of the country to Western parts where a lot power station are without access to gas. “The floatation of a $1billion Eurobond which has been approved by the National Assembly as you know this money is designed to support infrastructure projects within the country. It is not for budget support but directly for infrastructure. Mostly to have enhanced power sector, you aware we are building gas pipeline from the East of the country where you have gas to the west where you have all these power stations without access to gas. We have already started building these stations we have set about $400 million.

We are going to try and make sure that these investments are visible ones that Nigerians can see to ensure this money is utilised in a proper way,” she said. According to the minister stated government is excited because Nigeria went to the bond market and got four times over subscription in these turbulent economic times, and uncertain international bond market, underlying strength of the nation’s economy. She further disclosed that plans are underway to float be-

fore the end of this year a Diaspora bond targeting Nigerian citizens who live abroad but are desirous of investing the country. Okonjo-Iweala denied the report credited to her that the Nigeria’s economy was on the verge of collapse saying the report was false. “We are working in a collegial manner with the National Assembly; actually the headline that was put in the papers was wrong. There is no way I could go out and say that is going to collapse. The debate is going on”.

NIG asks NCC to allocate spectrum on zonal basis KUNLE A ZEEZ

he Nigerian Internet Group, NIG, has charged the Nigerian Communications Commission to consider allocation of frequency spectrum on a zonal basis with a view to deepening internet penetration in the country. President, NIG, Mr. Bayo Banjo, canvassed this position during an interaction held with the media in Lagos recently. Spectrum is the licensable electro-magnetic signal in the air through which telecoms companies transmit services to their consumers. According to him, “If we really want to ensure we have ubiquitous broadband internet access in this country, the time has come for the regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, to begin to allocate spectrum based on a regional or zonal basis based

on need and the vision to expand services to the whole country.” Banjo noted that the current situation is such that spectrum were allocated on national basis and the holders of the spectrum licences is constraint to roll out service on national basis, leading to under-utilisation of such spectrum. “For instance, a spectrum like 2.3GH is fully allocated and I don’t see it in Sokoto, Kano, Maiduguri and other such remote areas. So, we need to begin allocation of spectrum based on regional basis. “Currently, everything is concentrated in Lagos and the Federal capital. If you give somebody a national licence and the person taking it cannot deploy services nationally, it cannot be easily withdrawn. We need to allocate it on regional basis, so that people who want to play on regional level in their little way can do so and provide internet services to their people there,” he said.

FG to build 450MT cassava plant in C/River L-R: President, Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, Mr. Ayodeji Shittu, Forum Chairman, Mrs. Funmi Babington-Ashaye, EO Certified Global Trainer, Ms. Julia Langkaer and Chairman, Communications, Mr. Dele Agekameh, at the EO Pre-board Summit Dinner in Lagos recently.

BOI, Niger Delta Ministry sign pact on fish industrial parks OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

he nation’s industrial development institution, Bank of Industry, BOI has entered into a pact with the Ministry of Niger Delta on the setting up of Fish Industrial Parks in all the oil producing states of Niger Delta. This plan, it was learnt, is part of the Federal Government efforts in creating jobs, enhancing food sufficiency, and boosting the Nigerian economy. Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, Managing Director, MD, BOI, Ms Evelyn Oputu, expressed delight at the existing relationship with the ministry and

promised to ensure that the industrial parks come into fruition. In the interim, Oputu also disclosed that two states would be used as the pilot scheme. She said: “This is done in order to improve the lives and the economy of the people and the government. Everybody knows what was going on before the Ministry was created and when it was set up. We all have hope and great expectation and we believe that this new project is going to enhance the efficiency of the Ministry.” In his remarks, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godsday Orubebe applauded the commitment and determination of the bank in working harmoniously with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs

in supporting and developing people-oriented projects. He added that oil is a fragment of the natural resources found in the Niger Delta region, stressing that apart from oil, region is well endowed with other natural resources. According to the minister since the main occupation of the Niger Delta People is fish farming, the establishment of Fish Industrial Park programme will not only create wealth but generate employment opportunities for the youths. Orubebe stated that the partnership would be based on mutual understanding on a “50-50” platform where BOI would contribute part of the fund that will be committed to the project.

RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

he Federal Government has concluded arrangement to collaborate with the Government of Cross River State to establish a 450 metric tonnes cassava plant in Obubra local government area of the state. The Cross River State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr. James Aniyom, stated this when he hosted the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) at his office recently in Calabar. According to him, cassava, which is not only a staple food in the much of the country but a cash crop which is largely cultivated in the state? “In order to harness the economic potentials embedded in the crop for the benefit of the entire country, the federal government is making arrangement to install a 450 metric tons of cassava plant in Obubra Local Government Coun-

cil of our state. Of course, this will be in collaboration with our government”, he said. He expressed the hope that many farmers, business people and the unemployed in the state would derive many benefits when plant is eventually installed. Aniyom urged the Shippers’ Council to reduce the problem of shipment for the merchants and encouraged them to utilize the Calabar Ports. The Commissioner disclosed that the federal government is making concerted efforts to increase the activities at the Calabar Port, which is the reason the state government is increasing traffic around the Tinapa zone by building a Conference Centre and 18-hole golf course. He said very soon, General Electric (GE) and two other big agricultural establishments in the state will soon commence shipment from the Calabar Port.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Business & Finance

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Expect 10,000mw, 18 hours uninterrupted power supply by December 2014 – Kuchi OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

inister of Power of State for Power, Hajiya Zainaib Ibrahim Kuchi, has assured that power generation in the country would peak at 10,000 megawatts by the end of December 2014. According to her the power generation increase would translate to between 17 and 18 hours of power supply in the country. Kuchi stated this while briefing journalists, shortly after they appeared before the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to give an update on the achievements of the ministry. Responding to questions on the time line for increased power generation she said: “In 2014,

we envisage 10,000 mega watts. God willing with our short term, long term and immediate strategies that we have in the ministry working assiduously with all the other stakeholders in the power sector we envisage that. “With all the other NIPP work going on and the Niger Delta Power Company coming up and to be commissioned by December 2013, we look forward to 10, 000 megawatts come December 2014. And this is what we are working towards. If we succeed making it more than that we are very happy people. “But we are focused on actually delivering 10,000 megawatts by 2014. And this by our calculations and data we have on ground, we give at least between 17 and 18 hours of power supply to Nigerians. The 24 hours pow-

er supply will happen but we are working steadily towards that.” She said a committee was set up the by the ministry to address the problem of system collapse. “We had 15, all put together and this was cause by act of God not by act of man, because when the shrubs grew too high, they actually affect the transmission line. “So what we are doing about that is mechanised system of addressing the issues of making such that the transmission lines are cut so that system collapse can be minimised because 75 percent or 72 percent of the cause for system collapse was the shrubs that was affecting transmission lines. This we are working very hard to address,” she said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dana Air to recommence Uyo, Calabar routes OLUSEGUN KOIKI

ana Air is set to recommence flight services to Uyo and Calabar Airports by the end of this month. The airline had suspended both routes following the June 3, 2012 air crash it had at the IjuIshaga Area of Lagos. It would however recommence flight operations to Abuja from Lagos on June 4, 2013 while flight operations to Port Harcourt Airport resumed about two months ago. Talking on the resumption of operations to the new airport, the Head of Corporate Communications, Dana Air, Mr. Tony Usidamen said that the decision to recommence operations to the

Rice farmers seek end to importation, smuggling

resident, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), South-West Zone, Mr. Segun Atho, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to adopt decisive measures to stop the importation and smuggling of rice. Atho told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that massive smuggling and importation of rice had adversely affected local production and was a major cause of concern to farmers. “Smugglers are seriously killing the acceptability of local rice in the market; we don’t have local rice as much as the foreign one in the markets. “Government needs to come out and help us to deal with the issue, in order to encourage local rice growers. “If the Federal Government can review the trade liberalisaL-R: Former Military Governor of Kano State, Col. Aminu Kontagora; Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, tion scheme and close the borAmb. Ashraf Salama and Chairman, Egyptair Hospital, Dr. Anwar Helmy, at the 1st Nigeria-Egypt Business ders to smuggled goods, this will Forum in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN help improve the production of local rice in the country,’’ he said.

Lopsided concessions won’t be tolerated – FAAN OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, insists that it will not tolerate any concession that is lopsided in favour of the concessionaires at the expense of the Nigerian people. FAAN said that most of the agreements entered with the concessionaires were capable of crippling the agency, adding that the agreements were forced on the agency by the highest political organs in the country at the time. Speaking yesterday in Lagos, the General Manager, Corporate Communication, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, explained that the activities of FAAN was at that time being directed by the Presi-

dency and as a government organ, the management of FAAN had to abide by the directive to recognise the agreement. Talking on Maevis Nigeria Limited, the former concessionaire of the agency on aeronautic and non-aeronautic revenues, Dati said the agency took the decision to safeguard the future of its workers, maintaining that if the company was allowed to continue, FAAN would have collapsed. Dati insisted that Mavis breached the agreement it had with the agency, stressing that throughout the concession agreement, the agency was not able to get critical information on revenue flows. He said, “In breach of the terms of the agreement, Maevis consistently failed to submit

daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual technical and financial reports. The effect of this was that FAAN was unable to obtain critical technical information for its planning and financial purposes and most importantly, for effectively monitoring the performance of Maevis. “Contrary to the terms of the agreement, Maevis continuously disclosed to the public financial, technical and other sensitive information related to the agreement and several times it deliberately misinformed the public through the release of inaccurate and manipulated information. As a result, Maevis positioned itself as untrustworthy to have access to and maintain confidential government information.”

new cities was based on requests from the airline’s teeming guests to extend its services to the oilproducing states. He explained that since the airline resumed flight operations to Lagos and Abuja in January, it has had several requests from air travellers across the country to extend its services to more cities. He said, “At Dana Air, we recognise the importance of Akwa Ibom and Cross River State in the socio-economic development of the country as oil producing states. With both states playing host to several multinational companies in the oil & gas industry, we are confident that our new services from Uyo and Calabar to Lagos and Abuja will make the states even more attractive to investors.”

Atho added that the increase in the production and sale of local rice would encourage other interested citizens to take up farming as a profession. He also urged government to invest more in the provision of organic fertiliser, saying there was a need to increase the nation’s capacity in rice production, rather than in the processing of the produce. “We appeal to government for provision of organic fertiliser, in order for our local produce to be accepted in other foreign countries. “The combination of chemical fertiliser and organic fertiliser increases the yield, more than chemical fertilisers alone,” he said. The association’s president attributed the rejection of locally produced rice at the international market to Nigerian farmers not having ready access to organic fertilisers during cultivation. (NAN)

Union backs postponement of severance package payment to PHCN workers

he Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), yesterday said it backed the postponement of the payment of severance package to disengaged staff of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), till the end of July. Mr Abiodun Ogunsegha, the Secretary General of the Association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, was too hasty when he pronounced June 17 as the payment day. NAN reports that the Minister of Power, on Tuesday, said that payment of the severance package to 44,000 veri-

fied workers of PHCN would be paid by the end of July. NAN learnt that the sum of N384 billion will be paid to all the disengaged workers of PHCN. Ogunsegha said that verification of PHCN workers was still ongoing. “The process of the payment is on; the verification exercise is still going on; there are lots of mistakes in the pay slips of workers that should be corrected. “There are some omissions that need to be corrected by the implementation committee. “If all these things are not done properly, there is no need for the payment,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Messaging apps threaten telcos’ N7bn annual SMS revenue Telecom firms in Nigeria are gradually losing Short Messaging Service revenues to the increasing adoption of various instant messages apps and platforms available to telecoms subscribers on their mobile devices, reports KUNLE AZEEZ.

ince early 2011, when Adebayo Bolaji, a postgraduate student of University Ibadan, Oyo State, got his Blackberry Bold 2 device, which offers him access to Blackberry Messenger, BBM, a chat platform designed on Blackberry devices, his daily cost of sending Short Messaging Service, SMS, on his mobile network has drastically reduced. According to him, “Before I bought the Blackberry device, I used to send SMSs, from time to time to express my love to my girl friend and communicate with friends, relatives and colleagues, as the situation may demand. But as soon as I got the device, I hardly do that, especially when most of my friends now have BB device.” Bolaji’s experience is not different from that of Adedapo Adesina, who also is a student of University of Lagos, Akoka. His said: “I have also reduced the number of SMS that I send since I now have access to BBM to chat with my BBM contacts and I have the opportunity to download WhatsApp, other IM apps to chat with contacts on my phone.” However, Facebook, the popular social medium provides succour to Emina Johnson, who is not privileged to have a Blackberry device but “a Nokia Asha 205 smartphone designed with a Facebook button, to quickly log onto Facebook to chat,” with his friends at an agreed time. Though the accounts provided by the three individuals appeared to be in favour of the subscribers, National Mirror learnt that it has implication on the revenue accrued to telecoms networks from SMS. Findings showed that with the increase in the use of BBM, WhatApps, Facebook Chat, among others among Nigerian phone users, which are provided for free since only cost of accessing Internet is needed by the subscribers to access all these chat platforms, the potential over N7.3 billion annual revenue to the operators is threatened.The Nigerian Communications Commission had, in January, slashed issued off-net SMS tariff be to N4 from N10. On-net tariff is not expected to go above N4 also. An off-net SMS is a text message sent from one network to another such as

KUNLE A ZEEZ

igeria’s Information and Communication Technology distribution firm, Technology Distribution has partnered with and a global leading computer manufacturer, Dell Computers to promote Intel Core processors as the ideal processors to handle the heavy data arising from the emerging information society. According to the TD, the convergence of voice, video and data at work places and recreation centres, has placed enormous pressure on the personal computers in terms of how long it takes to ex-

App icons

THE NORMAL DAILY, WEEKLY OR MONTHLY DATA SUBSCRIPTIONS WHICH MANY SMARTPHONE USERS USE TO ACCESS DIFFERENT ARRAY OF INTERNET SERVICES TO THEIR EMAILS, SOCIAL MEDIA,

GOOGLE CHAT AND SO ON, IS WHAT ALSO AVAILS THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHAT FOR FREE from MTN to Airtel or Glo to Etisalat, while on-net is a text message sent from phone line of network to another phone line on that network. A report by global consulting firm, Price WaterHouse Cooper, commissioned by NCC, puts the total volume of on-net and off-net SMS for 2012 at 1.8 billion. According to the report, outgoing on-net SMS increased from 911 million in 2011 to 958 million in 2012; outgoing SMS to other mobile operators moved from 316 million to 449 million, while SMS from other mobile operators also increased from 327 million to 421 million during the same period. This, therefore, puts the total off-net SMS last year at 870 million with an average annual growth rate of 35.4 per cent SMS volume. According to an internet expert, Mr. Ope Odusan, the revolution being created by instant messaging apps is global,

stressing that their ‘free status’ makes it fashionable to most phone users, instead of SMS, which cost them more per unit sent. “For all these instant messaging apps, you don’t need to pay something special to access them. The normal daily, weekly or monthly data subscriptions which many smartphone users use to access different array of Internet services to their emails, social media, Google chat and so on, is what also avails them the opportunity to chat for free,” he said. In Indian, a recent research pointed out that instant messaging apps used by people for communication have already surpassed SMS text messages. Another report by Ovum research firm talks about the effect this may have on the revenue generated by telecoms operators through SMS. Ovum points out that Indian telecom operators may lose $3.1 billion in SMS revenues by 2016 due to the popularity of

TD, Dell promote Intel Core processors for heavy data ecute specific assignments. Speaking on the partnership at a training recently organised for its products’ resellers, Managing Director, Marketing, TD, Mrs. Chioma Chimere, said, “Today’s multi-tasking achiever requires a PC that enables him to clear his desk in record time.” Intel Core, Chimere explained, is a brand name that Intel uses for various mid-range to high-end consumer and business microprocessors. She said the Intel Core processors are more powerful variants of the same processors marketed as entry level Celeron

and Pentium. “The Intel i3, the Intel i5 and the Intel i7 are the three divisions that make up Intel’s Core brand: a collection of consumer-oriented processors, or central processing units, for desktop and laptop PCs,” she said. She also said that identical or more capable versions of Core processors are also sold as Xeon processors for the server and workstation market. The TD boss explained that generally referred to as the 3rd Generation Intel Core Processors, the latest series of processors guarantee speed and longer

cross platform apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Chat, Nimbuzz and Wechat. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, as SMS slowly declines as a significant revenue opportunity, industry analysts are of the opinion that mobile Internet, especially broadband, presents new opportunity as a key revenue generator. Speaking in the same vein, President, Nigerian Internet Group, Mr. Bayo Banjo, said telecoms networks would need to face the reality in the current trend, stressing those mobile network operators will have to face the challenge by converting the dwindling SMS revenue into a broadband revenue opportunity. In his view, President, Medallion Communications Limited, a carrierneutral Information Technology infrastructure solutions provider, Mr. Ken Nnamdi, said, “This is the reality we need to contend with. It left to the operators to begin to drive data services provisioning in the country and they have been doing this.” To a telecoms subscriber, Mr. Wasiu Adewumi, “The damage has been done in SMS revenues accrued to mobile operators in Nigeria and this is glaring to everybody, as mobile telephony subscribers opted for other socially-inclined messaging apps such as BBM, WhatApps and others for quick communication, neglecting SMS.” Adewumi added that, even though the messaging apps require Internet connection, “they are considered more convenient, cheaper and interactive.” Currently, smartphones and mobile Internet may not have dominated the Nigerian mobile space, as there are numerous people who still rely on text messages to communicate; analysts said this trend could change depending on broadband Internet penetration in the country, which will create further dent in SMS revenue to the operators. According to the President, National Association of telecoms Operators of Nigeria, Mr,. Lanre Ajayi, not only will the operators be losing revenue from SMS, they may also be losing from voice revenue through apps such as Skype, which offers free voice calls to telecoms consumers. “So, with Voice over Internet protocol, VoIP, gaining awareness, we may even get to a time in future when people will be using VoIP to make calls, once they are connected to the Internet, but this is still futuristic,” Ajayi said. working hours. She listed the Dell Inspiron 5050 and Dell Latitude E5430 as systems with Intel Core i3 and Intel Core i5 processors respectively. She urged the resellers to increase the market shares of the products “based on the reputation of Dell as an Original Equipment Manufacturer, OEM,that brings the right products and services to a wide range of customers across all business segments such as home, small and medium business, and for large enterprises.” Chinyere assured that the manufacturer’s warranty from Dell will be executed to the delight of the customers.

Info Tech

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Telecoms sector contributes 9% to GDP KUNLE A ZEEZ

he contribution of telecommunication sector to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product increased to 8.53 per cent at the end of April, this year, National Mirror has learnt. The new data were contained in a latest government official figure on the status of the telecoms industry obtained from the Nigerian Communications Commission, the telecoms industry umpire. According to the NCC data, percentage contribution of telecoms industry to GDP increased by 1.48 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, bring the total GDP contribution to 8.53 per cent at the end of April. At the close of work in 2012, telecommunications industry officially contributed 7.05 per cent to the nation’s aggregate GDP. In 2001, when the Federal Government introduced the liberalisation policy that led to quantum leap in the nation’s telecoms industry, telecoms GDP contribution stood at abysmal 0.62% per cent.

Since then, the contribution of the industry to national GDP has been recording consistent growth. In 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, the industry contributed 0.85 per cent, 1.06 per cent, 1.27 per cent and 1.53 per cent respectively. The figures further increased to 1.91 per cent in 2006; 2.31 per cent in 2007; 2.31 per cent and 2.92 per cent in 2008; 3.66 per cent in 2009. In 2010, the figure rose to 4.56 per cent and 5.67 per cent in 211 and 7.05 per cent at the end of 2012. Though some industry watchers expected the sector to have much accelerated impact on GDP with increased efforts are directed at proper implementation of the various policies and encouragement of more investment will drive increased contribution by telecoms industry to the nation’s GDP. Available data from the Federal Government indicated that Nigeria has enjoyed considerable investment over the years in the telecoms industry amounting to an estimated $25 billion. However, industry experts

are of the view that funding has not been flowing to areas where operators consider as not being commercially viable such as rural areas and remote sparselypopulated locations. According the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs., Omobola Johnson, telecoms infrastructure is capitalintensive and it is also true to say that even the level of investment so far would have achieved more in terms of subscriber base and national spread if operators had shared infrastructures at various levels. While collocation or infrastructures sharing has been advocated by the telecoms industry regulator, Nigerian Communication Commission, telecoms operators have been engaging in “unnecessary duplication of infrastructures.” According to the minister, who spoke at a recent stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, “While the bigger companies seem to enjoy better access to funding, most small Internet Service providers, ISPs and small telecoms companies have been finding it difficult to access funding for new rollout roadmaps.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tech Box

Microsoft Office 365:

Designed to develop SMBs

lobal Information technology giant, Microsoft, has announced the availability of Office 365 in nine new territories across the African continent to boost operations of the Small and Medium Businesses. The entire suite of Office 365 packages is now also available in Angola, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal and Zimbabwe. Microsoft said it would be available in Nigeria later. Office 365 is the next iteration of the company’s flagship Office product line which is made available for consumers, businesses and educational institutions via the cloud. Office Division Group Lead for Microsoft West, East and Central Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, Mr. Marc Israel, said, “Office 365

Phase3 plans infrastructure extension to rural areas

n indigenous Information and Communication Technology firm, Phase3 Telecom, has expressed commitment to extend its fibre infrastructures to rural communities in the country. Speaking at a recent ICT conference and exhibition held in Lagos recently, the company’s Head - Business Solutions and Sales, Mr. Otuya Okecha, stated that the decision was in company’s drive to promoting global standard broadband access and wide coverage in Nigeria. He said Phse3 is partnering with the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) under the Universal Service Provisioning Fund (USPF) B-Train project L-R: Director, Oxford Scenarios Programme, Mr. Rafael Ramirez; Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group, to extend fibre infrastructure to Mr. Austin Okere; Editor-in-Chief, Affarsvalden Magazine, Mr. Jon Asberg; Professor of Practice, Aalto University the unserved and under-served Executive Education, Mr. Pekka Mattila and Online Sciences Editor, The Economist, Mr. Jan Piotrowski, during The areas in Nigeria. Economist Conference in Sweden recently.

FG inducts pioneer trainees for software scheme KUNLE A ZEEZ

he Federal Government, through the Ministry of Communications Technology, in collaboration with its private sector partners, has inducted the first batch of the Techlaunchpad initiative to its one-year long incubation programme in iDEA Centre. The iDEA Centre, located in is a private sector-driven incubation centre that provides the training facilities and the advisory and consultancy services needed by the training on how to develop their tech-based ideas and software products into viable business solutions. Techlaunchpad is the Federal

Ministry of Communication Technology’s initiative to build and support a software community capable of producing world class software solutions for all industries inaugurated in December 2012. The initiative is collaboration between the ministry and industry partners aimed at nurturing and developing software entrepreneurs to build successful software companies that will initially provide software solutions for the financial services and oil and gas industry. According to a statement from the ministry, the programme is aimed at providing mentoring and finance to incubate 10 successful software businesses in the first year that will provide industry solutions for

banks and oil and gas. The ministry said that subsequent follow on editions will cover other sectors while Techlauchpad will also create captive markets for the local software developers. Key partners of this initiative are First Bank of Nigeria, Access Bank, ExxonMobil, Accenture, Digital Jewels, FATE Foundation, Total, and Chevron. “We are convinced that collaborating with forward thinking partners the Techlaunchpad initiative will develop enterprise solutions for our industries and ultimately Africa and the world. The potential disruptions our developers can bring to bear with their software solutions and applications are truly exciting,” the statement said.

is available in various packages, each one specifically designed to meet a particular need. This means that whether you are a consumer, educational institution, small to mid-size business or a large enterprise, we have an Office 365 package that will meet all your software requirements in an always-up-to-date cloud service, at a predictable monthly cost.” Israel said in Africa in particular, the Small and Medium Business sector continues to play a big, contributing heavily towards GDP growth and employment. He noted that the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) estimates that SMEs represent over 90 percent of private business and contribute more than 50 percent of employment and of GDP in most African countries.

He said the move would aid and speed up the realisation of Federal Government’s vital initiatives targeted at addressing the problem of telecoms infrastructure deficit in the rural areas. “This partnership will positively and significantly impact all efforts in broadband development in the country from the point of ensuring infrastructure serves its purpose as an indelible platform for broadband penetration and coverage in especially the under-served areas,” he said. According to him, upon full execution, the project “will greatly boost the government’s focus towards ensuring that Nigeria becomes a globally-recognised ITdriven economy, which is a key metric to sustainable economic growth and job creation.”

LG washing machine gets 20 years lifespan certification

global leader in consumer electronics and home appliances, LG Electronics, has announced that its DD (Direct Drive) motor which is a key component of a washing machine has been certified by Verband Deutsher Rlektrotechniker (VDE). VDE is a German Association of Electrical Engineering, which has certfifed the component as a product with a life span of 20 years, the longest ye-to-be certified by the VDE, according to LG. According to a statement, “VDE has officially certified that LG’s drum washing machine is capable of a total 4,400 loads of laundry for 20 years (based on 4.2 loads a week and 220 loads a year). The VDE certificate clearly states that LG Direct Drive motor

has the longest lifespan so far.” The VDE, one of Europe’s largest technical scientific associations ensure that varied electric, electronics products and consumer goods undergo vigorous safety and credibility test before it is release in the market. Commenting on this pioneering achievement, General Manager, Home Appliances Division, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung said, “For us at LG Electronics, we are delighted to be receiving this record breaking certificate on our drum washing machine home appliance from VDE, a world acclaimed institution. We will however not rest on our oars but will continue to make quality home appliances available to our teeming consumers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Govt should engage ad agencies -AAAN Attributing the recurring crisis between government and citizens to ineffective communication of government policies, the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, says its members should be given a bigger role in articulating government policies. ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI reports.

he need for the services of communication professionals in articulating government policies is being increasingly emphasised by the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN. Through its annual general meetings and congresses held in the past, the professional group has been touring states to increase awareness and sensitise government on the need to engage communication professionals to craft strategies for effective communication of policies and avoid the usual public apathy. In recent times, major government policies has been widely critised while Nigerians have gone to the streets to protest certain decisions such as the fuel subsidy removal leading to loss of lives, properties and revenue losses for government and private companies. However, in iorder to change this, the AAAN last weekend emphasised the need for government to retain the services of professional marketing communication outfits to sell their policies. During this year’s Annual General Meeting/Congress to commemorate the 40th of the association, hosted by the Ogun state government at President Olusegun Obasanjo Library in Abeokuta, the AAAN President, Mrs. Bunmi Oke said while the event is to celebrate continued creative excellence and contribution of members to the growth of Nigeria and global advertising and economy at large, governments all over the world have retained the services of professional marketing communication outfits to sell their policies. “Agency role in national development goes beyond offering marketing communication services to the private sector. It extends to fully engendering proper understanding of government policies and revealing to the public ways by which they can participate, benefit and contrib-

ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

Amosun

Oke

AGENCIES HAVE BUILT MANY BRANDS AND PARTNERED WITH GOVERNMENTS IN NUMEROUS SOCIAL MOBILISATION CAMPAIGNS ute to the growth of the economy,” she said. Oke said advertising agencies have driven the economy fairly well in the past years. Using the agencies successes in building international brands as an example, she said at a time when Integrated Marketing Communication is bracing for the challenges of globalisation and reform in the marketing communication sector of the Nigerian economy, the industry is poised to enhance their relevance and harnessed the knowledge, views, perceptions and experiences and channel them through effective and productive contributions towards assisting government in delivering its expertise. The Chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi said AAAN has made a great impact in its 40 years of existence and have partnered with governments in numerous social mobilizsation campaigns. “Although established as a trade group, it has professionalised the practice while acting as catalyst for trade and commerce. Member agencies have built

many brands and partnered with governments in numerous social mobilisation campaigns,” said Akinwunmi. He noted further that there challenges bedeviling the industry part of which is dearth of professionalism and the onslaught by foreign players to hijack the industry. Governor Ibikunle Amosu, however, challenged AAAN to articulate clear ideas on how the government can effectively communicate its policies to the populace. Amosun said his state will continue to contract the services of the registered AAAN member agencies while the state will always be willing to host the association’s events and activities.

New Indomie noodle ad highlights allure of iconography

reaking the norm, challenging custom in an attempt to entrench its brand value in the heart of the potential consumers, the use of the 12th century Ife bronze heads dug up by Leo Frobenius in 1910 to promote Indomie noodles is a classic example of great ad concept crafted by Noah’s Ark. The ad, in print form, has Ife bronze head visualised as a consumer of Indomie noodles with one string hanging at side mouth of the bronze, which is a deity in Yoruba land. The ad raises curiosity as to why a sacred object in the Yoruba land is being portrayed as noodles consumer! Perhaps, there is a marketing problem in the locations or among a particular market that are associated with the sacred object is poised to penetrate but Bolaji Alausa, the Noah’s Ark creative director who created the classical concept told National Mirror the idea was muted from the need to launch Oriental Fried Noodles, produced by DUFIL, maker of Indomie Noodles using the cultural icon to lure consumers to experience a new taste. The icon represents the ancient while the

Akunwunmi

Ife bronze

noodles represent a new experience but seeing such creative concept through for approval couldn’t have been easy for the creative agency as a result of taboo and cultural factor. However, its publication has earned it a listing in Luerzer’s Archive, the world bible of advertising, for its creativity genius. “There is no way you won’t stop when you

see the ad,” Alausa told National Mirror. Alausa quipped: “Indomie noodles introduce a new variant called Oriental Fried Noodles after about two decades of selling the chicken flavor. We wanted to show the old and at the same time dramatize the new. We decided to use the 12th century Ife bronze heads dug up by Leo Frobenius in 1910. Coincidentally, the heads bear an uncanny similarity to the oriental Terracotta Army heads. These pieces have travelled the world, but they always seem to escape use in any marketing communication and with good reason too: some consider it a taboo.” Expressing the challenge at National Museum to get approval, he said, “After submitting a proposal to the curator of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, a legal to-and-fro ensued on the ethicality of using our national artifact to sell noodles. After weeks of waiting, payment was finally made and usage granted for a short window. Compare that to the usage of, say, the Statue of Liberty,” Alausa explained. Alausa told Luezer’s Archive, “It’s never easy to break away from the norm. From a

planning and strategy standpoint, we do away with all the bollocks and hit hard on the insight. That can be strange to boardrooms steeped in buzzwords. On the execution front, we’re always trying to break taboos – while maintaining rel-evance to the central idea, of course. Even switching styles and use of illustration, photography and iconography can be tough here: too many ethnic groups, too many religious groups. One is constantly on the defensive. Of course, there are the usual challenges that are not peculiar to us but might just be a tad aggravated in these parts: clients who cannot, or who refuse to, write briefs, clients with no pop culture or experiential overlap with you, absurd deadlines, extremely late payments, disgracefully low demand for creativity, poor reproduction of print works and support services … the list goes on.” DUFIL, makers of Indomie Noodle, has come with some of the great ad since it launched, the recent being “Mama you too good o” which played on folk song in pigin English and essence of motherhood in a family culinary.

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, July 4, 2013

New generation agencies understand how media works -Babaeko Steve Babaeko leads a team of young creative talents as CEO/Chief Creative Officer, X3M Ideas. With the incursion of foreign agencies, Babaeko who has 17 years hands-on experience and nine months in the saddle as CEO, advises that local agencies must deploy insights from local culture and nuances as comparative advantage over foreign agencies in this interview with ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI Can you explain what an effective ad is? David Ogilvy once said that ‘it’s not creativity if it doesn’t sell’. Effectiveness is when a client comes to you and says there is a marketing challenge and the agency comes up with a creative solution to help resolve the challenges. To say an ad is effective, it must be able to attract attention to the service or whatever the client wants to sell and it must effectively sell and I think it’s a combination. There is this on-going debate between the magic school of thought and the logic school of thought. Some people would say magic is a wow effects that creates an outstanding creative that is going to win awards, while the logic must be backed by research. But I stay somewhere in the middle which has to be a combination of magic and logic. An effective ad must create that wow effects and still be able to communicate effectively and sell. What informs your creative mindset? My creative mindset or creative philosophy is what drives me and it has always driven me when I was a young copywriter since 1995. It is the fact that if a client gives you money - invest in communication through your agency and you develop ideas that go unnoticed, people are not talking about the materials and they are not adding value to the brand, you have wasted the client’s money. So, you see with that kind of mindset, one is putting pressure on himself to always deliver value when it comes to your creative output. So, each time we get a brief, what comes to my mind is how do we make a difference in the market place, how do we set the client apart, be differentiated from the crowd and give them the edge in the market which is essentially what every client wants. So, that is our philosophy, it is what drives us and keep us awake. The 0809ja has become an enduring one, what was going through your mind when this idea came? Well, I will say again that in advertising we always give credits to the team and let me just say I was part of the team that invented that name because truth be told that there were a whole lot of people including the clients and agency

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dulux mobile room make-over activation enters phase 2 STORIES: ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

he ongoing experiential campaign by Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc, a subsidiary of UAC Nigeria Plc and the technological licensee of AkzoNobel, world’s largest paints and coatings company and manufacturers of Dulux premium brand of paint, tagged, ‘Dulux Mobile Room Make-Over Activation’, has entered its second phase after the successful completion of a very exciting first phase. According to the Managing Director, Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc., Mrs. Omolara Elemide, the second phase of the campaign promises to be more exciting for the Target Consumers as the activation methodology will change from roving van to stop over approach in which the activation team will stop over intermit-

tently at different consumer touch points such as Housing Estates, Shopping Malls etc. Elemide further disclosed that unlike the first phase of the experiential campaign in which the setting of the activation rig was a living room setting, the activation rig would wear a bedroom setting for the second phase giving Target Consumers an idea of how they can make over their bedroom using blend of colours either by working with interior decoration experts or using the Do-It- Yourself (DIY) approach. “The second phase of the Dulux Mobile Room Make Over activation campaign will be more engaging and interactive because the consumers would have the opportunity to interact with the activation team during stop overs in their neighbourhoods to enhance the ambience of their homes”, she said.

SON presents ISO certificate to Promasidor

T Babaeko

NEW SCHOOL AGENCIES UNDERSTAND THE WAY NEW MEDIA WORKS AND FOR THE GOOD OLD ONES, THEY KNOW THAT IF COMBINED EFFECTIVELY WITH

TRADITIONAL TOUCH POINT, YOU CAN ACTUALLY CREATE MAGICAL RESULTS FOR A CLIENT where I was working then. Part of the research we did initially when Etisalat was coming was to test the name Etisalat to see how people would respond to the name. The owners of the brand knew they were going to compete in the Nigerian market place where other companies were already working cleaning out! We had to prove that we are the Nigerian telecoms company, so, we needed something, we needed an edge that would help differentiate this new brand and we hit on the number suffixes ‘0809’, ‘9ja’ as it is popularly known among the youths ‘9ja’. 0809 network and 9ja provided a perfect fit. The team went for it, the rest is history as people say. As a new generation agency what do you bring to the table as distinct from the older generation? Clear demarcation is that between old and new school, old is old and new is new, end of story. But if you look at it in a broader sense

and look at the universe in communication, you will ask, what are the tools for effective communication? Really, there are certain new tools within the new media sphere that people need to use without sneering at whatever the traditional media has to offer. It is a combination of both that you need to put together. New school agencies understand the way the new media works and for the very good old ones, they know that if combined effectively with traditional touch point, you can actually create magical results for a client. For old school agency, to them it may look like Greek and that is a clear demarcation but for us what we bring to the table is the fresh thinking and if you go to our websites you will see that we are the “future forward agency” and I don’t know if there is any other digital agency that can compete with us. So, it is between digital thinking and analogue thinking of the old school. The difference come, in here, our works speak for us.

he Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has presented certificate of conformity to the requirements of NIS ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management System Standards to Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk. The Director-General of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu made the presentation to the Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria, Chief Keith Richards recently in Lagos. Odumodu noted that, “by this impressive feat, this company has now joined the league of the lofty class of Food Safety Management System certified companies

in Nigeria,” adding that only 17 organisations have received this certification in Nigeria from SON and these are the few SON is recommending to the public to patronise based on food safety considerations. He observed that the award was a giant stride in the pursuit of excellence in manufacturing towards providing not only quality food to the teeming consumers but food that is equally safe for consumption. He commended Promasidor for the achievement, remarking that it worthy of emulation by well meaning business community.

Public unveiling of Trebet table water holds in Warri

igeria’s premium bottled water market is poised to witness the emergence of a new trailblazing brand as Trebet table water would be formally unveiled to consumers at a public presentation ceremony slated for the oil city of Warri this weekend. The new brand, manufactured with the latest machinery and technology, is produced from an ultra-modern factory located in Warri, Delta State. Trebet is also produced with the latest water purification technology known as Reverse Osmosis System. Experts have attested that this is the best water purification technology available in the world currently. This technology has been scientifically proven as having the capacity to purify water with zero percent error rates. It eliminates any opportunity of bacteria escaping, while at the same time preserv-

ing in the water, essential nutrients useful to the body. It has also been scientifically proven that Reverse Osmosis technology is much better than the Ultra-Violet purification process currently being used by most portable table water producing companies in Nigeria. Ultra – Violet process is noted for its tendency to destroy key nutrients needed by the body in the process of purification, while making the body deficient and vulnerable to diverse ailments. According to the Managing Director of Trebet, Justina Ikpea, “Once you do the right thing, an agency such as NAFDAC becomes a friend and an alliance. Some operators are only afraid because they cut corners. However, for Trebet, our identification with the objectives of NAFDAC is done with passion. That is why we left no stone unturned in going for the very best available globally”.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Grand Oak offers convenience with Cool Twist ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

he Grand Oak Company, marketers of alcoholic beverages and frontline player in the spirits sector, has further entrenched its premium brands, Calypso Coconut, Dark Sailor Rum and Seaman’s Schnapps, among the trendy, upwardly mobile and youth market with the launch of Cool Twister range to gain low market segment and meet the yearnings of its teeming consumers for world class products. The Cool Twister range, according to the marketing firm, is an innovative packaging presentation deploying a unique single fill technology to create convenience for consumers of the brands. The Cool Twister range comes in stylish and trendy presentation and currently available in Calypso Coconut, Dark Sailor Rum and Sea-

upwardly mobile and youth market which undermines the notion the brands are consumed only by older generation. “The Cool Twister is an answer to the yearnings for action by the target market which is constituted by upwardly mobile and youth market segment. It is meant for guys who yearn for action and are trendy,” he said. Odesile also added that besides value creation, the Cool Twister offers convenience, style and it is also meant for the educated and not only older generation which some of the brands have been associated with overtime. The Category Manager, Mr. Charles Nnochiri, believed the new invention would afford consumers the opportunity to enjoy a new drinking experience that complement their style, while also transforming the way people see drinking.

man’s Schnapps, fitting perfectly into the lifestyle of the young and the young at heart that are status conscious. During the launch in Lagos recently, the company’s Managing Director, Mr Akshay Kumar, described the new innovation as a way of enabling the innermost desire of the upwardly mobile customer to stand out and be different by adding a positive twist to their day. Harnessed to build better brand experience and business opportunities, Kumar said Grand Oak Limited is committed to innovation and technological exploit in the marketplace especially in the way the brands are packaged with touch of innovation to make the products appeal to the target market. The Commercial Director of the company, Mr. Fatai Odesile, said the launch of the Cool Twister was as a result of the yearnings of the

L-R: Founder, HEIT Solutions and Project Head, Lagos World Record Teeth brushing Challenge, Dr. Lawal Bakare, Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Oiza Gyang; and Brand Manager, Close Up, Mr. Dexter Adeola, while announcing their participation at the forthcoming World Record Teeth Brushing Challenge at the Unilever Office, Ikeja recently.

ad VA NT AG E icon

Omoyele

HE HAS CROSS-

ampe Omoyele is a Chartered Marketer (UK), Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria and recipient of the Marketing Society of Kenya Warrior award. He has cross-industry experience with leading multinational organisations in international markets and is widely acknowledged for his professionalism and leadership, as well as communication and strategic skills. Before his current role as Marketing Director at Nutricima Limited, a diary and beverage joint venture of PZ Cussons International UK, and Glanbia, Ireland, he was Marketing Director, Cadbury East and Central Africa, based in Kenya, and Marketing Director (Segments) at Zain Nigeria. Omoyele holds Bachelor and Master.’s Degrees in Biochemistry from the University of La-

gos, and is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School. Omoyele is a regular speaker at training and development programmes and writes in management and marketing journals in furtherance of his passion to share knowledge and help build people capability. Omoyele holds an ex-officio position with the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN).

for some brands. This has already translated to brand loyalty and some respondents focused on their preferred QSR throughout the survey. Brand loyalty is one key area that brands need to improve upon to win the hearts of consumers. Brand loyalty plays a critical role in the success of any brand. Consumers are more sophisticated and dynamic and they want a direct connection with their preferred brands. This actually reflected in the perception survey as sweet sensation was rated the highest in terms of the best QSR and best in service delivery. The brand also occupied a premium place in terms of spontaneous mention of QSR in order of preference. Companies need to create platforms for consumers to experience their brand in order to take informed decisions. Consumers are emotionally and physically connected to brands that satisfy

their needs. Brands really need to come alive in the minds of the consumers. One of the potent ways is through consumers bonding in order to generate useful insights. The survey revealed clearly that QSRs should also focus on the emotional needs of the consumers. For instance, some respondents stated “To catch fun and have enjoyment, to pamper myself” as reasons for visiting QSRs. This particular need is a major one for the consumers and if this is not met, the consumers will look elsewhere to derive satisfaction. The rating of sweet sensation over and above others has a deeper connection between the brand and consumers. The consumers through the survey pay attention to everything that affects the sweet sensation brand. Sweet sensation was also rated the best as the only QSR customers would patronize among QSRs in the country.

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE WITH LEADING MULTINATIONAL ORGANISATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

Brand offerings and consumer satisfaction

onsumer engagement is very key for any brand to thrive in the market place. This is because of the useful insights that consumers provide in terms of their relationship with brands. My personal observations about Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) buoyed my intention to conduct a dipstick consumer perception survey. We developed the questionnaire and my colleagues administered them. The insights generated were quite revealing as consumers provided varying reasons for patronizing QSRs. A major reason consumers visit QSR outlets is for social interaction, deriving pleasure and excitement. QSR’s are seen as avenues for bonding and socialization with friends and family members. It is surprising that only few of the respondents focused on the meals served. The key insight here is that consum-

Brand X-Ray with Ayodeji Ayopo Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: mayomipo@yahoo.com ers want to have a compelling experience of their brands. They look for avenues to express themselves. This underscores the Me Selling Proposition (MSP) which places huge emphasis on ME (I.e. Consumers).Consumers want brands that align with their personal aspirations. The attitudinal disposition of QSR staff is also one area that consumers look out for. Consumers want QSR outlets where their staff are responsive and customer friendly. Consumers believe they deserve a special treatment and as such, QSR staff should dis-

play courtesy and respect to their customers Service delivery is a major area where consumers want QSRs to improve their response time. This also focuses on the need to attend to consumers promptly and enhance consumers’ satisfaction. Consumers adduced reasons such as easing stress of cooking, and having something quick to eat for using the QSR. This means they need prompt and efficient service as they are constantly on the go. Through the perception survey, one could see clearly that consumers have their preference

Global Business

Thursday, July 4, 2013

China export gains spur renewed skepticism of figures

hina’s export growth unexpectedly accelerated in April even as shipments to the U.S. and Europe fell, spurring Bank of America Corp. and Mizuho Securities Co. analysts to say the figures were inflated by fake reports. The 14.7 percent increase, reported by the General Administration of Customs in Beijing yesterday, was led by a 57.2 percent jump in shipments to Hong Kong that highlighted suspicions of false transactions used to mask capital flows into China. A customs spokesman said last month that the agency would investigate the “extraordinary” gain in trade with Hong Kong. The report deepens skepticism on the reliability of trade data from the world’s largest exporting nation, with Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc saying export gains may be overstated by 9 percentage points. Regulators announced a crackdown this week on companies using trade reports to disguise speculative money inflows chasing a yuan that’s already exceeded last year’s gains against the dollar. “Exports actually haven’t done all that well,” Louis Kuijs, the RBS chief China economist who previously worked for the World Bank, said on Bloomberg Television from Hong Kong. That reflects a “pretty weak global picture, weak de-

China’s President Hu Jintao

mand for Chinese exports” and the impact from yuan appreciation on China’s shipments, he said. Yesterday’s report showed a 0.1 percent drop in U.S. shipments and 6.4 percent decline in exports to the European Union. Previous figures showed China’s shipments to Hong Kong rose 92.9 percent in March, while Hong Kong said imports from China rose 13.8 percent.

A 40-day strike by port workers at Hong Kong’s container terminal ended this week after spurring shipping lines to divert vessels to nearby ports, including Shenzhen’s. Economists from Bank of America Corp., Societe Generale SA and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. joined Kuijs in questioning this export numbers, building on skepticism over previous data this year. Nomura Holdings Inc. estimated growth was actually around 2 percent last month. “We advise caution in interpreting these figures,” said Yao Wei, China economist at Societe Generale in Hong Kong. The report on April trade was again at odds with the “unambiguous disappointment” in figures from South Korea and Taiwan, she said. South Korea said May 1 that exports rose 0.4 percent in April from a year earlier while Taiwan said Tuesday that its shipments abroad fell 1.9 percent. China’s customs administration didn’t respond to faxed questions today on skepticism over the April data and the status of its investigation into reports of inflated figures. Capital Economics Ltd. said the chief reason for the pickup was the presence of two additional working days in April, due to the timing of a holiday this year and last year.

FTSE 100 hits 6,000 after U.S. strikes fiscal deal

he FTSE 100 smashed through the 6,000 barrier on Wednesday as investors celebrated a United States budget deal averting tax hikes and spending cuts that risked pushing the world’s largest economy into recession. By Tuesday, London’s blue chip index rose 127.32 points, or 2.1 percent to 6,025.13, breaking above the 6,000 level for the first time FTSE 100 hits 6,000 after U.S. strikes fiscal dealsince July 2011, driven by big gains in miners and banks. TThe gains echoed the New Year’s Eve rally on Wall St, which was the biggest final-day gain in the S&P 500 since 1974. The catalyst for Wednesday’s rise was the approval by the U.S. House of Representatives of a bill raising taxes on top U.S. earners, fulfilling President Barack Obama’s re-election promise and avoiding, at least in the short-term, the $600 billion “fiscal cliff ”. “It is good to start the new year off with a bang but there is still a lot of stuff

to digest ... It will be interesting to see if these gains can be sustained,” Gerry Celaya, chief strategist at Red Tower Research, said. Miners were the main outperformers on Wednesday. The sector was a major laggard in 2012, ending the year flat compared with a 5.8 percent rise for the wider FTSE 100. Mining stocks were helped by positive PMI data out of China, the world’s largest consumer of raw materials, which allayed fears of a slowdown in demand, while the UK manufacturing PMI also showed an unexpected rebound in factory activity. Anglo American, which lost more than 20 percent in 2012, was one of the top early gainers, up 5 percent as some analysts tipped the firm for a turnaround in fortunes this year. Wednesday’s rally meant the FTSE 100 is up nearly 15 percent since June 2012 lows. Investors have been imbued with

Obama

confidence as central banks across the globe have taken action to support the financial system and attempt to boost growth.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Poland cuts interest rates to record amid lack of recovery

Marek Belka

oland’s central bank cut its benchmark interest rate to a record low as the European Union’s largest eastern economy struggles with slowing growth. The Narodowy Bank Polski lowered the seven-day reference rate by a quarter-point to 3 percent Tuesday matching the estimate of 11 of 38 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Two predicted a half-point cut and 25 forecast no change in borrowing costs. Monetary authorities will explain their decision at a news conference in Warsaw. Governor Marek Belka joined counterparts in the euro area, Hungary and Australia in embracing recordlow rates as the debt crisis on Poland’s border curbs growth and consumer prices. Inflation slowed to its weakest in more than six years and manufacturing shrank the most in 45 months in April. Poland is fighting against the steepest slowdown in more than a decade. “The data flow had been pretty supportive of a move lower in rates,” Timothy Ash, chief emerging-markets economist at London-based Standard Bank (SBK) Group Ltd., wrote in an e-mail. “This likely swung the ‘swing’ voter Belka into the easing camp.” The zloty advanced 0.1 percent to 4.1374 per euro yesterday in Warsaw, paring this year’s decline to 1.3 percent. Ten-year government bond yields dropped 6 basis points to 3.19 percent.

Bernanke says premature tightening would endanger recovery

Benanke

ederal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the United States economy remains hampered by high unemployment and government spending cuts, and that raising interest rates or reducing asset purchases too soon would endanger the recove “A premature tightening of monetary policy could lead interest rates to rise temporarily but would also carry a substantial risk of slowing or ending the economic recovery and causing inflation to fall further,” Bernanke said on Tuesday in testimony prepared for a hearing at the Joint Economic Committee of Con-

gress in Washington. Monetary policy is providing “significant benefits,” he said. Bernanke is leading the most aggressive economic stimulus in the Fed’s 100year history in an effort to spur growth and reduce an unemployment rate that stands at 7.5 percent almost four years into a recovery from the longest and deepest recession since the Great Depression. While the labor market has shown “some improvement,” the Fed chairman said “high rates of unemployment and underemployment are extraordinarily costly.”

“Not only do they impose hardships on the affected individuals and their families, they also damage the productive potential of the economy as a whole by eroding workers’ skills and -- particularly relevant during this commencement season -- by preventing many young people from gaining workplace skills and experience in the first place,” he said. Stocks extended gains after the comments. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index climbed 0.5 percent to 1,678.10 yesterday in New York. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 1.90 percent from 1.93 percent late Tuesday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Capital Market

Access Bank shifts focus to retail, names Wigwe MD designate JOHNSON OKANLAWON WITH AGENCY REPORT

ccess Bank aims to grow its customer base to between 15 and 20 million across its African markets by 2018, from around six million, as it shifts its focus to retail banking. The incoming Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, who takes over at the end of the year, said at an investors forum in Lagos that retail banking will account for around half of its total business in five years’ time, up from 30 per cent.

“There’s so much room for growth. A tie up with one telecom firm, for example, will give us access to 15 million customers,” Wigwe said, referring to the growing market for wireless money transfers. The number of mobile users in the country surpassed 100 million last year. African economies have been growing over five per cent on average since the last decade, creating an affluent middle class consuming everything from banking to telecom and cars. Outgoing Access Bank chief Aigboje AigImoukhuede had ear-

lier this year announced plans to retire by December, in line with a central bank directive limiting the tenure of bank CEOs. Access has said it intends to grow its loan book by 15 per cent this year, up from five per cent in 2012, channelling funds to retail, telecom and oil and gas financing. “The lending margins in retail are about 100 per cent higher than what we see in the corporate space,” AigImoukhuede said, adding that 80 million Nigerians now had access to the internet. Corporate banking and infrastructure fi-

Banks begin financial inclusion operational survey TOLA AKINMUTIMI AND UDO ONYEKA UMUAHIA

eposit Money Banks in Nigeria are now conducting researches or surveys on the nation’s financial inclusion strategy with a view to identifying how best to promote financial inclusion in their business operations in a cost-efficient and service-driven ways. Disclosing this during an interactive session with journalists yesterday in Umuahia, Abia State, a senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Polycarp Ishaku, said the survey indicated the increasing commitment the banks were giving to the financial inclusion agenda in the country.

Ishaku, who represented the Director Development Finance Department of the bank, Paul Eluhaiwe, said the banks were already studying the pilot scheme launched in Maiduguri, Borno state early this year to establish if it will be profitable to them at the end. He said the CBN decided to start with a pilot scheme in Maiduguri so that it could be studied and its mistakes corrected after which other states can learn from them in the drive to expand the frontiers of the agenda to their domains. Eluhaiwe also expressed his optimism that Nigeria would meet the financial inclusion strategy by 2020, adding that concerted efforts are being made as

well as financial commitments to create massive awareness on the strategy. “All hands are on deck to ensure we meet the target. There is an interface between the body managing financial inclusion and political office holders. I believe the President and other political office holders are keen on it. “Moreover, the world is moving very fast and very soon financial inclusion index will be part o the World Bank report and countries will be captured on how they are faring in financial inclusion strategy. Just as we have human development index, we will soon be having financial inclusion index”, he added. The CBN chief also said that plan to licence agent banks was on course as

ASI drops 0.26% on profit taking DAMILOLA AJAYI

he benchmark index of equities closed on a bearish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as some investors took profit from the gains recorded the previous days. Specifically, the All Share index dropped by 0.26 per cent to close at 35,949.01 points, as against the increase of 0.59 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 36,043.48

points. Market capitalisation depreciated by N3bn to close at N11.38trn, in contrast to the appreciation of N7bn recorded the preceding day to close at N11.41trn. The Industry Goods index led the sectorial indices with 0.69 per cent to close at 2,076.59 points, followed by the Oil and Gas index with 0.40 per cent to close at 176.12 points. The Insurance index gained 0.11 per cent to close at 140.70 points, while the Banking index

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 4, 2013

shed 1.31 per cent to close at 401.45 points. The NSE 30- index depreciated by 0.29 per cent to close at 1,695.55 per cent, while the Consumer Goods index declined by 0.03 per cent to close at 1,013.65 points. The Lotus Islamic index and Alternative Securities Market index remained flat. RT Briscoe Plc led the gainers’ table with 14 kobo or ten per cent to close at N1.54 per share, followed by Portland Paints Plc with 49 kobo or 9.90 per

nancing will also be key drivers of revenue, Wigwe said, as African nations modernize their economies. He said Access will participate in the financing of oil firms divesting from Nigeria to the tune of $30m to $40m, using some of the proceeds of its $350m Eurobond sale, referring to expected asset sales this year by Shell and Chevron. Access Bank completed the acquisition of rival lender Intercontinental Bank last year, which put it in the top four of 21 Nigerian banks, up from ninth in 2007. “Our ... initial strategic plan was scale ... now the power of the consumer is going to dominate our next five years,” Imoukhuede said. the guidelines are out and some agents are already being assessed for possible registration to deepen the financial inclusion penetration in the grassroots. On the contentious issue of closing of branches of Microfinance Banks that cannot fulfil guidelines issued by the regulatory authorities, he said the new strategy is not to emphasise on opening of branches due t cost implication and moreover, to encourage the use of electronic platforms. “We are thinking more of agent banking and using electronic platforms to reach the unbanked. If additional branches are established, fine. But we are de-emphasising the issue of opening branches as we want to go electronic and sea h every nook and cranny in Nigeria” he added.

Source: NSE

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 28,501.21 points Market capitalisation 9,109trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

RTBRISCOE

1.40

1.54

0.14

10.00

PORTPAINT

4.95

5.44

0.49

9.90

PAINTCOM

1.67

1.83

0.16

9.58

ASHAKACEM

24.30

26.50

2.20

9.05

PRESTIGE

0.57

0.62

0.05

8.77

INTBREW

24.00

25.50

1.50

6.25

TRANSCORP

1.29

1.36

0.07

5.43

EVANSMED

2.94

3.09

0.15

5.10

ETERNA

3.59

3.75

0.16

4.46

FIDSON

2.20

2.27

0.07

3.18

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

UPL

5.30

4.77

0.53

-10.00

IKEJAHOTEL

0.90

0.81

0.09

-10.00

BETAGLAS

11.00

10.00

1.00

-9.09

UBCAP

1.18

1.10

0.08

-6.78

NEIMETH

1.40

1.32

0.08

-5.71

VITAFOAM

4.65

4.40

0.25

-5.38

IHS

2.10

1.99

0.11

-5.24

ROYALEX

0.58

0.55

0.03

-5.17

Primary Market Auction cent to close at N5.44 per share. Paint Manufacturing Company Plc rose by16 kobo or 9.58 per cent to close at N1.83 per share, while Ashaka Cement Plc declined by N2.20 or 9.05 per cent to close at N26.50 per share. Prestige Assurance Plc appreciated by five kobo or 8.77 per cent to close at 62 kobo per share. On the flip side, UPL Plc lost 53 kobo or ten per cent to close at N4.77 per share, while Ikeja Hotel Plc fell by nine kobo or ten per cent to close at 81 kobo per share.

TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

31,838.50

11.00

4-Jul-13

182-Day

42,729.22

11.75

4-Jul-13

364-Days

60,000.00

15.60

4-Jul-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

133-Days

95,617.20

10.24

4-Jul-13

121-Days

40,996.60

10.50

4-Jul-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$500m

N/A

$500m

3-Jul-13

$300m

N/A

$300m

1-Jul-13

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at July 3, 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, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

House of Tara launches book to inspire youths

n an attempt to inspire the youth, renowned beauty brand, House of Tara International, has launched its highly anticipated book, House of Tara 100 Voices. The exclusive event, which held recently at the Four Points Hotels, Lagos was graced by senior executives of blue chip companies, financial institutions, Lagos State government and members of the diplomatic corps. Guests present also included Eku Edewor, Tosyn Bucknor, Bola Balogun of Glam Networks, Ufuoma Ejenobor, Mrs. Kemi Ogunleye of PANA Television among others. “Selecting 100 stories out of several hundred entries sent in from all over Nigeria was no easy feat,” said Cynthia Mosumola, one of the inspiring women who selected the stories. “Everyone had something unique and I was extremely inspired; it has taught me to never take for granted investment in people". Other inspiring women who selected the stories include Honourable Abike Dabiri, Member of the Federal House of Representatives; Adesuwa Onyenokwe Publisher of TW Magazine; Uche Pedro of Bella Naija; actress Omoni Oboli; Toyosi Akerele of Rise Networks, On-air personality Tosyn Bucknor, Funke BucknorObruthe and Mrs. Ibukun

Awosika. “This book is to inspire other young Africans not just Nigerians to use the stories of these 100 to challenge others to find a way to inspire people” Mrs. Ibukun Awosika said during her opening address. With a foreword written by former World Bank Vice President, Africa Division Dr Oby Ezekwesili, the book is a moving and emotional account of 100 women and some men who have flourished as they worked as House of Tara representatives. The young Nigerians who had their stories captured in the book expressed what this experience meant to them and how they had risen against all odds in a heart-felt documentary premiered during the event. The creative director and CEO of House of Tara International, Tara Fela-Durotoye revealed that the company has established a fund to create assistance for young people who did not have access to the required capital to enable them become a House of Tara representative. Mrs. Fela-Durotoye, while expressing joy for the launch said, “If anything should happen to me, I would feel fulfilled by the lives of people in Nigeria and the world that House of Tara has impacted.”

Guests at the unveiling of 100 Voices

reparations are in top gear towards fresh development and transformation, as Links Consult, a fast growing training support service is set to revamp the youths with its leadership seminar which comes up next month in Lagos. The workshop, tagged “Peer Monitoring – Issues and Challenges”, is a 5-day extensive leadership session aimed at developing academic and life-managerial skills to foster positive and personal relationships among youths in the nation. The workshop is an interactive and awareness forum between students and youths in the same age group, with the

Members of Leo Club, District 404A1, in a group picture with staff of National Mirror newspapers, during the association’s courtesy visit to newspaper's head office in Lagos, on Tuesday. PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

Leo Club seeks partnership with National Mirror STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

orried by its lack of attention in the media, Leo District 404A1 Nigeria, a youth affiliate of the International Association of Lions Clubs, has urged partnership with National Mirror newspapers. The club made the request Tuesday, when its executives led by the District President, Leo Shogo Oloshunde, paid a courtesy visit to the National Mirror office in Lagos, as part of its activities in marking its new service year. Oloshunde said that the club has rendered quite a lot of humanitarian services, but has been media shy; hence he suggested to his Board of Directors, that one of the things they would do this year is to approach the media. He commended National Mirror for being the first to receive them among the newspaper houses in Nigeria, adding “Let National Mirror help us in encouraging the Nigerian youths, so that they can come to the knowledge of selfless humanitarian services.” He said: “For instance, at the Lagos Island General Hospital, we have several buildings donated by the Lions Club, but

they have gone unnoticed. We have been involved in several activities in the last 50 years, maybe because we have not been approaching the media, we have not been getting reports. “We have the largest motherless babies’ home in Lekki, with about 1000 children, built by the Lions Club, but all these things don’t get noticed by the media. “On June 14 this year, I was honoured by the Lagos State Government as the Most Committed Voluntary Blood Donor in Lagos State. I have donated blood voluntarily 17 times. “When you go to Modupe Cole Special School, Yaba, SOS Children Village at Isolo, and several other places you will see what we have done, but these things don’t get reported.” Oloshunde explained that members of the club are a set of youths that have abandoned cultism and other social vices, and from what their parents gave to them to go to school, have set out a part of it to help people they are better off. Responding, the Managing

Director and Editor- in-Chief of National Mirror, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, who was represented by the Health Editor, Mr. Sam Eferaro commended the group for their involvement in various activities, saying that it was good to hear about Nigerian youths talking about giving back to the society. He remarked: “National Mirror today stands as the fastest growing newspaper in the country. It is the only newspaper that has presses in three different locations in the country, printing simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos and Ogbese. The fourth one in Owerri is about to take off. “Again, it is one newspaper that pays attention to every sector of the economy. It is a paper that has a vibrant column for the youth. Not many newspapers in the country can do that. “Also, we have an award winning health column. We pay special attention to issues affecting women and children. “So I would like to tell you that National Mirror will partner with you. Whatever you want us to do, we will be there to support your activities.” Other members of the delegation were Leo Ayokunmi Ogunnaiyo, Leo Akinwale Oluwatosin, Leo Ademola Olajumoke, Leo Femi Ilariogun and Leo Odunye Bolaji.

Links Consult set for peer mentoring seminar mission of building a stronger relationship based on core values - commitment, availability, confidentiality, social responsibility, empowerment, teamwork, accessibility and affordability to mention a few. There will be several discussions to provide lasting solutions to the challenges facing students and youth potentials, using a variety of tools which includes physical, educational, cultural and social opportunities. Links Consult strives to build self confidence, self worth and respect in

youths by combining mentors and mentees in an environment where emphases will be laid on decision-making, goal setting, time management, conflict resolution, values clarification and skills for coping with stress and fear. President, Links Consult, Mr. Niyi Dada, during an interactive session said “We create the appropriate environment for child growth, introducing them to new skills and providing ample opportunities for them by organizing workshops and capacity enhancement programmes.”

The intensive trainings are tailored to enhance the mentee’s ability to interact comfortably and productively with people and groups from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural and social-economic backgrounds, Dada said. Furthermore, the peer monitoring sessions consist of conferences, interactive sessions, strategic mind development, talent hunts, games, art and design, reality show, tours, music and a gala awards night for the presentation of certificates and honours to deserving participants.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Siblings unveil children’s books TERH AGBEDEH

erith and Divine Christian, both brother and sister each launched a book for children readers at the ElShadai Cathedral of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Second Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos last Saturday. The books, Arthur Becomes King and Not for the Glitter by Berith and Devine, respectively are edited by the awardwinning children’s book writer, Philip Begho and published under the stable of Platinum Tales. Berith, now a nine-year-old, wrote his book while only eight about an orphan, Arthur, who from humble beginnings rises to rule over the imaginary kingdom of Guraha. Divine, on the other hand, is 15 and her book, about a spoilt brat who eventually finds redemption, is for teenagers like herself. The young authors, whose books were published last year, both attend Success Module School in Festac Town. The delighted Proprietor of the primary and secondary school, Mrs. Isioma Oparah, was mother of the day at the occasion. Pastor of the church, which hall was used for the event, Pastor George Ajayi was in attendance with his wife Funke. He who served as father of the day encouraged both children and parents who came for the launch to take home

the important lessons from what Berith and Divine said while making a speech. Berith said that when God says yes no one can say no that is why Arthur is able to defeat a beast in his book and become famous. “I pray that every child will key into the purpose of God in their lives in Jesus name, amen,” he said. Divine, who is in SS3 said Not for the Glitter is about a 16-year-old girl who comes from a wealthy family, thus had it all, but she wanted more than she could get and that almost destroyed her life. At the end God brings her out of her destructive life. “What I am trying to say to teenagers like me is that they should face their studies and should not just go for the glitter. They should always put God first in everything they do,” she said. The gathering, which had many of Berith and Divine’s classmates, was also an avenue for fun with the children dancing to popular Nigerian music as well as quiz, for which they got prizes. The pastor, school proprietor and many of the other adults in attendance launched the book with various amounts of money ranging between N35,000 to N5000. The visibly happy Mrs. Chinwe Christian, mother of the authors said she planned to go beyond the launch to do all in her power to provide libraries to schools. “This is to encourage children to read so they can learn a lot and grow up to be better human beings,” she said.

The books by the siblings.

Group organises summer camp for children LEONARD OKACHIE

s schools are getting ready for vacation, a group, Brainy Educare Services is organising an exciting, fun filled and educative alternative for the children- Summer Camp Nigeria. Summer Camp Nigeria 2013, which is scheduled to hold between August 11th-25th, 2013 at Grange School, Ikeja- GRA, Lagos, Nigeria, is a unique two week adventure for students between the ages of 8-16years. According to the organisers, the children will enjoy a well-balanced, happy and safe holiday experience which will introduce them to a variety of exciting outdoor & indoor activities that will develop their skills among others. The children would be engaged in the

plethora of carefully selected activities that are divided into four major categories, namely: self development, learning, exposure and fun. “Interactive sessions on Financial Literacy and Adolescent Reproductive Health are just some of the topics your kids would learn from our seasoned facilitators. The kids would also be introduced to the Spanish language and our goal is to bring them up to a conversational level of fluency at the end of two weeks,” a statement by the group said. Games, Rubik’s cube inter-camp competition, arts and crafts, sports, tales by moonlight are a few of the fun activities on offer at the camp. Interested participants are to register online while registration closes on July 30, 2013.

A cross section of Nigerian youths at a youth seminar.

Encouraging entrepreneurship among youths MARTHA NWACHUKWU

ue to bad economic trends, salvaging the economy of any nation is of paramount importance, hence, the need for encouragement of entrepreneurship and its education. Entrepreneurship education aims at preparing people, especially youths, to be responsible, enterprising individuals who become entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial thinkers and who contribute to economic development and sustainable communities. Entrepreneurship is not something new or strange in the world of business, especially in a country like Nigeria. One could either be an entrepreneur on a small scale, medium scale or a large scale, which mostly involves corporate bodies. With the level of unemployment in the nation today, entrepreneurship seems to be taking its toll. There are several programmes and initiatives brought up by the government to educate the people and promote entrepreneurship. For instance, Nigerian Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (NYEDP), Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWIN!), Risxcel Youth Entrepreneurship Award Scheme (Nigeria), are some of such programmes that encourage and promote youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria. FATE Foundation and Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa are big organizations that promote entrepreneurship. These programmes give established and aspiring entrepreneurs opportunities to gain insights into the world of business. They hold programmes from time to time help inspire, build, develop and empower persons by providing the skills and tools necessary for effectiveness as the youths and graduates from tertiary intuitions are not equipped with the skills with which to exploit the natural resources that abound in Nigeria. Analysts have said that the Nigerian youths fractions over half of Nigeria’s population with most of them unemployed with low skills level, little wonder the sky-rocketing crime rates which has become the bane of the society. Inadequate capital; unhealthy and unstable economic environment; fear of the people to take risk on entrepreneurial activities and government policies are identified among other factors hindering entrepreneurship in the country. “Entrepreneurship is the best part of business” Frank Nwaoma, a youth stated. “It involves going out to sort

for partnership or customers. It helps you interact one on one with your customers and actually know what they actually need at a point in time. Entrepreneurship encourages the direct interaction between buyer and seller. I am into my own business but I don’t attend programmes on entrepreneurship. I hope to do so someday”. Edo Albert, a youth said that entrepreneurship is an avenue to think of new activities that makes things work. “I am into part-time business and I am planning to attend entrepreneurial programmes because it is an avenue of business enlightenment”. Similarly, John Patrick, a 25-year-old self-employed, opined thus: “Educational institutions, both secondary and tertiary, even the primary should endeavour to hold entrepreneurial talks at least twice a year and also take them out to attend programmes to enable the students understand what entrepreneurship is all about. It should be entrenched as part of the school’s curriculum. “Entrepreneurship education should also be taken as a subject or course in schools to broaden their knowledge on it”. “Having a workshop where the students can practice what they are being taught is also very essential. It could also give them the opportunity to explore their potentials and take their minds off fairytale wishes of the kind of lives they hope to get after school. It would go a long way in cutting down crimes as the mind would get focused in creative thinking”. “Being an entrepreneur doesn’t just end at raising the capital and establishing a business, its sustenance and growth should also be considered and well deliberated upon; and this is the essence of attending entrepreneurial programmes which also keeps you abreast on how to run a business”. “In addition, entrepreneurial programmes should be flooded with teeming youths as I have observed that most youths do not show up at these programmes. Rather those you find there are the older generation. Could it be that information about these programmes does not get to the youths?” Also, Christian Anusiem, a 33-yearold trader remarked thus: “The Nigerian youths should invest their time and energy in building the country rather than destroying it. Build yourself, build your nation and remember they axiom ‘think not what your country can do for you, rather what you can do for your country’”.

Media

Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Professionals groom future online media entrepreneurs STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE

s part of the pre-awards activities for the eighth season of The Future Awards, its central working committee held the second edition of the Online Master Class series recently at Prince of Anthony Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. The event was aimed at enhancing the potential of future online media entrepreneurs, and featured some of the most recognised names in the industry including: Noble Igwe of 360nobs, Editi Ediong of Anakle, Ediong Umoh of Nigeria News Desk, and Kingsley Ezeani of Information Nigeria. Held as a series of in-depth interactive sessions, some of the topics discussed were building digits , online marketing, developing an online personality, how to use Facebook to engage your audience and more. “The online market is growing at an amazing rate; people are getting on board and it is only proper for a development brand such as The Future Project to help educate and enlighten people on the do’s and don’ts of the online market,” said Chude Jideonwo, the executive director of The Future Project. “This year in partnership with Information Nigeria, we decided to bring together some of the best minds in the

industry for what turned out to be an explosive brain storming session in order to create social media giants that will bring together an army of change agents in the online market.” The master class was organised as part of The Future Project (of which the The Future Awards is part), in partnership with Information Nigeria. In an interview with National Mirror, the CEO of 360nobs, Nobel Igwe, said that most Nigerians don’t sustain their blogs because they are not patient enough to work their way out. “For you to be able to make money from blogging, you have to be consistent. You have to make sure that you are very current. Young people think that when they hear that Linda Ikeji bought a seven million Naira car from blogging, they open a blog. When they find out that for one to maintain a blog one needs Internet access and so on, they back out,” he said. He noted that blogging would play a big role in the 2015 elections, adding “We will have people who are going to be truthful, who are going to blog about people that will be contesting. We are going to blog about them truthfully.” The Future Project Africa (TFP) is a social enterprise/change communications firm affiliated to Red Media Africa that is set up based on a strong, practical commitment to human and capital devel-

Noble Igwe speaking at the training.

Cross section of participants at the Online Master Class.

opment, especially in Nigeria. It is also committed to finding effective and innovative ways of addressing social issues. It has become one of the

most respected private sector-driven development platforms with a history of verifiable impact, including in underprivileged and grassroots communities.

S.I.N: Court grants group leave to sue ministry A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Stop Impunity in Nigeria (S.I.N) campaign leave to sue the Federal Ministry of Finance over its refusal to disclose the statutory transfers made to some Federal public institutions under the 2013 Appropriation Act. Justice Abdul Kafarati granted leave in a suit filed by the group, represented by one of its members, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), seeking an order of mandamus to compel the Ministry to give it details of the statutory transfers in the 2013 Appropriation Act, particularly the details of the transfers to the National Judicial Council (NJC), Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Universal Basic Education (UBE), the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). According to a statement by the Lead Director, CSJ,Abuja, Eze Onyekpere,in the suit filed on its behalf by Mr. Kelechi Amaliri,

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

CSJ is also seeking a declaration that: Denying it access to the details of the statutory transfers in the 2013 Appropriation Act by the Federal Ministry of Finance without explanation constitutes an infringement of its right guaranteed and protected by section

1(1) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. It is also seeking a declaration that the continued refusal of the Federal Ministry of Finance to grant it access to the details of statutory transfer in the 2013 Appropriation Act de-

spite its demand violates Section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. The campaign equally demands that the continued refusal of the Federal Ministry of Finance to grant it access to the details of the statutory transfers in the 2013 Appropriation Act without explanation constitutes an infringement of its right guaranteed and protected by Section 48 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007. CSJ is also asking for an order directing the Ministry to pay it general damages of N500, 000 for the infringement of its right of access to information. Stating the grounds upon which the suit was filed, CSJ contended that: Section 4 of the FOI Act sets a time limit of seven days for public institutions to accede to requests for information while Section 20 prescribes that applications for judicial review should be filed within 30 days after the public institution denies or is deemed to have denied the application, or within such time as the Court may either before

or after the expiration of the 30 days fix or allow. It also argued that Section 1 of the FOI Act entitles all Nigerians to a right of access to records in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution howsoever described and grants a right of access to the courts for the enforcement of this right and that an applicant under the Act need not demonstrate any specific interest in the information being applied for. CSJ asserted that Section 48 (1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act provides that the Federal Government shall ensure that its fiscal and financial affairs are conducted in a transparent manner and accordingly ensure full and timely disclosure and wide publication of all transactions and decisions involving public revenues and expenditures and their implications for its finances. Justice Kafarati has adjourned the case to July 11, 2013 for hearing of the substantive suit.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, July 4, 2013

NBC pledges commitment to digital broadcasting

he Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba, has affirmed the Commission’s commitment to the switchover from analog to digital terrestrial television broadcast by January 2015. Mba made the commitment at the opening ceremony of the ECOWAS Digital Switchover Forum and first ECOWAS Preparatory Meeting towards 2015 World Radio-communication Conference WRC-15 in Abuja. The forum was organised by ECOWAS in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Mba, who was represented by the Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Mike Ojia, said the country was at the final stage of implementation as most terrestrial stations had setup their digital studios. He said: “Let me quickly affirm our commitment to a successful switchover to digital terrestrial televi-

sion broadcast by January 2015. “At the moment, our DTH, DSB and MMDS stations have digital production stations which have fully digital operations, while most of our terrestrial stations have digital production studios and equipment. We are now fine-tuning the implementation of the final stage, the transmission stage,’’ he said. Mba, however, noted that the switchover would be a mirage if there was no synergy to ensure its successful implementation. “As long as we would like to attain success in the march towards digitisation, it will not happen unless we really roll up our sleeves and do our part in the implementation. “Good policy by Government, good laws by legislators, good planning, advice and guidance by regulators, good implementation by broadcasters, Engineers and technicians.We need all of these and meaningful understanding and cooperation from

Media Abroad

Bangladeshi court jails 9 for journalist's murder

A NBC boss, Emeka Mba.

members of the public,’’ he said. The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, in her address urged the forum not to under estimate the importance of early preparations. Omobola, who was represented by Mr. Festus Daudu said early preparation would enable the sub-region to fight a common cause at the WRC-15. The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Mr. Eugene Juwah, said the objective of the forum was in line with ECOWAS policy of promoting integration across the region.

Exam malpractice: NOA canvasses media support

ational Orientation Agency, NOA has called for the media support in the war against examination malpractice in the country. Chief Orientation and Mobilisation officer in the agency, Mr. Mathew Odonor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki that the mass media were critical instrument in the fight against examination malpractice. According to him the, Nigerian media has steered many positive changes in the society. He said that the time had come for them to actively support and join in the crusade against examination malpractice to save the educational sector from collapse. He recalled the leading roles played by the media in the struggle to achieve independence and end colonial dominance in Nigeria as well as their struggle during the military rule. Odonor said that the media remained the conscience of the nation, and that their support would facilitate an end to examination fraud in the nation's educational institutions. Odonor, who led other officials from the agency to monitor the ongoing National Examination Council (NECO), examination commended the level of sanity prevailing in the various centres. He, however, said that a lot still needed to be done in order to free the state from the monstrous effects of examination malpractice. The officer said that though the conduct of both the students and the examiners represented a departure from the old order when students and external examiners committed examination fraud with impunity but there were some pockets of occurrences in some of the centres. He said that what was needed was a media awareness campaign to further sensitise the public and critical stakeholders on the importance of stamping out the evil to consolidate the gains made in the education transformation programme. “The conduct of the students writing the ongoing NECO exam is commendable and a pointer that the war against examination malpractice by government is yielding result.In many of the centres, the candidates and the examiners are doing the right thing while some pockets of malpractice exist in some other centres.

Bangladeshi court has sentenced nine junior opposition politicians to life in prison for murdering a newspaper journalist who had published a series of reports on corruption, a prosecutor said. Gautam Das, 33, Faridpur bureau chief of Bengali daily, Samakal, was strangled in his office after his reporting on corruption in the then ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Local media hailed the outcome as a landmark verdict because it was the first time a court had successfully tried a murder case of a journalist. "He was murdered in November 2005 for publishing reports on corruption involving the then ruling party officials in the construction of a road in Faridpur," prosecutor Abu Abdullah Bhuiyan told AFP. Das' colleague, M. Hasa-

nuzzaman filed a murder case accusing 10 people, nine of them members of the BNP. The judge of the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal, Shahed Nuruddin, called Das "brave, fearless, honest" and a crusader against social injustice and graft as he handed down life sentences to the nine accused, Bhuyian said. The tenth accused died during the trial, he added. The slain journalist's wife, Dipali Das expressed anger that the murderers had avoided the death penalty. I am not happy with this verdict. They have money and they will get out of the jail after a few days," Das told reporters. Samakal, editor Golam Sarwar said the daily would appeal the sentence and ask for the death penalty. Source: AFP, via I-Net Bridge

News UK chief backs digital paywalls

The Publisher and EiC, Mr. Segun Abrams, (m) displaying, displaying a copy of the newspaper during its presentation in Abuja.

Evening newspaper berths in Abuja

he preview issue of a new publication, FRESHFACTS PM, has been presented to the public in Abuja. FRESHFACTS PM will be a daily afternoon publication which will be circulated in the Federal Capital Territory and at least a state in each geo-political zone of the federation. Speaking during the presentation at Abuja, the newspaper’s publisher, Mr. Segun Abrams, told his audience that the publication will be “light-hearted, less-bulky, but highly entertaining”, and that it will fill a vacuum in the media industry, especially in the FCT. “We don’t have a surviving afternoon or evening newspaper in the FCT, and in many parts of Nigeria. In the case of Abuja, the city is daily witnessing an astronomical growth in population. There is also a growing evening and night life in the city. After a tough day’s work, a percentage of this population may not complain if they can lay their hands on a newspaper that will give fresh information about happenings in the country, as well as provide them with high entertainment. FRESHFACTS PM hopes to be able to satisfy such yearnings,” Abrams said. He also disclosed that the newspaper will be truthful, fiery, and a “very balanced soft-hard.” “Those who know us know what we stand for. We will uphold the highest standards of journalism. We will inform, without fear or favour, and we will entertain,” the publisher said. FRESHFACTS PM will be a 16-page tabloid available on the newsstands from 2 pm daily. It is being published by Media Projects Limited, publishers of FRESHFACTS, an Abuja-based national newspaper.

he chief executive of Rupert Murdoch's UK publishing operation, Mike Darcey believes free websites may get more readers than those behind a digital paywall, but says they do not generate meaningful revenue– and that focusing on building a mountain of users is "only good for the ego". The head of News UK, the freshly rebranded name for News International, said that giving digital content away free undermines a print business which is still by far and away the engine room of revenues and profits. "Some people have argued that the problem with a paywall strategy is that you lose reach, while others who maintain a free web presence continue to enjoy large numbers of unique users and page views," he said, speaking at The Times CEO summit at the Institute of Directors on Tuesday. "This reach doesn't generate any meaningful revenue, and the pursuit of it undermines the piece of the business that does make money. If your purpose contemplates still being here in five to 10 years' time, then the choice seems clear. It is better to sacrifice

reach and preserve sustainable profitability." He said the problem with readers on free news websites is they "flit" and are not as engaged as paying subscribers. "When we sacrifice this so-called reach, what have we really lost?" he asked. "A long trail of passing trade, many from overseas, many popping in for only one article, referred by Google or a social media link, not even aware they are on a Times or a Sun website, wholly anonymous. That passing trade was good for the ego, if unique user stats do that for you, but they don't really add to our purpose at all." Darcey, speaking a day after Murdoch's media empire officially split into separately listed publishing and TV and film businesses, said the paywall strategy for the Times, Sunday Times and soon The Sun will pay off by delivering engaged users. He argued that the key insight was looking at total paid sales. The Times has 140,000 digital paidfor subscribers, mainly on tablet, and 395,000 print buyers, a total of just under 535,000 paid subscribers.

Cocktail

Thursday, July 4, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (173)

“Success follows doing what you want to do. There is no other way to be successful.” –Malcolm Forbes * * * The Road To Success Passion is the secret of secrets in making it in life. It is a tragedy to go through life without discovering what you were born to do. I am told that when you do what you love to do, money will come to you. This is true in my experience. How long are we going to live that we keep postponing moving into the visions of God for us? The secret of provision is in your vision. Get busy and pursue that vision. Keep acting on your dreams. Declare war on procrastination. Before you know, you will enter the success town! TEL 08104942999 E-MAIL deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me @TwitterOWOTIDE

Finnish agency sends royal baby gift that includes condoms

Finnish government agency has sent Britain’s Prince William and his wife a maternity package that includes a pack of condoms. The gifts come in a cardboard box designed to double as a baby bed, the Daily Mirror reported Tuesday. In ad-

dition to the condoms, the package includes a snowsuit, rompers, a teething toy and other goodies. KELA, the Finnish social services agency, gives the box to all pregnant women, and some experts say it is one reason for Finland’s low infant mortality rate.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Man catches 200-year-old, 40-pound fish

fisherman in Alaska took home a catch for the ages recently when he reeled in a 40-pound shortraker rockfish that experts believe is at least 200 years old. The Daily Sitka Sentinel reported that Henry Liebman of Seattle was deepsea fishing off the coast of Alaska on June 21 when he hooked the record-setting shortraker fish from a depth of approximately 900 feet. “I knew it was abnormally big (but I) didn’t know it was a record until on the way back we looked in the Alaska guide book that was on the boat,” Liebman told the paper. Shortrakers, which have hues of orange, pink or red on top of their white bodies, are one of the most commonly sought fish in Alaska and can live at depths of more than 2,500 feet. Troy Tidingco, Sitka area manager for the state

Department of Fish and Game, said the fish is still being analyzed but he believes it is at least 200 years old. Tidingco said that would beat the current record of 175 years. Researchers are able to determine the age of a shortraker by the number of growth rings along its ear bone. However, a previously caught rougheye rockfish, similar to the shortraker, was believed to have been 205 years old. Still, Tyding-

co said that record-setting fish “was quite a bit smaller” than the 41-inch specimen Liebman caught. In 2007, a commercial fisherman caught a similarly sized rockfish that turned out to be 115 years old. Amazingly, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association say that fish was still fertile at the time of its capture. “The belly was large,” NOAA researcher Paul Spencer told The Asso-

Liebman holding his record-setting rockfish.

ciated Press. “The ovaries were full of developing embryos.” Liebman told the paper he plans to have the fish mounted back home in Seattle, but he did provide the Alaska Department of Fish and Game with a sample so its age could be determined. Tidingco noted that if the fish is actually as old as believed, it would easily predate the Alaska Purchase in 1867.

PHOTO: AP

Thursday, July 4, 2013

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World News

“Whoever fears their communication is being

South Africans move in to exhume Mandela’s children

intercepted in any way should use services that don’t go through American servers” –GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER, HANS-PETER FRIEDRICH

Egyptian military overthrows president Morsi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the suspension of the Islamisttinged constitution and a roadmap for a return to democratic rule under a revised rulebook. He said that the chief justice of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Adli Mansour, would be given the task of “running the country’s affairs during the transitional period” assisted by an interim council and a technocratic government until new presidential and parliamentary elections are held. “Those in the meeting have agreed on a roadmap for the future that includes initial steps to achieve the building of a strong Egyptian society that is cohesive and does not exclude anyone and ends the state of tension and division,” Sisi said in a solemn address broadcast live on state television. He insisted that the armed forces could not stay silent and blind to the call of the Egyptian masses. After he spoke, hundreds of thousands of anti-Morsi protesters in central Cairo’s Tahrir Square erupted into wild cheering, setting off fireworks and waving flags. Cars drove around the capital honking their horns in celebration. But a statement published in Morsi’s name on his official Facebook page after Sisi’s speech said the measures announced amounted to “a full military coup” and were “totally rejected”. The Arab world’s most populous nation has been in turmoil since the fall of autocrat Hosni Mubarak as Arab Spring uprisings took hold in early 2011, arousing concern among allies in the West and in Israel, with which Egypt has a 1979 peace treaty. The Muslim Brotherhood president, in office for just a year, was at a Republican Guard barracks surrounded by barbed wire, barriers and troops, but it was not clear whether he was under arrest. The state newspaper AlAhram said the military had told Morsi at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT) that he was no longer head of state. Military chiefs, vowing to restore order in a country racked by protests over Mursi’s Islamist policies, earlier issued a call to battle in a statement headlined “The Final Hours”. They said they were willing to shed blood against “terrorists and fools”. Armored vehicles took up position outside the state broadcasting headquarters on the Nile Riv-

Appoints constitutional court head as interim head of state

An opposition protester being beaten by supporters of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in downtown Damietta.

WORLD BULLETIN Ivory Coast’s President Ouattara to seek re-election in 2015

Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara said yesterday that he would seek re-election for a second term in 2015 in the world’s top cocoa grower, the first time he has publicly commented on his leadership plans. Ouattara won a November 2010 election but only took power in April 2011 after winning a brief civil war, thanks to French support, against fighters loyal to former president Laurent Gbagbo. Since then Ouattara has won international praise and financial backing for his efforts to rebuild a country that was Francophone Africa’s powerhouse before a decade of conflict triggered political deadlock and economic stagnation. “I have decided to seek a second term so I can continue the work that I have started,” Ouattara said during a visit to the northern town of M’Bengue, in comments broadcast on state television. During the last two years, investors have flocked to Ivory Coast to tap opportunities in agriculture, mining, oil and other industries, propelling economic growth to 9.8 percent last year.

Too few mosquito nets are being used, UK Minister warns

An Egyptian protester waving a national flag as military Special Forces surround supporters of Islamist leader Mohammed Protesters against Mohammed Morsi at Tahrir Square reacting Morsi in Nasser City, Cairo, Egypt, yesterday. PHOTO: AP with jubilations on the news of his overthrow, yesterday.

er bank, where soldiers patrolled the corridors and non-essential staff were sent home. In another show of force, several hundred soldiers with armored vehicles staged a parade near the presidential palace, and security sources said Morsi and the entire senior leadership of his Muslim Brotherhood were banned from leaving the country. Security sources told Reuters the authorities had sent a list of at least 40 leading members of the Brotherhood to airport police after a travel ban was imposed on them. In a last-ditch statement a few minutes before the deadline, Morsi’s office said a coalition government could be part of a solution to overcome the political crisis. But opposition parties refused to negotiate with him and met instead with the commander of the armed forces. The Brotherhood’s Egypt25 television station had broadcast live coverage of a rally of tens of thousands of Morsi supporters, even as the army moved tanks into position to prevent them from march-

ing on the presidential palace or the Republican Guard barracks. U.S. oil prices rose to a 14-month high above $100 a barrel partly on fears that unrest in Egypt could destabilize the Middle East and lead to supply disruption. The massive anti-Morsi protests showed that the Brotherhood had not only alienated liberals and secularists by seeking to entrench Islamic rule, notably in a new constitution, but had also angered millions of Egyptians with economic mismanagement. Tourism and investment have dried up, inflation is rampant and fuel supplies are running short, with power cuts lengthening in the summer heat and motorists spending hours fuelling cars. Earlier, Morsi’s spokesman said it was better that he die in defense of democracy than be blamed by history. “It is better for a president, who would otherwise be returning Egypt to the days of dictatorship, from which God and the will of the people has saved us, to die

standing like a tree,” spokesman Ayman Ali said, “Rather than be condemned by history and future generations for throwing away the hopes of Egyptians for establishing a democratic life.” Liberal opponents said a rambling late-night television address by Morsi showed he had “lost his mind”. The official spokesman of the Muslim Brotherhood said supporters were willing to become martyrs to defend Morsi. “There is only one thing we can do: we will stand in between the tanks and the president,” Gehad El-Haddad told Reuters at the movement’s protest encampment in a Cairo suburb that houses many military installations and is near the presidential palace. The country’s two main religious leaders, the head of the Al-Azhar Islamic institute and the Coptic Pope, both expressed their support for the army’s roadmap in speeches after Sisi, as did the main liberal opposition leader, Nobel peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei.

Not enough anti-malarial bed nets paid for by the UK are being used around the world, ministers have been warned. The UK has funded 25 million mosquito nets since 2010 but the National Audit Office said usage among target groups, such as children, was disappointing. The watchdog urged the UK to work with aid recipients to “change attitudes” and to ensure proper value for money. Ministers said the increased use of bed nets was part of a multifaceted strategy acknowledged to save lives. There is no vaccine for malaria and the disease killed an estimated 660,000 people last year and left 250 million people seriously ill.

Kenya confiscates 1.5 tonnes of ivory at port

Kenyan officials seized 775 pieces of elephant ivory weighing 1.3 tonnes in the port city of Mombasa hidden under fish for export and destined for Malaysia from Uganda, they said yesterday. Poaching has risen in recent years across sub-Saharan Africa, where well-armed criminal gangs have killed elephants for tusks and rhinos for their horns that are often shipped to Asia for use in ornaments and some medicines. John Changole, deputy commissioner at the Kenya Revenue Authority in charge of port operations, said they had also impounded six bags with polished ivory pieces, all in a 20-foot container that was recovered in a private yard before being taken to the port.

World News

WORLD BULLETIN

Belgium’s King Albert II announces abdication

The King of the Belgians, Albert II, has announced his abdication, yesterday, The BBC has reported. In a national televised address, the 79-year-old monarch said he would step down in favour of his son, Crown Prince Philippe, 53, on 21 July, Belgium’s national day. He said his health was no longer good enough to fulfil his duties, and it was time to “pass on the torch to the next generation”. He said Philippe was “well prepared” to be his successor. During Belgium’s political deadlock in 2010-11, the king - who was set to mark 20 years on the throne next month - took on the role of mediator. King Albert met the Belgian government’s cabinet earlier on Wednesday to inform them of his decision, Belgian state TV reported. Following the king’s announcement, Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo will address the nation. This is a small but pivotal nation in Europe. The headquarters of the European Union. And yet Belgium is a country increasingly divided between its Dutch (Flemish) and French-speaking regions.

Colombia peace possible by year’s end –President Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday an agreement with the Marxist FARC rebels to end their 50-yearold insurgency could be reached by the end of this year if there were “sufficient political will”. But he insisted that it was out of the question to postpone next year’s presidential election, as demanded by the FARC at peace talks with the government currently under way in Havana. “If there is sufficient political will, we can achieve an agreement by the end of the year ... as long as there is a wish to advance,” Santos told a news conference at the United Nations’ European headquarters in Geneva. The two sides started the talks last November, more than two years after former defense minister Santos - earlier seen as a hardliner on dealing with rebel movements was elected to the presidency and began putting out peace feelers.

European Parliament rebukes Hungarian leader The European Parliament rebuked Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his government yesterday for pushing through changes to the country’s constitution and other laws that critics say are threatening the country’s democracy. In a resolution adopted by a 370-249 margin with 82 abstentions, the legislature backed a report that insists Orban, who came into power in 2010, must make sure any breaches of the rights of European Union citizens are dealt with as soon as possible. The European Parliament’s resolution is merely the latest salvo from international critics unhappy with the Hungarian leader, but it apparently struck a nerve. A day earlier, Orban pre-emptively blasted the naysayers, saying they had no right to meddle to such an extent in his nation’s internal affairs.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

he feud that has split South Africa’s most famous family took a new twist yesterday as workers armed with pick-axes and a court order broke into the compound of Nelson Mandela’s grandson to exhume the remains of three of the anti-apartheid hero’s children. Within hours of a ruling against Mandla Mandela by the high court in Mthatha, 700 km (450 miles) south of Johannesburg, police and hearses arrived at Mandla’s complex in the nearby village of Mvezo, where the three Mandela offspring are buried. The bodies were initially laid to rest in the family cemetery in Qunu, the village where the 94-year-old Mandela - now critically ill in hospital - spent most of his childhood. But they were moved two years ago by Mandla to Mvezo, where he serves as the official head of the clan. The spat over the site of the Mandela family graves has transfixed and appalled South Africa’s 53 million people as they contemplate the reality that the father of the post-apartheid “Rainbow Nation” will not be with them forever.

Ecuador finds hidden microphone at its London embassy

cuador has found a hidden microphone inside its London embassy, where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is living, and will disclose on Wednesday who controls the device, its foreign minister said. Ricardo Patino said the microphone was found inside the office of the Ecuadorean ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ana Alban, at the time of a visit to the embassy by Patino to meet with Assange on June 16. Assange lives and works in a different room within the embassy. The Foreign Office in London declined to comment immediately on the allegation and Prime Minister David Cameron’s spokesman said he did not comment on security issues. Assange has been living inside the embassy for more than a year to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations by two women of sexual assault and rape, which he denies. He fears that if sent to Sweden he could be extradited from there to the United States to face potential charges over the release of thousands of confidential U.S. documents on WikiLeaks. “We regret to inform you that in our embassy in London we have found a hidden microphone,” Patino told a news conference in Quito on Tuesday. Footage of his appearance is available on the website of the Ecuadorean foreign ministry.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South Africans move to exhume remains of Mandela’s children

Ndaba Mandela (C), grandson of ailing South African icon Nelson Mandela, awaits the removal of the remains of the former leader’s children, yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Mandla has not made clear why he moved the remains the 20 km (12 miles) to Mvezo, where Mandela was born, but many South Africans believe it is part of a campaign to ensure the country’s first black president is buried there. Mandla has already built a visitor centre at Mvezo and a memorial to his grandfather, a Nobel Peace laureate and one of the 20th century’s most admired political figures. Last week, a rival faction of the family led by Mandela’s oldest daughter, Makaziwe, sought a court order compelling the bodies to be returned to Qunu. Local media reports have sug-

gested the initial movement of the bodies by Mandla may have been carried out without the required cultural customs being observed, and police have opened an investigation to determine whether this was done illegally. Mandla, a 39-year-old Member of Parliament for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), was not present when a posse of police, workmen and undertakers entered the Mvezo complex to carry out the court order. However, a statement released by his office said he would not stand in their way. “Nkosi Zwelivelile has on numerous occasions indicated that he is not against the repatriation

of the remains in question,” the statement said, calling Mandla by his official clan title. It also condemned “a lot of allegations and dirt thrown in his direction”. Makaziwe was present at Mvezo but did not talk to reporters, who were pushed back by police. After the court decision, her only words to reporters were: “This is a private family matter.” The three Mandela children buried in Mvezo are an infant girl who died in 1948, a boy, Thembi, who died in a car crash in 1969, and Makgatho, who died of an AIDS-related illness in 2005. In all, Mandela fathered six children from his three marriages.

Bolivia accuses Austria of kidnapping Morales during plane search

olivia accused Austria of “kidnapping” its president, Evo Morales, yesterday after authorities searched his plane during a stop-over in Vienna on suspicion he was taking fugitive U.S. intelligence analyst Edward Snowden to Latin America. A senior Bolivian diplomat said the Austrians had acted at the bidding of the United States, which has been trying to get its hands on Snowden since he revealed details of its secret surveillance programs last month. “We’re talking about the president on an official trip after an official summit being kidnapped,” Bolivia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Sacha Llorenti Soliz, told reporters in Geneva. The Bolivian plane, which was taking Morales home from an energy conference in Moscow, was stranded at Vienna airport for several hours after Portugal and France refused to allow it to fly through their airspace. The search found that Snowden was not onboard and the plane eventually left Vienna about noon on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old Snowden is believed to be still in the transit area of a Moscow airport, where he has been trying since June 23 to find a country that will offer him refuge from prosecution in the United States on espionage charges. The plane incident was the latest twist in a saga which has raised a furore in the United States and abroad over the balance between privacy rights and national security. Revelations of U.S. surveillance on European countries have also strained trans-Atlantic

relations. France on Wednesday said free-trade talks between the European Union and the United States should be delayed by two weeks given tensions over reports stemming from the Snowden case that Washington is spying on the 28-nation bloc. Bolivia, which is part of a Venezuelan-led leftist alliance which has challenged U.S. political and economic influence in Latin America, denounced the Austrian action as an act of aggression and violation of international law.

Bolivia’s President Evo Morales, center, entering his plane at Vienna’s Schwechat airport, yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror “We used to have wonderful security system in Rivers State through commissioners of police who understood their functions.”

Dickson seeks N1bn to tackle flood issues

RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR; ROTIMI AMAECHI

Father beheads 6-year-old son over alleged witchcraft TONY ANICHEBE AND ASU NYONG, UYO

43-Year-old man from Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Felix Lawson has allegedly beheaded his 6-years-old stepson; Efiong Lawson over alleged witchcraft. Similarly, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command arrested a man and a prophetess for torturing two innocent children, Mmeyene

and Samuel, who were accused of having witchcrafts for 14 days. Investigation revealed that Lawson who is a junior staff at Ibeno Local Government Council returned home over the weekend and was enjoying his evening meal when his step-son, Efiong sneaked into the backyard and whispered to his younger sister to bring him crumbs, having been denied food for three days. Unknown to him, his stepfather was at home and heard his whispering. In fury, Lawson

went for his machete and chased after Efiong who immediately fled the yard. However, the unfortunate boy could not run as fast as Lawson who caught up with him and macheted him to death. The wicked father afterwards cut off the lad’s head. The deceased elder brother, Aniefiok Lawson, who witnessed part of the gory incident said: “Because we were hungry, Efiong asked me to escort him to the house so that we can beg our younger sister for food to eat. We

didn’t know that daddy was back from Ibeno. “When we got to our backyard, we called our younger sister to bring leftover food for us. It was already dark. So when daddy opened the door and jumped out, we ran but my brother could not run fast enough. He was, however, crying, saying ‘daddy please forgive me!’ “But daddy hit his head with his big cutlass; he fell down and was begging as he continued to hit him with the cutlass. Later, I

Traders, trading on the pedestrian bridge at Berger Bus Stop, Iyana Oworo, Lagos.

PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

30-year-old tortured to death in police cell FRANCIS SUBERU

olice authorities in Lagos have ordered a probe into an alleged torture to death of a 30-year-old man in the cell of Denton Divisional Police Headquarters, Ebute-metta, Lagos. Penultimate Sunday, the deceased, Tunde Salami was arrested and detained in police custody, following a complaint, lodged by his fiancée identified as Mistura that he was fomenting trouble over her refusal to marry him. It was gathered that trouble began when Mistura who had collected a sum of N200,000 in two tranches (N150,000 and another N50,000) to procure an accommo-

dation suddenly made a u-turn and refused to marry the United Bank of Africa (UBA) staff driver. Suspecting she had started dating a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) who had been showering her with money, it was learnt Tunde went after Mistura, demanding the return of the sum of N200, 000 which he had given her to procure their accommodation. However, Mistura was said to have been reluctant at returning the money, sparking off violent reactions from Tunde. The deceased, who reported Mistura to her parents did not receive their favour, but was rather arrested for threatening Mistura. At the police station, it was said

Tunde was beaten and tortured before he was released. On Sunday, June 23, 2013, it was gathered that Tunde went after Mistura’s mother at her shop located close to Denton Police Station to foment trouble over the refusal of the lady to refund his money. He was then picked up again by the police. Mrs. Victoria Alabi, an aunty to the deceased, told Community Mirror that her nephew, Tunde was tortured to death on Sunday, the very day he was arrested, but the family members were not informed of his death until they began to launch a search party for his whereabouts. It was learnt that, the following day, Monday June 24, 2013, the fam-

ily members were briefed by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) incharge of Denton Police Division that Tunde hanged himself while in custody; adding that Tunde’s corpse had been taken to Yaba Military Hospital’s mortuary. Mrs. Victoria said all these were done without the family’s consent. However, an informed police source hinted that the matter had been brought to the knowledge of the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Umar Manko who had directed a probe into the incident. Ngozi Braide, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, when contacted could not comment over the incident, but promised to get proper briefing before she could say anything.

did not hear his voice again. I ran and hid myself in the bush. At midnight, I went to join two of my friends in an uncompleted building of the primary school, where we normally sleep at night. “The following morning, we found Efiong’s body without a head in the pool of stagnant water behind one of the school blocks and the head was in the nearby school farm.” The village head of Ikot Ndua Iman in Onna, where the incident took place, Chief Akpan Eno was intimated of the sinister development and he immediately called the police who came, picked the deceased body and arrested Lawson. But the following day, he was released and he is now a free man walking the streets of Onna. Our correspondent went to Onna Police Divisional Headquarters to inquire why Lawson was not charged for murder; but, the D.P.O. was said to have traveled to Uyo for security briefing. The investigating Police Officer (IPO) in charge of the case who did not want his name mentioned, told Community Mirror that no one was willing to come forward to testify against the suspect on the child’s murder. In a related development, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command arrested a man and a prophetess for torturing Mmeyene and Samuel for 14 days without food and water after they were accused of witchcraft. The innocent children were branded witches in a local church in their village at Ikot Obio Assnga, Uyo and were forced to own up as witches under severe threat to their lives by the prophetess. Addressing journalists yesterday in Uyo, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Umar Gwadebe explained that the kid’s father who traced the misfortunes and hardship facing him to the wizardry powers of his children, had decided to torture them to death. According to him, the kids were severely tortured and locked up in a pit toilet for 14 days without food and water. The police boss, who noted that the culprits have been charged to court, lamented the worrisome trend of witchcraft allegations in Akwa Ibom State, saying fake prophets and gullibility are responsible for the unfortunate trend.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PRESS RELEASE ON THE FALSE CLAIM TO THE THRONE OF EZE NDIGBO KANO BY CHIEF J.C NNAJI AND HIS INCITING STATEMENTS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF KANO STATE Our attention has been drawn to a press statement as pub- claims against the Government of His Excellency Engr. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; a government which has been inlished in some national dailies by Chief J. C. Nnaji. ternationally and nationally acknowledged to be one of the It is pertinent that I Igwe (Dr.) Boniface Ibekwe (Ide I) best if not the best since the advent of democratic rule. It is on behalf of the Igbo Community Association (ICA) Kano in this regard that we wish to unequivocally state that the make it vividly clear that Chief J.C Nnaji is not the Eze developmental projects being witnessed in Kano State and Ndigbo Kano as purportedly claimed in the statement. The including Sabon Gari in the last two years is unprecedentICA Kano like its counterparts in diaspora operates their ed. The ongoing 5 km dual carriage road with streetlight individual constitution and derives their authorities and for Fagge LGA is situated in Sabon Gari, some of our major powers there from. The ICA Kano constitution provides for roads have been lighted up with streetlights, the people of the nomenclature of EZE Ndigbo and not odu Ndigbo “a Sabon Gari West have began to enjoy pipe borne water from mere chief”. Chief J.C Nnaji, as the Odu Ndigbo (appoint- the ongoing water work at Watari, the Kroda Hospital has ed by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers) is not been renovated, our major market hub (Sabon Gari marin contention because his stipulated terms of operation as ket) has been fully renovated and interlocked, the laying of spelt out in his letter of confirmation are that: “he must not interlocks on our major roads to beautify our walkways has use the name IGWE or EZE, he must not have a Palace or reached advanced stage. Our primary school pupils are not Cabinet, he must not perform any traditional function or left out from the State governments free feeding and free customary rites exclusively reserved for Ezes. Furthermore, uniforms programme. the public should note that the Chairmanship of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers is exclusively held by It is also worthy to note that Igbos and other non-natives a serving Chairman of a state council of traditional rulers have benefitted as employees in various government agenbut Eze Cletus Illomuanya who has been removed as the cies and departments from the government’s job creation chairman of the Imo state council of traditional rulers is initiatives. To crown it all one of our own Dr. Chukwuma still parading himself as the South East Traditional Rulers Ogbu has been appointed as a Special Adviser on Interchairman even when his tenure has long expired. That is Community Relations to His Excellency. Indeed, this is a the quality of Chief Nnaji’s mentor. We hereby call on Eze rare feat which must be commended by all right thinking Cletus Illomuanya should desist from parading himself as and God fearing people and it is because of this that we wish the chairman of the South East Traditional Rulers, since he to use this medium to pledge our unflinching and continued is no longer the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Tra- support to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and his additional Rulers, a position which is currently held by His ministration. Royal Highness Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri. Finally, we will like to advice Chief J.C Nnaji to desist from As for Chief Tobias Idika, it is important that we intimate working with Tobias Idika who we believe is collaborating the public that we have no branch of Ohaneze Ndigbo in with some disgruntled elements that the Kano State GovKano; Igbo Community Association is attached to the apex ernment under the able leadership of Governor Rabiu Musa body through the Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) the um- Kwankwaso is fighting for the common good of the teaming brella organ of all Igbo Community Associations in the 19 citizenry of Kano State. Such nefarious activities may cause Northern States and Abuja. Chief Tobias Idika is a person disunity between us and the State Government and may enwe cannot vouch for his integrity. danger the peaceful co-existence we have always enjoyed between us and our hospitable host State. The Igbo Community in Kano is highly disappointed in Chief J.C Nnaji and Chief Tobias Idika for the inciting Thank you all.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Dickson seeks N1bn to tackle flood issues EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

over nor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State yesterday requested the State House of Assembly to approve N1 billion to enable his gover nment tackle the impending flood challenges in the state as predicted by the Nigeria Metrological Agency, NIMET . Dickson in a letter sent to the House of Assembly said

the money should be deducted from the state’s monthly savings account. According to the Dickson’s letter, the sum of N600million would be utilized for the construction of elevated platfor ms and camps in the communities where flood victims would converge. Dickson further said N150million would be set aside for the provision of drugs and medical facilities, while N250million would be spent on foods and relief

materials. The gover nor requested the House to approve his annual leave commencing on July 21, 2013. In a motion, the Leader of the House, Peter Akpe prevailed on his colleagues to consider and approve the gover nor’s request, saying the initiative would ameliorate the plights of the flood victims. He said:”The amount is good enough for us to approve for gover nment to

A man defecating inside the lagoon along Admiralty Way in Lekki area of Lagos, yesterday.

Katsina spends N36m monthly to feed Almajiris J AMES DANJUMA KATSINA

atsina State Government is spending N36 million monthly to feed 20, 000 Almajiris for free. Special Adviser to the governor on community development, Abubakar Yusuf stated this at a three-day workshop on Shariah implementation. He said the feeding for Almajiris was meant to minimise street begging and other related problems. He assured that the state

government would sustain the feeding programme and include more almajiris in coming months.

swing into full action’’. In his comments, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Victor Ateki noted that steps should be taken by officials, saddled with the management of the funds and other relief materials to ensure the items actually got to the genuine flood victims. He regretted that the relief materials meant for flood victims last year were diverted by officials charged with the responsibility of taking care of them.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Oyo passes bill on Public Private Partnership KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

he Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday passed into law the state Public Private Partnership bill 2013. The bill was unanimously passed during the plenary, presided over by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu with the Chairman, House Committee on Petitions and Judiciary, Hon. Adesope Azeez, presenting the report of the joint committees on Commerce and Cooperatives and Special Duties that scrutinized the bill. Expatiating on the need for the law, the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon, Adesina Adeyemo, explained that the essence of the law was to give legal framework to the promotion of Public Private Partnership towards the infrastructural development of the state. He said government alone cannot be saddled with the responsibility of providing for the total needs of the citizenry; hence, the need to have collaboration with the private individuals and organizations for overall development. Meanwhile, a bill on the Oyo State Blood Transfusion Safety Bill, 2013 for a law to regulate the assessment of blood donors, blood storage, blood products, blood administration as well as ethics of dealing in human blood for medical use, co-sponsored by Hon. Fatai Salam and Hon. Abiodun Adegoke, has passed through first reading.

North

he Special Task Force, STF, maintaining peace in Plateau State said it killed “more than 100” of the bandits that attacked Langtang villages last week. The STF Commander, Brig. Gen. Henry Ayoola, who disclosed this, said: “The latest figure of the attackers that fell to our fireworks in the counter gun duel is more than 100. We really devastated them because we circled them up from various angles. They have never been so hit. “STF troops deployed to

Thursday, July 4, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STF killed over 100 bandits in Langtang –Commander Magama had first engaged them before they were later supported by additional troops that came from Shndam.” Other villages hit by the attackers included Bolgong and Karkashi. Ayoola told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Jos yesterday that two of the attackers who were injured had been arrested and handed over to the State Security Service, SSS. The commander said

many of the bodies had disappeared because the assailants were always quick to evacuate their dead ones. He said: “We found that most of the attackers were not even Nigerians. Also, many of them wore talismans and all manners of things over their bodies.” Ayoola wondered what had happened to some Nigerians’ sense of patriotism if they could bring fighters from outside the country to kill their fellow compatriots.

The commander, however, disputed reports attributed to a politician, which claimed that 70 villagers had been killed by the invaders. He said: “The official is not in a position to confirm the number of casualties. You remember the council chairman had said that 32 people were confirmed killed. You also remember that we confirmed that only 20 villagers were killed. “After the weekend,

there has not been any new attack so where is the additional number of casualties coming from?” Ayoola expressed satisfaction that calm had returned to the area, and declared that all other alarms were false as the STF men were on ground to tackle any situation. On the contrasting figure of casualties between the Plateau Police Command and the STF, Ayoola expressed surprise that the

police were releasing casualty figures in a crisis that was not a police issue. He said: “The Langtang violence was not a police issue. The Plateau State Police Command was not involved in the counter-operation. “The STF, you should remember, was specially established to tackle the Plateau violence because it was beyond the scope of the conventional security agencies in the state.

My relationship with Jang intact –Yuguda OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

Indian High Commissioner Mahesh Sachdev (right) with Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu during Sachdev’s visit to the Government House in Minna, yesterday.

Berende: SSS DG, Kwara director face court contempt WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

n Ilorin Federal High Court may jail the Director-General, DG, of the State Security Service, SSS and its Kwara State director for flouting its order to release a terror suspect, Abdullahi Berende. An order of court obtained by National Mirror yesterday entitled: “Notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court,” warned that the officers were liable to be jailed for their actions.

It reads in part: “Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in the order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.” Berende was arrested last December for an alleged link to the terrorist activities as well as being the Nigerian agent of an Iranian terror group. He had since then been battling to regain his freedom until he got the reprieve at the court. Meanwhile, members of Berende’s family have ap-

pealed to the Federal Government, the Chief Judge of the Federation and the SSS to release their son as directed by the court. His younger brother, Yakubu Berende, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “We are appealing to the Federal Government, the Director of SSS both in Abuja and Kwara State to release Abdullahi according to the order of the Federal High Court. “The court had given an order and we have done everything possible so that our brother will be released in

compliance with the court order, but he is yet to be released. We have also met the bail conditions. “We have submitted the judgement of the court and the order of the release from the court to the SSS at Abuja. We do not know anything else we should do now to get him released. “I spent a month at Abuja; I did not see my brother. Even the SSS did not allow me to enter their compound but they allowed our lawyer to enter. We also appeal to the Attorney General to look into the matter.”

Give Muslims, Christians equal opportunities, group tells Al’Makura IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

he Nasarawa State chapter of the Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria, YOWICAN, has called on Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura to give Muslims and Christians equal opportunities in appointments into sensitive positions in his ad-

ministration. The group made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its second state executive meeting in Lafia, the state capital. The communiqué, among other things, also appealed to the governor to allocate more pilgrimage slots to Christians in the state in order to enable them perform their spiritual obligation at

the Holy Land. The communiqué which was signed by the state YOWICAN President, Appolos S. Dandaura and Secretary, Pastor Anthony I. C. Nweze, asked the state government to, as a matter of urgency, deploy additional security personnel to the crisis-ridden areas. The group also advised the state government to ban

inciting and instigating religious programmes on the state-owned radio and television stations to pave way for indigenous programmes and music. YOWICAN urged the state government to support the rebuilding of all worship centres destroyed in the wake of the recent crisis which engulfed some parts of the state.

overnor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has dismissed reports alleging a rift between him and his Plateau State counterpart, Governor Jonah David Jang. This was even as he said his return to the Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, was due to his love and respect for elders in the region. Yuguda, who spoke with journalists in Abuja yesterday, said he was currently working with Jang to foster peace and development in the North. He said since he remained a strong ally of Jang, there was no way he would have turned round to accuse him of doing anything untoward. He said: “I can tell you that there is no rift whatsoever between Governor Jang and I; (the governor) who also has deep respect and love for

me and my administration. “We shall continue to work symbiotically for the interest of the two states and Nigeria and shame our detractors. As I have said before, Jang remains my Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and I cannot recognise anybody else.” On his return to the NSGF, Yuguda said: “As elders, who I respect so much; I cannot say no to them. They have beckoned on me to reconsider my decision and return to the forum, which works for the interest of the people. That is why I am returning to the NSGF. “I recognise that the words of elders are words of wisdom and since I represent their interest as a leader, I have to listen to their yearnings and aspirations at all times.” Yuguda had in May pulled out of the NSGF, citing what he described as betrayal on the part of some of his colleagues.

India tops US in Nigeria’s crude oil purchase –Envoy PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

ilateral trade between India and Nigeria in the purchase of crude oil has been more than that of the United States in the last three months. The India High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Mashesh Sachdev, who disclosed this during a visit to Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu in Minna, said the trade investments between the two countries currently stood at $10 billion. He said: “Recent statistics shows that India has been purchasing more crude oil products from Nigeria than the USA in the last three

months.” Sachdev also expressed the readiness of his country to cooperate with Nigeria to improve her economy. He said India would help Nigeria in building the capacity of her workforce in both the public and private sectors in order revive her economy. The envoy added that his home government was prepared to partner with Niger State Government in the area of healthcare, agriculture and vocational training of youths to be selfemployed. Sachdev said presently India was partnering with Kano State Government to set up a film city to reduce unemployment among youths.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Kogi West to benefit from N600m hospital equipment, others WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

Internally displaced persons being addressed by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at LGEA Pilot Central Primary School in Mabudi, Plateau State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Boko Haram: Border communities asked to form ‘civilian JTF’ INUSA NDAHI

•‘Group’s activities, threat to national security’

look for them in your villages. “You will have to ensure that there are no more killings. I am therefore directing you to form youth volunteer groups consisting of 100 members each to take the responsibility of patrolling your villages. These volunteers must be made up equally of Muslims and the Christians among you to forestall any abuse.” The deputy governor explained that in Maiduguri, the state capital, which is the epicentre of the Boko Haram violent activities, volunteered youths popularly addressed as “Civilian JTF” have taken over the operations stop-andsearch in their various areas which led to the arrests of several Boko Haram members before handing them over to the Joint Task Force (JTF). He, therefore, told the residents to emulate such gesture so as to safeguard their communities against Boko Haram infiltration. When National Mirror asked Peter Zadva, a Christian, why he fled his village, he said: “The Boko Haram members were hunting for all Christians in the area to kill, so I fled”.

MAIDUGURI

nhabitants of border communities of Jubrilli, Kughum and Barawa in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State who relocated to Cameroun following the clash between the Boko Haram sect and soldiers have been directed to return home. The inhabitants were asked to form volunteer vigilance groups consisting of 100 members each to patrol their villages in order to prevent Boko Haram invasion. The state deputy governor, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha, spoke when he visited the inhabitants following reports that they had relocated to Cameroun for fear of being attacked by the Boko Haram sect and soldiers Addressing the people who assembled at the border town between the state and Cameroun, Mustapha said: “I have heard your complains as to why you left your villages and crossed over to Cameroun. I want to assure you that if you agree to work together to defend your villages from the Boko Haram and also agree to handover all Boko Haram members among you to the security agents, the soldiers will no longer come to

But a Muslim, Usman Warabe, said: “The soldiers were killing the Muslims alleging that we are Boko Haram members.” However, the Executive Director of Human Rights Monitor, Mr. Festus Okoye, called on the Federal Government to stop the “civilian JTF,” saying the group’s activities are a threat to national security. In a statement signed yesterday in Kaduna, Okoye described the group as an aberration. Okoye, a constitutional lawyer, noted that men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) providing security in the NorthEast and North-West have apparently handed over part of their responsibilities to the group. Okoye said civilians should be encouraged to volunteer information to security agencies on suspicious movements around them. Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday approved the supply of 1,000 units of street lightening equipment to be installed along the streets in Maiduguri, the state capital. Shettima, who is in his third day in China, led the some senior government officials to sign an agreement

Northern youths plan summit on state of the nation A ZA MSUE KADUNA

group under the auspices of Northern Youth Forum (NYF) yesterday said 19,000 youths across the region would participate in the forthcoming summit to

take a position on the state of the nation. This was contained in a communiqué signed by the NYF chairman and secretary, Jibril Tafida and Ijafa Atoju after its special memorial lecture in honour of the late Dr. Abdulrahman Okene in Kaduna.

While commending the Federal Government for its new agricultural programmes and appreciable reforms in the power sector, as well as feasible rail transportation, the group said the initiatives would improve the agricultural output and revive collapsed industries.

with Cangzhou Metallic Crafts Limited, a manufacturer of stylish and decorative street lights based in Waligang town, Hebei Province. A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communications, Isa Umar Gusau, said that after visiting the factory and making selections, Shettima and the delegation held discussions with the company’s management after which an agreement was signed by the Secretary to State Government, Alhaji Baba Ahmed Jidda, and the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dhuan Yuhai, for immediate construction of 1,000 units of street lights poles with lightening facilities.

esidents of Kogi West Senatorial District are to benefit from the over N600 million hospital equipment and other valuable materials donated by the lawmaker representing the zone, Senator Smart Adeyemi. The senatorial district consists of seven local government areas. Addressing journalists in Lokoja, the state capital, Adeyemi said the gesture was part of the dividends of democracy and an appreciation to the residents’ support in the last few years. He said the equipment would be distributed to the benefitting communities during the presentation of his mid-term report to the people in a later date. According to him, the equipment include 21 ambulances, 500 hospital beds, 100 wheel chairs, incubator for premature babies, exercise bike, 100 special wheel chair, 20 x-ray machines and ultra sound machines. Others include 15 Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to be presented to opinion leaders and the traditional rulers. Markets and hospitals will also be inaugurated in the senatorial district. Stressing that other local government areas will also benefit from the gesture, Adeyemi said: “At the National Assembly, we are not only talking, the wel-

fare of our people is equally paramount in our minds realizing that they are the one who send us there to represent them. In order to be a good representative, there is the need for us to show appreciation.” The senator, however, described the call on him to seek re-election for third term as distraction from his legislative duties and efforts to make life worth living for his people. He said: “I leave the call to seek re-election to God as he would speak through the electorate.” The benefitting local government areas are Ijumu, Kabba, Bunu, Yagba East, Yagba West, Mupa and Lokoja. Meanwhile, the state government is to disburse N 175.4 million scholarship to over 46,336 students in 109 institutions across the country. Governor Idris Wada spoke while receiving members of the state Scholarship Board led by its chairman, Dr. Rekiya Momoh-Abaji. Wada asked the board to ensure that genuine students get the bursary allowance. He, however, promised that the government would address the various problems confronting the board. Earlier in her address, Dr. Momoh-Abaji said the board requires another N 8,450.000 as administrative cost representing travel allowances and expenses.

Katsina ministry alerts on imminent flood JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

he Katsina State Ministry of Environment has raised the alarm over a likely heavy rainfall that could result in flooding in some local government areas. Commissioner for the Environment, Alhaji Aminu Safana, told journalists that the alert followed warning from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to the state. He called on the residents, particularly those in Katsina, Daura, Funtua and Bakori local government areas to brace up for possible heavy rainfall as from yesterday till July 7. He urged the residents to heed the advice and clear their drainages for easy flow

of water. Safana also called on them to desist from driving during rainfall as well as avoid taking shelter under trees. He urged residents of the concerned local government areas to start using pumping machines, as earlier instructed to acquire, to drain water from ponds. The commissioner said that global water level had risen and could affect capacity of ponds and earth dams. Safana also called on people to embark on self-help communal work and plant more trees during the rainy season to reduce desertification and wind storms. Meanwhile, prices of perishable items have increased by 100 per cent in the state. Items like tomatoes, on-

ions, pepper and vegetable have either doubled or tripled their initial prices. The increase, it was learnt, may not be unconnected with the coming Ramadan fast, which is expected to begin next week. Some customers, who spoke on the issue, said the price increase was deliberate. Others said it is attitude of traders to increase prices of their products shortly before and during the fasting period. But the state chairman of the marketers association, Babangida Kaita, said the increase was not deliberate as it was beyond the traders’ control. Kaita, however, called on customers to exercise patience as the situation was seasonal.

WORLD RECORD

Most elements discovered

Vol. 03 No. 6xx

Thursday, July 4, 2013

PDP, Jonathan and the rule of law

ne of the greatest criticisms against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the past, especially during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo presidency, was its negative attitude to the rule of law. Critics often pointed to the party’s petulance and scant regards to pronouncements emanating from the different courts in the land. Under former President Obasanjo, PDP struggled to obey even its own rules, let alone the rules set by the courts. That was how, in spite of the party’s hard-work, organisational skills, amazing national reach and the many electoral victories it won, including being in power at the centre since May 29, 1999, PDP’s image of a lawless organization has stuck. Yet the fact that the PDP is really a big and successful party is undeniable. I dare

N150

A total of 12 chemical elements have been discovered or co-discovered by Albert Ghiorso (USA) since he began his scientific career in 1942. The first was element 95, americum, in 1944.

nternational School of Lagos continued its impressive run in the Boys’ category of the 2013 Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship which entered Day 2 yesterday the National Stadium, Lagos, defeating St Joseph’s Secondary School, Makurdi by 30-25 points. International Secondary School,

Guest Columnist

Igwebuike

Nwokoroigwe

say it would have been bigger if not for self-inflicted damaging injuries as a result of impunity and some undemocratic disposition of its leaders in the past. The party’s national hierarchs willingly gave away Imo State in 2007 rather than obey simple court judgment. Similarly, only a strange judgment by the Supreme Court, secured Rivers State for the PDP in 2007. Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto State and his deputy would have lost their mandate as well, no thanks to the arbitrary and untidy handling of their filings at INEC. The list can go on and on. It is a well known fact in social sciences that personality can shape the behaviour of an institution. This is why behaviouralists insist that the actual behaviour of an individual within an institution is more important if any meaningful understanding of that institution or organisation can be achieved. The point being made here is that the character of the ruling party in the years past actually mirrored the personality of the “ogas at the top” then. President Obasanjo with his rich military background really struggled to come to terms with the logic of democracy and its emphasis on equality and personal freedom. Even our people have become accustomed to the “with immediate effect” disposition of the military. Nigerians not only wanted things to change, they wanted things to change rather quickly. And so, procedures and due process were sacrificed on too many occasions on the altar of quick results. For instance, President Obasanjo and indeed many of us, would not understand

A FEW MONTHS AGO, A COURT ORDERED THE REMOVAL OF THE PARTY’S NATIONAL

SECRETARY,

PRINCE

OLAGUNSOYE OYINLOLA, AND THE ORDER WAS PROMPTLY COMPLIED WITH why we have to wait for the courts to sit, adjourn and adjourn again before it comes to a judgment on a character caught with all his /her fingers in the jar! Obasanjo would not agree with the courts that a man he knows his criminal history, though unconvicted, would be the right person to be given his party’s ticket in a serious election. But democracy is a rule-governed system of government with procedures of its own independent of our own thinking and belief. When President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua was elected in 2007 with Goodluck Jonathan, they promptly declared that their government would be anchored on the rule of law. And true to their pronouncement, they proceeded to undo certain illegal decisions taken by the previous administration. For instance, all the Lagos State Local Government funds deemed illegally withheld by the Obasanjo administration were promptly released. The PDP also began to enjoy a

new lease of freedom as Yar’ Adua declared his intention to allow the party run freely its affairs. It is quite reassuring that President Jonathan has continued on that forthright path of the rule of law and has encouraged his party to do same. Under his leadership the PDP is no longer the same party notorious for impunity and disobedience to rules. If anything, the new PDP is now showing the other political parties that democracy can only be sustained when parties play by the rule and adhere strictly to the letters of the law. A few months ago, a court ordered the removal of the party’s national secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and that order was promptly complied with. In a similar manner, Bode Mustapha, the former national auditor, was also replaced in obedience to another court order. And at the recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the PDP surprised many Nigerians by asking all its national officers whose mode of election had been faulted by INEC to resign. Even when the party had every reason to be suspicious of the said INEC Report released more than a year after the officers were elected in a valid convention, it still went ahead to obey INEC. It took a step further by setting up a committee to organise fresh elections to fill the vacancies and also fixed a date for another convention to rectify the alleged mistakes identified by INEC. Already the guidelines for the new elections have been drawn and publicly released. The PDP had been the butt of vicious attacks for its perceived lack of internal democracy and disobedience to court orders in the past. All this is now history. Now that the party has reformed, Nigerians should be magnanimous enough to applaud this positive development for what it portends for our democracy. And President Jonathan and his deputy deserve praises for allowing their own personality to rub-off their party. Nwokoroigwe, igwebuikenwokoroigwe@ yahoo.com, wrote from Owerri, Imo State

Sport Extra

Milo Basketball: Lagos, Rivers schools shine at Sportscity RSUST, Rivers State defeated Adedokun International School, Otta, Ogun State 51-42 to brighten its chances of playing in the final of the grassroots championship sanctioned by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

In its second game of the competition, St. Jude’s thrashed Westend Mixed Secondary School, Asaba by 34-18 points, while Government Girls Secondary School, Samaru from Zamfara State defeated Yejide Girls Gram-

mar School by 29-23 points. Meanwhile, Coach of First Deepwater Women’s basketball team, Lateef Erinfolami, has commended the competition’s sponsor for the developmental initiative.

NBBF boss, Umar

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