Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Govs reject emergency rule in Borno, Yobe, others AYODELE OJO, OBIORA IFOH, A ZA MSUE AND MARCUS FATUNMOLE Shettima

Vol. 31 N0. 620 115

NGF election:

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he 36 state governors, under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, have advised the Federal Government to ignore the

ongoing agitation for the declaration of a state of emergency in the North, saying that it could plunge the nation into a deeper crisis.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 48>>

Reps summon 24 banks over unremitted taxes Tambuwal

…order NNPC to refund N236bn to govt coffers P.5

Tuesday, Tuesday,June May7,14,2011 2013

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Amaechi dares Jonathan, says I’ll go for second term ‘Presidency lures lawmakers to impeach gov’

Court orders police out of Assembly complex

SAM OLUWALANA AND OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

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ivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, Rotimi Amaechi, has vowed to seek reelection into the exalted position which he described as the genesis of his current political travail.

This is in defiance to the stance of President Goodluck Jonathan who is against his re-election.

Amaechi stated this in a CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Abduction: My wife, daughter’s whereabouts still unknown –Rhodes-Vivour

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Widows of policemen slain in Nasarawa massacre protesting at the Police Command Headquarters in Lafia, yesterday.

World Bank cautions FG against borrowing

20 killed in fresh Benue attack Falana blames govt for death of police, SSS officials P.8,12

PHOTO: NAN

...advocates streamlining of policies between FG, state govts

Abubakar

You’re lying, Kabiru Sokoto tells amnesty committee

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News

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World Bank cautions FG against borrowing TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he World Bank has warned Nigeria to stop fiscal recklessness that may undermine its efforts to sustain growth and compete favourably in the global economic order.

The bank, in its maiden Nigeria Economic Report, NER, presented by the Country Director, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, in Abuja yesterday, projected that country stood the risk of borrowing to finance budget deficit in two years if certain precautions were

not taken.

The Bretton Woods institution noted that if fuel subsidy was sustained, cash calls to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, remained at three per cent of Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and Federation Account distributions increased annually at three per cent in real terms, the country would face financing challenges that might aggravate the deficit financing of yearly budgets as from 2015.

The Lead Economist of the World Bank Nigeria Country Office, Mr.

John Litwack, said the current balance of the Excess Crude Account, ECA, might only be sufficient to pull Nigeria through one year if there was a sharp decline in oil prices.

He noted that unless Nigeria manages to accumulate fiscal reserves, macroeconomic stability faces major external risks.

The NER 2013, however, highlighted some assumptions, stating that “fuel subsidy represents a high and growing opportunity cost to the country.”

It said: “In the absence of the fuel subsidy from 2013

to 2015, under the maintained assumptions, the ECA would have accumulated to over $20bn already in 2013 and to well over $40bn in 2015.

“Thus, in the absence of fuel subsidy, under the first two scenarios, the country could succeed in both accumulating a sufficient reserve to protect itself from oil price volatility, and in realising strong increases in distributions to budgets of oil revenues.”

Despite the increasing uncertainty of the global economic situation, which is still highly volatile, and

President Goodluck Jonathan receiving the 2012 Annual Report from the Chairman, Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform, Prof. Peter Adeniyi (right) in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO STATE HOUSE

an associated macroeconomic crisis which would imply high inflation, currency depreciation and increased hardship for a large part of the population, the report stated Nigeria’s short-term macroeconomic outlook looks generally strong with the likelihood of higher growth, lower inflation and reserve accumulation, however the growth has not automatically translated into better economic and social welfare for Nigerians.

The report said: “Poverty reduction and job creation have not kept pace with population growth, implying social distress for an increasing number of Nigerians.”

Liwack, who relied on statistical data produced by the National Bureau of Statistics to drive home the findings in the report, lamented that between 2004 and 2010 poverty increased in Nigeria to 75 million people while it fell in Lagos from 44 per cent to 23 per cent within the same period.

In order to translate the huge growth potential of the federal system into concrete national development in terms of rapid diversified growth, job creation and avoidance of wastage of scarce national resources, the

World Bank chief noted that there was need to streamline national and sub-national policies in key areas.

These include macroeconomic management (counter cyclical fiscal policy); coordinated policies to enhance market connectivity and improve public services and the realisation of national standards in public financial management and disclosure.

He therefore suggested that the significant degree of autonomy and financial independence of Nigerian states can be potentially advantageous for rapid development in the country, but this process is now hindered by too little market connectivity, weak coordination in fiscal policy and problems in governance.

On the worrisome problems in infrastructure, particularly transportation, as well as institutional barriers, the bank pointed out that investors with the potential to set up large scale operations and create many jobs will be reluctant to do so if they cannot service a larger market since Nigeria’s market are quite fragmented as most states have limited opportunities to attract significant investors.

blocks to woo members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who are loyal to Amaechi.

“We will not allow personal interest to give room for a manhunt and inducement of the legislators against the governor.

We support the openness, frankness and independence with which Amaechi is confronting his personal political interest.”

The former House of Representatives member, however, decried Jonathan’s alleged deployment of state apparatus to harass those perceived to have contrary views to his 2015 reelection bid.

Melaye accused the President of setting a bad precedent dangerous to democratic practices.

Rather than engaging in political vendetta, he challenged the Presidency to openly prosecute Amaechi

if any criminal case had been established against him.

Citing the closure of the Rivers House of Assembly as one case of political rascality, Melaye said: “Even though the House of Representatives has passed a motion that the state House of Assembly should be reopened, the police have locked the place. We have seen the systematic approach of the President in hunting down any opposition against his ambition in 2015.

“We will do everything within the law to ensure the President doesn’t use the powers of his office to blackmail or intimidate anybody. The indiscriminate harassment and the use of police in intimidating political office holders who intend to run for Presidency in 2015 must stop.”

Amaechi dares Jonathan, says I’ll go for second term CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

special church service presided over by the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, Most Rev. Camillus Etokudo, in Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He called on the church to show interest in politics and pray for his success at the election.

Amaechi attributed his travails to his position in the NGF, asking: “Why do we have to go through crisis like this all the time?

“I told my friends that I will run for the chairmanship of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, whether I win or lose, because that is the genesis of all these crises.”

“Something similar to what is happening now, happened in the past and we prayed ourselves to power,” Amaechi said, adding that some people misconstrued his straightforward nature

for pride and arrogance.

He said: “I like being straightforward and honest, but some people say I am proud, they say I am arrogant, I am brash, but it is not arrogance.

“Just because I look at you in the face and tell you the truth, people say I am arrogant.”

Amaechi said that he believes in the power of prayers to surmount his challenges, despite the activities of some political jobbers and detractors against his administration.

“I believe in the power of prayers. If you look at my political history, you cannot divorce God and prayers from my political history.

“If you remember how I became the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, it was through prayers. You know the story of the governorship race. What I ask God is that why should I go

through crisis like this all the time? Why are people not honest in life?” Amaechi stated.

Earlier, Most Rev. Etokudo said the service was to pray for peace and unity in Rivers State and Nigeria and thanked members of the congregation for their large turnout.

He, however, declined the governor’s request for the church to be involved in politics, saying that the church is not expected to be involved in politics, but to pray for oneness.

“We (Catholic Church) are not part of politics, but we appreciate that you (Amaechi) are not disturbed again, we will continue to hand you over to God, because, your best friend today can become your worst enemy tomorrow and that is politics. “Have the courage to change what you can change, and also the seren-

ity to accept what you cannot change, ask from God, the wisdom to know the difference,” Etokudo said.

In a related development, a former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye, yesterday alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan had initiated fresh move to oust the Rivers State governor.

Melaye alleged that President Jonathan had perfected the plot to allocate oil blocks to members of the state House of Assembly to oust the governor.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on the lingering political impasse in the oil-rich state, he alleged that the aim was to sway members of the House perceived to be loyal to Amaechi so as to garner the needed support to impeach the governor.

Melaye said: “We heard this morning that the President is trying to use oil

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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Photo News

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Deputy Editor, National Mirror, Mr. Ayodele Ojo; Editor, Sunday Mirror, Mr. Bolaji Tunji; Editor, Daily, Mr. Seyi Fasugba; Deputy Governor, Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, National Mirror, Mr. Steve Ayorinde and Editor, Saturday Mirror, Gbemi Olujobi, during a visit of National Mirror’s management to the governor in Asaba at the weekend.

Mr. Steve Ayorinde presenting National Mirror to the Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan during a visit of the newpapers’s management to the governor in Delta State at the weekend.

L-R: Force Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Force, Mr. Frank Mba; Director of Information, Defence Headquarters, Brigadier–General Chris Olukolade; Managing Director, PRM Africa, Mr. Mike Dada and Deputy Director, Public Relations, State Security Service(SSS), Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, at the African Public Relations Association summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recently.

L-R: United Nations Industrial Development Organization Nigeria representative, Mr. Patrick Kormece, Bank of Industry Ambassador, Dapo Daniel Oyebanji (Dbanj), Vice Chairman, Aso Savings and Loans Plc, Mr. Collins Chikeluba and Executive Director, Business Development, BOI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, during the official unveiling of Dbanj as the ambassador of the bank in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Newswatch: Ray Ekpu, Agbese others lose bid to stall proceedings K AYODE KETEFE

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he bid by four former directors of Newswatch Publication Ltd, NCL, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed and Soji Akinrinade, to stop hearing of the suit instituted against them by the new management of the organisation at a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos failed yesterday.

The presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang, refused an application made by the former directors’ lawyer, Mr. Adekunle Oyesanya, SAN, which urged the court not to hear the substantive suit brought against his clients, immediately after hearing a motion filed by the defendants.

Newswatch, the Group Managing Director, GMD, of Energy Group, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, OFR, and Global Media Mirror Limited, had brought the suit, praying the court to declare that the four have since ceased to be directors and, therefore, could not legally do anything on behalf of the company.

The plaintiffs are also asking the court to declare that the former directors have no competence to declare a trade dispute under the Share Purchase Agreement, SPA, between them and the NCL. The plaintiffs are therefore, praying the court to restrain Ray Ekpu and the others from taking measures that may be inimical to the interests of NCL. At yesterday’s proceedings, Oyesanya had said the time was not ripe for hearing the substantive originating summons (brought by the plaintiffs) until the court had decided the motion of the former directors, one way or the other.

Oyesanya had earlier argued the motion, which is contending that the substantive matter could not be determined by the court through the affidavit evidence alone and that the parties ought to file pleadings.

Immediately after Oyesanya argued the motion, the judge wanted to go ahead to hear the substantive suit.

It was then Oyesanya raised objection and argued

orally that the court ought not to go ahead to hear the substantive suit without giving its ruling first on his clients’ motion.

This position drew stiff opposition from the lawyer representing Newswatch, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, who insisted that the court had held at the last adjourned date that it would hear the former directors’ motion and the substantive suit at yesterday’s proceedings.

After a ding-dong affair of legal arguments between the two lawyers, Justice Abang delivered a ruling in which he held that the point being canvassed by Oyesanya should have been raised earlier at the last adjourned date, when he was not in court personally, but represented by a junior.

The judge added that he had at the said last adjourned date stated that both the defendants’ motion and the originating summons would be taken together, stressing that Oyesanya was wrong by insisting that the two processes should not be taken together.

“The court at the last adjourned date of 29th day of April 2015 delivered a bench ruling that both the application of the defendants and the plaintiffs originating summons would be heard together today while a composite ruling would be delivered.

“The learned SAN for the defendant (Oyesanya) was not in court on that date, but was represented.

His representative should not have adopted a casual and simplistic approach to the matter. The issue he is raising now ought to have been raised earlier. I have delivered the ruling and I have become functus officio of that issue.

“If the learned SAN for the defendant had not been satisfied with that ruling, he knows what he should have done. I cannot be reviewing my own ruling,” Justice Abang held.

Oyesanya eventually applied for an adjournment of the matter on the ground that he had just been served with the plaintiffs’ reply on point of law and that he needed time to study it.

The application was up-

held by the court, which then adjourned the matter till May 17, 2013.

It will be recalled that Justice Abang had on March 6, 2013 struck out the preliminary objection of the defendants, praying the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the plaintiffs had no locus standi; that there is no reasonable cause of action and that the suit was commended through faulty procedure.

The judge had dismissed the preliminary objection on all grounds, stressing that the plaintiffs had locus standi; that there was reasonable cause of action and the procedure the plaintiffs adopted in instituting the suit was legally valid.

The court on that day also awarded the sum of N15, 000 in favour of the plaintiffs against the defendants.

On the issue of locus standi, the judge held that defendants were wrong because; “If anything done by the defendants is likely to affect a party in one way or the other, such a party has locus to bring a matter to court.”

Justice Abang further explained that since the defendants, who had resigned as directors, are still claiming to have the right to declare a trade dispute, this is likely to affect the right of the majority shareholders and that gives the majority shareholders locus standi to bring the suit.

The judge concluded on the issue that both Dr. Ibrahim and Global Media Limited had locus standi to bring the suit when the first plaintiff (NCL) is wronged.

The judge had said: “The suit filed by the plaintiffs was properly instituted.

There is presumption of regularity imposed on the defendants to show by positive evidence lack of authority of the Board of Directors to act on behalf of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs.

“The affidavit of the originating summons was the only information available to disclose the existence of a conflict. It is the duty of the court to decide on whether a conflict exists on its merit and not the parties to state if a conflict in actual facts exists.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Reps summon 24 banks over unremitted taxes TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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he House of Representatives Committee on Finance yesterday summoned the 24 commercial banks over their non-remittance of taxes collected on behalf of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS. The FIRS had told the committee that the banks

paid the N77bn out of N83bn they had collected.

Acting Chairman, FIRS, Mr. Kabiru Mashi, who made the disclosure at an interactive session with the House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance, said that the FIRS had a signed collection agreement with the banks, where the “dos and don’ts” were clearly stated.

Mashi said: “On the

information from the tax audit unit on companies’ taxes since 2006 till 2012, we have audited 23 banks, and through the audit, we have additional taxes of N83bn.

“But so far, the total payment till date is N77bn.

There are still some that are yet to pay because, may be they agreed on installmental payments.”

He, however, said that there were some delayed

remittances from the designated banks, who acted as tax collecting agents, before paying in what they collected into the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s pool account.

The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Abdulmumini Jibrin (PDP-Kano), noted that the guidelines for collecting the money were not clear and summoned the chief executives officers

L-R: Chairman, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih; Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo and his deputy, Mr. Tha’anda Rubainu, during Anenih’s visit to Gombe yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Amaechi dares Jonathan, says I’ll go for second term CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

But reacting to the allegation, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, said: “No amount of oil blocks can sway the 27 pro-Amechi lawmakers to impeach the governor.”

The lawmaker advised the President not to dissipate energy on an impossible venture.

He said: “Hon. Melaye definitely will have more facts on this issue than I do, but it is important to state that no number of oil blocks will make the 27 proAmaechi members consider an impeachment of the governor.

“It is high time politicians realised that money cannot buy love. The 27 proAmaechi legislators love the governor due to his love for Rivers State.

“If you love Rivers State, you would love Governor Amaechi. Kindly take a drive around the state capital; you would know why oil block carrots won’t work here. I would advise the carrots are given to the contractors handling the East-West road project and perhaps to victims of Boko Haram insurgents.”

Also reacting, the state Commissioner of Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said it would be difficult to adequately react to the allegation as the state government does not have any records or proofs to that effect.

However, she said the state government will find it strange, were it to be true, because it does not believe that the president will have any interest in fomenting trouble in a state like Rivers considered to be his own state.

“For things like this, which has no record or proofs, as a government we find it difficult to react to something like this, we don’t want to believe it; you won’t want anything like that to happen in your state.

“As a government, we will find it strange, if it is true because we don’t believe Mr. President will have any interest in fomenting trouble in a state like Rivers State which is considered his own state,” she said.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court has ordered the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, to recall policemen occupying the premises of the

Obior/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The police have, however, promised to obey the court’s order when properly served the notice.

Justice A.H. Nganjiwa gave the order yesterday following an interlocutory injunction sought by caretaker committee of the local government, led by Mr. Chikordi Dike, in a suit he filed against the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the state Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Police Officer of the Rumuokoro Police Station.

The judge said the forced closure and subsequent occupation of the council premises was unconstitutional and warned against the contravention of the order.

He ordered that the police should vacate the premises and provide only minimal security in the council.

Justice Ngajiwa, who described the barricade as using a sledge hammer to kill a fly, said the order to vacate the council headquarters would enable the caretaker committee to do its job and pay workers’ salaries.

He added that people with genuine business should be allowed access to council, pointing out that by sealing off the council, it had caused untold hardship to workers and their dependants.

The judge, therefore, adjourned the case till May 21, 2013.

Addressing journalists shortly after the ruling, the council caretaker chairman, Dike, said he was satisfied with the judgement.

He said the ruling would give the local government authorities opportunity to sign vouchers and pay salaries of “groaning” workers.

Also, counsel to the caretaker committee, Mr. Emenike Ebete, praised the ruling of the court.

He said: “The judgement is kudos to judiciary for defending the rights of the common people and workers of the council.”

But the state Police Public Relations, Angela Agabe, told National Mirror that the police had not been served any notice by the court.

On whether the police will respect the court order when eventually served, she answered in the affirmative.

of the 24 banks involved in tax collection to appear before the committee.

Jibrin, however, assured that the appearance of the CEOs would not adversely affect the economy of the country.

“To this end, the committee is inviting the chief executives of the 24 banks to appear before it next Monday, May 20.

“Let me say this before it ignites any kind of controversy. We are not putting them under any investigation, except proven otherwise. But they are coming here for an interactive session. It is important for me to clarify this: there is nothing sensitive with investigating banks. It’s just an exercise, and it will not have any negative effect on the economy,” he added.

Meanwhile, the House Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to remit N236bn to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation in a month or face prosecution.

The House gave the order based on a query from the Auditor-General of the Federation which the NNPC refused to defend despite several invitations by the committee.

The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Solomon Adeola (ACN-Lagos) gave the committee’s verdict at a resumed hearing yesterday.

The NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, was to appear with the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS; the Petroleum Products Pricing Agency, PPPRA and the Accountant-General of the Federation over the Auditor -General’s query on the fuel subsidy regime.

He, however, advised the General Manager, Process and Procedures, Mr. Abdullahi Kalami, to represent him instead of the Corporation’s Executive Director Finance and Accounts, Mr. Bernard Otti.

The committee, however, dismissed Kalami insisting that he lacked the capacity to stand in for the corporation on the issues raised as it ruled that NNPC must pay the N236bn to the Consolidated Revenue Accounts of the Federation.

Adeola explained that the committee took the decision as the last resort since the corporation had

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refused to provide necessary documents or defend itself while the PPPRA and other relevant agencies had appeared before the Committee and testified that the money was with the national oil company.

However, the Executive Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Bernard Otti made a sudden appearance at the venue of the sitting about three hours after the ruling of the committee and claimed that he was on medication but the Committee turned down his request to make his presentation and advised him to liaise with its secretariat to enable it to attend to other agencies that were already due to appear.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN yesterday clarified that the N2.8bn being queried upon by the PAC was used for the reconstruction of a new office complex for its Port Harcourt branch and not for the renovation of the old complex, as earlier claimed The Deputy Governor of the CBN in Charge of Corporate Services, Mr. Suleiman Barau who made the clarification before the Committee on Monday supported his claims with relevant documents including the photographs showing the old and the new building side by side.

Consequently, the committee cleared the CBN on the query but insisted that its members would still visit the Port Harcourt for on the spot assessment of the old and the new building while the bank should also be ready to provide additional information on the contract where necessary.

On the query raised on the N844m property purchased for the National Planning Commission by the CBN, the Committee stepped it down and requested for additional documents from both parties to enable them get to the root of the transaction.

However, the Committee condemned the sale of the official residence of the governor of the bank built on an acre of land at a prime location in Abuja at a giveaway price of N160m to a private company and directed the bank to proceed to the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC by today to find out the owner of the company and its directors.

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News

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abduction: My wife, daughter’s whereabouts still unknown –Rhodes-Vivour

•LCCI expresses worry over insecurity ISE-OLUWA IGE AND STANLEY IHEDIGBO

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ustice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olabode RhodesVivour, yesterday said he still did not know the whereabouts of his wife, Adedoyin, daughter and chauffeur four days after they were abducted.

Rhodes-Vivour’s wife daughter and driver were abducted on the Benin - Ore Expressway on their way to a wedding ceremony.

But the justice of the Supreme Court said he was yet to hear anything from either his abducted family members or their captors.

The jurist, who faced a similar situation a couple of months ago when his son was kidnapped, dismissed the report that his wife, daughter and driver had been released.

Our correspondent had gone to his Maitama official residence located Off Oguta Lake Street to confirm the rumour yesterday.

The duplex was however deserted.

The gateman, who came out to attend to our correspondent, said the jurist left Abuja on Sunday after it dawned on him that the captors were not ready to release his family immediately.

Further enquiries also showed that he was not expected to sit on any case this week because he is not on any of the panels hearing the few cases on the cause list for the week at

the Supreme Court.

But Rhodes-Vivour told our correspondent on phone that: “I am not aware of that. They have not been released. I am not aware of that information.

But the police are on top of the situation. We expect to hear from them (the police) if there is any development. Thank you.”

Although the Supreme Court sat yesterday, the court officials were seen in groups, discussing the development.

Already, the Supreme Court had written a letter to the Inspector-General of Police to step up efforts to get the jurist’s family released unhurt.

It was learnt that the abductors, who kidnapped Rhodes-Vivour’s son, Rotimi, a few months ago, demanded N30 million ransom.

According to a reliable source, the abducted child was released without the media knowing about it in the first place.

Meanwhile, more lawyers have continued to react to the abduction of the Rhodes-Vivours, begging the captors to release them.

In his reaction, a human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), demanded the immediate release of Rhodes-Vivour.

He said in a statement that: “The abduction on the Ore - Benin road of the wife, daughter and driver of revered Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour of the Supreme Court late Friday has once again most force-

fully brought to the forefront, the pitiable and parlous security situation that has engulfed Nigeria.

“Coming a few days after the kidnapping and release of nonagenarian and elder statesman, Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno, the issue of kidnapping has assumed a frightening dimension such that all Nigerians must rise up to kill this menace before it kills us all. It is a twin sister of Boko Haram and militancy.

“Justice Rhodes-Vivor, a well-acclaimed jurist, is merely a judicial officer, not an entrepreneur. His wife is a legal practitioner, not a businesswoman. Only on September 13, 2012, his son, Rotimi, was also abducted

with a N30 million ransom demand.”

Also, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said: “My take on this is to plead with the police to effect the release of the wife and daughter of this very amiable justice of the Supreme Court.

“I am talking from the position of a father, a parent and husband.

“We just want to plead.

On my own as a Nigerian, I am pleading with the abductors to release from wherever they are holding them now.

“It is not even a question of meeting force to force.

It is a question of pleading

with them.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has expressed concern over the worsening state of insecurity in the country.

LCCI said it had become a source of concern for the business community and already taking a severe toll on investors’ confidence.

In a statement, the LCCI President, Mr. Goodie Ibru, said the situation continued to aggravate investment risks in virtually all respects as turnover of businesses was on the decline.

Ibru added that access to markets was becoming difficult; the risk to profitability and business sustainability was heightened.

He said: “Above all, the risk to lives and property is at an all-time high. Un-

less something is done very urgently to reverse this state of affairs, the benefits of the recent reforms and macro-economic management might be completely eroded.

“It is regrettable as well, that the incidence of kidnapping has become widespread with a profound negative impact on the psyche of investors and the citizens as a whole.

“The latest in the series of kidnapping was the case of the wife of a Supreme Court justice, Mrs RhodesVivour, who was kidnapped along with the daughter.”

Ibru said besides being a respected legal practitioner and arbitrator, Mrs. Vivour is valuable asset to the legal profession, the arbitration community and the Chamber of Commerce.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of State for FCT, Chief Olajumoke Akinjide and Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, during the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme on maternal and child health in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Boko Haram kidnaps women, children in retaliation –Shekau •Claims responsibility for Bama attacks PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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he leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, said his group had started kidnapping women and children as part of its bloody campaign, according to a video released yesterday.

Shekau said the kidnappings were in retaliation for the routine imprisonment of wives and chil-

dren of his group’s members by security agencies.

The video showed 12 children, a mix of boys and girls, though it did not identify them or say where they came from.

“If they do not leave our wives and children, we will not leave (the abducted children),” Shekau said in Hausa language.

Police and security forces have not announced any kidnapping cases in-

volving Nigerians taken after Boko Haram attacks, though such abductions could be easily done in the chaos after an assault.

Shekau quoted the Quran in the video and said anyone taken by the group could begin a new life as a “servant,” without going into detail.

In the video, a Kalashnikov assault rifle sits over Shekau’s right shoulder as he speaks, the back-

ground covered with a rug.

It is unclear when the video was shot, though Shekau claims responsibility for attacks on the towns of Bama and Baga in north-eastern Nigeria in recent days.

In late April, at least 187 people were killed in fighting in Baga, a town in Borno State that sits along the banks of Lake Chad.

Witnesses say soldiers angry about the death of

a military officer set fire to homes there and killed civilians.

Human Rights Watch recently said an analysis of satellite imagery before and after the attack led them to believe the violence destroyed some 2,275 buildings and severely damaged another 125.

Military has blamed the blazes on rocket-propelled grenades fired by extremist and denied killing civilians, despite growing criti-

cism and evidence showing mass civilian casualties.

Shekau said in the video that his fighters only launched a “small” attack there at night and had nothing to do with the civilian killings.

He said: “The next morning, security forces entered there, they burned down houses.

They killed (all) that they wanted to kill and in the end, they came and said it was Boko Haram. It is a lie.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ex-NBA chair faults Falana, backs Okiro for PSC job ISE-OLUWA IGE

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ormer Chairman of the Jos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Benson Igbanoi, yesterday disagreed with Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, over last week’s nomination of the former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, as the Police Service Commission chairman.

In a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja, Igbanoi said Okiro is qualified for the job, judging by his achievements in the police service.

“The provision of sections 153 and 156 of the Constitution are as clear as crystal and without any ambiguity whatsoever.

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

“For the avoidance of doubt, the proviso states as follows: ‘Provided that a member of any of these bodies shall not be required to belong to a political party and in the case of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, he shall not be a member of a political party (emphasis mine).

“Simply put, what that proviso is saying is that membership of a political party is not a sine qua non for an appointee to the office of the chairman of the PSC. “In other words, the fact that an appointee is not a member of a political party should not be used against him as a point in considering whether or not he is qualified to occupy that office.

“Speaking for myself, (as I am not holding brief for Okiro), I do not know as a

point of fact if he is indeed a member of the PDP or any other political party for that matter.

“Falana’s reference to the issue of membership was merely on the basis of Okiro’s position as ex-chief of staff to Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, PDP National Chairman. But even if he belongs to the PDP, that does not in any way affect his appointment.

“If as I have expressed above, Okiro has no constitutional impediment to be appointed to the office of chairman of the PSC, I hold the sincere view that he is eminently qualified as an individual and citizen of Nigeria, who has meritoriously served his fatherland to be so appointed. Having said that, I strongly believe that the critical question to

consider is to look at the credentials of Sir Mike Okiro.

“The Okiro that is known to Nigerians is robustly experienced and an accomplished officer and a gentleman, a detribalised Nigerian, with an unblemished service record who is holding his head high as a retired Inspector-General of Police.

“In my humble view therefore and without any fear, favour and/or ill will, Sir Mike Okiro is eminently, legally qualified and indeed a fit and proper person to be at the helm of affairs at the PSC. “If there is any perceived legal lacuna in the Constitution in that regard, let those who are empowered by the law of the land take necessary steps to amend or alter it.

“But the extant Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it now stands poses no barrier whatsoever to Okiro’s appointment as chairman of the PSC.”

Agric colleges shut over students’ protest KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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cademic and other activities were yesterday paralysed at the Federal College of Agriculture and the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moore Plantation, Apata, Ibadan, as students of the two schools staged a protest.

National Mirror learnt that hundreds of students of the two colleges located within the same premises with the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, I.A.R&T, were protesting over erratic power supply and water shortage in their hostels.

Speaking with journalists, one of the students, in print, said they were protesting the poor sanitation in their hostels.

The protesting students barricaded the

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Nigerian Medical Students Association, protesting to demand for the speedy passage of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

FG perfects strategies for food produce export ABUJA

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he Federal Government yesterday said that it has perfected strategies that would help in addressing the various encumbrances associated with exports of food produce to European countries.

According to the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, the moves would help to facilitate trade to the United Kingdom, UK, and countries in the European Union, EU. Aganga stated this at a workshop and exhibition on export of Nigerian food produce to the UK.

The workshop with the theme; “Export of food produce to the United Kingdom,” was organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC. Speaking on the significance of the workshop, the minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Dauda Kigbu, said it would help to reduce complaints by exporters regarding the rejection of traditional food exports by the UK Border Agency.

He said; “In view of the strict importance attached to internationally accepted procedures and documentation, especially where food

consumables are concerned, this workshop could not have come at a better time, more so, as the nation looks to diversifying its economic base from oil to non-oil products.

“The imperative remains that our exporters have to update themselves and adhere to new conditions for the export of food produce recently issued by the Director General of the European Commission’s Health and Consumer Directorate in Brussels.”

Also speaking at the event, the EU Head, Import Control Agency, UK, Mr. Michael Glavin, said for the country to fully harness the potential of non-oil export,

main entrances into the colleges as early as 7.00am, preventing members of staff and students from going into the two campuses.

It, however, took the timely arrival of a team of police officers from the Apata Divisional Police headquarters before the situation could be put under control.

It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of the station, thereafter, held a peace meeting with the principal officers and students’ leaders from the two federal colleges.

It was learnt that after the meeting which lasted for about three hours, managements of the two institutions decided to shut down the campuses pending the time the issues raised by the students would be resolved.

Another building collapses in Lagos DAYO AYEYEMI

OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

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challenges such as compliance with EU laws and agriculture processing needed to be addressed.

He said; “One of the reasons why we are here is to advise and to give more information to Nigerian exporters on how European Union laws can be interpreted and give as much advise and follow ups as to how Nigerian exporters can improve compliance over the next period of months to facilitate trade coming into the UK, because if you can come into the UK, you are also entitled to come into other 31 countries as well.

“We are looking at infrastructure, because Nigeria

ive days after three buildings collapsed in Lagos, another one has caved in at the Isolo area of Lagos yesterday.

The collapsed building is one of the structures already marked for demolition at the Jakande Estate in Isolo by the Lagos State government.

As at the time of filing in this report, no casualty was recorded as occupants of the building had been relocated by the state government.

The state of Jakande

exports fish very well to UK and EU. We are looking at how to advise stakeholders; we are looking at critical control points in Nigerian agriculture industry and in the processing side of the industry to bring it up in line with EU laws.

The NEPC Executive Secretary, Mr. David Adelugba, who also spoke at the event said with the workshop, the country would begin to witness a quantum leap in the volume of non-oil exports.

“The British market consistently tops the first 10 chart list of importers of Nigerian goods, and in any case, they have been our traditional trading partner of old. We are looking at it from superlative terms now.”

Estate, Isolo, has been a source of concern to many stakeholders following last year’s building collapse that killed three people.

A source from the estate disclosed that some residents of the buildings marked for demolition were paid N200, 000 each by the state government while the latter planned to demolish all the buildings that failed the integrity test.

Factors such as poor procurement, faulty foundations, non involvement of building professionals, shoddy jobs and use of sub-standard materials, among others, have been adduced to be responsible for building collapse in the state.

As at the time of filing in this report, the state government was yet to make any categorical statement about the incident.

Just last week, a fourstorey building collapsed at the Ojodu Area of the state with two casualties, while others sustained varying degree of injuries.

Also, another threestorey building believed to be a shopping complex under construction collapsed in Ikorodu area of the state while another building also collapsed at Bariga area of the state.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

80-year-old mother of ex-commissioner abducted in Ondo HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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idnappers numbering about six on Sunday in Iyansan, Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, abducted the 80-year-old mother of the immediate past Commissioner for

Education in the state, Remi Olatubora.

It was gathered that the kidnappers, who invaded the residence of the octogenarian around 1.00am whisked the woman away through speed boats.

The abductors, who were armed to the teeth, according to a source,

went straight to her room and dragged her out into a waiting boat.

It was further learnt that the faint wailing of the aged woman, whose name could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, woke up the younger wife of her husband who was in an-

other room, but that she retreated when she saw the armed men.

The source said other occupants of the house were left unharmed saying; “apparently the hoodlums knew the details about their victim, as they wasted no time in carrying out their opera-

tion.

“Before any help could come from the people of the area, the abductors had made away with the old woman in a waiting speed boat.”

The source, however, said that the whereabouts of the octogenarian was unknown even as no contact has been established by the abductors on how to secure the old woman.

All efforts to get in touch with former education commissioner were unsuccessful as he refused to answer calls put through to him.

Confirming the devel-

opment, the Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Wole Ogodo, said the incident has been reported to the Divisional Police Station in Irele.

He added that investigation has commenced to unravel those behind the crime, promising that the command will soon fish out the perpetrators.

The police public relations officer, however, appealed to members of the public to give useful information on how the 80-year-old mother of the ex-commissioner could regain her freedom.

CJN laments rate of frivolous petitions by lawyers MURITALA AYINLA

T Members of Igbesa community in Ogun State protesting against alleged injustice in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Arms importation: Court jails Iranian, accomplice 17 years KAYODE KETEFE

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fter 27 months of prosecution, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday sentenced an Iranian national, Azim Aghajani, and his Nigerian counterpart, Ali Jega, to 17 years imprisonment over their involvement in the importation of firearms into Nigeria.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Okechukwu Okeke, who had just five days more on the bench before his retirement, the court held that

the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against the accused.

The court, however, made the sentence to run from February 1, 2011, being the time the accused were first arraigned.

Each of the accused will, however, spend a maximum of five years in prison as the terms of the sentences were made to run concurrently.

Justice Okeke also directed that the 13 containers of firearms seized from the accused be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The judge further held that he was not in doubt that

the 13 containers loaded with firearms was imported into the country even though the first accused, Aghajani, had lied that the containers were only loaded with “building materials.”

Justice Okeke said; “It is my opinion that the moment the security started closing in, the story started changing.

“I sympathise with the second accused person because of the role he played because he thought he was helping his friend.

“It is my view that the accused made false declaration on the bill of lading. If the

Insecurity: Falana blames FG for killing of policemen, SSS ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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agos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has blamed the Federal Government for exposing the ill-trained and poorly-equipped security operatives to the superior fire-power of terrorists, thus causing endless killings of the nation’s security agents.

He said the circumstances that led to the recent gruesome killing in Nasarawa State of scores of policemen and operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, could best

be described “as nothing more than a suicide mission.”

In a chat with journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the human rights activist also faulted the Federal Government’s approach in managing the victims and relations of the deceased since the insurgency started, noting that little or nothing had been done to assuage their feelings as it is the case in other civilized climes.

He said: “The killings of policemen and other security agents in Borno and Nasarawa States can-

not be justified beyond the official condemnation. They are human beings too. The life of each of them is as important

goods were truly construction materials, the accused persons should have stated so in the bill of lading.

“There is no doubt that the accused persons and their collaborators deal in unlawful importation of arms.”

Lawyer to the Iranian, Mr. Chris Uche, SAN, shortly after the conviction but before the sentencing, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, stressing that his client had co-operated to ensure a speedy disposal of the case.

Uche added; “It would serve no useful purpose in keeping the first accused in Nigerian prison. as that of any other Nigerian and to that extent the killing of policemen, soldiers and men of the SSS by the Boko Haram sect or other militia groups deserves condemnation.”

he Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mariam Aloma Muhktar, yesterday bemoaned the high rate of frivolous petitions by some lawyers in the country even as the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, tasked lawyers and all judicial workers to uphold the code of ethics of their profession.

They spoke at the opening of a two-day workshop organised by the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Rule of Law Action Group held at the City Hall, Lagos with the theme; “The Rule of Law: The Bedrock for Sustainable Democracy and Development.”

Justice Mukthar, who said that erring judicial workers who flout the ethics and code of conduct of the profession, should be prosecuted and punished accordingly, frowned at the habit of litigants and lawyers who frequently use petitions as an alternative to appeal.

Her words: “What is more worrisome was that lawyers who are learned in the country’s legal system

15 more suspected cultists arrested in Lagos FRANCIS SUBERU

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s the Lagos State Police Command continue to clamp down on cultism in the state, no fewer than 15 suspected cultists belonging to different confraternities were yesterday arrested at Mushin area of the metropolis.

It will be recalled that about 165 suspected cultists were arrested on Sunday by a team of security operatives in the state.

A very reliable police source disclosed to National Mirror that the activities of the cultists in the area have reached its peak and needed to be checked.

According to the source, the suspected cultists belong to Eiye and Black Axe

confraternities. The confraternities have their main operational base located at Empire, Ogunmokun/Tollgate Idi-Oro/Alamutu and Jibowu/Railway line areas.

The source noted that the late Afro Beat King, Fela Anikolapo-Kuti’s former base, currently called Empire in Moshalashi area of Mushin, was now a base for Eiye cult group, making the area a no go area for other

have engaged themselves in that negative practice. This has led to a lot of frivolous petitions filed before the NJC. She noted that on her assumption of office, she met 139 petitions on her table, but only 33 of such petitions were considered worthy of defence.

She continued: “On assumption of office, 198 fresh petitions were filed out of which 150 were frivolous.

Fifteen of them are awaiting responses from judges while only 21 were slated for consideration.

“The NJC doesn’t just sit down and invite petitioner to file petitions. But what we believe is that those who are aggrieved have the privilege to write petitions. And it is incumbent on the NJC to go through the petition and act on it accordingly. And the ones that we are dealing with are those we considered very serious.”

Muhktar in her remarks, said judicial officer in the country must be interested in actively participating in the establishment, enforcement and observant of the high standard, ethics to ensure that the integrity and respect for a credible judiciary is observed. cult groups to operate or hold any gathering.

The popular bar, located at 39, Ikorodu Road, Jibowu, Lagos, called Arena was also a joint or the headquarters of the Buccaneer, also known as the Black Axe. “Within the months of September and October, 2012, some parts of Mushin were war zone areas between the cult groups. We got the names of some the leaders and begin to arrest them.

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Ekiti deputy gov resumes, seeks God’s face ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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he new Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, who resumed duty yesterday, sought divine guidance for Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration.

Adelabu, who said she had nothing to fear as her appointment was divine, said God had ordained her to make meaningful contribution to the success of the present administration.

The deputy governor spoke during a prayer session to usher her into her office at Oke Bareke, Ado-Ekiti, urging members of staff in the office to be diligent.

Hijab: Osun, CAN demand out-ofcourt settlement

The former State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, chairman, who was sworn in as deputy governor last Wednesday, advised all the political appointees and civil servants not to allow any division, but work in synergy more than ever before, love one another and be honest, saying these were the prerequisites for attaining corporate success.

She said her predecessor, the late Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, who died on April 6 after a protracted battle with cancer, would be adequately honoured when “she turns around in her grave to see that people are working for the overall good of the state”.

Earlier in the day, the deputy governor had, when her convoy ran into a scene of an accident, ordered a car in the convoy to take the body of the victim, an unidentified young man, who was crushed by a hit and run vehicle, to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.

The accident, which occurred at the Similoluwa area of the state capital, had caused a gridlock on the ever-busy road.

The Vicar of Emmanuel Anglican Cathedral, Okeesa, Ado-Ekiti, Rev. Francis Bankole, had in his exhortation at the prayer session, said that one should not be deterred by events of the

past.

According to him, lessons from the past should be taken and applied as one presses forward to achieve greater tomorrow.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr. Paul Omotoso, whose ministry is under the supervision of the deputy governor, pledged the support of the ministry to Adelabu.

The Special Adviser, Office of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, who spoke on behalf of the political appointees and civil servants in the office, said they were prepared to ensure Adelabu’s success.

Lagos sacks 157 LASTMA officials for gross misconduct MURITALA AYINLA

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agos State Government has sacked about 157 officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA for gross misconduct.

It was gathered that 57 of the officials had been earlier sacked prior to the publication of about 100 LASTMA officials’ names in the April edition of the state newsletter, Alausa Alert.

This has brought the number of those sacked in the last one month to 157.

A source in the state Civil Service Commission told our correspondent that the

ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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sun State Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday told a High Court sitting in Osogbo to discontinue the case instituted by the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSN, to allow the use of Hijab (veil) in all public primary and secondary schools in the state.

The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Wale Afolabi, in a preliminary objection filed on behalf of the state, sought an out-of-court settlement.

Afolabi said at the resumed hearing of the case that the state government was interested in peaceful settlement of the matter between Muslims and the Christians in the state.

Also counsel to CAN, Mr. Femi Ayandokun, charged the court to allow all concerned parties in the matter to find an amicable resolution.

Ayandokun said both parties involved in the matter must solve it before it degenerated into a full blown crisis.

Justice Jide Falola, who presided over the court, adjourned further hearing till June 25.

Falola said all stakeholders in the state were interested in the case and appealed to both Christians and Muslims to give peace a chance in the state.

L-R: Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Funsho Amosun; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Sherifat who is the Ambassador of Community-led Total Sanitation and wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, during a one-day sensitisation workshop on community sanitation in Osogbo, Osun State, yesterday.

FRSC didn’t cause Akure road crash –Sector Commander HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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he Ondo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mary Wakawa, yesterday said four of the hoodlums who invaded and vandalised the command iffice in Akure over the last Friday accident had been arrested by the police.

Wakawa also denied involvement of the officials of the commission in the accident, saying the FRSC men were only trying to rescue the victims.

She explained that the accident in which seven passengers, including a family of four, were injured in Akure, the state capital, at the weekend

was a result of human error.

Briefing journalists on the event leading to the accident, the sector commander also denied the death of any of the occupants of the vehicle.

Wakama said the accident involving a Toyota Corolla car was caused by system failure when the driver wanted to cross from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, filling station to beat the FRSC men, who were on patrol.

According to Wakawa, FRSC men did not stop the car when it crashed into other oncoming vehicle.

The sector commander explained that the fivepassenger capacity car was carrying seven peo-

ple when the accident occurred.

She said the people, who attacked the state headquarters of the FRSC, were misinformed by some passers-by who gave a wrong account of what happened.

Wakawa, however, called on motorists to abide by traffic laws and regulations.

She, however, promised to always ensure safety of lives and property on the highways.

Earlier report said four members of a family died in an accident in Akure, when an articulated trailer lost control and crushed the vehicle in which they and others were travelling.

The report added that three other vehicles rammed into the two vehicles in the accident which occurred on Ilesa - Owo Expressway.

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officials were sacked because of different offences ranging from corruption, certificate forgery, bribery and dereliction of duty, among others.

But the management of LASTMA denied that the officials were sacked based on allegation of corruption and certificate forgery.

However, the source said more officials might be sacked in the coming days as names of about 50 others had just been forwarded to the Personnel Management Board, PMB, the disciplinary organ of the government, to look into the allegation of gross misconduct levelled against them.

It was learnt that the sacked officials, whose pictures and names were published in the newsletter, could not prove their innocence before the PMB, hence they were shown the way out of service.

Over 250 LASTMA officials were dismissed by the government over issues ranging from gross misconduct, corruption, among others.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, while briefing journalists, said government would not condone any form of indiscipline among LASTMA officials.

He said: “The LASTMA authority is strict in applying disciplinary measures as nobody that has done wrong will go unpunished.”

Police arrest Akala’s domestic servant for burglary KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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olice in Oyo State yesterday paraded one Francise Kadibuwa, a Beninoise, for being the mastermind of the robbery attack on the Bodija, Ibadan residence of the immediate past governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala, penultimate week.

Parading the suspect identified as the cleaner of Alao-Akala’s house at the police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Indabawa, said the command received a complaint from the former governor’s wife, Mrs. Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, that unknown persons broke into her apartment, ransacked everywhere and made away with some of her valuables like jewellery and money.

According to the commissioner, a team of crack detectives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad was detailed to go into the case and unravel the identity of the criminals after which Kadibuwa confessed to be the culprit.

Indabawa said the cleaner, in his confession, absolved other workers in the house of involvement in the burglary, claiming that he single-handedly planned and executed the burglary by buying the house breaking implements like hammer, sawblade, two chisels and nail removers a week before the incident.

The commissioner added that Kadibuwa carried out the robbery operation between 1am and 3am on May 5, when all the occupants of the house had travelled to Ogbomoso.

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Police arrest ex-school head over mother’s death CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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-64-old retired secondary school viceprincipal, Chief Chimezie Osigweh, has been arrested for allegedly killing his mother, Mrs. Lucy Osigweh, whose body was found in a cupboard in his room at Ejemekwuru Alaoma community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The suspect was arrested yesterday in his house by a team of police after a tip off.

Mrs. Osigweh, 78, was declared missing in 2003.

•Deceased declared missing in 2003 •Body found in suspect’s cupboard

Her body was found in a large cupboard inside her son’s private room in a circumstance depicting ritual practice.

When the body was found, it was discovered to have been embalmed by the suspect, who is strongly believed to be a member of a secret cult.

According to the police preliminary assessment of the scene, the woman may have been murdered for ritual purpose.

Addressing journalists, the state Commissioner

of Police, Mr. Mohammed Musa Katsina, disclosed that the body of Mrs. Osigweh was found in a wardrobe in a room where members of the secret cult usually hold nocturnal meetings.

Katsina, however, said the woman’s dried body would be taken to the laboratory for autopsy to determine the cause of her death.

He said: “We are going to determine the cause of death before prosecution. We are holding the suspect for first degree murder.

The police will also go

to court to get warrant to excavate the man’s room because it is suspected that more bodies could still be found there.”

But the suspect claimed that his mother was not dead, saying: “She is only transcending. My mother is not dead.”

Explaining how the woman died, he said: “In 2003 when my mother went out to answer nature’s call around 1:am while I was mediating, I heard a loud crash and I rushed out to see what has happened only to dis-

cover that she hit her head on an object and died.

“I decided to preserve her body through the help of a doctor and placed her in the room and later in the cupboard.”

However, the late Mrs. Osigweh’s family and members of the community said that they were shocked to have discovered that the woman was dead and kept in a cupboard by her son.

The deceased’s younger brother, Onima Macedonia, said: “We don’t know that

Abia to verify property for distortion rectification

Imo workers resume after three-day strike

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GEORGE OPARA ABIA

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roperty in Abia State will soon be verified to correct the alleged distortions in their development.

The state government decided to verify the property to recover lost revenues and in some cases revoke some certificates of occupancy, especially in the urban centres.

The Commissioner for Physical and Urban Renewal, Mazi Donatus Okorie, spoke yesterday as a press conference in Umuahia, the state capital.

Okorie noted that not a few owners had converted their property into illegal structures without the consent of the government.

He said: “Such abuse and illegal conversion have caused certain illegal development of structures and change of purpose clauses as enshrined in the certificate of occupancy and building permits thereby collaterally causing chaos, confusion and huge loss of revenue to the state.

“Investigations even revealed that many land owners have converted their land into churches as some residential buildings were converted into commercial centres.

“For 22 years of the state creation, it is sad to note that Abia has failed to have a respected master plan for urban development, hence, illegal structures have taken over the available land.”

my sister is dead because we have been asking her son of his mother’s whereabouts for the past years, he would tell us that she travelled.”

A resident, Mr. Chukwukere Amadi, said: “We did not suspect him because he is a native of this community, but nobody comes to his compound and when you ask him of his mother’s whereabouts, he would say she travelled abroad. We are aware that he is a member of a secret cult, that is why he did not want to get close to the people.”

The suspect, Chief Osigweh, after he was arrested yesterday. Inset: the suspect opening the wardrobe in which he kept the body.

Uwazuruike set up MASSOB to achieve selfish interest –Ex-chieftain NWABUEZE OKONKWO EZE ONITSHA

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ormer chieftain of the Movement for the Actualization of sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Vernatius Muoneke, yesterday described the group as an agenda set up by its founder, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, for his selfish interest.

Reacting to a statement credited to Uwazuruike yesterday that he had been suspended from the group since August 21, 2006 with 13 others and that their suspension order is still in force, Muoneke said he was never suspended or expelled by MASSOB at any point in time, rather he willingly pulled out of the group because of its clandestine activities.

He said: “We embraced

MASSOB from the onset, thinking that it is a responsible organisation, only to discover at a stage that it was Uwazuruike’s personal agenda and we left for our own good. Can you imagine a situation where every member of MASSOB, from Regional Administrators down pay a monthly levy of N3, 000 to Uwazuruike and the whole amount goes into his private pocket?”

“Uwazuruike is the leader, the secretary, the treasurer, a sole signatory and everything in MASSOB and he did not give any room for division of labour, rather all the money contributed monthly as membership levies to the tune of N10 million ends up in Uwazuruike’s personal pocket.

“For instance, during

Ojukwu’s burial, he told us that MASSOB would finance the burial and we raised as much as N200 million through membership levies, but a few days to the burial, Uwazuruike now told us that President Goodluck Jonathan had agreed to give Ojukwu a state burial and he pocketed the money. “ Uwazuruike was no body before the advent of MASSOB and when he was remanded in Keffi prison in 2006 and our members were being shot at random and arrested indiscriminately by security agents at the heat of the crisis in Onitsha, following a shooton-sight order by Governor Peter Obi, he begged me to use my personal money to secure the release of the detained members and other important pressing mat-

ters, which I obliged him, but when he came out, and started generating money from these membership levies, he suddenly remembered that my suspension order is still in force, instead of compensating me for my good work”.

He, however, urged Igbo youths to pull out of MASSOB in their own interest because if anyone dies or gets injured, Uwazuruike would not assist him or his bereaved family.

Muoneke added: “Uwazuruike and his MASSOB team can never actualize Biafra as they are trying to make the people believe because they don’t have the capacity to do so.

“The only way Biafra could be actualized is for all Igbo sons and daughters living at home and in the Diaspora to join hands together

mo State civil servants yesterday resumed work after a three-day warning strike against their alleged delayed promotions and eight months salary arrears owed staff of parastatal and agencies.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who monitored public offices in Owerri, the state capital, reports that the offices, which were under lock, were opened for workers resumption.

A union leader, Mr Humphrey Ukaegbu, told NAN that the workers resumed duties following the intervention of Governor Rochas Okorocha, who promised to settle their problems.

He said the governor had promised to look into the issues leading to the strike, especially the delayed promotion of workers.

“He has promised to settle the salaries of the workers who have been owed for months; in fact he said he would settle the issues requested by the joint negotiating council.

“So we are back now but expect His Excellency to implement what he has promised,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Paul Osuagwu, a worker, said the governor had done well and urged him to consider the welfare of workers.

“We commend him for his works in the state, but the problem is that he does not pay much attention to the workers. He forgot that we are the pillars of the state’s welfare.

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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Air Force releases report PHCN gets deadline to complete abandoned project in Edo S E on crashed helicopter

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he Nigerian Air Force yesterday released the preliminary report on the investigation into the crashed Mi-24B helicopter which occurred on May 9 at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, the Director, Air Force Public Relations and Information.

The statement said that a team of safety and engineering investigators, who investigated the accident, said the cause of the crash might not be unconnected with ‘tail rotor systems failure.’

It said that the engines of the helicopter and the gear

box were in good serviceable condition at the time of the accident.

“The report said that mechanical machines are occasionally subject to failure as a result of system’s malfunction.

“The report also confirmed that the helicopter had flown 1,908 hours before the accident,’’ the statement said.

Following the crash of the helicopter, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh directed the grounding of the entire Mi-35P and Mi-24B helicopter fleet.

The statement, however, said that following their certification by investigators, the Mi-helicopters fleet had now been certified fit to resume flying.

EBASTINE BENIN

BHUOMHAN

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he Edo State House of Assembly yesterday gave the Executive Director of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Benin Zone, Mr. Effiong Umoren, one month ultimatum within which to complete the abandoned I k i r a n - O k e - Ay a r a n Ikakumo electrification project in Akoko Edo. Residents of Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state had, in a petition to the House of Assembly, raised the alarm over the whereabouts of the N50 mil-

lion allegedly appropriated for the completion of the project.

The residents claimed that the project was awarded in 1999 without anything to show for the money appropriated.

Appearing before the House yesterday, Umoren, who attributed his failure to furnish the House Committee on Energy and Water Resources with the required documents relating to the project as earlier requested to the recent local council election in the state, said the project was enlisted to him as a fresh contract under the 2012

budget appropriation by the National Assembly and not an ongoing or a yet-to-be completed contract.

On his part, the lawmaker representing Akoko Edo II, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, claimed that the project is an ongoing one and attained about 85 per cent completion.

But the PHCN boss disagreed. He said that as the company saddled with the responsibility of contracting the procurement of poles, conductors and other items, its record showed that the area’s source of electricity supply had a problem.

He said the company had

attained 47.7 per cent of the N3.75 billion earmarked for constituency projects in Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Delta under the 2012 Appropriation Act of which 1.7 billion has been released.

The PHCN boss also denied the allegation that the company illegally charges N500, 000 to install transformer, but explained that the N25, 000 charged for personal transformers is in line with new tariff regime.

The House Speaker, Hon. Uyigue Igbe, mandated the Committee on Energy and Water Resources to visit the project site on June 13, 2013 for verification.

Community decries ‘marginalisation’ in appointive positions

E

gbema community in Edo State has decried the alleged marginalisation of its people in political appointments by the government.

The community, at a meeting yesterday in Benin, the state capital, described the development as “total neglect” of its people.

The convener of the meeting, Mr Joe Bisinia, said the parley was an opportunity for all Egbema indigenes to discuss what they considered as “gross marginalisation and neglect’’ and to chart a common course.

Bisinia said: “We know that a lot of pains have been inflicted on our people; this

meeting is not one to apportion blame, but an opportunity for us to see what we can do for ourselves as a people.

“The family house is too small for us to continue to have division among us. We need to have common understanding for the good of us all.

“It is only the Egbema man and woman who can identify his or her problem and the only ones who can also proffer solution to them.”

Bisinia, however, appealed to residents of the community to stop to dissipate their energy in fighting one another, but to channel it to effort aimed at bringing development to the locality.

L-R: Head, Communications, Heritage Bank, Mrs. Josephine Aligwe; a cleric, Revd Basil Ndubuisi and Head, Business Services Group, Mr. Wumi Adeniyi, during the opening of the South-South Regional Experience Centre of the bank in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Suspected sea pirates attack, rob passengers in Bayelsa EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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ome suspected pirates at the weekend attacked and robbed no fewer than 80 passengers on SabatoruIbeta-Iwoma-Nembe water ways in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The passengers, who were on board over 10 speed boats, were heading for Nembe to attend the funeral of the mother of Nengi Ilagha, the former speech writer to former Governor Diepreye Alamieseigha, before they were confronted by the pirates at about 4pm.

The suspected pirates dispossessed the boat drivers of their engines and jerry cans of fuel, while the passengers were robbed of their money, mobile phones and other belongings.

It was learnt that the suspects poured fuel on some of the passengers and almost set them ablaze.

In an interview with National Mirror, a victim, who did not want his name mentioned, said the suspects left them stranded in the creek after they made away with the engines.

The victim described the incident as worri-

some and traumatic as they were held for over an hour by the suspects.

While appreciating God that no life was lost in the incident, a public commentator from Odioma in Brass Local Government, Loveday Herbert, appealed to the state government and relevant agencies to initiate robust security strategies to tackle the sea robbers.

A community leader and Chairman of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Chief Nengi James, decried the frequent attacks by sea pirates in the water ways, describing it as unbearable.

Navy arrests two for running illegal refineries SAM O LUWALANA

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he Nigerian Navy has arrested two persons for allegedly running illegal refineries in Rivers State.

The Navy also destroyed eight illegal refineries and two vessels arrested in connection with the act.

A statement signed by the Base Information Officer of NNS Pathfinder, the flagship vessel of Western Command of the Nigerian

Navy, reads: “An operation carried out by some Naval Officers on Friday, May 10, 2013 led to the discovery and arrest of some people around the Ogu/Bolo area of Rivers State.

“The Nigerian Navy Ship NNS Pathfinder, during its routine patrol of creeks, discovered and destroyed eight illegal refineries, a large metal barge and one Cotonou boat- laden with stolen crude oil around Ogu/Bolo. Two persons were also arrested in connection to the illegal

refineries and at the moment they are being interrogated in the Base’’.

The Navy, however, warned individuals involved in the illegal activities to find alternative means of livelihood as it would not condone such acts anymore.

“The Commander NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua, advised those involved with these activities to seek legitimate employment instead of living off untoward activities,” the statement said.

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North

HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

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unmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen yesterday invaded Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State and killed 20 people.

The incident occurred during the burial of some of the policemen murdered recently in Nasarawa State who hailed from the council.

Yesterday’s killings came barely a week after

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

20 killed in fresh Benue attack

men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen sacked 10 villages and killed several persons in Agatu Local Government.

Reacting to the killings, Chief German Adobunu, the liaison officer to Governor Gabriel Suswam, said the attack at Ekwo-Okpanchenyi was unprovoked.

Adobunu said the herdsmen destroyed most of the houses at Ekwo-Ok-

panchenyi, thereby forcing the residents to become refugees in Apa and Otukpo local government areas as well as Kogi State.

He, therefore, appealed to the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to come to the aid of the victims and to as well send security personnel to the area to take charge of the situation.

The member repre-

senting Apa/Agatu at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ademu Entonu, also condemned the attacks on Agatu people by Fulani herdsmen and called on the Federal Government to deploy security personnel to the area.

Similarly, the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr. John Ngbede, described the attacks as unacceptable and unfor-

tunate.

Ngbede, who said he was on his way to the area to assess the level of damage, appealed to the people to exercise restraint and await further action from government.

While thanking the state government for its speedy response by deploying security operatives to the area to maintain law and order, the commissioner called on the Federal Government

to build military barracks along the coastal areas of the local government to forestall future occurrence.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ezeala, confirmed the incident but could not ascertain the number of casualties at press time.

He, however, said a detachment of anti-riot policemen had been deployed to the area to restore peace.

Igbo must produce president in 2015 –Ex-Minister HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

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Women making groundnut cake during a practical session of the state governor’s wife’s pet project to empower women in Malumfashi, Katsina State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Police killings: Widows give Al-Makura three-day ultimatum over benefits IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

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idows of policemen killed by a cult group, Ombatse militias, have given Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakua of Nasarawa State three days to clear all benefits accruing to their husbands or they would once again block the Lafia – Akwanga highway.

The widows also asked AlMakura to, as a matter of necessity, shoulder the welfare of children of the deceased by training them from nursery to the university level.

They also urged the governor to pursue all entitlements of their slain husbands at the Force Headquarters.

The widows gave the ultimatum yesterday at the Nasarawa State Police Command headquarters in Lafia, the state capital, when a delegation from the state government led by the Secretary to the State Government,

SSG, Hajia Zainab Abdulmumini, went there to present cheques to relations of the deceased to enable them burry their beloved ones and also feed the children left behind.

The government delegation was also at the Nasarawa State Command of the State Security Service, SSS, to present similar cheques to 10 widows of men of the command also killed in the Ombatse cult attack at Alakyo village.

Presenting the cheques to relations of the slain policemen, the SSG said it was a temporary measure to cushion the effect of their pathetic situation, promising that government would provide for their welfare.

A breakdown of the presentation shows that widow of the leader of the police team massacred by the cultists got N3 million, that of the SSS got N2 million while others were given N1 million each.

The widows have in the

past five days barricaded the Akwanga – Lafia highway to protest their husbands’ killings at the Ombatse shrine by members of the cult group.

The widows’ spokeswoman, Mrs. Mary Levis, said: “Our deceased husbands have left us with children to feed and train therefore we want the state governor to pursue their gratuities and pensions at the federal level.

“Also, those who died during the attack but did not reach pensionable age, the Force Headquarters should make sure they equally enjoy such benefits since they died in active service to the nation.”

She, however, warned that if their quests were not met by the appropriate authorities within three days, they would be left with no option than to resume the blockage of the highway.

So far, 17 corpses have been released by the police authorities to their relations for burial while 25 corpses

were recovered from the bush around the shrine last Sunday.

Meanwhile, Pastor Chris Okotie has condemned the recent killings of policemen in Nasarawa and Bayelsa states by ethnic militias, describing the actions as “barbaric and outrageous”.

In a statement issued in Lagos by his Director of Media and Communications Strategy, Ladi Ayodeji, the cleric cum politician warned that if criminals now target policemen, the nation would no longer be safe.

He said: “If our law enforcement agents begin to fall easy prey to criminal groups and terrorists, the entire nation is at grave risk.

Nobody is safe.”

Okotie urged the Federal Government to take urgent measures to re-arm the police to enable them discharge their statutory responsibilities effectively, while also enjoying maximum protection against reprisal attacks by criminal elements.

he Minister of Communications in the Second Republic, Chief Isaac Shaahu, has suggested that the Igbo should be allowed to produce president at the expiration of President Goodluck Jonathan’s first tenure in 2015.

Shaahu made the suggestion in an interview with our correspondent yesterday in Gboko, Benue State.

The former minister said almost that all the components which constituted the federating units of the country had taken a shot at the Presidency, adding that it would only be proper for the Igbo to occupy the exalted position in 2015.

He said the South-South, “whose slot Jonathan is cur-

rently enjoying,” should in 2015 willingly relinquish power to a credible and accepted candidate that could emerge from the Igbo extraction.

Shaahu pointed out that rotation would also demonstrate oneness and equitable distribution of power.

The elder statesman emphasised the need for every Nigerian to support a President of Igbo extraction in 2015. The former minister, however, said it must be based on the acceptability of the candidate.

He said: “If we beam our search light very well, one can still get people of good virtues who share similar qualities like Dr. Alex Ekwueme and that kind of person should be given free hand to run the affairs of the country.”

Boko Haram, offshoot of global terror network – Coomassie Humanities of Al-Hikmah WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

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ormer Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, has said the emergence of Boko Haram should be seen from a broader perspective of transnational threats posed by the global terrorists’ network.

Coomassie said government must therefore provide security, protect lives and property and ensure an all-round enabling environment for Nigerians.

He said: “This, by no means, is the primary responsibility of the government.”

The former IG said the nexus between security and development had made the goal of entrenching and maintaining law and order a major challenge of most governments across the globe.

Coomassie spoke at the First National Conference organised by the College of

University in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

He observed that bomb explosions and killings by gunmen had continued to endanger the polity thereby threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria.

The former IG added that communal clashes, tribal hostilities, kidnapping, religious bigotry and post-election violence had retarded the country’s socio-economic growth.

In his address at the conference, the Chairman, AntiCorruption Commission of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Yusuf Olaolu-Ali (SAN), said corruption had remained the major developmental problem in the country.

Olaolu-Ali added that the socio-economic and insecurity problems of the country had their roots in corruption as a result of lack of employment, poverty and lack of education.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

SUPER TUESDAY

Politics

Presidency, Reps at loggerheads over 2013 budget

2015: Jonathan, greatest victim of Asari- Dokubo’s outbursts –Mohammed

14,15

FELIX NWANERI writes on the tension being generated by the insistence of some leaders in the South-South that it is either an eight-year presidency for their region or the country is thrown into crisis should President Goodluck Jonathan fail to secure a second term in 2015.

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2015: President’s kinsmen and drumbeat of war

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igeria may be heading to another round of election violence, as recent comments by some stakeholders on the forthcoming general polls have raised considerable concern about the possibility of bloodshed in 2015.

Recent statements credited to the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta/Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku and leader of the Niger Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Mujahhid Asari-Dokubo that there would be no peace across the country if the President was not re-elected for a second term in 2015, point to the direction.

Kuku, who fired the first salvo in Washington DC, United States, warned officials of the U.S. State Department led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State (Bureau of African Affairs), Donald Teitelbaum, that there would be “dire consequences” in the Niger Delta, should Jonathan fail to secure a fresh term in the forthcoming polls.

His words: “It is only a Jonathan presidency that can guarantee continued peace and energy security in the Niger Delta.

I hope the U.S. is aware that with peace and stability in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s economy will remain buoyant enough to empower the Federal Government to contend with terrorism and other forms of insecurity in other parts of the country.”

He added: “The peace that currently prevails in the Niger Delta is largely because Goodluck Jonathan, who is from that same place, is the president of Nigeria. That is the truth. If we allow anything to hurt the peace in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s economy will be endangered and energy security in Nigeria and even in America will not be guaranteed.”

Shortly after Kuku handed the warning, which was clearly meant for Nigerians though he was addressing an American audience, Asari- Dokubo, a kinsman of the President as Kuku (Ijaws), re-echoed the position, saying the current insecurity and tension in the country would be a child’s play if Jonathan fails to win a second term.

His words: “I want to go on to say that, there will be no peace, not only in the Niger Delta, but everywhere if Goodluck Jonathan is not president again, by 2015, except God takes his life, which we don’t pray for.

“Jonathan has uninterrupted eight years of two terms to be president, according to the Nigerian constitution. We must

Jonathan

TOP STORY

Clark

Asari-Dokubo

IT IS ONLY A

JONATHAN PRESIDENCY THAT CAN GUARANTEE

have our uninterrupted eight years of two tenures. I am not in support of any amendment of the constitution that will reduce the eight years of two terms that Goodluck Jonathan is expected to be president of Nigeria.

“For a very long time, our resources from the Niger Delta had been used to feed and fund Nigeria, and some people are still feeling that Nigeria is their personal property, and they can manage it the way they like, but those days are gone forever, it can never come back again. The days when we will elect a president and some people will annul our mandate and place the winner of that mandate in their dungeon and murder him; such days are over and they will never come back again.”

Early warning Alarming as the comments of Kuku and Asari-Dokubo may sound, it would however be recalled that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), had first raised anxiety of a “possible violence” over the 2015 elections, when he said sometime last year that “there could possibly be violence, but with a different angle to it; not post-election but before and during, because of the prevailing security situation, unless it gets better before then.”

Nigeria has a history of electoral violence, but the tension already generated over the 2015 poll that is two years ahead as well as the rising insecurity across the country, occasioned by the Boko Haram

CONTINUED PEACE AND ENERGY SECURITY IN

THE NIGER DELTA... IF WE ALLOW ANYTHING TO HURT THE PEACE

IN THE NIGER DELTA,

NIGERIA’S ECONOMY

WILL BE ENDANGERED insurgency in the North; renewed Niger Delta crisis; kidnapping and armed robbery in the South-East and South-West and ethno-religious/political crisis in Plateau State raises considerable concerns about the possibility of violence in 2015.

Besides these, a 2006 publication of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), had stated that the “combination of insecurity, petro-dependency, and the need to hold or have access to the presidency, drives members of the oligarchy to fix elections, organise political violence, constantly reshuffle alliances, and avoid institutionalising stable political parties.”

The proliferation of arms across the country also calls for concern. About 500 million illicit weapons are said to be in circulation globally. Of this figure, 100 million are in sub-Saharan Africa and about 10 million in West Africa. According to the

Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation, Maj.-Gen. Shehu Abdulkadir, at least 70 per cent of these 10 million illegal weapons are freely circulating in Nigeria.

Another major threat to the elections is the agitaion by the various geo-political zones for the presidency. Apart from the South-West which has not indicated interest, other zones: South-East, North-West, North-East and the North Central are all eyeing the Villa occupied presently by the South-South.

Though Jonathan is yet to declare for a second term, his kinsmen from the SouthSouth, especially those of Ijaw extraction has persistently said that there is no going back to an eight-year presidency for their region as enjoyed by the SouthWest through former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

This is despite the belief by some Nigerians that the President has failed to live up to expectation, and the alleged single tenure pact he was said to have signed with governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2011.

Anger over threat While many failed to see the early warning by Dasuki as a wake-up call, Kuku and Asari-Dokubo’s declaration have suddenly aroused the consciousness of many Nigerians to the impending danger over the 2015 elections. As a result, a flurry of condemnations have trailed their comments from across the country.

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which dismissed the threat, paarticularly by Asari-Dokubo as an empty boast, said the ex-militant was merely seeking CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

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Politics

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015: Jonathan, greatest victim of AsariAlhaji Lai Mohammed is the National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). In this interview with OLAJIDE OMOJOLOOMOJU, he bares his mind on the All Progressives Congress (APC), the outbursts of former militant leader, Mujahideen Asari-Dokubo, the touted ambitions of the national leaders of the ACN and Congress for Progressive Congress (CPC), Bola Tinubu and Muhammadu Buhari respectively. Excerpts: The Federal Government is trying to solve the Boko Haram insurgency by the offer of amnesty to the insurgents.

In your candid opinion, do you think amnesty is the panacea to the Boko Haram insurgency?

The government is misdiagnosing the problem that led to the Boko Haram insurgency. The government misdiagnosed the genesis of the Boko Haram. A purely socio-economic problem was portrayed as a religious and sectional issue. Don’t forget that for more than two years now, we have been advocating dialogue as a panacea to the Boko Haram problem; unfortunately, the government did not listen to us, but today, the government has set up an amnesty committee. The amnesty concept was not an original idea of the government; rather it was imposed on the government. The truth of the matter is that the government itself does not believe in amnesty and it is a ding-dong affair of whether it will or will not work and you can see that this offer of amnesty took off on a wobbling note, with two of the members of the committee resigning.

I think the Federal Government has left this issue too late. The solution, the key to the problem lies in the government seeking the assistance of the community leaders in the areas where the insurgents are based.

Rather than talking down on these people, government should seek their cooperation in combating the insurgency.

Dialogue! Dialogue!! Dialogue!!! That is the key to solving the problem. Government should listen to the conditions to be given; some will be reasonable and looked into by government, some will be unreasonable and be thrown out though the window.

Take for instance; Datti Ahmed said that when he first volunteered to mediate between government and the insurgents, the government failed to keep their own side of the bargain. For instance, the Boko Haram leaders said, ‘as a sign of goodwill, release our children and our wives, who are in detention, because they have nothing to do with what we are doing, then we would now see how serious you are.’ What would it have cost the government to release these children and women, even if to test the waters? I remember also at a point in time, when Ahmed was brokering peace, the agreement was that if talks should continue between the sect and government, it should be kept away from the glare of the public, but the Federal Government went ahead to announce to the entire world that it was talking with Boko Haram and from that point, the Boko Haram leadership backed out and said that it had no confidence in the government.

These are the issues and until the government is sincere in its approach, and

shows sincere concern and is really convinced that it wants peace, there would be no headway. Certain actions of government have shown that it is not sincerely committed to bringing about peace with the Boko Haram sect.

There have been so many stories lately concerning the merger All Progressives Congress (APC). As an insider, where exactly is the merger arrangement now?

The merger is moving very smoothly.

Incidentally, this is the first time in the history of Nigeria that political parties are coming together to form a merger.

What we have had in the past were political alliances, political arrangements and cooperation, so we don’t need to follow a laid down precedence of merger. Today, mergers are governed by certain provisions of the law, both the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act (2010). And that is exactly what we are doing: following the laid down procedures leading to the merger. You see, there have been lots of noises, lots of distractions; people who are ignorant keep shouting: ‘no don’t mind them, the merger parties have not done what they ought to have done, they were just shouting and making noise all about; why didn’t they go and secure their name first with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)?’ My brother, I assure you that the laws are very clear on the steps leading to merger. Section 185 of the Electoral Act governs the merger process. There is nowhere in that section that says you must go to INEC and say you want to reserve a particular name. The law says that the parties intending to merge must inform INEC of their intention to merge at least 90 days before general elections. It now goes further to say that the written notice to INEC of that intention must be accompanied by resolutions of the parties at special conventions convened for that purpose and to be observed by INEC, also to be included are the name the merger wants to be called, the copy of the constitution of the new party, the manifesto and also the logo of the new party.

In other words, it is only when you have come to that point of fulfilling the legal requirements for a merger that you now approach INEC with your letter of intent, which is exactly what we have done now. We have not only held our convention where these resolutions were passed, witnessed and observed by INEC and we have gone ahead to write a letter in compliance with the extant provision of the law to that effect. The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) held their conventions at the weekend where they also passed their own resolutions and

by Monday or Tuesday, they would have written their letter of intention to merge

Mohammed

and submit same to the INEC, to fulfil all the statutory requirements for a merger to come into existence. Section 185 of the Electoral Act says that when INEC receives such letter, it is bound to reply within 30 days to say whether the merger has been approved or not and if there is no letter from INEC within one month, the merger is deemed to have been approved. The merger process is moving very smoothly.

Should the merger be a success, do you think the APC can challenge the PDP in 2015?

I have no iota of doubt in my mind that

THE GREATEST VICTIM OF ASARI-DOKUBO’S OUTBURSTS IS

PRESIDENT JONATHAN HIMSELF. BECAUSE HERE IS A PRESIDENT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A PAN-NIGERIAN MANDATE, NOW BEING PORTRAYED AS A PRESIDENT WITH AN ETHNIC MANDATE

the APC would trounce the PDP come 2015, provided the enabling environment is created for a free and fair election to take place. Why do I say this? Two things worry us: the state of insecurity; you know we have had cause to alert the nation that it appears that there were deliberate attempts by government to escalate the conflicts in the different parts of the country, either by acts of omission or commission. Now, a situation whereby there would be tension, there would be sectarian violence all over Nigeria would not provide enabling environment for free and fair election. So, all Nigerians must please make sure that government is assisted in providing the necessary enabling environment and level playing field whereby elections would be held freely in Nigeria. Our fear is that if this violence continues to escalate, in less than two weeks, we have lost over 200 people; in less than two days, we have lost over 50 policemen, all these do not bode well for a free and fair elections to take place. So, we are very worried and we are challenging government to ensure that peace reigns in every nook and cranny of Nigeria, because if you hold elections in a situation where curfew is declared, or state of emergency anywhere is declared, like what we have on ground today, with soldiers taking over many cities in the country, how can you guarantee a free and fair election?

Secondly, we must also insist that

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Politics

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

15

Dokubo’s outbursts –Mohammed

INEC adopts a transparent, rig-proof voting system and here I am talking about using the bio-metrics it captured during the voters’ registration exercise. Once these two things are guaranteed; safe and secure and enabling environment and a transparent electoral system, the PDP will be kicked out.

Recently, you accused Dr. Frederick Fasehun of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) of trying to create chaos in the South-West. What actually prompted you to come out with such allegation?

When I had that press conference where the allegation was made, OPC was one of the groups mentioned as being propped up to cause mayhem ahead of the 2015 elections. The title of that press conference was that the government was embarking on policies that would make 2015 elections impossible.

And we cited as examples, the conflagrations in various parts of the country.

I remember very well that we were actually more concerned and more worried about the state of insecurity in the nation and the fact that it appeared that the government was deliberately promoting policies that would create an impossible environment for a free and fair election.

We now cited an example that our sources have confirmed to us that to further destabilise the country, a contract has been awarded to a group of people for

pipeline security in the South-West and that while we have no issue or problem with anybody or group being awarded the contract, however, we have serious objections when the contract is an avenue for the group to form a political party to destabilise the polity.

We also went on to say that the said group awarded the contract would employ about 30,000 youths, ostensibly to protect the pipelines but in reality, those 30,000 youths would be handy to create tension and foment trouble during election. Dr. Fashehun replied and did not deny that his faction had applied for the contract, but only said that he had not been given the contract; he didn’t deny that he was going to resuscitate the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), he even went further to say that they would employ 35,000 youths and not 30,000 as we alleged.

He now asked that why have we not complained when other groups in the South-South were awarded same contracts. And we said people are not following our consistency. When Tompolo’s company was awarded the contract for the security of the waterways, we rose against it and said that it was never done anywhere in the world. We vehemently condemned it at that time, if you remember. Secondly, we have no issue with anybody being awarded any contract, but I am not aware that such people awarded contracts in the SouthSouth have also formed political parties to foment trouble in the polity there. Our take and stand is that awarding pipeline security to sectional militias is just a way of encouraging corruption. What are the security agencies doing? Why are they being maintained with taxpayers’ money if government now awards security contracts to ethnic militias? That exactly was our position when the Federal Government awarded the waterways security to Tompolo’s company. So, where is the inconsistency they were shouting about?

Or is it because it is now involving a Yoruba group and so we should have kept silent?

Our main concern here remains: that the polity is unnecessarily being overheated and for you to use taxpayers’ money to promote and sponsor another political party is simply creating an undue advantage and we would not be silent in the face of such flagrant abuse of power and process.

An ex-militant leader, Mujahideen AsariDokubo, has been threatening the corporate existence of the country if President Jonathan is not elected for a second term in 2015. Last week, he dared the National Assembly to arrest him and see if there would be peace in Nigeria. How would you react to these threats?

I think people should just simply ignore Asari-Dokubo and his likes. The greatest victim of Asari-Dokubo’s outbursts is President Jonathan himself.

Because here is a president that was supposed to have a pan-Nigerian mandate, now being portrayed as a president with an ethnic mandate. And I think the person who is being embarrassed in all of these is the President himself, because

AWARDING PIPELINE SECURITY TO SECTIONAL MILITIAS IS JUST A WAY OF ENCOURAGING

CORRUPTION. WHAT ARE THE SECURITY AGENCIES DOING? WHY ARE THEY BEING MAINTAINED WITH TAXPAYERS’ MONEY IF GOVERNMENT NOW AWARD

SECURITY CONTRACTS TO ETHNIC MILITIAS? THAT EXACTLY WAS OUR POSITION WHEN THE FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT AWARDED THE WATERWAYS SECURITY TO TOMPOLO’S COMPANY one, Asari-Dokubo is telling the whole world that he has the President behind him and he can say whatever he likes and can do whatever he wants to do and get away with it. And I think the President should be worried more than anyone else about Asari-Dokubo and his antics.

Yesterday, I was at a function where I read those statements credited to Asari-Dokubo and like we have said in response to Asari-Dokubo’s outbursts, such statements are inciting, incendiary and divisive; they are just not what we need at this point in time. No part of Nigeria can single-handedly install a president; nobody can become president in Nigeria by relying solely on his ethnic group’s support and votes and that is why the constitution is clear, that for anybody to be elected or declared winner of the presidency, he must not only score the majority of the total votes cast in an election, he must also have scored at least 25 per cent of votes in at least two-third of the number of states of the country in an election. How many states are Ijaws in Nigeria? How many states does the South-South has? That is why it is ridiculous, and what the President does not know is that it belittles him for somebody to now come out and say this is an Ijaw president or South-South president.

My advice to the President is that he needs to act fast because if Asari-Dokubo says he can say whatever he wants to say and nobody can do anything about it, then there is more trouble ahead. You can see what happened in Nasarawa State, when militias went and ambush a police convoy and killed over 50 security agents, that is barbaric and that simply is a signal that Nigeria is a failed state.

Statements like those ascribed to Asari-Dokubo that leads to situations that we don’t like. Statements like these, once they are made, they cannot be recalled and once they break, like eggs, you have to contain with the mess that they make.

Who is Asari-Dokubo, for crying out loud? But because he has the backing of the President, that is why he thinks he can make any statement or do anything and gets away with it.

It has been said severally that the political ambitions of the national leaders of the ACN and the CPC, Bola Tinubu and Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 would be an albatross for the emerging APC. How would you react to this?

People have been worried about the presidential candidate of the APC, I

would classify them into two categories: those that are genuinely worried and want the APC to succeed and those who are very cynical and don’t want anything good for the country. But for the sake of the genuine patriots, who are concerned about the future of our country and who wish the APC well, I want to state categorically that these two gentlemen are only majorly concerned about rescuing this nation from drifting further into the abyss.

And for those of us who are close to them, we know what compromises they have made before arriving at where we are today. They have made sacrifices before we can get to where we have gotten today in the merger process, it is not easy for three or four political parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), for instance, with different backgrounds, different ideologies and different socio-political motives, to come together, jettisoning their individual identities, logos, manifestos and names, to become one, to agree on a common name, common logo, common constitution, common manifesto, all within a space of three months. It shows that there would have been a lot of behind the scene moves and compromises and sacrifices and the beauty of this is that everything we have achieved so far has been without any rancour. Whenever we reach a crossroads, we go back and consult with our principals and return to the negotiating table to agree.

We are very focused and we have two huddles to cross; we first need to be registered as APC and I can tell you that bridge would be crossed by the grace of God before June ending and we must commence the immediate mobilisation and registration of new members into the new party and we must conduct ward, local government and state congresses before the national convention to elect officers for the party. It is only at that point in time or after that point in time that the issue of who flags the party’s flag in whatever elective positions would arise and you see, it is a pity that everybody is thinking about the presidency alone, the APC would contest for state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, the Senate and the governorship across the length and breadth of the country and I wonder why there is so much focus on that single office.

But I can tell you we are much focused and be rest assured that when we get to that bridge, we will cross it.

16

Politics

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South-South insists on fiscal federalism FELIX NWANERI

…backs PIB, devolution of powers

T

he South-South caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated the zone’s insistence on fiscal federalism even as it expressed support for the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), pending before the National Assembly.

Rising from a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, where it reviewed topical national issues, the party caucus also insisted on a review of the present revenue sharing formula, saying it has long ceased to reflect changing realities.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, a copy of which was made available to National Mirror, the PDP caucus commended President Goodluck Jonathan for what it described as “his focused leadership and bold, result-yielding Transformation Agenda, which deserves the unwavering support of all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria alike.”

The President was also praised for his administration’s laudable achievements in strengthening the nation’s democracy, stabilising the polity, growing the economy and improving the quality of life of citizens.

The 12-point communiqué read in part: “Caucus commends the initiative, industry and commitment of the administration to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and urges the National Assembly and all stakeholders to support the bill, which when passed into law, is certain to launch Nigeria into the next level of sustainable development of our hydrocarbon resources, in a manner that takes into account the needs of the present generation of Nigerians without mortgaging the future.

“In acknowledgement of, and response to the deafening calls by different segments of the country for review of Nigeria’s over 20-year old revenue allocation formula, caucus is of the considered view that the present formula has long ceased to reflect the changing realities and, there-

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken delivery of almost half of the 40 million permanent voters’ cards, awaiting the balance to be delivered in the next few weeks.

INEC Commissioner, Lai Olorode, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.

According to Olorode, the distribution of the voters’ cards will commence as soon as the commission takes delivery of the remaining consignment.

NAN recalls that in 2012, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N2.6 billion for the printing of first batch of 40 million cards out of the 75 million permanent voters’ cards needed in the country for general elections.

Olorode said that all the logistics for the distribution had been worked out by the commission, pointing out that “as the commission is giving out the permanent cards, the temporary one will be withdrawn.”

He said the commission had commenced a clean-up exercise as well as consolidated the data on the 73.5 million voters already registered to eliminate cases

Anenih

Uduaghan

fore, calls for its urgent, reasonable and pragmatic review to achieve vertical and horizontal equity amongst the tiers of government and better enable the federating units to drive development across the country as was the case up to the 1963 Republican Constitution.”

On the disproportionate assignment of constitutional responsibilities and fiscal powers, the caucus called for drastic and further devolution of functions and fiscal powers from the centre to the federating units to make states more effective engines of growth and development without undermining the power of the Federal Government to maintain uncompromising unity, provide a conducive environment nationwide for development and manage external affairs.

The communiqué further read: “Concerned about the poor state of development at the grassroots all over the country and desirous of effectively reaching our rural populace and communities with tangible democracy dividends as well as better integrating them into the new prosper-

ous nation of our collective dream, caucus calls on the executive at federal and state levels to work with both the National and state Assemblies to strengthen the system of local government prescribed in the 1999 Constitution (as Amended), but without comprising the proper placement of Local Government Councils in a Federation, as essentially being matters for the federating units (states) to handle, including their boundaries, numbers, funding, etc.

“Since Nigeria’s Federal Constitution provides a solid framework for the sustenance of unity and diversity in an ethnically and religiously plural society, caucus holds the view that whilst observable lapses in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) need to be addressed, constitutional amendment should not become so routine an exercise as to impair the stability required for our political and socio-economic development.”

The internal wrangling within the PDP was described as an inevitable consequence of democracy at play in a large, ever growing, truly democratic party with

a call to the leadership of the party at all levels to rally round the President and work assiduously to put the party in order, as Nigeria’s stability, progress and development depend largely on the continuing stability, cohesion and unity of the PDP. The caucus however condemned the behaviour and antics of some Nigerians in assaulting the collective psyche of the nation, by waging various acts of terrorism.

“Caucus not only commiserates with the President, the governments of all affected areas, the victims, their families and majority of peace-loving Nigerians, but salutes the resolute stance of Mr. President to confront terror wherever and whenever it occurs in the Nigeria, while appealing to all law-biding citizens to sincerely join hands with governments to stamp out these and other evils from our society.

“Caucus further salutes the President’s sagacity in initiating and pursuing the policy of amnesty as an option for dealing with the menace of Boko Haram, in demonstration of the administration’s untiring efforts and listening ears. We trust that the fundamental views and interests of the victims will necessarily be taken into account and that the rule of law must prevail and violence in any part of the country whatsoever not allowed to become an instrument to blackmail, coerce or otherwise dictate for political and/or other ends,” the communiqué added.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman, Board of Trustees, of the PDP, Tony Anenih, Edwin Clark, Governors Liyel Imoke, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Godswill Akpabio, Seriake Dickson, the deputy governor of Rivers state, Tele Ikuru and the deputy governor of Delta State, Amos Utuama (SAN).

Members of the National and State Assemblies including the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, House of Representatives’ Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, state party chairmen and stakeholders.

INEC takes delivery of 20m permanent voters’ cards ...to sell 78,000 laptops to state governments of duplication or multiple registration.

The commissioner said that recently, some staff were recruited and would be engaged in the distribution of the cards.

Olorode said that contingency plans had been made for those who would not be able to receive their permanent cards during the exercise.

He said that ward officers would also commence house to house campaign on what to do and steps to be taken during the distribution.

“The commission has put in place various logistics to ensure the security of the cards because we don’t want them to get into wrong hands or the politicians to hijack the exercise.

Olorode said that based on past experience and investigations, the commission was this time, giving out more secured, fraud-proof, chip-based and biometric data proof card in order to check the electoral manipulation.

He also said that the commission has got approval from the National Economic Council (NEC) to sell 78,000 units of lap-

tops to interested state governments.

“These were part of the 130,000 laptop components of Direct Data Capture (DDC) bought for the 2010 voter registration exercise. INEC did not just wake up one day and decided that the computers should be sold.

“During the 2010 voters’ registration, more than 130,000 DDC were bought and after the election the technological revolution has rendered the machine irrelevant and outdated. So, instead of keeping them to rust away, INEC has decided to recycle them.”

Olorode explained that a few of the computers had been selected for the continuous voter registration exercise, while some were reserved to strengthen the ICT capacity for training and other activities.

He said the idea has been sold to the state governments to have them for their schools and other educational institutions.

“This has become very imperative for the state governments because computer literacy in the country is still very low, and

buying the computers will be of great assistance,” he said.

According to him, the sale would commence as soon as the commission began to receive responses from the state governments.

“The intention of the commission is not motivated by profit, the whole idea is to enhance computer literacy among Nigerians,” he said.

Jega

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

17

Peter Obi and the wages of ingratitude AUSTINE NWANGWU

J

esus Christ reflexively underlined his disapproval for ingratitude after he healed 10 lepers, only one seemed to put any premium on thankfulness (Luk. 17:17).

“Were not ten healed?” the Lord reproachfully queried the one man who bothered to return to say his thanks.

Even on the basis of worldly morality, why would anyone be miserly in appreciating a favour, or fail to give their thanks to those who bend backwards to be different from the milling crowd of insensate homo sapiens who see no point in doing good even for its own sake? Anyone of this disposition is a mutant of the original image of God, shaped by willful surrender to self. I daresay that anyone without a hint of what selfabnegation is all about should dare aspire to lead.

Permit me to take liberties with armchair intellectualism; after all the subject of this discourse – Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State – is a graduate of philosophy, now a philosopher king in his own right, as revealed by his performance in high office in which he has acquitted himself superlatively well.

Anambra State, as a scion of the former Eastern Nigeria, has had a chequered history. The first seven years of its post-military existence (1999-2006) were marred by sociopolitical brigandage and terror in an un-

ANAMBRA STATE WAS A WAR ZONE DEEP IN ANARCHY IN WHICH A LEADER OF CULTURED DISPOSITION WOULD ORDINARILY NOT EXPECT TO THRIVE healthy mix, as the state descended into jungle incivility. For many years the situation was so dire for the Igbos of Anambra extraction who became saddled with the wages of the defining social aberrations: the burden of being stereotyped as crooked and violent, trademarks of cultural decadence, regardless of how decent many individuals proved to be. In the last seven years, however, this visage has changed considerably because of one man: Peter Obi. Upon assumption of office, the odds were stacked against his desire of pulling the state out of the cesspit. A psyche of pessimism had also become entrenched, and thus any pronouncement of change was met with justifiable incredulity. From the go it was thus an uphill task for the young governor.

It was always going to be difficult because the people had acquired warring sensibilities. A pacifist mode of governance could not be realistically conjectured. People were thus mistakenly looking for the archetypal

Anambra governor: raucous, coarse, defiant and whinny. Bothered, but armed with a big vision, Governor Obi was none of that.

Anambra State was a war zone deep in anarchy in which a leader of cultured disposition would ordinarily not expect to thrive. Yet, undeterred, Mr. Obi went about governance with unheralded focus, his normal humble nature intact. He ambitiously pursued integrated development; a tall order then based on the extent of decay, but direly necessary all the same because every sector of the state’s economy needed to be salvaged.

This multi-sectorial approach was further marred by a poor revenue base, and an even poorer public response.

Seven years on what do we have? A massively transformed society with good road networks opening up the hitherto forgotten inner recesses of the state and linking them up with civilization; improved health and educational institutions; gross industrial growth; agricultural stimulation and improved security. Indeed Governor Obi did pull off vertical and horizontal developments, aka integrated development!! These are great strides by all standards, yet there are numerous other markers that impress the more!

Anambra State now has a civil service that is worth the name. Motivated by their new improved status, workers are now found in their offices and beats, a complete departure from the past. How great for a workforce once denied salaries for several years!

Today, foreign development partners are literally falling over themselves to identify with the giant strides being made through committed governance in the state, and the investment-friendly milieu this has authored. Everyone knows that the organs of the United Nations especially, do not waste their resources in chaotic environments where nothing is accounted for; or where there are no policy frameworks and work plans. The sustained interest of the global agencies is one of the greatest attestations to the marvel that the state has now become.

With the foregoing, it is strange that no one is eulogizing this most affable man, at once a trailblazer and incomparable innovator. He is humble, accessible, compassionate and passionate out of love for his hitherto grossly dehumanized people. Mr. Obi has led by example and preserved the treasury.

Anambra is arguably the only state in Nigeria without a debt profile.

Finally, for the records, one of the key roles of government, whether ideal or not, is to engender order and control antisocial passions by reining in the men of baser instincts. To do this, leadership needs a head better than the societal average. Governor Obi did it with distinction and launched Anambra State into the new Millennium with a swag.

Nwangwu, an environmental activist and public affairs commentator, wrote from Awka, Anambra State

Much ado about Amaechi’s jet YAKUBU DATI

T

homas Hardy, the English novelist, titled his fourth novel, Far From the Madding crowd. It is this same expression that runs through my mind as I write this piece. Aviation is a global business, with a set of collective standards geared towards the safety of lives.

As such, it is a sector that should always, like Thomas hardy’s novel, be far from the madding crowd. That said, it becomes imperative to advise Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and his cohorts to leave the quaint turf of civil aviation completely out of the permutations of 2015, political clefts and other petty egoisms.

Politicians should be told unambiguously that Nigeria’s skylines are not the canvass for settling political scores. The reason is not farfetched: Aviation is practised globally far from the madding crowd of murky politics.

Some political commentators, who perhaps lack the knowledge of international best aviation practices or those who have decided to be blinded by selective perception, have taken sides on an issue that should be left to be dealt with professionally. The moment they heard Amaechi’s jet, they threw caution into the wind, forgetting that grounding of the aircraft has nothing to do with personality, but professionalism, and by extension safety. Indeed it could have been just anyone else’s flight and the rule has to be followed.

The same people have lifted the monomaniac fixation first on the VIPs that were stranded in Akure instead of taking

into consideration the abnormality of the flight’s operation in Nigeria, most importantly the alleged colouration of politics even in the face of incontrovertible evidence of flouting the Nigerian and United States aviation rules with impunity.

It will be recalled that on 26 April, 2013 the said aircraft was refused start-up at Akure Airport due to inadequate and improper documentation. To put it straight, the pilot failed and/or refused to file a proper Passenger Manifest declaring the full identity of all passengers on the aircraft for the intended flight as mandatorily required by the regulatory authorities.

The pilot presented an improper document purporting to be a “passenger manifest”.

This raised an eye brow, and further reviewing the aircraft’s records, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) discovered that the aircraft appeared to be operating illegally within the Nigerian airspace. Specifically, it was revealed that the aircraft did not have a valid flight clearance for its operations on 26 April, 2013 as the last purported clearance obtained for it expired on 2 April, 2013.

The aircraft with Registration Number N565RS is currently listed on the U.S. Department of Transport (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration Registry. The registration was issued to “Bank of Utah Trustee” of 200 E, South Temple, Suite 210 and Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1346. The registration was issued on 28 September, 2012 and will expire on 30 September, 2015.

The registration certificate explicitly states that the aircraft registration is NOT TRANSFERABLE.

IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT HAVE A VALID FLIGHT CLEARANCE FOR ITS OPERATIONS ON 26

APRIL, 2013

There is also the matter of the Coat of Arms and Identity of the Government of Rivers State being emblazoned and displayed on the aircraft in question, when there is no record or evidence of the state government’s ownership, lease, or other recognized legal or beneficial interest in the aircraft presented to or filed before the civil regulatory authorities. As stated in paragraph 2 above, available records indicate that the aircraft is currently registered to “Bank of Utah Trustee” until 30 September, 2015, and the said registration is not transferrable.

The aircraft is currently insured with Alliance Global Risks US Insurance Company. The Policy Holder noted on the Certificate of Insurance is “ACASS CANADA LIMITED” of 6700 Cote de Liesse, Suite 206, Montreal, QC H4T 2B5, Canada. The Certificate of Insurance is dated 28 September, 2012 and to expire on 12 August, 2013. It appears to have been issued with respect to a “Ferry Flight Agreement” of September, 2012.

Furthermore, the presentation of false information or forged documentation to regulatory authorities in the processing of official approvals or permits is clearly a

serious violation of the Civil Aviation Act, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations and other extant criminal laws in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The operators of the aircraft in question appear to have deliberately and fraudulently obtained several flight clearances from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authorities using forged documentation purportedly emanating from Caverton Helicopters. Worse still, the aircraft attempted to and did operate within the Nigerian airspace on 26 April, 2013 without any flight clearance whatsoever in total violation of all extant civil aviation laws and regulations.

Governor Amaechi should understand that as an important person in the firmament of Nigerian state and politics, he must be saved from himself; saved from the illegality of operating an unregistered aircraft in Nigeria; the civil aviation authorities in Nigeria have set a precedence by stopping this act of impunity; and it is indeed their core mandate and they must live by their responsibilities.

No one stops Amaechi from crisscrossing the Nigerian skyline, but first he must get it right!

Dati is General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Lagos Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs.

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

Editorial

18

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

Deepening violence, restiveness in Bayelsa

ayelsa, the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan, has been in the news since last month for reasons not unconnected with increasing violence and restiveness. Early last month, for example, unknown gunmen killed 12 out of 15 policemen escorting a convoy of boats conveying dignitaries to Azuzuama in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state. The slain policemen were part of a team attending one of the funeral rites of the late mother of an ex-militant leader, Mr. Kile Torughedi (a.k.a Young Shall Grow), who is currently serving as the Senior Special Adviser to the state governor, Seriake Dickson, on Marine Waterways Security. The killing was suspected to be a case of transferred aggression because of a misunderstanding between the ex-militant leader and ‘his boys’.

Penultimate weekend, as well, suspected militants killed five ex-militants and three others at a water front in Lobia, a community also in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were reportedly tricked to the water front by some hired gangs of a deadly militant group. Indeed, it was suspected that the killers of the eight victims might be the

same militants that ambushed and killed the 12 policemen on April 5 around the Azuzuama creek.

Coinciding with the Lobia killing the same weekend was another report of tension in Yenagoa, the state capital, when armed soldiers fired shots into the air to stop Ijaw youths from attacking the Coordinator of the Amnesty Implementation Programme and an aide to President Jonathan, Kingsley Kuku, over the proposed amendment of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) constitution.

It is not impossible that the recurring lawlessness in Bayelsa has links with political rivalries in the state. But it may be argued that the violence and restiveness are disrespectful of Jonathan, especially when it is considered that he is the nation’s sitting President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and hails from Bayelsa State. The killings suggest that the militants involved are not ready to cooperate with the Jonathan government in securing the nation, and that they can sabotage the president at the slightest opportunity.

Sadly, too, they are indicative of the fact that there might be a good number of militants who do not appreciate the efforts of Jonathan and the Federal Government to remedy past

IF THE ESCALATING RESTIVENESS CONTINUES

UNCHECKED, IT COULD SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL AND SPREAD LIKE A CONFLAGRATION TO OTHER PARTS OF THE

NIGER DELTA

neglect, injustice, and militancy in the Niger Delta region through government’s amnesty programme and other intervention agencies and measures.

Not too long ago, President Jonathan, apparently in demonstration of respect for Bayelsa youths, hosted quite a number of them at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, in what was widely reported as a breakfast meeting between the president and future leaders of Bayelsa State. Critics had viewed the meeting as a trivialization of the serious business of governance or reducing same to a statist affair. But we believe the president condescended to his people to inspire hope in them.

It may be rightly reasoned, too, that in view of the tragic, 1999 military invasion of Odi, also in Bayelsa State, following

the killing by militants of five policemen and four soldiers on official assignment in the area; and President Jonathan’s reluctance to resort to the military option in tackling restiveness, militants in the Niger Delta should by now demonstrate self-restraint and rein in their excesses, at least in deference to Mr. President.

Consequently, our view is that with the orchestrated insecurity in the northern part of the country, it does not bespeak well of Bayelsa, a relatively small state and country home of the Nigeria’s Number One Citizen, to be always embroiled in internecine battles that could further breach the peace of the nation. The impunity is currently exposing Jonathan to more hawks, who are now cashing in on the development to argue that if the president could fail in the task of maintaining peace in his home state, a small state at that, how would he be able to effectively rule the whole country and manage bigger crisis? It is, therefore, imperative for law and order to be maintained in Bayelsa. For, if the escalating restiveness continues unchecked, it could spiral out of control and spread like a conflagration to other parts of the Niger Delta. We think that Jonathan deserves the respect and cooperation of his people to succeed.

ON THIS DAY May 14, 2004 The Constitutional Court of South Korea overturned the impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun. Roh and his supporters left the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) in 2003 to form a new party, the Uri Party. When he refused demands to apologize, opposition lawmakers in the South Korean National Assembly, on March 12, 2004, voted to impeach him on charges of illegal electioneering.

The impeachment was, however, reversed by the court.

May 14, 1988 Larry Wayne Mahoney, a drunk driver in a pickup truck traveling in the wrong direction on an interstate highway in a rural Carroll County, Kentucky, in the United States, collided head-on with a gasoline-powered, converted former school bus carrying a church youth group.

About 27 of the 67 passengers in the bus died during the accident, 34 others were injured while six escaped without significant wounds. Mahoney also sustained injuries.

May 14, 1948 Israel became an independent state with a provisional government. Immediately after the declaration, the country was attacked by neighboring Arab states, triggering the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Israel is located in the Middle East, on the south-eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It has borders with Lebanon (north), Syria (northeast), Jordan and the West Bank (east), Egypt and the Gaza Strip (southwest), and the Gulf of Aqaba(south of the Red Sea).

Stakeholders advocate merger, acquisition for Africa airlines

Counting the cost of Nigeria’s uninsured 37

SUPER TUESDAY

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Private jets: Wealthy Nigerians take more seats in elite club

F

or most air travellers, flying can be rather boring.

But in the customised private jets that belong to the super-rich, the possibilities of enjoyable travels are endless, and some of the offerings are astounding to look at.

Some of these wonders in the air include cinemas, marble baths, aquariums, Rolls Royce garages, glass floors, concert halls, wellbeing rooms, thrones, chef ’s kitchens and gold seat buckles, depending on the configuration and individual designs. Each unique jet can be personally designed down to the tiniest luxurious detail for work or play.

Billionaires and business moguls all over the world own different brands of modern private jets with which they cruise the world and Nigerians are not left out in this elite club with the demand for private jets on the increase daily.

As at 2007, Nigeria barely had 20 private jets flying in its airspace, but the story has changed today with over 150 private jets owned by business moguls, oil merchants, bank chief executives, clergymen and lately politicians, according to industry’s stakeholders. Jet acquisition is now for the ‘big boys’ to show off their wealth.

It is no surprise therefore that Nigeria has suddenly become a very important market for jet manufacturers around the globe. From Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, Hawker

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

LAGOS: 01-8446073, 08037272933 08094331171, 08023133084, ABUJA: 08033020395, 08036321014 08029002500

The urge for private jet acquisitions by wealthy Nigerians is increasing astronomically. Today, jet manufacturers are showing interest to open offices in Nigeria as the country has suddenly become a hot cake for manufacturers of jets. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

Arik Air Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun).

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

Aero Contractors

interior of Boeing 747 owned by Al-Waleed bin Talai

PRIVATE JETS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE NOT ONLY OF SPEED, BUT ALSO OF ALTITUDE. ALTITUDE IS A PILOT’S BEST FRIEND. AND A JET AIRCRAFT CAN CRUISE AT ALTITUDES OF UP TO

49,000 FEET ABOVE THE EARTH,

WHERE THERE IS VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC and Dassault among many others, jets manufacturers are at present struggling to establish markets in the country.

For instance, just last week, the manufacturer of Embraer aircraft, launched its latest jet, Legacy 650 into the Nigerian market.

The External Communication Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Embraer, Herve Tilloy told the gathering that Embraer’s executive jets portfolio consists of seven aircraft; the entry level Phenom

100, light Phenom 300, midlight Legacy 450, midsize Legacy 500, super midsize Legacy 600, large Legacy 650, and ultralarge Lineage 1000 jets.

Tilloy said that these aircraft offer cabin sizes and flexible ranges that are well-suited to the most diverse demands, permitting greater work productivity and saving valuable travel time, which is enjoyed in comfort and private.

On the Legacy 650, he explained that the jet entered operation in 2010. Based on the

Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) LagBenin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 successful Legacy 600 platform, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) it provides longer trips for up to 14 passengers, while maintaining the same level of comfort.

Its range of 3,900 nautical miles (7,223km) with four passengers, or 3,840 nautical miles (7,112 km) with eight passengers, both with NBAA IFR fuel reserves, means that the aircraft can fly nonstop from London to New York; Dubai to London or Singapore; Miami to São Paulo (Brazil); Singapore to Sydney (Australia); or Mumbai to Central Europe.

History of private jet The first Private Jet was the Learjet 23, which came on the market in 1964. It was modelled on the military fighter jet, the first of which was invented by the Germans and was operational in 1944; The Messerschmitt. The Learjet 23 flew at the astounding speed of 561

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

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Nigeria ‘ll sustain 40% debt to GDP ratio to ensure growth – DMO

Race for TUC presidency hots up

Stakeholders draw roadmap for sustainable environment

21

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Business & Finance

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Private jets: Wealthy Nigerians take more seats in elite club CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 miles-per-hour. Before Bill Lear invented the private jet, he had already invented the first car radio; the first 8-track tape player; the first aircraft autopilot; and the first automatic aircraft landing system.

The first private jets were designed to seat six to eight passengers plus a two-man crew—obviously created for wealthy individuals and substantial companies. These “private jets” later became known synonymously as “Business Jets,” “Corporate Jets,” or “Executive Jets.” Today, there are 11,000 of these aircraft in use and most are in, or registered in, the United States.

The speed at which they fly has not improved remarkably as they are restricted by governments from approaching the sound barrier, obviously because it would wreak havoc on the world below if Private Jets were creating sonic booms all over the place.

Private jets have the advantage not only of speed, but also of altitude. Altitude is a pilot’s best friend. And a jet aircraft can cruise at altitudes of up to 49,000 feet above the Earth, where there is very little traffic—the cause of accidents in most forms of human transportation—and where the atmosphere is very thin enabling the jet to cruise using very little fuel.

To fly at this altitude the aircraft must be pressurised, due to the lack of oxygen above 10,000 feet (and the extreme cold temperature). This pressurization creates an artificial atmosphere for the people inside. So, essentially, one is hurtling through space at 600 miles per hour in a small metal tube eight miles high.

Most expensive private jets and their owners Airbus A380 ($500m) owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Tala of Saudi Arabia. The aircraft is personalised for Prince Al-Waleed of Saudi Arabia by the Airbus Aircraft Manufacturing Company. At present, the jet, which is worth $500m, is the world’s largest and most expensive aircraft in the world.

Boeing 747-400 ($233m) owned by Sultan of Brunei the Sultan’s private jet Boeing 747-400 is no less than a palace itself. A living room, a bedroom with details of gold and precious gold in the jet could only belong to a Sultan. The jet is also equipped with all the necessary gadgets that make it a palace.

Boeing 747 ($220m) owned by AlWaleed bin Talal This is the second private jet in the fleet of the Saudi Prince, Al-Waleed who spent a whopping amount for his Boeing 747 in 2003 and had it customised with a throne-like chair in the living room, a dining table that seats 14 and two luxurious bedrooms.

Airbus A340-313X ($200m) owned by Roman Abramovich The Chelsea Football Club owner of England, Roman Abramovich indeed knows how to enjoy life to the fullest.

Abramovich became the first owner of a private Airbus A340, largest personal

Embraer Legacy 500

BUSINESS JETS, CORPORATE JETS, OR EXECUTIVE JETS. TODAY, THERE ARE 11,000 OF THESE AIRCRAFT IN USE AND MOST ARE IN OR REGISTERED IN, THE

UNITED STATES.

Interior view of A340-313X owned by Roman Abramovich

OWNERS

JETS

COST

BISHOP OYEDEPO

GULFSTREAM G550

$55m

MIKE ADENUGA

DASSAUT FALCONS 7X

$51m

RIVERS STATE

BD GLOBAL EXPRESS 5000

$45.7m

ALIKO DANGOTE

BD GLOBAL EXPRESS 5000

$45m

JIMOH IBRAHIM

BD CHALLENGER 605

$30m

PASTOR ADEBOYE

GULFSTREAM

$30m

plane ever built. His plane is reported to have a gym, turkish bath, conference rooms, jacuzzi, bar and a restaurant.

Gulfstream ($125m) owned by Tyler Perry Tyler Perry owns a Gulfstream III. It is well equipped with the luxury features such as a 42-inch HD LCD screen, multiple Blu-ray players, satellite TV, theater lighting, and electronically controlled window shades among other designs.

Boeing 757 ($100m) owned by Donald Trump Donald Trump owns a $100m Boeing 757 private jet. The used plane, which was bought from Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen some months back, has been luxuriously refurbished to suit Donald’s style.

Most expensive jet owners in Nigeria Nigerians wherever they are, are known for class and taste for quality.

Most Nigerians will do anything possible to live an opulence and comfortable life. At a time when most developing and developed nations are still battling to survive the global financial crisis, Nigerian billionaires in business and God’s ministry are competing through jet acquisitions, which is either for business or pleasure purposes.

Some Nigerians with preference for luxury jets include Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Mike Adenuga, Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim, Sir. Joseph Arumemi-Johnson of Arik Air, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and several state governors among others with affluence.

An official of Bombardier, the Canadian aircraft manufacturer, confided in our correspondent recently that Nigeria ranks behind the United States, United Kingdom, and China among countries that top their orders for the supply of

the aircraft type.

Why they carry foreign registration Ironically, 90 per cent of the Nigerian private jets are registered in foreign countries, rather than Nigeria’s call sign of 5N. This automatically implies that their crew and engineers are foreigners.

The decision to register the jets in foreign countries, particularly in South Africa, United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada and even Brazil is said to be informed by the notion that in case the owners want to resell the jets, they would warrant a bigger value from buyers.

Speaking on foreign registration for private jets, the immediate past Managing Director, Aero Airlines, Capt. Akin George regretted that most of the private jets carry foreign registration credentials rather than Nigerian registration.

He had subsequently called on the authorities concerned in the country to make registration processes in Nigeria cost friendly and attractive.

Also, a member of the Aviation Round Table, ART, and an aeronautic engineer with the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways Limited, Engr.

Sheri Kyari, listed the costs associated with the ownership of private jet to include scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, keeping the flight crew, landing and parking charges and the use of Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), which usually belongs to airlines, among others.

Kyari, added that some unplanned expenses also occurred from time to time.

Factors driving private jet acquisition There are several factors that have encouraged the rise of acquisition of customised jets in the country since 2007, which is estimated to cost $3.75bn in 2013. Chief among these is the fact that flight schedules in the aviation industry are no longer flexible.

Again, the dearth of aircraft and the huge passenger traffic that is not commensurate with the capacity of the airlines has made air travel difficult for those who wish to travel by air.

In a situation like this, wealthy Nigerians would opt to acquire their own private jets to save time that would have been wasted waiting for flights whose times of departure are not known.

An aviation professional, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo said that the flight schedules of most commercial airliners that are not flexible and this has made private jets attractive for those who can afford it.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

21

Nigeria’ll sustain 40% debt to GDP ratio to ensure growth – DMO TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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espite recent upgrading of Nigeria’s economic growth potential and stronger debt sustainability capacity, the Debt Management Office (DMO) has said Nigeria will continue to maintain a threshold of debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of 40 per cent in order to ensure macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth of the economy in the years ahead.

Nigeria’s debt threshold to GDP ratio was recently raised up from 40 per cent to 56 per cent along with other countries by donor multilateral agencies, thereby creating bigger space for the country in the global financial market to explore through borrowing to meet their financing shortfalls.

Voting for the maintenance of the old borrowing threshold in Abuja yesterday, the Director General of DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2013 Debt Sustainability Analysis Workshop in Abuja, said even though the net present value of total public debt ratio for Nigeria had changed to 56 per cent, Nigeria would continue to maintain a conservative borrowing stance which is

L-R: Executive Director, Market Operations Technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Ade Bajomo; Managing Director, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, Mr. Oluwole Oshin; Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri and Chairman, Interstate Securities Limited, Mr. Richard Asabia at the Bell Ringing Ceremony in commemoration of the conclusion of merger between Custodian & Allied Insurance Plc and Crusader (Nigeria) Plc at The Exchange yesterday.

required to achieve the broad policy objectives of the ongoing Transformation Agenda of the country.

Nigeria currently maintains a 25 per cent borrowing ceiling even though it had up to 40 percent room for borrowing.

Nwankwo clarified: “In terms of policy advice, strategy, we will still use 40 per cent as our bench mark. As you know, Nigeria has always had its own local threshold

MTN’s market dominance dangerous for industry – NCC KUNLE A ZEEZ

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he Nigerian Communications Commission has explained why it decided to regulate the market dominance status of MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecommunications company, saying such dominance could lead to abuse in the telecoms market.

According to NCC, such a dominance where MTN has been pricing its off net calls at three or four times the price of on net calls, could easily lead to anti-competitive practices.

MTN’s practice has been described as a strategy intended to discourage its customers from making calls to other operators and force people to adopt an MTN line to make all their calls.

MTN also currently controls nearly 50 per cent of the mobile subscriber base and it intends to price calls on- net at such a low price that the smaller operators will not be able to compete with them and make a profit.

Explaining further on the Commission’s decision, an official source at NCC said, “This is bad for the country as this would result ultimately in those smaller operators not been able to continue to invest in the build

out of their networks. This is bad because it is critical for the economic development of the country that all four operators build out extensive mobile broadband networks.”

Commenting, a telecoms subscriber and a trader, Mr. Femi Jayeola, said that MTN cannot be trusted to invest heavily in its network.

“MTN has already demonstrated that they are more interested in repatriating profits to South Africa than investing in their network in Nigeria. They have consistently underinvested in their network in Nigeria as demonstrated by the fact that they have the worst network quality,” he said.

Another subscriber, Kehinde Bello, said, “For me, declaring the decision to have declared MTN dominant operator in the country as appropriate.”

NCC had , in a document issued on April 28, 2013, declared MTN as “dominant”, insisting that it must raise internal mobile tariffs to boost competition.

The Commission, in the statement, said an industry review showed phone calls between MTN customers cost three times lower than calls to other networks, the Nigerian Communications Commission said in a statement on its website.

which is more conservative and we will maintain that standard.When these thresholds are fixed, they are fixed for all countries in that group, but each country has to look at its own peculiarities and that is why in the case of Nigeria, a good number of peculiarities affect our

own disposition.

“First is our history in terms of our experience with unsustainable debts in the past and the fact that we must not have that experience again.

“Secondly, looking at the structure of our economy, we are still

over dependent on oil which is about 80 per cent of public revenue. And we appreciate that a a lot of efforts is going on and that is the focus of the transformation agenda to ensure that in the next five to seven years, the economy would have been diversified enough so that that risk is removed”, the DMO boss maintained.

While he used the forum to clarify some gray areas on the states; Debt Sustainability status, saying that recent findings of the states’ Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) carried out by the Office indicated that all the states were doing well in their debt profiles as their debts are sustainable, pointed out further that as governments continue transforming the economy through the reforms in power sector, reforms in agriculture, through the provisions of infrastructure, Nigeria will be better positioned to explore the opportunities availed by its recent raising of her borrowing threshold.

CBN domesticates cheque printing, appoints local printers …retains July 1 cashlite extension date to five states

UDO ONYEKA AND JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria said it has appointed Tripple Gee and Company Plc and Superflux International Limited as cheque printers for all banks operating in the country.

The apex bank in a circular to all Deposit Money Banks dated May 9, and signed by Director, Banking and Payment Systems Department, Dipo Fatokun, said foreign based printers were neither accredited nor re-accredited in line with the bank’s policy to domesticate cheque printing in Nigeria.

The circular said all banks are reminded to patronise only the CBN accredited cheque printers.

“It is instructive to note that the accreditation exercise is ongoing and more local printers may be added to the list in the future if they satisfy the Nigeria Cheque Printers’ Accreditation Scheme (NICPAS) requirements.

The circular read in parts:” In furtherance of its mandate to ensure efficient payments and settlement system, the CBN in collaboration with MICR Technical Implementation Committee conducted the accreditation and re- accreditation exercise of cheque printers in Nigeria in line with the NICPAS qualification

criteria.”

The CBN said at the end of exercise Superflux and Tripple Gee were accredited to print cheques and other “debit” paper instruments for Nigeria market.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor, Operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Lemo has said that the planned extension of the cashless policy to five states as well as the Federal Capital Territory from July 1 still holds.

These states include Rivers, Kano, Anambra, Ogun and Abia as well as the FCT. According to Lemo, the states and the FCT were chosen because of the large volume of cash transactions in some of their major cities.

19 years after, Nigeria, Brazil to restore direct air link OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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ineteen years after the Brazilian national carrier, Varig Air suspended direct flight operations into Nigeria, the route is set to be re-opened soon.

One of the country’s flag carriers, Arik Air, which is designated on the route, said plans are underway by its management to reopen the route, which hitherto served the two countries.

An online statement signed by the media manager, Arik Air, Mr. Ola Adebanji, stated that the airline is set to commence direct flights into São

Paulo, the Brazilian commercial nerve centre as it has applied for traffic rights and slot allocation from the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (Agency National De Aviacao Civil) and the Department of Air Transport.

The statement stated that the Nigeria’s Ambassador to Brazil, Mr. Vincent Okoedion, welcomed a delegation of Arik Air officials in Brasilia, Brazil’s capital city and said the commencement of direct flights into Brazil will open up a window of investment opportunities for the two countries in several areas including agriculture, aviation, power, education and culture.

He said, “Brazil is the hub of the economies of South America, just as Nigeria is the hub of the economies in West and Central Africa. Both countries have always had that desire to see the two economies of West Africa and South America linked by direct flights.

“Today, Brazil is the sixth largest economy in the world and Nigeria is the fastest growing economy in Africa and the two countries are able to draw all the economies in their respective regions. So once you have a direct flight, this flight is not only connecting the two countries, but the two regions, that are in Nigeria, the whole of West Africa and in Brazil, the whole of South America.

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Business & Finance

Banks’ credit to agric, real sectors still low - Report UDO ONYEKA

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anks loan to real and agric sectors have remained unchanged from 2011 as it has continue to hinder creation of jobs by this two very important sectors of the economy.

According to the Monthly Economic Conference at Lagos Business School, Executive Breakfast Meeting presented by Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Mr Bismarck Rewane, loan to agric and real sectors have remained low even though there was a little growth.

Agric sector credit grew marginally from 3.5 per cent to 3.9 per cent, while real sector got 13.1 per cent of credits giving out by banks in 2012.

The report said solid minerals;

one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy saw credit growth from 17.7 per cent to 21.7 per cent, while Transport and Communication and real estate and construction received 11.9 per cent and 8.6 per cent respectively.

“Also domestic and foreign trade got 9.3 per cent, while Government, Financial and Insurance and Others received 7.7 per cent, 3.1 per cent and 22.7 per cent respectively.”

According to FDC report in absolute term these sectors have seen significant growth in credit, but analysts are of the view that growth in the real sector credit could significantly boost economic growth.

It would be recalled that the latest data from the Business Confidence Index (BCI), conducted by the Lagos Chambers of

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 Commerce and Industry (LCCI), shows that the investors and business leaders are still wary about the state of the economy and the unfriendly doing business environment which has kept the BCI scores trailing far below the global optimum levels.

According to the Director General of LCCI, Muda Yusuf, poor credit to real sector is one of the main challenges facing business owner in the country.

A financial expert and Head of Markets Sterling Capital, Mr Sewa Wusu, said that creating more access to credit facilities for Nigerians would boost Nigeria’s real sector development in 2013.

He said the Bankers’ Committee’s new drive to increase access to credit was highly commendable and that more funds were needed to transform real sector.

The Bankers’ Committee had promised to introduce a consumer credit scheme to enable bank customers get credit facilities to finance purchase of household goods.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CWG restates commitment to Nigerian market KUNLE A ZEEZ

A

n indigenous Information and Communication Technology conglomerate, Computer Warehouse Group, has restated its commitment towards promoting ICT development in Nigeria and other African countries.

Associate Vice President, CWG, Mr. Dayo Abegunde, expressed the resolve during the just concluded Beacon of ICT (BoICT) conference and awards organised by Communications Week, in Lagos.

Abegunde represented CWG at the forum where the company was declared the “ICT Solutions Provider of the Year Award.”

CWG, which currently has physical and virtual presence in a number of countries across Africa, has consistently won this award for three years as a result of quality and excellence it dem-

Agbekoya to cultivate 5000 hectares farmland in Rivers SAM OLUWALANA

N

L-R: Chairman, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Managing Director, Mr. Abdullahi Sule; Directors, Mr. Olakunle Alake and Mrs. Bennedikter Molokwu, during the 7th Annual General Meeting of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc in Lagos...yesterday.

FG mulls support for food produce export sector OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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he Federal Government yesterday said that it has perfected strategies which would help in addressing the various encumbrances associated with exports of food produce to European countries.

According to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, the moves would help to facilitate trade to the United Kingdom and countries in the European Union.

Aganga stated this at a workshop and exhibition on export of Nigerian food produce to the UK. The workshop with theme “Export of food produce to the United Kingdom” was organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.

Speaking on the significance of the workshop, the minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr

Dauda Kigbu said it would help to reduce complaints by exporters regarding the rejection of traditional food exports by the UK Border Agency.

He said, “In view of the strict importance attached to internationally accepted procedures and documentation, especially where food consumables are concerned, this workshop could not have come at a better period-more so, as the nation looks to diversifying its economic base from oil to non oil.

“The imperative remains that our exporters have to update themselves and adhere to new conditions for the export of food produce recently issued by the Director General of European Commission’s Health and Consumer Directorate in Brussels.”

Also speaking at the event, the EU Head, Import Control Agency, UK, Mr. Michael Glavin, said for the country to fully harness the potential of non oil export, chal-

lenges such as compliance with EU laws and agriculture processing needed to be addressed.

He said, “One of the reasons why we are here is to advise and to give more information to Nigerian exporters on how European Union laws can be interpreted and give as much advise and follow ups as to how Nigerian exporters can improve compliance over the next period of months to facilitate trade coming into the UK because if you can come into the UK, you are also entitled to come into other 31 countries as well “We are looking at infrastructure because Nigeria exports fish very well to UK and EU. We are looking to making sure on how to advise how meat exports could be looked at; we are looking to advice on what we call critical control points in Nigeria agriculture industry and in the processing side of the industry to bring it up to line with EU laws.

onstrates in delivering technology solutions to businesses across the sector which has made significant impact in the economy of different African countries.

Receiving the award from the Chairman of the occasion and former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Mr. Ernest Ndukwe, Abegunde promised not to rest on its oars on championing the cause of ICT revolution in the continent where ICT continues to play critical role in boosting economic development.

He said, “We are deeply honoured to be recognized and appreciated for our contribution in using ICT to improve the economy. WE also congratulate the organisers of the event. Indeed, this kind of programme will motivate the stakeholders to be effectively involved in the projects that will ensure technology growth in the country.”

igeria’s frontline farmers group, Agbekoya Farmers Association, Rivers State Chapter has concluded plans to establish a Model Farm in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State for the cultivation of 2,000 Hectares of Cassava, 2,000 hectares of Maize and 1,000 Hectares of Sorghum.

In a press release made available to journalists on Monday, in Port Harcourt, the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Chief Olatunji Bandele said that Agbekoya Rivers State Chapter which was inaugurated recently is poised to champion Mechanised and Commercial Arable farming, improve the

living standard of farmers and drive increased productivity with both individual and private sector-driven growth strategy in the state.

The release quoted Chief Olatunji Bandele as saying that: “In line with our objectives to champion Mechanised and Commercial Arable farming, Agbekoya Farmers Association, Rivers State Chapter is now set to establish a Model Farm Settlement in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State on a Five Thousand Hectares of Land for the Cultivation of Cassava, Maize and Sorghum. Facilities like Farm Estate, warehouse, a hanger for Tractors, and a clinic will be put in place in order to enhance the productivity of the farmers’’.

Bi-Courtney opens new conference room for guests at terminal OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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i-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Two, MMA2 yesterday opened an ultra-modern conference room at the airport terminal for its guests.

The conference room, which the company said has a capacity for 130 people, is located on the third floor of the terminal building.

An online statement signed by the BASL’s spokasman, Mr. Steve Omolale-Ajulo stated that the newly opened conference room is equipped with facilities such as comfortable conference chairs, in-built Public Address System, a standard projector, mobile screen, tea and coffee room.

The statement reads in part,

“Our conference room comes with free parking space for participants at our multi-storey car park, which has capacity for 800 vehicles. Our location is strategic in nature with easy accessibility to various parts of Lagos.

“The conference room is ideal for conferences, seminars, public lectures, trainings, annual general meetings, product launch and others.”

Omolale-Ajulo added that the decision to open the conference room was borne out of the desire of the management to make MMA2 a one-stop facility, where individuals, corporate organisations and government officials at various levels can conveniently transact business in Lagos in one day and fly back to their various destinations same day.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The question of who succeeds the outgoing President-General of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Mr. Peter Esele, whose tenure expires in June, is currently occupying the front burner in labour circles, amidst speculations of government’s support for certain candidates. MESHACK IDEHEN reports.

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Race for TUC presidency hots up

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s June 2013 date for the election of a new president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), draws near, one major question many members and non members of the congress are asking is who the new president will be and how he will emerge.

These concerns coming ahead of the congress triennial delegate’s conference next month notwithstanding, there are also rumours within and outside organised labour circle that the Federal Government and its allies are tacitly throwing their weight behind candidates that are known to be close to the government.

Analysts while commenting on the likely outcome of the coming election said the influence of government may not be felt too much, as TUC being a highly organised and almost radical labour union always ensures it succumbs to the will of ‘the people’.

Be that as it may, National Mirror gathered that race Salako for the President general of TUC is drawn between the presidents of Association of Senior Civil Servants of ALAKO IS THE MAN TO BEAT Nigeria (ASCSN) and that of Association of Senior Staff of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions ANYTIME BECAUSE OF HIS (ASSBIFI), Mr. Bala Kaigama and Mr. Sunday Olusoji PEDIGREE HE FINESSE WITH Salako, both of whom have indicated interest to succeed Mr Peter Esele.

WHICH HE HAS HANDLED While launching his campaign for the job, Kaigama said his vision is to consolidate on the achievements INSPITE OF THE of Esele and take the trade centre higher, adding that he would execute a housing project and consolidate on MANY CHALLENGES THE SECTOR the mass transit system established by the out-going adIS GRAPPLING WITH IS TRULY ministration.

He also listed part of his achievements as spearheadCOMMENDABLE ing the last two upward review of salaries for civil servants in Taraba State, making the workers among the toiling workers in Nigeria. the best paid in the north, saying also that as a branch Urging other aspirants to key into the “moving train of chairman of his union, he instituted a welfare proTUC’s development projects” by aligning with him to take gramme for the union members, “which now stands at the labour centre to the next level, Salako said all TUC’s about N70 million.” affiliates, as well as the three contestants, should support The ASSIBIFI president on his part, vowed to raise him to win the coming election to enable the labour centre the bar to consolidate on the gains of the outgoing to take a stand on matters that affect workers. president-general, while adding rightly according to “We have enormous amount of common ground beanalysts, that it was time to consolidate on policy fortween our affiliate associations in TUC that would conmulation and development at the highest level in order solidate on the achievement already recorded and so, to move organised labour forward. there is no reason for us not to work together.” while According to him, “apart from raising the bar to conmaintaining at the same time that trade unions, civil solidate on the gains of the outgoing President-General, society and citizens have a major role to play in nationwith a functional and well-equipped secretariat, highly building. skilled and motivated staff, my presidency of the TUC Salako said his presidency will observe the core role will provide a robust platform for social change and of trade unions in various institutional settings in the justice for workers, as well as with solid intervention protection of the rights and welfare of workers, camthrust that promotes industrial democracy in Nigeria”, paign against unfair labour practices, champion the he also pledged to ensure that TUC is equipped with cause of progressive labour legislations and proceed to multiple streams of income to meet its obligations to more strategic mandate in building the Nigeria of our

S

.T

ASSIBIFI

Esele

dream.”

According to him, it is only when a strong economic and monetary union is in place that unemployment would be reduced, explaining that this would be achieved during his tenure if elected, while urging more commitment from the three tiers of government to provide opportunities for youth through, self-employment initiatives, as well as a sustained economic growth.

Commenting on the coming election, labour activist and President of Progressive leadership Organisation International, Mr. Emmanuel Ezeume, said it was possible Salako’s main rival is being sponsored by external forces.

Ezueme said with Kaigama background as a career civil servant who has always wine and dine with those in government, it would be difficult for him to do anything to challenge the government should the need arise.

According to the labour activist, “Salako is the man to beat anytime because of his pedigree. The finesse with which he has handled ASSIBIFI inspite of the many challenges the sector is grappling with is truly commendable.

“Moreso, he is a labour man to the core who will go to great length to pursue and defend the interests of workers on any issues that affects them”, Ezueme added.

Endorsing Salako for the position, the Second Deputy President General of TUC, Mr. Adeshina Lasisi, said Salako’s leadership will support the Federal Government on ways to use youth entrepreneurship programmes as a critical investment market as flagship Nigerian investment and growth drive, to grow the economy.

Dwindling productivity: Ministry raises committee on performance monitoring MESHACK IDEHEN

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iting need for monitoring and evaluation of workers in order to track performance management, enhance transparency, increase productivity as well as service delivery in the ministry, the Ministry of Labour and Productivity has inaugurated a committee to address the challenge.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Clement Illoh, while raising the committee, said the step is aimed at achieving the objective of job creation for the teeming unemployed Nigerian youths, adding

what cannot be monitored or measured is not worthwhile.

He said the need to build a system of monitoring in other to track the level of performance as well as challenges and solution became compelling and that is why the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) committee is being inaugurated.

The Permanent Secretary revealed that monitoring and evaluation committees in ministries are expected to provide information for accountability and monitoring framework to track the programmes and projects of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and not to recommend workers for sack or

retrenchment.

“The purpose of monitoring and evaluation frame work in conducting government business today is to improve the availability, quality and dissemination of governance performance information for accountability and policy improvement, the M&E is a strategy developed to establish a system for tracking the progress and performance of MDA’s programmes and projects,” he explained.

Illoh added that the essence of monitoring and evaluation is not intended to punish workers, but to make sure that projects and programmes work out according to plan.

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Jobs & Career

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Tips for improving employee’s morale, reducing absenteeism

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ow employee morale is often linked to high rate of absenteeism. That being the case, it would stand to reason that improving employee morale would reduce the absenteeism rate. In order to improve employee morale, one must identify the causes of low morale. These causes can be different in each particular company or department within the company.

Common causes of low morale include stress; rumours, negativity, and gossip within the workplace; and a lack of incentive programs.

Stress-Stress is the most common cause of low employee morale. Several factors may increase the stress levels of employees, but the main reason employees experience stress is their relationship with their manager, and it has been shown that highly authoritarian managers are likely to cause an increase in absenteeism.

Therefore, when absenteeism rates are particularly high in a certain department, poor employee relationships with the manager should be considered.

Proposed solution: Management training-A good management training program will teach the authoritative manager techniques to aid him or her in becoming a facilitating manager. The manager incorporating this style encourages employees to come forward with issues and suggestions, listens carefully, does not leave employees hanging, keeps employees up to date about what is going on in the business, encourages creativity, is consistent in the administration of rules and policies, and does not make employees feel that they will be penalized for mistakes.

The advantages of management training are many. Employee morale is bolstered and absenteeism rates will decline.

Additionally, an authoritarian manager with poor listening and communication skills who sets unreachable goals and is inflexible is now given the opportunity to become a much better manager. In situations like these, not only do the employees benefit, but the manager also benefits by having a better working relationship with his or her employees. The better working relationship is also conducive to higher productivity and increased work quality Rumours, negativity, and gossip-Rumours, negativity, and gossip among employees can foster low morale and in-

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu

EMPLOYEES SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE FORMATION OF THE ATTENDANCE

INCENTIVE PROGRAMME.

THINGS THAT

NEED TO BE CONSIDERED ARE THE TYPE OF INCENTIVE AND THE LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN INCENTIVES crease absenteeism. It is not unusual for employees to call in sick because they are afraid of or angry with another employee.

Proposed Solution: Teambuilding-Teambuilding can help eliminate these negative actions by fostering respect among employees.

Teams should be created that give team members the responsibility and power to solve problems, plan, and make decisions.

Solving problems makes members feel like they are needed, while planning helps members learn techniques to implement various solutions. The power to make decisions helps employees realize their importance to the company. This feeling of importance increases morale. It also improves attendance rates because this feeling of importance makes the employee feel like the company really needs their presence.

Lack of incentive -A lack of incentive programs can contribute to low morale and increased absenteeism. Employees lacking incentive feel that they have no good reasons to show up to work.

Proposed Solution: Develop incentive programs-Well formed incentive programs can improve both attitude and attendance rates. This works for several reasons. Some em-

ployees may lack the internal motivation necessary to keep their spirits up and give them the drive and desire to show up to work every day. These people may need the external motivation that incentives provide.

Employees should contribute to the formation of the attendance incentive program.

Things that need to be considered are the type of incentive and the length of time between incentives. Input and feedback from employees will help decision-makers choose the program that will work best for the specific people involved. This will help in the creation of one or more successful attendance incentive programs.

Like any proposed solution to low morale and high absenteeism, incentive programs have both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages include increased morale and reduced absenteeism. Another advantage is the feeling of appreciation that employees get when they realize that the employer is willing reward them for perfect attendance. Attendance incentive programs provide recognition to employees for positive qualities. In this case, the positive quality is responsibility.

Source:voices.yahoo.com-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Job vacancies The position of Operations Effectiveness and Communications Manager from www.findjobafrica opens job vacancies this week.

This position will manage the two arms of service delivery of operations unit of the organisation which includes human resource management and contracting and also be the technical lead for the organisation’s knowledge management and communications needs.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for the administrative coordination of over 200 staff of several programmes and 300 Consultants of varied expertise.

S/he will be the responsible officer in-charge of the Operations Unit in overseeing all the activities of the Unit, and taking the lead in strengthening the business processes of the Unit.

The qualifications are minimum educational qualification of a Master’s degree in any of the Social Sciences and the ideal candidate must have at least 8 -10years working experience with a proven track record of high performance in an administrative role or client service management at management level. Previous working experience in leading a customer service unit or department will be an added advantage.

Essential skills required are Excellent communication (orally and in writing) and management skills, with demonstrated ability to provide supportive advice to staff and consultants on basic finance, HR Management. Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills - Strong computer skills, and familiarity with information and communications systems Also from www. findjobafrica is the post of Incountry Research Analyst to be based in Cameroon. The recruiting firm said it seeks an analyst to research and report on consumer goods markets.

In-country analysts are tasked with regular projectbased work and are employed on a contract basis, working for commissioners based in one of various offices.

Requirements for the position are being located in Cameroon, being willing and able to work from home and have access to a PC (Windows) and the Internet (broadband) and been available to work a minimum of 35-40 hours a week on projects.

Required Skills include but not limited to a high level of numeracy, ability to work with, analyse and interpret data, ability to work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines.

Tenacity in the pursuit of

information and a keen attention to detail. Strong communication skills - conducting interviews with industry players is a key part of the role • Fluency in English and French is essential.

From www.jobberman. com is the post of Customer Care Executive in a food based industry to be based in Oyo and other parts of the country.

The minimum qualification of an High School (S.S.C.E) certificate is needed due to the training that will be provided, while experience of between 1 - 3 years is required.

The responsibilities for the posts are to deal directly with customers either by telephone, electronically or face to face, respond promptly to customer inquiries, handle and resolve customer complaints, obtain and evaluate all relevant information to handle product and service inquiries and provide pricing and delivery information.

Other requirements are excellent communication and interpersonal skills, must be computer literate and posses ability to learn fast and creative From www.jobsindubai. com is the position of a Project Manager with specialisation in engineering and architecture, with required education up to masters degree levels and possessing experience of between 5 and 10 years.

The description for the position indicates that the project manager will be responsible for the development and implementation of project delivery. He is also to be responsible for the management of design and project management teams, development of tendering documents and contract acceptance, construction management development, project cash flow monitoring and reporting and completion of post implementation reports for large and complex projects.

This position also prepares feasibility analyses for acquisition, disposition, development, and construction of projects.

Following is the Dubai based post of commercial carpenters (www.jobindubai. com) The ideal candidate needed are expected to have a range of knowledge and experience in the areas of concrete and trim carpentry with other traits and skills as described below: They must also have a general knowledge of plan reading as well as a basic understanding of specification interpretation, and experience in concrete forming and placing of footings, walls, slabs, and miscellaneous other concrete structures.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

25

Real Estate & Environment dayoayeyemi@yahoo.com 08033312578

Deforestation and flooding are some of the enviromental challenges facing Africa

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t no time has discussion on integrating issues of environment into government developmental programmes, been strident than now.

The reason for this renewed interest is, however, not far-fetched, the country has witnessed worse environmental challenges in recent time. The attendant problems have not only taken their toll on government expenditure, but also caused a lot of damage both in the loss of lives and valuable property.

It is therefore imperative that the challenge of how to evolve a coordinated approach, the type that stems from the communities, states and federal levels, formed the fulcrum of discussion at the just concluded 9th National Council on Environment which took place in Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State.

The theme of this year’s discussion is Green Economy: A Panacea for Sustainable Development.

The council, which is made up of commissioners environment from the 36 states of the Federation, is the highest governing body in the environment sector and the Minister of Environment, Mrs Hadiza Malafia is the chair of the Council.

Some of the major issues under review are; environment concerns such as flooding, desertification, climate change, waste management and other pertinent issues that bother on the country’s obligations to the various international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Setting the tone for the discussion, Mailafia, underscored the imperative of the year’s theme: “Green Economy: A Panacea for Sustainable Development” not only to the country’s participation in Rio+20 Summit, but also to the various environmental challenges the nation had witnessed in recent time.

She said the theme of the meeting has been deliberately chosen to provide

Stakeholders draw roadmap for sustainable environment Issues of climate change, flooding, waste management and other critical environmental concerns, were highlights of the just concluded 9th National Council on Environment meeting. OLUFEMI ADEOSUN, who attended the meeting held at the T.S Tarka Foundation in the capital city of Benue State, Makurdi, reports.

IT IS DISHEARTENING HOWEVER, TO NOTE THAT MANY PROJECTS IN

NIGERIA ARE

IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT RECOURSE TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT the opportunity to reflect and exchange views on the outcome of the recent United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, the Rio+20 Summit, held in Rio de Jainero, Brazil in June, 2012 and the domestic/internal challenges of Malafia flooding/erosion, waste management, need to enforce regulatory provisions on deforestation, drought and desertifica- development along flood plains, stresstion, land degradation, pollution, climate ing that the buck of the people usually change and loss of biodiversity, among affected whenever disaster occured, had their houses and farmlands located others.

Apart from coming up with valu- along plains.

Also, she noted that failure to often able suggestions on how to address the scourge in a holistic manner, the minis- carry out Environmental Impact Aster admonished that the commissioners sessment (EIA) in government developof environment in their states should en- mental projects, had also contributed to gage in aggressive enlightenment cam- the state of environmental debility the paign toward making the people adopt nation has degenerated into with all its a system of tending to the environment health and economic implications.

She added, “Environmental Impact where they live. She also harped on the

Assessment (EIA) Act No: 86 was enacted in 1992 in accordance with Principles 17 of the 1992 Rio Declaration on Sustainable Development. This legislation gave the Federal Ministry of Environment the mandate to ensure that EIA is conducted on major development projects with a view to identifying likely environmental impacts and appropriate mitigation measures provided before project implementation. Compliance will ameliorate a lot of our situations.

“It is disheartening however, to note that many projects in Nigeria are implemented without recourse to the provisions of this act. I, therefore, wish to call on all Federal and state ministries, departments and agencies to ensure that Environmental Impact Assessment is mandatorily included in the contractual agreements of all major development projects.”

On the effort of government to address the issue of desertification in the northern part of the country, she stated that President Goodluck Jonathan had approved N10 billio n for the implementation of the Great Green Wall (GGW) programme to fight desertification in 11 front line states. While noting that the gesture was aimed at complementing the Presidential Initiative on AfforestaCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

26

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos to roll out new schemes for sustainable human settlements

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n a deliberate action to reduce housing shortage, promote even development, and reduce the number of inadequately planned quarters across the state, the Lagos State Government is set to roll out new schemes.

Besides, it said it is collaborating with the private sector under PublicPrivate Participation (PPP) initiative for the development of residential and commercial schemes in order to promote sustainable human settlements.

Speaking during the annual ministerial press briefing in Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos Lands Bureau, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said the new schemes which detailed survey studies and preparation of layout includes Epe Alaro scheme, Ito-Omu scheme, Ehingbeti scheme, Ilu-Tuntun Residential/Mixed Development Scheme, Imota; Ibeju Coastal City scheme, Iberekodo Industrial Town, Erelu scheme, and Iya-Afin Residential Scheme, Badagry.

According to him, the delay in concluding the schemes was to ensure that adequate infrastructure such as roads, sewage system and electricity.

Some of the schemes of land earmarked for PPP collaboration, he said included Oba Akran scheme in Badagry, Idera City scheme, Lekki, Suntan Beach scheme, Fadaka city scheme, and Magathon residential scheme, all in Badagry.

He maintained that the ongoing projects embarked on by the private partners had further reinforced the belief that private partnership can work.

He said, “Another aspect of our Private Development Initiative (PDI) involves the selection of lump sum sites for housing, mixed use and commercial projects for outright sale within the state.”

He stated that through the provision of land, a large stocks of housing units have been created for the citizenry on a mortgage basis in the Lagos Home Ownership Scheme (Lagos HOMS).

Alhaja Adetoun Mustapha Housing Estate, Ojokoro, Lagos

In 2012, the permanent secretary said that Lagos State Government generated about N10.275 billion as revenue from various land transactions.

He said the gross earnings of its bureau during the year hit N10,275 billion.

The figures, he said represented a reduction of 6.6 per cent from the total revenue of about N11billion recorded in 2011.

He attributed the challenging global economic and financial situation in the country, coupled with few land resources put for sale to the public for the reduction in revenue generated.

During the year, he stated that 2,321 Certificate of Occupancy were written and collected by their owners. He did not disclose the number of applications received and rejected.

In the granting of governor’s consent, Muri-Okunola hinted that over N2.960 billion was generated as revenue in 2012, putting the directorate’s performance at 99 per cent as against expected target of N2.984 billion for the year.

Besides, he stated that 7,349 applications for governor’s consent were received and processed.

He said, “In year 2012, between January and December, the following units of the Directorate, CTC, Registration, Correspondence, E-search and mortgage generated a total sum of N1.154,169,092.64.”

The permanent secretary also disclosed that the state government has paid the sum of N2.56 billion as compensation for people affected by projects related to acquisition such as the ongoing Lagos-Badagry Expressway construction and expansion; Ago-Palace way, Okota expansion; individual property owners in various areas; and Lekki-Epe Expressway expansion among others.

Before the end of the current year, he disclosed that compensation worth N5 billion would be paid to people affected by the Ikorodu Road expansion; Lekki-Ape Airport project, resettlement project for the Free Trade Zone, parcels A and B, Lagos-

Orile Badagry construction (Lot 2), Itire-Okota link Bridge and associated road works.

Muri-Okunola hinted that the issuance of Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (e-C of O) would commence in August this year, pointing out that the delay in the rolling out of the document was as a result of the challenges in the area of Information Technology, which, he said were complex, coupled with the need not to compromise the security and integrity of land registry database.

The new land titling process, he maintained would transform the administration of land generally in the state.

The permanent secretary lamented wide spread encroachment and illegal sale of state land by individuals and communities, warning them to desist from such act, saying, “Government will not fold its arms while some people take laws into their hands. Appropriate agencies of government have been mandated to deal decisively with the issue.”

Stakeholders draw roadmap for sustainable environment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 tion, the environment Amazon also added Federal Government had begun full implementation of the United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programme.

Other critical areas of government intervention, according to Mailafia, include the installation of automated community-based Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWs) along major rivers in flood prone areas for real time forecasting to minimise the impacts of floods and the implementation of Integrated Waste Management programme across the country.

The host governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswan who was represented by his deputy, Chief Steven Lawani, in his speech said population growth and industri-

alisation had led to varying environmental problems being experienced by nations across the globe and responding to it in terms of building resilience underscored the need for collaboration among all the stakeholders in the sector.

In particular, apart from the huge financial cost environmental challenges had imposed on the country, the governor traced some of the nation’s communal clashes also. His words: “While desertification is ravaging states in the North, flooding and erosion are threatening the South-East and South West.

At the same time, the Niger Delta states or the South-South geo-political zone is suffering from pollution of land, air and water through oil exploration.

“The resultant effects of all these environmental problems on states

across Nigeria have led to increasing pressure on the North central zone where land is relatively available and suitable for grazing and crop cultivation.

“This is also why there are frequent conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and crop farmers, a situation which is doing a lot of harm to farming practices among our people. As I speak to you a lot of our farmers in the rural arrears of Gwer-West, Guma and Makurdi local government areas have been forced to abandon their homes and farming activities for the safety of their lives. The ripple effects of this are worrying, and must not be ignored.”

In order to forestall the re-occurrence of flooding in his state in view of Nigerian Metrological Agency(NIMET) 2013 rainfall predic-

tion, Suswan urged the Federal Government to fulfil its promise to dredge both River Benue and River KatsinaAla which had been taken over by silt, thereby reducing their capacity to hold large volumes of water.

Also speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Climate Change, Hon. Eziuche Ubani, urged the participants to deploy their experience and expertise to some of the lingering environmental challenges with a view to coming up with implementable policies that would place the environment on the front burner of national discourse.

For instance, he told the gathering that a process is ongoing to amend the constitution at the National Assembly to make the right to live in a safe environment a justifiable right of all citizens along other human rights.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Anxiety as AFN holds elections 30

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

The winning mentality at my club encourages me to go on and on and on until I find new challenge - Galatasaray striker, Didier Drogba

NPFL: First away draw excites 3SC

FIFA Confed Cup: 30 refs appointed EVEREST ONYEWUCHI

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ith only a month to go before the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 kicks off in Brasilia on June 15, world soccer governing body yesterday released the names of 30 referees who would officiate in the games.

FIFA appointed the ten referee trios from five of the six confederations, who were selected by the federation’s Referees Committee from a list of candidates for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. A statement sent to National Mirror by FIFA shows that no Nigerian is on the list, even though Peter Edibe is among those already being prepared to handle matches at next year’s World Cup. In the list unveiled yesterday, Alge- Shooting Stars’ goalkeeper, Laide Okanlawon, was fantastic against Sharks in Port Harcourt. ria’s Haimoudi Djamel is appointed a Centre Referee, while CAF’s other representatives for Assistant Referee’s duty are Morocco’s Achik Redouane and Algeria’s Etchiali Abdelhak.

“These officials are all potential candidates for next year’s flagship football event in Brazil, and such high-profile tournaments are key to of Tornadoes’ management to enable him give his best. Talk OEL A JAYI their preparation. Like their other J hire an experienced hand af- is already on between him and ABUJA colleagues on the open list of 52 overter Uwua’s exit is to enable the the club and I believe that very igeria National League club maintain a comfortable soon things will be sorted out,” all candidates for 2014, they can of(NNL) club, Niger Tor- position on the league table in he said ficiate matches at any level. We are nadoes FC, is ready to a bid to gain promotion to the convinced that they will deliver the Confirming the development quality we strive for,” said Massimo pay N850,000 monthly salary to Nigeria Professional Football when he was contacted, though Busacca, FIFA’s Head of Referee’s former Super Falcons’ Assistant League (NPFL) by the end of Nkiyu declined to disclose deCoach, Bala Nkiyu, to have him this season.

Committee. tails of the negotiation, he adThe FIFA Confederations Cup as head of their technical crew.

“Presently the club is not do- mitted that discussions were on The Minna-based club pres- ing badly, but there is need for between him and the club.

Brazil 2013 will be held from 15 to 30 June in six venues across Brazil. The ently on third position on the the services of someone who is The Kaduna-born tactician tournament features reigning world NNL table with 32 points, parted already grounded in the busi- was the technical adviser to and European champions, Spain; ways with Coach Godwin Uwua ness. I have no doubt that Coach Nasarawa United before they EURO 2012 runners-up Italy; South last month and has since been Nkiyu will take the club to the gained promotion last season.

American champions, Uruguay and left without a substantive coach. NPFL just as he did when he He has handled SEC FC Abuja, According to a reliable was with Nasarawa United. hosts Brazil, who are being joined by Wikki Tourists, Plateau United North and Central America and Ca- source who confided in National “The decision to pay him as and was the pioneer U-13 Naribbean champions, Mexico; Asian Mirror yesterday, the decision much as N850,000 monthly is to tional team coach in 2007. champions, Japan, African champions, Nigeria and Oceania champions and newcomers, Tahiti. to be back in the team after their ormer Nigeria captain, financial constraints.

“It’s unfortunate that the fed- achievement at the AFCON. But it Christian Chukwu, has called on Coach Stephen eration had to lay off some of the is the federation’s call and I quite Keshi to press further for the re- team’s backroom staff including understand the dilemma in which instatement of his Super Eagles’ assistant coaches of Keshi due they find themselves when you assistants, Sylvanus Okpala and to lack of funds. The coaches did talk in terms of finance.”

Last week, reports suggested well with Keshi when they won Valere Houandinou.

Okpala and Houandinou were the Africa Cup of Nations in that Keshi is willing to pay one of his assistants, Houandinou, who relieved of their positions last South Africa this year.

“Keshi can still make a co- is most trusted backroom staff, month by the Nigeria Football gent reason on why he needs the having worked with him while as Federation (NFF).

Chukwu, a member of the foot- coaches in the team and I believe Mali and Togo head coach.

Keshi is currently in Egypt atball federation’s technical com- himself and the federation can mittee, believes Keshi can still im- iron that out amicably,” advised tending the CAF symposium for analyses of the last two editions press it on his employer to recall Chukwu. of the AFCON in 2012 and 2013.

“Personally I like the coaches his assistants even in the face of FIFA president, Blatter

Tornadoes lure ex-Falcons’ coach with N.85m

N

Push for your staff, Chukwu tells Keshi

F

27

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fficials and players of the Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan are in Cloud Nine for recording their first away point of the season, as they forced host Sharks of Port Harcourt to a goalless draw in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

The Oluyole Warriors now have 16 points, while Sharks remain bottom of the table on 10 points.

Elated 3SC coach, Hakeem Busari, said his team was excited for leaving the Garden City with a point.

“I feel very excited with the draw against Sharks. It was a good one for us coming at this stage of the season, it will complement our good home run and put us at an advantage,” Busari told MTNFootball.com.

“Sharks are a very good team, they gave us a very good fight but we had our game plan which actually worked for us.”

He also urged the 3SC fans to always believe in the team as they will continue to strive hard to make them happy.

“I will urge our fans and supporters to believe in us and always be behind us. We will continue to wax stronger to show them that what we have been doing at home, we can equally do it away from home,” he assured.

“They should also know that when game is not going our way, it is not a deliberate act because we always want to win games.”

All efforts by Coach Gbenga Ogunbote-led Sharks to register at least a goal in the game were frustrated by 3SC, who were resolute in defence to get a point from the match.

Laide Okanlawon in goal for Shooting Stars was outstanding as he stood between Sharks and goal, while the central defence pair of new signing, Francis Edem and Samuel Olabisi, also did a yeoman’s job.

28

Sport

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tit bits...

Pepe Real Madrid’s Coach, Jose Mourinho, has defended his decision to drop Portugal international Pepe from his squad against Espanyol at the weekend.

“It is my decision and that is the end of it. I am the coach and I do not need to justify anything. From the first till the last day I am the one who decides,” Mourinho insisted under pressure from journalists.

“Sometimes I can share the reasons for my decisions and other times not. I am left with this option,” he added.

Scholes

Pellegrini

Pellegrini cools City switch

Wenger and his players in training yesterday

Wenger rallies Gunners M against Wigan A rsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, has told his squad to “finish what we’ve started” and claim a spot in the top four of this season’s Premier League table.

The north London club needs to win both of its remaining fixtures at home to Wigan today and away at Newcastle on Sunday to guarantee qualification for the Champions League.

Despite the 180 tense minutes ahead, however, Wenger is confident of success.

“Both teams have to go for it, it’s a huge game for both of us,” the French man said regarding the clash against

the FA Cup winner.

“We have been very consistent, we’ve been on a remarkable run and our destiny is in our own hands.

“Two months ago our destiny was not in our own hands. Today it is.”

The Gunners have collected 22 points from their last eight league games.

“We have rebuilt the team and since January we have certainly done very well if you look at the number of points we have taken compared to the other teams,” Wenger further said, adding, “We have created a good basis and that stability can help us start strongly next season.”

Rooney gets Blues’ beckon

C

helsea utility player, David Luiz, has confirmed he would be happy to see unsettled Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney move to Chelsea in the summer.

Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain are among the clubs to have been linked with a summer bid for Rooney, while Chelsea is also favoured to keep the 27-year-old in the Premier League.

“Everyone knows about his quality, so if he wants to come to Chelsea why not?

I’d be happy with it,” Luiz said yesterday.

Interestingly, former Manchester United defender, Gary Neville, says Rooney needs to sort himself out and has warned that the only way is down if he leaves the Premier League champions.

“Wayne is an emotional lad and you can see in the last couple of months he hasn’t quite been himself,” Neville said.

“Wayne Rooney wears his heart on his sleeve. He fights every refereeing decision. But he has been a bit vacant on the pitch and you can see something is wrong.

“In a couple of weeks he will be coming away with England. Then he needs to have the summer off and hopefully get his head back to being a Manchester United player.”

Rooney

alaga’s coach, Manuel Pellegrini, has denied speculation he has already agreed to replace Roberto Mancini as Manchester City manager.

Reports over the weekend claimed that City was ready to part with Mancini, although the club has yet to comment on the rumours.

Pellegrini has been lined up to replace Mancini and reports in Spain had suggested the Chilean has already accepted an offer to take charge at the Etihad Stadium.

However, Pellegrini stated yesterday that no deal was in place, although he would discuss his future with Malaga “in a few days”.

“I have not signed an agreement with anyone, not with Manchester City, not with Roma, not with Napoli, not with PSG, not with any of the clubs who have been mentioned,” he said.

“I’ve been fortunate enough, and very proud, that every year the big clubs have shown an interest in me.

“I had a date agreed with Malaga not to talk to anyone and I have no agreement with anyone.”

Mancini had criticised City for not stopping the speculation after seeing his team stunned by Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.

“I don’t know why the club hasn’t stopped this because it is not correct and I don’t think it is true,” the Italian fumed.

The former Inter and Lazio boss Mancini took over from Mark Hughes in December 2009, leading City to FA Cup victory in 2011 and the Premier League title a year later.

Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has paid tribute to teammate Paul Scholes after the latter announced his retirement on Sunday.

“Paul is one of the best I played alongside and is also the most naturally gifted player,” Ferdinand, who scored United’s winning goal against Swansea on Sunday at Old Trafford, said.

“Very few players can play like Scholsy these days and last as long in the game and that marks his strength of character,” the defender added.

Neymar Santos forward, Neymar, says he is sticking with the Brazilian club until next year’s World Cup. The pacy and skillful player has been linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer.

“I won’t leave Santos before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is over,” Neymar said.

“I have many options at the moment but I won’t talk about this.”

Moyes

New York Red Bulls striker, Tim Cahill, has supported Everton Manager, David Moyes, on the latter’s move to Manchester United.

Cahill played for Moyes for over nine years before moving to the MLS. “No one deserves it more than David because he has done so much for the game, and to have the opportunity to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world and continue their level of success is a remarkable measure,” Cahile said yesterday.

NBBF boss, Umar

Milo B’ball: Lagos, Ogun in Western fi SAYO OGUNDEJI

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agos and Ogun the Western Con of this year’s Mi School Basketball Cham The rival teams ar any match in the com are expected to be at with each other in the boys’ event.

International Sch (ISL) shunned fans tion to edge past hos semi finals as the Er tutored side won the e 44-30 points.

Adedokun Internat Ota, Ogun State also d State 38-21 points to nal.

Delta and Oyo will the final of the girls both won their semi fi Delta’s West End M ary School beat Edo’s 20-4 points to reach th Yejide Girls Gramm edged Ogun’s Ijemo School 23-22 points to date.

Coach of the Lagos Godfrey Ijeoma, admi Ogun opponent would the final.

“I know they are als but technically, I thin pable of dislodging final,” Ijeoma said, want to make up for suffered at the 2012 ed

Europa: Terry fears Amsterdam no-show

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helsea captain, John Terry, admits he is unsure if he will be fit for tomorrow’s Europa League final against Benfica.

Terry was stretchered off during Chelsea’s win at Aston Villa on Saturday after picking up an ankle injury in a collision with Villa defender Nathan Baker.

The former England captain, who left Villa Park on crutches and wearing a protective boot, is

in real danger of missing his second European final in 12 months after being sidelined for last season’s UEFA Champions League final because of suspension.

Terry is sweating on a scan on his injured ankle to see if he will be fit for the final in Amsterdam.

“It is my ankle. I’m going to get it scanned. I don’t know if I’ll be fit for Amsterdam at the moment,” Terry said yesterday.

Terry

n clash final

will clash in nference final ilo Secondary mpionship. re yet to lose mpetition and t loggerhead e final of the

hool, Lagos s’ intimidat Oyo in the rnest Ijeomaencounter at

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Mixed SecondIdia College he final while mar of Oyo Titun High o keep a final

s boys’ team, itted that the d be tough in

so good team nk we are cathem in the adding, “We the loss we dition.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Sport

Lampard: A fountain of glittering career T he future may be far from certain for Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard. But he is targeting a few more years at the top.

The England midfielder will be 35 next month and his current contract expires at the end of the season, when a decision will be made which sees him stay or go.

Lampard, who became Chelsea’s all-time top scorer last Saturday at the Villa Park where his brace saw the Blues seal a 2-1 victory, has stated his preference to finish his career at Stamford Bridge, but wherever his future lies, he hopes to emulate the longevity of Manchester United stars Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

“I would love to carry on as long as I feel I can do and I feel I’m fit,” Lampard said yesterday.

“I would also love to emulate Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes because many players look up to them.”

Lampard joined the club from West Ham in 2001 and whether his 12-year spell comes to an end, or is extended, it is appropriate to reflect on a stunning career as a goal scoring midfielder.

Interestingly, it is not the first time his Blues career has been uncertain. The arrival of billionaire oligarch Roman Abramovich as owner in the summer of 2003 left the existing squad fearful “Every season, you thought, ‘Blimey, there are more coming in, am I going to play?’,” he recalled.

“The ones that stayed here were the determined ones and the ones that fought to try to up their level to stay in the team.”

The UEFA Europa League final at the Amsterdam Arena will be Chelsea’s 68th competitive game of the season. But Lampard is unfazed.

“When you are thinking about it too much at home it becomes more detrimental, but when

you’re playing and training and want to do well for the team then it’s easier,” he said.

But according to him, Amsterdam will not surpass that heady night when Roberto Di Matteo led the Blues to a first European Cup. “Munich was amazing and the one we’ve been waiting for a long time, and I’d like to think we can get near it but we’ve got a very tough game to try to do that with Benfica on Wednesday.”

Considered widely as one of the best English footballers of his time and one of the best midfield players of his generation, Lampard is a box-to-box midfielder known for his work-rate, range of passing and goal scoring ability.

He began his career at West Ham United, for whom his father, Frank Lampard Snr., had also played. He secured a place in the first team by the 1997–98 season, and the following year helped the team finish 5th in the Premier League, their highest-ever Premier League placing. In 2001, he moved to rival London club Chelsea for £11 million.

From his debut, he was everpresent in the Chelsea first team, setting a record 164 consecutive Premier League appearances, establishing himself as a prolific scorer at the west London club and being a key part of the sides which won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2004–05, as well as 2005–06 and a domestic cup double in 2007.

In the 2009–10 season, Lampard had his most prolific season with Chelsea, scoring 22 league goals and 17 league assists.

A three-time Chelsea Player of the Year, Lampard is the club’s all-time top goal scorer with 203 goals in all competitions and is one of seven players, and the only midfielder, to have scored 150 or more goals in the Premier League.

Lampard

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Sport

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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On the track with

YEMI OLUS danyella172003@yahoo.com

Anxiety as AFN holds elections

A Nesiama

Nesiama savours CAA honour

T

echnical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, says that his recent nomination into the Technical Commission of the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) is a right stepping stone A letter signed by Secretary General of the CAA, Lamine Faty, confirmed Nesiama’s status which also entitles the AFN chief to sit on the Technical Commission of the CAA as member.

“My nomination is quite motivating not only to me but it is also a confidence booster to the AFN, athletes, coaches, technical officials, journalists, athletes parents/ legal guardians, ex-internationals and experts,” Nesiama, who took over as Technical Director following the death in December 2011 of Nigeria’s most decorated athlete, Sunday Bada, said.

“This continental recognition is a clear indication that we are on course, doing the right thing, the CAA believes in our ability and our modest effort is appreciated. The continental recognition would also boost the morale of my military constituency, where I derive great support, that their projected one is representing them well.

“It is also underscores the military sports transformation effort towards re-establishing itself at the front burner position in sports/ physical fitness enhancement and management in the country.

“I want to reassure all that we are partners in the collective move to achieving greater feats in terms of winning elusive laurels in the not too distant future.”

Nesiama introduced the steeple chase event, national relays and road race into the AFN calendar while Nigeria also won African Championships in the senior and youth categories under his tenure.

new helmsman for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) will emerge following the elections into the offices of presidents and vice presidents scheduled to hold today at the National Stadium, Abuja.

According to insiders, the race for the AFN top job would be among three candidates who comprise incumbent president, Solomon Ogba, a member of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Gusau, and University of Lagos lecturer, Professor Tunde Makanju, who doubles as Chairman of the Lagos State Athletics Association.

It was unclear at press time if Sydney Olympics quarter-mile relay gold winner, Fidelis Tafida Gadzama, was still in the race after earlier reports said he had stepped down for Ogba.

But Gadzama had disclaimed the reports, saying his ambition was intact.

“In the era of politicking like this, all manners of propaganda and oddities are manufactured and delivered but what matters is my conscience,” he told an online publication yesterday.

“I owe myself a duty to pursue the best options for the sport and I will do this in conjunction with like minds on the AFN board.

“I will not disappoint Nigerians.

Top contender, Ogba

There is no price tag on my head. I can confirm to you that I am still in the race and if there is any kind of consensus, it must be in the best interest of the game not for my personal benefit.”

All elected members of the various federations from the zones and nominated stakeholders into the boards will participate in the elections.

Six elected members emerged from the April 30 zonal elections into the boards of the various federations which held at the headquarters of the six geo-political zones in Ibadan, Benin, Enugu, Kaduna, Jos and Bauchi.

The other five members expected to vote and who belong to the stakeholders are former AFN President, Violet Odogwu, and University of Port Harcourt’s Director of Sports and a member of Team Nigeria’s medical crew at the London Olympic Games, Dr. Ken Anugweje. Others are former athlete Falilat Ogunkoya, award-winning athletics journalist, Olukayode Thomas, and the AFN Technical Director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama.

Results are expected to be declared today while the swearing-in ceremony for the elected officials will hold on Friday after all appeals and petitions would have been addressed.

Agbaje (middle) during a recent race

Agbaje eyes collegiate title

A

fter setting a Personal Best and new school record of 10.16 secs in the 100m at the Blue Hawk Open last week, Dickinson State University undergraduate, Fred Agbaje, says he is targeting the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championships crown.

Although his time was wind aided, Agbaje believes that he is on the way to achieving the 10.10secs qualification time for the Moscow 2013 World Championship.

The athlete, currently ranked No.1 in the NAIA men’s 100 rankings and is No.2 in the 200m, hopes to set a new record in the longer sprint.

“I expected to run fast because that was one of my goals for this season. I was happy and everybody at the stadium was happy with me because the community likes me,” the Nigerian said.

“My team mates were happy for me as well. I was happy because I won just for the community. I intended going for the school record in the 200m which is 20.8 but about 150m in the race I started cramping up due to the cold weather so

I shut it down and end up running 21.02 with was good enough to win the race.”

Agbaje who lowered his PB from 10.31, also said: “I see myself achieving The World Championships standard very soon but I don’t think about that. My immediate focus now is our NAIA National Championship which is billed for 23 to 25.

“With the competition there, I should be able to achieve or surpass that standard. I want to become NAIA champion and hope to get the school record in the 200m and the 4x100m relay.”

Recently there was uproar among the homebased athletes on the standards set by the AFN but Agbaje believes that his colleagues’ complaint stemmed from poor conditions.

“Only to whom much is given should much be expected,” he further said, adding, “I don’t think the AFN has done much for the athletes.”

“As athletes we all want to improve, run season and personal best and break records. All these can’t happen with a bad competition atmosphere.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

31

Affordable housing is almost impossible in Nigeria –Expert Mr. Adebayo Akin-Omotuyi is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Botmak Allied Investment. In this interview with STANLEY IHEDIGBO, he spoke on challenges of development of the real estate and other related issues.

As an estate developer, what is your assessment of the sector in Nigeria presently?

Well, estate development in Nigeria at the moment is very challenging. It is -funny when we hear the federal or state government talking about lowcost housing. I know that there are no low cost houses in Nigeria because of so many things that are involved. Again, estate development is a good area of business that can promote the nation’s economy if government will look at it more critically. When you talk of estate development, it is seen as the business of the developer whereas government supposed to be actively involved in the delivering of quality houses to the masses. However, what we see in this country is that the super rich continues to own 50 to 60 houses and the low income earner ends up not having access to shelter .

Some members of the Real Estate Developers’ Association (REDAN) early this year lost billions of naira worth of housing estates in the Federal Capital Territory as government agency demolished completed housing units. What is your position on the sad development?

Although I don’t have full details of the issue, but it is heartless for any government to destroy an estate with completed houses. Don’t be surprised that the action has thrown the developer into debt. I mean the debt he will not recover easily for many years, not to talk of people that have paid for the houses in the estate.

It is pathetic that some authority will wake up one day for any reason best known to them and destroy a completed estate. My question is, what was the authority waiting for when these houses were in primary stage? I know that at least, it takes not less than six months for such houses to be completed. Why did gover nment or the authorities fail to infor m the developer that the place he was building the houses is not approved for residential? Why did they wait for the company to get to that stage before demolishing the estate?

Candidly speaking, it is irresponsible of the authority to have done such wickedness to Nigerians who such development would have provided a conducive environment and comfortable shelter. It is only in this country such a thing will happen and nobody is asking question.

Looking at the various campaigns and policies of Federal Government to provide affordable houses for the masses, what is your view?

At the moment, we need to look at it both ways, because it is the responsibility of gover nment to make houses affordable to its citizen. I know that to make houses affordable to the masses is not just a paper thing; you have to set in policies; you have to put things in place like fund.

It is not enough for any government to talk of providing affordable houses without taking proactive steps to make it happen.

A situation where a developer has to source for fund to buy land, build houses and still provide infrastructure is very challenging. The question is how can government make it affordable to anybody, looking at the cost of building a house, the interest rate to pay for the funds borrowed and then expected profit of investment? At the end of the day, a two bedroom flat that should ordinary not to be more than N2.5million will be put for sale by a developer at N7million.

Secondly, government needs to review the financial policy as regards mortgage; even the 6 percent charge by mortgage banks is high. All these things don’t make sense in a developing country like ours.

What about the issue of cement, which a bag is selling at over N1,500? I want government to look at

Omotuyi

NIGERIANS ARE MAGICIANS, THE DEVELOPERS IN THE COUNTRY STILL FIND WAYS AROUND THE ENORMOUS CHALLENGES FACING THEM TO BUILD WHAT WE MAY CALL AFFORDABLE HOUSES AT

N14MILLION PER THREE BEDROOM FLAT. HOW

THE RATE OF

MANY PEOPLE CAN AFFORD THAT IN

NIGERIA?

it and call manufacturers of cement to key into its housing policy to make houses available to Nigerians, so that the companies will sell cement cheaper because it is the major material for building construction.

Is it not the appropriate time for developers to begin to source for raw materials locally?

I have listened to so many debates on that, but sourcing building materials locally involves a lot of things. Somebody will tell you that it is cheaper to build houses using red brick, we don’t know what it takes to mould red brick and number of local bricklayers that can work with it. Secondly, most people that buy houses from us want what they are used to, which is cement block.

We know there are many technology and alternative raw materials for building houses in other countries, it is not something developers can do on their own, but in partnership with government. It is government that will initiate the development.

How many government estates are those alternative

raw materials such as red bricks and others are been used?

Also, it is the responsibility of the government to research for more alternative raw materials too.

I still argue for the fact that some of these local materials are more expensive. For example, red bricks, by the time you are able to get to where there is large deposit of red sand, you employ the technology, you mould the bricks and by the time you would have finished, you will realise that a lot times have been wasted and that extra cost has been incurred. You will agree with me that bricks and mortar is still relevant in our country for now until when the acceptable alternative is available. Again, if proper sensitisation is done and enabling environment is there, we can talk of alternative raw materials for building houses in Nigeria.

Looking at the situation on ground, is it that accommodation is not available or it is not affordable?

Well, the estimate is that there is about 18 million housing deficit in Nigeria and again, it depends on what you are calling houses. Some Nigerians are living in what we called housing, but I will call it accommodation because when you see the living condition of some people in this country, you will weep.

They sleep in the house that is not different from a prison cell. More than 10 families are sharing one toilet. Will you call that a house? As far I am concer ned it, is not a house, rather it is just accommodation.

In other countries, even when you are living in a room, that room is built comfor tably for the occupier. You have everything that is required within the room. Do you know that such a room in other countries is even better than a two bedroom flat in Nigeria?

For some three bedroom flats in Nigeria, the builders most of the time do not build with specification and gover nment do not care.

That is the situation of things in this country and nobody is asking question. You wonder if there is any law that guides building construction in the country or what authority that is saddled with responsibility of supervising those houses is not doing its job. Sometime you see a room with one widow. For me, af fordable housing is almost impossible, although Nigerians are magicians, developers still find ways around the enor mous challenges facing them to build what we may call af fordable houses at the rate of N14million per three bedroom flat.

How many people can af ford that?

Why I asked that question is because, if you visit some cities in the Nigeria, you will see beautiful houses, well designed but are empty for years, no tenant.

You see, even to rent these houses is not affordable; selling it is not easy as these houses are going for N300million, N400million and how many Nigerians can af ford it because when you get such amount, you will not think of buying a single house for N300million to N400million.

Developers in the past concentrated on a particular place like Lagos Island, because it appears that the people that can afford the houses lives on the island, but the truth of the matter is that it has been saturated.

The percentage of people who are comfortable is low compared to those that are struggling . I can tell you that most developers in those cities are in trouble because after completion of the buildings on assumption that once they finish buyers will pick it up, but the unfortunate thing is that some developers that invested heavily in building those houses for two to four years now are not getting buyers.

They adjust the prices upward every year in order to meet up with the interest rate. And the funny thing is that when you put a house for N40million, nobody buys it, is it when you increase it to N70million that you will get buyer?

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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Achieving a great paint job A room looks wonderful with a fresh coat of paint, according Coral Nafie, interior expert at About.com Guide. He says that if you have a ‘Love-Hate’ relationship with painting, you should read following tips on getting a great finished product.

Y

ou’ll enjoy the job more if you get everything together at the start.

Organise a tool station in the middle of the area you’ll be working in.

Gather together your paint, brushes, rollers, hammers, screwdrivers, plastic bags, plastic wrap, rags, paint can opener, and drop cloths.

•Don’t try to get everything done in one day. Use the day before painting day to gather furniture in the centre of the room, patch cracks and holes, put blue painter’s tape around doors and windows, and cover wall and ceiling light fixtures (light bulbs removed, of course!) with large plastic bags.

•If you can, clear out all the furniture and accessories. Take everything off the walls. If you can’t move everything out, place the furniture and lamps in the middle of the room and cover them with a good drop cloth. Be sure that you tape the cloth around the furniture. Then put a second cover of plastic or old sheet over everything.

•It may seem easier to paint around door knobs or cabinet hinges, but unless you’re a professional, very experienced

painter, you’re bound to get drips around.

So carry around some zip top bags and remove all cabinet knobs and hinges, door knobs, light switch plates and outlet covers, and light fixtures. Place the pieces together in separate bags and clearly mark the contents and location (top left cabinet, bathroom door, etc) you took them from. This is a great time to clean the hardware! Put them back when you’re done painting.

•No matter how hard you try, you’re bound to get drips (or more) of paint on whatever you’re wearing. So take off all jewelry. Reserve some old, but comfortable, clothes for your painting jobs. Slipon shoes are easy to take off if you need to leave the room. You won’t have to worry about tracking drops of paint into other rooms. When you paint the ceiling, put a scarf, shower cap, or old baseball hat over your hair and some plastic over your eyeglasses.

•If your walls have holes or cracks, fix them before you start with the paint. Any home centre or paint store has knowledgeable personnel to guide you to the best products for the job. Wide cracks and

Courtesy: www. eHow Contributor

large holes can be “bridged” with fiberglass tape, spackle will fill small holes and

cracks, and texturizing products are available to match your existing wall finish.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Real Estate & Environment

33

How progress in green economy creates new trade opportunities –UNEP I

f we are to reverse the global decline in biodiversity, mitigate the release of greenhouse gases (GHG), halt the degradation of lands and protect our oceans, then it is imperative that international trade becomes more sustainable and contributes to protecting that ‘natural capital’ of economies in the developing world.”

Those were the words of UN UnderSecretary General and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, Achim Steiner, in a report on Green Economy and Trade – Trends, Challenges and Opportunities, released last week.

Greening global trade, according to the report, is a vital step to achieving sustainable development, and developing countries are well positioned to help catalyze this transition.

“In today’s increasingly interconnected world, where trillions of dollars worth of goods and services are traded annually, greening global trade still presents challenges but also holds significant opportunities,” said Achim Steiner.

In the last two decades, trade has continued to expand, creating economic growth and progress towards eradicating poverty in developing countries. At the same time, however, the increasing volume of trade has put additional stress on natural resources, led to increases in GHG emissions, and contributed to social inequalities.

World trade patterns show that developing countries, and particularly least developed countries, still depend heavily on natural resource based products and raw materials for their exports. To achieve long-term and sustainable economic development, however, there are significant and real opportunities for developing nations to diversify their economies and position themselves to benefit from the growing global demand for more green goods and services.

While still representing only a small percentage of the global market, trade in certi-

Cassava plantation in Nigeria

fied products and in environmental goods and services is on the rise in absolute terms.

For example, the global market in low-carbon and energy efficient technologies, which include renewable energy supply products, is projected to nearly triple to $ 2.2 trillion by 2020.

The report, Green Economy and Trade – Trends, Challenges and Opportunities, finds that developing countries with abundant renewable resources are well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities to increase their share in international markets for sustainable goods and services.

The report analyzes six economic sectors – agriculture, fisheries, forests, manufacturing, renewable energy and tourism – where trade opportunities exist, and identifies measures, such as policy reforms and certification, that can help developing countries benefit from these markets.

Some of the trends highlighted in the re-

port illustrate this potential. For example: •Agriculture: The global market for organic food and beverages is projected to grow to $105 billion by 2015, compared to $62.9 billion in 2011. For instance, the production of tea in line with sustainability standards has increased by 2000 per cent between 2005 and 2009.

• Fisheries and aquaculture: Wild-capture fisheries already certified or in full assessment record annual catches of around 18 million metric tonnes of seafood. This represents about 17 per cent of the annual global harvest of wild capture fisheries, and demand far outstrips supply. Furthermore, the total value of seafood that has been farmed according to certified sustainability standards is forecast to increase to $1.25 billion by 2015, up from $300 million in 2008.

• Forestry: As of early 2013, the total area of certified forest worldwide stands at close to 400 million hectares, amounting to approx-

imately 10 per cent of global forest resources.

Sales of certified wood products are worth over $20 billion per annum.

• Manufacturing: Many suppliers are greening their practices in order to secure their positions within international supply chains. This is illustrated, for example, by the 1,500 per cent increase in global ISO 14001 certifications on environmental management between 1999 and 2009.

• Renewable energy: Since 1990, annual global growth in solar photovoltaic, wind and biofuel supply capacity has averaged 42, 25 and 15 per cent respectively. In 2010, the investments in renewable energy supply reached $211 billion, a five-fold increase from 2004, and more than half of these investments were in developing countries.

• Tourism: In developing countries, this industry’s market share has increased from 30 per cent in 1980 to 47 per cent in 2011, and is expected to reach 57 per cent by 2030.

Jonathan tasks surveyors on environmental challenges OLUEFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerian surveyors to come up with ideals that would help the

Jonathan

country overcome its environmental challenges.

The president made the call last week in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the 27th International Federation of Surveyors’ conference with a theme, “Environment for Sustainability.”

The week-long international surveying congress brought together professionals in the field of surveying around the world to brainstorm on how to position the profession for global development.

Jonathan, who was represented at the event by the Minister of Works, Mr. Onolememen, noted that the flooding incidence of 2012 and the various emerging environmental hazards should compel the country’s professional, especially the surveyors to brainstorm on how to find lasting solutions to the scourge.

He said,” Considering the recent national discourse of these phenomena in our country, following the spate of flood-

ing we experienced in many parts of our country in 2012 and the scourge of gully erosion in the South and desert encroachment in the North, I assure you of the appropriateness of your choice of Nigeria as an excellent place to come together, network and exchange ideas, innovations and expertise in this highly and technologically challenging field of endeavour, with the aim of confronting these environmental challenges that threatens humanity at this time and age.”

According to him, like every other developed nation that has leverage on the importance of surveying for its national physical development, Nigeria has recognised it as an indispensable factor in achieving its developmental goals and objectives.

The president added that apart from helping government in its transformation agenda, surveying had been playing pivotal roles in the realisation of the

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as well as Vision 20: 2020.

“I have come to admit that surveying is indeed the bedrock of national physical development. My government expects to derive benefits from its role in national resource exploration, exploitation, management and conservation,” he said.

He, however, lamented that as a maritime oil producing nation, the country lacked technical and human capacity in hydrographic surveying despite the array of surveyors in the country.

Also speaking, the FIG President, Mr. Cheettai Teo underscored the importance of networking in making surveying profession meet the needs of the people, particularly those at the grassroots level.

Teo, who noted that surveying thrives on precision, however urged members to uphold ethical values in the profession with a view to achieving value for money.

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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Building societies urge UK to adopt holistic approach to property lending

T

he UK government should adopt a more holistic approach to managing the housing market as there are potential choppy water ahead in relation to changing capital requirements, it is claimed, according to report from Property Wire.

According to chairman of the Building Societies Association, David Webster, mutual lenders have a central role in the provision of mortgage finance, providing competition and choice to consumers and contributing to the stability of the financial system.

Speaking at the association’s 144th annual conference he said that during 2012 and into 2013, mutual lenders have been at the core of the mortgage market, particularly as some big banks have been restructuring their balance sheets and lending less as a consequence.

Over the first quarter of 2013, net lending by building societies and other mutuals totalled £1.9 billion. The figure for all other providers was minus £1.7 billion.

He told the audience that while the current focus of government on the housing market is welcome, a more holistic approach to the challenges of supply and demand are needed, starting at the level of infrastructure planning and this could be more beneficial than individual schemes such as the recently launched Help to Buy scheme.

‘It is to be hoped that as the details of the new Help to Buy Scheme are developed, government has a viable exit strategy. Fannie Mae in the United States was introduced

World tallest building in Dubai

as a similar temporary measure during the Great Depression and 70 years later is a policy headache for the US administration,’ he pointed out.

Webster also pointed out that new measures aimed at large banks are not necessarily right for the small building societies, such as the introduction of leverage ratios. ‘These have been designed for big banks and intended as a back stop measure of capital adequacy which takes no account of risk weighted assets. For the mutual

Ogun reveals step to tackle effect of climate change

T

he Ogun State Government has put in place necessary machinery to bring to the barest minimum effects of climate change on land management and housing delivery in the state.

Disclosing this while fielding questions from newsmen at the closing ceremony of the 13th Lagos Housing Fair last week, the state’s Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Daniel Adejobi, observed that major challenge of flooding and its debilitating effects on the people would be addressed by the steps already taken by the government.

Adejobi revealed that part of the measures being taken in this respect was the usual construction of drainage at various roads and housing projects to ensure free flow of water.

“Infrastructural development remains a passion for the Senator Ibikunle Amosun led administration in the state, therefore at every construction, either housing or road, proper drainage system is always put in place to ensure free water flow. You will agree with me that this will go a long way in addressing some of the problems associated with climate changes, particularly flooding,” he said.

Amosun

He said the state government had flexible and accommodating policies on land acquisition and management, a development which he said was responsible for the rush by workers in the neighbouring Lagos state who throng the state to build their houses.

The commissioner also disclosed that the state government would also hold a similar housing fair next year to help showcase its potentials in housing delivery and create a platform for interaction among service providers, manufacturers in the housing sector and consumers of such products and services within the building industry.

sector, which has lower risk assets, a stable retail funding base, but restricted access to capital it could pose a real risk,’ he explained.

‘If the level set is high and the glide path to implementation is short, far from being a backstop measure it will become the main driver of capital management.

Perversely it could make prime residential lending far more capital intensive and therefore less attractive and put the sector at a competitive disadvantage to the big banks,’ he added.

The association believes that a 3 per cent leverage ratio suggested by the Treasury is far more sensible and sensitive to the different structure of the mutual sector than the 4.06 per cent mooted by the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards.

‘As more traditional players, in the heady days before the financial crash we often found ourselves labelled boring. Now our back to basics approach is in vogue and standing us in good stead both with consumers and financially,’ said Webster.

‘In terms of culture and behaviour we are closely aligned with the values now desired from 21st century businesses.

Our history of just getting on with it with energy and enthusiasm bodes well, but the government can certainly help the sector to continue to provide diversity and competition,’ he added.

Real estate markets in the emirate of Sharja remain resilient

T

he real estate market in Sharjah remains resilient and is one of the Emirate’s top performing sectors, according to the latest report from property firm Cluttons.

Residential apartments in popular areas have witnessed an average rental increase of 10 to 15 per cent and in the commercial sector landlords are becoming increasingly flexible with their office leasing agreements, boosting demand.

The report says that the residential sector is witnessing a steady rise in average rents as demand outstrips supply for the first time since the global economic crisis.

Since October 2012, apartments in popular areas such as Al Majaz, Al Nahda and Qassimiya have witnessed an average rental increase of 10 to 15% and in desirable areas such as Sharghan, Al Fisht and Al Falaj, villas have seen a similar 15% increase due to strong growth in demand and a lack of quality stock.

However, Cluttons points out that these increases are applicable only to new lettings as the three year, no increase protection law still exists in Sharjah.

As the economies of both Dubai and Sharjah continue

to improve, Cluttons expects the residential market to strengthen further and rents for both apartments and villas to rise over the next six months.

The office market has remained unchanged since October 2012, with average rents in the main business districts holding between AED50 to 80 per square foot.

Landlords of a number of the more prominent office towers are now offering flexible lease agreements, which has helped attract tenants and increase occupancy rates.

Cluttons has noted an increasing demand for onsite amenities such as gyms, restaurants and cafes, and extensive renovation work has been undertaken on some older properties, further enhancing the desirability of Sharjah’s office market.

Cluttons expects the current market trend to continue over the next six months, driven also by Sharjah’s position as a good start up location for smaller businesses.

The industrial property market is the most stable real estate sector and accounts for approximately one fifth of the Emirate’s GDP. The government recently has begun re-zoning parts of the industrial area close to the city centre as commercial land. As a result, it is expect-

ed that industrial tenants will move further out of the city towards areas such as Sajaa.

Since October 2012, industrial rents have remained steady, but certain areas further away from the city centre, like Industrial Area 18, are seeing a notable 15% rise in rents, with warehouse rents increasing from AED17 to AED 20 per square foot.

Cluttons says that many businesses are now looking to relocate from the older congested industrial areas to reap the benefits of improved infrastructure as well as newer, higher quality properties which meet the growing fire safety requirements of the Civil Defence Department. Cluttons speculates there will be further rent increases in newer developments over the next six months, but expects the rents to remain unchanged in the older, less popular areas.

Finally, Sharjah’s hospitality sector has also shown signs of continued growth, with a 9% year on year rise in guest numbers at hospitality establishments within Sharjah. The Emirate is proving popular with budget conscious travelers as an alternative to Dubai, with the majority of visitors from the GCC. The majority of European visitors are Russian.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Aviation

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

35

Stakeholders advocate merger, acquisition for Africa airlines There are fears that no airline in Africa may survive till 2050 as a result of various factors in the industry. In a bid to remain in business, the continent’s aviation stakeholders and professionals, in a one-day summit at Lagos recently, called for mergers and acquisition among the airlines.

OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

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igerian airlines have consistently struggled to remain in business over the years. As some old airlines close shops, new ones are indicating interest to commence flight operations through the issuance of Air Operator’s Certificate, AOC, by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. As at today, there are seven indigenous airlines wobbling to stay afloat in the country with about 57 airplanes in their fleets. The airlines are Arik Air, Aero Airlines, Med-View Airline, Dana Air, IRS Airlines, Chanchangi Airlines and Overland Airways.

In the last 30 years, no fewer than 30 airlines have collapsed in Nigeria. In all, the average lifespan of a Nigerian airline is six years, which is giving aviation stakeholders and professionals a call for concern.

The world over, most airlines are merging and consolidating their operations in a bid to remain in business. For instance, some few years back, British Airways formed an alliance with Spain carrier, Iberia Airlines, which brought their fleet to 398, Air France/KLM; 586, United Airlines/America Airlines; 699, Delta Air Lines/ Northwest; over 700 aircraft among others.

The idea of merger, acquisition and alliance is still novel to the Nigerian airline-subsector despite efforts made in the past for them to come together.

Global aviation experts however fear that the harsh operating environments primarily caused by high cost of Jet A1 (aviation fuel) and various taxes and charges may further bring down the number of airlines in the world to 12 by 2050.

But no Nigerian airline is in the picture of airlines that will survive till 2050, according to experts at an Aviation Summit in Lagos recently with the theme: “A dozen World Airlines…Nigeria challenges.”

Participants at the event agreed that for the indigenous airlines to survive in the face of harsh economic reality, they should shun the stand-alone ideology, which they said is no longer realistic.

They explained that all over the world, bigger airlines are merging, forming alliances to remain in business and helping one another as global airline business has become competitive, adding that the concept of merging and alliance began in the United States of America in 1930.

Speaking at the event, the President, Sabre Travel Network, Mr. Gbenga Olowo warned that Nigerian and African airlines face serious trouble if they do not embrace merger and consolidation soon.

First Nation aircraft

ON THE LOCAL SCENE, MERGERS, CONSOLIDATION, COOPERATION AND SYNERGIES ARE YET TO BE

REALISED. THEY MAY BE IDEAL GIVEN GLOBAL TRENDS Olowo said that the revenues of the three biggest airlines in the continent, Kenyan Airways, Ethiopian and South African Airways, which he put at over $3 billion is just about 35 per cent of the annual revenue of Emirates Airlines from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

He added that efforts to ensure merger and consolidation among the continent’s carrier had failed in the past, but emphasised that merger or consolidation could not be achieved by government coercion.

He also lamented the precarious situation of Nigerian airlines, saying that there are only 57 aircraft in the fleet of the carriers in the country while an airline like South African Airways has over 67 aircraft in its fleet.

He said, “Nigerian airlines are at the bottom level of success. The airlines that we have in operations are in the lowest rung of the ladder in terms of revenue, service delivery and good business model.

“Business climate is shifting from the West to Africa, when that shift comes; the continent’s carrier may be caught napping.”

Besides, the Director of Studies, European Centre for Advance and Professional Studies, University of Cambridge, Dr. Anthony Kila, noted that for the continent’s carriers to remain in operations by 2050, they needed to engage in training of their manpower, stressing that people travel for business and pleasures and with the hope of getting satisfactions from their clients.

Kila declared that the number of operating airlines in the world would decrease by 2050, but with great advantage to the flying public.

He added, “The only people who will expand in the industry by 2050 are those who understand the variables. To be able to cope with the challenges by 2050, you need to train your team.”

The former President of the National Association of Nigerian Travelling Agen-

cies, NANTA, Mr. Soji Amusan, emphasized that customer satisfaction, quality services, productivity, profit and cost control would not happen by themselves, but players in the industry would have to make them happen.

Like others before him, Amusan insisted that no Nigerian carrier would survive till 2050, as most companies do not train their staff adequately, rather, look for trained personnel to employ.

Besides, he berated the Federal Government for abdicating training of technical personnel in the sector, stressing that in India for instance, the government supports the training of their staff, which he said is necessary to further develop the industry.

He said, “The level of team work among people determines the success or otherwise of the company, but it seems Nigeria is yet to understand the benefit of this. Employers of labour should assist their staff to acquire professional knowledge, which will eventually aid the sector and ensure development.

“Besides, employees too should learn how to stay a little bit longer on their job.

Most employers will tell you that they don’t embark on training for their staff because immediately they are trained; they abandon the job and go for another company with better packages. It is necessary for them to stay longer on their jobs in order to justify the money that is spent on them by their employers.”

Besides, the Managing Director, Overland Company, Capt. Edward Boyo also observed that Nigerian airlines would remain behind in global aviation industry unless they cooperate in the form of merger and acquisition, which he said the norm globally.

Boyo, who was represented by the Executive Director of Overland Company, Mrs. Aduke Atiba observed that in the past 10 years, no fewer than 10 Nigerian airlines have closed shop while only seven indigenous carriers currently operate in the sector.

She noted that of the seven operators, two are over 12 years old, another two are about 10 years old, while three others are relatively younger, adding that the total number of fleet in the country’s airlines are not up to that of Easyjet in United Kingdom with over 200 aircraft.

Generally, she said African carriers are yet to appreciate the benefits of merger, stressing that the closest in the continent was between Kenya Airways and Precision Air partnership when the former took over 49 per cent shares in the latter.

She said, “Mergers enable growth, increase the market shares, increase values of customers, increase credit worthiness for the airline and enhances market perception of the airlines. However, merge can not be done by government coercion. It has to be marriage of willing parties and there should be trust.

“One of the banes of mergers in the sector today in the country is lack of trust among the industry players.

Merger is a voluntary amalgamation of two firms on a roughly equal term into one new legal entity. Mergers in the US started since 1930 with Western Air Express and there have been more than 45 mergers in the US since then. Again, it is good to note that none of the mergers functioned without governmental support, which has been lacking in Nigeria over the years.

“On the local scene, mergers, consolidation, cooperation and synergies are yet to be realised. They may be ideal given global trends. However, myriad of pre-conditions must be met to ensure they work effectively. The question is and remains, how can these conditions be met within our local and regional operating environment? She queried.

The President, Aviation Round Table, Capt. Dele Ore in his submission noted that by 2050, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO in conjunction with the International Air Transport Association, IATA, would have come up with other standards that would streamline Global Distribution/Airline Portal, Airline Merger/Travel Agency consideration, Training and Manpower.

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Aviation

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

FG to change aviation model through aerotropolis concept – Jonathan OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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he Federal Government says it is planning to change the business model of the country’s aviation industry through increased private sector participation in the proposed aerotropolis concept.

The government believes would maximise the contribution of the industry to the socio-economic development of Nigeria through increased trade.

An online statement signed by the Special Assistant, Media to the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Joe Obi stated that President Goodluck Jonathan declared this recently at a function in Johannesburg, South Africa where he insisted that Nigeria was serious about the development of the aviation sector through the aerotropolis project, which he said is the new centre of growth in the global aviation industry.

Jonathan explained that the country’s aviation sector was ideally positioned as a catalyst of growth for key economic sectors, including travel, tourism, agriculture, rural development, trade, commerce, manufacturing and communications technology.

The president said the aerotropolis would specifically target

Jonathan

diversification of the economy through increased economic activity, technology transfer, increased trade through global partnerships, value chain development and rural transformation especially in exploiting the country’s agro-export opportunities, employment potential, local and foreign business development and private sector investment.

He said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria remains fully committed, in partnership with the private sector to transform Nigeria into the foremost investment destination in Africa, well connected, economically efficient; offering sustainable, secure and attractive returns on investment.

“We are committed to supporting private sector-driven aerotropolis to rapidly become the

commercial nexus, anchoring aviation-enabled trade in goods and services; and driving business development from the aerotropolis to neighboring cities, towns and the entire West African region.”

Since the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah came up with the project, many international firms and government organisations have pledged to collaborate with the Federal Government to make it come to fruition.

For the China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd (CSCEC), it would invest in the development of aerotropolis within the major international airports in Nigeria.

Overseas operations Vice President of the corporation, Yu Zhende described Nigeria as a ‘major’ country in Africa, hence, the development of its aviation sector would establish the country as a major hub on the African continent.

The company also expressed its readiness to sign an agreement and mobilise to site as soon as the Nigerian and Chinese governments come to a compromise.

“We will move as fast as the Nigerian government wants us to move,” he said and assured that financing the project would not pose any serious challenge for the Chinese government once an agreement is reached.

Etihad Airways to increase New York capacity with Boeing 777 aircraft

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Is Bayelsa International Airport desirable?

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ometime last year, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, in conjunction with the Bayelsa State Government approved the sum of N13.9bn for the construction of Bayelsa International Airport, which has drawn both commendation and condemnation from aviation stakeholders and professionals in the country.

Some stakeholders in the sector insist that the airport will only add to the growing number of unviable airports in the country while others say its construction will further increase connectivity within the country.

However, Airside thinks the construction of the airport is unnecessary as this will only act as a drainpipe to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, an agency,

which generates an average of N40bn as its annual revenue.

For clarity purpose, in 2012, a total number of 844 passengers passed through Minna airport, 3,233 passengers used Akure Airport while total passengers traffic volume for Katsina Airport stood at 5, 066. Sokoto Airport’s passengers’ traffic was 3, 823 while Makurdi Airport had total passenger traffic of 808 for the year under review.

This is the situations in most Nigerian airports toady. Apart from Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and Port Harcourt Airport with high passengers traffic annually, other Federal Government owned airports hardly record 100,000 traffic yearly.

The new National Civil Aviation Policy

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he recent approval and release of the new National Civil Aviation Policy, NCAP, by the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah has received more knocks than commendations especially some aspects which a number of aviation players think are retrogressive.

However, Airside feels, rather than the confusion created by some stakeholders on the policy, Oduah should be commended for reviewing the country’s aviation policy, which was last reviewed in 2001.

The recent events in the global aviation industry and the terrorist attacks in the United States of America on

September 11, 2001, make it pertinent for growing aviation industry countries to review existing policies periodically.

No doubt, a aspects of the new NCAP are controversial, but as observed by some of the stakeholders, rather than throw away the baby with the bath water, the good works put into the entire policy by professionals and stakeholders should be appreciated.

For Nigeria to operate to the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation organisation, ICAO, it is necessary the country does consistent reviews of its policies.

Lufthansa upgrades in-flight service to passengers

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L-R: Director, Sales, Skyjets Aviation Services, Bruce Fullerton, Manager, Marketing, Embraer Aircraft Manufacturing Company, Mr. Geoff Bailey, Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, National Mirror Newspaper, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Vice-President, Marketing and Sales, EMEA, Embraer Executive jets, Mr. Steven Colin, MD/CEO, Evergreen Apple Nigeria, Mr. Segun Demuren and the Regional Director for Africa, Embraer, Mr. Alessandro Scarpellini during the NBAC Media Dinner sponsored by Embraer held recently at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

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he national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, said it will bring greater capacity to its daily flights between Abu Dhabi and New York with a Wi-Fi-enabled Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the route from June 1, 2013.

The three-class aircraft will offer a total 328 seats, representing a 36.6 per cent increase in capacity compared with the Airbus A340-500 currently used on the route. The airline said the aircraft will be configured with eight Diamond First class, 40 Pearl Business class and 280 Coral Economy class seats.

An online statement signed by the media consultant to the airline in Nigeria, stated that since launching flights between New York and Abu Dhabi in October 2006, Etihad Airways has flown more than 800,000 passengers on the route, including a record 155,000 passengers in 2012 alone.

The aircraft change also makes it possible for the airline to offer “Etihad Wi-Fly” in-flight connectivity on every flight to and from New York.

Internet connectivity is offered to guests at a nominal cost for Coral Economy and Pearl Business Class guests and on a complimen-

tary basis for Etihad Airways’ Diamond First Class guests. Mobile telephone usage will be charged based on the international roaming rates of guests’ mobile network providers.

The Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said, “We are responding to passenger demand by continuously investing in our fleet and upgrading routes where we see a need for more capacity. The change to the Boeing-777 aircraft, the largest three-class aircraft in our fleet, on the New York route is a demonstration of our commitment to expand our services in the US.

ufthansa last week upgraded in-flight service on long and short-haul flights with cabin Staff indulging First and Business-Class passengers with new service ideas, creative menus served on quality tableware and further sophisticated details.

Just recently, the exclusive Lufthansa First Class rated top marks in the Skytrax Star Ranking. Guests in First Class can now enjoy new culinary highlights. On flights from Germany, Lufthansa is offering “Culinary Delights” in a new programme, a step on from the popular Star Chefs concept.

Central to the service are the culinary expertise and products of a superb chef – who has at least two Michelin stars or comparable distinction. Menus will change as previously on a bimonthly roster.

The exclusive caviar service in First Class passengers now can enjoy as a separate course on day and evening flights. As appetisers, flights attendants will be serving a variety of canapés instead of a single appetiser.

In addition, the in-flight menus will come on top-class tableware in a new design and new elements, like individual salt and pepper pots for each passenger, an extra small bowl with olive oil and elegant glass carafes for fresh water.

The gastronomic concept in Lufthansa Business Class has also been upgraded with more freshness and variety in the dishes served in the cabin, pastries and beverages. The offerings cater for every taste; new varieties of tea, fresh milk for tea and coffee, plus a wider choice of juices as well as wheat beer and ’Altbier’ (dark beer).

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insurance

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The financial losses associated with the inability of insurance operators in Nigeria to bring millions of people and assets within the insurance umbrella is becoming increasing worrisome, MESHACK IDEHEN writes.

Counting the cost of Nigeria’s uninsured

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ne of the major challenges bedevilling insurance operators in Nigeria has remained its underperforming state; a status that has remained unchanged, despite the limitless potential that industry experts agreed the sector possesses.

Chief on the underperforming index for the sector, some analysts maintained is the failure to bring into the insurance fold, millions of insurable groups and individuals, alongside assets domiciled within and outside the country.

Thus, analysts again said it was not out of place for stakeholders, particularly the government and insurance operators to have a clear cut knowledge of the loss the insurance sectors inability to expand its net is costing the nation, with a view towards finding and adopting strategies to grapple with the challenge.

Managing Director of FBN Life Assurance Plc, Mr. Val Ojuma, in a recent interview with journalists, said the cost of Nigeria’s uninsured boils down to low insurance penetration in Nigeria with life Insurance in particular below 0.3 percent and non-life slightly above 0.5 percent.

Ojuma explained however that both the regulators and industry operators are working together and constantly devising means to increase insurance awareness amongst the public, adding that the regulator kept encouraging operators to design and redesign various products to make them consumerfriendly and by such get more people and assets under the insurance umbrella and by extension, reduce loss associated with having so many uninsured.

Putting the financial cost of the unsured in the country at several trillions of naira, Insurance Expert, Mr. Obasi Ngwuta, said the challenge of distribution remains daunting for

Ojuma

Mrs. Ngozi Olojeme

ALMOST ALL THE INSURANCE OPERATORS IN NIGERIA HAVE BECOME AWARE OF THE SIZE OF THE UNINSURED PUBLIC, INCLUDING THE OFFERINGS AND GREAT POTENTIAL FOR PREMIUM GROWTH IT REPRESENTS FOR THE ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY OF THE NATION the insurance industry, especially with the poor state of infrastructure for premium collection and service rendering.

According to him, “almost all the insurance operators in Nigeria have become aware of the size of the uninsured public, including the offerings and great potential for premium growth it represents for the economic sustainability of the nation.

He explained on the other hand, that the social cost of having so

NCRIB seeks payment of 59% outstanding premium

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he Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), has called on the Federal Government to pay the outstanding 59 per cent of last year’s group life premium.

Its President, Mrs Laide Osijo, who disclosed this at the April edition of the monthly Brokers’ Evening in Lagos, said the government has only paid 41 per cent of the total group life premium for last year, stressing that the non-payment of the outstanding is unhealthy for the insurance industry.

She said: “I want to appeal to the Federal Government for the release of outstanding premium on group life for 2012. As it stands, only 41 per cent of the premium has been paid;

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remaining 59 per cent to be paid.

“This situation has made many insurance companies to discountenance claims under the year in review of the now existent No Premium No Cover policy. This, as we are all aware, is to the displeasure of some beneficiaries especially to those who died in active service.

“The impression many of them have is that the insurance industry is insensitive to their plights, a situation that creates serious image smear for the industry.”

She called on the government to assist the industry to avoid further accumulation of unpaid premiums and claims, adding that such could negate the new premium collection system.

many uninsured within the nation’s economic system is also reflected in the over concentration of both present and potential insurance clients on the banking system, saying also that bringing those uninsured into the insurance sector umbrella will reduce the emphasis, focus and concentration on only that aspect of Nigeria’s business and financial system-banks.

Also speaking in the same vein, Insurance practitioner, Mr. Amos Idon-

je, told our correspondent that not even the sector’s regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), can give a correct amount of what the nation loses financially social because of those outside the insurance umbrella.

Citing the example of Lagos State that recently said it would rake in several billions of naira only if it could get to capture more of those engaged in economic activities outside the formal sector, Idonje explained that bringing artisan and infor mal sector operators under the insurance industry will also boost the fortunes of the sector and greatly reduce the financial and social losses currently being suffered by the country.

He urged regulators to reduce the losses by encouraging operators to adopt a state by state approach and sector by sector model, in order to effective account for and properly document these contributions in order to make for proper future planning.

On his part, United Kingdom based Insurance Expert, Mr. Joachim Adenusi, told National Mirror that many nations derive the bulk of revenue and income from insurance based economic activities, wondering why Nigeria should be an exception.

Adenusi who was the United Kingdom Risk Manager of the year twice between 2006 and 2009, explained that with Nigeria’s huge population, including the vast and growing life assurance business, insurance has the capacity to drive and sustain the nation’s economic objectives, if half of the country’s population is brought on board the insurance train.

According to him, “not even NAICOM or operators can put an exact figure to the losses being incurred due to the vast number of those not insured in any capacity. What is sure however, is that it runs into several billions of dollars, and it will remain so for a long time, except something gives way from the present arrangements”.

Why claim settlements are delayed, by NDIC MESHACK IDEHEN

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he Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, said excessive litigations and lack of understanding of the legal role of the NDIC as a liquidator forms part of the problem and crisis hampering the effective settlement of depositors.

The NDIC boss said in over 20 years of the corporation’s existence that it had made giant strides in protecting depositors’ funds through its statutory mandate of deposit guarantee, bank supervision, bank fail-

ure resolution and bank liquidation.

Speaking recently with journalists, Ibrahim disclosed that the execution of court judgments against the assets of the corporation as liquidator and the difficulty in recovering debts owed to failed banks were part of the challenges that must be addressed for the NDIC to have a greater impact on depositors protection.

He described as a crucial step, the action taken by the corporation towards tackling identified challenges by enhancing the capacity of stakeholders, including lawyers to gain full understanding of the legal issues involved.

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Insurance

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

ContinentalRe tasks West African insurers on capacity utilisation STORIES: MESHACK IDEHEN

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ontinental Reinsurance Plc, has urged West African insurers to reduce capital flight in the region and ensure full utilisation of the local reinsurance capacity.

The Managing Director, Dr. Femi Oyetunji, said this recently, adding that there is need to tackle and stem capital outflows through developing higher local retention capacity, and insurers should ensure full utilisation of local reinsurance capacity including pursuing pooling option.

Oyetunji said that the total premium earned by the West African insurers in 2011 was $2.5 billion while also urging insurers to diversify branch networks across regional markets, leverage on WAICA for involvement and participate in regional trade discourse and engage authorities to propound harmonisation of legal and regulatory frameworks.

According to him, encouraging trade liberalisation of markets for easier cross border trade in insurance was relevant and insurers should promote the consolidation of markets for diversification and expansion of

Oyetunji

scope and scale.

Speaking further, Oyetunji urged underwriters to buy expertise across diverse disciplines, instil appropriate insurance skills in them, train and continue to retrain their best talents, saying there is need for underwriters to confront parochial and artificial regional political barriers that constrain cross border trade and their access to larger markets.

He observed that the region

was still fraught with challenges that must be overcome if the underwriters are to win in the new globalisation dispensation.

“We must embrace technology and look outside the insurance world for growth inspiration solutions. We must institute international best practices across all facets of our operations,” he said He urged them to borrow from emerging and developing market experiences, to study, customise and structure products for local environments; to adopt partner distribution, underwrite, price, and adopt business administration technology and management strategies.

While stressing the relevance of technology, he said that insurers should adopt mass marketing techniques and experience penetration strategies, build new revenue streams through mobile commerce, mobile distribution, selling, paying and transaction systems.

According to him, insurers should partner vendors of household consumer products and introduce insurance adverts, while emphasising the need for underwriters to pursue banc assurance initiative, access banking sector brick and mortar distribution networks.

1.5 million motor policies in NIA database

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he Director-General (DG), Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Sunday Thomas, said about 1.5 million vehicle insurance policies have been uploaded into the industry’s database platform, He disclosed this during a session with journalists in Lagos, adding that operators are still uploading data of new policies they registered.

Thomas said the association has procured 1,000 motor insurance electronic readers, out of which 25 units have been given to Ogun State Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), adding that the units have helped the agency to spot genuine policies.

He added that the association was discussing with the Lagos State Government and that a date for the deployment of the devices in the state would be fixed soon.

He said the association was planning to take the units to Abuja, the federal capital and the northern states.

The NIA DG noted that with the success achieved from the deployment of motor insurance data, the association would intensify efforts to ensure that before the end of the year, marine data

would be deployed followed by property and other classes of insurance.

NIA said it decided to start the deployment of electronic devices to Abeokuta, because historically, insurance in the country is traceable to the city, adding that the state also was one of the states to indicate interest in the project.

The industry’s database project, which was conceived in 2010, to help develop robust information on insured vehicles, was launched in June, last year. It is an information technology-based system that will facilitate easy collation and dissemination of statistical and other information relating to insurance and help check activities of fake documents.

The NIA promised to deploy over 500,000 electronic card readers to security agencies to verify genuine vehicle insurance licences.

The project, according to NIA, would, among other things eradicate fake insurances and minimise instances of fraudulent claims, provide real time information that would address issues raised by stakeholders: insuring public, market players, law enforcement agents and regula-

Thomas

tors as well as serve as source of historical data for analysis and benchmarking, thereby providing qualitative analysis of industry performance.

The initiative will enhance transparency and accountability and restore confidence in the insuring public, create the basis for scientific management of operations in the industry and it will enable the tracking of transactions in the industry.

Assessing the first quarter operations in the industry, the NIA DG said reports received so far are consistent with expectations.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How to cut the cost of insurance

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nsurance premiums have continued to rise, long after the financial contraction which first squeezed the underwriting markets started to ease.

Comparison figures for commercial insurance are hard to come by, but consumer comprehensive insurance has gone up by a staggering 40%.

There are two factors controlling premiums. One is claims history; the other is putting together a convincing package of measures which will convince an underwriter your future risk will be lower.

Here are best practice advices from the insurance sector to keep your premiums low Risk management begins with risk assessment- Work with your insurer to analyse your claims history and highlight areas for improvement. Make employees aware that you will monitor accidents and take action where necessary, such as retraining.

Driver training - Many insurers offer driver training programmes through partners and all will take into account defensive driver training. Not all insurers give upfront discounts but an improved claims record should be swiftly recognised.

Manage young drivers - young drivers, aged 17-20, are twice as likely to make an insurance claim as any other driver, and on average the claims cost will be three times higher, and 10 times more likely to

involve severe bodily injury.

Look closely at your policies for young drivers. Many young driver claims happen at night, so are young drivers allowed your vehicles for personal use? Review your procedures for training young drivers,” he says.

Combine insurances - Insurers offer combined public liability, employee liability and fleet insurance. This can offer economies of scale.

Use camera technology Forward facing cameras can provide invaluable data for defending claims or swiftly settling at-fault claims. They are particularly effective against crash-for-cash scenarios.

Renew policies in good time and after proper review - Don’t pay for unnecessary extras. “Don’t take windscreen cover; it’s as cheap for you to replace as for your insurer, so why pay the middleman.

Provide good vehicle security- ensure good and effective security is provided for car fleet, and install vehicular technology that can pinpoint the location of a car in the event of theft.

Telematics - The business case for telematics in car fleets may be less compelling than for vans and HGVs, if you have it, make sure you put the time in to exploit the health and safety benefits. www.insure.net

Tips for buying life insurance

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uying life insurance for the first time can be overwhelming.

You’ll run into a lot of terms that you may not understand at first.

The good news is those terms are not very difficult to figure out once you do a little research.

Know why you need life insurance - Life insurance is a serious investment that shouldn’t be made on the spur of the moment. Don’t buy a policy just because someone says you should.

Many people hear ads about life insurance so many times that they begin to feel an instinctive concern about needing life insurance. The truth is, however, not everyone needs life insurance.

Understand the type of policy you need - There are two basic types of life insurance policies: life and whole life. Term life insurance policies last for a specified period of time. Term life is less expensive than whole life because it usually expires before the benefits are used.

Whole life insurance lasts from the day you the policy until the day you die, no matter. A whole life policy is more expensive because the coverage could last a few years or several decades. Whole life policies can be

borrowed against at a high interest rate, while term life policies.

Know when to choose term - If you are in a situation your dependents will not rely on you financially forever, your best bet is probably a term life policy. For example, many parents choose term life policies that are in effect until their children move out and become financially independent. Once kids are, there is no reason to continue paying for life insurance. Your beneficiaries will rely on your contributions.

Know how much to buy - Understanding the potential needs of your beneficiaries can also help you decide how much insurance you should have. Don’t follow any “rule of thumb” guidelines you may read. Your needs are specific to you. Your decision will depend on the math.

How much money do your dependents need each year and for how long? Because your children are likely different ages, that number is different for each beneficiary. Calculate the needs of each dependent annually, multiple times the number of years support is needed and then add those numbers together so all dependents have what they need. www.forbes.com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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Guinness posts N7.6bn profit in nine months JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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uinness Nigeria Plc has declared a profit after tax of N7.63bn for the nine months ended March 31, 2013, a decline of 17.6 per cent when compared to N9.26bn recorded in the same period of 2012.

The company’s revenue rose by 3.1 per cent to N94.9bn in the review period, from N92.1bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2012.

According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, net revenue stood at N88.4bn in the third quarter, from N85.04bn recorded in 2012, an increase of four per cent.

Further analysis showed that the company’s net

assets increased by 22.5 per cent to N41.9bn, from N34.2bn recorded in the nine months ended in March 2012, while total current liabilities stood at N66.4bn in the nine months ended in March 2013, from N52.7bn in the third quarter of 2012.

Commenting on the results, the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Seni Adetu, attributed the performance to key brands like Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Harp Lager and Malta Guinness and the positive contributions from strategic innovations.

He said, “Key brands continue to leverage their strong equities and connections with consumer passion points across premium and value segments to drive growth in net sales. This has also translated into

significant market share growth for the brands in our portfolio as we extend our footprint in the market.”

According to him, the first phase of the expansion project has been completed with the commissioning of a first of its kind brewing technology in 2012.

“This investment looks set to increase Guinness Nigeria’s’ stake in the beverage market with a substantial increase in production capacity and increased consumer access to Guinness brands,” he said.

On the state of the beverage market in the country, Adetu observed that the business is upbeat about the future despite a continuing decline in the beer and malt market.

“We know that the beer market in Nigeria is under-

going a general decline but we are confident that there will be a reversal in this trend going forward.

“The critical thing for the management and board of Guinness Nigeria Plc is the confidence we have that our range of leading brands, our continued focus on distribution and our investment in our brands and people will deliver long term growth for the business,” he added.

The company was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1965, and is currently having a shareholder base of over 75,000 shareholders.

In 2010, the company announced an investment of N52bn in its Nigeria business with the intention of expanding its production and route to market infrastructure.

Source: NSE

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 33,956.05 points Market capitalisation 11.49 trillion

Stock Updates

ASI drops 0.2% as Custodian Insurance banks on synergy with Crusader DAMILOLA AJAYI

T

rading in equities closed on bearish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as some investors took profit from the gains recorded last week.

Specifically, the All Share index dropped by 0.15 per cent to close at 35,956.05 points, as against the increase of 0.64 per cent recorded on Friday to close at 36,010.28 points.

Market capitalisation depreciated by N2bn to close at N11.49trn, in contrast to the appreciation of N7bn recorded on Friday to close at N11.51trn.

The Alternative Securities Market index led the

sectorial indices with 2.67 per cent to close at 1000.00 points, followed by the Industry index with 2.34 per cent to close at 2074.21 points.

The Banking index gained 0.70 per cent to close at 419.46 points, while the Lotus Islamic index increased by 0.29 per cent to close at 2452.56 points.

The Insurance index rose by 0.05 per cent to close at 149.04 per cent, while the Oil and Gas index declined by 0.46 per cent to close at 184.51 points.

The NSE 30- index fell by 0.17 per cent to close at 1714.87 per cent, while the Consumer Goods index remained flat.

A total of 622.5 million

shares valued at N7.36bn were exchanged in 5, 527 deals.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, Mr Wole Oshin has said that the acquisition of Crusader Insurance is a good synergy that will bring better value for the company.

Oshin, who rang the closing bell at the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday noted that the acquisition will unlocked the value in Crusader, a life insurance company and pension business.

According to him, “Crusader is a very solid life insurance company; we never had life. They are into pension business; they are into general insurance

business. What the synergy has done for us is to unlocked the value in crusader.”

He explained that the company will be engaging brokers to have a better understanding of the sector and to have greater view of the business in the process.

Oshin also said the Nigerian populace have to begin to understand that insuring their lives is real and they are actually creating an immediate estate for their dependence by taking up life insurance business.

“You do not need to have N1m or N10bn cash. All you need to do is to pay a token premium and create an immediate estate for your family,” he added.

UAC, Imperial Logistics sign share sales agreement DAMILOLA AJAYI

U

AC of Nigeria Plc, a leading diversified company with operations in foods, paints, logistics and real estate, has announced a strategic partnership with Imperial Logistics, a leading international logistics and supply chain arm of the South Africa-based Imperial Holdings Limited.

A statement from the company said Imperial Logistics is to acquire 49 per cent equity in MDS Logis-

tics Plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UAC, while UAC retains 51 per cent majority stake in MDS Logistics.

It explained that the joint venture is driven by the need for a strategic partnership with an experienced international operator that would bring technical expertise into the company.

Commenting on the rationale for the transaction, UACN’s Group Managing Director, Mr Larry Ettah said, “We look forward to working together with Imperial Logistics as our

strategic partner to engage the underserved and fastgrowing logistics market in Nigeria.

“We believe this transaction creates an outstanding opportunity to drive growth in MDS. The combination of MDS’ vital local experience and the value adding international logistics expertise of Imperial Logistics will lead to efficiencies and raise benchmarks in Nigeria for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Logistics, Mr. Marius Swanepoel

said, “Our newest acquisition strengthens Imperial Logistics’ footprint in Africa and is consistent with our strategy of focusing on consumer opportunities in Africa and following our customer base on the continent.

“MDS has a quality customer base with a strong new business pipeline.

Through the transaction, Imperial has also secured a specialist management team which strengthens and complements the group’s existing skills set in the logistics business.”

GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

REDSTAREX

4.00

4.40

0.40

10.00

UNITYBNK

0.60

0.66

0.06

10.00

BOCGAS

8.50

9.35

0.85

10.00

CUTIX

2.11

2.32

0.21

9.95

COURTVILLE

0.61

0.67

0.06

9.84

DNMEYER

1.38

1.51

0.13

9.42

UTC

0.65

0.71

0.06

9.23

WEMABANK

1.17

1.27

0.10

8.55

WAPCO

80.23

87.00

6.77

8.44

LIVESTOCK

2.75

2.90

0.15

5.45

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

AFRIPRUD

1.90

CLOSING 1.71

0.19

-10.00

WAPIC

1.00

0.90

0.10

-10.00

EVANSMED

1.65

1.49

0.16

-9.70

LEARNAFRCA

1.99

1.80

0.19

-9.55

COSTAIN

0.79

0.72

0.07

-8.86

MULTITREX

0.54

0.50

0.04

-7.41

AIRSERVICE

4.68

4.41

0.27

-5.77

ABCTRANS

1.05

0.99

0.06

-5.71

NPFMCRFBK

0.95

0.90

0.05

-5.26

JAPAULOIL

0.58

0.55

0.03

-5.17

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Days

42,057.31

10.32

9-May-13

182-Day

140,317.70

13.03

9-May-13

-

-

-

-

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

127 Days

90,063.82

13.34

9-May-13

126-Days

140,317.70

13.34

9-May-13

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

N/A

$300m

6-May-13

$300m

N/A

$300m

24-Apr-13

40

Capital Market

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at May 13, 2013 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

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)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

41

2015: Jonathan’s kinsmen and drumbeat of war CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 undeserved attention from the Presidency for pecuniary reasons, adding that he would change his position when the time comes.

According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, AsariDokubo’s statement also “clearly marked President Jonathan as a regional leader at a time when the country craves for a national leader.”

He added: “He (Asari-Dokubo) will adjust the statement when that time comes.

It is very easy for anyone to say anything when his stomach is full. This bloke said that to protect the immense benefits flowing his way by reason of the proximate positioning with the ‘powers that be.’ When a truly people-oriented regime comes into power, he will adjust to the reality.

“Let no man’s heart fail on account of this. Nigeria belongs to all of us and its well-being is our collective responsibility.

President Jonathan is more of a regional leader than a national leader.”

The All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), in its reaction through the National Publicity Secretary, Emma Eneukwu, said: “If Asari-Dokubo really said this, then he must be talking from two sides of his mouth. A couple of months ago, the same man asserted that President Jonathan would not win 2015 elections because he has lost touch with the grassroots.

“Now he wakes up with a war drum to dole Nigerians another propaganda of fear aimed at herding the populace into a proJonathan appeasement mentality. It is now palpable that there is more behind AsariDokubo’s seasonal tantrums than meets the eyes.”

Tinubu cautions National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Bola Tinubu, in his reaction warned against allowing ethnic militias and overzealous presidential aides to plunge the country into crisis.

The former governor of Lagos State, who described Kuku and Asari-Dokubo’s comments as insensitive, inciting and incendiary, said: “Let us not take the unity of our country, Nigeria, for granted! By not taking it for granted, we will avoid taking measures or making comments that can threaten the country’s unity.”

He added: “Unfortunately, that has not been the case in recent times. Self-acclaimed friends as well as aides of the President have been making comments that are capable of putting the unity of our country in jeopardy.

“One says if President Goodluck Jonathan is not re-elected in 2015, the tenuous peace now being enjoyed in the Niger Delta will not be guaranteed. Another builds on that, saying - with all the crudity in his being - that not only will there be no peace in the Niger Delta, there will be no peace everywhere across the country.

“Let us remember that these two are not the only ones making threatening comments ahead of the 2015 elections. Earlier, a gregarious presidential aide boasted that he would no longer bear his name if by 2014, the new political platform called the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not vanished into thin air! These are pretty strong words.

“And without mincing words, these

Delta that they don’t have monopoly of violence. Clearly the Niger Delta is threatening people all the time about the sanctity of the unity of this country; who told them that we also want to remain in Nigeria?”

The CPC chieftain further said that many Northerners sacrificed their lives during the civil war to protect the Niger Delta region, but that “when 2015 comes we are willing to match them word for word, weapon for weapon. If Jonathan, Asari-Dokubo and their people want to destroy this country, then we are willing accomplices.”

Asari-Dokubo dares, Kuku denies

Kuku

Aliyu

statements must be seen for what they are: insensitive, inciting and incendiary.

One must not forget to say such threats are utterly irresponsible and unjustifiable!

Let us remember what Jodi Picout said: ‘’Words are like eggs dropped from great heights; you can no more call them back than ignore the mess they leave when they fall.”

agencies should have arrested him for treason.”

He added: “You don’t win election by frightening people and even if you win, the victory will be pyrrhic. We should bring discipline to our politics; we should be a nation of rules, so that our country would move forward.”

Other Northern leaders, who called for Asari-Dokubo’s arrest, were Second Republic Deputy Senate President, Abubakar Dan-Musa and a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav.

Calls for arrest The House of Representatives and several Northern leaders, including the governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, asked the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to quiz Asari-Dokubo for a treasonable offence.

The House, which noted that the comment of the NDPVF leader is “capable of causing disaffection in Nigeria,” in a resolution, urged the Police authorities to interrogate him alongside Kuku to clarify their statements.

The House also mandated its Joint Committee on Police Affairs/Internal Security to investigate the matter and produce a report.

A member from Kano State, Ali Madaki, who drew the attention of the House to Asari-Dokubo’s comment under matters of urgent public importance, called on the Federal Government to “check the utterances of some Nigerians capable of causing disaffection in Nigeria.”

He noted that the threat and the reference to the 2015 presidential poll could heat up the polity, “thereby causing unnecessary tension and anxiety in this country.”

Governor Aliyu, who described AsariDokubo’s statement as “unfortunate and inciting,” added that “by now the security

THERE WILL BE NO PEACE, NOT ONLY IN THE NIGER DELTA, BUT EVERYWHERE IF

GOODLUCK JONATHAN IS NOT PRESIDENT

AGAIN, BY

2015...

WE MUST HAVE OUR UNINTERRUPTED EIGHT YEARS OF TWO TENURES

Weapon for weapon The North, which Kuku and Asari-Dokubo referred to in their statements due to the region’s insistence on producing the president in 2015, has vowed that it will match the Niger Delta “word for word and weapon for weapon.”

A former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Aliyu, who apparently spoke the minds of most Northern political leaders, warned that nobody has the monopoly of violence, adding that such arm-twisting tactics exhibited by the presidential adviser in the United States, will not work.

He said: “Few weeks back, Kingsley Kuku, the Presidential Adviser on Amnesty Programme, in far away America made statements, which means that President Goodluck Jonathan has already won the PDP primary election and the secondary election – that’s exactly what they are saying.

“Let me also use this opportunity to say on behalf of the North that nobody has monopoly of violence and that on behalf of the people of Northern extraction, there shall be no one Nigeria if a Northerner is not elected president of this country because politics is a game of number and the Ijaw people are not up to one million or two million or even five million.

“If in a democracy, the President will allow somebody to say if he is not voted, there won’t be peace; that clearly shows that they don’t want peace and the president is not a democrat.”

Aliyu added that it was obvious that both Kuku and Asari-Dokubo spoke “in connivance with President Jonathan” given the silence of the Presidency on their threats, saying: “We are not surprised that whatever people of Niger Delta do or say, they are doing that with active connivance and input from the President himself.

“I want to remind all the people of Niger

Despite the condemnations that trailed his comment, Asari-Dokubo insists that he owes nobody any apologies and has dared the House of Representatives and Northern leaders to arrest him if they can, threatening that his arrest will bring an end to Nigeria as a nation. Kuku, on his part denied the statements credited to him, saying he was misquoted by the media.

The NDPVF leader, who said he stands by his words that there will be no peace if Jonathan is not re-elected in 2015, asked why those calling for his arrest turned deaf ears when some Northern leaders like former Military Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable if a Northerner failed to emerge as president in 2011.

His words: “I stand by my statement, which I made in my early press conference, there will be no peace, not only in the Niger Delta, but everywhere, if Goodluck Jonathan is not president by 2015, and I want to add that the Fulanis, who migrated and invaded our lands and continue to show disregard and disrespect to the owners of the country they came into, and people have tolerated them for a very long time, but that will no longer continue.

“Let me tell them, we are not afraid of them, and I am not afraid of arrest, I’ve been arrested before, I was put under SSS underground for 10 months, eleven days, I was buried alive and I came out alive, I was detained for 22 months and 10 days, I didn’t not give up the fight, I didn’t not capitulate. So, I am not afraid of arrest, and they cannot arrest me because if they do, the consequences of my arrest, Nigeria will be history.

“I am saying it bold and clear without mincing words, that the consequences of my arrest, Nigeria will be history. The last time Obasanjo arrested me, my arrest reduced Nigeria oil production to 700,000 barrels per day, this time, it will reduce it to zero barrel, and we will match violence by violence, intrigues by intrigues, we are ready for them, Goodlcuk Jonathan will complete his tenure of two terms whether they like it or not. For us: they don’t even exist because we pay them, he who pays the piper dictates the tune. We pay them, we feed them, they are parasites, they are a burden on us, these invaders must be expelled from our lands, they have no reason to be with us.”

Kindred spirit Rising in defence of his kinsmen, Ijaw National Leader, Edwin Clark, berated the House of Representatives over its resolution ordering the arrest of Kuku and Asari-Dokubo.

In a petition to the Speaker of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

42

Politics

THE

PARLIAMENT At the second reading of a bill for “an act to establish the Nigerian International Financial Centre to provide for a financial free zone in the country,” senators last week expressed unflinching support for the bill, but differed sharply on the feasibility of a financial free zone in the country now.

GEORGE OJI writes.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Senators differ on Financial Free Zone

I

t was difficult to fault the lines of arguments put up by almost all the senators in support of the idea of an international financial centre in the country. Speaker after another welcomed the idea as not only timely but very desirable.

One of the logic that supports an international financial centre in Nigerian is that financial hubs are basically located in very economic centres to serve the financial markets of the region where they are located.

For instance, a lot of the businesses done in North America have their hub in New York City, where there is a big financial market and a big capital market. London and Frankfurt are big financial centres catering for the economic region of Europe. The Middle East has its own financial centre in Dubai. In South-East Asia, Hong Kong and Singapore are financial centres catering for the financial needs of that region Stretching the argument a little further, an international financial centre, when established in Nigeria will serve the financial needs of the entire sub Saharan Africa, with a financial free zone located either in Lagos or Abuja.

In voting for the establishment of a financial free zone in Nigeria, Barnabas Gemade, (PDP Benue), for instance, made the point that “Nigeria is so suited for a financial free zone because so many informal businesses are taking place today between Nigeria and China, Nigeria and Hong Kong; Nigeria and Turkey for example. All the informal sector businesses and movement of finances can be captured in a free zone if it is established in Nigeria and that will be a tonic in boosting economic potential and economic growth of this nation to a point where everyone will certainly be very amazed.”

According to him, “if the international financial free zone comes on stream, the demands and requirements of maintaining a successful financial free zone means that everybody will have to sit up; the government itself will have to sit up, the corruption agencies will sit up, the judiciary will sit up and nothing will go by the way and everybody looking as if nothing is happening. This will also be good in improving the image of this nation and it will no longer be possible to sweep anything under the carpet.”

Isa Galaudu (Kebbi North) on his part posited that it is unlikely that there is any country that has developed or is emerging without an international financial centre.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mark

Okonjo-Iweala

I HAVE NO ISSUES WITH THIS BILL, BUT I WILL LIKE TO HAVE FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS; WHETHER A FINANCIAL CENTER REQUIRES A BILL IN THE FIRST PLACE.

MY UNDERSTANDING OF

A FINANCIAL CENTRE IS THAT IT IS PART OF A REGIONAL AND URBAN PLANNING According to him, the existence of one indeed shows that the country is progressive and receptive to business.

Galadau’s explanation was that, “international financial centres are where international businesses are conducted easily, efficiently and in a conducive atmosphere.

The centres are where you find skilled management and intellectual talents. The banking, finance and business being supported by other inter dependent services like lawyers, information technology and accountants to form a multi-disciplined group who can transact across the border business within a blink of the eye.”

For Solowon Ewuga (Nasarawa South), because Nigeria is internationalising the way we do business, establishment of a financial free zone will be a growth factor given the way other international communities operate and the way we should position ourselves for the African market.

So, for the lawmaker, it is important that Nigeria positions itself to take advantage of what is happening internally and internationally by establishing a financial free zone now.

In the view of Ayogu Eze, “I think that it is a very good idea.”

The bill was actually a House of Representatives’ bill, which was passed to the Senate for its own inputs.

It was the Senate Leader, Victor NdomaEgba (Cross River North), who in his lead debate shifted all the fine arguments in support of the centre. According to him, the centre when established will plug West Africa, especially Nigeria into the global financial system in furtherance of the region’s economic growth and development.

It will attract funding and other resource requirements for tapping the sub-region’s

unexplored potential.

Also, it will encourage and attract top rated international financial service firms to participate in West African development.

In addition, it will exploit the gains of an international financial centre in raising the Gross Domestic Products (GDP), per capita income and general standard of living as in the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, United States, South Africa, etc.

According to the Senate leader, the centre will facilitate the diversification of the region’s economy via increased contribution to the financial sector.

This is as the centre has the capacity to drive the entrenchment of global best practices in the Nigerian financial markets as well as contribute to the development of human capital through association, knowledge and skill transfers.

The centre will furthermore, position Nigeria in the global financial system, considering its presently small market size.

This is because in contemporary times it has been found out that only three Nigerian banks are rated amongst the world’s 500 banks, the highest being 317th. The size of the Nigerian Stock Exchange is also small compared to the world’s leading exchanges.

The centre if established, according to the lawmaker, will act as the fastest and safest growing financial system amongst emerging economies.

Ndoma-Egba explained that when passed into law, the bill will create two separate bodies namely the Nigerian International Financial Centre Authority, administrative body which will cost a total of N2.650 billion and the Nigeria International Financial Centre Regulatory Author-

ity (NIFCRA) with N1.910 billion, while the centre will be headed by a director general.

Despite these near unassailable reasons in support of the centre in the country, some senators urged caution in going ahead to pass the bill. While some of the issues raised bordered on legal others were on administration.

“The argument here is not whether the international financial centre is desirable or not, obviously it is desirable, but because of some of the technical issues that have arisen, we need to clear the issues well so that when we make the law it will be one that will endure,” Eze insisted.

For the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, there are both legal and other technical issues involved. First, he raised the question as to the necessity of promulgating a bill first before a centre of that nature could be established. Secondly, he cited some constitutional implications involved in the process, which may complicate the process at the end of the day.

The lawmaker recalled similar obstacles they encountered in the process of promulgating the Industrial Court Bill and how the Supreme Court at a stage had to halt the process. His conclusion was that further clarifications were necessary before the Senate would finally vote for the law.

According to Ekweremadu, “I have no issues with this bill but I will like to have further clarifications; whether a financial centre requires a bill in the first place?

My understanding of a financial centre is that it is part of a regional and urban planning. It is just like setting up an IT centre, industrial park, which a government can designate. A city government can designate some parts as a concentration of a particular business, that is what financial centre is all about.”

The lawmaker noted that what was more worrisome was the issue of judicial arrangement contained in the proposed bill.

According to him, “they have High Court and they have a Court of Appeal. Can we through this process set up a court of record? When we wanted to legislate on the issue of the Industrial Court, the Supreme Court said we cannot do that, we had to come back here again to amend the constitution in order to accommodate the National Industrial Court and it requires the amendment of several parts of the constitution. I think we are in for a similar voyage here. Some of these hurdles need to be addressed.”

Eze, who also argued along the same line as Ekweremadu made the point that, “we need to find out whether we need a law to bring about the international financial centre.” He said if the one in London is running as well as the one in Dubai, then there was nothing wrong in asking the Senate committees in charge when the bill goes for public hearing to investigate how they are doing their own.

His conclusion was that if those centres in the other climes did not require any laws before they came on stream, then there is no need for us to establish a law before our own can run.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 43

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

THE

PARLIAMENT

TORDUE SALEM writes on the looming crisis waiting to erupt between the House of Representatives and the Presidency over the 2013 Budget.

Presidency, Reps at loggerheads over 2013 budget

A

ce mussician, Curtis Jackson, says “when it rains it pours”, and that could carry a lot of incendiary meanings, including a possibility this week that the National Assembly could hem President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposals to amend the 2013 Appropriation Act and throw it back at him.

The possibility that happening emerged last week when the Senate deferred consideration of the proposed amendments for the umpteenth time, and the House said it may just send the proposals back to the Villa.

Should the House do that, it is likely that the Senate would follow, and that would clearly mean that the President would be compelled by the 1999 Constitution to implement the budget as was presented to him in January by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Failure to do this could provoke another round of destabilising threats to oust him from office. These threats may assume a surprising fruition, considering that presiding officers for both houses are ambitious to rule Nigeria in 2015, but are frustrated that they would sadly have to grapple with the fact that the incumbent seeks to continue in office in 2015.

There was a flurry of brickbats late last year on the 2013 Budget, as it was with preceding budgets, but it was gathered that to stanch the crippling conflicts, the lawmakers played a trick on the President and he merrily signed the budget into law.

The trick was that his reservations on the budget would be entertained later through amendments once he signed the bill.

But it’s obvious that the National Assembly is not keen on reworking the budget, which they have insisted was done properly before the President signed it in January.

The House and the Senate by the provisions of section 4(1) of the 1999 Constitution have the mandate to make laws for the security and good governance of the federation, including a national budget they may interpret as in the best interest of the country.

Judicial resorts to interpret the section in the past, resulted in favour of the parliament and a possible return to the path by the Presidency might just fall flat yet again.

The bigger picture however, is the year 2015. As much as it is legal that the Senate and more so the House enjoy the prerogative on budgets, compromises have been made in the past on money bills or money Acts.

But this is the wrong time for a battered and vitiated Presidency” to expect such a compromise or an outright victory over the National Assembly of presidential wannabes.

It is also quite sad that Jonathan’s economic team led by Finance Minister, Ngozi Okon-

43

Jonathan

jo-Iweala can’t factor in the political sides to a national budget. It is sad that it also lacks the skill to read the situation of the budget and link it to the running crises in the country and how they are shaping 2015.

The President also seems lost as to when to retreat and concede defeat to parliament.

That would have been a statesmanly stroke of political dexterity.

The House of Representatives is most likely to fire the first salvo and throw back proposals to the 2013 budget made by the Presidency.

Though the House has said it will consider the proposed amendments to the budget this week Tuesday (today), indications are that the money bill may be dumped by the lawmakers.

The spokesman of the House, Zakari Mohammed (Kwara-PDP) gave the hint that the proposed amendments are in jeopardy last week, when he said the proposed amendments were too voluminous.

The lawmaker also said members were too busy on oversights and preparing for the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) conventions to attend to the budget.

According to him, the scope of the

Tambuwal

A BUDGET HAS BEEN SIGNED, AND IF SOMEONE IS SAYING THAT BECAUSE AN AMENDMENT HAS NOT BEEN PASSED HE WON’T IMPLEMENT

THE BUDGET, THEN THERE IS A PROBLEM SOMEWHERE amendment makes it seem as if the National Assembly has not passed any budget at all, adding that it shows that the executive is not ready to implement the budget.

Asked whether the House was not ready to consider the amendment budget at all, he said: “Unless we vote on the issue it will be judgemental to say we won’t touch it. Tuesday is here and we will wait to see what happens.”

The lawmaker said it was apparent that what the executive presented was not an amendment but more like a new budget.

He added: “The amendment means there’s a law on ground that has defects, but with the level of the amendments, it’s like it’s a new budget. The amendment is voluminous, it’s like nothing has been done in the first place.

“But don’t forget that a budget has been signed, and if someone is saying that because an amendment has not been passed he won’t implement the budget, then there is a problem somewhere.”

The Presidency had met with the National Assembly severally on the issue of bloated and distorted 2013 Budget, but an agreement was purportedly reached for the President to sign it and later send in an amendment.

This would be the second time the House is giving reasons for the non- consideration of the amendment budget.

The first time was when it blamed the Budget Office for not furnishing it with enough copies and that it was stalling the consideration of the amendment appropriation bill.

The 2013 Budget was passed in December 2012 and was signed by President Jonathan after a long delay and prior to a purported agreement between the two arms of government on some troubling aspects of the appropriation bill.

But the Presidency later sent in an amendment to the National Assembly, complaining that certain clauses in the budget were toxic and according to him, needed to be removed.

Some of the items the President wants dropped from the budget are projects that would have been implemented in the federal constituencies and senatorial districts represented by the lawmakers.

Issues concerning the budget as well as the relationship between the executive and the legislature were said to be one of the reasons the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Tony Anenih visited Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and other leadership of the House last Wednesday.

Although Anenih denied the visit was over the budget, this week remains a deciding point on the way the National Assembly would go next.

Senators differ on Financial Free Zone CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42 The lawmaker also raised the constitutional issue of usurping the legislative functions of the states and local governments in the process of establishing the centre. According to him, “I also have issues when we look at how they want it to be set up, it is going to be an establishment that will involve the Federal Government, the state governments and the local governments? I don’t know how we will work out the structures of making laws for both the states and local governments while sitting down here.”

At a point when it appeared that these legal, constitutional and administrative issues had stalemated the bill, Senate President David Mark invited the leader, Ndo-

ma-Egba to shed more light and probably provide the way forward.

Ndoma-Egba’s explanations were rather very straight forward. “The Leader of the Senate sometimes have a very painful duty because it is my responsibility as the leader to present executive bills, House bills, irrespective of my opinions on those bills, it is a painful duty and so, this bill should not be ascribed to me. I am only introducing it as part of my responsibility.

“Whether the international financial centre is driven by the private sector or not, it requires a regulatory framework, everywhere in the world, there must be a regulatory framework and that is what the bill seeks to achieve. Yes, there are certain pro-

visions that are clearly unconstitutional.

But I do not think that because of some of the provisions we should discard the entire bill.

“Some of those provisions, especially leading to the setting up of the courts provided for in the bill are unconstitutional.

But I think that when the bill goes to the committees, they should be able to streamline all of the issues.”

With those explanations, Mark gave his support. The final position was that the Senate Committee on Finance, which is to conduct a public hearing on the bill should sort out all the grey areas and the ambiguities and report back to the plenary in four weeks’ time.

Politics

44

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Security: It’s ignorance to call for Jonathan’s resignation – Tukur Cautions Asari-Dokubo over war-mongering

OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has said that those calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to resign because of security challenges in the country are ignorant.

Reacting to the statement credited to Asari-Dokubo that there will be war if Jonathan does not win in 2015, Tukur, who addressed journalists in Abuja yesterday hold the Niger Delta ex-militant leader that election is not war.

He added that when bombs exploded in the United States of America recently, the people did not call for President Barack Obama resignation.

He said: “This kind of talk is just ignorance. Is it the President that killed the policemen? He’s not.

If there is any security threat, the security personnel will take care of that.

The recent bomb blast that killed some people in America, the people did not call President Obama to resign because of that.

Out of ignorance people say things. Opposition can say anything if they like. I don’t think we will bother

ourselves about that.”

On Asari-Dokubo, Tukur said: “It is wrong to even talk about war in election. Election is free.

Election should not be something you talk of war.

Election means you offer yourself and they take you or they take another one. That is what election means.

“If you make it as a matter of controversy

then it is you that is creating that controversy and I don’t think people will take serious that issue because in our country we say we are going through democracy, we say we are free to offer ourselves, if we have election nobody

will stop us.”

The PDP chairman said he laughed when he read about his resignation, saying: “Of course I laughed when I heard about it. I was in Canada working to bring more business for our people. I went to per-

A’Ibom 2015: Group warns ex-PDP chair against divisive comments OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

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he immediate past state chairman of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uwem Ita Etuk, has been told to stop speaking from both sides of the mouth over the zoning of governorship in the state

ahead of the 2015 poll.

Etuk, as the party chairman, screened and cleared the duo of Imo Udo and Frank Okon for the governorship primaries and he couldn’t have done that if there was indeed zoning of the governorship position.

This was the position of the South-West chapter of the Akwa Ibom Progressive Forum (APF), as contained

in a press statement signed

by Godspower Oduduabasi and Effiong Umoren, president and secretary respectively, and made available to newsmen.

Asking the former chairman of the PDP to “keep quiet on the issue of zoning because he lacked the required credibility and credentials to comment on the matter,”

the APF said: “It was this same man who has suddenly become an apostle of zoning that screened and cleared Udoh and Okon, knowing full well that they were not from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

“If truly there was zoning as Etuk would want the people to believe, why didn’t he disqualify them

L-R (Front Row): Ekiti State House of Assembly members, Mrs. Modupe Olayinka (ACN, Ado II); Olajide Fatunmbi (ACN, Moba II) and Mrs. Olubunmi Oriniowo (PDP, Ido-Osi I), during the 2nd Executive/Legislature parley at the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, recently.

2015: Jonathan’s kinsmen and drumbeat of war CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41 House, Aminu Tambuwal, Clark faulted the lower legislative chamber for ignoring previous provocative statements by some Northern leaders also on the 2015 presidential election.

Though he condemned the statements credited to Kuku and Asari-Dokubo, as “unwarranted, uncalled for and irresponsible,” he said the House was partial with its handling of the matter.

His words: “I support the House of Representatives’ condemnation of Kuku and Asari-Dokubo’s statements because in accordance with Section 4, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which states that the National Assembly has the power to make laws for the peace,order and good governance of the Federation.

“However, one will like to express strong reservations on the House’s reaction which seems to be one-sided and discriminatory because the House had not condemned similar provocative, seditious and more inflammatory statements made by some Nigerian leaders, especially Northerners, more so when some of the incitements arising from such statements are presently causing problems in Nigeria today.”

Threat: More harm than good

suade these people to come and invest in our country, to come and partner with us, we need development because we are deficit in infrastructure, education, in health among others. If they come we will continue to reduce that deficit.”

While most analysts believe that AsariDokubo has always expressed inconsistent views on national issues, they, however pointed out that he has done President Jonathan more harm than good with his recent outburst.

It would be recalled that the Ijaw activist had earlier declared that Jonathan will not rule beyond 2015 because he (the president) has lost the support of his political stronghold – the South-East and South-South because of ‘greedy’ people around him.

Former presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), Bashir Tofa, who shared the view of such analysts said: “He is neither doing Jonathan any good nor his people. A democracy by threat of war is not only unacceptable, but utterly foolish.”

Also, former governor of old Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, who noted that the threat indicated that Nigeria is heading for another civil war if taken for granted said: “The threat in the build-up to the 2015 general elections clearly shows that Nigeria is heading for another civil war.

But I want to advise fellow Nigerians to be careful and watch their utterances so that peace will reign.

“Nigerians experienced the civil war and the wounds are not yet healed. AsariDokubo has lost relevance and is trying to

launch himself as one of Jonathan’s defender. We know him of being inconsistent just to get money from the President since he came into power. I should advise Nigerians not to take his recent threat serious, but to take it for the sake of our unity.

Former Presidential Adviser, Tanko Yakasai, on his part, said: “By that immature statement coupled with the drama in court during his trial when he was rude to the presiding judge, Asari-Dokubo has demonstrated that it will take a very long time for him to learn to be a democrat.

“I wish he could understand that in a democratic contest, reasoning and persuasion are the normal instruments deployed to win political power, not terrorism. I wish someone will be able to educate him that politics is a game of number.”

Tinubu, who expressed similar view, however admonished Nigerians not to keep quiet when those he described as “dead-enders” unleash threat on the nation. He said: “We must not allow the ethnic militias to ruin our democracy or untie our unity.

“It is said that evil triumphs when good men do nothing. It is therefore incumbent on all our acknowledged good men to speak out against these ethnic jingoists, or those that the Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka will call lickspittle.”

for going against his much touted zoning? If any of them had won, would he have handed the party ticket to Godswill Akpabio?”

Warning Etuk not to cause unnecessary tension in the state, the group said that as the party chairman then, he never appeared at any election tribunal and the conventional court to testify against Okon and tell the whole world that Okon was never cleared for the election, adding: “Up till now the Okon case is still in court and he has not said anything bad about it.”

The group appealed to the people of the state to “ensure that they vote for a leader in the mould of Akpabio with the experience, intelligence and pedigree to continue and even improve upon the achievement of the incumbent as electing leaders based on zoning would breed mediocrity, which is not what the state needs at this point in its socio-economic development.”

Noting that President Jonathan was elected by Nigerians of different ethnic groups, the ACN leader maintained that no one single ethnic group, whether minority or majority, can single-handedly elect a president.

His words: “No ethnic warlord or grovelling aide can single-handedly elect a president. The framers of our constitution apparently had this in mind, when they said that for a candidate to be elected President, he must win not less than one-third of the votes cast at an election in each of at least two-thirds of all states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.”

The consensus that threat is unacceptable in modern-day politics, perhaps, prompted the declaration by the Ijaw leader (Clark), who apparently understands the “game” better than his younger kinsmen that “there will be no crisis if President Jonathan is defeated at the presidential election in 2015, but he has a right to contest the election if he so wishes.”

But the fear is that are the President’s kinsmen helping his cause? More confounding is the silence of the grave yard from the Presidency which was quick to react when Asari-Dokubo first said that Jonathan will not be re-elected in 2015.

Perhaps, the Presidencny is sending a message to Nigerians by its silence.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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World News

Obama urges Britain to wait for EU reforms before exiting union

46

“I think we have good relations with the United States of America. We certainly have to listen to each other” –New Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif

Car bomb kills 10 in eastern Libya PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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car bomb exploded yesterday near a hospital in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, killing at least 10 people, officials said, in one of the biggest attacks since the end of the civil war that ousted former dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Attackers used a remote control to detonate the explosivesladen car, which was parked outside a bakery near the city’s main hospital, according to Abdel-Salam al-Barghathi, a senior security official. Weapons including Kalashnikov rifles were found inside the car.

Al-Barghathi, the head of the operation room for one of the city’s main security agencies, gave the death toll and said 13 people also were wounded in the blast.

There were conflicting reports about the number of causalities.

The Tripoli-based Interior Minister Ashour Shwayel said in an interview with Libya’s al-Ahrar TV network that two or three people were killed. Meanwhile, Benghazi police chief Tarek alKharaz said at least 13 people

The scene of the blast outside Al-Jala hospital in Benghazi

were killed and 41 wounded.

The discrepancies could not immediately be reconciled due to the chaotic aftermath and lack of coordination between agencies.

Fathi al-Ubaidi, a top commander of Libya Shield pro-government militias, says one man arrested but refused to give further details.

Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city, was the birthplace of the revolution that led to the death of

Gaddafi and it has remained, like rest of the country, largely governed by militias in the absence of unified security and military.

They refused to lay down their arms despite efforts by the Tripoli-based central government to impose law and order.

“This is meant to kill civilians and to destabilize the security of the city of Benghazi,” he said. alBarghathi The city has suffered a series

Togo opposition protests activist’s death in jail

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ctivists in Togo charged yesterday that a detained leader died in custody after authorities refused a request to bring him to a hospital, the latest dispute between the government and an increasingly vocal opposition.

Kodjo Yakanou was among the opposition supporters who have been detained for questioning for months in connection with the January burning of two main markets.

Authorities say Yakanou was suffering from malaria at the time of his death Friday, but his supporters maintain his death could have been prevented.

“His wife and the lawyer asked that the late opposition leader should be rushed to hospital for appropriate medical assistance but the gendarmes refused,” said Zeus Atta Messan Ajavon, the national coordinator of “Let Us Save Togo,” the country’s most prominent opposition group.

A government statement is-

sued Monday said Yakanou ultimately was rushed to a Lome hospital but he died before any medical intervention. He had malaria and the official cause of death was listed as a heart attack, authorities said.

The same family has ruled Togo for almost half a century.

President Faure Gnassingbe assumed power in 2005 after the death of his father, the long time dictator, Eyadema Gnassingbe.

Although the younger Gnassingbe has since won two elec-

Yakanou

tions, his presidency is still seen by many as an illegitimate extension of his father’s reign.

Last year the tiny West African nation was rocked by violent protests over legislative elections that later prompted the prime minister to resign.

In other unrest, the Togolese government said Monday that 30 police officers had been injured after clashes with demonstrators over the weekend in Niamtougou 280 miles (450 kilometres) north of Lome.

PHOTO: REUTERS

of assassinations and car bombs over the past year as power struggles between militias intensify.

On Sept. 11, The U.S. Ambassador in Libya Chris Stevens was killed along with three other Americans when militias launched two attacks on U.S. mission and another American-run site in the city. Attacks on foreign diplomats led Western countries including Britain to withdraw their nationals from the city.

Malian gunman kills three at aid distribution point

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suspected jihadist opened fire on a crowd at an aid distribution point in a north Malian village, killing three civilians, a local official said.

However, at least one local jihadist leader said the suspect was not a member of the radical groups who ruled the region for nearly 10 months until a French-led military operation was launched in January to oust them from power.

Abda Ag Kazina, the deputy mayor of nearby Kidal, said the attack took place Saturday in the village of Ikadiwane, north of Menaka, where an attempted suicide bombing had taken place on Friday. The jihadist group MUJAO or Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, claimed responsibility for that attack.

“The man cried ‘Allah Akbar, Allahou Akbar’ and opened fire on the crowd, killing three people and seriously wounding another,” he told The Associated Press.

WORLD BULLETIN

Ugandan general faces arrest for talking politics A general who asked questions about President Yoweri Museveni’s succession plans faces charges stemming from the alleged breach of an official code of conduct, a spokesman for the military said Monday, the latest twist in the unfolding saga of a senior army officer accused by some of harbouring presidential ambitions.

Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, the Ugandan army spokesman, said four of Gen. David Sejusa’s aides are now in police custody for offenses he didn’t specify.

“We are waiting for him,” Ankunda said, referring to Sejusa. “We are not intimidating him. But he has to come back, especially if he thinks he has no case to answer.”

Police and the military have deployed at Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport in anticipation of Sejusa’s return from a trip to London. Joseph Luzige, a lawyer for Sejusa, said his client could be arrested on arrival and has told the general to “prepare for anything.”

“Certainly they want to arrest him, so we have to prepare for that as well,” he said.

Sejusa last month wrote a letter to the internal security service calling for an investigation into allegations that high-ranking officials could be assassinated for opposing plans for Museveni’s son to succeed his father as president.

Sejusa cited himself and the country’s prime minister among those in danger.

The allegations have sparked calls for an inquiry among lawmakers who believe Sejusa knows what he’s talking about. A decorated hero of the bush war that brought Museveni to power almost three decades ago, Sejusa sits on the army’s high command and directs the country’s foreign and domestic intelligence services. He is also a qualified lawyer who represents the military in the country’s parliament.

40 patients escape Kenya’s psychiatric hospital Kenya police say they are searching for 40 mentally ill patients who escaped from the country’s only public psychiatric facility.

Samuel Anampiu, the police chief in charge of the area where Mathari Mental Hospital sits, said yesterday that about 70 male patients overpowered the guards at the hospital and that about 40 managed to escape.

Anampiu says the escapees had earlier complained that the drugs they were being given are ineffective.

Mental health care in Kenya suffers from a lack of funding. Poverty, a lack of access and the stigma associated with mental disorders prevent many patients from getting good assistance.

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World News

WORLD BULLETIN

Italian prosecutor demands six years for Berlusconi Milan prosecutors yesterday demanded a prison sentence of six years and a lifetime ban from public office for former Premier Silvio Berlusconi in his sex-for-hire trial.

The request came days after an appeals court upheld a four-year sentence and five-year ban on public office in a tax fraud case against Berlusconi, raising questions about his political future at a delicate moment for Italy.

Berlusconi, who has dominated the nation’s political scene for two decades, headed the center-right coalition that finished second in February elections and which is in an uneasy coalition with the center-left. He has no Cabinet post, but he serves in Parliament.

In the prostitution case, Berlusconi is accused of paying for sex with an underage Moroccan teen at lavish parties he hosted as premier, then trying to cover it up.

Prosecutor Ilda Boccassini told the court during closing arguments Monday that the young woman, Karima el-Mahroug, known by the nickname “Ruby the Heart Stealer,” lied when she denied having had sex with Berlusconi. Boccassini said “there is no doubt that Ruby had sex with the defendant and that she received benefits in exchange.”

Pakistan’s Sharif seeks to ease mistrust with India Nawaz Sharif, poised to become prime minister for a third time after a decisive victory in Pakistan’s election, said on Monday the mistrust that has long dogged relations with India must be tackled.

Sharif said he had a “long chat” with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday and the two exchanged invitations to visit - a diplomatic nicety in some parts of the world but a heavily symbolic step for South Asia’s arch-rivals.

Asked by an Indian journalist if he would invite Singh for his swearing-in as prime minister, Sharif said: “I will be very happy to extend that invitation.”

Putin, Netanyahu to discuss Syrian conflict President Vladimir Putin’s talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Russia today will focus on the situation in Syria, the Kremlin said, amid growing concerns that Moscow may soon provide Damascus with an advanced anti-aircraft weapon.

Israeli officials say Russia is on the verge of selling S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Syria and they have asked Russia to stop supplying Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime with such “game-changing” weapons.

Despite the civil war in Syria, Russia has rejected Western demands to halt such sales, arguing that they haven’t violated international law. The Russian arms deliveries have included air defence missiles and artillery systems, but Moscow has so far refrained from providing Damascus with the advanced S-300.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Obama urges Britain to wait for EU reforms before exiting union U .S. President Barack Obama yesterday said Britain’s membership in the European Union was an expression of its influence in the world and urged Britons to watch whether EU reforms were successful before deciding to leave the multi-nation bloc.

“I think the U.K.’s participation in the EU is an expression of its influence and its ... role in the world,” Obama said during a news conference with visiting Prime Minister David Cameron at the White House.

Obama backed Cameron’s comments that Britain should work on EU reform before making a decision on whether to pull out.

“Ultimately the people of the U.K. have to make decisions for themselves,” Obama said.

“I will say this, that David’s basic point that you probably want to see if you can fix what’s broken in a very important relation-

ship before you break it off makes some sense to me.”

Meanwhile, Obama said yesterday that he first learned the IRS may have improperly targeted conservative political groups when the news broke late last week and vowed action if charges of “outrageous” political bias turn out to be true.

If Internal Revenue Service officials improperly examined the tax-exempt status of groups with conservative leanings, “then that’s outrageous, and there’s no place for it, and they have to be held fully accountable,” Obama said during the joint questionand-answer session in the White House.

But Obama emphasized that an investigation was underway and that he did not want to rush to judgment.

“You don’t want the IRS ever being perceived to be biased and anything less than neutral in how they operate,” the president said. The IRS must have

“absolute integrity.”

Obama’s strong words followed an outcry from many Republicans over the IRS’s apparent display of political bias. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a GOP moderate, said Sunday that the IRS’s actions needed to be “personally condemned” by the president, who must “make crystal clear that this is totally unaccept-

able.”

Collins also called into question the IRS’s early claim that the improper behaviour was the work of low-level employees.

“I just don’t buy that this was a couple of rogue IRS employees,” she said, underlining that “groups with ‘progressive’ in their names were not targeted similarly.”

Obama also pushed back hard against Republican-driven charges that his administration tried to cover up the role terrorists played in the Sept. 11, 2012, attack in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, which claimed the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.

“There’s no there, there,” he said.

Reporters look on as U.S. President Barack Obama welcomes Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron (L) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Bangladeshi factory rescue operation draws to close

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he search for bodies in the wreckage of a Bangladesh garment factory that collapsed almost three weeks ago is drawing to a close, officials say.

Soldiers and salvage workers have recovered 1,127 bodies from the site of the Rana Plaza building near Dhaka.

“The possibility of getting more bodies is thin,” said Brigadier General Mohammad Siddiqul Alam Shikder.

The government also promised to lift trade union restrictions amid pressure to improve garment industry conditions.

The military will hand over the site to the district administration on Tuesday, army spokesman Shahinul Islam said.

A female garment worker, Reshma, was the last survivor to be pulled from the wreckage, 17 days after the building collapsed.

The Rana Plaza building collapse is the latest in a series of deadly incidents focusing global attention on safety standards in Bangladesh’s garment industry.

On Monday, the government agreed to allow garment workers to form trade unions without

Yemeni security forces and soldiers inspecting the site of a plane crash in Sanaa, Yemen, yesterday.

PHOTO: AP

permission from factory owners as part of growing concessions for industry reform.

Garment workers shouts slogans during a protest for better working conditions more than a week after the collapse of Rana Plaza on 5 May Garment workers have increased their demands for higher wages since the Rana Plaza collapse The government amended the 2006 Labour Act lifting restrictions on forming trade unions in most industries, spokes-

man Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said.

“The government is doing it for the welfare of the workers,” Mr Bhuiyan told reporters.

This comes a day after the government created a new panel of union representatives and factory workers to raise the minimum wage for garment workers.

However, trade union leaders have responded cautiously to the changes.

“The issue is not really about making a new law or amending the old one,’’

Kalpana Akter of the Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity told Associated Press news agency.

“In the past whenever workers tried to form associations they were subjected to beatings and harassment.’’

The textile industry’s main body, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, also said on Monday it would close hundreds of garment factories “indefinitely” in an industrial suburb of Dhaka after continued unrest by workers.

Military plane crashes in Yemen

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Yemeni military plane on a training exercise exploded in midair over the country’s capital yesterday, killing the pilot and slamming into a residential neighbourhood, according to an army official.

Fragments of the plane hit buildings on the ground in Sanaa and set small fires in four houses.

Three people were slightly injured, according to the official.

The plane was a Russian-made Sukhoi Su-22 fighter. Military experts were investigating the cause of the incident, the Yemeni official said. He spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in line with military rules that prohibit personnel from speaking to reporters without authorization.

Several ambulances were seen rushing to the site in southern Sanaa.

Security forces cordoned

off the area.

In February, a military plane flying on a training mission crashed in Sanaa, killing 10 people and destroying two houses.

Last month, Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, on his first visit to Moscow, told reporters that he discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin the need for spare parts to the Russian-made tanks, planes and helicopters used by Yemen’s military.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Community Mirror “What is happening in Nigeria calls for soul searching.”

SENATE PRESIDENT; DAVID MARK

KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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are-devil robbers have stormed Gbekuba community in Apata-Ganga area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where they robbed a daily thrift collector simply identified as Mr. Sulaimon Wasiu.

National Mirror learnt that the hoodlums attacked the thrift collector in front of Gbekuba Central Mosque, dispossessing him of N600, 000.

Thrift collector robbed in Ibadan

It was gathered that the hoodlums, who stormed the community on two motorcycles shot sporadically into the air to scare away people from the scene before forcefully taking the bag containing the money from Sulaimon.

An eyewitness said, when Sulaimon tried struggling with the hoodlums, they hit him with their gun, and started shooting into the air”.

Speaking on the incident inside the Apata police station, Sulaimon said, the only person he suspected was a motorcyclist, identified as Baba Imole.

“The only person I suspect is one Baba Imole, whom I sold a motorcycle to and he agreed to pay on installment. But rather than paying back, he was using my money to consume beer. I was forced to report him to the police. After, he called and

threatened to deal with me.

“He told me that I would regret my action and threatened to set me up. He said he would arrange for hoodlums to snatch my bag.

One of the Gbekuba residents told me they overheard the armed robbers talking with someone who later described my features, a few minutes before the attack.

“For four years that I have been in this business, such inci-

dent has not happened to me. I have never been robbed. Now that someone has threatened me and I was robbed, who else do I suspect?

“I usually pay my customers on the 10th day of every month. So, I left home on Saturday with N500, 000 to pay them. I had also collected another N50, 000 before I was attacked. All the money stolen from me amounted to N600, 000,” Wasiu said.

Journalist’s car burgled in Kaduna A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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Rover car belonging to a Kaduna based journalist, Mr Idibia Gabriel has been burgled by people suspected to be his business partners.

Two people, and a business partner, suspected to have carried out the act have been arrested by the police.

According to Idibia, the suspects have been having serious disagreements with him prior to the incident, even as they tried to extort N3,000 from him.

He said the car dealer, ‘Baba Artillery’ had, on May 8th asked him to remove his Honda Civic car from his workshop which had earlier been advertised for sale, since he refused to sell it to the latter’s brother.

According to him, on getting to the workshop, ‘Baba Artillery’ demanded he paid N3000 to the soldiers in charge of Artillery Barrack before his car would be released to him.

Idibia said he disagreed over the charges on grounds that the money was not part of the agreement.

He decided to take the matter up with to the Artillery Barrack guard to verify the authenticity of the N3, 000 charges, even as the dealer insisted he must pay the money.

“A constable, known as ‘RP’ later came after series of phone calls and denied the claims made by the dealers”.

The soldier later took us to Karapanzin barrack where a senior officer also denied knowledge of the N3000 being demanded.

After release, the journalist reportedly took the old Honda car for repair,only to discover that his second car packed by road side has been vandalized with his laptop, tape recorder, internet modem, ATM card, international passport, student identity cards stolen.

An overloaded rickety vehicle plying a road at Iganmu, Lagos.

` PHOTO: NAN

Millions of Nigerians engage in open defecation –Aregbesola ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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ife of Osun State Governor, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola has said that 33million Nigerians engage in open defecation,as she described it as dangerous to human health.

Mrs.Aregbesola who made the appeal in an address at a one day sensitisation workshop, noted that while the trend in open defecation in the rural areas has been decreasing, that in urban centres has been rising.

She charged people to improve the standard and quality of hygiene and sanitation in the zone saying, “Our zone has always been known for innovation and pioneering of human development activities in Nigeria and we are showing our

leadership trait by coming together to promote the cause of sanitation in our communities through community-led total sanitation, CLTS.” She said, “CLTS is a participatory approach which facilitates a process of positive behavioural change on sanitation among the people. The change is aimed at stopping open defecation, build and use latrines without any hardware subsidy. It triggers collective participation in a way that brings about consciousness and awareness in community members that their food and water could be contaminated through open defecation practices”.

“Reports from our development partners especially UNICEF, puts the prevalence of the practice of open defecation in Nigeria at about 33million people. The practice has

been identified as a major challenge in ensuring improvement in the quality of water and public health delivery. It has been reported that diarrhea rate in Nigeria represents the worst in Sub-Sahara Africa. As caring mothers and mentors, we need not remind ourselves of the large rate of death which is solely caused by poor sanitation.”

“The report of the Joint Monitoring Programme, JMP, of the World Health Organization and UNICEF on Nigeria should further be of concern. While open defecation in the rural areas has been decreasing, that in urban areas has been rising. This is a danger signal in view of the imminent financial burdens on our states if the rate of diarrhea goes up.”

“As we have known, diarrhea is a major child killer disease in de-

veloping countries. Consequently, intervention in sanitation remains a major denominator in the attainment of developmental aspirations in the developing countries. And the only process for now that triggers community stimulation towards achieving sustainable environment and behaviour change is Community Led Total Sanitation, CLTS.” The governor’s wife charged people to come together and drive the campaign with passion so that the zone can become Open Defecation Free saying “Since we started the campaigns against open defecation practice, I am happy to report here that it is a programme worthy of every effort and resources put into it. Our achievements include; Resuscitation of State Task Group on Sanitation,Training of CLTS facilitators.

48

News

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Govs reject emergency rule in Borno, Yobe, others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Also, the opposition governors, under the umbrella of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, PGF, opposed the planned emergency rule, stressing that it was a mere excuse to remove some governors.

But the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stated yesterday that the Federal Government had not taken a final decision on the declaration of state of emergency in the states.

Distressed by growing security challenges in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan again met behind closeddoors with security chiefs to appraise security situation in the troubled parts of the country yesterday.

The meeting was a continuation of last Friday’s gathering with the security chiefs after which no formal decisions taken had been made public at the time of filing this report.

President Jonathan cut short his trip to South Africa last week and hurriedly returned home to address multiple killings that took place while he was away with key members of Nigerian Economic Management Team who accompanied him to attend the World Economic Forum on Africa, in South Africa.

Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Said, yesterday led the security chiefs that included the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to the early morning meeting which ended about 10a.m.

Heads of the Nigerian Navy, Department of State Service, Air Force, Army, and other key government officials were also in attendance.

Efforts by State House Correspondents to get a clue of the outcome of the meeting were rebuffed as none of the security chiefs spoke with journalists at the end of the meeting.

The Presidency is also yet to issue any official statement on the meeting at the time of filing this report.

There had been speculations that the Federal Government was considering declaration of a state of emergency in five northern states; a decision that has since generated huge resistance by prominent leaders in the region.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the chair-

man of the NGF, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the forum said the requests for the imposition of state of emergency “are being made by people who do not wish our country well and who are bent on plunging the country into a deeper crisis.”

They called on the Federal Government not to allow itself to be distracted from the collective goal of curbing the insurgency in some parts of the country once and for all.

He said: “It is gratifying that government – federal and state – are working hard to get to the root of the killings and nip this orgy of violence in the bud. We are impressed by the magnanimity of the Federal Government, which has demonstrated an uncommon love for the country by setting up a committee to explore the possibilities of granting amnesty to the members of the Boko Haram sect. It is also a good step that government has agreed to cooperate fully with the National Human Rights Commission in the investigation of the killings in Baga.”

The NGF, however, condemned the recent violence and killings in some parts of the country which include Borno, Nasarawa, Benue and Adamawa states.

It commiserated with the people and government of those states, the security agencies and the families of the victims and pray God to give them and indeed every Nigerian the fortitude to bear the loss.

The governors also applauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s led government for the steps it has taken so far in arresting the insecurity situation in the North, particularly the plans to grant amnesty to the members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

Amaechi said: “While urging security agencies to continue to do their jobs as professionally as possible, we appeal to all aggrieved individuals and groups in Nigeria to appreciate the fact that violence can never be a solution to any problem. We have no other country to call home and it is important that we understand the danger and futility of destroying our land in the pursuit of a selfish agenda.

“We also commend our security agencies for the selfless sacrifice they are making in the interest of us all to restore calm to all parts of our country.

“We urge the Federal Government to continue to support affected states in the bid to check violence. The Federal Government should remain focused and continue to provide leadership until every part of Nigeria is rid of violence and insurgency.”

The opposition governors in a statement signed by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on behalf of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, PGF, said the planned state of emergency runs contrary to the position of the Jonathan administration.

According to him, “We have received reports of the Presidency’s intention to declare state of emergency in Borno, Nassarawa and Yobe states amongst other states in the country. The foregoing is against the backdrop of the spate of violence that has been the bane of the security of lives and property in the states.

“While it might be argued in some quarters that the Presidency is well-intentioned with the reported intended course of action aimed at restoring sustained peace to the affected states, we would like to draw the attention of Mr. President to historical perspectives and contemporary conflict resolution methodologies for consideration before taking such a far-reaching decision.

“We find the reported course of action incongruent with the posturing of the Presidency which has been reported to be pursuing dialogue with the non-state actors reportedly responsible for the breach of the peace in those states. Less than three weeks ago a Presidential Committee was empanelled to look into the issues and deploy mediation among other measures and make recommendations to Mr. President; why then would the Presidency want to pre-empt the work of the committee by declaring state of emergency in the affected states.”

The governors said declaring a state of emergency would be seen as plot to remove the governors of the affected states.

Fayemi stated: “We believe the presence of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in the affected areas is capable of restoring peace if properly coordinated. Thus, any attempt to declare a state of emergency would be seen as a mere excuse to remove the governors by every means.

“It is in our collective in-

L-R: Head of Department, Policy, Strategy and Risk Management, Debt Management Office (DMO), Mr. Joe Ugoala; Resource Person, Mr. Baba Musa and DMO Director-General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo at a workshop on 2013 Debt Sustainability Analysis in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

terest for the Presidency to concentrate efforts on addressing the socio-economic issues that catalyse crime in any society as well as ensuring equity and justice in the administration of our great country, Nigeria. In other words, an economiccum-security strategy would yield more enduring dividends than a law and order response. This, in our view, is the surest way to achieve peace and progress.

The governors called on President Jonathan to exercise restraint in the planned declaration of emergency rule in the affected states.

The statement states: “In view of the foregoing, the Progressive Governors’ Forum implores Mr. President to be consistent with the combination of dialogue and mediation, which he has already set in motion, and stay action on the planned declaration of state of emergency in the affected states, which we believe would be counter-productive. It is also suggested that the Presidency, in addition to the committee, consults extensively with the leadership of the Christian and Muslim communities as well as eminent traditional rulers across the country pursuant of a critical path to sustainable peace in the country.

“Already, the international community has condemned the excesses of our security forces in their recent campaigns that recorded widespread human rights violations – a state of emergency would precipitate the conditions for the escalation of such excesses.

“Mr. President is further encouraged to step-up the criminal intelligence gathering machinery of our security forces with a view to pre-empting the wanton de-

struction of lives and property. This, in our opinion, is in tandem with contemporary statecraft, which focuses on preventive rather than reactive responses to breaches of peace and tranquillity in any state.”

The governors unequivocally condemned the breach of peace and mindless bloodletting in the states and empathise with Governors Kashim Shettima, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Ibrahim Geidam and the good people of Borno, Nassarawa and Yobe states, as well as the people of other states affected.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that though security situation in the country remains a challenge to all Nigerians, the Federal Government has however not reached any decision to impose emergency rule in any state of the federation.

PDP also warned the opposition parties not to play politics with the insecurity challenges in Nigeria, while charging them to show patriotism in responding to national issues and to learn that integrity, values and reputation are worth more than mere political successes.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, while disputing the statements by some opposition parties that the Presidency planned to impose emergency rule in some northern states said that no such decision has been reached.

He said: “While the security situation in the country remains a challenge to all Nigerians, it is public knowledge that President Goodluck Jonathan has been upbeat in seeking solutions in the interest of all; by way of equipping security agencies, opening opportunities

for dialogue and recently, the consideration of amnesty for Boko Haram members.”

However, the umbrella body of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 northern states and Abuja yesterday called on the National Assembly to endorse state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and other troubled states in the North.

It also accused the opposition parties, especially the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC; the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; and the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, of being behind the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

Speaking with National Mirror in a telephone interview, the Northern CAN Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday Oibe, said that the activities of Boko Haram were worse than what happened in Plateau State that led to the emergency rule.

He also asked the Inspector-General of Police to investigate opposition parties whose members he alleged had vowed to make the country ungovernable if President Jonathan won the 2011 presidential election.

CAN said: “The question we want to ask is: where were ACN, CPC and ACF when Boko Haram was killing people and destroying churches in the North?

“It seems to us that opposition parties are feeding fat on the insurgency and sponsoring them.

“Some of them in the opposition said in the 2011 elections that if they don’t win they will make this country ungovernable for President Jonathan now they are shifting blame to Mr. President, although CAN don’t want to be dragged into this issue but it seems to us that those people are behind this insurgency.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

49

Kidnap of foreign worker stalls completion of wind farm project JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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inister of State for Power, Mrs. Zainab Kuchi, yesterday said that the kidnap of a French engineer in Katsina State has stalled the completion of the multi-million naira 10 megawatts wind farm project in the state.

Speaking at the project site in Rimi Local Government Area, the minister said the wind farm would have since been commissioned were it not for the unfortunate kidnap incident involving the engineer last December.

Kuchi said the incident had stalled work at the site for about four months, but that works has been intensi-

fied to ensure that the project is completed and running in the next two weeks.

As such, she said the Federal Government has set May 25 as tentative date for commissioning the project.

Contractors handling the project have also been given the next 10 days for the completion of all outstanding works in other to

ensure its timely commissioning.

The minister, who assured of the Federal Government’s commitment to the completion of the wind farm and other power projects across the country, however, called on stakeholders to lend support to government in its quest to provide uninterrupted electricity in

the country.

Kuchi said the Transformation Agenda of the present administration hopes to make power available on a 24-hour basis to all Nigerians within the shortest time possible.

Also speaking, state governor, Ibrahim Shema, said N400 million had been expended by the state for the development of the

infrastructure and also to settle land-owners where the wind farm is located.

Represented by his deputy, Garba Faskari, Shema called on the Federal Government to speed up work at the site as doing so would help reduce erratic power supply as well as improve the socioeconomic well being of people in the state.

2015: Northern students declare support for Lamido A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido (middle), inspecting health equipment donated by the Partnership for Transforming Health System in Maigatari, at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

‘Merger of opposition parties, a new beginning’ AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

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ouse of Representatives Minority Leader, Hon. Kawu Sumaila, has said that the merger of the country’s three major opposition parties, the All Nigerian People’s Party, ANPP, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, to form the All Progressives Congress, APC, marks a new beginning in the country’s political development.

Kawu, who represents Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency in the House

AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

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ano State Deputy Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has directed local government interim management officers to utilise available resources at their disposal to finance polio campaign whenever they experience delay in accessing the approved money for the purpose.

He gave the directive yesterday in Kano at the meet-

of Representatives, said the struggle for the liberation of the country from the maladministration visited on it by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has materialised with the merger of the major opposition parties which last week collapsed their structures into the new political platform.

“The struggle to rescue the Nigerian people from the clutches of the PDP, which started over a decade and half has eventually materialised with the coming together of these major opposition parties.

“This marks the beginning of the dislodgment of

the PDP from the country’s political power; PDP will be history after the 2015 elections.” Kawu declared.

In the words of Kawu, who is an aspirant for the Kano State governorship race on the platform of the APC, and whose campaign posters flooded the venue of the ANPP convention in Zamfara State last Saturday; “Nigeria is on the part of change, with the merger of ACN, CPC and ANPP, this underscores the determination of our leaders to free the country from the grip of maladministration of the ruling PDP. “We are aware of the chal-

Kano LGs to fund polio campaign

ing of the state Task force on Immunisation and Polio Eradication in preparation for this month’s round of polio immunisation campaign beginning tomorrow.

Ganduje told the interim management officers at Africa House, venue of the meeting that such borrowed money should, however, be paid back when the Polio eradication fund was received.

The deputy governor,

who is the chairman of the task force, announced the winners of last month’s exercise, where Minjibir Local Government came first while Dawakin Kudu, along with Sumaila, came second even as Bunkure and Shanono were in the third and fourth positions respectively.

Ganduje said Ungoggo Local Government came last, followed by Nassarawa, Garko and Kiru Local Gov-

lenges ahead, but will not hesitate to fight on until the desired freedom is achieved.

This task is irreversible as Nigeria’s development has been arrested by leadership failure, democracy fraud, resulting in growing insecurity and its attendant bloodshed.

“We are convinced that Nigerians deserved a better country, a better leadership, that is why we are offering our commitment, progressive thinking, that will end the kind of leadership fostered on us in 2011 by the PDP government, time has come to stop the bloodletting that has been synonymous with this government.”

ernments.

He said the fight against polio in the state is on track despite the recent single case recorded in Fagge and expressed confidence that the disease will soon be wiped out in the state.

He charged health workers and local governments, especially those who came last, to redouble their efforts in the fight against polio in order to achieve the desired result.

group under the auspices of the National Association of Northern States Students’ Union, NANSSU, yesterday declared its support for Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, as the body called on him to run for the presidential election come 2015.

In an on-line statement signed by the group’s Secretary, Comrade Ado Shehu, the union called on Governor Lamido to answer the calls from patriotic Nigerians by declaring his interest for the position.

The group, however, described the recent threat

by Mujahid Asari-Dokubu that there will be no peace if President Goodluck Jonathan is not re-elected

as unfortunate and unpatriotic.

NANSSU further maintained that it has started mobilising students and youths for the Lamido ticket, whom they said is capable of leading the country despite the challenges.

The statement reads in part: “No patriotic citizen will hope for what Mujahid Asari-Dokubo and Kingsley Kuku have declared, by threatening the nation, which is unpatriotic. On behalf of the unarmed students of the National Association of Northern States Students’ Union, NANSSU, we declare our support for the ticket of Alhaji Sule Lamido the executive Governor of Jigawa State come 2015 for national unity, security, equality and justice.”

Kogi is safe for investors, says Awoniyi WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

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ogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, has reassured investors that the state is safe contrary to media reports that state is unsafe for investors to do business.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mike Abu, he described as unfair the listing of Kogi State among unsafe states for investors and tourists.

He said the government and people of the state reject and refute such uninformed categorisation, which at best seeks to taint the present peaceful/conducive atmosphere in the state with a blacklist.

Awoniyi noted that Nigeria, a country populated generally by law abiding citizens, has been

faced with serious security challenges in recent years, with the effects felt more in some northern states. Kogi is located in the North-Central geopolitical zone and quite naturally too, under tight security surveillance.

He added that the adequate security measures put in place by the government of Capt. Idris Wada have since proved to be effective as attempts by terrorists seeking inroad to Kogi, have been checkmated till date.

The statement called on the author of the said publication to make bold to take inventory of the record of kidnappings at his disposal and tell the world if a state like Kogi, with just one case of kidnapping in the last 22 years, could have been less safer than states where cases of kidnapping, bunkering and militancy have been a daily occurrence.

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News

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ad-hoc measures not solution to nation’s insecurity –Primate JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

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A member representing Imeko-Afon Constituency in Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon Salman Adeleke, presenting bursary cash of N20, 000 to one of the 200 students’ beneficiaries, Miss Olaoluwa Toyin, in Owode-Afon recently.

Sokoto to amnesty committee: You are a liar ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA

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uspected mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing of St Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, Mr Kabiru Sokoto, yesterday described members of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North as a bunch of pathological liars.

He told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that the Boko Haram Islamic sect got polarised into factions owing to disagreement on the formula to adopt in the sharing the N40 million provided the dreaded group by its Algerian sponsor.

Sokoto, who denied the existence of any N40 million aid from the foreign sponsor, however reacted angrily to media reports attributed to the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North to the effect that it met with him at Kuje Medium Security Prisons in Abuja over Boko Haram matters.

He said that he never met with anybody at the prison over Boko Haram issue.

The suspect also said that he was in court from morning till evening on the day in question and that he had been relocated from Kuje prisons to the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) more than a week before the committee claimed to have met with him in the prisons.

He wondered when he, indeed, met with the committee, adding that he had

expected better conduct from the committee given the calibre of its members.

Members of the amnesty committee said last Friday that they met with members of the Boko Haram sect, including Kabiru Sokoto and that the meeting took place at the Kuje Medium Security Prison, Abuja, where many members of the sect were being held.

Amnesty Committee Chairman and Minister for Special Duties, Mr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, who allegedly led the 25 members of the committee to the purported meeting at Kuje had told journalists that the parley was a confidence building measure between the committee and members of the Boko Haram sect.

The committee had claimed the meeting was held in camera and that they had useful discussion with the detained members of the Boko Haram sect.

However, moments after the Federal High Court adjourned hearing in his case, counsel to Sokoto pleaded to meet with journalists, saying his client never met with the committee.

Sokoto’s lawyer, Mr Sherrif Okoh, while addressing journalists shortly after Sokoto’s trial, dismissed the claim by the amnesty committee, saying it was a blatant lie.

The lawyer said: “Our client has confided in us that he never met with the amnesty committee. Even on the said date of the purported meeting, Kabiru Sokoto was before Justice Ademola Adeniyi. So, we

wonder where they met him.”

The lawyer added that Sokoto had been under the custody of the SSS and expressed surprise that the amnesty committee deceived Nigerians that it met with the accused person.

He said: “These members of the amnesty committee have been brandishing lies. It is wrong of them to claim that they held a meeting with Kabiru Sokoto. In fact, Kabiru has been under the SSS custody. He was not in Kuje prison. So, it was a pure lie for a committee of eminent persons to say they held a meeting with our client.”

Even before Sokoto’s lawyer raised the alarm over the purported meeting, Justice Ademola Adeniyi was the first to raise eyebrows over the claim by the committee.

The judge said he was surprised when he read reports that the amnesty committee said it visited and held meeting with Kabiru Sokoto at Kuje prison.

“The accused person is supposed to be under the custody of the State Security Services. In fact, he was in court from morning till evening. But the next day, the press reported that the Amnesty Committee said they visited and held meeting with Kabiru Sokoto in Kuje prison, this is funny,” Justice Adeniyi had said.

Meanwhile, a prosecution witness simply identified as Mr. ABC upon cross examination by Sokoto’s lawyer told the court that the suspect had mentioned

Bashir Mohammed and Mukhtari Kafanchan as the people that carried out the Christmas Day blast of St Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla Niger State.

Mr ABC also told the court that the blast was not a suicide bombing but a coordinated attack, which was perpetrated with the knowledge of the accused person.

“The Madalla blast was not executed by a suicide bomber. It emanated from a car parked at the passage way of the Church, which was detonated.

“That was actually what happened and there were no charred remains of persons found in the car after the blast that suggested it was a suicide attack” Mr ABC told the court during his cross examination by Sherrif Okoh.

he Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh, yesterday warned the Federal Government against treating the issue of insecurity with “ad-hoc measures.”

Revd Okoh described the insecurity caused by members of the Boko Haram sect as a national problem that should involve all stakeholders to tackle.

This is even as he called for disarmament of Fulani herdsmen to curb the ongoing blood-letting in Nassarawa State and other parts of the country.

The cleric spoke during a press conference on the forthcoming 2013 Synod of the Abuja Diocese of Anglican Communion with the theme: “Christian stewardship” in Abuja.

Recd. Okoh said: “As it is most desirable to have peace in the country, we must not have peace negotiated in Boko Haram terms, that is to say, whatever they want we agree, that will be saving 10 people and destroying 160 million people.

“One would have wanted a situation where amnesty is the climax of the drawing out programme of discussion, not secret discussion so that Nigerians will be able to know and ask why the sect take up arms? Where did you get the arms? Who are the people providing the arms and supplying the money? It will be necessary to know not in secret, but

publicly.”

The cleric, who took a cursory look into Nigeria’s past history, pointed out that in the past, Fulani are welcome friends in every Nigerian community, but that today they have become violent, carrying weapons, killing people and raping women, among others.

Revd. Okoh appealed to the Federal Government to consider urgent disarmament of the nomadic herdsmen in order to guarantee lasting solution to the nation’s insecurity.

He said: “Everywhere they are shooting people, you go to somebody’s house and take thing by force, you rape women, you go to their farm and take over, that is another colonisation and I think we should come out now and solve that problem.

I don’t know whether the small arms committee set up by government has responsibility to that, but if not, it should have because the matter is getting to an explosive level.

“We have the whole of security men, how come the cattle herdsmen are being supplied with AK47 rifles without our security men knowing who is supplying the weapons, how do they get the money. What the security they are doing? Let us know, find out, who are the people deliberately orchestrating insecurity in the country?”

On the state of emergency, the Primate described it as an ad-hoc measure that would not solve the problem.

According to him, insecurity should be addressed comprehensively.

Senate summons Environment Minister over threat of flood GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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he Senate has summoned the Minister of the Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Mailafia, to explain her ministry’s plan to prevent possible flooding that rains may cause this year.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had earlier predicted that this year’s rainfall would exceed that of last year.

A statement by the media office of the Senate Environment Committee yesterday explained that the summon was necessitated by the high rain forecast in 2013 by the metrologi-

cal agency as well as the need to ensure that proactive measures are taken to avert a recurrence of last year’s flood incident.

Even though last year’s flooding was foretold by the meterological agency, there was large scale disaster occasioned by the flood because the federal, states, local governments and individuals did not take the alarm serious and hence failed to take preemptive measures.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki, commended the Federal Government’s proactive effort in the

on-going erosion control project in Abata Asunkere, Alore area of Ilorin, Kwara State.

In a statement, Saraki decried the structural arrangement of buildings in the area, noting that clustered buildings impede free flow of water as well as proper water discharge.

The senator added that a heap of refuse indiscriminately dumped on erosion sites aggravates flood problem in the area.

He lauded the Federal Government’s timely intervention in environmental hazards in his constituency, which had brought huge relief to residents.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Emergency Update

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

51

FG advocates mapping in flood control OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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he Federal Government has advocated the use of mapping in addressing the incessant flooding in the country.

It explained that the various flood incidences that occurred in the country in recent times would have been averted if serious attention was paid to survey in the past.

Works Minister, Arc Mike Onolememen said this when he received on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, a delegation of the International Federation of Surveyors, led by its President, Mr. Cheettai Teo. Teo had led a delegation which includes the Surveyor General of the Federation, Prof Peter Nwilo, to meet with the President with a view to briefing him about the activities of the Federation in Nigeria.

Onolememen explained

that if flood mapping had been carried out in some major cities in the country, the Department of Development Control would have been able to appropriately control development around the flood plain.

According to him, if such simple surveying task had been carried out, lives and property that were wasted as a result of the avoidable flooding disaster would have been averted.

He said,” I recall recently when there was flood in Ibadan. I accompanied Mr. President to visit the state to ascertain the level of devastation that was wreck at that time. The Olubadan told our delegation that said such thing happened when he was a youth. And we began to wonder what happened after that experience. Why have we unable to predict with some level of prediction that what happened in 2011.

“A nation at that time, we perhaps did not really appreciate the role the profession of surveying could play in averting such a

disaster in the future. If we did, appropriate flood mapping would have been carried out. Such a simple surveying task would have

averted that disaster because that meant that development control would have been able to control development around the

flood plain. A lot of houses and lives would have been saved. Such is the importance of the profession to us.”

Officials of Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency, during the payment of funds donated by Sen. Kabir Marafa to victims of windstorm at Tsunami Area of Gusau in Zamfara State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Book Review: Disaster Management is Everyone’s Business ABUBAKAR JIMOH

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t is therefore, everybody’s business and we must all put our hands on deck to ensure effective disaster management by regularly evolving strategies, policies and programmes so as to reduce loss of lives and property in our communities, thereby facilitating development”, says the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad SaniSidi, in his newly published book titled Disaster Management is Everyone’s Business.

The 190 page book comprises 30 compilations from various speeches delivered by the Sani-Sidi in spheres of disaster management— preparedness, prevention, mitigation, and response in the last two years as the Director General of NEMA. It is undisputable that he has strategically made disaster management everyone’s concern since his appointment as the NEMA boss. In order to make his intention clear, on page 10 of the book, Sani-Sidi stated: “One of the commitments I made as soon as I took over as the Director General of NEMA, was to make disaster management everyone’s business.”

As part of his efforts to make disaster management everyone’s business, page 13 of the book explained that NEMA has flagged off the setting up and training of Community Resilient Network and Peace Brigade in all the geo-political zones of the country. According to the page, so far, under his leadership and supervision, NEMA has inaugurated other voluntary schemes like Executive Volunteers Against Disaster, Grassroots Emergency Vanguard, Disaster Risk Reduction Club.

More importantly in the same page, Sani-Sidi noted that NEMA has encouraged the formation of Journalists Against Disaster (JAD) and Youths Against Disaster Initiative (YADI), all in a bid to make disaster management everybody’s business.

On page 22 of the book, following the poisoning and death of hundreds of children in Zamfara state resulting from dangerous artisanal gold mining and processing operations, in order to ensure quick intervention, Sani-Sidi assured all relevant stakeholders of full support and cooperation when the needs arise.

Such worthy assurance attracted both local and foreign humanitarian supports like the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF),

tries with little capacity for adaptation. He further explained the strategic goals of Nigerian domesticated Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA).

Of course, between page 36 and 40 of the book, he reminds us that disaster management is multidisciplinary, multi-stake holding, multi-resource and multi-jurisdictional; and it is in this regards that NEMA always bring together its critical emergency management stakeholders under one roof to deliberate and chart roadmap towards avoiding possible impacts of disaster and associated risks.

which opened clinics in the affected villages amounting to 2000 for chelation therapy.

However, on page 23, he did not hide his feeling by soliciting the support of emergency responders both local and international for other contaminated communities where remedial actions are yet to be carried out in the state.

While emphasizing on capacity building using our local resources (human and materials) to combat the impacts of climate change, on page 25 of the book, he states “[as] the world struggles to agree on how best

to pursue the four building blocks of mitigation, adaptation, technology and finance, we as a nation need to look inward and take steps to contain the adverse effects of climate change in Nigeria.”

Sani-Sidi’s sense of diplomacy and humour reflects on page 29 to 35, containing his remarks at Conference on LargeScale Natural Disasters held in Japan, where he raised alarm that intensive exploitation of natural resources has accelerated biodiversity loss and the depletion of genetic pool in especially developing coun-

It is noteworthy that Sani-Sidi has made it clear between page 41 and 46, the economic benefits of preparedness and mitigation when he states “if we invest in disaster resilience, countries and communities should be much better prepared to cope and bounce back when disasters happen. Building disaster resilience will become more pivotal as countries seek to protect disasters, which can wipe out development gains since every $1 spent on disaster resilient results in $2.9 saved in the form of reduced humanitarian spend, avoided losses and development gains.

His sense of patriotism

was revealed on page 44, where he lamented that disaster occurrences are no respecter of rich or poor nations, their impacts on development is felt by poorer or developing nations.

As part of his efforts at promoting multilateral integrations on disaster management, NEMA under his leadership has nurtured to maturity, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of Gambia.

Such enhanced collaboration to share experiences and assist Gambia in order to improve its capacities and expertise in emergency preparedness, response, mitigation and humanitarian service delivery has been part of the Federal Government of Nigeria to sustain multilateralism in growth and development with sister African nations; as contained between page 47 and 51.

Page 52 to 56 see uniqueness in every disaster, but its levels of vulnerability and response is determined by the level of preparedness by individuals and governments at various levels. Just as page 57 to 61 encourage everyone’s involvement in disaster management and to do everyAbubakar Jimoh is the National Coordinator, Youths Against Disaster (YADI), and lives in Abuja.

Cocktail

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

FOR YOUR SUCCESS

WITH DR. DEJI FOLUTILE

Today's Tonic (145) “There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

–Nelson Mandela DON’T SETTLE FOR LESS THAN YOU CAN BE! Fear is tyrannical. We bulk in reaching for our best most of the time because we are afraid that things may not work out as we desire it. From the way I understand it, we are bigger than we think at any point in time. If we can reckon on the vast potential that we have as we journey through life, we will be confident to attempt bigger things and live the larger life. I once read a book by John Maxwell titled, “Be all you can be”, and it changed my life. I came to see that many of us are living far less than we can be. Till today, I keep challenging myself daily thinking of bigger ways to express myself and achieve destiny.

We will do better in life if we keep reaching forward and challenging ourselves to give our best to life. Thinking small will shrink us. Thinking small will underrate our potential.

Thinking small will make us perpetually dependent on circumstances instead of consciously creating the circumstances that will set us free to do exploit. What I am saying is that, it is not over until it is over and it is not over until you win. Refuse to settle for less than you can be in life!

DR. DEJI FOLUTILE Tel: 08035219966 Email: deji.folutile@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter @folutile

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Centenarian celebrates birthday by skiing

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woman from Colorado celebrated her 101st birthday by skiing with friends and family at the Arapahoe Basin ski area in the Rocky Mountains.

Elsa Bailey, who has been skiing for 75 years, rang in her birthday Saturday by hitting the slopes with dozens of family members and friends, The Denver Post reported.

“I made it. I feel good,” she

said before a crowded lift line broke into an impromptu “Happy Birthday” chorus.

Bailey said she is retiring from skiing after Saturday, although she is not done

with adventure; she said she plans to tour the Norwegian fjords, see polar bears in the Arctic and visit Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park while she is still alive.

“I’m not going to go to bed and lie down and die, that’s for sure,” Bailey said. “I may be weird, but I’m me. I do things my way.”

Man uses dog to propose to girlfriend

A

Florida man says he enlisted the help of his Boston terrier to help him propose to his girlfriend, and she said yes.

The proposal happened Saturday at the Green Paws Pet Market in Plantation, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.

Charles “Chad” Moreau arranged for his girlfriend, Tiffany Galpern, to pick up his dog Molly from the groomer. When Glapern arrived at the shop, Molly was wearing a pink T-shirt that read, “Will you marry my Daddy?”

Moreau then showed up, got down on one knee

and asked: “Will you marry me and be Molly’s mom forever?”

“Of course I will,” Galpern answered.

Galpern said the proposal was “definitely unique and definitely unexpected.”

“She didn’t think I would go through with it,” Moreau said.

Bailey skiing during her 100th birthday celebration.

PHOTO: DENVER POST

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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Features

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

When patients put up with filth at Island The Island General Hospital, Lagos has for long been a household name in health service delivery. But such iconic status is now threatened by an alarming infrastructural decay brought about by years of neglect. FRANKLIN OBOH and PATIENCE STEVEN write that the hospital’s premises looks not only abandoned, dilapidated and run down, but that patients are forced to put with the filthy and hazardous environment.

•We are fixing the problem –Lagos State Commisioner for Health

W

hen John Olubumi became suddenly ill and was rushed to the Island General Hospital on Broad Street in Lagos State, he thought the scorching pains he felt underneath the right side of his abdomen was the only problem he was going to deal with at the hospital.

Little did he know that he would have to confront other health issues in the Hospital built decades ago.

As soon as he was wheeled into the gate to the Emergency Unit, he could not help but notice the derelict hospital environment inspite of the sharps pains.

Narrating his ordeal to National Mirror after spending close to two weeks in the hospital, Olubumi stated that his stay was a bitter experience he will live to remember.

He described his stay at the hospital as “the filthiest experience I have ever had in my life. As soon as I was wheeled into the hospital, I could not help, but notice the filthy environment. The Emergency Unit where I was rushed to was an eyesore. So many of us were waiting with few beddings to go round. Many patients were lying on the floor, while others were being helped to stand for hours by their relatives. Patients were in that situation for close to three hours before they were attended to. I was shocked that there were so many patients to attend to” Mr. Olubumi said.

The Emergency Unit was not only the area in the hospital that shocked him. His admission in the male surgical ward following the discovery that he had appendicitis compounded the problem. He stated that as soon as he was wheeled into a corner of the large ward, the only thing on his mind was to tell his family to take him out of the place. He said, “I was in pain and when I was finally admitted, I noticed that the ward I was with twenty other patients was not befitting for any sick person. The doctors needed to carry out the surgery to remove the appendicitis, but the beddings in the ward were very old and unkempt; there were mosquitoes everywhere and the walls very dirty. I wanted to go home because of the dirty environment, but the pains I felt made it imperative that I stay, even as the doctor had told me that I was

One of the hospital wards.

lucky the appendicitis did not rupture before I was brought to the hospital.

All through the night, I was unable to sleep as the fans were not working. The bites from mosquitoes and the filthy ward added to the trauma”.

Olubumi was not the only patient affected by the deteriorated state of the hospital. Some of the patients interviewed during an undercover investigation, also described the unhygienic environment as horrible and sickening.

A patient, Nathaniel John Adigun, from Ketu area of the state told National Mirror that he could not sleep because of mosquitoes that kept him awake.

“No doubt, the nurses and doctors looked after us, Though some of the nurses would shout at you, it still needs rehashing that the hospital environment is overdue for rehabilitation. The toilets are not befitting for even animals, as the bathroom walls and floors have turned gray due to long neglect. The toilet bowls are old and filthy. In short, I did not look forward to having my bath all through my stay at the hospital.” he said.

Investigations show that the male surgical ward is in dire need of urgent repairs. The beddings are old while cement bricks were used to keep the beds in place. Also, of the 20 fans in the ward, only eight were functioning, as patients resort to using hand fans.

The bathrooms reveal the most unhygienic place to have a bath as human feaces litter the floor, while stagnant urine combine to produce nauseating and putrid odours. Moreover, the walls are dirty with cobwebs covering the entire ceiling. Though patients get well and are discharged, they go through harrowing experiences.

Investigations also revealed that the

Maggot-infested toilet.

THE TOILETS ARE NOT BEFITTING FOR EVEN ANIMALS AS THE BATHROOM WALLS AND FLOORS ARE BLACKEN DUE TO LONG YEARS OF USE hospital always has steady electricity, while the operating theatre is equipped with modern medical facilities for surgery.

Appealing to the government to address the sorry state of the hospital, Olubumi said the poor have every right to good medical care and facilities and as such, all the necessary facilities

must be put in place to address their health needs.

He said “I yearn to go home every day of my stay in the hospital. I never wished my enemies to experience such filthy environment. I could not eat for days after I was discharged. I was happy when the doctor said I could go home because I eagerly wanted to leave the place. I noticed the surgical theatre had modern equipment and the doctors were very professional. Unfortunately, the personnel are all victims of the poor state of the hospital. I know how general hospitals were in the 80’s.

They had the best staff, facilities and most hygienic environments you could think of. Today, the reverse seems to be the norm but government should not allow such to continue”.

When contacted, the Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Jide

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

General Hospital

A bathroom overflowing with maggots.

Patients lying in an open dilapidated ward.

Idris said the hospital is already in the schedule of government’s refurbishment programme.

He said “The hospital is a priority in the refurbishment programme of the government. Initially, the plan was to demolish the hospital building and then erect a new and modern structure. We, however, thought that would disrupt a lot of services. So, we are carrying out the refurbishment in phases like we did at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja. Apart from the refurbishment programme, we also plan to add other needed facilities that are no longer there.

We have a design for this and are discussing it. Like LASUTH, the issue of water and power are being addressed. We are aware a lot of things need to be done because during the construction at the Marina, the drainages were blocked and we are tackling that too. The contractor is working to rehabilitate the sewage in conjunction with the Ministry of Works. The power

PHOTOS: FRANK OBOH

situation has been taken care of, as the hospital gets its electricity directly from the IPP. In all, there is a total refurbishment package and we are carrying them out in phases,” Idris said.

He added that his ministry is also working on improving staff welfare, even as he blamed the poor services at the hospital to the increasing number of persons making use of the facilities.

Dr. Idris, however, assured that the government has taken cognisance of the huge health needs of patients and is putting structures in place to address the situation.

He said, “You know the population using the place is huge and the facilities are all outdated. The outpatient service is inadequate, but we are addressing the problems in phases as we did at LASUTH. The doctors’ quarters need refurbishing too and we are working with the Ministry of Works to address it. We have refurbished the mortuary, while the theatre is now receiving attention.

In a short while, the hospital will be upgraded like LASUTH”, Idris assured.

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X-raying the pains of kidnap-induced doctors’ strikes

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t is gradually becoming a tradition for the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, to direct its members to embark on strike anytime a medical doctor is kidnapped.

The strike by doctors in Ebonyi State was the most recent, as the state branch of NMA directed its members, to withdraw their services to protest against the kidnapping of a medical doctor.

The state NMA Chairman, Dr Chidi Esike, said that Dr Pius Maiyike, a consultant paediatrician working with the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, was kidnapped on Sunday, May 5.

He stressed that doctors could no longer continue to operate under an unsafe and insecure environment.

“During this period, there will be no skeletal services by the doctors. It is a pity that doctors now work under siege.

The kidnappers should know that doctors do humanitarian work and they are not wealthy,’’ Esike said.

However, apart from the Ebonyi incident, similar cases have been recorded in Edo, Enugu, Delta states, among others.

For instance, the Edo branch of NMA ordered its members in April 2010 to embark on an indefinite strike, following the kidnap of Prof. Michael Ibadin, Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH. The association directed all medical and dental practitioners in the state to immediately withdraw clinical services, until ``Prof. Michael Ibadin is released, while adequate institutional security arrangements are put in place.”

The state NMA chairman, Dr Osahon Enabulele, nonetheless, directed the doctors to still attend to emergency cases. ``Despite the current state of insecurity of our members in the workplace, as a mark of goodwill to members of the public, all medical and dental practitioners in Edo State are to attend to emergencies” he said.

In March 2012, medical doctors in Delta also embarked on a strike to press for the release of their kidnapped member, Dr Ngozi Chukwuebulim, an employee of Warri Central Hospital.

The Central Hospital and filling stations in Warri were shut, resulting in untold hardship for the residents.

In February 2012, medical doctors in Enugu State threatened to embark on an indefinite strike to protest the kidnap of Dr Chidima Okwor of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Enugu.

Okwor, a mother of four, was abducted in front of her residence by Nike Road, Enugu.

Dr Kenechi Madu, the state NMA Chairman, described the kidnap of Okwor, who was pregnant at the time, as ``abominable,’’ vowing that doctors would embark on the strike if she was not released.

IT IS WRONG FOR DOCTORS, WHO ARE TRAINED TO SAVE LIVES, TO GO ON

STRIKE IN PROTEST AGAINST THE KIDNAP OF THEIR COLLEAGUES

He noted that medical doctors were always at their duty posts, even during general strikes, to attend to emergency cases, warning, however, that the doctors’ roles in the society ought to be better appreciated.

All the same, analysts do not totally condemn the doctors’ decision to go on strikes to press for the release of their kidnapped colleagues.

But Gov. Martin Elechi of Ebonyi appealed to the striking doctors in the state to call off their strike. ``I want you to know that kidnapping is not targeted at your members; it is a national crisis. ``Even some developed countries with highly developed security surveillance systems still experience the phenomenon of kidnapping.

Elechi, however, stressed that if the doctors continued their strike, the society would be worse for it. ``Let us appreciate the fact that it is a problem confronting the entire country. We should all cooperate with the law-enforcement agencies to reduce the scourge. ``Army generals and high-ranking police officers, who are supposed to be instruments of peace keeping, are also victims of kidnaps and assassinations,” he said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo said that it was unfair for doctors, who were trained to save lives, to embark on strikes. ``It is wrong for doctors, who are trained to save lives, to go on strike in protest against the kidnap of their colleagues, while several persons in need of medical care are unattended to and left to die. ``What is the immediate issue? Doctors are kidnapped, you go on strike. What happens when transporters are kidnapped and they withdraw their vehicles from the road? ``When everybody withdraws services when a colleague is kidnapped, who will survive? Your rights stop where my own begin. In what way does their going on strike now help the situation?’’ Oshiomhole asked.

Nevertheless, Mr Gerald Ukeni, the Secretary General of Nigeria Civil Service Union, said that the strikes embarked upon by doctors were to compel the government to intervene in the matter.

He argued that if doctors were over-using the strike option, then ``government is over-neglecting its responsibility.’’

He urged the government to find lasting solutions to the problems of insecurity across the country.

An activist, Mr David Ugolor, also said the decision of doctors to embark on strikes was to spur the government to action.

He, however, conceded that the withdrawal of services by doctors to protest against kidnapping was not the best option in efforts to address the problem.

He said that it would not be reasonable to compound a problem while seeking a solution for it.

Just like Ugolor, several analysts are of the view that the pains of kidnapping should not be compounded by doctors’ impulsive strikes over the issue.

Write up is by Obike Ukoh of News Agency of Nigeria.

WORLD RECORD

Tricks, Barefoot Waterskiing - Women Vol. 03 No. 620

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

T

Babies for sale

he events of last week could not have been by coincidence when, within days; a couple was caught with twins they bought for N1.8 million from their biological parents. The deal had been concluded, but for the daring attempt of the childless couple to travel to the United States with the twins. Their adventure was halted by the prying eyes of the consular officer who observed something suspicious between the innocent babies and their so-called parents and thereafter ordered that DNA test be conducted to establish the authenticity of their claim to the babies.

W

orld number one, Tiger Woods, held his nerve on the final day of the Players Championship to claim victory in golf ’s ‘fifth major’ at TPC Sawgrass.

Woods carded a round of 70 to finish on 13-under par, two shots ahead of David Lingmerth, Kevin Streelman and

N150

The highest score for a woman is 4,400 points by Nadine De Villiers (RSA) on 5 January 2001 at Gauteng Witbank Championships, Wolwekrans, South Africa.

TALKINGPOINT Seyi Fasugba

seyifasugba@yahoo.com 08053069514 (sms only)

It was later discovered from police investigation that the couple actually bought the twins off the shelf somewhere in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. What an abomination! To further confirm the existence of a well organized ring behind this heinous crime against humanity, the police, again, burst the ‘baby factory’ where these innocent souls are given birth to by teenagers and unwilling mothers before being sold to would-be buyers. If not that this is happening before our very eyes, it would have been difficult for one to believe that this ungodly practice of gradually destroying the family institution is going on in our society.

It was alleged that the couple, Adenuga Soyibo and his wife, Elizabeth, paid N1.8 million for the set of twins before they ran out of luck in their desperate attempt to smuggle the babies out of the country. This is also a reminder of the once celebrated case of the over 60-year-old woman who claimed to have given birth at a traditional clinic somewhere in Ketu, Lagos. What would have gone down in history as a medical feat was, however, challenged by the authorities before the false claim was exposed.

That same week too, another discovery was made which from all indications may provide a clue to this ungodly act of turning babies to commodities to be bought on the shelf like someone going to the supermarket to buy a product. What was supposed to

PERVERSE WAYS OF THINKING AND BEHAVING ARE NOT LIMITED TO

BOUNDARY, POVERTY AND OR CERTAIN DEPRIVATIONS be a sachet water plant was discovered to be a ‘prison house’ for teenage girls impregnated and whose babies, on delivery, were meant to be sold to customers waiting to buy the exact type they wanted. The Oyibos that were caught in the process of smuggling the babies out of the country may have taken their luck too far by buying twins which ,under any circumstances, would have raised some curiosity. What of if they had bought one like many may have done and escaped with it?

What was uncovered at the Ahamefula motherless babies home in Imo State, is however, is a clear indication that recent discoveries of selling babies as product, is indeed, a disaster in our hands not one waiting to happen. This is more than what meets the eyes particularly against the serious implications it portends for the family

institution and the society at large. This has nothing to do with Africa’s cultural value of high expectations from new couple to bring forth particularly after their wedding. The likes of ‘Madam one thousand’ who was operating the illegal home are motivated by greed to make money from ungodly venture and not for the love of humanity. Again, this has nothing to do with underdevelopment as many would want to conclude. Perverse ways of thinking and behaving are not limited to boundary, poverty and or certain deprivations.

Recent events in the United States where an individual kidnapped three women who he turned to sex slaves for a decade in spite of known gadgets to detect such crimes is a proof that perverse behaviour is no respecter of colour, race and border. Apart from demanding for ransom in some instances and tasking government in case of the terrorists, kidnappers in Nigeria are not as barbaric as the Castro brothers.

There is no reason either given or imagined to explain the decadence and this dangerous trend in our society. It is a clear indication of the failure of government, social institutions and, to some extent, the society to provide the needed guidance to the emerging future generation.

The teenage girls being turned to commercial pigs to bear children for sale have parents who have failed in their responsibilities to properly guide them through life. They also emerge from a society that also failed to inculcate the credible family virtues and values of good upbringing.

Above all, the society determines the quality of its people; the institutions, the government, organizations, schools, worship centres and other relevant agencies are made up of people in the society. To effect a change in this dangerous trend, the need for a movement towards realignment with God’s original intentions for the family and human existence needs not be overemphasized.

Sport Extra

Golf: Woods swings to Sawgrass success Jeff Maggert.

The 14-time major winner had seemed set for a mouthwatering play-off with Sergio Garcia, who criticised Woods’ conduct when they played together on Saturday, but the 2008

champion imploded by finding the water twice off the 17th tee.

Woods had endured a wobbly moment himself when he double-bogeyed the 14th but he responded to get back in the driving seat with a birdie at the 16th

following a superb bunker shot.

Garcia, who like Woods had won the tournament once before, trailed by a single shot at that point but birdied the 16th as well to draw level at the top of the leaderboard.

Tiger Woods

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