Wed 11 Dec 2013

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Vol. 30, No. 12,767

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

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A GRAND

FAREWELL

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

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MANDELA’S MEMORIAL SERVICE

United States (U.S.) President Barack Obama (left) and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, during the state memorial service for South African former President Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa… yesterday.

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MANDELA’S MEMORIAL SERVICE

Mandela’s former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (left), and his widow, Graca Machel (second right, and other dignitaries.

South Africa’s Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu, a leading figure in the struggle against apartheid at the stadium…

Former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela hugging Mandela’s widow Graca Machel

Not even the heavy rain could keep them away from coming to say ‘Goodbye!’

Mandela’s successor, Thabo Mbeki, arriving with his wife, Zanele.

Nelson Mandela’s grandchildren

South Africa’s last white president,, F.W. De Klerk, arriving with his wife, Elita.

Pictures of Mandela on even tattoos.

AFP: GETTY IMAGE

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NEWS Wednesday, December 11, 2013

NELSON MANDELA: 1918 - 2013

A grateful world bids farewell

By Nnamdi Inyama and Tope Templar Olaiya (with agency reports) N what has turned out as Iings one of the largest gatherof global leaders in recent history, presidents from Barack Obama of the United States (U.S.), Cuba’s Raul Castro, Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan and Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff, yesterday paid tributes to Nelson Madiba Mandela who died last Thursday at the age of 95.

They were among the presidents and prime ministers, celebrities and royals and ordinary people from across the world – Bangladesh, Palestine, India, Chile, and literally, the world over – who joined hundreds of thousands of South Africans to pay tributes to Mandela, in a memorial service that celebrated a man seen as a global symbol of reconciliation.

Every living former U.S. president was there except George Bush (Snr.) as well as every living former British Prime Minister.

The world of entertainment also was well represented with South African actress, Charlize Theron, U2 s Bono and Kirk Franklin in attendance.

Despite the heavy rain, which in his native Xhosa tribe is seen as a blessing, the atmosphere in the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, was celebratory, with people dancing, blowing ‘vuvuzela’ (plastic horns) and singing songs from the antiapartheid struggle.

Many carried banners honouring ‘Madiba’ Mandela’s traditional clan name, or his picture. Others were draped in materials covered with his face or the green, yellow, black, red and blue colours of the South African flag.

Some had skipped work and queued for hours to secure a seat so that they could pay their respects at the stadium where Mandela delivered his first major speech after his release from prison.

The four-hour service, which coincided with United Nations (UN) Human

Rights Day, is the centrepiece of a week of mourning and brought much of South Africa to a stop.

It began with the national anthem before South Africa’s presidents - past and present were introduced.

There was a loud cheer from the crowd for F.W. de Klerk, the last leader of white South Africa, who shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela for helping to end apartheid.

The arrivals of Liberia’s president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, wearing a yellow rose and customary dark sunglasses, brought cheers from the crowd.

The joyous cries died down as speeches from Mandela’s family, friends as well as a fellow Robben Island prison inmate began. Anguished faces listened quietly as a sorrowful chant to “Tata Madiba” filled the air. “Tata” means “father” in Xhosa.

“This is how Nelson Mandela would have wanted to be sent on,” said Cyril Ramaphosa, the deputy ANC leader who chaired the proceedings. “These are blessings. In our African tradition (when it rains), it means the gods are welcoming you and the gates of heaven are open.”

Among the crowd, a scarletrobed Desmond Tutu stood out as he watched the proceedings with a sombre expression.

Mandela’s ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, barely held back tears as she walked slowly into the stadium supported by her eldest daughter, Zindzi. She embraced Graça Machel, Mandela’s widow, before taking a seat.

Speaking on behalf of the family, General Thanduxolo Mandela said he was mindful that they shared the former president with the rest of the country and the world. “He is gone from before our eyes but never from our hearts and minds,” he said.

The memorial service may have given birth to the first steps towards thawing one of the frostiest relations created since the cold war.

In a mark of reconciliation

that Mandela himself would have approved of, Obama making his way to the podium shook hands with Raul Castro of Cuba.

The U.S. and Cuba have literally not been on speaking terms for more than 50 years.

Obama was in his element delivering a rousing speech that was both personal and political. “It is a singular honour to be with you today, to celebrate a life unlike any other. To the people of South Africa – people of every race and walk of life – the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us,” said Obama, who compared Mandela to Abraham Lincoln.

“It was precisely because he could admit to imperfection – because he could be so full of good humour, even mischief, despite the heavy burdens he carried – that we loved him so,” he added, prompting applause.

South African President Jacob Zuma in his speech said: “Today, Madiba is no more.

He leaves behind a nation that loves him dearly and a continent proud to call him an African.

Madiba laid foundation for better life for all.

“Madiba never hesitated to speak his mind, regardless of how uncomfortable his words may be.

“Under his leadership, the democratically-elected government focused on building a democratic society based on non-racialism and non-sexism.

“Indeed, Madiba was one of a kind.”

To Castro, Mandela was a prophet of unity.

“Mandela’s life teaches us that what threatens the existence of humanity can be eradicated only by effort from all countries.

“We shall never forget Mandela’s moving homage to our country’s struggles when he came,” said Castro who spoke of Mandela’s ‘bond of affection’ with Fidel Castro and quoted Fidel Castro as saying about Mandela: “Honour and glory for ever to the great comrade Nelson Mandela and the heroic people of

South Africa.”

President Pranab Mukherjee of India in his tribute said: “Madiba was a towering personality of great compassion.

“Indeed, his life and struggles that represented hope of the downtrodden across the world reminds us of Father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi.”

Though now aged, Desmond Tutu seemed not to have lost much of his old energy as he brought the service to a close.

He scolded the crowd that seemed to be unruly by making noise.

“I won’t speak until there is pin-drop silence,” “You must show the world you are disciplined. I want to hear a pin drop.”

He also made them swear: “We promise to God we will follow the example of Nelson Mandela.”

With 91 heads of state attending, security was tight but South Africa rose to the occasion working off plans developed for years in secret, using an elite military task

force, sniper teams and canine teams to help secure the stadium.

“Should anybody, anything dare to disturb or disrupt this period of mourning and finally taking and accompanying the former president to his last resting place, then that person will be dealt with,” Brig.-Gen. Xolani Mabanga had told Cable News Network (CNN) on Monday.

A minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane, had also confidently told journalists on Monday: “We can assure that all necessary steps have been taken, and that is why the leadership of the world and former leaders of the world have confidence to come to our country at this time to share with us this moment.”

As Obama flew into South Africa, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes had told reporters aboard Air Force One that they were satisfied with security arrangements.

“We do not have any concerns.

“The South Africans hosted

the World Cup, so they have experience hosting significant crowds and managing events like this, although clearly this is really a unique event in the world.”

While yesterday’s memorial is the first major event honouring Mandela since his death, it won’t be the last.

A state funeral will be held on Sunday in Mandela’s ancestral hometown of Qunu in Eastern Cape Province.

Yesterday’s has begun to be compared with other significant state funerals in recent decades, such as that of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1965 and the 2008 funeral of Pope John Paul II, which attracted some two million people to Rome – among them four kings, five queens, at least 70 presidents and prime ministers and the leaders of 14 other faiths.

Metal detectors and some 15,000 members of security forces stood watch over the

He taught by example, says Ban Ki-Moon N his tribute yesterday, the ItaryUnited Nations (UN) SecreGeneral, Ban Ki-Moon, said that Nelson Mandela was one of the greatest leaders of our time, adding that “he was the greatest teacher who taught by example.”

He added that South Africa will see a rainbow of hope following the death of the former president.

“I am deeply honoured... to attend the state memorial service for Mandela,” Ban said at Mandela’s memorial service at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.

“This memorial is a wondrous display of this rainbow nation.

I hope we will be able to see the rainbow soon, through the rain of sadness.”

He said Mandela had been prepared to give up everything for freedom and democracy.

“The world has lost a beloved friend and mentor. He was more than one of the greatest leaders of our time: he was the greatest teacher. He taught by example,” he said.

“Lama Ngoxolo (Rest in peace).”

Mandela

Why we declared three-day mourning, by Jonathan From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan again yesterday defended Nigeria’s declaration of three days of mourning and a memorial service for the late South African President, Nelson Mandela.

He told reporters shortly before departing for FNB Stadium in Pretoria for the state funeral service that Mandela was a symbol of unity who grew beyond South Africa and the African continent.

He said that was why in the heyday of apartheid, Nigerians, including students, workers and musicians like the late Sonny Okosun contributed to the liberation of South Africa.

For him, the late South African anti-apartheid hero was somebody who took the state and the interest of the people much more than his

own self and stood out clearly above a number of people in terms of leadership.

Jonathan urged leaders to learn from Mandela’s ability to unite his people irrespective of challenges and his commitment to peace and love.

According to him, despite the fact that the struggle to take political office is very challenging, every leader must bear in mind that he/she is the president of everybody and not of a select few once in office.

Jonathan said: “First, I would use this opportunity again to express our condolences to South Africa and indeed the rest of Africa and indeed the black race because Mandela grew beyond boundaries, the political map of South Africa, so this concerns everybody.

“Mandela was a symbol of

unity, somebody who took the state and the interest of the people much more than his own self and he stood out clearly above a number of people in terms of leadership of our states. He was able to bring unity and peace to South Africa, in spite of the challenges of apartheid regime. Nigeria, during the apartheid struggle, made contributions, all of us, including students and workers. That is why Nigeria was considered a frontline state even though we are quiet far away in the region of West Africa.

“So, Nigeria was totally committed to the liberation struggle in South Africa, all Nigerians, including our musicians. And that is why we will like them to play some of the records including that of the late Sonny Okosun, who used his voice and artistry to really push

the apartheid struggle from back home in Nigeria.

“So, since we worked hard with the South Africans during the struggle, now that Mandela the face of the struggle is dead, we have to encourage the South Africans and to reassure them that the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa will continue to grow stronger and stronger.”

On why Nigeria declared three days of mourning and held a church service in Mandela’s honour despite the fact that he was a South African, the President said: “Nigeria declared three days of mourning and our flags were flown at half mast, and we had special services in all our mosques and churches that culminated in the State House Chapel where I worship.

“We did that because as I mentioned earlier, during

the apartheid struggle, Nigeria was one country that was totally committed. Though we were not there physically in the land of South Africa, all Nigerians were totally committed because we felt their pain was our own pain, their struggle was our own struggle.

Even when apartheid collapsed, we consider their victory as our own victory.

“That is why now that Mandela being the face of the struggle is dead, it is only proper for Nigeria to participate and celebrate with the South Africans just like we did during the struggle”.

Asked about his message to leaders on Mandela, Jonathan said: “The lessons we leaders learnt from Mandela is the ability of a leader to unite the people irrespective of challenges. Because the struggle to take political offices is very challenging,

you face a lot of obstacles but when you get there you know you are the president of everybody.

“Mandela was able to bring the unity even amongst the blacks of South Africa not just among the whites and blacks. Even among the blacks, there were issues but because of his style of leadership and his commitment to the people, he was able to bring that unity, he was able to show love and peace.

“He was a very courageous man and he used all the skills he had to challenge apartheid and bring unity to South Africa. So, we must all learn from that to consider our citizens more than our personal interest and make sure we bring peace and unity. Those are the elements of development of any society because without peace you cannot develop economically.”

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MANDELA’S MEMORIAL SERVICE

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon (left), and South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma.

Danish Prime Minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt; United States President, Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, and other dignitaries.

Cuba’s President, Raul Castro (left) and Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff,.

People holding a giant portrait of Nelson Mandela arrive moments before the memorial… yesterday.

A section of the crowd for late South African president, Nelson Mandela, at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday.

Former British Prime Minister, John Major (middle); former U.S. Presidents George W Bush (right) and Bill Clinton.

A boy writes a message for Mandela.

PHOTOS: GETTY/IMAGE

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NEWS Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Reps query ministry’s N2.6bn kept in CBN, FCMB From Terhemba Daka, Abuja NGRY members of the A Uche Ekwunife-led House of Representatives Committee on Environment yesterday accused the Ministry of Environment of lack of transparency and corruption, among other acts of misdemeanour allegedly perpetrated by the authorities.

The committee members, who took turns to speak also queried the ministry over a N2.6 billion domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as well as First City Monument Bank (FCMB) when the

contractors who facilitated the execution of over 60 per cent of the jobs given to them were yet to receive payments.

During an oversight yesterday, by the committee to the ministry, a member, Pat Asadu said he was ready to personally drag the ministry to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for corruption even if it means relinquishing his parliamentary immunity.

The lawmaker said there have been complaints and written protests and allegations that money has to be paid by contractors before their letters of contract was

signed.

His words: “The lack of transparency and level of corruption in this ministry is a shame. The money you collect from contractors ensures that projects don’t get kicked off. I am going to mention names that can be prosecuted. The companies that you select that are doing deals with you are talking to me.

He further alleged that of the constituency contract jobs worth N40 million, N9.1 million is collected from some contractors even before the jobs given were started, adding that prose-

cuting corruption in the ministry was the only way in the circumstance.

The lawmaker threatened to “bring contractors who paid money and they will state whom they paid to.”

But responding on behalf of the ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Haruna Taiye, who represented the minister, refuted the allegation and declared that any contractor that has such claims should bring it to public knowledge, adding “I will like to meet one or two contractors who have this allegation. I am ready to discipline anyone that is doing that.”

Taiye said of the N4.1 billion released so far to the ministry, “over N2. 6 billion awaiting payment and this we will collect by tomorrow,” he said this was exclusive of the N 1 billion in Special Duties Ministry.

But members of the committee sought to know if the N2.6 billion was idle funds or money from over-budgeting.

They queried the wisdom in keeping such a huge amount in the CBN and the FCMB a few weeks to the end of the year.

The committee also expressed displeasure that of the 140 projects on erosion

Most Decent and Best Officer, Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA), Lateefat Giwa (left); State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola; Most Outstanding Junior Officer, Tonode Babatunde and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport Education, Dr. Mariam Temitope Masha, during the official launch of the Law Enforcement Training Institute and graduation of officers of LASTMA and KAI Class 2012/2013 at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos ... yesterday.

control the ministry was handling, it could only satisfactorily explain 28 of them.

Chairman of the Committee, Uche Ekwunife said, “the committee will investigate and if the allegations are found to be true, we will not hesitate to recommend that the appropriate sanctions be taken against anyone found wanting.”

She requested to be furnished with the account of the ministry for the past two years and the contractors handling the Green Wall Project.

“On the Green Wall Project, we keep waiting, this is the fourth month and nothing has happened. We want the list of contractors, the people that applied and those that were chosen, and statement of accounts of the Ministry of Environment for the past two years- both recurrent and capital.’’

Also the Committee visited National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) as part of the oversight.

According to the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Mrs. Ngeri Benebo, out of a total of N2.9 billion appropriated, N2. 2 billion was released for the agency and that 99.75 per cent of the released amount has been utilised.

At the NOSDRA, the committee questioned the increase in the personnel register of the agency from about 200 to 500 within a single month without the approval of the National Assembly and wondered where the agency would find the funds to pay them.

Ekwunife said in spite of this, “We have not seen appreciable cleanup by the oil companies and people living in the oil producing communities are miserable.”

Wamakko’s deputy, Shagari, rejects APC, party lauds Tambuwal From Eric Meya (Sokoto) and John Akubo (Dutse) LL is not victory in Sokoto A State for the receiving All Progressives Congress (APC), as the Deputy Governor, Mukhtari Shehu Shagari, has shunned the defection train, insisting that he remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and does not “jump party.”

Coming barely four hours after the State Executive Council endorsed Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko’s defection with his supporters to the APC, Shagari told a press conference at his residence on Monday night that he joined the PDP on his own in 1998 and not because of anybody.

According to him, his membership of the PDP has not changed since then because the party’s principles and programmes are in tandem with his belief in national unity, development and cohesion.

He said he has “not formed the habit of jumping from party to party” because he is highly principled and a man of his words. The former minister of Water Resources recounted how he resigned his appointment as minister to contest the governorship of the state at the instance of ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo.

volving the excess crude account, the Sure-P scandal and Oduahgate. ministration’s tepid fight pany with the Speaker over the ‘’These are slam dunk corrupagainst corruption.” criticism of President tion cases that should have In a statement issued in Lagos Jonathan’s nonchalant been handed over to the antiyesterday by its Interim Na- stand on corruption, which has corruption agencies for sumtional Publicity Secretary, Al- eaten deeper into the national mary disposal.

Instead, haji Lai Mohammed, the party fabric under the present ad- the President - thinking Nigerisaid the Speaker exhibited a ministration, adding: ‘’We have ans will merely scream and forleadership trait that is rare in raised the same issues raised by get after some time - engages these parts by shunning parti- the Hon. Speaker several times in his usual distracting sanship to say that the Presi- in our regular intervention, but method o#f setting up comdent’s body language does not the administration has dis- mittees, the report of which he indicate that he has the politi- missed our concerns on the al- will then put away to gather cal will to fight corruption in tar of partisanship. dust....until another corrupthe country. ‘’However, now that no less a tion case rears its ugly head. ‘’Hon. Tambuwal and Presi- personality than the country’s ‘’Nigerians are not stupid and dent Jonathan belong to the number four citizen and a top they understand very clearly same political party, but this member of the PDP is the one that the President is shielding did not deter the Speaker from raising the issue, and coming corrupt people, as long as they rising above crass partisanship against the background of are willing and able to conwhen the issue involved bor- Nigeria’s slide in the 2013 rank- tribute massively, from their ders on national interest. This ings released recently by the ill-gotten funds, to his (Presiis the stuff of good leadership. global anti-corruption body dent’s) campaign slush funds. ‘’Hon. Tambuwal has shown Transparency International, we Now that a person of the calithat he is indeed the Speaker of hope the administration will bre of the Speaker of the House the Federal House of Represen- realize that it has only been of Representatives has added tatives and that the entire paying a lip service to the anti- his voice to this burning issue, country is his constituency, un- graft battle, and perhaps make the die is cast for Mr. President: like President Jonathan who amends,’’ the party said. He can either move to redeem has transformed himself to a It said the Speaker was totally the image of his administraPDP and a sectional leader by right in talking about the Pres- tion or continue to swim in the viewing serious issues of na- ident’s body language, which is ocean of tional importance from the a reflection of the deceptive ac- corruption,’’ APC added. prism of partisanship and sec- tions he (President Jonathan) Meanwhile, presidential cantionalism,’’ it said, expressing has taken time and again over didate of the defunct All Nigerthe hope that other Nigerians very serious issues of corrup- ian Peoples Party (ANPP) in the will emulate the Speaker. tion, including the monumen- 2011 elections, Mallam Ibrahim APC said the party was de- tal fuel subsidy scam, the Shekarau, has described the lighted to be in the same com- pension scam, the fraud in- five PDP governors that de-

• Defecting G-5 governors unserious, says Shekarau He also recalled that after winning the party’s primaries, Chief Obasanjo and his uncle, Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, prevailed on him to step down for Wamakko.

Those sacrifices, he said, were because he wanted the party to form the government, adding that he had remained loyal to the party and government. However, he lamented that since recent political developments, particularly the PDP crisis and the G7 governors, he had not been consulted by anybody.

Shagari insisted that as somebody with supporters, family, parents and leaders whom he respects, he deserved to have been consulted.

Nevertheless, he said the doors for reconciliation were still open and hoped that everything would be resolved and he and his “boss” would be together again in the PDP to move the nation forward.

Meanwhile, the APC has commended House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal for his “patriotism and dedication to the nation, following his principled stand on the Jonathan Ad-

fected to APC as clowns who want to eat their cakes and keep them.

Shekarau, a two-term governor in Kano State, who spoke through his Director of Press, Mallam Sule Ya’u Sule, in Dutse yesterday, maintained that the actors are yet to prove their commitment beyond mere declaration.

He said: “We are aware of their verbal declarations, but it transcends mere declarations. The defecting governors are yet to define their positions to the APC. “We are aware that all the socalled governors till today are still flying the PDP flags in their respective Government Houses; they are also flying the same PDP flags on their official vehicles, so how do we believe them?

“They have been sitting on the fence and when the coast is not clear for them in the APC, they may make a U-turn to their former party”.

He explained that notwithstanding his opinion, the APC is open to all. He, however, urged the party to ascertain those willing to come over to the party.

“It is only right for us to know who is genuinely joining us for good and those doing so on the contrary,” Shekarau added.

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NEWSPOT Wednesday, December 11, 2013

AfriHeritage hosts forum on NEPAD’s initiatives

World Bank donates N100m to Edo schools • Youths laud court verdict on senator

S part of its initiative to A help Africa overcome its problems of under-develop-

From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City HE World Bank has donated T a grant of over N100 million to Edo government to work on selected technical colleges across the state as part of efforts to produce qualified artisans and middle-level manpower.

The benefitting technical colleges are those in Benin City, Igarra, Afuze, Irrua, College of Agriculture Ughioriaki and the Skill Acquisition Center, Aduwawa. The fund is released under the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR).

Meanwhile, a group, EdoNorth Youth Solidarity Movement (ENYSM), yesterday lauded the Court of Appeal in Abuja for striking out an appeal brought before it by Yisa Braimoh, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) immediate past senator representing EdoNorth Senatorial District against his successor, Domingo Obende, who he alleged, forged the primary school certificate he presented for the election.

Wife of the District Governor, Rotary International District of 9110, Nigeria, Mrs. Olowo (left); District Governor, Olugbemiga Olowo; President, Rotary Club of Ikeja, Goke Olayinka; the Deputy South Africa High Commissioner, Mr. Mokgethi Monaisa and his wife, Cecilia, during their visit to the club in Lagos

ment, poverty and lack of cooperation within the region, AfriHeritage has concluded plans to hold a policy workshop to review the position of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) to such end.

The policy workshop, scheduled to hold tomorrow in Abuja according to a statement by AfriHeritage, would assess the impact of NEPAD in Nigeria in the last 12 years and identify challenges that have inhibited Nigeria in attaining NEPAD’s objectives.

The statement quoting the Executive Director of AfriHeritage, Dr. Ifediora Amobi, read: “The workshop will focus specifically on the current level of NEPAD’s achievement in Nigeria after 12 years of planning and implementation and what can and will be done to strengthen Nigeria’s programme and strategy for an effective NEPAD.”

Groups protest extra-judicial killings From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu (Benin City) and Bertram Nwannekanma (Lagos) ARIOUS human rights groups in the civil society community yesterday marked the World Human Rights Day with statements against extrajudicial killings in Nigeria by security agencies.

At an event put together by the

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• Fashola pledges protection for all African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), in collaboration with that National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and other civil society organisations, Executive Director, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, said: “Locally, we are focusing on the rights of

the citizens to associate freely and to engage in public protests to demand for their rights”.

He lamented that Nigeria has poor human rights record, offences against humanity, which he alleged, were most perpetuated by “security agen-

cies and other government agencies”.

In a paper titled: “Extra-judicial killings: An infringement on the right to life”, a former crime correspondent with The Guardian Express and now a lawyer, Jefferson Uwoghiren, said the police are most culpable in cases of extra-judicial killings, lamenting reported extra-killings occasioned by Boko Haram insurgencies in parts of Nigeria.

“Police Public Relations Officers, in many states, have become adepts of double-speak and deception, in their periodic press releases. A content analysis of many press releases by these PPROs, in the past

years, in their announcement of armed robbery encounters, reveal one major strand weaved through them. It is always predictable. It is always that the police ran into an ambush and while taking an arrested member of a criminal gang to their hideout, they thereafter came under heavy firepower and ‘the police returned superior force power’, two or three of the robbers were killed and many others sustained injuries. Interestingly, the police never shoot first, that is assuming there was an encounter, they are always defending with ‘superior fire power’.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Gover-

nor Babatunde Fashola yesterday pledged total commitment to the protection of citizens’ rights in the state, including the rights of the disabled.

To this end, Lagos is redesigning all public infrastructure to accommodate the needs of physically-challenged persons in the state.

Speaking at the 2013 World Human Rights Day celebration with the theme: “Rights of People Living with Disabilities” and “Human Rights Essay and Debate Competition for Private and Public Schools” at Alausa, Ikeja, Fashola maintained that the protection of rights is all-inclusive, involving the government and private individuals.

Engineers urge govt to reduce N1.3tr spent on rice, sugar importation From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE inability of Nigeria to T feed itself is on steady increase as the country now spends about N1.3 trillion or $8.2 billion on the importation of rice, sugar and fish.

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) said yesterday at the opening of its International Engineering Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting in Abuja, that the worrisome situation calls for urgent and coherent steps to halt the trend.

President of the society, Mustafa Shehu, who stated this in his welcome address at the occasion, said stakeholders in the food production chain must work harmoniously to revive the fast declining agriculture sector.

However, he was bullish on the capacity of Nigerian engineers to lead the renascence of the agriculture sector, saying, “we must as a nation arise and deploy all our technical knowhow, our arable lands, our livestock, our over-flowing rivers and springs, our dams and everything at our disposal to create a multi-level, diversified economy and prove to the world that we are able to create enormous wealth for ourselves in as many ways we desire.”

The NSE chief stated that Nigerian engineers are willing

• Want Ajaokuta Steel revived to lead the revival move, which explained the choice of the 2013 edition of the conference tagged: “Strategies for transforming agriculture and water resources sectors of the Nigerian economy”.

He explained that the conference would deliberate on the strategies best suited for massive production of food within a short period of time.

The engineering body in Nigeria also bemoaned lack of protection for the local manufacturing, coupled with the menacing threat posed by dumping of foreign goods, which has been a continuous hazard to the survival of local manufacturing firms.

Shehu added: “If the Federal Government’s transformation is anything to go by, then, now is the hour to really come up with policies and pronouncements that will adequately protect and promote the indigenous manufacturing concerns and subsequently expand the country’s industrialisation process”.

The NSE boss also lamented the continued neglect of the iron and steel sector of the economy, and the neglect of its potential to generate massive employment and kick-start the coma-

tose economy.

He described iron and steel as the bedrock of industrialisation all over the world and its consumption index determines the living standard of a country.

Shehu submitted that the development of a viable iron and steel industry in Nigeria has for so long been enmeshed in controversies, misinformation, disinformation, near official rejection, corruption and often times, comatose situations.

His words: “Yet, the advantages accruable to Nigeria from the development of its iron and steel industry from its raw material would be, to a very large extent, unquantifiable and enormous. It must be re-emphasised here that foreign agents and consultants from recent history would never encourage steel development in any third world country.

“The Ajaokuta Iron and Steel industry should be resuscitated and begin operation soonest. All the contentious issues need to be addressed. We have not passed the steel stage.”

Shehu also lauded the role of Nigerian engineers in the sustenance of the Liquefied Natural Gas Company Bonny.

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WorldReport Israel approves detention without charges for African migrants SRAEL’S parliament has Igrants moved to ensure African miwho enter the country illegally can be held without charge, despite a Supreme Court ruling that had struck down a previous detention law.

Legislation approved late on Monday set a maximum detention period of one year for new illegal migrants, a change from a term of up to three years stipulated in a previous

law annulled by the court in September.

But with a newly-built Israeli border fence effectively choking off what had been a stream of African migrants crossing from Egypt, the new law could also have an impact on some of the estimated 50,000 mainly Sudanese and Eritrean nationals already in the Jewish state.

The new regulations, which opponents predicted would also be challenged in the Supreme Court, enables authorities to send migrants, now living illegally in Israeli cities, to what the government describes as “open facilities”.

Under the law, their detention would be open-ended,

pending resolution of their asylum requests, implementation of deportation orders or voluntary repatriation.

The first such complex, which can hold several hundred people, is due to begin operating this week in the southern Israeli desert.

Migrants detained there will be able to leave the facility during the day but must return at night, and they will not be allowed to seek employment.

Women, children and families will not, at this stage, be sent to the complex, which the law stipulates must provide health care and social services.

Critics say the facility is effectively a prison.

Legislators who supported the new law said they were defending the Jewish character of Israel. Opponents called the measure undemocratic.

The government sees the migrants as illegal job-seekers, while rights groups and liberal lawmakers say many are asylum-seekers fleeing hardship and persecution in their homelands.

“This law is needed in order to deter potential infiltrators. The present reality is a human ticking timebomb,” coalition lawmaker, Miri Regev, head of the Knesset’s Interior Committee, told parliament.

Since the Supreme Court ruling in September, some 700 of the 1,700 migrants under detention have been released from a prison in southern Israel, officials said. The rest are to be transferred to the new “open facility” this week, the Prisons Authority said.

Tens of thousands of Africans, many working in low-paying jobs as cleaners and dish washers, still populate poor neighborhoods of Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities.

Israel has been trying to persuade them to leave voluntarily in return for a payout. Some 1,700 Sudanese and Eritreans have gone home this year, the Interior Ministry said.

Zahava Galon, head of the leftwing Meretz party, said the migrants were no threat to Israel’s Jewish identity.

“Is this how we, as a people who have sought asylum, treat human beings?” she asked on Israel Radio.

A Christian man chases a suspected Seleka officer in civilian clothes near airport in Bangui on Monday.

PHOTO: AP

French soldiers killed in Central African Republic WO French soldiers have T been killed in combat in the Central African Republic, the French presidency says.

A statement said President Francois Hollande “learned with deep sadness” that the two had been killed overnight in the capital Bangui.

They are the first French deaths since France deployed 1,600 soldiers to the CAR last week in a United Nationsbacked operation.

The CAR has been in chaos since rebel leader Michel Djotodia ousted President Francois Bozize in March.

He installed himself as the first Muslim leader in the Christian-majority country sparking months of bloody clashes between rival Muslim and Christian fighters.

Claude Bartolone, speaker of France’s National Assembly, told reporters that the two paratroopers had been involved in a clash near Bangui airport.

“They were injured and very quickly taken to the surgical unit, but unfortunately they could not be saved,” he said.

The statement from President Hollande’s office said the soldiers had “lost their lives to save many others”.

“The president expresses his profound respect for the sacrifice of these two soldiers and renews his full confidence in the French forces committed alongside African forces - to restoring security in the Central African Republic, to protecting the people and guaranteeing access to humanitarian aid,” it said.

President Hollande is attending Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in South Africa and is due to travel on to Bangui later on Tuesday.

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said French troops - along with African peacekeepers - launched an operation on Monday to forcibly disarm militiamen as well as predominantly Muslim fighters who claimed to be part of the new national army.

Tensions remain high in the country, our correspondent adds.

Extra French troops were sent into the CAR last Friday after the UN Security Council backed a mandate to restore order “by all necessary measures” the previous evening.

The UN resolution followed a surge of violence involving Christian self-defence militias that had sprung up after a se-

ries of attacks by mainly Muslim fighters from the former rebel coalition.

The Red Cross said 394 people were killed in three days of fighting in Bangui. Many of the victims are believed to have been children.

The French army said it has restored some stability in the capital by Monday night.

Following a request from France, the United States announced on Monday it would help fly African Union peacekeeping troops into the CAR. Defence Secretary, Chuck Hagel has ordered US forces “to begin transporting forces from Burundi to the Central African Republic,” his spokesman said.

US President Barack Obama has called for calm and asked the CAR’s transitional government to arrest those who are committing crimes.

France’s defence minister has said fighters loyal to interim president Michel Djotodia must return to barracks and the other fighters would have to surrender their weapons.

France said at the weekend that the African Union would increase the size of its existing force of 2,500 peacekeepers to 6,000.

Deadly Argentina looting spreads T least five people have A been killed as looting spreads through Argentina.

Hundreds have been injured as people took advantage of a police strike to rob shops and homes.

Police have refused to go on patrol until their demands for a salary rise are met.

Their move follows a police walkout in Cordoba province last week which also led to lootings, and which was settled after the governor almost doubled officers’ pay.

Seventeen out of Argentina’s 23 provinces have been affected.

In 10 provinces police remain on strike, while in another

seven, officers say they may have reached a deal.

The governor of Buenos Aires, Argentina’s most populous province, managed to avert a strike by agreeing to almost double the entry-level salary of the police to 8,500 pesos (£830; $1,360) a month.

Nevertheless, thousands of shops closed early for fear of that looting would spread to the capital.

On Sunday night, a young man was electrocuted in the city of Concordia, in northeastern Entre Rios province, when he came in contact with loose cabling in a looted shop.

Another man was killed in

the north-western province of Jujuy, and three more were shot dead in the city of Resistencia in north-eastern Chaco province.

All of the deaths occurred inside stores which were being ransacked.

The government said the lootings were being co-ordinated “by political forces” through social media and blamed the opposition for the unrest.

Cabinet chief, Jorge Capitanich described the unrest as “treason” aimed at spreading fear and chaos on the eve of the 30th anniversary of Argentina’s return to democracy on 10 December

1983.

Justice Minister, Julio Alak warned police officers who had walked out that the justice system would “come down hard on those who are not carrying out this essential service”.

He also said that those who were behind the violence would be charged.

Police said entry-level salaries of below 6,000 pesos a month were not sufficient to keep up with Argentina’s rising inflation and consumer prices.

But Capitanich called on them to resolve their grievances through dialogue rather than “holding governors to ransom”.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 POLITICS

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

11

Politics Mandela,a giant of history, says Obama O Graça Machel and the Mandela family; to T President Zuma and members of the government; to heads of state and government, past and present; distinguished guests - it is a singular honor to be with you today, to celebrate a life unlike any other. To the people of South Africa people of every race and walk of life - the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us.

His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and hope found expression in his life, and your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy.

It is hard to eulogise any man - to capture in words not just the facts and the dates that make a life, but the essential truth of a person - their private joys and sorrows; the quiet moments and unique qualities that illuminate someone’s soul. How much harder to do so for a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice, and in the process moved billions around the world.

Born during World War I, far from the corridors of power, a boy raised herding cattle and tutored by elders of his Thembu tribe - Madiba would emerge as the last great liberator of the 20th century. Like Gandhi, he would lead a resistance movement - a movement that at its start held little prospect of success. Like King, he would give potent voice to the claims of the oppressed, and the moral necessity of racial justice. He would endure a brutal imprisonment that began in the time of Kennedy and Khrushchev, and reached the final days of the Cold War. Emerging from prison, without force of arms, he would - like Lincoln - hold his country together when it threatened to break apart.

Like America’s founding fathers, he would erect a constitutional order to preserve freedom for future generations - a commitment to democracy and rule of law ratified not only by his election, but by his willingness to step down from power.

Given the sweep of his life, and the adoration that he so rightly earned, it is tempting then to remember Nelson Mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men. But Madiba himself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait. Instead, he insisted on sharing with us his doubts and fears; his miscalculations along with his victories. “I’m not a saint,” he said, “unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

It was precisely because he could admit to imperfection - because he could be so full of good humor, even mischief, despite the heavy burdens he carried - that we loved him so. He was not a bust made of marble; he was a man of flesh and blood - a son and husband, a father and a friend. That is why we learned so much from him; that is why we can learn from him still. For nothing he achieved was inevitable. In the arc of his life, we see a man who earned his place in history through struggle and shrewdness; persistence and faith. He tells us what’s possible not just in the pages of dusty history books, but in our own lives as well.

Mandela showed us the power of action; of taking risks on behalf of our ideals. Perhaps Madiba was right that he inherited, “a proud rebelliousness, a stubborn sense of fairness” from his father. Certainly he shared with millions of black and colored South Africans the anger born of, “a thousand slights, a thousand indignities, a thousand unremembered moments…a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people.”

But like other early giants of the ANC - the Sisulus and Tambos - Madiba disciplined his anger; and channeled his desire to fight into organization, and platforms, and strategies for action, so men and women could stand-up for their god-given dignity. Moreover, he accepted the consequences of his actions, knowing that

To the people of South Africa - people of every race and walk of life - the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us. His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and hope found expression in his life, and your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy

Mandela standing up to powerful interests and injustice carries a price. “I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination,” he said at his 1964 trial. “I’ve cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal which I am prepared to die for.”

Mandela taught us the power of action, but also ideas; the importance of reason and arguments; the need to study not only those you agree with, but those who you don’t. He understood that ideas cannot be contained by prison walls, or extinguished by a sniper’s bullet. He turned his trial into an indictment of apartheid because of his eloquence and passion, but also his training as an advocate. He used decades in prison to sharpen his arguments, but also to spread his thirst for knowledge to others in the movement.

And he learned the language and customs of his oppressor so that one day he might better convey to them how their own freedom depended upon his.

Mandela demonstrated that action and ideas are not enough; no matter how right, they must be chiseled into laws and institutions. He was practical, testing his beliefs against the hard surface of circumstance and history. On core principles he was unyielding, which is why he could rebuff offers of conditional release, reminding the Apartheid regime that, “prisoners cannot enter into contracts.” But as he showed in painstaking negotiations to transfer power and draft new laws, he was not afraid to compromise for the sake of a larger goal. And because he was not only a leader of a movement, but a skillful politician, the Constitution that emerged was worthy of this multiracial democracy; true to his vision of laws that protect minority as well as majority rights, and the precious freedoms of every South African.

Finally, Mandela understood the ties that bind the human spirit. There is a word in South Africa- Ubuntu - that describes his greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that can be invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us. We can never know how much of this was innate in him, or how much of was shaped and burnished in a dark, solitary cell. But we remember the gestures, large and small - introducing his jailors as honored guests at his inauguration; taking the pitch in a Springbok uniform; turning his family’s heartbreak into a call to confront HIV/AIDS - that

Obama revealed the depth of his empathy and understanding. He not only embodied Ubuntu; he taught millions to find that truth within themselves. It took a man like Madiba to free not just the prisoner, but the jailor as well; to show that you must trust others so that they may trust you; to teach that reconciliation is not a matter of ignoring a cruel past, but a means of confronting it with inclusion, generosity and truth.

He changed laws, but also hearts.

For the people of South Africa, for those he inspired around the globe - Madiba’s passing is rightly a time of mourning, and a time to celebrate his heroic life. But I believe it should also prompt in each of us a time for self-reflection.

With honesty, regardless of our station or circumstance, we must ask: how well have I applied his lessons in my own life?

It is a question I ask myself - as a man and as a President. We know that like South Africa, the United States had to overcome centuries of racial subjugation. As was true here, it took the sacrifice of countless people - known and unknown - to see the dawn of a new day.

Michelle and I are the beneficiaries of that struggle. But in America and South Africa, and countries around the globe, we cannot allow our progress to cloud the fact that our work is not done. The struggles that follow the victory of formal equality and universal franchise may not be as filled with drama and moral clarity as those that came before, but they are no less important.

For around the world today, we still see children suffering from hunger, and disease; run-down schools, and few prospects for the future.

Around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs; and are still persecuted for what they look like, or how they worship, or who they love.

We, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must act on behalf of peace. There are too many of us who happily embrace Madiba’s legacy of racial reconciliation, but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality. There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people. And there are too many of us who stand on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism when our voices must be heard.

The questions we face today - how to promote equality and justice; to uphold freedom and human rights; to end conflict and sectarian war - do not have easy answers. But there were no easy answers in front of that child in Qunu.

Nelson Mandela reminds us that it always seems

We will never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. But let me say to the young people of Africa, and young people around the world - you can make his life’s work your own. Over thirty years ago, while still a student, I learned of Mandela and the struggles in this land. It stirred something in me. It woke me up to my responsibilities - to others, and to myself and set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today impossible until it is done. South Africa shows us that is true. South Africa shows us we can change. We can choose to live in a world defined not by our differences, but by our common hopes. We can choose a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity.

We will never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. But let me say to the young people of Africa, and young people around the world - you can make his life’s work your own. Over thirty years ago, while still a student, I learned of Mandela and the struggles in this land. It stirred something in me. It woke me up to my responsibilities - to others, and to myself - and set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today. And while I will always fall short of Madiba’s example, he makes me want to be better. He speaks to what is best inside us. After this great liberator is laid to rest; when we have returned to our cities and villages, and rejoined our daily routines, let us search then for his strength - for his largeness of spirit - somewhere inside ourselves. And when the night grows dark, when injustice weighs heavy on our hearts, or our best laid plans seem beyond our reach - think of Madiba, and the words that brought him comfort within the four walls of a cell: It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

What a great soul it was. We will miss him deeply. May God bless the memory of Nelson Mandela. May God bless the people of South Africa.

TheGuardian

12 | Wednesday, December 11, 2013

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011) Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816

Editorial Death on the roads

HE recent disclosure by Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), that no fewer than 34,641 people have been killed in road accidents since 2003 is an official acknowledgement of the harvest of deaths that is being recorded daily on Nigeria’s highways. And it is just appropriate that the FRSC analysis says “the situation is gloomy”, adding that “any country with this record of deaths from road sector alone would have declared a state of emergency”.

The situation is both alarming and worrisome. It is more so when viewed in the light of government’s purported expenditure on road maintenance, of public enlightenment campaign on safety carried out by the FRSC and other agencies, and of other regimes about highway use and road worthiness.

Many years ago, a joint study carried out by the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Bank and Harvard University forecast that in 2020, road crashes would become the third leading cause of deaths and disability. Also a recent study suggests that Nigeria has the second highest rate of road accidents among 193 countries, even as deaths from road accidents are said to be the third leading cause of death in Nigeria.

No situation captures this grisly reality better than the road mishaps in the last few weeks. Early last month, a ghastly auto crash involving a convoy of Kogi State governor, Idris Wada and a vehicle of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) along the notorious Lokoja-Abuja Expressway, claimed the life of eminent academic, activist and award-winning novelist, Professor Festus Iyayi. In Lagos, at least eight people were feared dead and several others injured when a truck, alleged to have suffered a brake failure, veered off its lane at Oshodi and crashed onto four stationary vehicles. In another area of Lagos, Ajah, a water tanker ran onto crossing school children on the ever busy Lekki-Epe Expressway allegedly killing five children and injuring several others. About the same period, three persons were confirmed dead and seven injured in another auto crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. From Lagos to Kano, Port Harcourt to Sokoto, it is carnage on the roads.

If this is the horrid state of affairs then there is need for urgent attention and action to avert a manifestation of the prediction offered by this ominous statistics. It, thus, calls for diligent enforcement of the laws, proactive public enlightenment and re-orientation on safety education and proper use of the roads, if crashes, with their attendant fatality, are to be averted.

Given this administration’s poor public image, itself a self-inflicted setback, it is fashionable to blame the government for everything. But truth be told, are there no provisions in the Criminal Code and extant traffic laws at both state and federal levels to address road traffic offences? How well are the police, the FRSC and states’ traffic management authorities enforcing these traffic laws? According to the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Osita Chidoka, statistics indicate that between March and September this year about 1000 people have been killed in road accidents, and 65 per cent of this carnage is attributed to over speeding. What then has been done about over speeding?

Despite the estimated N1.414 trillion said to have been expended on the maintenance of roads since 1999, Nigerian roads are so deplorable and dilapidated that they have become death traps. This situation is further compounded by the menace of tankers and articulated vehicles that either break down on the poorly rehabilitated roads, or turn good roads into highway to hell!

However, beyond bad roads and levity with the law, there is an apparent low morale and dissipated sense of compliance with the law, which have been bequeathed to Nigerian road users by the bad examples of well placed Nigerians, especially convoy drivers of political leaders. This is reflected in indiscipline, apathy and the little or no premium placed on human life by many road users.

Were road users to accord some respect to the human person irrespective of his or her status or position, the recklessness associated with irresponsible management and abuse of vehicles and roads would seldom arise.

Like every machine, which is the work of human hands, the automobile is a contraption which subsists on voluntary action to accomplish its desired goal of moving people and goods from one place to another. When, through actions of omission or commission, a person defaults in the management of the automobile, the result is often a crash that may lead to fatal circumstances. Taking this fact into consideration, it should be understood that road safety depends on a synergy between automobile users or drivers, pedestrians, and the department responsible for traffic management.

Notwithstanding the misnomers of ‘accident’, which suggests inadvertent or unintentional action, road crashes are not always unconscious or non-rational occurrences. They often occur through the deliberate actions of people, and as such they are preventable.

To avert crashes on highways, there is need for cognitive restructuring of the people through aggressive enlightenment campaigns and objective enforcement of traffic laws by the FRSC, Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), and other relevant agencies. Beyond intensifying their routine enlightenment campaigns, road safety agencies should positively reinforce the need for mental alertness in both pedestrians and road users behind the wheels. Bold illustrations on safety awareness should be provided at strategic places in accident-prone areas, while the institution of effective highway patrol system, specifically to curb traffic offences, such as over-speeding, should be put in place.

To this end, the FRSC and related agencies should desist from road safety regimes that emphasize punitive revenue-generation strategies, and opt for proactive and corrective change-effecting initiatives.

T

LETTERS

Oshiomhole and other goofs IR: Governor Adams The Academic Staff Union of (Nigerian) Universities SState Oshiomhole of Edo has not done well (ASUU) is saying enough of oppression and decepboth in his treatment of the widow and his eventual apology, giving away N2 million cash, immediate employment, and scholarship for one son of the widow. Given the ocean of poor people who are equally roadside traders and even less fortunate ones that are in Edo Sate slums, isn’t that compensation disproportionate?

The complaint of those who decamped from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to the Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State, due to which ACN lost the gubernatorial election to the LP, was that ACN lacked internal democracy, such that orders were coming from Lagos. ACN remained confident until the election result indicated that it suffered substantial loss of membership. One would have expected the leadership of the party to have learnt its lesson, but its recent loss of Honourable Opeyemi Bamidele to the LP in Ekiti State does not give confidence in that direction.

Each time someone decamps with his or her followers, you say “Good riddance to bad rubbish”.

Before you know it, you are finished. Why can’t

tion; we don’t want to play the fool, to go back to work, only to discover that we have been fooled again. Supposing the government has been trustworthy all along? Let other unions emulate ASUU, and governmental irresponsibility will fizzle-out or reduce drastically.

Ekiti people be given the chance to choose between Fayemi and Bamidele? Even if the local leaders of APC might be playing the incumbent Governor’s card, but is the national leadership watchful, in a situation in which clinching the centre is dictated by how many states you have; and winning a state depends on your followership strength in the state?

If you do not pay attention to the conduct of your party’s functionaries; people will point to it on the day of reckoning – election time. I don’t spare any political party. One governor was chasing women for indecent dressing, and trying to mix schools that were not mixed, and betraying religious sentimentalism, etc.

Some others make unpopular laws; demolishing people’s business centres or even houses heartlessly, banning commercial motorcycling without con-

sideration for people’s livelihood and the pedestrians who need the motorcycles, etc. Insensitivity and arrogance become the orders of the day.

The Academic Staff Union of (Nigerian) Universities (ASUU) is saying enough of oppression and deception; we don’t want to play the fool, to go back to work, only to discover that we have been fooled again.

Supposing the government has been trustworthy all along? Let other unions emulate ASUU, and governmental irresponsibility will fizzle-out or reduce drastically.

Tenure elongation, and not electoral reform, is the reason the Legislature is working hard to review Nigeria’s constitution. Yes, egocentricism; the same spirit that truncated rotational presidency, and engender destabilization.

• Pius Abioje, University of Ilorin.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

13

Opinion Mandela, a lesson in political greatness

By Anthony Akinola Y virtue of their exalted positions, politiB cal leaders are invariably famous! We see their faces on television and in newspapers and we also hear their voices on radio. The notorious ones among them intimidate us with their posters or statues, palaces and the exclusive streets they name after themselves. They would rather celebrate their own lives than be patient with history!

However, these rascals in positions of power are reduced to ordinariness as soon as they are relieved of political power. The most mischievous of them (the Samuel Does, the Nicolae Ceausescus, the Saddam Husseins and the Muammar Gaddafis) get consumed by the anger of the oppressed, begging in vain for their lives to be spared!

Fame or notoriety is transient, while greatness endures. Political greatness is about doing deeds whose consequences endure in history. Great political leaders do not come in rapid succession; they come once in a while.

The magnitude of political greatness is determined by the magnitude of crises or challenges a political leader is confronted with.

It is not by choice that the political leaders whose names ring through history and in our subconscious memories have been those who were great nation builders, or great managers of wars, or great heralds of economic prosperity. The great nations of the world have their Abraham Lincolns, Winston Churchills, Mao Tse-tungs, Mahatma Gandhis and Otto von Bismarks, to mention just a few. Even in death, great political leaders inspire generations of would-be leaders.

The Black world, in the modern era, has donated two great names to the world of political mythology. Both Martin Luther King Jnr and Nelson Mandela were products of similar as well as contrasting historical circumstances. They were members of multi-racial societies in which their own peoples were at the receiving end of injustice and degradation. The majority white group meted out injustice to the minority black in one instance, while the minority white also meted out injustice to the majority black in another. Both Martin Luther King Jnr and Nelson Mandela were historical characters in the crusade to bring sanity to what was a hopeless situation.

They were men of exceptional courage, in-

telligence, eloquence, vision and character. Martin Luther King Jnr. paid the ultimate price in his crusade for racial equality and justice, while Nelson Mandela had his freedom curtailed in an incredible 27 years of imprisonment. Today, we celebrate the fact that both men and their apostles have been vindicated.

The world mourns Nelson Mandela who died recently on December 5 at the ripe old age of 95. His death has captured the imagination of the entire world. Of course the role he played in ending the obnoxious apartheid system in South Africa is monumental; what, however, the rest of the world is celebrating today is the exceptional character of one individual. One doubts if he would have been that revered if he were vengeful, or had exhibited political greed by wanting to die in office. Neither was he obsessed with personal wealth and the perquisites that appeal to ordinary human beings. In suffering and forgiving his tormentors, Nelson Mandela, according to Professor Ladipo Adamolekun, is the nearest we have to Jesus Christ in Christian mythology.

It is noteworthy that President Goodluck Jonathan declared three days of mourning in

memory of Africa’s most illustrious son. This gesture is not enough. What can we learn from Nelson Mandela in terms of personal contentment and spirit of reconciliation? What can Jonathan himself learn from this global icon as he ponders his own political future amidst fierce disagreements and possible chaos? When one’s political right conflicts with the national interest, which one should prevail over the other?

For our nation, one urges that we reflect on the struggles of our racial compatriots in the United States of America and South Africa. They had more vicious experiences to contend with than many of us could imagine. With purposeful leadership, we should prevail and ours be counted among the most important nations of the world. Great leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jnr re-write history because their dreams transcend big mansions and private jets! Great leaders live their lives for the sake of others.

• Dr. Akinola, a public affairs and political analyst, wrote from Oxford, the United Kingdom.

The illustrious examples of Mandela

By Kayode Fayemi HE passing of Nelson Mandela after his prolonged hosT pitalisation should not be a cause for sadness on any account. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and offer our prayers for them and for the people of South Africa. But we also recognize that his passing at the ripe old age of 95 is a fitting crown to the rich full life that Madiba lived, playing a starring role in what is surely the 20th century’s most compelling odyssey of human freedom from tyranny.

Rather than mourning, Mandela’s transition into glory should be an occasion for celebration and reflection.

Firstly, we celebrate the final consummation of a life well spent. The phrase “a life well spent” which is commonly used in obituaries has become an overworked cliché but in the case of Madiba it is not a cliché at all. It is more than worthily applied to describe a man who expended his energies in the service of humanity, risking everything including his life to actualize the ideal of freedom. It is this exemplary life that we have much cause to celebrate.

Even, as we revel in the honour and blessing of having lived to witness the life and times of one of history’s most iconic political figures, we must also ponder his luminous legacy. His death closes an epic story of the triumph of the human spirit over injustice and tyranny.

Born into a country characterised by apartheid and racial hate, where the black majority was ruled by a white supremacist minority, Mandela discovered his cause and his life’s mission early enough. As the liberation movement’s most prominent militant leader, Mandela had been effective as a shadowy and elusive figure orchestrating sabotage attacks on government facilities and showcasing the ability of a long-oppressed people to fight for their freedom.

But as a prisoner, he became the symbol of apartheid’s oppressive inhumanity. It was Mandela’s face that readily came to mind when people the world over thought and talked about South Africa. His imprisonment helped to mobilise global public opinion and a campaign for international sanctions against South Africa, as well as near universal censure and isolation of the apartheid regime.

It was this suffocating and strangulating isolation of South Africa as a pariah state and mounting unrest on the streets that finally compelled reformist elements within the establishment to renegotiate South Africa’s destiny. When Mandela was finally released from prison in 1990, after nearly three decades in the custody of the apartheid state, he emerged as a figure of unparalleled moral authority.

Mandela successfully negotiated constitutional black majority rule – achieving one of the core aims of the ANC. In so doing, he had to navigate a turbulent period of transition during which chronic violence between Xhosas and Zulus, and between white right wing extremists and black

zealots threatened to degenerate into civil war. Remarkably, Mandela emerged from prison preaching forgiveness and reconciliation as the only path to a new and sustainable South Africa. He understood that even as white domination had proven repressive and unjust, so too would black domination prove to be unsustainable. He insisted on the democratic and multi-racial vision enshrined in the freedom charter, the guiding document of the liberation movement.

He wisely charted a course between the two extremes of black anger and lust for vengeance on one hand as well as white fear and resistance to change on the other. The challenge of doing so was immense because white extremists and black extremists were threatening to unleash death and destruction. Many watchers felt that a racial civil war between whites and blacks and even war between ANC cadres and the Zulu Inkatha Freedom Party were inevitable. Mandela’s conciliatory posture helped to defuse those tensions and shepherd the nation through a transition process that culminated in his election as the first democratically elected president of the country. This is how South Africa was transformed from an apartheid state to a multi-racial democracy – the rainbow country.

It must be said that the work of liberating South Africa was not Mandela’s alone and he has never claimed any such messianic mantle for himself. His iconic status as a pivotal figure in the odyssey of South African liberation is un-impeachable. But he belonged to a very distinguished cast of leaders that included freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and Govan Mbeki. And these heroic freedom fighters were themselves the second generation of the struggle ordained by the founders of the African National Congress. They were heirs to Albert Luthuli, John Dube, Sol Plaatje and other heroic patriots. Together these patriots forged a political tradition of such resilience that it altered the course of South Africa’s history.

This is an important point because the idea of Mandela can be easily reduced to championing the emergence of rare superhuman political saints. This is not the leadership lesson that we should be taking away from Mandela’s odyssey. Mandela was the product of an already established revolutionary tradition. Side by side with his cohorts, great liberation fighters like Tambo and Sisulu, he was comfortable. There was a remarkable absence of personality clashes; egos were submerged in the cause of the greater good of securing a free South Africa. There was little or none of the jostling for leadership that often characterizes liberation movements on the cusp of attaining power.

This is something we must ponder as we reflect upon the state of leadership in our country. Our challenge is not to produce one messianic leader but to create a tradition of patriotic leadership and raise a corps of leaders bound by a common ethos as was the case with South Africa. As

James Freeman Clark said, “A politician thinks of the next election, a statesman, of the next generation.” Leadership is a continuum and for our leadership to truly stand the test of time it must be driven by a trans-generational perspective. We must build up those who will take our exertions for a better society to higher levels. I am convinced that through carefully and consciously developed formal and informal programmes of leadership development, we can build a cadre of young Nigerians who are committed to social transformation and genuinely want to work for change.

This entails a shift away from the idea of the “leader as messiah” – the notion that all it takes to transform our society is the miraculous emergence of one extraordinarily endowed leader. We simply cannot afford to reduce leadership to political Messianism. Mandela, despite his own leadership gifts and his track record, did not think of himself as being indispensable. He relinquished presidential power willingly and gracefully and ceded the limelight to the younger Thabo Mbeki. And when he left office, he wisely refrained from being an overbearing post-presidential presence and let his younger successor fully take up the reins of leadership. In so doing, he was setting an example – that the older generation must give way to the younger and allow their nations move forward.

Mandela’s willingness to leave power stands in stark contrast to a number of situations in Africa where erstwhile liberation fighters having assumed power have simply found it impossible to relinquish the presidency. Many have become sit-tight despots. Mo Ibrahim set up his annual leadership prize partly to motivate African leaders to give up power and leave the stage willingly. There have been years when no leader was nominated because their track record in office simply did not match the criteria for nomination. This is a pungent commentary on the state of leadership on the continent. Mandela stands as a shimmering example of what real leadership looks like.

Tributes often read like hagiographies. To be sure, Mandela was not perfect. He made mistakes. Many South Africans feel that the ANC while earning black majority rule did not pay sufficient attention to addressing racially based economic equality. As a result some of the development indices in the country are actually worse now than they were before Mandela became president. There is much work to be done in the areas of housing, education and employment.

However, the pursuit of freedom is not accomplished in one generation. Mandela and his generation fought for political liberation. Another generation must now rise up and take up the bottom and begin the battle against inequality and poverty. Fortunately, in Mandela they have the most illustrious of examples to draw from and emulate.

Adieu, Madiba.

• Dr. Kayode Fayemi is Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

14 Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Opinion In Iran, our neighbours are priority

By Mohamad Zarif N the past few weeks, the Islamic Republic Imake of Iran and the P5+1 have endeavoured to use of the unique window of opportunity provided by the Iranian presidential election this past summer to resolve the nuclear issue, which has unnecessarily cast a shadow of insecurity and crisis over the region. While most in the international community welcomed this positive development, some of our friends in our immediate neighbourhood have expressed concerns that this opening may be pursued at their expense.

Regrettably, a zero-sum mentality has been prevalent both in our region and around the world, and some may have even grown accustomed to taking advantage of hostility to Iran to pursue their interests. Still, I wish to reiterate that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not have any such illusions. We recognise that we cannot promote our interests at the expense of others. This is particularly the case in relation to counterparts so close to us that their security and stability are intertwined with ours. Thus, notwithstanding the focus on our interactions with the West, the reality is that our primary foreign policy priority is our region.

Few things are constant in international politics, but geography is among them. A country cannot change its neighbours. In our interconnected world, the fate of one nation is tied to the destinies of its neighbours. The body of water that separates us from our southern neighbours is not just a waterway – it is our shared lifeline. All of us depend on it, not just for survival, but to thrive. With our fates so closely tied together, the belief that one’s interests can be pursued without consideration of the interests of others is delusional.

As the turmoil in our region evidences, no country is an island. Prosperity cannot be pursued at the expense of others’ poverty, and security cannot be achieved at the expense of the security of others. We will either

win together or lose together. We are capable of working together, trusting one another, combining our potential, and building a more secure and prosperous region.

Sadly, the model for security and stability that has to date been imposed on our region has been one based on competition, rivalry and the formation of competing blocs. The only outcome has been the fostering of fresh imbalances and the emergence of unrealised or unstated ambitions that have repeatedly menaced the region over the past three decades. So how do we move forward?

We must pinpoint areas of common interest and shared objectives. Then, we must find cooperative methods for achieving and maintaining those objectives. There is far more that joins us than separates us. We need to have a sober appreciation of the fact that we have common interests and face common threats, and that we need to deal with common challenges and can make use of common opportunities. In short, we have a common destiny.

We all have an interest in preventing tension in our region, curbing extremism and terrorism, promoting harmony between various Islamic sects, preserving our territorial integrity, assuring our political independence, ensuring the free flow of oil, and protecting our shared environment. These are absolute imperatives for our common security and development. To reverse the vicious cycle of suspicion and mistrust and move forward — to build confidence, and join forces in striving to build a better, more secure and more prosperous future for our children — it is imperative that we keep three points in mind.

First, it is crucial that we build an inclusive framework for confidence and cooperation in this strategic region. Any exclusion will be the seed of future mistrust, tension and crisis. The core of any wider regional arrangement should be limited to the eight littoral states. Inclusion of other states will bring with it other complex issues, overshadowing

the immediate problems of this region and further complicating the complex nature of security, as well as cooperation among us.

Naturally, there are legitimate concerns about potential imbalances and asymmetries that might arise within a new system.

Concerns about the domination or imposition of the views of any single country or group of countries must be taken into account and addressed. To build an inclusive system based on mutual respect and the principle of non-interference, we should envisage arrangements within the framework of the United Nations. The necessary institutional framework has already been provided in Security Council Resolution 598, which ended the disastrous war imposed by Saddam Hussein on Iran, Iraq and the entire region.

Second, we need to be clear that while our cooperation is not at the expense of any other party, and will in fact promote greater security for all, we are very much cognisant of the variety of interests involved in our region. The waterway that divides us is vital for the world, but the source of its importance is not identical for all actors. For us littoral states, it is our lifeline. For those who are dependent on us as major suppliers of their energy requirements, it constitutes a major element in their economic and industrial wellbeing. In contrast, for those who do not depend on our energy resources, our region is merely an important theatre for extending their control in the international political arena and in international economic competition. Hence, we must bear in mind that there is a qualitative difference between the interests of the various players involved, and act accordingly.

Third, the international element of the instability in our region stems from the divergence of the nature of the interests of various outside powers and their competition. Their injection of extraneous issues only complicates an already complex security situation further. We must not forget that the para-

mount interest of such outside players may not always be stability, but in fact may depend on what can justify their presence. The presence of foreign forces has historically resulted in domestic instability within the countries hosting them and exacerbated the existing tensions between these countries and other regional states.

I am convinced that there is a genuine will to discuss these common challenges. The challenges and opportunities that we face are enormous. They range from environmental degradation to sectarian tension, from extremism and terrorism to arms control and disarmament, and from tourism and economic and cultural cooperation to confidence-building and security-enhancing measures. We must aim to initiate dialogue that results in practical and gradually expanding steps.

Iran, content with its size, geography, and human and natural resources, and enjoying common bonds of religion, history and culture with its neighbours, has not attacked anyone in nearly three centuries. We extend our hand in friendship and Islamic solidarity to our neighbours, assuring them that they can count on us as a reliable partner.

In our recent presidential election, which was a proud manifestation of the ability of an Islamic model of democracy to bring about change through the ballot box, my government received a strong popular mandate to engage in constructive interaction with the world, and particularly with our neighbours. We are dedicated to making use of this mandate to instigate change for the better, but we cannot do it alone. Now, more than ever, is the time to join hands to work towards securing a better fate for all of us; a destiny based on the noble principles of mutual respect and non-interference. We are taking the first steps towards this objective.

We hope you will join us in this difficult, but rewarding, path.

• Zarif is the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Seven ‘wonders’ of Abia govt house

By Godwin Adindu HAVE heard about the Seven Wonders of the World. I have Itruly seen the great pyramid of Khufu at Giza in Egypt and I have wondered about the ingenuity of those forebears who built that majestic stone edifice. Without a crane in those ancient days, how did they lift those heavy stones to such magnificent height? How did they couple it? How did they shape the edges to such straight and accurate measurement?

How? How and how?

The wonder continues: could they have lifted those stones to such height by some kind of magical levitation, a process by which an object is suspended by a physical force against gravity in a stable position without solid physical contact?

How did they do it?

Indeed, such questions of “how?” pervade the atmosphere of Abia State government house. In little corners and in groups, people throw the question to each other like a banter. Yet, the puzzle remains unresolved. There exists, today, what one may describe as the seven “wonders” of Abia government house and they all revolve around the mystique conjured by Governor Theodore Orji’s rare attributes. The governor, it might seem, commands an overwhelming quality and ingenuity that has not only ascribed to him an iconic status but constitutes a source of a new wonder for his army of followers.

The first wonder: How come, with his busy schedule and the large number of visitors and retinue of workers that he attends to everyday, Governor Theodore Orji still remembers every promise he makes to everyone, no matter how big or little those promises might be? Does he keep a secret notebook or register wherein he minutes every promise to people and records every “ok” he replies in every short message service (sms)? Where does he keep this secret register? How come that he remembers details of every casual conversation and details of every sms conversation, months and years after such encounters, even in the midst of a mountain of papers and correspondences on his table that he had to sift

through every day? Governor Orji has shocked his workers and the Abia stakeholders by his sharp and accurate memory, a clearly overwhelming personality.

The second wonder: The office of the chief executive involves a lot of travels and visitations. It involves a whole lot of meetings upon meetings and reception to many groups and individuals.

How come that, even with this hectic schedule of engagements and the many transactions that criss-cross his office on daily basis, Governor Orji is able to rummage through the maze of documents and piles of proposals and yet remember every detail of the content of every document that finds its way into his oval office? For he recounts the content and even numerical details of any mail or document that has stepped into his office with mechanical accuracy, off-handedly and at the snap of a finger, without recourse to such documents. Does he embody, in his head, a secret micro-chip? Did he undergo a special training in memory retention? How does he achieve it?

The third wonder: As governor, Theodore Orji interfaces with a motley crowd of people. He receives a large crowd of visitors every day from interest groups, community leaders to other government officials. Every Abian both at home and in the Diaspora, in one way or the other, seeks his attention. There is a mountain of applications all seeking for audience with him.

Most times, he stays in the office till about 12 midnight attending to people. How come that with this galaxy of faces that compete for his attention every day, he still remembers and calls the over 500 political appointees, party leaders and other stakeholders by their first name? How is he able to remember the first name of everybody that has had a meeting or an encounter with him? Does he have a tiny, secret digital camera in a certain corner of his brain? How is he able to recollect all the faces and all the names?

The fourth wonder: With his busy schedule, when does he get the time to read all articles and news report on Abia? For the governor reads any little dot written on Abia in any news medium every day. When does he get the time to write his columns in the national dailies and some of his speeches? For the governor personally writes his columns and some of his speeches and has also written a book. How is he able to achieve

this?

The filth wonder: How has Orji been able to run the state and run a regime of legacy projects with a paltry monthly federal allocation that vacillates between N3 billion and N3.5 billion with the huge demands and pressure on government? What business module has he applied in managing the scarce resources of the state to achieve the milestone in the area of security, infrastructural renewal, youth empowerment, health, housing and the accompanying improvements in the quality of life?

The sixth wonder: The same state that Orji is running today is the same state that many ran for 18 years without any foundation, without building a single monument. But, today, he has embarked on the onerous task of building the state afresh. He has been laying foundation stones for the posterity of Abia and stabilized the Abia polity. How is he able to make the seemingly impossible possible?

The seventh wonder: The governor stepped on the raw nerves of the monsters of power that held Abia down for 12 agonizing years by the bold and audacious action of liberating the state. All over the world, the displacement of tyrants is a risky and dangerous undertaking. Dangerous because it involves a life-and-death struggle. The dynasty was entrenched with an army of hangers-on who were empowered and equipped with money and guns. Ever since, it has been a constant battle between light and darkness. The negative forces have continued to set traps and plot all devices to ground Ochendo. They have continued to stage a frantic fight to cut a pound of flesh.

How has Governor Orji been able to contend with the ferocity of the anger of this dangerous cult of brotherhood headed by one family? What has been his secret survival talisman in his ardent determination to wrestle Abia out of the stranglehold of this dangerous mafia group? How has he achieved it?

The seven wonders remain unresolved.

• Adindu is the President-General of Abia Renaissance Movement (ARM)

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

15

Business SERAP wants NNPC queried over alleged missing $49.8b oil money From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja

S Nigeria joins the rest A of the world to mark the International anti-corruption and human rights day, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to “urgently query the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over its alleged failure to remit $49.8 billion to the Federation Account between 2012 and 2013.”

The organization asked the president to “publicly announce to Nigerians what he is doing to find the missing funds and to bring suspected perpetrators to justice.”

This followed complain by the Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to President Jonathan in September 2013 that the fund which accrued from crude oil liftings during the period was missing.

In the letter, Sanusi reportedly recommended to the president to, among others, require NNPC to provide evidence for disposal of all proceeds of crude sales diverted from the CBN and Federation Account, and authorise prosecution of suspects.

In a statement signed by SERAP Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organization said that, “this case provides the president a rare opportunity to show that he is truly committed to the oftrepeated fight against corruption. It is certainly not enough for this government to simply praise Nelson Mandela. If the president is truly to be inspired by Mandela, he needs to begin to show the leadership steadfast commitment required to end corruption.”

President, Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Fola Laoye (left); Chairman, Harvard Business Association of Nigeria, Hakeem Bello Osagie; Founder, ACA Foundation, Mrs Simi Nwogugu; and Recipient of HBSAN Leadership Award for General Management and Managing Director, Mouka Limited, Mrs. Peju Adebajo during the 2013 Black Tie Dinner and Ball Award Ceremony in Lagos.

Compliance ultimatum: NERC to issue queries to defaulting power firms From Emeka Anuforo the expiration of the 24 hour deadFlineOLLOWING given to electricity distribution companies (Discos) to make their statutory remittances to the Market Operator (MO), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC) is set to bring down the full weight of the law to bear on defaulting firms.

The Guardian learnt yesterday that immediately the ultimatum was issued last Wednesday, a number of the utilities initiated contacts with the Market Operator, with some actually remitting the outstanding funds.

As at yesterday, the MO was still compiling the list and had not formally communicated the regulator (NERC) on the updated list of those that have com-

. CEOs may be removed . MO admits Discos’ poor remittance for November plained.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) gave the directive Wednesday after noting that only N2 billion out of a possible N12 billion had been remitted to the Operator of the Nigerian Electricity Market (ONEM) by distribution firms, going by records at its disposal.

A NERC source confirmed yesterday that some Discos were responding.

Asked what the nature of sanctions for defaulting Discos, the source told The Guardian that it ranged from heavy financial sanctions to outright removal of the Chief Executive Officer of the firms, according to the powers given to NERC by its laws.

According to the source: “ the Market Operator is talking with the Discos. We are waiting for official report from them (Market Operator). The kind of sanction to be applied depends on the nature of their argument for not meeting up.

The weaker the argument is weak, the stronger the sanction. But I can tell you that we have sanctions which we are empowered to apply as a regulator.”

Assistant General Manager (Media) at NERC, Maryam Yaya Abubakar confirmed to The Guardian that queries would first be issued to the defaulting firms before regulatory sanctions.

Her words: “NERC has requested the Market Operator to give a report as

to the status of compliance who has paid, when and how much. Any action the regulator takes must be evidenced based. Once the MO has furnished us with the report, queries will be issued to non-compliant DISCOS, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.”

She was silent on the nature of sanctions, but stressed that they were far reaching enough to instill the required discipline.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Operator of the Nigerian Electricity Market (the Market operator domiciled at the Transmission Company of Nigeria), Jan Bagnall has assured that some additional distribution firms had complied with their remit-

tances for November.

He said in an interview yesterday: “There were some payments but I do not know the value or who they are from yet. We are working on that, so we can’t give you specifics right now, but we would find that out soon.”

On the reason for some of the challenges plaguing the new power firms, he noted: “We have got towers collapsing and vandalism of gas pipelines. We need thorough partnership to resolve them and after this we can now get regular power supply.

In another development, NERC has launched a Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) policy to promote safety and healthy working conditions among electricity workers.

The Commission’s Chairman, Sam Amadi said CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

16

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BUSINESS Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Indonesia’s non-oil trade with Nigeria may hit N80b this year

By Roseline Okere HE Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) has unveiled plans to increase the bilateral nonoil trade between Nigeria and Indonesia to $502.4 million (N80 billon) by the end of this year. This figure represents a 12 per cent

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increase of the $448.6 million recorded in 2012.

Director, ITPC of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Pontas Tobing, made this disclosure yesterday, during the luncheon business meeting with trade delegations from South East Asian country at

the 28th Trade Expo Indonesia in Lagos.

Tobing said: “In 2012, total Indonesia – Nigeria non-oil and gas trade stood at $448.6 million and for 2013, we have a target to increase this figure by 12 per cent.

He noted that the relationship between Indonesia,

Electricity market operator admits Discos’ poor remittance for November CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 at the Health and Safety Workshop that safety compliance was key to the reforms in the sector.

He said, “Health and safety is a culture before it becomes a practice, if they are not safety conscious, they (staff) will not be able to practice it.”

ONEM is licensed to function as the market operator of the wholesale electricity market of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

The market operator processes monthly settlement, including energy bought and sold by distribution companies, generating companies and independent power producers, transmission usage charges and other services.

Amadi had last week told media men that while some of the distribution companies were making their statutory remittances, many others were defaulting.

He said that only three out of the 11 discos had paid their remittances as cost of energy allocated to them within November.

He had informed that records given to him from the Market Operator showed that Eko, Ikeja and Kaduna distribution companies were those that had made their remittances, warning that the situation would not be allowed to continue.

His words: “As of yesterday ( last Wednesday) only Eko, Ikeja and to some extent Kaduna have remitted what they are supposed to remit to the market operator.

Today, NERC wrote a letter informing the operators that by their licences, they are under obligation to make all necessary remittances to the market operator’s accounts.

“We have given a deadline of Thursday, 4.00 p.m., for distribution companies to remit their statutory remittances to the market operator’s accounts. We have also indicated that every disco that has removed the mandate of the market operator has to restore it into the account for market settlement.”

He explained: “The market operator is the one that is

daily receiving these remittances, so, I would assume that market operation office will have up-to-date report, but as of Monday, only about N2 billion has been paid and N10 billion outstanding.

“We expect that by Friday, the verified and attested bank statement of all the distribution companies would be sent to NERC for us to verify that such remittances have been made. The copies of the letters have been sent to the discos.

“Another issue is that of payment of October revenue that is collected in November by the new owners. We had in the interim also provided that such payment should be made 100 per cent to the market operator’s accounts based on the understanding with the Director-General (DG) of NELMCO (Nigeria Electricity Liabilities Management Company) that such monies should be paid to the market operator to use to deal with the gaps in the market. All distribution companies are therefore mandated to transfer such collections to the market operator’s accounts

member of the D8 country and Nigeria could date back as far as the 1960s when the Indonesian Embassy was first inaugurated in Nigeria”.

According to him, since then until now, bilateral and mutual relations between the two countries have waxing stronger.

He assured that ITPC, with the assistance of the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, was committed to boost the development of the Nigerian non-oil and gas sector through market penetration while also expanding and strengthening busi-

ness relations between the two countries.

Speaking on the Indonesia expo in Nigeria, said that the diversity of products and services displayed, which include value-added agricultural Products, mining products, creativitybased products, strategic industries, construction services, transportation, manufacturing sector, storage and telecommunications, automotive sector, services incidental to mining, trade-related services and IT-based services.

“The expo is also aimed at promoting quality

Indonesian –made products and services to the global market, to better develop business and investment, networking and to exchange potentials and opportunities especially for those wanting to go into partnership and invest in Indonesia’s industrial sector in the face of increased contest and uncertainty in the international economy,” he said.

The fair will attract over 600 companies in 2,000 booths.

Over 12 Indonesian companies have so far invested in Nigeria

Bankers’ Committee targets 7% growth in agric loan HE Bankers’ Committee is T targeting a loan growth of seven per cent to the agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy by 2015, Governor of the a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido, has said.

The Bankers’ Committee is an association of Managing Directors of Deposit Money Bank’s (DMB’s), top officials of the CBN, the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NDIC), which meets once bi-monthly to discuss the state of affairs of the industry and the economy.

Credit to the agricultural sector had risen from 1.6 per cent in 2009 to 3.7 per cent this year.

The current figure, indicates an increase of 85 per cent over the 1.6 per cent growth of the agricultural sector share of banks’ credit four years ago.

The Chairman of the Bankers’ Committee CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi disclosed the projected growth in the agricultural sector at the end of the committee’s fifth yearly retreat held in Calabar at the weekend.

He said the Committee also expects credits to the sector to rise to five per cent next year.

Sanusi assured Nigerians and other stakeholders in the banking sector that the Bankers’ Committee would continuously collaborate to promote an efficient and stable economy for the country.

The CBN governor also disclosed that part of the 2014 action plan of the committee would be to deliver price stability, financial stability, financial inclusion and economic growth.

He also explained that the committee has revalidated its goals to include the modernisation of the payment system; shared services and infrastructure for the financial industry to reduce cost; increased funding of small and medium enterprises; agriculture; power and telecommunication sectors.

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

“It is anticipated that the NIRSAL, collaboration between banks and counterparties will push loans under guarantee in excess of N25 billion before the end of this year,” the CBN said.

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

The NIRSAL guarantees up to 75 per cent of bank loans to the sector. Sources within the banks said the regulator plans to spend an estimated $500 million to create further incentives for the banks to sustain the flow of agric credit. The NIRSAL initiative, which is brainchild of the CBN, the Bankers’ Committee and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (FMARD), seeks to create incentives and catalyse processes to encourage the growth of formal credit, direct and indirect, for the agriculture value chain, as a mechanism for driving wealth creation among value chain participants.

According to the apex bank, NIRSAL is also expected to be a catalyst for innovative risk management strategies, long-term financing for agribusiness and significant job creation by new entrepreneurs.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 17

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

TheMetroSection ‘How policemen killed my brother in Jos’ • Family of slain man demands justice

By Joseph Okoghenun the family of the late Mr. Emmanuel FtheOR Anakwe of Anambra State, these are not best of times as their 36-year-old eldest

applied for exhumation and autopsy of the corpse, and application was later granted by the AIG. But the police refused to give us officers that would guide us during the exhumation, though police investigators accompanied us.

“A senior police officer later took us to the

child, Stephen Anakwe, who was allegedly killed by policemen early last year, is yet to get justice.

According to the younger brother to the deceased, Mr. Stanley Anakwe, the death of Stephen was one of the several atrocities recorded by the Nigeria Police Force in January 2012 during the popular fuel subsidy protest, although the killing was unconnected with the protest.

Stanley told The Guardian that his brother, who was a dog breeder in Jos, was brutally murdered by police officials in Nasarawa State. “On January 14, 2012, a lady called me from Jos that my brother had a problem with the police in New Nyanya, Nasarawa State.

“On January 16, I went to the place to make enquiries from residents of the area and I was told my brother was beaten up, his right eye was plucked off and six policemen picked him up alive at the scene on January 13, 2012. I was informed the police later paraded his corpse a few days later.

“My lawyer and I rushed down to the New Nyanya Police Station. We saw his car, met the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) who told us that my brother was a suspected armed robber. The DCO explained that as his men were approaching my brother, he pulled a pistol from his car, pointing it at a corporal, a situation that forced a sergeant among them to shoot him.

“My lawyer asked for the corpse but was told it had been buried the same day it was paraded. The lawyer queried the action, asking why the corpse was not deposited in a mortuary, and why the police did not bother to reach the family through his mobile phone.”

Stanley explained that the action prompted his family to petition security authorities for justice. “We immediately petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Minister of Police Affairs, Chairman of Police Service Commission, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Director General of State Security Service (SSS) among others. The former police IGP, Hafiz Ringim, who was in office then, responded two days later to the petition.

“We were later called over to Police Headquarters in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The investigation was about to start when message came that the case had been transferred to Zone 4, Makurdi, Benue State. The policemen asked me to charter a vehicle that would convey other police officers from Lafia to Makurdi that very day, which I did.”

Stanley added that he has been funding all the investigations alone, which is now running into millions of Naira. “We had earlier The late Anakwe

local government authorities that police officers said they handed over the corpse to for burial. The local council assigned someone to lead us to New Nyanya village head to take permission for exhumation.

“When we got to the gravesite on January 27, 2012, we saw five newly dug graves.

Ajimobi’s wife urges attention for children at harmattan

By Bertram Nwannekanma HE wife of Oyo State governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, has urged parents, especially mothers to take special care and pay more attention to their children to prevent common diseases that affect children during the harmattan period She said the extra attention would go a long way in saving children from such preventable diseases According to Mrs. Ajimobi, diseases such as febrile convulsion in children, a fit that occurs when a child has fever or when there is a rapid increase in the body temperature and other

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Ajimobi such diseases prevalent during the harmattan, could easily be prevented, adding thatmothers should pay at-

tention to slight changes in their children’s habits and behaviours to check whatever health issue that might want to rear its head In a statement signed by her Special Adviser on Media, Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare, she said because of the dry and dusty period associated with low humidity in the harmattan, “there is indication that there is very little amount of water in the atmosphere and this makes the weather harsh to the hair and skin and has health implications.”

She added babies and the elderly were particularly prone to hypothermia (body temperature below 35 degrees centigrade) due to

sub optimal temperature regulating mechanism and parents needed to watch what their children wear and exposed to.

She further called for a proper eye and skin hygiene in form of washing with clean water to reduce exposure to dust and all harsh environmental conditions to pro -actively combat diseases “Special attention should be given to children with pre-existing chronic chest infections such as asthma while all possible and practicable measures should be taken to reduce exposure to the dusty atmosphere and avoid health crisis,” she added.

While two corpses, including that of my brother, had been buried, three others were still open. We were about exhuming the corpse when some youths in the village invaded us with machetes. They said we were exhuming a corpse without taking permission from the village head.

“We were taken to the village head, who told us we had violated their land. After narrating our ordeal, he said exhuming a corpse was a taboo in the land. We pleaded, but we were asked to pay N35,000 to appease the gods of the land before the district head signed some documents authorising exhumation.

“The villagers told us that no indigene would carry out the act to avoid incurring the wrath of the gods. I had to get men from Benue State, who charged us N150,000 to exhume the corpse. At a point, my friend and I had to join because some of the boys could not stand the odour.

“When we brought out the corpse, the head had gone off because of the injury my brother sustained in the hands of police officials. It was the clothes that he was wearing that kept the body in form. We took the body to Keffi General Hospital mortuary, where we were told the corpse had decomposed beyond what the mortuary could handle.

“The ambulance driver drove us to a mortician at Uke General Hospital, Uke, along Abuja Road. The mortician asked us to deposit N50,000 to keep the corpse. He later charged us N180,000 to preserve the corpse.

The autopsy was done by a pathologist from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health Service Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, at the cost of N450,000. The autopsy report showed that my brother was shot from the back and that he was handcuffed.

“We later went to Makurdi where we applied for permission for police to release the corpse for burial. On February 11, 2012, I left with the corpse to my state at the cost of N50, 000 and it was buried on February 14, 2012.

The police wanted me to fund the ballistic analysis, which I refused at the time.

“The policemen that shot my brother were first detained but later released to do their normal duties; one has been transferred to Lagos and the particular shooter has been moved to Mobile Police (MOPOL) 8 in Jos and has even been a member of Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe State.”

Stanley told The Guardian that he wants the police to expedite action and bring the suspects to book. “We want the police to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to justice.”

All efforts to reach the police on the matter failed as several calls put through to Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone 4, Makurdi, Mr. Michael Zuokumor, were not picked but were only replied with “sorry, I will call you later”- a promise that was still being awaited as at press time.

Brief Revival Assembly marks 23rd anniversary CTIVITIES to mark the 23rd anniversary and yearly Fire ConA vention of the Revival Assembly Ministry will hold on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, 2013, at the church headquarters, Revival Miracle Cathedral, Cocoa Road, OgbaIkeja, Lagos.

With the theme: Rejoice, it will kick off on Saturday with an early morning worship service at 6.00a.m. and will end on Sunday with celebration service at 10.00a.m.

Gospel artistes: Nathaniel Bassey, Pat King, among others will perform.

Host is the founder and General Overseer, Apostle Ansalem Madubuko. Madubuko says ‘‘the event is to thank God for the past 23 years and to pray for the birth of new things and greater glory in the coming year. “ Madubuko

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METRO Wednesday, December 11, 2013

ASUU strike: Presbyterian prelate urges govt action

Doctor slams N500m suit against police From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt

MEDICAL doctor, Mrs. Chinyere Emeka Precious, accused of kidnapping and

HE Prelate and Moderator A T of the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Rev. Emele Mba Uka has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to do all within his constitutional authority to see that students in the tertiary institutions return to school immediately to end the on-going strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) occasioned

by Government’s refusal to honour its 2009 agreement with ASUU. A statement by the Director of Information & Public Affairs of the church, Rev. Kalu U. Eme said that “the Prelate said that whatever it would cost the government to resolve the present impasse in the university system is an investment well made in securing the future of the nation as the students of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” “ Uka stated that no responsible government anywhere in the world would allow students who are the future leaders of the nation to remain idle for over five months for no cause of theirs. “The more they remain at home,” he said, “the more they become the devil’s workshop. The situation could cause incalculable damage to the future of the nation in terms of the incidence of crime and social vices as well as the quality of leaders the nation churns out.

“Besides,” the Prelate continued, “the quality of education in Nigeria is very low because of lack of infrastructure and equipment, poor motivation of teachers and poor remuneration. It is time the Government took concrete steps to reverse this ugly trend in order to restore confidence in the Nigerian education system.”

“On the ultimatum issued by the government for lecturers to return to classrooms or face dismissal, the Prelate warned that the situation did not call for such high-handed approach which, he said, would result in further complications of the crisis.

“He reminded the government that the kernel of the matter was to implement the 2009 agreement reached between ASUU and the Government on university funding. Anything short of addressing the main issue would amount to chasing shadows.

THE GUARDIANwww.ngrguardiannews.com

running a baby factory, has filed a N500 million suit against the police authorities.

Precious accused the police

Boko Haram victims get N112.3 million From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HE Borno State government T has donated N5.3 million to families and relations of 20 fishermen and farmers killed recently in Boko Haram attacks in Kukawa Local Council of the state.

Each of the family members at the Government House, Maiduguri collected the sum of N250, 000 from Governor Kashim Shettima.

Presenting the cash donations in Maiduguri and Bama at the weekend, the governor also sympathized with the families of the slain people, urging them to remain focused and

not to be distracted by the in- to ease the transportation surgency that has claimed problems of the two commumany lives and property in the nities on the Lake Chad state. shores.

His words: “No life can be Shettima, who also presented compensated; the money is N100 million cheque to some just to assist you. Those that affected persons at the Emir of died are martyrs because they Bama’s palace at the weekend, were killed in cold blood, with- said it was lamentable that the out any provocation.” insurgency had rendered He also promised to settle the many youths and people jobmedical bills of those that less in the state and left them were wounded and donated without hope. the sum of N100, 000 each to He decried the fact that thouthe three victims who are now sands of residents had either hospitalized at a Maiduguri lost their homes, businesses hospital. and means of survival in the He also pledged to construct crisis, which has nearly the seven-kilometre road link- brought the state to its knees. ing Baga and Doron Baga town He urged those who had fled

Harcourt that the police in Rivers Command had illegally invaded her home, brutalised her family, including children, destroyed property and carted away property, jewelleries and money worth millions of naira.

She explained that at about 2am on August 3, 2013, while her family was deep asleep, several plain clothed policemen stormed her home, shooting sporadically and forcefully invaded her home, arresting everybody in the house.

The doctor said she was shocked days later when the State Command paraded her as a kidnapper and someone who operates an illegal baby factory.

Precious alleged that she was forced to pay not less than N25 million by the policemen behind her travails. She further claimed if she had yielded to a demand of N100 million by the police that stormed her home she wouldn’t have suffered the

ordeal she passed through.

“They came in, shooting, breaking into the house, they were all dressed in mufti, in seven vans with nothing to mark them as policemen.

They took everybody in the house, including my baby, who was then just about one year.”

“At some point on the road, they stopped and asked if I knew who they were, they later said they had arrested me for kidnapping. I asked for the petition against me, but they said there was not petition, but that somebody called them, I asked them who, they could not provide any name. They also told me that they would let me go if I would give them N100 million, she said.”

She said a civil rights case of N500 million has been instituted against the police.

Going back to their roots at Cultural Day

By Tolulope Okunlola ARENTS have been urged to introduce their wards to the language and tradition of their origin.

This charge was given at the weekend by the Parents/Teachers Association (PTA) Chairman of CEDEC International School, Obidi Chris Aduaka, during the school’s cultural day held at the National Stadium, Lagos.

Aduaka said it was very important for the younger generation to know where they are coming from to understand where they are going. “Many parents have not taken their children to their hometowns and would not permit them to speak in their mother tongue.

“This is why the cultural day is organized to expose them to their background and enlighten them on the culture and traditions of other ethnic groups in the country,” he said.

The proprietor of the school, Mrs. Ijeoma Pauline Unachukwu, noted that the event was put together to sensitize youths toward appreciating who they truly are and understanding the significance of what they have.

She added that she was encouraged that the pupils were enthusiastic to learn more about their roots.

“I am proud of my wonderful pupils from the nursery to primary schools, who thoroughly enjoyed all the training sessions that culminated in this event. They made it special and memorable because of their eagerness to learn.”

The Eze Ndigbo 1 of Lagos State, Eze Hyacinth Nwabueze Ohazulike, said he was proud of the pupils of the school for dressing in their various attires and speaking their various native languages.

He extended the group’s invitation to CEDEC for the celebration of the upcoming New Yam Festival and urged the children to dress in their various attires to the event, pledging that scholarship would be awarded to the best-dressed kid at the festival.

P

PHOTO: TOLULOPE OKUNLOLA

A cross-section of kids at the event

Police dock two men for buying stolen vehicle

By Yetunde Ayobami Ojo WO middle-aged men, T Lukman Mohammed and Ikenechukwu Anya were docked before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ikeja for receiving a stolen

vehicle worth N5 million.

The duo are 39 and 38 years respectively.

They were charged for conspiracy, robbery and stealing before Magistrate O. A. Akinde and pleaded not guilty.

Briefs

Fidau prayer for Bisiriyu Kazeem HE death has occurred of Alhaji Bisiriyu Kazeem of Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, a devout Muslim and community leader.

He died on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 and has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

Alhaji Kazeem was father of the Group Chairman of SAF Petroleum, Alhaji Safiriyu Kazeem.

Fidau prayer for him will hold on Thursday, January 16, 2014 and his final burial ceremony, as well as that of Alhaja Muyibat Kazeem, will hold on Friday, January 17, 2014 at Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

Kazeem

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of inflicting hardship and humiliation on her and members of her immediate family.

She told journalists in Port

Church holds programme HE Glorious Divine Ministries will hold its Night of Holy Ghost Encounter on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 11.30p.m. tagged: “Crown my year with goodness”, No. 20 Omolola Street, off Ogunlana Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos.

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Gilgal 2013 begins HRIST Apostolic Church C Breath of Life Pentecostal Mission will organize a weekcrusade tagged: Gilgal 2013 from Sunday, December 15 – Saturday, December 21 at the church auditorium, 21 Ashabi Road, Yakoyo Bus Stop, in Obafemi/Owode Local Council of Ogun State.

Chief Host is Prophet Yinka Olowokere.

Police Prosecutor, Chinalu Uwadioye told court that the defendants sometimes in April 2012 at No. 7, Orisunbare Street, Iyana Ipaja, conspired to commit felony and received one unregistered Prado Land

Cruiser from one Bayo Jegede, a resident of No. 7, Coker Estate, Ishaga knowing full well that the vehicle worth N5 million was stolen.

Uwadioye said the offence is contrary to the provisions of Section 409 and 326 of the

Criminal Laws of Lagos 2011.

Magistrate Akinde, therefore, granted them bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with two sureties.

She adjourned their trial till January 23, 2014.

FRSC boss warns drunken, reckless drivers

By Taiwo Hassan and Faith Oparaugo HE Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Chidi Nkwonta, has warned motorists that men of the agency are on the prowl to ensure strict compliance to traffic rules in the state, especially on the roads/highways.

Nkwonta, who read the riot act during the FRSC/ Nigerian Breweries Plc’s flagging off of the 2013 edition of the “Don’t Drink and Drive” safety awareness campaign in Lagos recently, said that the agency wants to ensure sanity of driving on the roads, while appealing to motorists to show understanding and respect to

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men of the FRSC during routine checks because of the peak traffic period.

According to him, road vices such as speed violation, drunk driving, non-use of seat belts, safety helmets, use of cell phone while driving and other negative trends, which have contributed towards widening the gap of road crash fatalities on the Nigerian roads, would be strictly enforced during this period.

He added that traffic offenders would also be tried for various miscellaneous driving offences and would be charged to face the law.

“This is the period where people will be reckless in driving, because of the festive season.

So, I am advising motorists to

obey the traffic as FRSC men are now on the roads to sanitise and ensure traffic compliance,” Nkwonta said.

Also speaking, the Unit Commander, FRSC Oshodi, Samuel Ogundayo said that drinking any type of drink while driving distracts attention, as the driver loses concentration. He added that the most dangerous of them is drinking alcoholic or alcohol-based drinks like the ones sold in motor parks across the country.

“Road traffic crashes are not accidents as they are caused and not just occurred. Historical crash classification adduced causes of crash to mechanical, environmental and human factors.”

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TheInsideEdge Nigeria 11th December, 2013

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Money Budget implementation inertia and overhanging issues

David Mark, Senate President

By Chijioke Nelson, Lagos, and Itunu Ajayi, Abuja OOR budget is fast becoming the ‘usual’ P and its mention is gradually losing steam when adorned as banner headlines. The same could also be said of the quality of services obtainable at public institutions. For any economy aspiring to play big, especially among the “Gs” of the world- (Group of Seven or 20), getting there may be difficult in this advancing global order, except a definite and result oriented policies are put in place and implemented, although, those already there may have started wrongly before retracing the steps.

Global economic order, as it relates to development, follows a routine that cannot be reordered to obtain a satisfactory result. “What is right is right and that which is wrong remains wrong”. The era of “white elephant projects” in the name of carrying out a development programme ought to have ended with the return of civil rule, as real development in whatever measure starts and ends with its direct and indirect impact on the average man. Real growth figures must be visibly interpreted in the lives of the greater masses and that is the very essence of budget and social welfare programmes of government.

In Nigeria, controversy has always ensued when growth figures are reeled out and the evidence on hand has always been against the figures. How could we reconcile rising growth figures with unabating high unemployment? How can we reconcile that when we are ranked low on ease of doing business?

And how can we reconcile that when Small and Medium Enterprises have the potential to die within the first 10 years, with the causes traceable from the monetary and fiscal policies?

For example, the ActionAid Nigeria has identified discrepancies between the requirements of the people and their expectations for public service provision and what the government has been able to deliver, with the revelation that the implementation of capital budget in past years has been less than 50 per cent.

A study conducted by the group in the Federal Capital; Territory, which covered 2007 to 2011 indicated that the reality on ground is

Okonjo-Iweala that government has not been able to deliver on public service provision based on its development plan in all the sectors identified in the study. The report identified education, health, agriculture, water, sanitation, power, housing, urban development, justice, and defense and security, among others, as grey areas. They are usually financed by the government through yearly budgetary provisions, with the provision of these public services carried out by part contribution of the private sector.

According to ActionAid, the purpose of the study was to undertake a rapid analysis and appraisal of the status of public service delivery and its financing in Nigeria, using baseline information on public services in terms of their provisioning, access, quality, equity, and gender responsiveness with a view to ascertain existing gaps between budgetary allocations and delivery of public services and between expectations and performance.

The study also revealed that despite the provision in the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees equitable distribution of public services to all parts and section of the country, the status of public service delivery in Nigeria is that the social amenities are inadequate, and this is even more pronounced in the rural areas in terms of availability, access, quality and equity.

From the study conducted on the availability of service delivery, almost 79 per cent of residents surveyed in Abuja perceived availability and access to Basic Schools and 42.1 per cent of the respondents perceived the availability and access to both Basic Hospitals and Cleaning Services, while only 11 per cent strongly agree with the provision of Agricultural facilities and 15.8 per cent with security services. However, about 13.6 per cent of the respondents were uncertain about the availability of all the services. The situation could be shocking if the study takes into consideration more geo-political zones in the country, where provisions for these services have been made over the years.

In terms of the distribution of public services, 68.4 per cent of the respondents agree or strongly agree on the distribution of Basic Schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Additionally, both the provision of public water and electricity were perceived to be

Sanusi equally distributed by the response of 47.4 per cent of the respondents, while 36.9 per cent of the respondents perceived the distribution of Basic Hospitals in the FCT as adequate. The least in the perception of the distribution is the provision of agricultural facility (5.3 per cent), followed by security services and safety equipment (10.5 per cent) each.

However, about 15.79 per cent of the respondents were uncertain about the distribution of all the services. The implication is that government needs to do more in the provision of basic infrastructure on security, agricultural facilities, health services, safety services, access to credit and legal entitlement.

For equity dimension in the provision of public services, the study shows that more than half of the respondents perceived gender parity in the services provided by public water sources (52.6 per cent), cleaning services (57.9 per cent) and electricity (52.6 per cent). On the average, 45.3 per cent of the respondents perceived the existence of gender parity in the provision of all the basic public services. Furthermore, slightly less than one third of the respondents perceived gender disparity in the security, legal entitlements and safety equipment. On the average, about 25 per cent of the respondents perceived gender disparity on the overall services provided, while about 30 per cent were uncertain as to whether there is gender parity or disparity in the provision of these services.

The study revealed that the implementation of the national budgets particularly the capital budget has been less than satisfactory at below 50 percent. It added that the resources for financing public services by government is basically derived from its main revenues sources which includes proceeds from crude oil, non-oil export, customs duties and excise, taxes and other sundry sources. This it said implies that aids/grants do not contribute anything significant to national budgets.

Government’s yearly budgetary allocations have over the years been in favor of non-key public service sectors at the expense of key critical public services such as education, health, agriculture, water and sanitation, power, housing and urban development among others, noting that the critical public service sectors have been made to suffer as a

result of this. The study said public expenditure by government have over the period been lopsided in favor of recurrent expenditure, even though it is the capital budget that finances projects and services that directly impact the lives of the people.

The study further revealed that the government budgetary allocations to the identified priority key sectors of the economy do not meet up with the projected expenditure earmarked for its developmental plans and aspirations as enshrined in the first National Developmental Plan of the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 Economic Transformation Blueprint.

It lamented that successive increases in government total budgetary allocations and expenditure did not translate to actual performance and tangible deliveries of public services in terms of availability, access, quality and distribution. This is attributed to the high levels of corruption in public establishments.

As part of its policy recommendations, ActionAid sought the adoption of a popular and public oriented participatory process in needs articulation at all tiers of government as part of the planning and budgeting process and institutionalisation of a robust and result oriented monitoring and evaluation framework involving government, private sector and CSOs and to use the Monitoring and Evaluation report as an input to new policies or correcting existing ones, with the need for government to be serious about the implementation of its own budget by entrenching and enforcing budgetary discipline through the application of appropriate sanctions on individuals and agencies responsible for nonimplementation of the budget.

It also noted that government should objectively review the status and mandates of its institutions with a view to streamlining and strengthening the MDAs to bring down the cost of governance and make government institutions more effective and responsive in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities, making deliberate efforts to truly create the enabling environment through appropriate regulatory framework that would promote the participation of the private sector in the provision of critical public services either directly or through the Public-Private Partnership.

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24 MONEY Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Rising global treasuries and alluring power of yields ROM the United States, the Treasury 10-year Fperceived notes rose for a third day as some investors yields near the highest level in three months offer value as they weigh when the Federal Reserve will start to slow bond purchases.

The yield on the three-year note was little changed before the U.S. sells $30 billion of the securities in the first of three auctions this week. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield increased last week as a report showed the economy added more jobs than analysts forecast. Fed policy makers meet December 17-18.

Investors “waited all year for a nice back-up,” said Thomas di Galoma, head of U.S. rates sales at ED&F Man Capital Markets in New York.

“Folks feel pretty confident buying securities at these levels, even though the Fed could be tapering. The perception is that the tapering we may get in December is already reflected in the prices.”

The U.S. 10-year yield fell four basis points, or 0.04 per centage point, to 2.8 per cent at 9:20 a.m. in New York, according to Bloomberg Bond Trader prices. The price of the 2.75 per cent note due in November 2023 rose 11/32, or $3.44 per $1,000 face amount, to 99 19/32.

The yield climbed to 2.93 per cent on December 6, the highest level since September 13.

“There will be buyers at these levels,” said Marc Ostwald, a rates strategist at Monument Securities Ltd. in London. “Going into year-end, there will be demand. As long as the front end remains anchored, the longer end looks to have a little bit of value. I think we move back into the middle of the 2.5-to-3 per cent range.”

The three-year note yielded 0.6 per cent, 30 basis points more than the two-year yield. The 2013 average is 23 basis points higher.

The notes scheduled for sale today, which are due in December 2016, yielded 0.644 per cent in pre-auction trading, the same as at the previous sale of the securities on November 12. Investors bid for 3.46 times the amount of debt offered in November, the highest level since March.

The U.S. plans to sell $21 billion of 10-year debt tomorrow and $13 billion of 30-year bonds the next day.

Treasuries (BUSY13) due in one to three years have returned 0.4 per cent in 2013, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

The Fed buys $85 billion of bonds a month to push down borrowing costs and spur economic growth. Minutes of policy makers’ October 29-30 meeting, released November 20, said they expected economic data to show improvement in the labor market and “warrant trimming the pace of purchases in coming months.”

U.S. employers added 203,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate reached a fiveyear low of 7 per cent, the Labor Department reported November 6, reinforcing bets the central bank may taper purchases as soon as this month.

Investors see an 11 per cent chance that policy makers will increase their target for the federal funds rate to 0.5 per cent or higher by January 2015, based on data compiled by Bloomberg from futures contracts.

Benchmark 10-year yields will trade at 2.91 per cent in the first quarter of 2014, according to Bloomberg News surveys of banks and securities companies with the most recent predictions given the heaviest weightings.

Economists forecast a government report on Thursday will show growth in retail sales accelerated in November, based on a Bloomberg survey.

Meanwhile, Germany softened its opposition to two key elements of a plan for handling euro-area bank failures as European Union finance ministers race to break a deadlock on the proposal before next week’s EU summit.

German Finance Minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, yesterday opened the door to an agreement on giving the European Commission a role in saving or shuttering banks, something he had previously rejected.

Germany would also consider splitting talks on the proposed Single Resolution Mechanism, a government official said, with parallel negotiations on a decision-making mechanism and on a common fund that has proven a lightning rod for criticism.

EU leaders have made an agreement on the bank-failure bill a top priority for their December 19-20 meeting, with the goal of getting the law on the books before the European Parliament goes into recess for elections in May. Finance ministers convene today to push for a deal on the proposal, which the European Central Bank says is vital to the bloc’s efforts to

prevent future financial crises.

Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, who floated the idea of splitting the SRM proposal last week, said the finance ministers will “certainly” meet their deadline. “That’s our task. We need to come to a solution before the end of the month and we will,” he said before chairing a meeting of euro-area finance ministers yesterday.

The ECB begins to supervise euro-area banks next November, and wants a “strong and independent” resolution authority with a central fund to cover related costs. EU nations have made scant progress toward a compromise since the plan was introduced in July. The most contentious issues are the common fund, the scope of the mechanism and the question of who’ll have the final say in ordering a bank closure.

Progress has also been stalled by the prolonged coalition talks in Berlin since Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party won a September 22 election.

Schaeuble, Dijsselbloem, ECB Executive Board member Joerg Asmussen, Michel Barnier, the EU’s financial-services chief, and finance ministers from France, Italy, Spain and Lithuania held talks into the evening yesterday, renewing a negotiating format first used in Berlin on December 6. The building in which the talks were held was closed about 11 p.m. in Brussels, forcing reporters to leave with no information about the outcome of the deliberations.

Dijsselbloem’s proposal to divide the discussion was intended to help resolve a debate on the legal basis for the bank-failure plan drafted by Barnier, and particularly the common fund he envisaged to cover resolution costs.

The Dutchman also laid out a new proposal for how the fund would work, calling for a system where each country’s banks pay into a national compartment that would be tapped first in time of crisis.

In the policy agreement reached by Merkel’s Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats, the two parties backed “a unified European resolution fund” filled by levies on banks. Until it’s up and running, national resolution funds — and ultimately national governments — would be responsible for their own banks, with the possibility of seeking a Spain-style bailout from the European Stability Mechanism.

French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici yes-

terday reiterated his support for a single resolution fund with a “unique backstop” to cover shortfalls while the fund is filled with levies on the banking industry. “I hope we’ll leave tomorrow evening with an agreement, even if it’s late,” he said.

With the fund handled separately, a compromise might be possible on the mechanism Barnier set out for handling bank failures, with the commission, the EU’s regulatory and executive arm, signing off on resolution decisions.

After months of rejecting this idea, Schaeuble yesterday indicated a willingness to compromise.

“We all know what the European legal situation is,” Schaeuble told reporters as he entered a meeting of euro-area finance chiefs. “There is a limitation that an agency can’t take a final decision. We need a formal confirmation. But that has to be done in a way that avoids a conflict of interest within the commission. I think there are solutions for that.”

EU nations by “a large majority” consider that the final decision-talking role should be given to the commission, according to a Lithuanian note published on the EU’s website, and dated December 6. Lithuania holds the EU’s rotating presidency.

Finnish Finance Minister Jutta Urpilainen said yesterday that the Council of the European Union, which represents EU member states, could be given the power to close banks instead of the commission. Germany previously backed this option. “When significant amounts of taxpayer money are used, there needs to be a political mandate,” she said.

Lithuania tested this idea at a meeting of diplomats this month and concluded: “The council is seen as the less efficient alternative due to a number of legal, procedural and timing constraints.”

On scope of the resolution authority, the German coalition platform, which must still be approved by the Social Democrats rank and file, supports the creation of “a European resolution authority” that would cover “systemic, crossborder banks.”

Barnier’s proposal would place all euro-area banks within the SRM. Germany favors a compromise that would mirror the supervision deal hashed out for the ECB, which leaves it out of day-to-day decisions over most banks while allowing it to intervene at any bank if necessary.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 25

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CompuLife Africa’s ICT industry mourns Mandela’s demise

By Adeyemi Adepetun with agency report FRICA’S Information and Communications Technology (ICT) A industry have also reacted to the death of former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

The news of Mandela’s death on December 5, flooded worldwide communication channels, with social networks representing the medium of choice for many to express their thoughts, feelings and experiences – including those of companies across the spectrum of Africa’s ICT landscape.

Mandela passed away at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, just before midnight, last Thursday, surrounded by family.

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma made an official announcement from the Union Buildings in Pretoria to the country saying “Our thoughts are with the millions of people across the world who embraced Madiba their own. We will always love you Madiba… may your soul rest in peace. God bless Africa.”

Indeed, in South Africa, telecommunication companies Cell C, MTN and Telkom in their statements, expressed their condolences.

According to MTN Group President/Chief Executive Officer, Sifiso Dabengwa: “Former President Mandela leaves behind a rich legacy of reconciliation, world peace and the triumph of the human spirit over all adversity. He embodied the spirit of human rights and dignity in the way he lived his own life.”

Dabengwa said that Mandela’s 50-year fight, including 27 years in jail, helped bring democracy and freedom to South Africa, stressing that even after 27 years of prison and hardship, “only one thing counted for Madiba, as Mandela was affectionately called by his clan name: creating a democratic, prosperous future for all the people of the new South Africa. This combination of humanity and unique statesmanship made his true greatness manifest for the entire world.”

The MTN group president said that the founding democratic leader achieved so much, touched so many people and showed much leadership and courage.

“He never lost his compassion, humility and common humanity. He’s an inspiration to us all. He taught us to love ourselves, to love one another and to love our country. So, as we celebrate his selfless efforts on behalf of human dignity, it also represents an enduring challenge for us all,” Dabengwa added.

The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Telkom joined the South Africa and the world in mourning the passing on of Mandela.

Chairman of the Board, Jabu Mabuza, said: “The announcement of Mr. Mandela’s death has had a deep and profound impact on members of his family, on his countless friends and comrades, on the citizens of South Africa, and on people across the globe.

It is with a heavy heart that we offer our condolences to his immediate family and to the wider family of South Africa. May you all gather strength and courage as we mourn the loss of the Father of our Nation.”

Meanwhile Cell C stated: “It is with a heavy heart that Cell C must say farewell to our beloved former president, hero and father of the nation, Nelson Mandela. We will all remember him for his courage, unwavering strength, and his ability to look past people’s faults and his kindness and generosity. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the nation.”

From Rwanda, MTN stated: “As MTN celebrates Mandela’s life and legacy, let us all remember his words: “The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.”

Airtel Kenya posted this message: “RIPNelsonMandela. Celebrate Madiba’s by inspiring others to move beyond fear and embrace courage.”

While Safaricom stated: “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again Nelson Mandela. Rest In Peace Madiba.”

Additionally, membership of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) responded with a statement: “ITU membership, management and staff join the people of South Africa and the whole world in mourning the passing of Nelson Mandela, the revolutionary South African anti-apartheid leader who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and who is hailed as one of the most transforming personalities the world has ever seen.”

ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré expressed his profound sadness and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and to the government and people of South Africa.

“I have personally looked up to Madiba for inspiration, as nothing in the world could ever daunt him or hold him back from his life’s mission to free his compatriots from the yoke of apartheid,” IT News Africa, an online technology platform quoted Dr. Touré saying: “His towering personality will leave a lasting impression on me, and the world will forever enjoy the legacy he has left behind in an atmosphere of peace, humility and forgiveness.”

In addition to tribute websites being established, social networks including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube have been inundated with postings.

On Twitter, “RIPNelsonMandela”, “RememberingMandela”, respect, legend and nation have all been trending, with the site dominated by postings and re-tweets.

Samples of private postings and those of organisations include “Your Long Walk of Freedom has come to an end but we will soldier on. A man of true advocacy x”, “One of the greatest man to

• ISPON describes him as ‘Greatest Software out of Africa’ walk on this planet” and “Not just South Africa but today whole world has a lost a great leader”.

According to IT News Africa, the Facebook profiles continue to be dominated by news and messages posted, along with images and videos, stressing that the site have over 2.2 million likes.

In Nigeria, the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) joined the rest of world to mourn the late freedom icon, describing Mandela as the ‘Greatest Software out of Africa’.

According to the President of ISPON, Chris Uwaje, Mandela represented and demonstrated perhaps, the most complex and greatest Software – out of Africa – that the human mind had ever

According the ISPON president, if men were God, Madiba Nelson Mandela would not have died, stressing that with his death, the world and indeed the entire humanity have lost an enigmatic knowledge fountain and a colossus in the wilderness of constructive logic.

Uwaje said that during his short span of service to humanity (eclipsed by the 27.5 years of unjustified detention at Robin Island jail), he positively touched the lives of many billion people of all races.

“ISPON recognises Madiba as a great reservoir of concentrated knowledge, an embodiment of constructive logic and an unri-

Mandela

He never lost his compassion, humility and common humanity. He’s an inspiration to us all. He taught us to love ourselves, to love one another and to love our country. So, as we celebrate his selfless efforts on behalf of human dignity, it also represents an enduring challenge for us all vision, conceptualised, structurally defined, strategically codified and wholeheartedly delivered for the application and benefit of human progress.

Uwaje described Madiba, as he was popular called, as “Knowledge Magic’, who is pure and simple, “This is why ISPON mourns his unforgettable demise.”

valed master-software algorithm. His dynamic leadership attitude radiates a calculus-minded human model, one that only a Software Knowledge Super architect can codify.

“Mandela has progressively but efficiently reduced our ignorance of human co-existence and relations and by extension, lightened-up the global pathway in search of Democracy architecture.

“Madela is and would perhaps the greatest “Reconciliatory Human Engine” (RHE) of all times.

Uwaje explained that after all, the fundamental role of software is to reconcile all domain of human activity to improve transparency, democracy and poverty, build the global truth bridge and engender sustainable freedom.

He said that ISPON mourned because that was a collectively loss of a great and irreplaceable mentor, adding that Madiba Mandela was a human-Software brain-box out of Africa, just as ISPON was the confident indigenous software architect out of Africa.

Mobile Money transfer users to hit about 400m by 2018

By Bankole Orimisan EARLY 400 million mobile phone users worldwide are expected to use their handsets for money transfer by 2018, up from just under 150 million this year, according to a new report from Juniper Research.

Growth is expected to be driven primarily by deployments of domestic money transfer services, with multinational network operators increasingly launching products on a group-wide rather than an ad hoc basis.

The report stressed the need for service providers to ensure that support infrastructure, including an extensive agent network, needed to be in place well in advance of commercial launch. It argued that the agent, subscriber ratio should be no greater than 1:500 to ensure

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a high proportion of active users, with strong agent concentrations at the outset in key urban areas within developing markets.

The report found that airtime top-up is now viewed as the primary mobile international remittance opportunity.

It cautioned against the imposition of taxes on mobile money services, such as those recently introduced in Kenya and Uganda. According to report author Dr. Windsor Holden: “While the impact on the Kenyan market appears to have been limited thus far, we should point out that this is the most mature mobile money market.

The introduction of a similar tax in a market in the early stages of service adoption could serve as a severe brake on growth or make potential

service providers reconsider planned deployments.”

However, it argued that in many cases, early service providers had failed to establish a critical mass of mobile wallets in recipient markets, reducing the opportunity for inbound remittance.

However, the report claimed that regulatory complexity had been the primary hurdle. As report author Dr. Windsor Holden observed: “Service providers must first obtain licences for each remittance corridor; they face due diligence and risk assessment checks, which may in turn oblige them to introduce additional mechanisms to address any issues which emerge. All these processes are time consuming and expensive.”

But while international cash remittance growth has been slow, transaction volumes have surged in the airtime top up market, where service providers are not required to obtain money licences.

The report found that average annual airtime top ups across key remittance corridors were in excess of average individual mobile spend levels in receiving countries, thereby covering recipient telecommunications bills for the year.

The report said that nearly 400 million mobile phone users worldwide are expected to use their handsets for mobile money transfer by 2018, and in sub-Saharan Africa, mobile money taxes are threatening the growth of domestic money transfer services.

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NigComSat claims capacity for broadband delivery

By Adeyemi Adepetun IGERIAN Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) has claimed to have the needed capacity to deliver sufficient and cheaper broadband access across the country.

NigComSat’s Chief Executive Officer, Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai at the 2013 eNigeria conference on local content hosted by Nigeria Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja, said that the commission could deliver satellite-based broadband in Nigeria.

In his paper titled: “Satellite based broadband in Nigeria, prospects and challenges”, Ahmed –Rufai, who said that broadband could improve economics and create a winwin situation for governments and the governed, listed various aspects of broadband delivery, which included Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL),

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Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Cable broadband, Wireless broadband like GSM, WIMAX, CDMA and WiFi, Symmetric broadband (SDSL) and Satellite broadband via Communications Satellite on varying bands including Ku, C and most recently higher spectral frequencies like Ka-band and beyond.

According to the NigComSat boss, Africa remained the least wired continent in the world today “in terms of robust telecommunications infrastructure and systems to cater for its nearly one billion populations”.

This, he said, underscored the reason for high demand in the form of communication satellites and variants of terrestrial wireless systems more than in any other continent for the sole purpose of bridging its digital hiatus, complementing the group of inadequate terrestrial ICT infrastructure in the rural

areas, swampy and landlocked terrains thus playing a critical role of delivering ICT readiness in un-served and underserved areas.

He explained that in Nigeria, for instance, there was a combined landed submarine optic fibre capacity of over 10-terra bit per second (Tbit) but only about 0.5Tbps gets to the hinterland.

Besides, he informed that Internet penetration is presently at 33 per cent while broadband penetration is six per cent, adding that 72.25 per cent of access was via wireless networks, mainly GSM; while the remaining 27.75 per cent access is via other media.

Further statistics, AhmedRufai mentioned were that 2G mobile coverage was 65 per cent while 3G was only 35 per cent and this was concentrated in urban areas so technically only urban areas enjoyed the luxury of broad-

band.

And in a country where over 70 per cent of its population resides in the rural areas, he said that the limitation of access to broadband via cable might be bridged via NigComSat-1R, which could serve as conduit to improve access links, “but sadly NigComSat-1R is today grossly underutilised.

“The effect is that huge capacity of cable broadband is left at the shores thereby encouraging capital flight which is put at $450 million yearly spent on bandwidth purchase from abroad.”

Ahmed-Rufai emphasized that communications satellite was the answer as a “low hanging fruit” to meet short and medium term plans of the national broadband plan, because “if we must optimise access to information and guarantee universal access in the short and medium term to all citizens, including those in the re-

U.S. embassy, Ogun NUJ train journalists on HE Public Affairs DepartT ment of the United States of America embassy and the Ministry of Information Chapel of the Ogun State Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) last week held a threeday training workshop for selected information managers across the country.

In a speech delivered by the Director of the Public Affairs Department of the embassy, Dehab Gabriel, the workshop was initiated to help journal-

ists to develop their capacity to effectively deliver their responsibility as the “Fourth estate of the realm” in Nigeria’s growing democracy.

She stressed that professionals in the business of information management must understand the integral role the media plays in the sustainability of democracy.

According to the Chairperson of the Ministry of Information Chapel of Ogun State NUJ, Mrs. Seun Boye, the work-

shop was designed for information officers, spokespersons and press secretaries in government establishments of Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, Osun, Edo, Ekiti, Rivers and Ogun states.

Boye noted that the aim of the workshop was to explore information dissemination in the digital age and focus on effective use of modern tools of communication to further mobilize support for government programmes and issues

relating to best journalism practices in contemporary times.

Present at the ceremony were the Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Ogun State Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Alhaji A.F.A Opebiyi, Mr. Derwin Johnson, a communication consultant and the workshop’s lead facilitator, delegates from the U.S. Embassy and public servants in

mote areas then communication satellite should remain within the framework of our ICT policy and broadband implementation to complement existing but inadequate terrestrial infrastructure as well as strategic national and continental telecommunication infrastructure during natural disasters and emergencies.”

He also advised that there should be a policy by government on the use of satellite broadband as primary source of Internet in rural and swampy areas with as-

sociated ground technologies and redundancy in areas with optic fibre to mitigate against cuts, damages and theft considering our geography, lack of channelised roads, subways, railways and poor urban and regional planning.

Ahmed-Rufai said that satellite communications could indeed deliver broadband because it had been a major means of broadcast, mass media, free to air TV, medical science especially Tele-medicine, e-learning among others.

New Horizons opens IT centre at Redeemer’s unversity

By Bankole Orimisan HE drive towards a knowledge-based economy in Nigeria, received a boost recently, with the deployment of information technology resource centre

by New Horizons at the Redeemer’s University, Ogun State.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the project in the school premises, the Vice Chancellor, Redeemer’s University, Professor Debo Adeyewa, said that the resource centre would enable every student irrespective of his or her academic discipline to have a minimum of four international skills certifications at 90 per cent subsidized rate before graduating from the university.

According to him, the certifications would position them in the global software development industry, cashless economy, e-bank-

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ing, e-medical/telemedicine, e- government, e-legal administration, oil and gas as well as telecoms sector with attendant employment & self-employment opportunities.

Adeyewa, who declared the IT centre open for studies, said that he was elated by the partnership which had resulted in the IT Centre.

The Chief Executive Officer, New Horizons Nigeria, Mr. Tim Akano, said that staff of the university would be trained at the centre for free and it would help students to be global technology entrepreneurs.

Akano noted that many of today’s successful businessmen were technology entrepreneurs who started their respective companies from their school dormitories such as Bill Gates of Microsoft, Steve Jobs of Apple Computers and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook.

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Secretary-General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Dr. Hamadoun Toure (left) and the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr. Eugene Juwah at the Nigerian stand at the just-ended ITU Telecom 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Firms seek measures against fraud, data management challenges T the SAS and Resourcery A fraud prevention and data management conference, public and private corporations have been urged to employsolutionsthatwillhelp in curbing the growing influence of the menace in the country.

The conference, which was held in Lagos, experts, who dissected the topic, noted that there was need for organisations to change the traditional way they fought the issue of fraud, stressing that changing trends and technologies were major issues that must be looked into.

Speaking, Senior Solution Manager for Data Management & Data Quality at SAS, Antionette Van Zyl noted that data management had

three major key drivers; namely, business and revenue optimisation, risk, governance and compliance as well as cost control.

Starting with the business and revenue optimisation, she said that quality management by financial institutions would adequately address customer acquisition, satisfaction and loyalty worries as well as enhance their revenue drive.

She noted that modernised cost control process driven by I.T. efficiency would see an increase in productivity, adding that all of these would be aided by data governance, risk mitigation as well as adequate compliance.

Van Zyl said: “Better and faster business decisions depend on getting data in the right place

by effectively moving data between systems. This must be done at the right time by supporting all data delivery latencies and architectures. This data must also be in the right form and should be available to the right people.

“That is why SAS Institute in partnership with Resourcery here in Nigeria is determined to change the data management equation from 80 per cent spent on problem solving preparation and only 20 per cent spent on solving the problem to 20 per cent spent on problem solving preparation and 80 per cent spent on actually solving the problem. With SAS data management solutions, the Nigerian financial sector would see a significant reduction in fraud related case.”

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Diamond Bank receives PCI DSS certification

By Bankole Orimisan N a bid to improve overall customer experience and foster an improved security framework for card-based transactions, Diamond Bank Plc has received the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certification for its debit and credit cards.

The PCI DSS is a global security standard that helps to prevent card and data fraud by evaluating payment account data security and assessing an organization’s network architecture, software design, security policies, procedures and protective practices. Diamond Bank received the certificate following the successful audit of the Bank by the PCI Security Standards Council earlier this year.

Head, Corporate Communications at Diamond Bank, Mrs. Ayona Trimnell, expressed the Bank’s delight on the certification by the PCI Security Standards Council.

She said that the Bank was pleased to receive the certificate after a very rigorous audit exercise.

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TD bags HP award ECHNoloGY Distributions T strengthens its African Information and Communications Technology market share with another HP award, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at the weekend.

Before a capacity crowd of ICT distributors and professionals from the Middle East, Mediterranean, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, gathered for the HP Partner Awards, Technology Distributions was named the HP PPS (PCs & Printers) Distributor of the Year 2013.

Presenting the award to the Managing Director, Marketing, Mrs. Chioma Chimere, the PPS MEMA Vice President, Andre Bodson said that the consistent performance of TD was proof of a strict adherence to procedures that lead to good corporate governance.

Bodson said that TD had become an imposing landmark on the IT landscape of Africa, offering original and high quality ICT products from renowned manufacturers.

He praised TD for providing exceptional value to channel marketing and presenting the consumer with a valid purchasingchoice.Hesaidthatthe acceptance and growth of HP in Africa is closely linked to the marketing successes of TD.

eScan antivirus software debuts in Nigeria Nigerian firm, Global A Investment &Communication limited has partnered with an Indian company, Microworld Technologies Inc. to commence a nationwide distribution of eScan antivirus for mobile and tablet security device to complement and strengthen android mobile phones.

Speaking at a news briefing in lagos recently, Managing Director/Chief Executive officer, Global Investment &Communication, Mr. Albert Uduma, believed the software was coming at a time when mobile phone users were always at the mercies of mobile phone virus, cyber threat and theft. He added that that mobile phone data could be restored through the use of the eScan software.

According to Trimnell: “The award of the PCI DSS certificate marks the end of a rigorous audit exercise that saw Control Case llC, a United States based Qualified Security Assessor and one of the world’s best Qualified Security Assessors, validate the various frameworks we have put in place to ensure our customers carry out card-based transactions in a secured environment. We are pleased to

receive this award as it further demonstrates our unrelenting drive to provide unparallel customer experience.”

The PCI requirements were developed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which includes the five major payment card issuers MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover and JCB International - to help facilitate broad adoption of data

Conference certifies first set of police forensic examiners

By Bankole Orimisan IFTEEN senior police offiFincluding cers of the Nigeria Police a deputy commissioner of police were among the candidates inducted as certified forensic examiners at the just concluded 2013 International Digital and Mobile Forensic Conference held in Abuja.

The conference, put together by First Digital and Technolaw Forensic Co. ltd in conjunction with Computer Forensic Institute, Nigeria (CFIN) also witnessed turn out of other law enforcement agents, various arms of the military, prosecutors from the Federal Ministry of Justice and their state counterparts, among others as part of inductees at the conference even as honorary fellowship awards of the institute were bestowed on the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral ola Sa’ad Ibrahim who was represented by Rear Admiral S.U. Chinweuba and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar represented by the Head of Forensic, NP, DCP oyokomino, ovie Voletenisky.

Chairman, Certification Board, Computer Forensic Institute, Nigeria and Managing Forensic Examiner /CEo, First Digital and Technolaw Forensic Co. ltd, Dr. Peter olu olayiwola expressed happiness over the number of police officers that came for certification and said that the nation had finally woken up to the need to visualize computer forensic, digital foren-

sic, cyber forensic along with the traditional forensic sciences like voice and document examination that had been used extensively by our law enforcement agencies saying that our nation took a great step in this direction by the passage of the Evidence Act 2011 which now recognises electronic and digital evidences in the law courts.

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Glo offers free incoming roaming calls

while SMS in the affected countries will be as low as N30 per security best practices worldSMS. wide.

The offer tagged Glo Roaming 2014, will receive calls on their Glo “For us at Diamond Bank, lines free of charge and also stand Promo, which will run from will this certificate is not an end in the chance of winning exciting also see subscribers who travel itself as it will propel us to to the listed countries making Christmas Gifts from Glo. continuously evolve ways of In a move to reward its loyal cus- calls at extremely reduced rates. not only satisfying our cusAccording to a statement tomers this yuletide season, tomers, but exceeding their Globacom said all incoming calls signed by the Head of Glo expectations. Now, as always, to the roaming subscriber Gateway, Steve Stretch, any Glo Diamond Bank customers can becomes absolutely free in these subscriber roaming in any of enjoy seamless, secured card- six major destinations - United the six mentioned countries based transactions with our stands a chance to win various Kingdom (UK), United States of numerous credit and debit America, South Africa, the United prizes every week for six weeks cards,” Trimnell added.

Arab Emirates, Canada, and Spain; at various prize levels. lo Mobile prepaid subscribers G who roam abroad between December 2013 and January 15

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Maritime Customs seeks 50 new scanners for PAAR’s implementation

President Jonathan

Dikko

Stories by Moses Ebosele O facilitate prompt and T uninterrupted scanning of containers under its new Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) regime, the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) has unveiled a five year development plan.

Under the agenda, not less than 50 scanners will be deployed at various locations nationwide coupled with sustained training and awareness campaign.

According to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi Inde, the proposed scanners are expected to complement the existing 21 inherited, recently from Destination Inspection service

providers.

The management of the NCS also disclosed that out of the 21 scanners, only few are in proper shape and acceptable working conditions.

Speaking at an interactive session with Journalists in Lagos, the Customs boss who was accompanied by senior management personnel, explained that the NCS has successfully taken over the responsibility of scanning of containers from service providers.

He also pledged the commitment of NCS to ensure adequate enlightenment campaign was carried out across the country, adding that the new regime is scheduled to save time and reduce transaction cost.

The Customs boss who also commissioned a trade hub centre and information facilities at the Trade Fair Complex as part of measures to officially usher-in the Nigerian Trade Hub and the PreArrival Assessment Report (PAAR) regime, solicited for the cooperation and support of all stakeholders.

He directed the and Information Communication Technology (ICT) Unit of the Customs to ensure only competent hands are trained among the traders so that the centre can be handed over to them.

According to Dikko, the centre will be handed over to the traders as soon as

Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister

competent hands have been trained by customs to carry on operation of the facility.

Making reference to the first PAAR issued under the new regime, the Customs boss said: “It is really encouraging and promising that we can issue a PAAR in 58 minutes. Before now, what was happening during the RAR period was that it took like five days or more than that, we know that the public has been complaining about RAR issue, but it is over, this PAAR is going to be issued before the arrival of the cargo”.

Explaining further, Dikko said: “What we expect from you is compliance. If you comply, you can never

have problem with customs, but we are assuring that whatever it takes, though we were given 48 hours to clear cargoes, but we on our own feel it’s too much, we want to make it in six hours” The Customs boss said the PAAR sensitization programme is moving to the Eastern Zone where according to him it will be hosted, by the Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, adding that, the phase would be the Northern Zone.

Dikko explained that under the new import regime, there is no need for importers to pay demurrage on goods.

NCS said:”There will no longer be room for pay-

ment of demurrage since your goods may have been released before the goods arrive. The strength of PAAR is to encourage the importers to do things by themselves while we merely supervise them.

“The initiative is dynamic so it can adequately respond to changes in government policies. It can be seamlessly managed.

“We will send a notification to you and your bank about the ‘Form M’ to know whether the Form had been approved or not.

(The form contains data on goods specification) You don’t even have to come to the Customs office for that.

You can then commence processing of your importation.”

NPA partners KACCIMA on economic development HE Nigerian Ports T Authority (NPA) will continue to partner the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and A g r i c u l t u r e (KACCIMA),organisers of the Kano International Trade Fair.

According to the Managing Director of NPA, Malam Habib Abdullahi, the partnership is for the promotion of trade and investments in

the city of Kano “and indeed the entire northern states of Nigeria”.

Speaking at the just concluded 34th edition of the fair, Abdullahi enumerated the various function of the NPA. Abdullahi who spoke on the occasion marking NPA day, during the event tagged: “Business Alliance and Partnership for Economic Development”, assured the organisers of the NPA part-

nership.

Represented by the General Manager in charge of Marine and Operation, Malam Mohammed Bulangu, the Managing Director told guests that NPA was at the fair to showcase its services to the business community in Kano.

Earlier in a welcome address, the president of Kano Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, Alhaji Farouk

Rabiu Dansuleka commended the NPA boss for supporting “a venture that seeks to unite the entire business community in the North”.

He noted that the importance of NPA to the business community in the North cannot be over emphasised, urging all exporters and importers in the North to patronise Nigerian Ports.

While appealing to NPA to consider the reopening of

the Kano office of the Authority, the KACCIMA President, according to a statement issued by Principal Manager (Public Affairs), I. A. Suwaid, described Kano as “number one” commercial centre in Nigeria.

He disclosed that KACCIMA is working towards the takeoff of the dry port in Kano and called for the Authority support in this direction.

According to the statement, a business dinner, which was attended by the Business Community in Kano, was later held to commemorate the event.

In his speech, the Commissioner for Commerce in Kano State Dr. Damburam Nuhu who represented Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso congratulated the NPA for its outing at the fair.

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Industry Patronage bill as a panacea to unbridled importation?

IN the last two decades, Nigeria has continued to witness the growth of young, middle class Nigerians who have a high taste for foreign products, a desire that has continued to hamper patronage of locally produced goods. There is no doubt that the economic potential of the country has been taken over by goods produced in other countries. This rise has created a new kind of consumer in the Nigerian market, an up market buyer’. With government intensifying its diversification drive through different backward integration plans for the real sector, it has become imperative to revisit the import substitution strategy. The patronage bill by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) may serve a deterrent effect in ensuring that the real sector does not slip back into the doldrums despite the revamping initiatives by government. FEMI ADEKOYA writes.

HEN the Director-General, Standards Organisation of W Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu last year, disclosed at a Senate Public Hearing on the Local Industry Patronage Bill 2012 (SB. 147) that Nigeria imports a whopping 80 per cent of its consumer product needs, there were reactions on the authenticity of the declaration.

A few months after, activities of the SON and other sundry agencies have revealed a high level of seizures, ban and destruction of some imported goods.

The heavy appetite for goods with foreign origin due to the perceived quality some of such goods have, has continued to affect patronage of locally manufactured goods, while some importers have also taken advantage of such desires to imitate premium brands, thereby increasing the influx of substandard goods into the country.

The import substitution strategy is a means of replacing imported goods with domestic production. Instead of importing certain goods and services, arrangements are be made to establish similar industries to produce them (goods) locally, which were hitherto imported from foreign countries.

According to industry watchers, no amount of campaigns or patriotic sentiments will make a consumer prefer an expensive good manufactured in his country to the same product made cheaply abroad.

Even in America where the citizens have reasons to be patriotic and nationalistic, decision to buy is still largely ruled by normal consumer behaviour of always striving to get value for money.

American motor companies started having problems immediately the average car consumer started picking the more fuelefficient Japanese vehicles ahead of those made in America. 65 per cent of all foot wears used by American children and young people are from China.

Citing a technological gap, Odumodu stated that local capacity to produce consumer goods had been greatly dented by years of neglect of the manufacturing sector.

According to him, Nigerian businessmen increasingly prefer to import cheap foreign products as opposed to manufacturing locally in view of high cost of production caused largely by inadequate power supply.

Although, efforts including the tightening of borders and identification of some products in the prohibition lists seem to have been taken to check unbridled importation of goods, nonpatronage of made-in-Nigeria products remains a key challenge before the federal government in enhancing the growth of the real sector.

The SON boos had called on relevant stakeholders – private and government- to copy strategies adopted by emerging economies who in the past copied technologies of developed countries and replicated them locally.

Minister of Trade Industry and Investment, Olusegun Aganga had told The Guardian earlier in the year that government was going to come up with a policy that seeks to encourage patronage of goods manufactured in the country.

He had said: “The federal government wants to come up with a Local Patronage Bill that will make sure that we patronise our products in the country. We are already working on the bill, because there is no point producing, when we do not patronise them.

“So, part of the strategy will include import substitution, making sure that we produce what we can produce locally for the oil industry, rather than allowing them to be imported into the country. We know that what it means is that we to ensure they meet international standards. That is not the problem as we can do that. You need technology, training and people, but we can get there.”

Indeed, in a borderless world where miles and distances do not impede free flow of goods and services across national frontiers,

Aganga stakeholders within the real sector believe that managers of the nation’s economy should emphasize how to cut the prohibitive cost of doing business in order to maximize the nation’s competitive and comparative advantage as a resource-rich nation.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have at different periods, urged the federal government to improve measures in addressing the challenges of difficult operating environment for businesses if products being produced in the country would enjoy patronage and remain competitive.

Odumodu advocated Nigeria’s adoption of international standards and best practices in order to enhance the opening up of local markets to global markets, create enabling business environments, spur economic growth and help mitigate and adapt to climate change.

The SON boss added that the agency was seeking collaborations with other agencies to increase opportunities for the acceptability of locally produced goods.

He said: “We believe that the local content policy can be harnessed to assist local manufacturers. For instance, cable manufacturers can source their materials locally rather than importing everything. As much as government has a lot o do, there is a burden of responsibility on manufacturers to ensure that only quality products are sold in the markets.

“SON will continue to seek collaborations that would aid standards of locally made goods. Already, substandard cables and products are being seized and destroyed by SON. We would not relent in making sure local manufacturers get value for their efforts,” he added.

Meanwhile, to support its regulatory functions, the Cable Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CAMA) has donated a sur-

Odumodu veillance truck to the SON to such end.

President of the association, Ifeanyi Uzodike noted that the cable manufacturers considered it necessary to support the agency in terms of provision of logistics, as part of efforts to encourage the fight against substandard wires and cables.

He implored the federal government to provide sufficient support needed for SON’s campaigns to succeed.

Uzodike said that for the war against substandard products to be successful, certain stern measures must be taken. These, he said, included prosecuting to a logical conclusion, anyone found to have been involved in substandard products’ importation or sale in the country.

He expressed the hope that the recent collaboration of SON and CAMA would lead to massive destruction of substandard products and a marked reduction in the quantity of such products coming into the country.

He underscored the immense danger faced by the country whenever substandard products were allowed to enter the country, saying such could involve loss of human lives and property, and on the long run, a big dent on the image of the country and its citizens.

“The move to donate the vehicle to SON was in fulfillment of a promise made to the agency to assist it in its surveillance and monitoring function. We discovered that there has been a significant improvement in the industry as many manufacturers and importers now adhere to prescribed standards for cable in the country.

“There is no doubt that Nigerian cables are the best in the world but unbridled competition from substandard imported goods have continued to affect the group’s local capacity utilisation as well as export potential. We hereby implore SON not to relent in its efforts in protecting made-in-Nigeria goods.”

How govt can encourage local tyre manufacturers

By Femi Adekoya FFORTS to promote tyre manufacturers to comE mence production would begin to yield desired results if the problems of inadequate power supply and cost competitiveness are addressed.

This was the view of the General Manager, Maxxis International Nigeria Limited, Daniel Wu during a chat with The Guardian in Lagos, at the weekend.

According to him, many firms would consider resuming manufacturing in the country if the federal government lived up to its promise of making the business envi-

ronment conducive, especially in the area of constant power supply.

He noted that unstable power supply remained a key challenge affecting manufacturing of tyres in the country, saying, “you cannot afford to have a disruption in the power flow during the course of production. There is a huge market for tyre production but the cost of production is too high and this affects the price consumers are willing to pay for the product.”

The federal government had said that it would be offering tyre manufacturers a five to 10-year tax holiday as part of

its commitment to the new automobile policy.

According to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, the value chain on key automobile products, including metal, iron ore, plastic and tyre would also be improved.

He added that the new automobile policy would include bringing back tyre manufacturers, saying: “Part of the problem was that some of the tyres were brought in at 10 per cent, while some are 20 per cent and 40 per cent.

“Anybody that goes into tyre production like Michelin and

others will start bringing in tyres at five per cent based on the level of commitment to produce tyres locally.”

Wu said: “A lot of Nigerians need to be enlightened on proper care for tyres. Many people see tyre as just a mere component of the car, but unknown to them, it is a life issue. The sensitivity of the product demands more attention than necessary.

Already, we as a company have commenced efforts to establish tyre service centres across the country before the end of 2014 to assist consumers buy and maintain standard products.”

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Energy Leeway to effective petroleum product distribution in Nigeria, by stakeholders

By Roseline Okere VER the decades, petroleum has assumed a O dominant role in the economy, contributing the bulk of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

Paradotically, the distribution of petroleum products locally has been fraught with various challenges resulting sometimes to scarcity with concormitant inflated prices especially for petrol, diesel and kerosene.

At this year’s Oil Trading and Logistic Africa Downstream Expo held in Lagos recently, stakeholders identified challenges and possible solutions to effective petroleum product distribution in the country.

With the theme, “Investment and Competitiveness in Downstream Oil”, this year’s OTL Expo, witnessed participation from the entire downstream petroleum value-chain in Nigeria, as well as critical industry interests across the globe.

Specifically, the event had in attendance, all the oil majors operating in Nigeria, a majority of leading independents, international supply companies, original equipment manufacturers, logistics service providers, shipping and tank storage operators, financial institutions and a range of professional services. Government departments with a core role in downstream petroleum which participated, actively in the 2013 OTL Expo include; the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Customs Service and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

More than fifteen countries were represented at the event, including Nigeria, United Kingdom, South Africa, Switzerland, Denmark, Ghana, Japan, France, China, Singapore, the United States of America, India, Italy, Ireland, Sweden and United Arab Emirates.

The event also featured an international exhibition of relevant products and services, the Downstream Industry Awards Dinner and several networking lunches and cocktails. In addition, the event hosted eight strategic and intellectually stimulating sessions, which had industry decision-makers, Chief Executives and Administrations as Speakers and Panelists.

At the end of the conference, the stakeholders in a communiqué made available to The Guardian on Monday, expressed concern over the increased transaction cycles and supply chain shocks resulting from inability of government to pay subsidy as and when due.

The Ministry of Finance, and other parties were urged to timeously meet Sovereign Debt Note commitments to prevent a systemic collapse of petroleum and financial markets in Nigeria.

The stakeholders acknowledged the continued negative impact of ship-shore oil theft and to ensure integrity and accountability in shipshore volumes.

It therefore urged ship owners to henceforth be held responsible for the actions of their crews, which result in ship-shore discrepancies.

In view of documentation, security and supply chain integrity challenges inherent in motherdaughter vessel transshipment offshore Coto-

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Andrew Yakubu (Left); exchanging pleasantries with the Minister of Information and Leader of the Good Governance Team at the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company, Kaduna. nou, stakeholders emphasized the need for the Central Bank of Nigeria to consider and approve offshore Lagos as an STS point for imported foreign cargo.

It stated: “Considering that more transparent and value-based pricing benefits is central to the efficiency of petroleum products markets, including access to price-risk management instruments, we call on government to take necessary measures towards achieving price and value driven petroleum products markets.

“Complementing global and regional maritime security efforts, and to enhance safety and security in the movement of petroleum prod-

ucts, there should be meticulous adherence to reporting requirements for all incidents, while proactive attention should be paid to all ‘near– misses’.

“Worried about the impact on efficiency of petroleum products supplies and demurrage liability, industry expresses grave concern over undue delay in the issuance of Naval Clearance and requests the cooperation of Naval authorities in achieving issuance of Naval clearance under 24 hours in all deserving cases.

“As a means of reducing the impact of piracy and increasing revenues for the country, government is invited to consider the development

of a secure anchorage area for vessels as a collaborative initiative between the public and private partnership (PPP).

“Convinced that increased investment and industry development is anchored on clear and consistent legal and regulatory frameworks, industry urges the National Assembly to expedite efforts on, and enact the Petroleum Industry Bill into law as soon as possible.

“The foregoing are some issues of common concern to the industry, and relevant authorities are encouraged to take measures towards resolving them towards greater industry good and national transformation”.

‘Transmission line for Gurara hydro-power plant ready by 2014’ From Nkechi Onyedika, Kaduna HE Federal Government is to complete the 140km 132kV High Voltage transmission Line for the Gurara hydro- electric power plant as well as the 2000hectre irrigation project at the Multi-purpose Gurara Water Transfer project in Kaduna State by 2014.

The projects being handled by Salini Construction Company, are additional components of the Gurara dam project, which transfers raw water from Gurara River, through a conveyance pipeline to Lower Usman Plant in the Fedearl Capital Territory (FCT) is expected to meet water demand of FCT for the next 50 years.

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Besides, the $849million Abuja-Idu-Kaduna railway project would be completed and handed over to government by December 2014.

The 186km rail line which started in 2010, has attained 70 percent completion.

Coordinating Director, Gurara Water Transfer project Ibrahim Babaji who disclosed this at the weekend when members of the Good Governance Team inspected the project in Gurara, said that the entire projects is going to cost the federal government about N54 billion.

He explained that contract for the project was awarded in 2001 at the cost of N15billion

adding that following the addition of more components, such as the hydro-power plant and the pilot irrigation project, the cost was reviewed to N38 billion.

According to him, in order to optimize the utilisation of the 30megawatts Hydro-power plant, it was foreseen that a 132kV High Voltage transmission Line of 140km to Kaduna beerected, additional access roads be constructed, then leading to another review of the project cost to N54billion.

That the dam and the hydro-power plant have been completed and tested while the dam has been supplying water to FCT while the transmission.

Engineers seek vibrant mining sector

By Sulaimon Salau LECTRICAL Engineers, under the aegis of The E Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), have sought full intervention of the Federal Government to enhance the contribution of the mining sector to national development.

The Vice Chairman NIEEE, Lagos Chapter, Akan Michael, made the appeal during an industrial visit of the institution to the Continental Project Development and Supplies Limited in Ikorodu, Lagos.

Michael, who commended the brick mining

firm for sustaining production despite its numerous challenges, pointed out the need for technology upgrade in other to strengthen production process.

“If they can work on technology, a lot of things would be in place, because the present system was put in place in about 1976 when the company was established before it was transferred to private ownership. They should intensify efforts to improve the technology,” he urged.

According to him, “the mining sector has contributed immensely to national development and therefore needed support from Federal Government. We have a lot of minerals in

every part of the country, so if government allows investors to come in and explore the resources, it would definitely improve the economy.”

He identified some of the challenges militating against growth of the mining sector to power supply and insufficient funds.

“I believe that when we get the power sector to its right place, a lot of things would spring up,” he said.

The Operations Manager, Continental Project Development and Supplies Limited, Karunwi Adeleke, said the company produces an average of 3,500 of bricks per day, out of the 12,000

installed production capacity.

He linked the low output to some technical limitations that he said needed full attention of the stakeholders.

He however noted that the clay reserve is still in abundance, and the company is still fully committed to utilizing the resources to boost usage of red bricks in the country.

Quoting from the report of the Switz consultant that prepared the feasibility study, he said: “If we are producing at 100,000 units per day, the reserve capacity would last for 100 years, but we are producing about 3000 units daily now, so we still have huge reserve”

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EITI compliant countries disclose $1tr revenue in 2013

By Roseline Okere EvENUE disclosure by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) compliance countries have increased from $570 billion it recorded as at December 2011 to $1 trillion this year.

EITI, which disclosed this in its 2013 Fact Sheet, said that as at October 2013, about 25 countries have disclosed $1 trillion total worth of revenue to EITI. It added that over 80 of the world’s largest companies involved in the oil, gas and mining sectors support and actively participate in the EITI process – through their country operations in implementing countries, international-level commitments and industry associations.

It noted that the EITI has won the support of over 90 global investment institutions that collectively manage over $19 trillion.

The report stated: “Civil society organisations participate in the EITI directly and through the Publish What You Pay campaign, which is supported by more than 400 non-governmental-organisations worldwide.

“International organisations supporting the EITI include the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the regional development banks.

These organisations provide technical and financial support to implementing countries and support EITI

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outreach.

“A number of governments support the EITI including: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US. These governments provide political, technical and financial support, both internationally and at the country level. They also provide financial support through direct bilateral support to EITI implementing countries or through a multidonor trust fund managed by the World Bank”.

It listed EITI compliance countries to include Nigeria, Albania, Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Mozambique, Niger, Norway, Peru, and Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Yemen and Zambia.

The total financial flows to the Federation and other government entities during the years 2009 to 2011 was put at $143.5 billion, representing a decrease of four per cent on the 2006 to 2008 audit total of $148.8 billion.

The decrease was largely due to a 50 per cent reduction from $60 billion to $30 billion in 2009 arising from a drop in the applicable average oil price despite fairly consistent production volumes.

The President, Masters Energy Group, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah (left); and the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. S. C. K. Uche during the Prelate’s Apostolic visit to the company, in Lagos.

Siemens strengthens partnership with govt on 10,000mw power project

By Roseline Okere IEMENS has further reiterated its commitment towards the implementation of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on developing 10,000 megawatts (MW) power generation capacity and buildup of a service workshop for heavy-duty gas turbines in the country.

Last month, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and an attached high-ranking political and industrial delegation including Prof. Jerry Gana, Chairman of Supertek Electric Limited and also Chairman of the Independent Power Producers Association of Nigeria (IPPAN), visited the Siemens gas turbine factory in Berlin, Germany to strengthen the MoU on power generation project.

During the visit, an adden-

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Techno Oil extends CSR to Abia

By Sulaimon Salau As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Techno Oil Limited has donated a multi-million-naira classroom blocks and Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre to Community Secondary School, Isingwu in Umuahia North Local Council area of Abia State.

The Head Strategy and Corporate Services of Techno Oil, Mr. Ken Abazie, was in line with the wake-up call by Governor of the state, Theodore Orji, urging investment in youth empowerment programmes.

Abazie said that the project

would help to create conducive learning environment for the school and improve standard of teaching.

According to him, the project would be of benefit not only for the school in Isingwu, but also for neighbouring secondary schools in Ossah, Ibeku, Ohiya and Amachara communities, all in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

He however noted that the Isingwu project was in line with the CSR policy of the company, anchored on “touching lives wherever we are, wherever we go”.

He recalled that in 2009, the

company initiated the Techno Oil “Adopt-a-School” Programme in partnership with the Federal Government and state ministries of education, to promote basic education for indigent students.

Abazie said that the initiative made Techno Oil adopt Dr. Lucas Memorial High School at Kirikiri, Ajegunle in Olodi Apapa, Lagos, where it built a state-of-the art ICT Centre.

Besides, he said the company reconstructed hostel facilities at Boys High School, Agulu in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anam-

UK firm launches deepwater drilling machines From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja To meet with the current demands for deep drilling machines in the country, a British firm, Dando Drilling International Limited, has introduced a special drilling machine into Nigerian market.

Speaking recently at a threeday exhibition on Water Africa and West African Building and Construction, vice President of the firm, Adrian Scott, said the machine is famous for its deepest drilling capacity, especially in the oil and gas industry.

According to him, Dando Watertec 40 is also remarkable for drilling the deepest water well reading about 800 metres in Borno, Northern Nigeria.

“The machine is a hugely successful drilling rig, designed for drilling large diameter wells to great depths in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

“With a pullback capacity of 40,000kg, he machine is favoured by large aid agencies, government departments and private contractors for deep borehole drilling projects worldwide”.

Aside the capacity to drill deep water and oil wells, Stock said Dando machines are also famous for low emission. According to him, indiscriminate emission from industrial machines has been identified to constitute pollution nuisance and contribute to the problem of climate change.

Introducing range of Dando equipment during tour of exhibition ground, Scott said his company with a long history, is renown for production and supply of products that are not only effective but also with negligeable amount of emission.

dum to the 2012 MoU was signed between Siemens and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Power in order to extend the scope of the partnership to include the upgrade and expansion of the Nigerian transmission infrastructure.

Siemens will also support the technical design specification, training of Nigerian workforce, and lifecycle management of the various elements of the transmission infrastructure.

In addition, Siemens signed a technical development MoU with Supertek Electric Limited for the development of its 500 MW Ajaokuta power plant in Kogi state.

Chief Executive Officer of the Business Unit Gas Turbines/Generators at

Siemens Energy, Thierry Toupin, stated: “Siemens is committed to working together with the Nigerian Government and the Federal Ministry of Power to provide solutions to the challenges in the Nigerian power sector.

We have vast experience along the entire electricity value chain and are dedicated to bringing world-class solutions in the areas of power generation, transmission and distribution to Nigeria. We have already demonstrated this by our outstanding track record with the completion of large power projects according to the agreed quality, budget and timeline”.

According to Nebo, the Ministry of Power is really proud of the track record of Siemens

in the Nigerian power sector. I am really excited about Siemens’ commitment to working together with us to facilitate Human capital development, especially in the transmission sector. With Siemens, we have a strategic partnership that works”.

The Siemens gas turbine factory in Berlin with a staff of approximately 3,500 was founded in 1904. To date, over 900 gas turbines with a cumulated capacity of 140 gigawatts (GW) have been delivered from the Berlin plant to customers in more than 60 countries. Collectively, these gas turbines could cover the average power demand of nearly 100 cities the size of Berlin (Berlin has more than 3 million inhabitants).

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Norway pledges support for N’Delta’s development From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, (Benin City) and Hendrix Oliomogbe, (Asaba) HE Norwegian governT ment yesterday, pledged support for the development of the Niger Delta region through various reach-out programmes to support improved management of its oil wealth.

The country’s ambassador to Nigeria, Rolf Ree in a keynote address electronically sent to a one day workshop titled ‘Strengthening Oil Management in Niger Delta Project ‘, organised by Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, (ANEEJ) said his country’s government was interested in the development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria because both countries are important players in the global oil market, but explained that Norway has been able to use the resources from oil to develop the country.

He said Norway believed that transformation could be achieved in Nigeria: “We believe that such a transformation is possible in Nigeria where the government and other interest groups work hard to support development initiatives and also where the resources are properly managed in the interest of majority of the people.

“The Strengthening Oil Revenue Management in Niger Delta Project is a direct response to the wide spread poverty in the Niger Delta through strengthening of in-

stitutions of identified stakeholders. We hope that such an intervention will contribute to the needed development in the region and the entire country”.

On his part, the Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor onCSOs, Comrade Efosa Kayode-Iyasere, said that the promotion of Niger Delta region through unprecedented development is something the people are hungry for.

In his remarks, Executive Director, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor said that the second phase of the workshop was aimed at responding to the widespread poverty by strengthening of institutions of the six identified stakeholders which include Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

“The project is also focused on enforcement of law’s aimed at promoting good governance where such law’s exist and advocacy for the enactment of such laws where they do not exist”.

He disclosed that it was the success of the first workshop held in 2009 that informed the one held yesterday, and affirmed that they were able to put institutions in place to strengthen the governance system and we are happy that some of these states have responded. Edo State for instance have procurement law, Delta also has, and in Rivers we have fiscal base, so we can now point to some of these states having these laws in place. For me, it’s a huge success.

Atlantic Energy expects local firms to dominate Nigeria’s oil industry

By Roseline Okere NDIGENOUS players are expected to account for 30 per cent of participants in the country’s oil and gas sector in the next five years.

Speaking at the just concluded Africa Oil Week in South Africa, Atlantic Energy Co – Chief Executive Officer, Scott Aitken, said that the participation of indigenous firms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has increased in the last few years and is expected to increase further.

In his presentation titled: “Onshore Niger-Delta – A changing Landscape”, Aitken explained there are 100 s of underdeveloped discoveries onshore Nigeria, adding that with the recent divestments of onshore assets by International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria, there is going to be more opportunities for Nigerian indigenous oil and gas companies to thrive.

Aitken discussed the challenges to the development of existing assets and increasing production including ageing infrastructure some of which have not been replaced or maintained.

He suggested a detailed evaluation and phased infrastructure replacement/upgrade for the country’s oil

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and gas sector.

He also noted host community/ stakeholder relationships & expectations were having a negative impact on production levels and emphasized the need for improved community engagement and update needs assessment.

Aitken made an example of Atlantic Energy’s Strategic Alliance with the exploration arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) wherein Atlantic Energy provides funding, technical and project management assistance to NPDC for designated assets.

He said that Atlantic Energy has made significant achievements through an increase in the reserves of the assets covered by the Strategic Alliance as well as new field development programmes.

He noted that Atlantic Energy has invested over $500 million further to the Strategic Alliance Agreement with NPDC and also noted that NPDC and its Joint Venture partner have commenced a 60, 000 barrel of oil per day flow line and flow station reinstatement.

The Managing Director, Techno Gas and Power Limited, Collins Onyeama (left); Executive Vice Chairman, Mrs. Nkechi Obi; Managing Director, Tony Onyeama; and the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Godfrey Okigbo, during a press briefing on the company’s CSR projects in Abia.

NLNG launches $1b financing scheme for contractors

By Sulaimon Salau IGERIA Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has launched a $1 billion NLNG local vendors financing scheme to facilitate access to funds by the company’s registered contractors and vendors through bank loans at a competitive rates and terms.

This move would obviously enhance the Nigerian Content agenda of the Federal Government, and foster participation of indigenous contractors in the industry.

The NLNG has therefore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five participating banks namely, Access Bank; First Bank of Nigeria; Standard Chartered Bank; United Bank for Africa and Zenith Bank.

The MoU signing kicks off the scheme, in which any registered NLNG contractors can approach any of the banks and apply for the loans from the banks by presenting a work order, purchase order or contract

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The MoU signing kicks off the scheme, in which any registered NLNG contractors can approach any of the banks and apply for the loans from the banks by presenting a work order, purchase order or contract document from NLNG. document from NLNG. Speaking at the take-off ceremony in Port Harcourt, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, NLNG, Babs Omotowa, said the scheme would alleviate funding challenges, reduce operating cost, improve project delivery timeline and drive the growth of Nigerian vendors, thereby improving the entrepreneurship landscape in the country.

Omotowa was represented

by General Manager for Finance, NLNG, Solomon Folaranmi said: “This is just a step, and in the right direction. The success of any local contractor is linked to larger and smaller businesses around it in the value chain.

We need to further develop initiatives as an enabler or platform to develop the

value chain and maximize the opportunities of the future, especially with huge projects in sight such as the Federal Government’s Gas Master Plan initiative and Train seven.

“NLNG recognises the many challenges limiting the sustainable growth and development of local content in Nigeria, a key one being lack of access to adequate Funds. A significant number of willing contractors struggle to get financing. Banks in Nigeria often find it challenging acceding to loan applications from local contractors with little or doubtful assurances of repayment.

“An enterprise may have little track record, credit history or illiquid collateral and thus risks are therefore perceived to be high and

this makes it more difficult for local contractors to find finance,” Omotowa added.

On NLNG’s record in the development of Nigerian Content, Omotowa said NLNG has “deliberately grown local, regional, and national contractor base. NLNG’s local Content has helped in the development of indigenous companies in such areas as engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, craft and skill acquisition.”

He noted that the scheme is not to distribute free money to NLNG contractors.

He said the facilities were neither grants nor awards and assured that NLNG and the participating banks have developed a comprehensive strategy to ensure effective monitoring of the scheme.

He however stated that NLNG has recorded milestone achievements in the development of Nigerian Content in the areas of manufacturing, fabrication, shipping, training and skills development and transfer of technical knowledge to

Nigerdock, others deliver first indigenous offshore living quarters

By Sulaimon Salau IGERDOCK and its partners have recently completed the first offshore living quarters to be wholly fabricated and fitted in Nigeria for Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited.

The development, which was described as a milestone for the local content agenda of the Federal Government, also affirmed the capacity of indigenous operators in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

The facility was however celebrated by the partners, Eiffel Nigeria Limited and OOP Engineering to mark the load-out of the upper module of the Total’s Ofon II living quarters.

The Total Ofon field is located offshore at OML 102, in

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approximately 40 meter water depth, 60 kilometer off shore Nigeria.

According to the Nigerdock, over one million manhours were expended on the project which has an overall tonnage of 1,500 tons. The module has an impressive internal living area of 3,500 square meter and is able to accommodate 140 persons.

A statement made available to The Guardian by Christabel Bomi-Dore stated that: “Nigerdock has registered many firsts and landmark projects in the Nigerian oil and gas fabrication sector and holds a stellar safety record of over 10 million man-hours without an LTI. With this remarkable track record, Nigerdock stands as proof that indige-

nous companies can deliver on complex EPC projects,” it stated.

Managing Director, Eiffel Nigeria Limited, Arnaud de Villepin, said the living quarters was built in three different yards, assuring that local content was not compromised.

We faced certain challenges because it was the first time we were building offshore living quarter in Nigeria, offshore construction is a complicated project, but we were able to overcome the challenges as we are celebrating the success story today.

Managing Director, OOP Engineering, Okunola Odusote, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for being among the team that built the first offshore leaving

quarters in Nigeria.

Odusote described the project as a testimony to the capacity of indigenous firms, urging its contemporaries to always ensure that projects comply with international safety standards.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa, applauded the firms for successful completion of the project and urged the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) to boost local capacity.

Nwapa, who was represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Tunde Adelana, urged the EPC companies to always ensure that everything that could be done within Nigeria are done in line with the

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MarketReport EQUITY MARKET SUMMARY

AS AT 03-12-2013

PRIMERA AFRICA www.primera-africa.com

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 MARKET REPORT 51

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MARKET INDICATORS

AS AT 03-12-2013

PRIMERA AFRICA

NSE’s market capitalisation rises by N68b

By Helen Oji

QUITY transactions on E the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed in an upbeat yesterday, following price gains by highly capitalised stocks, as market capitalization rose by N68 billion. .Specifically, at the closed of trading yesterday, the market capitalisation of the listed equities grew by N68 billion or 0.55 per cent to N12.461 trillion from N12.393 trillion recorded the previous day.

Similarly, the All Share Index (ASI) increased by 214.09 basis points to 38961.60 points from 38747.51 points recorded on Monday.

Investors exchanged 701.329 million shares worth N3.302 billion in 5393 deals against 676.384 million shares valued at N3.490 billion made in 4776 deals. On the price movement chart, Nigeria Breweries Plc led gainers table, appreciating by N5.86 kobo to close at N167.00per share, Larfarge Wapco followed with a gain of N5.00 to close at N111.00 per share.

Dangote Cement appreciated by N4.97 kobo to close at N200.00 per share. Cadbury Nigeria Plc gained N1.68 kobo to close at N63.68 per

share and Guinness Nigeria Plc surged by N1.00 to close at N260.00.

Conversely, Nestle Nigeria Plc topped losers chart, dropping by N45.10 kobo to close at N1129.90 per share, Flour Mill Nigeria Plc trailed with a loss of N6.72 kobo to close at N85.08 per share.

CAP Plc dropped by N1.55 kobo to close at N48.45 per share. Okomu Oil lost N0.50 kobo to close at N42.50 per share.

Eco Bank TransNational Incorporated declined by N0.40 kobo to close at N14.60 per share.

The result further showed that Unity Bank Plc traded the highest volume of shares, accounting for 432.354 million shares worth N221.172 million, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) traded 49.948 million shares valued at N200.448 million, while Zenith Bank sold 24.888 million shares valued at N523.652 million.

Guaranty Trust Bank took fourth position with account of 17.169 million share cost N462.881 million and Wapic Insurance traded 15.369 million shares valued at N15.366 million

FBN Heritage Fund’s unit holders endorse firm’s N10 dividend NIT holders of FBN U Heritage Fund managed by FBN Capital Asset Management, yesterday approved a dividend of N10 per unit holding due to every unit holder of the fund for the 2013 financial year.

FBN Heritage Fund is a subsidiary of FBN Capital Investment the Ltd, Asset and Banking Management subsidiary of FBN Holding Plc. Speaking during the company’s yearly general meeting in Lagos yesterManaging the day, Director FBN Capital Asset Management , Michael Oyebola explained that the dividend payment, which is the first to its various unit holder is in fulfillment of the promise made to unit holders at the 2012 meeting, adding that the company was poised to delivering better returns to its unit holders.

Reviewing its performance, Oyebola said “so far this year, we have delivered the returns we expected and we would work to do better and we would continue to deliver better returns to unit holders. Last year, we were in the track of improving and we promise unit holders that this year we will give them a dividend and we have delivered on our promise.

“We would like to thank all our loyal unit holders who have put their faith in the FBN brand and entrusted our investment team with

managing their money through the FBN Heritage Fund. Besides the consistently strong growth that investors should continue to expect, they can now also expect a reward of 10.00 per unit dividend”.

“As at October 31, 2013, FBN Capital Asset Management has successfully turned around the 5.3billion FBN Heritage Fund returning 28per cent in 2012 and 15per cent YTD in 2013.Our strong positive returns are a result of our strategic positioning in the Fund throughout the year and our ability to accurately anticipate and respond quickly to changes in debt and equity markets.”

Oyebola also added that the company will expand its investment to real estate in a near future in order to diversify its operations, ads well as attract better yield to unit holders.| The heritage fund which offers investors superior medium-to-long term earnings by investing in a diversified portfolio of equities, bonds and Treasury Bills was created in April 2008 and will be paying N10.00 per unit holdings to its investors for the year ended 31st March 2013.

The FBN Heritage Fund is recommended for investors looking to build wealth through a single diversified portfolio and seeking long-term capital growth and competitive returns.

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Midweek Arts

Taylor

Maxi Priest

Billy Ocean

Awilo

Corporate Elite Nite 2013…

A blast from the past, present Concert

By Chuks Nwanne NY keen observer of the Nigerian A entertainment industry would tell you that the MTN Corporate Elite Nite is a gig with a difference; admission is usually by invitation. Aside from the deep pockets of the organisers, which ensures that fund is never a problem, the class of guests and quality of musicians on the bill make the gig a must to attend.

Somehow, it appears the organisers are deliberately featuring those international music stars that bring back memories of the past when men were boys. And this strategy seems to be effective.

So, when the programme for the 2013 edition of the gig was unveiled, with notable international stars such as Billy Ocean, Joe, Mazi Priest, Awilo Lomgomba, Tevin Campbell, James Taylor of ‘Kool and the Gang fame on the bill, excitement filled the air. And with Nigerian stars such as Davido, Inyanya, Kcee and some MTN Project fame winners also on the bill, many predicted a great night of fun.

The prediction had come to pass.

Indeed, it was a blend of old and new tunes as fun lovers converged at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, for this year’s Corporate Elite Nite.

Organised by the giant telecommunication company, MTN Nigeria, the star-studded gig was conceived as a platform to give customers an opportunity to unwind, while savouring good music. It was indeed, a blast from the past and present.

In what could be described as an unprecedented gig, guests at the concert got the fun of their lives, as they were treated to a good dose of tasteful, old music via live performances, by various award-winning artistes of international

reckoning. A nostalgic evening, you needed to watch as members of the audience, not minding their social status, were swept off their feet by great performances by stars of the 1980s, 1990s and the 20s.

Hosted by popular comedian Tee A and radio presenter Olisa Adibua, the black tie event featured the finest and most sophisticated musicians alive, coming together under one roof, to thrill the elite who had come out en masse to witness the event.

Just when you thought they had gone into oblivion music-wise, Billy Ocean, Maxi Priest, Awilo Lomgomba, Joe, Tevin Campbell, James Taylor of ‘Kool and the Gang fame proved that, truly, an old woman never gets old in a dance she knows how to do best. For sure, the expectant guests that had waited for the day to come were never disappointed; it was worth the long wait.

America’s Tevin Campbell set the tone for night. The writer and actor who has earned about five Grammy award nominations, delighted guests with his performance, as he rendered his hit songs such as I’m Ready from his double platinum chart buster.

The atmosphere became charged as he rendered his most popular song, Can We Talk?, a track that earned his cheers from the audience.

Immediately the legendary and sweetvoiced Billy Ocean stepped on stage, lover of R&B music were up on their feet, ready to groove. By all means, the most popular British-based R&B singer-songwriter of the early to mid-1980s, Billy Ocean gave a splendid account of himself at the show as he serenaded the audience with hits after hits.

Don’t forget, the living legend has earned a series of transatlantic successes, including the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his worldwide hit, Caribbean Queen and was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male Art. However, Billy’s vocal power far belied his

age, as he took the listeners down memory lane- making couples fall in love all over again. As he reeled out classics such as What is the Colour of Love?, Suddenly, When the Going Gets Tough, Get Out of My Dreams (Get Into My Car), guests roared in excitement, while those who know the lines, sang along.

Then, it was time for Maxi Priest to bring the reggae groove on stage. Without wasting time, the dreadlocks-wearing artiste charged the room with his vibes. From I Just Wanna Be Close to You to Wild World, Just a little bit longer and others, the fun session continues, while guests gulped bottles of spirit. No doubt, Maxi proved that the genre of reggae music, from its origin, is actually music of refinement and class; who says reggae music is gone?

By the time the francophone legend, Awilo Longomba came on stage; the whole room became fully charged. In his usual energetic style, Awilo relived the happy old days when Makossa music ruled the Nigerian airwaves. But before performing his hit songs, Awilo rendered a new song, which he called Carolina; he dedicating it to the beautiful ladies in the house. Later, Nigeria’s Praiz joined him on stage to perform his hit song.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the event for the ladies would be Joe’s performance.

The ladies trooped to stand close to the stage as the sexy crooner sang to the excitement. He oozed deep talent and sexy professionalism as he performed I wanna Know amongst other songs.

Another living legend, JT of ‘Kool and the Gang’, was also at his best at the event; Kool and the Gang is the American funk group. James Taylor came along with three delectable dancers who reminded one of Destiny Child. The hall swung to the songs rendered by JT from his group’s album. He rendered songs such as Open Sesame and others. After a while, he

stepped back and let his ladies take the stage- singing and dancing energetically.

A performance that really united both the young and old at the concert was by the South African group- Mafikizolo. The group exuded pure talent and class as it performed songs written in their dialect.

The indigenous yet very entertaining performance got all the guests in the hall swaying from side to side on their feet.

Other Nigerian performers such as Inyanya, Davido, Kcee took the stage to perform at the concert. It was a fun filled evening.

Speaking on the event, an IT professional, Onome Eghagha, said, ‘I have never attended a concert like this in Nigeria that delivers such a long and rich list of good, old talented musicians.

These are musicians we refer to when we talk about the good old days of good music. Here we are listening to them live and reliving those days again! We applaud MTN for this. It’s indeed, heartwarming.”

It is not surprising, therefore, that Charles Novia, notable Nigerian movie producer was quick to go on social media to write a very complimentary review on the event. In his words: “It’s been long since I experienced such pure musical pleasure,” he wrote.

As if corroborating the general positive feeling about the concert, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Kola Oyeyemi, said that the initiative was a gesture of thanks by MTN to its numerous loyal customers.

“We are thankful to our loyal customers, who have chosen MTN as their network of choice. With this concert, we say a big thank you.”

The concert continued into the wee hours of the morning with guests digging in excitement.

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Linguists advocate multi-translation for news broadcast

By Abdulwaheed Usamah ITH not less 450 lanW guages in the country, the need to commence interpreting news and dissemination of information by media houses, governments and its agencies, linguists have said would ensure effective communication with Nigerians.

They maintained that news are still under-reported and that media outfits, governments and its agencies need to adopt a multi lingual system to translate and break down information to languages understood by average Nigerian.

According to the Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Translators and Interpreters (NITI), Prof. Tundonu Amosu, translation is an indispensable tool for survival in today’s world and a significant tool to news breaking and information dissemination.

Speaking recently at the World Translators International Day at the University of Lagos, Lagos, Amosu stated; “translators are the indispensable leverage for keeping the entire planet abreast of news, views and new dynamics in the pursuit of excellence all over the world.”

“We must therefore recognise the work of thousands of translators who slave each

day to produce news from abroad in local languages, work in hospitals as translators, continue to switch from one language to another as tourist guides, and of course, plough through thousands of pages from the United Nations General Assembly.”

Continuing, Amosu said: “All languages require translation for their survival and this can only happen when they have been reduced to writing.

Nigeria, with 450 languages, not to mention dialects, is obviously a choice area for the activities of translators and linguists.”

Prof. John Abioye, a former Head of Department, French, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, who was the guest speaker, flayed the nation’s inability to develop language policy, describing it as pathetic and negligence on the part of government.

He said, “the sad aspect of our ailing culture is that we think that the English language is more important than every other. As a result, we underrate other languages. This is sad because even the quality of the English language spoken by Nigerian students is deteriorating.”

He called on policy makers to create a conducive atmosphere to enable Nigerian translators contribute to the universal body of knowledge.

Africa’s Next Top Model on screen

By Florence Utor HOUGH, it’s been over 15 T years since Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi emerged the first Mnet Face of Africa, nubile Africans have not ceased showing interest in such a project that will launch them into limelight.

One of the talent hunt and reality shows that are geared towards exposing models from the continent is Africa’s Next Top Model (ANTM).

Powered by Procter & Gamble Nigeria, makers of Always brand of sanitary pads and the supermodel, Oluchi, the show, which was first aired on DStv’s AfricaMagic, has shown a painstaki n g

Oluchi

commitment by wannabe models to represent Africa in world modelling stage.

Over the next couple of weeks, 12 lucky contestants will be trained by some of the top-modeling experts in the world who will teach them about fashion, runway skills, physical fitness and publicity.

In addition, the contestants will be evaluated on a regular basis by an elite panel of judges from the industry and will narrow down the competition week-to-week until two finalists emerge and one lucky winner will be chosen as the first ever Africa’s Next Top Model.

The 12 contestants in ANTM’s Academy include: Aamito (Uganda), Cheandre (South Africa), Joyce (Nigeria), Marwa (Tunisia), Michaela (Angola), Michelle (South A f r i c a ) , Omowunmi (Nigeria), O p e y e m i (Nigeria), Rhulani (South A f r i c a ) , Roselyn (Ghana), S a f i r a

Cast from the movie Lagos Cougar

Lagos coughars… . Isong’s yuletide gift to movie fans

By Florence Utor HERE couldn’t be a better T way for a moviemaker to wrap up the year than the way the CEO of Royal Arts Academy, Emem Isong has done. After months of working on different locations, the Akwa Ibom State native has rounded off the year with the official release of her latest movie, Lagos Cougars.

A raunchy, crazy chick flick about three working class single ladies in their 40’s, who decide to let go of their inhibitions and indulge in relationships with young hunks, Lagos Cougars hit the big screen on December 8 nationwide. The highly entertaining movie features some of the best stars of the industry such as Uche Jombo, Monalisa Chinda, Daniella Okeke, Alex Ekubo, Bobby Michaels, Diana Yekini

gain is not so great, but if I production, Isong has continand others. were losing money, I won’t Speaking at the premiere of ued to churn out works. be here. I have found a way of “We cannot give up hope; I the movie held recently at managing it; we have the Silverbird Galleria, believe that it is optimism worked out a strategy and it Victoria Island, Isong, a pro- that is going to keep is not bad at all,” she noted. ducer, who also has credit in Nollywood alive. For now, the directing, said, “it is what I’m inspired to do that I do. For this one, I just wanted something on a lighter note, something that people will just watch and be relaxed. I also noticed that people have this notion about older women dating younger men as if it is a taboo. I’m not for or against it, but I believe that love can be found anywhere; age is nothing but a number and anywhere you find love, there is nothing wrong with it.”

Despite the cry from most practitioners about pirates reaping them of their works, thereby forcing most of Uche Jombo (left), Julius Agwu and Emem Isong at the premiere of Lagos them to take a break from Cougar at Silver Bird Galeria...on Tuesday

Metro FM’s Forum opens for literary, art enthusiasts

By Cleopatra Eki S part of activities to promote art and literacy and literary development in the country, especially in Lagos, Metro FM recently organised its first Open Mic Forum for writers, performers and spoken word artists to interact and a champion for change.

The event, which took place at the George Bako Complex of Federal Radio Corporation Nigeria (FRCN) Ikoyi, Lagos, attracted a large gathering of writers and lovers of art. 20 copies of the book The River Died: African Heritage Poetry by Mr. Ken Ike-Okere were given out to participants at the end of the event.

The River Died is a collection of poems that mirrors personal childhood experiences while also giving a perspective on common issues. The language employs elements in traditional African setting and reflects the peculiarity of Africa; the poems also have universal application.

The host, Mr. Ike-Okere, who is also Director, Lagos Office of FRCN and slammaster, donated the books to encourage book lovers and to promote the Open Mic Forum, as an agent of change. He urged participants to voice their ideas and to proffer solutions for nation-building. He assured the audience that Metro FM’s Open Mic Forum would hold twice a month.

Among other activities to support art and literacy, he stated, would be Guests Author Nite and Book Nite, where people would come and appreciate books. He further promised to build a bigger hall to

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be named “Memorial Park” to accommodate a large audience, also with support from sister stations – Choice FM and Bond FM. Ike-Okere had pioneered the Abuja Literacy Society (ALS) before being posted to the Lagos station. In a conversation with Adeniyi Kunnu, poet, broadcaster and master of the ceremony at the event, Ike-Okere said, “Nigerian art and culture is the most dynamic, diverse and prolific on the Africa continent. Her pioneer position in classic and contemporary productions even awards and honours speaks volume.

However, it is needful to clearly identify serious art from comic representations; this allows for integrated development.

According to him, “art to him is a highcalling,” a devotion from which he could never backslide, the definite remedy from the problems facing the country, adding, “My inspiration for art is occasioned by my challenges.”

Kunnu said his role models included every good writer who writes from genuine passion. Earlier on, he thrilled the audience with poem and a short story entitled ‘My Nine eleven and the Adherent.”

Also, poet and performer, Seye Ogunniyi thrilled the audience with his poem, “Juliet and the Men in Black.”

He said he hoped that Open Mic event would be avenue for other poets/artists to promote and network to drive home their ideas and messages, and that the forum would enhance literacy development. He pointed out that reading culture had evolved, with poets living on their writ-

ing.

Ogunniyi charged government and corporate bodies to emulate Metro FM to support art in society, as the average Nigeria is an art-lover and for government to see poetry as change-agent.

For young and up coming art writers, he said they should be consistence, passionate and horn their skills and attend workshops and forums like this to meet like minds in the art world.

A self-employed poet, Ogwo Joseph said he was at the Open Mic show as a result of the wide publicity by Metro FM. Eke said he’d observed that poetry, drama and spoke words art were growing rapidly but that they need sponsors. According to him, social media has affected poetry and literacy world positively and said the Open Mic Forum was an enlightening and entertaining platform.

Also present at the event were spoken word artist from Abuja like of Dike Chukwumerije, and an award-winner, Shalom Sunday. Others were Moses Audu, Basiru, Amumueri.

The performers thrilled the audience with performance in poetry, short stories, monologue and drama, songs and brainstorming on current literacy trends.

Other art aficionados in attendance were Akeem Lasisi, Sammy Sage Hassan, Saint Rhymes Olulu, Atilola, Dare Dan, Uche Chemistry, Seye la poet, Jude, Gbenga, DNA from Jos and Chiwendu. Others were Mrs. Vero Osholoya, Delightsome Alfred, Cordelia Okpei, Bunmi Yekinni, Ejiro Oke Job, Chris Ilem, FRCN Bigwigs and a host of others.

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For The Record

Presidency, not monopoly of the North, says Maku From Saxone Akhaine, Nkechi Onyedika (Kaduna)

The ideal, moral consciousness and democratic culture

By Michael Anyiam-Osigwe

The first part was published yesterday, Tuesday, December 10, 2013 HUS, he affirms that the price for democT racy is the capacity of the voters and the candidates - the citizenry at large - to attune to the moral premise in all spheres of human experience. For him, therefore, “the Price to be paid for democracy is the evolvement of the moral mindset as community’s social capital or currency”. To that effect, in a genuine democracy, the moral will drives the social order in all its ramifications.

He avers that it is in the effort to meet the moral demand that the individual would express his electoral mandate on the basis of who is best able to guarantee the collective wellbeing of the citizenry irrespective of any ethnic, religious, cultural or pecuniary considerations. It is equally in response to the moral stimulus that the elected would intuit into the province of responsible and responsive governance or political leadership. It is on the moral premise that such a political leader continuously articulates the needs of the people and subjects his or her contribution to policy issues to the wider appraisal and collective input of his or her constituency.

It is on the moral premise that the citizenry insists on the minimum ethical standards in electoral choices. It is on the moral premise that banners of protest are raised against economic, social and political exploitation and oppression. It is on the moral premise anchored on self-esteem and integrity that the elected will choose service over self-interest Michael Osigwe and offer his country a patriotic, incorruptible and transparent stewardship. It is on the From Metaphysics to Political Action: Hard moral premise that the mandate as a sover- Nuggets of the Philosophy of Osigwe Anyiam-Oseign and sacred reality is preserved in the igwe sanctity of the electoral process by an incor- From his stand point of descriptive metaruptible and competent electoral body, par- physics, we can see a clear transition to ethics ticularly as it bears on the ballot and its votes. and then to politics. Within the womb of his The Priceless Prize for Genuine Democracy ontology lies a moral angle which in turn gives When we redefine the circumstance of the birth to democratic culture. His hard nuggets practice of democracy in our continent, not are as follows: according to the limitations posed by the Man is a manifestation of divine intelligence. daunting realities that confront us but in re- There is therefore purity and perfection in the sponse to that innate human sensitivity to- human essence. wards the imagined reality; the natural The purity and perfection of the human inclination to strive for the ideal, Anyiam-Os- essence naturally provokes the demands of igwe says we have a priceless prize waiting for morality in human relations. us at the finishing line.

Everything in existence has its perfect form He proclaims that the Prize for democracy - and “the capacity to intuit into the ideal abides its accruing benefit is indeed invaluable. He in the human imagination. explains that the beauty of democracy is not “Progress is only possible through an intein the certainty of reaching an agreement on grated consciousness of the ideal”. everything that is important in the lives of the Through sensitivity to the imagined reality, hupeople and their different interests. Rather, it manity can’t help seeking to substantiate the is about the possibility of achieving a broad ideal; including the quest for genuine democbased agreement on a set of national, social racy. and economic policies that would enhance Democracy is an integral of human dignity and overall cohesion, efficiency and sustainability. constitutes an ideal in itself.

It is about the possibility of the different eth- In Africa, democracy is well understood. But nic groups of a country discovering that the there is a gap between theoretical understandthings that unite them as a nation are far ing and practical application. greater and immeasurably more valuable In Anyiam-Osigwe’s conviction “achieving a than the things that divide them. It is about social expression of the ideal requires the rethe possibility of attaining a national group ordering of the belief system and the reconmind. It is about the possibility of public pol- struction of the mindset of the larger social icy reflecting indigenous and shared values. It mass towards a deeper appreciation of the feais about the possibility of an exemplary lead- sibility and greater benefit of the imagined ership presiding over a government of the ideal”. people, by the people and for the people. It is It is possible and also imperative for Africans about the possibility of the realisation of a ful- to attune to the ideal of genuine and sustainfilling present in which is embedded the able democracy by reordering of the belief syspromise of an even greater future premised tem and the reconstruction of the mindset of on a shared, untainted and creative vision for the people. the country”.

Anyiam-Osigwe shows us that within the colThus, when the moral premise is firmly situ- lective psyche of the people lies the key to reated as a functional imperative of the demo- solving the crises of Africa’s development cratic process, the appropriate price is paid, which are rooted in political foundations. How we achieve a visionary leadership with in- can we explore this layer of capital and reap its tegrity and the right standards of excellence; a benefits? Certainly, it calls for a new kind of inleadership that implements wholesome poli- tellectual journey – a reordering of the mindset cies with a promise of greatness. To that effect, and the consciousness of the people. I thank the prize for democracy lies in the immensity, you for your attention and wish you a most reof its possibilities for good; to inspire, to unite warding time at this session. and to transform.

CONCLUDED

INISTER of Information and head of projects monitoring team, Mr. Labaran Maku yesterday in Kaduna said that to sustain the unity, progress and growth of Nigeria, the Presidency will never be an exclusive preserve of the North.

He also faulted critics of President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration on the plight of the North, saying that apart from the defunct General Yakubu Gowon-led government, no other administration has made positive impact to the development of the region than the present regime.

Maku, who is also the supervising Minister of Defence, spoke at a town hall meeting held in Kaduna as part of the three-day monitoring of projects by members of his team.

He spoke at the gathering of politicians, top government functionaries, members of the business class, religious, traditional leaders and other stakeholders at the Murtala Muhammed Square where he advised the Arewa to brace up with the realities of transforming the country politically, socially and economically.

“Presidency will never remain in the North, Nigeria has changed and the story is different, the Presidency will go to every part of the country whether we like it or not and the earlier the North recognises this reality and plans its development so that whoever is there, that person will attend to

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• Faults Jonathan’s critics on development us”, he said.

According to the minister, “the idea that power will reside only in one part of the country is history, it will not happen because Nigeria has changed and the awareness has come. In the past, it used to be whoever came from the North and the rest of the country were waiting for us and we did that for over 30 years and the rest of the country followed us”.

“They did not complain. They continuously followed us because they believed in one Nigeria. Today power is moving round because democracy is like that. Because we are in a democratic era, power will no longer reside in one part of the country and it is not true that only somebody from your area that can develop your area”.

Maku said that “there has been political denial that Jonathan is not developing the north, but never since Gowon years, have we seen any government that had impacted on the development of the north than president Jonathan”.

He explained that most of the criticisms by some of the prominent northerners against

Jonathan’s administration could not be sustained because their arguments were narrowly portrayed.

Besides, Maku made reference to the politics of the First, Second and Third Republics, pointing out that “since 1960, the Tafawa Balewa conceived the dredging of the River Niger to enable vessels carry goods directly to the North, that project remained in the pipeline for over 50 years until the Yar’AduaJonathan Presidency decided that the lower Niger would be dredged and the capital dredging has been completed.”

He added: “So when people talk about development of the North, it should not be theory but practical. Before President Jonathan came to power, the rail linking Lagos-Kano was broken down by those of us from here who were managing the Nigerian Railways Corporation, and governments from the North and others came and they didn’t fix it, under the Yar’Adua-Jonathan Presidency, the rail line was fixed and our people are now moving it to transport goods and service between the Lagos port and northern Nigeria”.

Assembly gets Bill on Imo anthem From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri Deputy Speaker, Donatus OzoePRIVATE bill has been submitted by the Director General of the Imo State Orientation Agency (ISOA), Chief Ford Ozumba, to the House of Assembly.

The bill was received by the

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mena, on behalf of the Speaker, Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu. If the bill is passed and assented to by Governor Rochas Okorocha, it will legalise the anthem, which is already being sung before events start in any part of the state.

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Focus How insurance drives economic growth, by Igbiti emerged stronger as a result of planning mechanism put in place by many operators.

How would you say the economic realities in Nigeria today has impacted on the insurance business?

Nigeria is the third fastest growing nation with GDP growth forecast of 7.85 percent in 2014. With over 160million people, Nigeria is the 7th largest economy in the world, with Information Communication Technology (ICT) – a major connectivity/distribution tool, growing at 25 percent YOY. Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) has gone up to $8.8billion in 2013 alone. There has been steady expansion of the middle class and High Networth Individuals (HNIs) with growth in average disposable income across all income categories. All of these factors combine to improve the attractiveness of the Nigerian market in general, and specifically the insurance market.

How have the underwriters been able to develop local capacity in oil and gas?

Local insurers and operators have seen underwriting and retention capacities grow significantly over the past seven years. This was achieved due to a combination of business-friendly policies by the regulator – NAICOM and private-sector capacity building initiatives.

The local content guideline which stipulates that the 70 percent of oil and gas business will be underwritten and retained in the domestic market by local players before off-shoring has stimulated knowledge/technical transfer, improving balance-sheet strength and retention capacities of local insurers and re-insurers.

Insurance operators have also seized the opportunity to review and renegotiate their treaties and reinsurance agreements in order to secure more favourable terms and conditions. The average Nigerian insurer has developed from being a “funnel” to becoming a bonafide big-ticket underwriter with collaboration with global reinsurance firms.

As part of activities marking the 50 years anniversary of AIICO Insurance Plc in Nigeria, its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Edwin Igbiti, had an interactive session with journalists on the role of insurance in the economy and its contribution to national growth. FELIX KUYE was there…Excerpts: What will you say is the role of Insurance in the economy?

NSURANCE is crucial to economic growth in every society. It has a significant but understated function within the economy. We can look at it as the mechanism through which governments, corporations, small businesses, individuals, households and even associations transfer their risks to duly licensed firms at an agreed price (premium) which is paid to the insurer typically on an annual basis.

A practical example of how it works is that an import/export businessman will be indemnified for his losses if he has a valid marine (cargo) insurance policy in the event of loss or damage to his goods. Similarly, companies and other institutions may acquire a group Life Policy which guarantees payment of predefined benefits to a named beneficiary in the event of permanent disability or death. In order words, insurance minimises the impact of disruptions to business and life in general. It serves as a safety net, providing a sense of stability and peace of mind as we conduct our businesses and undertake other daily endeavours.

Also, It serves as a catalyst for business growth, stimulating trade, commerce and industry in different parts of the globe. It is not surprising, therefore, that most developed economies across the world have a robust insurance industry capable of supporting domestic growth and development as well as raising the overall standard of living of the citizenry. But a thorough look at the poor economies reveals that they are characterized by abysmal insurance penetration and insurance density levels.

Smart developing countries have also taken advantage of opportunities offered by insurance to alleviate poverty.

What would you say are specific benefits of insurance to investors?

In this part of the world, the level of awareness of the inherent benefit of insurance is still very poor and this can be said to be partly responsible for the low penetration. Nigerians, particularly the potential policy holders need to know, understand and appreciate that the benefits of insurance are enormous and farreaching. Insurance allows companies to embark on large projects. For instance, a manufacturing company with assets running into several millions of naira assumes higher risks such as potential loss to fire, but with insurance, there is protection, cover and recourse in case of an accident or loss. An insured company will be adequately reimbursed to rebuild the factory and continue production with minimum disruption to business operations.

We can also look at the benefits in terms of the protection it offers in case of accident. All forms of travel require insurance.

Vehicular movements are plagued by accidents during which life and property are lost. Insurance cover allows for travel with protection against the risks of harming oneself and/or other people and suffering partial or total loss. Entrepreneurs are now more daring; venturing into business foray knowing that the impact or burden of exposure can be transferred and borne by the insurance company.

There is also what is known as Life Insurance, which is probably the largest business lines of AIICO Insurance Plc, that provides monetary benefits to the bereaved family or other designated beneficiary, and may specifically provide for income to an insured person’s family, burial and other final expenses.

In a way, we can add provision of employment. Normally, insurers and the insured provide job opportunities to the citizenry.

The insurance companies do employ additional hands as their business expands, while investors who take insurance protection are confident to invest and expand their own businesses.

How can Nigerians take advantage of insurance to improve on their wellbeing?

The first thing is that insurance is relevant and available to all Nigerians, home and abroad. You may choose to insure your life and those of your family, as well as assets and other valuable possession.

You can receive sound financial advisory and counsel to guide your insurance decisions from any of the reputable insurance companies operating in the country. Details of your insurance policy and other related matters will be kept confidential, barring specific instructions to the contrary.

It is also interesting to note that your insurance policy entitles you, the policyholder, to full indemnity. What I am saying is that the insurer to whom premium was being paid will restore the customer to his original position/circumstance prior to the occurrence of any incident/loss/or damage that puts his business in jeopardy.

What do you consider as the major challenges facing the insurance industry in Nigeria today and how can they be tackled?

When we think about the challenges facing the insurance industry, what instinctively comes to mind is insecurity.

I

What class of business has been recording huge claims in the insurance sector and, what is responsible for this?

Claims profiling by class of business would reveal that the highest claims over the last few years have emanated from the public sector – Group life account which is directly attributable to the high incidence of death of our military personnel, especially in the Nigerian Police. Majority of the casualties are victims of mayhem and attacks by the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

Igbiti Inadequate security apparatus and lack of modern crime fighting methods pose serious threats to this business of insurance in particular, and financial institutions generally. Government at all levels in the society should do more in the area of security to encourage investors and boost their confidence.

In the economic front, the current weakness and volatility of the stock market have also negatively impacted on both new sales activity and the investment quality of the insurance industry.

Government and private sector players need to do more to create an enabling environment in order to attract investors, both foreign and local. Inability to maintain low cost and retain business in a competitive market are other apparent crises insurance companies face on daily basis in Nigeria. I suggest that funds be spent on research and training to forestall possible exposures as a result of negative trends and unhealthy habits, which could in, other circumstances, be predicted. It must also be noted that despite the unanticipated domestic shocks in 2012, such as the early January national strike following the partial removal of fuel subsidy, weather variations nationwide, flooding and security challenges, the insurance industry

I suggest that funds be spent on research and training to forestall possible exposures as a result of negative trends and unhealthy habits, which could, in other circumstances, be predicted. It must also be noted that despite the unanticipated domestic shocks in 2012, such as the early January national strike following the partial removal of fuel subsidy, weather variations nationwide, flooding and security challenges, the insurance industry emerged stronger as a result of planning mechanism put in place by many operators.

What is the role of the electronic system in driving the insurance business?

Electronic systems are fast developing in Nigeria, and the government is fast-tracking its widespread acceptance and uptake through the CBN’s cashless economy and financial inclusion initiatives.

The banks were the first to embrace this shift from traditional modes of payment, that is cash, cheque and other forms of paper-based legal tender, to electronic alternatives (e-payment systems), while the insurance companies and other financial services sub-sectors have also followed suit.

Today, customers can make premium payments through mobile transfers, direct debits and internet payments. Similarly, e-receipts and electronic policy documents have replaced paper invoice and policy documents in print. These electronic systems have provided reliable alternate methods of payment and distribution while reducing the cost of handling cash, incidence of fraud and eliminated the need for physical contact and proximity in business.

AIICO has taken a frontline role in this positive development via our e-insurance portal which is available on our website, and AIICO e-Cashier which is a self-service platform installed at our locations for quick, secure and convenient premium payments.

In order words, premium payment and claims can be registered online, enquiries and feedback are also available at the click of a button via our electronic portal.

AIICO is 50 years old, how would you describe the journey so far?

Successful. AIICO has come of age in all aspects of insurance services. We have built capacity in the industry, we have been excellent in the life and non-life areas. We measure up to our peers.

We play our role in the society, we pay our tax which is part of what makes the country to tick. We have come out with products that have helped governments, companies and individuals to grow in many respects. Most importantly, we have remained unique in prompt payment of claims. In fact, we are an insurance company that has decided to advertise and tell people that if you have a claim that you have abandoned, we mention their names, that they should come and collect their money. This is a plus for AIICO. We have proved to be a responsible organization, especially in claim settlement, and because we have made it a priority, the trend will continue.

How have you impacted on the lives of the average Nigerian as a way of giving back to the society?

A: In AIICO Insurance Plc, we have a very rich culture of giving back to the society. The company has a robust Corporate Social Responsibility platform which ensures that we are constantly giving back to the society, developing our operating environment, supporting the poor and protecting the vulnerable amongst us.

Routinely, donations are made to motherless baby’s homes, orphanages, infirmary and other philanthropic organizations throughout the course of the year. Numerous foundations, including the Pacelli School for the Blind in Lagos State, have benefitted from our CSR initiatives and we hope to continue this gesture which has become part of our culture in AIICO.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

62 | Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Sports FIFA denies World Cup draw was rigged to favour Argentina

By Christian Okpara, with agency reports ID FIFA arrange the D recently held Brazil 2014 World Cup draw to favour Argentina? This is a question some followers of the game want answers for from the world football governing.

FIFA yesterday dismissed thoughts of rigging the groups to favour any country as nonsense, insisting that the draw was conducted in the best possible fair manner.

“These rumours are totally unfounded,” FIFA spokeswoman, Delia Fischer, said yesterday.

But some people believe the draw was conducted to favour Lionel Messi’s team because reporters in Argentina knew before the event where Argentina would be placed. And there was speculation after Friday’s draw that Argentina was not placed by chance in group F, along with Iran, Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The argument is that Argentina would not have chosen their World Cup base camp before the draw in Belo Horizonte, where they will play against Iran, if they had no fore knowledge of their group.

Twitter posts allegedly accurately predicting the composition of group F added to conspiracy theories, so did allegedly FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke, for opening the balls containing the team names not fully visible behind his lectern.

But FIFA said, “all the preparations for the draw were monitored and vali-

dated by three representatives of Ernst and Young”, and that seven cameras were constantly focused on Valcke during the draw, with the show’s TV director deciding on the spot which camera angle was shown.

Italian journalists have also accused FIFA of aiding France in the draws, which placed the Azzuris together with Uruguay, England and Costa Rica.

The draw was received by Italy’s media with such headlines: “Zinedine Zidane headbutts us again,” comparing the Frenchman having drawn Italy as the floating European side in the draw to his assault on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.

Italians are angry not only at the group, but with the procedures introduced by FIFA before the draw that ended up favouring France; the lowest European qualifier in the FIFA rankings, which ended up in the least difficult group, with Switzerland, Honduras and Ecuador.

Delta State’s Okoro Vwerosuo (right) being declared winner of her bout against Abia State’s Kalu Kasarachi in the female boxing event of the ongoing Abuja 2013 First National Youth Games.

Alampasu, Awoniyi are early birds, as Eagles’ CHAN 2013 preparations kick off with 30 players OLDEN Eaglets’ duo, preparations for next Ejike Uzoenyi, who had a starts January 11 in South hours and at the end of the G Amokachi Goalkeeper Sunday year’s CHAN with a train- slight fever and was asked Africa, as there will be no session, Alampasu and midfielder, ing session at the FIFA Goal to rest for the day. sentiments in selection expressed joy at the players Taiwo Awoniyi, showed how enthusiastic they are to rub shoulders with the big boys when they arrived the Super Eagles’ Bolton White Suites’ camp, Abuja, ahead of the other players invited for preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The Super Eagles began

Project site of the National Stadium.

Remarkably, all 30 players invited for the encounter had arrived camp by Monday evening as directed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the technical crew and they all took part in the training session, except

In the absence of Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, his assistant, Dan ‘the Bull’ Amokachi, led the session under the early morning Abuja sun and was assisted

by Hyoudonou Valere and Ike Shourunmu.

He told the players that only the best will be selected for the tournament that

Abuja 2013 National Youth Games

Weightlifting Federation president advocates tough sanctions against cheating states RESIDENT, Nigeria P Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Chibudom Nwuche, on Monday in Abuja called for tough sanctions against states caught fielding overaged athletes at the National Youth Games (NYG).

Nwuche told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the end of the weightlifting competition at the Package B of the Abuja National Stadium that tough sanctions and penalties were the only solution in stopping cheating, stating it has been a major issue in Nigerian age-grade competitions.

Nwuche said the National Sports Commission (NSC) should sanction teams either by banning them for some years or by automatically losing the competition, alongside using the regular MRI test.

“People must learn to be fair. They must not win at all cost, and they should try and comply with the rules and regulations of any competition.

“There is no point fielding people who are over-age.

But now that we have the MRI test that can easily tell how old someone is, maybe we will see changes. That is

what we saw yesterday (Sunday) in the football match between Oyo state and Abia.

“Abia had to play 10 players against Oyo State’s 11 because one of their players was over-aged. So, if you field an over-age player, you should be penalised. People must learn to be honest because sports is not a door-die affair.

In Monday’s competition in weightlifting, Stella George from Akwa Ibom won the 63kg female category event.

She won with the total of 131 after a clean jerk of 70

and

61 snatch.

Lovina Nyom from Plateau won the 58 kg with a total of 115, while Cynthia Lawrence from Abia won the 48 kg with the total of 114 after 47 snatch and 67 clean and jerk.

In the 53 kg, Ruth Ayodele from Oyo State took the first position with a total of 131.

In competition in the male events, Tajudeen Muritala from Katsina State won the 62kg category with the total of 182 while Emmanuel Appah from Benue won the 48kg with 181.

between the old and the new players in camp.

Yesterday’s morning training session was very tactical and spartan, as the coaches tried to assess the quality of players that have been invited.

It lasted a little over two

output.

Keshi is expected to join the rest of the squad on tomorrow morning.

He has been away in Brazil for the World Cup draws and to also select a camp site for the Super Eagles ahead Mundia 2014.

Champions League

Chelsea line full house against Steaua AVID Luiz and Oscar D trained with Chelsea on the eve of their final Champions League Group E contest with Steaua Bucharest.

The Brazilian pair could feature against the Romanians at Stamford Bridge, with Jose Mourinho’s men knowing a win would secure top spot in the standings and a more favourable last-16 draw, after recovering from recent injuries.

Luiz has not played for Chelsea since the November 2 loss at Newcastle after returning from international duty with Brazil with a bruised knee, while Oscar suffered an ankle injury in the win over Southampton on December 1.

Ashley Cole, who, like Luiz, has not played since the Newcastle defeat, after which Mourinho was scathing of his players, was also in training after being an unused substitute in recent weeks, with Spain right-back Cesar Azpilicueta preferred at leftback.

Chelsea lost 3-2 at Stoke on Saturday, but beat Steaua 40 in Romania at the start of a run of six wins in six games in October.

Steaua are out of contention in Group E, with third-placed Schalke hosting Basle in the night’s other match.

Basle, who beat Chelsea twice in the group phase, must avoid defeat to join the Blues in the next phase.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SPORTS Wednesday, December 11, 2013 63

Abdullahi against setting World Cup target for Keshi PORTS Minister/Chairman, SCommission National Sports (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi is against setting a target for Coach Stephen Keshi at the Brazil 2014 World Cup because it would put him under “unnecessary” pressure.

Nigeria has been drawn against familiar foes, Argentina, debutants BosniaHerzegovina and Iran in Group F of the World Cup with pundits tipping Nigeria and Argentina to qualify from the group.

Nigeria has not gone past the second round of the World Cup since their debut in 1994.

“What I wish for is for us to win the World Cup and I think that is what every Nigerians wishes for,” the

sports minister said.

“But for talks of setting target for Coach Stephen Keshi, I don’t think that is necessary because it would put him under unnecessary pressure.”

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Aminu Maigari has also spoken in the same vein after another top official was reported to have said Keshi has been given a semi-final target at Brazil 2014.

Meanwhile, Keshi believes Nigeria would do well at the Mundial if the Super Eagles begin preparation for the competition on time.

Keshi had said after the draw in Brazil that it would be disastrous for Nigeria if it treats preparation for the World Cup without the seriousness

it deserves, adding, “I am not in the group that feels the Draw was an easy one.

“That would be a mistake to make because all the 32 teams in the pot were worth their places and would be formidable to tackle in the finals.

“There is no way we are going to look at any team and under-rate that team. They qualified just like we did, and no team would be coming determined to simply make up the number.”

The Eagles are expected to begin preparations for the World Cup after the African Nations Championship, which holds in South Africa in January.

Already, the NFF has scheduled a friendly game for the team in May with a yet to be named team.

Mediacraft Associates Chief Executive Officer, John Ehiguese, Optima Sports Management International (OSMI) boss, Rotimi Pedro and Executive Consultant, OSMI, Adeoye Roluga, during a press briefing to announce OSMI’s exclusive free-to-air broadcast rights for 2014 FIFA World Cup and other FIFA events held in Lagos…recently.

PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

FIIRO beats Rubber Research Institute 4-1, as RIGAN Games officially begins

By Tony Nwanne OST institute, Federal H Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO) Oshodi, yesterday at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRI), Oshodi football pitch defeated the Rubber Research Institute, Benin 4-1 in the opening match of the on-going Research Institute Games (RIGAN Games), which began with a colourful ceremony at the NAFRI Sports Centre.

Yesterday’s opening ceremony featured the best of Nigerian culture with the contingents from across the country displaying their cultural heritage to the admiration of guests and sports fans, who thronged the arena in their thousands.

The opening ceremony, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Hajia Jimeta, who represented the minister, and assisted by the FIIRO Chairman, Dr. Alex Obi, the chief host, also featured march past by the athletes and officials of the 36 participating institutions.

Also at the opening ceremony was the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Sports Ministry, Dr. Abiola Awonusi, who stood ion for the Special Guest of Honour, Governor Babatunde Fashola.

Speaking on the success of yesterday’s opening ceremony, Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Sesan Akinwusi said, “we worked tire-

lessly to ensure that we host the best research games in the history of Rigan Games.

“The Director General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Dr. Gloria Elemo has since the choice of FIIRO as the host institute ensured that all that is needed to host the games is provided.”

He added that the events of the competition have been organised in such a way that the participating schools would not have any difficulty accessing the venues of their events.

The competition continues

today with the athletics events holding at the Yaba College of Technology, while the tennis would hold at the National Stadium, Surulere.

Earlier before yesterday’s opening football game, Rubber Research Institute of Benin had beaten Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute 5-0, while Raw Material Research and Development Council defeated Forestry Research Institute, Ibadan 2-1, just as National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom beat National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike 5-0.

FCMB COPA Lagos organisers ready for kick-off competition, honours Mandela EACH Soccer lovers coming B to Lagos for the Copa Lagos Championship, which kicks off this weekend are in for one of the most memorable events of the outgoing year, organisers of the tournament have promised.

The competition begins on Friday with Senegal facing Lebanon in the opening game at the Eko Atlantic waterfront, which has become the destination of choice for family entertainment. The venue provides a platform for youth and adult recreational and competitive players to compete in a fun and exciting environment is Lagos.

Powered by banking giants, First City Monument Bank, Copa Lagos is an international

Beach soccer tournament, which offers the very best of sand football – loaded with excitements.

In the next few days, the world will stand still for Nigeria and its Copa Beach brand of sand football as some of the biggest names of the popular game in the world, flock the city of Lagos in search of fun in the sunny Eko Atlantic city.

Explaining the reason for its sponsorship of the tournament, the bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Ikechuckwu Kalu said “football is a key passion point to our customers. We are therefore proud to sponsor the event”

TheGuardian

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Spate of bombings is the latest unsettling development in security challenges threatening to leave Nigeria without Nigerians. Bombing spree by the Boko Haram sect has assumed disturbing recurrence that has wasted many lives

By Egwu Ben Obasi UR country is passing through trying times. Insecurity in the land which has taken its toll on human lives is now assuming frightening dimension and is currently engaging greater attention and concerns of all Nigerians. The situation appears so disturbing that we have the impression that we are in a near-state of war. Our unity and our professed indivisible and indissoluble entity, in spite of our diversity, are now doubted. Crises upon crises have dogged our nearly 100 years of amalgamation as one Nigeria and 53 years of nationhood.

Our country’s population presently stands at estimated 160 million. Demographic trend analysis over the years shows progressive increase in the population of Nigeria. But situations where death rates occasioned by killings in the land, and other natural disasters, seem to be on the upward side portend grave danger for the nation’s growth, development and even continued existence. A few of this harvest of crises that have threatened our corporate entity, with attendant claim on lives, are listed hereunder.

We have had the Aba women riot of 1929 in resistance to obnoxious policies of the colonial government then. There was the Kano riot of 1953 as a result of clashes involving Northerners and Southerners of Igbo and Yoruba extractions. The census crisis of 1962 took its toll on the lives of Nigerians.

Accusations of rigging, politicisation and falsification of census figures were alleged to be at the root of the crisis. Action Group crisis was recorded in 1962 with Chiefs Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Ladoke Akintola as the key actors.

Again, the consequences were heavy toll on human lives. The general elections crisis of 1964, where major party alliances were scheming each other out, using unethical means, had deaths of Nigerians as the end result. In the aftermath of the Western Nigerian elections of 1965, hapless citizens were killed. The pogrom in the North that resulted in NigeriaBiafra Civil war of 6th July, 1967 to 15th January 1970, involving Gowon and Ojukwu, witnessed deaths unprecedented in Nigeria’s history at that time. The general elections of 1979 were greeted with arson and killings related to the violence and destruction that characterised those of 1983. Cases of Ondo and Oyo states in these elections which claimed the lives of the likes of Chief Fagbamigbe of the popular Fagbamigbe Press, and others of note, are still fresh in our minds.

We have had, as a nation, to contend with the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election, believed to have been won by Chief Moshood Abiola (M.K.O.) but viewed otherwise by General Ibrahim Babangida Administration. The crisis it generated and its attendant mass exodus shook the nation to its foundation. The deaths that singular action precipitated still frighten us to remember.

Chief Abiola, the key figure in the dramatis personae of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, struggled to reclaim his mandate. Alas! He died leaving the day consigned to the annals of history. The April 2011 general elections violence in the North recorded many deaths including the murder of our NYSC members, to mention just a few exam-

O

We have had countless cases where robbers, not only rob, but also kill their victims. Drug counterfeiters sell their adulterated OTC (over the counter) and prescriptive drugs to unsuspecting customers; police killings through unguarded shootings and torture in cells are regularly reported

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Nigeria without Nigerians (1)

Ispector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar ples.

Political crises aside, military adventurism into our body polity resulted in the many coups d’ etat we had witnessed and the lives that went with them including our past leaders. Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu’s bloody coup of 15th January, 1966, opened the foray of coups in Nigeria. A counter coup that quickly followed six months after, on July 29, 1966, claimed the life of General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, who became the Head of State after the death of the Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. General Gowon’s succession to General Ironsi was cut short by General Murtala Mohammed on July 29th, 1975. With the death of Mohammed in the hands of Lt. Col. Buka Sukar Dimka and his co-coupists on

February 13, 1976, General Olusegun Obasanjo, then second in command, concluded their joint tenure earlier billed to end in 1979 with a transition to civil rule.

General Muhammadu Buhari’s coup truncated the second tenure regime of Alhaji Shehu Shagari on December 31st, 1983. General Ibrahim Babangida coup against Buhari on August 27, 1985 did not terminate the relay race that had typified coups in Nigeria rather, General Mamman Vatsa and Major Gideon Orkar’s unsuccessful coups against General Babangida Administration did, before coups became unfashionable.

Reference here to the plethora of coups executed in Nigeria is neither intended to demonstrate scholarship, nor to touch our sour spots as a nation, but to drive home the

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destruction to lives and properties that had largely attended these coups.

Political crises and coups aside, natural disasters that have substantially claimed lives include storm; flood, like Ogunpa flood disasters in Ibadan; dams collapse in the North; erosion actions in Nanka and other areas; petroleum pipeline vandalism and the resulting fire disasters that have had their records of death; pre-amnesty militancy in the Niger Delta region and the kidnapping it introduced which at times led to death of abducted persons.

We have had countless cases where robbers, not only rob, but also kill their victims. Drug counterfeiters sell their adulterated OTC (over the counter) and prescriptive drugs to unsuspecting customers; police killings through unguarded shootings and torture in cells are regularly reported. Deaths through accidents on our roads and highways, occasioned by recklessness of drivers, are frequent features often associated with the use of rickety and poorly maintained vehicles; and poor state of our roads. There are deaths also through boats capsize and general sea mishaps. Air travels have turned to journey to eternity as air crashes over the years have made our aircraft flying coffins and the airspace, our grave.

Sad! Dana Air disaster and very lately Associated Airlines crash, and indeed other very bad crashes cannot be forgotten too soon. Deaths are also continuously recorded ranging from illegally administered abortion, drug abuse and consumption of hard and illicit drugs, to religious, ethnic and communal clashes, and activities of cultists.

People die in the desert trafficking or migrating to Europe for perceived greener pastures.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is sweeping our population clean and people still continue to live sexually carelessly, as well as disregarding other cautions against HIV/AIDS. Corruption has turned out to be an indirect killer. A public officer, who compromises his position and integrity in the award of contracts thereby leaving the contractor with insufficient fund to execute a project in question, is himself a killer if the resulting shoddily executed projects lead to deaths, e.g. accidents on our roads that have been in decrepit conditions, and cases of collapsed buildings owing to poor workmanship. Resistance to anti-people economic and social policies, in form of street riots during strike actions, also imposes its cost on our lives.

Spate of bombings is the latest unsettling development in security challenges threatening to leave Nigeria without Nigerians.

Bombing spree by the Boko Haram sect has assumed disturbing recurrence that has wasted many lives. The exact grouse of these Islamic fundamentalists can neither be established nor their exact philosophy known unlike the Niger Delta militants’ agitation over oil spill degradation of their environment.

To be continued.

Obasi wrote from Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State.

E-mail: egwu.benedict@yahoo.com