The Nation Feb 25, 2014 by The Nation

President’s cousin abducted

NEWS

Page 6

Newspaper of the Year

News

P59

Two killed in Ilorin hoodlums’ clash

Sports

Anichebe may be West Brom’s Messiah Business Suntrust, six others clear CBN’s hurdle

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 2770 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

P41 P60

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•EGYPT’S GOVT RESIGNS AMID CHAOS P6 •MAN TO DIE BY HANGING IN EKITI P9

•From right: The Interim National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the host Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko, Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako and Osun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori acknowledging cheers from a mammoth crowd of party faithful at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan ... yesterday.

Why we’re different from PDP, by APC governors

Here comes The Nation Archive

HE Nation made history at the weekend when it became the first Nigerian newspaper on the world’s latest media disc, the BluRay disc. The newspaper now has a digital archive of all its editions over the last two years, on a single digital disc and the universally available USB flash drives and SD cards. The new offering from the newspaper, now makes it possible to carry the more than 62,000 pages of The Nation published the last two years in a shirt pocket. It is also now easy to instantly search to find any stories or even any word, including advertisements and announcements published in any of the more than 62,000 pages printed in

LL Progressives Congress (APC) governors said yesterday that the party is different from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because it is people-centred. The party also described President Goodluck

Continued on page 6

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Jonathan’s visit to churches ahead of the 2015 elections as “church tourism,”. The governors spoke at the first Progressive Governance Lecture in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The lecture has

“Unemployment and the Crisis of Governance in Nigeria: the Way Forward” as its theme. It was organised by the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF). Ekiti State Governor Continued on page 7

Sanusi: Jonathan orders audit of CBN’s accounts

Report in six weeks President incompetent, says Kwankwaso President: I’ve absolute powers to suspend CBN governor

By Raymond Mordi, Leke Salaudeen and Augustine Ehikioya

•Dr. Jonathan

ECRETARY to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim has asked the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) to audit the accounts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Acting on President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive, Anyim gave the FRCN six weeks to do job, a source told The Nation yesterday. The audit of the books is coming

‘

Prosecution can only come if a clear fraud is established. But if a fraud is not established, maybe somebody does not follow due process ...we may not necessarily prosecute him, even though the person is guilty.

amid allegations of misconduct against suspended CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Sanusi was suspended last Thurs-

’

day for alleged “misconduct” and “financial recklessness”. He denied any wrongdoing, challenging his accusers to open the books.

The presidential directive is believed to be a response to Sanusi’s stand on the row between him and the authorities. The fresh audit is a follow-up to an earlier one by auditing giants Coopers and Lybrand. Sanusi has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of being unable to account for $20 billion oil revenue. The arguContinued on page 6

•TRANSPORT P16 •MARITIME P17 •SPORTS P24 •POLITICS P43 •ENERGY P47

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

NEWS

Concern •Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle), General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Maj-Gen Tamunomieibi Dibi (right) and his predecessor when they visited the governor in his office at Alausa...yesterday. PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES.

With global unemployment projected to reach over 215 million by 2018, experts fear that Africa, particularly Nigeria’s share of the global scourge might increase disproportionately, with attendant unsavoury consequences unless the country immediately adopts pro-active and holistic approach to halt the rising youth unemployment, writes Asst. Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA

A •Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Dr. Abdulmumin Jibril (middle), Director, Commercial and Business Development, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr Adeniyi Balogun(right) and General Manager, Finance, Chibuzor Nwachukwu, at a meeting of the committee with revenue generating agencies at the National Assembly PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE Abuja... yesterday.

•From left: Director-General, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Mr William Dar; Minister of Agriculture and National Resources, Dr Akinwumi Adesina; a geneticist and plant breeder Prof. Candidus Echekwu and representative of the Senate President, Senator Joshua Lidani at the launch of Groundnut Value Chain in Abuja...yesterday.

S his surname suggests, Akintunde Maberu, a Lagosbased finance and investment consultant, should be a courageous man. In fact, his surname, ‘Maberu’, in Yoruba language, literarily means ‘do not be afraid’. But these days, Maberu is afraid. He fears that Nigeria might be sitting on a keg of gunpowder on account of rising unemployment rate in the country, particularly among the youths. Statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that Nigeria’s unemployment rate rose from 21.1 per cent in 2010 to 23.9 per cent in 2011. The labour force swelled by 2.1 million to 67,256,090 people, with just 51,224,115 persons employed, leaving 16,074,205 people without jobs. Insufficient jobs resulted in additional 2.1 million unemployed persons in 2011, up from 1.5 million in 2010, even as Nigeria’s population, according to NBS, grew by 3.2 per cent in 2011, from 159.3 million people in 2010 to 164.4 million in 2011. NBS however, added that, “Unemployment was higher in the rural areas, at 25.6 per cent, than in the urban areas, where it was 17 per cent on average.” NBS however, admonished that in the light of the country’s fastgrowing population, there is need to double efforts at creating a conducive environment for job creation in order to reverse the trend. Therein lies Maberu’s fears. He told The Nation that “government is yet to come up with conscientious and people-oriented policies targeted at getting millions of unemployed Nigerian youths actively and meaningfully engaged.”

•Labour Minister Emeka Wogu While noting that “unemployment remains one of the major concerns in the country today,” the renowned finance analyst and stockbroker dismissed current Federal Government’s programmes aimed at creating jobs as “mere propaganda.” He argued that reversing the trend of rising youth unemployment must start from the nation’s education sector, which he said must be overhauled along the line of skills acquisition. Hear him: “Nigeria’s education curriculum should be immediately revised to incorporate entrepreneurial skills and enterprise development. This would adequately horn the entrepreneurial skills of Nigerian youths. The idea, Maberu explained, is that with adequate skills and hands-on experience in various vocations, Nigerian graduates would be self employed after leaving school while those in school would find something doing even before completing their education. He said that this would save Nigerian youths the stress and trauma of endless and fruitless search for paid employments in a highly saturated labour market. The approach, according to him, has become even more necessary considering the fact that many Nigerian graduates are unemployable. Maberu also took a swipe at the structure of Nigeria’s civil service which, according to him, is not structured in a way that allows qualified youths take up vacant positions left by retired civil servants in an open and transparent manner. While conceding that indeed, few employment opportunities exist in the country, he however, expressed regrets that the few job

African American History Month

Condoleezza Rice

•From left: Head Retail Strategy, Rollout and Operations, Etisalat Nigeria, Anthony Iloh, Special Adviser on Education to Lagos State Government, Otunba Fatai Olukoya, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willshere, Head of Retail Lagos/Abuja, Etisalat Nigeria, Eno Umoh and Experience Centre Manager, Benedict Afasanwo at the launch of Etisalat Gold Series Experience Centre in Lagos. PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

N Sunday, November 14, 2004, Condoleezza Rice became the first African American Secretary of State in America when she was nominated by George W. Bush and assumed office on January 26, 2005. She served for four years, leaving the position on January 20, 2009. She was the first African-American woman to serve as Secretary of State. Condoleezza Rice was the 66th Secretary of State Rice was born on November 14, 1954, in Birmingham, Alabama. She earned her bachelor of arts in political science in 1974 from the University of Denver, her master’s degree in political science from the University of Notre Dame in 1975, and her doctorate in political science from the Graduate School of International

Studies at the University of Denver in 1981. After her graduation, Rice accepted a position at Stanford University as a professor of political science. In 1987 she served as an advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and in 1989 was appointed director of Soviet and East European Affairs on the National Security Council. Rice returned to Stanford in 1991 and from 1993 until 1999 she served as Stanford’s Provost. In 2001 she was appointed National Security Advisor by President George W. Bush, and succeeded Colin Powell as Secretary of State in 2005. Reference: http://history.state.gov/ departmenthistory/people/ricecondoleezza

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

NEWS

over rising unemployment ‘

It is estimated that some 74.5 million young people – aged 15–24 – were unemployed in 2013; that is almost 1 million more than in the year before. The global youth unemployment rate has reached 13.1 per cent, which is almost three times as high as the adult unemployment rate •Utomi openings in various government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), unlike in the past, are no longer openly advertised. “When was the last time you saw job advertisements in the papers by any of the MDAs?” he asked, adding, “you hardly see advertisements for jobs these days, and until there is a progressive shift from bottom up, allowing civil servants in MDAs to genuinely retire and make room for the younger ones instead of reserving those jobs for their cronies, the rising unemployment trend in the country may never be reversed.” Maberu argued that the need for more concerted and holistic efforts to reverse the rising youth unemployment has become even more necessary considering the grim picture painted recently of the global unemployment market by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). ILO projected that global unemployment would hit over 215 million by 2018. The organisation in its ‘Global Employment Trends 2014’ noted that the uneven economic recovery and successive downward revisions in economic growth projections have had an impact on the global employment situation with the result that about 202 million people were unemployed in 2013 around the world. The figure, according to ILO, is an increase of almost 5 million compared with the year before, reflecting the fact that employment is not expanding sufficiently fast to keep up with the growing labour force. ILO said the bulk of the increase in global unemployment is in the East Asia and South Asia regions, which together represent more than 45 per cent of additional jobseekers, followed by Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. Latin America, by contrast, added fewer than 50,000 additional unemployed to the global number – or around 1 per cent of the total increase in unemployment in 2013. ILO said overall, the crisis-related global jobs gap that has opened up since the beginning of the financial crisis in 2008, over and above an already large number of jobseekers, continues to widen. “In 2013, this gap reached 62 million jobs, including 32 million additional jobseekers, 23 million people that became discouraged and no longer look for jobs and 7 million economically inactive people that prefer not to participate in the labour market. … and on current trends, it would rise by a further 13 million people by 2018,” ILO projected. It also said that if current trends continue, “global unemployment is set to worsen further, albeit gradually, reaching more than 215 million

• Maberu

‘

•Prof Ekpo

Buhari, Ajimobi, Tinubu, Fayemi: unemployment on the rise

ORMER Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and an economist, Dr Ayo Teriba, yesterday decried the unemployment situation in the country. They spoke at a forum organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC)in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Ajimobi saluted the APC leaders for the initiative of proffering scientific solutions to the problems of unemployment in Nigeria. “Our decision to brainstorm on the national challenge of unemployment at this forum underscores our belief that a mental and intellectual approach to the problems would dissolve the challenge into nothingness in no long a time,” he said. Governor Ajimobi, who described the problem of unemployment as a global one, touching many countries in various degrees, noted that Nigeria’s unemployment rate is spiraling upwards, growing at 16 per cent per year. “We must do something urgently as a nation to reverse this trend,’’ the governor emphasized, stressing ``we must be attentive to the alarm raised by a concerned citizen who warned that of all the aspects of social misery, nothing is as heart-breaking as unemployment.” Tinubu decried the high level of insecurity in Nigeria, attributing it to the high rate of unemployment, which, he jobseekers by 2018.” During this period, around 40 million net new jobs would be created every year, which is less than the 42.6 million people that are expected to enter the labour market every year. ILO however, said that young people continue to be particularly affected by the weak and uneven recovery. “It is estimated that some 74.5 million young people – aged 15–24 – were unemployed in 2013; that is almost 1 million more than in the year before. The global youth unemployment rate has reached 13.1 per cent, which is almost three times as high as the adult unemployment rate....,” the report said. In all, ILO says that tackling the employment and social gaps requires job-friendly macroeconomic policies. The report said that a rebalancing of macroeconomic policies and increased labour incomes would significantly improve the employment outlook. Although, the ILO report did not place Sub-Saharan Africa, by extension, Nigeria, among those that would account for the bulk of the increase in global unemployment, the situation in Africa is quite worrisome, particularly with regards to youth unemployment. According to the ILO, 3 out of 5 unemployed people in Africa are young people. There are 200 million people

described as a time bomb that could explode, if not urgently addressed. Tinubu, who was represented by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, called on the leaders in the country to stop protecting their seats but rather concentrate on how to find lasting solution to insecurity and unemployment currently ravaging the country. “The people of this country are now more determined than ever before to protect the country by way of kicking out incompetent leaders, either at the states or national level,’’ he said. Gen. Buhari and Fayemi said there was the urgent need to tackle the unemployment and security challenges facing Nigeria. In his lecture, Dr. Teriba noted that unemployment rate had increased three-fold in the last 15 years, with the worst increases happening between 2007 and now. Teriba, who spoke on the topic: “Nigeria’s High Growth-High Unemployment Paradox’’, said to make democratic governance a tool for delivering economic tangible and enduring economic benefits in the future, Nigeria should make monthly employment data available before the end of each month, fix rail transportation, rethink fiscal policy, re-focus monetary policy and ensure that elected officials accept responsibilities for policy formulation and coordination.

in Africa between 15 and 24 years of age, representing about 20 per cent of the population. The continent is said to have the fastest growing and most youthful population in the world. Over 40 per cent of its population is under 15. Africa’s high fertility rate is said to be responsible for this. Indeed, in Africa, youth unemployment has become a threat to socio-economic peace and stability. For instance, unemployment rate in South Africa increased to 25.20 per cent in the first quarter of 2013 from 24.90 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2012. Kenya’s reached an all time high of 40.0 per cent in December 2011, while Ghana, Nigeria’s close neighbour, had an unemployment rate of 11 per cent in 2012. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has 23.9 per cent unemployment rate, with youth unemployment rate estimated at over 50 percent. Experts however, say that the unemployment figure for Nigeria might be higher considering the unavailability of reliable data in the country. Some experts argue that given Nigeria’s penchant for poor record keeping, the figure could be as high as 37.7 per cent. Besides, over one million graduates are churned out annually by well over 300 universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria, with

many people expressing fears that the country’s economy is at moment not robust enough to absorb even 20 per cent of the products of the institutions. As if to make matters worse, more companies, in a bid to cut cost, are downsizing their workforce thus sending thousands of their employees back to the labour market. The banking sector appears to be worse hit following a sack gale that has shown many bank workers the door while keeping others on edge. The telecoms sector is also hit as telecoms companies are laying off their workers after out-sourcing most of their operations. Many of the workers who have been sacked are bread winners and their lives and that of their families and dependants are now hanging on the balance. The increasing rate of unemployment in the country is seen by experts as confirmation that Nigeria’s widely reported rapid economic growth has evidently failed to translate into job creation. For instance, Prof Pat Utomi, Director, Lagos Business School, has never stopped wondering why Nigeria experiences rising rate of unemployment despite its rating as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, a situation said to be no different in six other African countries listed

among the 10 fastest growing economies in the world. Prof Akpan Ekpo, Director-General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), is no less worried, noting that in Nigeria, despite the ‘healthy growth’ of the economy in the last five years (averaging almost 7 per cent), unemployment has been rising alongside the increased incidence of poverty. He described the country’s rising unemployment as “a looming time bomb and a national crisis.” Ekpo is right. The rising violent crimes and the widespread insecurity across the country, many people believe, is largely traceable to the rising unemployment in the last couple of years. Today, kidnapping, advance fee fraud, otherwise called 419, armed robbery, prostitution, cultism, drug and child trafficking, among others, have become daily occurrences. A new and scary dimension has since been added to these social ills following the upsurge in violent campaigns by terrorist groups, particularly the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents. Many Nigerian youths, for lack of paid employments, have become ready recruits into terrorist organisations, a development that confirms fears that the country is indeed, seating on a keg of gunpowder. But government says it is not folding its arms and that it is making progress in reversing the rising trend of unemployment. For instance, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, disclosed recently that the YouWin programme, an acronym for Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria, which seeks to support thousands of youth entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and create jobs for other youths, has so far created close to 20, 000 jobs. About 2, 400 winners are said to have emerged from the first two rounds of the unique business plan competition, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Finance, along with the Ministries of Communications Technology and Youth Development. Government is also making progress in job creation through the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) through which it hopes to create about 370,000 jobs-which experts say are, at best, mere drops in the ocean. They therefore, argue that a more pro-active, comprehensive and honest approach must be fashioned out to stop the rising unemployment scourge. The thinking is that with an ever increasing youth population who have no jobs, it is only a matter of time before Nigeria erupts into a serious crisis. Whether government would act decisively to starve off the impending crisis remains to be seen.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

NEWS

Here comes The Nation Archive •From left: Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu; an All Progressives Congress chieftain, Cardinal James Odunmbaku; Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and a former Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan, during the City People magazine’s 1st Political Excellence Awards, where Mrs Fayemi and Governor Kayode Fayemi bagged awards for exemplary commitment to Women Empowerment and as the Best Governor in Grassroots Development in Lagos ... at the weekend

Sanusi: Jonathan orders audit of CBN’s accounts Continued from page 1

ment was still raging when he was suddenly suspended – an action many felt was to silence Sanusi and sweep under the carpet the missing cash issue but which the President defended last night. Dr Jonathan said he has “absolute power” to suspend the CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from office. According to him, it would have been inappropriate to have allowed Sanusi to remain in office while the report of the FRCN, which examined the CBN’s 2012 audit report, was being considered. He said because Sanusi is the chairman of the CBN board of directors, it was mandatory for him to be out of office during investigation. Dr. Jonathan spoke during the Presidential Media chat aired on national television. “Yes, I have absolute power. The CBN is not well defined in the Nigerian Constitution,’’ he said, in response to a question by one of the panelists on the propriety of his action to suspend Sanusi. Dr Sarah Alade, the most senior deputy governor was appointed to act for Sanusi. Zenith Bank Managing Director Godwin Emefiele has been nominated as CBN governor, to take office on June 2

Jonathan is incompetent, says Kwankwaso

ANO State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso yesterday described President Goodluck Jonathan as an incompetent leader. He spoke at the Progressive Governors Forum lecture in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The governor was responding to comments by suspended Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at the weekend when Sanusi’s tenure is due to end. The Senate is yet to confirm the appointment. The President said Sanusi remained the CBN governor and would be allowed back to the office “today or tomorrow”, if he was cleared at the end of investigation. According to him, the president has oversight functions over the bank. The action against Sanusi, he said, was delayed because of the need to consult widely and not to send a wrong signal. “When dealing with the treasury of a nation, you have to be careful and consult widely,” Jonathan told the panel. The President also spoke on the national conference, which he said would start on March 10, his plan to investigate alleged loss of $20b at the NNPC and the Boko Haram insurgency, among others. Jonathan faulted the argu-

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

that Jonathan is a simple man that means well but who is surrounded by incompetent aides. Kwankwanso said his response to that comment is an English adage: “Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.” He said the APC would dethrone the PDP next year.

ment that indicted deputy governors should have been suspended along with Sanusi, saying that the head was suspended in order not to interfere with ongoing investigation. He said the CBN Act will be amended, if need be, to tally with international best practices. But Jonathan stressed that he cannot direct Sanusi’s prosecution as the CBN Board and the FRCN have the responsibility. On Sanusi’s prosecution, he said: “People must know how government functions. The government doesn’t just prosecute anybody. No; it is not done that way. Anybody could be accused of everything. Even in normal civil service operation, when you are suspected for fraud, the best ...is to place you on suspension and the matter is investigated. At the end of investigation, why they place

you on suspension is so that you don’t stay in that office and frustrate the process of investigation. So, government normally places such person on suspension without salary. And if it is a grievous offence, they place you on suspension without salary, but not sacked. Until when they conclude investigations; he may go back if he has no case to answer. If he has a case to answer, that is when they prosecute. “These are issues raised by a third party; the Financial Reporting Council is not a member of CBN. So, there could be some issues....probably there could be explanations. I am not saying everything raised there is incriminating on the CBN or Sanusi. No; nobody has said that. So, it will depend on when ...It is the board of the CBN and the Financial ReContinued on page 60

10 gunmen abduct Jonathan’s cousin in Otuoke

ESIDENTS of Otuoke, President Goodluck Jonathan’s Bayelsa State hometown, were still in shock yesterday over the kidnap of his first cousin, Chief Inengite Nitabai. In a daring move, 10 heavily armed men stormed Nitabai’s expansive compound located before Otuoke bridge, off Otu-Okpoti-Ogbia Road, grabbles their target and fled. No shot was fired. Nitabai, said to be about 70, is a compound chief in Jonathan’s Ebele family. He has been acting like a father to the President since Jonathan’s real biological father died, family sources said. There was panic in the compound when the bandits stormed the area between 8 and 9pm on Sunday. The victim, his wife, his wife’s sister and three of his children were in the house when the assailants came. His wife’s sister, Akinobebh Jin, 37, said Silas, one of Nitabai’s sons, was the first to see the criminals. He raised the alarm.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Jin said: “We came back from somewhere around 8pm. Silas was at the verandah, doing his assignment while my in-law, my sister and two other siblings were in the living room together. “After some time, Silas came shouting and saying that some people had just entered into the compound. As we sprang onto our feet, we were confused because we didn’t know where to run to. “Shortly after that, five heavily armed men entered into the house, barking. We ran into the kitchen and some of them followed us to the kitchen. They asked us to lie down. They hit my sister on the head and asked her to give them money. “They also hit my in-law with the butt of their guns and demanded money. They threatened to shoot us. My sister told them she had small money and they followed her to the bedroom where she gave them money”, she said. Jin said after collecting about N400,000, the gunmen forced

Nitabai into a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to the victim and sped off. “Five of the gunmen entered the compound while five others were hanging around the premises. They locked us inside the house before leaving”, she said. Jin, who was injured on her finger, was yet to recover from the shock yesterday. At the compound yesterday, all was calm. A detachment of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, and policemen were guarding the place. Sympathisers were trooping into the compound. The victim’s wife said to have gone to the clinic for treatment. People were seen in groups discussing the incident. A road leading to Otuoke has been cordoned off by soldiers. Commissioner of Police Mr. Hilary Opara and JTF Deputy Commander Commodore Ime Ekpa, have visited the crime scene. Opara said the police alerted other security agencies about the incident. Two gunboats have been stationed at Onuebum Waterside.

The police are patrolling Edebiri, Kiambiri, Anyama and Ogobiri creeks. Opara said two suspects had been arrested. “The other two suspects saw my men and ran away. We know them and we will get them,” he said. JTF Media Coordinator Col. Onyema Nwachukwu said the assailants abandoned the victim’s car at the Onuebum community water front.

Continued from page 1

the 731 editions of this newspaper, between January 2012 and December 2013. Any of the 62,000 pages or specific story can also be perfectly reproduced in full colour, on any size of paper and printed from any personal computer, android tablet computer or phone and any other digital-age device capable of reading flash drives or SD cards. The totally Nigerian feat, is the culmination of a 25 yearold dream by The Nation’s Science and Technology Editor, O’seun Ogunseitan, and his small team of Nigerian computer programmers. Ogunseitan had been on a leave from the newspaper over the last three years, to see the project through. Presenting the first copies of the digital-age Nigerian media landmark to The Nation management in Lagos, Ogunseitan dedicated the unique e-publications to the memory of the late media mogul, Bashorun M.K.O Abiola who “first supported the idea way back in 1990 and Asiwaju Tinubu who inspired the rebirth of the quest in 2009” The media archivist thanked God for giving him an unusual tenacity of purpose which enabled him “to stay on course, on an uncharted path for 25 long years”. He also singled out Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State for his trusting belief in the novel idea and the unquantifiable support that finally saw to the arrival of the Nigerian media on the global media stage. The storage and use of past editions of Nigerian newspapers, have always been laborious undertakings. Easily wear-prone, past editions of Nigerian newspapers took so much library floor and wall space, yet they can only be used by one person at a time and have to be manually searched. Now without any internet connection and in any part of the world, even in the remotest part of Nigeria, a pocketable BluRay disc or a regular USB flash drive, not much bigger than a jacket button, now instantly makes available more than 62,000 pages of fully searchable and printable editions of The Nation. Also as many people as are connected to a single computer having a single copy of The Nation’s Digital archive, can search for any word and be instantly taken to the complete newspaper edition and the page or pages containing the word. The particular pages can be reproduced perfectly, even in colour by merely sending the page or pages to a regular colour

Egypt’s govt resigns

GYPT’s government yesterday resigned in a surprise move as the country’s political turmoil deepened. Interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi announced the resignation of his Cabinet, a move that could be designed in part to pave the way for the nation’s military chief to leave his defense minister’s post to run for president. Hazem el-Beblawi’s military-backed government was sworn in on July 16, less than two weeks after Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, the de-

fense minister, ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi after a year in office. Its ministers will remain in their posts in a caretaker capacity until the president picks a prime minister to form a new Cabinet. The government’s resignation, announced by el-Beblawi in a live TV broadcast, came amid a host of strikes, including one by public transport workers and garbage collectors. An acute shortage of cooking gas has also been making front page news the past few days.

printer connected to the computer, no matter how old the newspaper edition is. Unlike the printed hard copy of newspapers which withers in a few years, the digitalised archive of The Nation, can apparently last forever, since a copy on the Bluray disc can last more than 80 years without any degradation even as perfect replications of the digital archive can easily be done in minutes by the newspaper organisation. The digital archive copy on sale is also digitally protected against duplication and everyday computer copying, making the possibility of low quality pirated copies remote and guaranteeing legal acceptability of certified printouts of the digital archives. Only the most modern of libraries worldwide, made any long-lasting microfilm copies of Nigerian newspapers for archival storage and library use. Such microfilmed library copies of newspapers, however need expensive microfiche readers to read the microfilms. Most libraries, including all Nigerian newspaper libraries, simply bookbind physical copies of the newspapers into heavy monthly volumes which they make available on request to one user at a time. Bound copies of old newspapers are cumbersome and unreliable in storage. The newspapers easily become weather-beaten due to humidity and heat particularly in the tropics despite taking enormous wall and floor space in libraries. Yet researchers in need of reference to the old newspaper editions, must also have an idea of the date of the publication of specific write ups, to know the bound editions to look for. The advent of web-based search engines such as Google, made it slightly easier to access past newspaper editions published online, using keywords. But even such copies from the internet, are just the story texts, as reported in the newspapers, not the full newspaper pages showing the stories and advertisements and announcements, as it normally published in the physical newspaper. Advanced newspaper websites like The Nation’s website too, provide full graphic views of complete digital editions of the physical newspapers. But such ecopies, available online only on the day the papers are published or later on subscription, are most of the time incomplete in delivery, due to by slow internet connectivity. Such online copies are also not searchable or printable. A public presentation of the maiden digital archive of The Nation is in the offing, just as there are plans to add all editions of the newspaper since inception in 2006, to the new portable digital newspaper library.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

NEWS

We’ve deployed troops in 32 states, says NSA Dasuki

HE National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, yesterday said armed forces had been deployed in 32 states to check security challenges. He also said efforts were being made to tackle Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast. He, however, assured all that the Federal Government will encourage troops to observe human rights, and international humanitarian law norms in their engagement. Col. Dasuki spoke at an international seminar on the “Imperatives of the Observance of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Norms in Internal Security Operations”, jointly organised by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Security Adviser. The seminar, holding at the National Defence College in Abuja, is being attended by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda The NSA said: “As you are well aware, our great country has been grappling with a plethora of security challenges occasioning loss of lives and property. “These civil disturbances, ethnic tensions and recently, terrorism and insurgency in the North East geopolitical zone have engaged the attention of the government and

•President Goodluck Jonathan (second right), Mrs Bensaoda (left); Col Dasuki (second left); Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke (SAN); and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukthar (right) at the seminar in Abuja...yesterday.

ment has been institutionalised in the training of members of the armed forces, it is our conviction, particularly, while organising this seminar, that frequent sensitisation will go a long way to encourage the armed forces to imbibe these norms and promote voluntary compliance. The NSA said the seminar became compelling to guide commanders and troops on their responsibilities; treatment of victims and other vulnerable groups during conflict situations He said: “The seminar is therefore designed to sensitise the armed forces and other security agencies on the imperatives of observing human rights, international humanitarian law norms and interro-

gate issues with the potential of reducing the risk of exposure to prosecution or other unpleasant consequences that could flow from the disregard of these norms. “This is consistent with our national laws and the obligations imposed by various international legal instruments, including but not limited to the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which Nigeria is a State Party. “As a State Party to these instruments, Nigeria has the obligation to teach its rules and norms to her armed forces and the general public. “We are duty bound not only to prevent violations, but also, punishtheperpetratorswhenthey occur.”

Why we’re different from PDP, by APC governors

Reps accuse agencies of fraud

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

security agencies as concerted efforts are being made to contain the situation and restore normalcy in the affected parts of the country. “The declaration of a State of Emergency by Mr. President with the support and approval of the National Assembly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States is one of the several initiatives implemented to address these security challenges. “While these efforts are ongoing, experience has shown from a post-mortem of the crises situations and robust interaction with the affected communities that although, civil authorities often employ their best endeavours in tackling

these crises, they are sometimes overwhelmed by the degree of sophistication both in terms of operational modality and weaponry used by the perpetrators of these crises. “In the circumstances, it has become imperative to deploy the armed forces in aid of civil authority. It is significant to note that our armed forces are presently involved in internal security operations in about 32 states of the federation. “I have no doubt that our participation in this seminar is a demonstration of our collective will and commitment to put an end to the spate of mindless killings taking place across the country and to build a progressive and stable society, where we can all sleep under the cover of peace and securi-

ty. It is our fervent hope that we will realise this objective.” Dasuki, however, assured that the Federal Government will encourage troops to observe human rights, and international humanitarian law norms in their engagement. He added: “The frequent interaction between the armed forces and the civilian population has also come at a cost in terms of human lives and material resources. Allegations of human rights abuses and proportionality of military response to crises situations are issues that have been thrown up within the country, as well as, the international community. “While the observance of appropriate rules of engage-

•Accuse Jonathan of embarking on ‘church tourism’ over 2015 elections Continued from page 1

Kayode Fayemi said of the difference between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): “Some people now say that both PDP and APC are the same. They say there is no difference. Governor Kwankwanso was in PDP; he is now in APC. Governor Rotimi Amaechi was in PDP; he now is in APC. I urge you to also check what those governors were doing when they were in the PDP. “We have never said that all the people in PDP are bad leaders. That has never been our argument. Our argument has been that the influence of the-end-justifies-themeans politicians in the PDP is overwhelming. And that is why they are not making any progress beyond this jobless growth that we are witnessing. When you go there, you can see it. Governor Kwankwanso runs a free education programme now in Kano. Governor Amaechi runs free education in Rivers. Governor Nyako does the same in Adamawa. So, there are many ties that bind us together and we believe that ideologically, we are Siamese twins. And that is why they are here. We also want to enrich what we are doing with the examples they have shown in their states and other states. Of course, you can see the difference in Ibadan. I am not saying this just to humour my brother, the governor of Oyo State. I was born, grew up here and know this city like the back of my hand and I know the progress that it has witnessed in the short

period of time that Governor Ajmobi has taken on the reins of power. You know what is going on in Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Osun and Ekiti states.” Fayemi and other party leaders, who spoke at the lecture, said the 2015 election would be a contest of ideas, not of physical strength, sentiment or violence. On the determination of the party to revitalise the Nigerian economy through job creation and other initiatives, Fayemi said: “The reason why we are progressive is that we believe that we owe a duty to our people, that it is not a favour to our people to empower them to become people who have self worth in their own right. And job is not about earning a wage. It is about the dignity that it gives our people. That is why we are making this the first in the series if the PGF lectures. And there is a direct nexus between governance and employment. The disconnections that the lecturer have pointed out, the issues that have been raised are also borne by the evidence before us. The strategic committee of this group headed by Governor Fashola has been receiving results from the polls that we commissioned in the 36 states of the federation. The polls we have been doing make it clear to us that the number one issue for Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country is joblessness. Next is insecurity. But as Governor Kwankwanso has highlighted, there is a connection

between joblessness and insecurity. When you look at what we are witnessing in the Northeastern part of the country today, there are those who say it is religious, there also those who want to make us believe it is ethnic. But as a student of security, the most critical factor responsible for crisis in the North is economy. That is what has made it possible for some Nigerians to believe that they have no future than to throw themselves in arms way in the name of creating an alternative republic. That, for us, is what we need to tackle. When we cut off the oxygen that is fueling the crisis in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and other parts, we clearly must understand the connection between insecurity and poverty.” Earlier, welcoming the guests to the state, Oyo State Go ernor Abiola Ajimobi reeled out his achievements in the last 1000 days, stressing that his administration redefined governance. He pointed out that it has also brought back an enabling environment for businesses to thrive “The revolution is unprecedented. From the ashes of the second dirtiest city, we have raised the level of cleanliness to make Ibadan one of the neatest. We are attracting investors due to conducive atmosphere. Your presence here today adds to our huge intellectual account.” Highlighting the danger of unemployment, Ajimobi said it has become urgent for any responsible government

to act fast. “By taking on this challenge, we are telling the world that when we eventually take over federal governance, we will tackle this and other challenges confronting the country.” He said. The chairman of the occasion and former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said irrespective of the position various Nigerians hold about the country or the party, APC governors and its leaders came together for the progress of Nigerians. He said they embraced progressive politics to lift citizens out of their frustration, adding that party leaders and members laid down their differences and political idiosyncrasies in the larger interest of the country. The guest lecturer, Dr Ayo Teriba, dissected the economy, particularly unemployment. He disclosed that though Nigeria is among the five fastest growing economies in the world, the country has double digit unemployment rate, which he put at 23 per cent. As a way out of the current parlous state, Teriba recommended that government must take data reading more seriously, revamp rail transportation, support economic intelligence and reform policy processes, among others. He said: “To make democratic governance a tool for delivering economic tangible and enduring economic benefits in the future, Nigeria needs to make monthly employment data

available before the end of each month, fix rail transportation, rethink fiscal policy, refocus monetary policy, and ensure that elected officials accept responsibility for policy formulation and coordination. Appointees can implement but elected officials must adopt modalities for ensuring transparency and accountability in policy mplementation. Examples of successes in using democracies as a tool for economic advancement abound.” The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha said agreements at the lecture would be implemented in APC-controlled states . The governors and party leaders visited the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba where they addressed a crowd of party supporters who came to welcome them to Oyo State. They were led by the National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and National Leader Gen. Mohammadu Buhari. The governors include Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rabiu Kwankwanso (Kano), Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Umaru Mustapha, his Osun State counterpart, Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and the Edo State Secretary to the State Government, Prof Julius Ihonvbere. Former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba and former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Niyi Adebayo were also there.

From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

HE House of Representatives Committee on Finance yesterday accused MDAs of sharp practices in the submission of their projected Internally-Generated Revenues (IGR) in the 2014 budget. Speaking at the resumed meetings between the committee and some independent revenue generating agencies, the chairman of the committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin, said he wondered “why over the years, generation and remittances take the same pattern.” He questioned: “Why? The whole thing looks like some arranged figures.” The lawmaker also flayed the discrepancies between the figures submitted by the Budget Office to the National Assembly and those claimed by some MDAs. This was sequel to the admission by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) that there is a gulf between the amount presented to the committee and that presented to the National Assembly on their behalf by the Budget Office. According to the two agencies, there was no harmonisation of their figures and estimates for the 2014 budget and that which the Budget Office submitted on their behalf to the National Assembly. NIMASA, through its Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Haruna Baba, said its remittance to date is N21.4 billion. According to him, “whatever we generate, we take out 30 per cent for maritime infrastructure, which we spend after an appropriation by the National Assembly.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

NEWS

Jonathan: govt still open to dialogue with Boko Haram

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said the Federal Government is still open to dialogue with the Boko Haram sect to end insurgency in the Northeast. He spoke in Abuja yesterday when he opened an international seminar on the Observance of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in Internal Security Operations. The seminar, held at the National Defence College, was co-hosted by the Offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation (A-GF) and the National Security Adviser (NSA). Jonathan urged members of the sect to lay down their arms and table their grievances, if any, before government. He, however, said while waiting for the response from the sect, the military operations in the troubled areas would continue to safeguard lives and property. Said Jonathan: “Our administration has committed re-

sources and adopted approaches to prosecute the fight against terror. “The declaration of a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states is one of the measures taken to contain the activities of the terrorists. “The National Committee on Peace and Dialogue in the Northern parts of the country was constituted to explore ways of dialoguing with the Boko Haram with a view to addressing their grievances, if any. “I wish to use this platform to renew my previous call to members of the sect to lay down their arms and engage government in a constructive manner to address their grievances, if truly they have any reason to do what they are doing. “However, while we are awaiting a positive response from the Boko Haram sect, it is important to note that government has the responsibility to protect the lives and property of our citizens.

Court defers hearing in suit against Amaechi, Nyako, others

HE absence of Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday stalled hearing in the suit by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against five of its former governors, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP, is by the suit, seeking to sack the governors on the grounds of their defection to the opposition party. The governors are Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara). Justice Kolawole had ordered that a fresh summons be served on the defendants, upon complaint by their lawyers that PUBLIC NOTICE ANYANWU

I formerly known and address as Miss Anyanwu Onyekachi Eucharia now wish to be address as Mrs Emmanurl Onyekachi Eucharia. All formal document remain valid. The general public should please note.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

they were wrongly served with processes. Parties were to begin hearing in the case yesterday, but court officials said the judge was in a conference with the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta. When parties got to court, they learnt from the court registrar that the judge would be around by noon. At noon, the registrar shifted the proceedings to 2 p.m., hoping the judge would be back. When, at 2pm, it became obvious that the judge would not make it, the registrar suggested that the parties return on February 26. Parties could not agree on when next to return. But the plaintiff’s lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN), agreed. Defence lawyers said they would prefer to return next week. Sued with the governors is the Independent National Electoral Commission (listed as first defendant).

PUBLIC NOTICE YUSUF

CHIBUIKE

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EBOZIEGBE

APC warns against plot to remove Shettima

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the Federal Government against plotting to remove Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima and appoint a military administrator, under the guise of intensifying the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. In a statement in Ibadan yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the Presidency should realise that there was a limit to impunity, and that if anyone should be removed over the protracted insurgency in the state and in the Northeast, it was President Goodluck Jonathan. “What is happening in the Northeast and Borno State is failure of leadership at the highest level of government, especially because the imposition of a state of emergency on the three worse-hit states has given the President emergency powers to deal with the protracted crisis. “As the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Jonathan is in control of the instruments of coercion, which he can and has been deploying at will. If, therefore, some seemingly implacable dead-enders have continued to kill, maim and destroy in any part of the country, no one but the President should be held liable. Everyone knows a governor does not deploy troops. “Also, it is trite to say that the raison d’etre of any government is the protection of life and property. This means that the moment any government fails in that key respon-

Presidency denies plans to install military govt

HE Presidency denied yesterday a report alleging that President Goodluck Jonathan was planning to install a military governor in Borno State. The report alleged that the Presidency had identified a retired Army general to be appointed as the military administrator of the state. Despite the state of emergency declared in the state and two other Northeast states, Borno has been the most hit by Boko Haram insurgents. Speaking last night, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, described the report as another mischievous attempt in the media to portray the Federal Government in bad light. He reiterated the commitment of the Jonathan administration to adhere to the rule of law. Stressing that the report did not make any sense, Abati said the country’s constitution did not make provision for military rule in a civilian administration. Rather than take such illegal step, he said the Federal Government would extend the state of

sibility, it can no longer justify its reason for existence,” it said. APC said Shettima and Borno indigenes were the victims in the senseless war waged by Boko Haram, and that what they deserved were succour and support, not victimisation by a Federal Government, which seemed to have run out of ideas on how to subdue the sect. The party said no one should lend any credence to the denial, by the Presidency, of the evil plot to remove Shettima, “because this Presidency’s word has never been worth the paper on which it is written.” “Several times in the past, this Presidency issued a straight-faced denial, only to go ahead and do what it said it wouldn’t. Against such lack of credibility and integrity,

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

emergency if the need arose. Said he: “It is preposterous; it does not make any sense. This is one of the states where government has declared a state of emergency twice, and on the two occasions, it did not remove the governors. “No where does the constitution recommend military rule over civilian rule in a democratic setting as Nigeria. This is a government, which has placed emphasis on strict adherence to the rule of law. “If there is need to extend the state of emergency in the states currently observing it, government will do so and not remove a democratically-elected governor. To suggest that the Federal Government is trying to impose a military government on a democratic dispensation is far-fetched. “Let it not be another mischievous attempt in the media to project government in bad light.”

we do not believe the Presidency’s denial,” it said. APC said it was becoming clear that the Presidency might be using the state of emergency in the Northeast to fight its political battle and get rid of those it perceived as a stumbling block to its interest in 2015. The party said if that was not the case, the Presidency would not be flying a satanic kite of plotting to remove the governor when it was clear that “this governor has done everything possible to support the Federal Government and the brave men and women fighting the sect, in addition to providing succour to Borno people, who have been traumatised by the activities of the misguided terrorists.” It said: “The state of emergency has run its initial course

Confab: Agbakoba, others nominated

INEC is preparing for 2015 elections, says Jega •Corps members, ad hoc staff assured of security

HE Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said the failure of the commission to begin elections at the stipualted time has been a major challenge. He assured that INEC was planning to address logistic problems before next year’s elections. Jega said the commission was putting finishing touches to its preparation to make the poll credible and transparent. The INEC boss, who spoke on the paper: “The 2015 General Elections: Conversations with Nigeria’s Female Stakeholders”, at the Nigerian Women Trust Fund Workshop at the Electoral Institute, Abuja, said INEC was discussing with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) author-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

ities to provide the addresses of the NYSC camps for security. Jega noted that the attacks carried out on NYSC members in 2011 occurred mostly at the NYSC camps and to prevent recurrence, the commission would provide security at the camps before and after elections. He said security would also be provided for the ad hoc workers, who would be deployed during the poll. Said Jega: “We assure that preparations for the 2015 poll have begun. “Learning from the experience of the 2011 elections, especially regarding the need for early preparations, INEC has undertaken the task of fundamental restructuring its bureaucracy. It has made new policies to guide its work and has embarked on far-reaching planning of its operations

F •Jega

through a strategic plan.” He said the completion of the consolidating and de-duplicating of the biometric register of voters, “now has integrity, better than the one with which the 2011 elections were conducted.’’ The INEC chairman said the efforts to ensure a free, fair, credible and peaceful elections should not be left in the hands of INEC alone, adding: “All stakeholders have roles to play.”

North’s governors eulogise Shagari at 89

ORTHERN States Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday described former President Shehu Shagari, who turns 89 today, as a statesman of uncommon pedigree. In a tribute by the Chairman of the forum and Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu in Minna, the forum said Shagari as Nigeria’s President played politics without bitterness and placed premium on the values and virtues of constitutional democracy. A statement by Aliyu’s spokesman, Malam Danladi Ndayebi, said: “Shagari’s politics eschews bitterness. Even opponents concede that he is a disciplined man, whose life sym-

and has even been renewed, yet the insurgency continues. This means the Federal Government must think out of the box to evolve new strategies to tackle the insurgency. One of such is to heighten intelligence gathering, which will make it possible for our security forces to preempt attacks. Another is to win the hearts and minds of the local population so they can do more to help fish out the insurgents. “We are sad to note, however, that the Federal Government seems to have its own agenda, which may include allowing the insurgency to fester so that elections will not hold in the area next year. If anyone thinks this is outlandish, such a person underestimates the desperation of this Presidency going into the 2015 elections.”

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

bolises a rejection of the corrupting influences, which distract the commitment of some leaders to improve the lot of the common man.” The forum referred to the nation’s first executive President as the greatest statesman around today and urged Nigerians to emulate his exemplary life characterised by honesty, selflessness and the fear of God. It said it was proud to be associated with the achievements of the former Nigerian leader, especially his contributions to the deepening of the nation’s democracy. The forum prayed God to grant him good health, courage and years of selfless service to Nigeria and humanity.

ORMER Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and a criminologist, Dr. Uju Agomoh, have been nominated by the Coalition of Eastern Human Rights and Pro-democracy Activists (CEHRAPA), as delegates for the National Conference. Their nomination, which the group said was made at a meeting on February 15 in Enugu, is to ensure its adequate representation. Also nominated are the Convener, Citizens Wealth Platform, Eze Onyekpere and the Executive Director, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Ibuchukwu Ezike. A statement by the Senior Communications Officer, Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, Kingsley Binitie, said candidates were selected based on competence, integrity, knowledge of the issue, spread, gender and willingness to serve. He said the meeting was attended by over 40 civil society organisations, adding that each of the nominees had a minimum of 20 years experience in human rights practice. Binitie said the group had developed strategies to ensure an inclusive process to collate the views of the right groups in the zone.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

NEWS Tambuwal hails Amosun on infrastructure OUSE of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal has described the infrastructural programmes of the Ogun State government as “a display of the politics of development”. Tambuwal spoke at the weekend during his visit to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. He said the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration had redefined the landscape with its infrastructural projects. Tambuwa said: “I could not help asking myself where the governor got money from for these laudable road projects. This is my first official visit to Abeokuta and I am impressed by what I have seen. “Sometimes last year, I was in Ijebu-Ode and I saw what the governor was doing there too. Now that I have seen what he is doing here in Abeokuta, I commend him and his team for the wonderful work they are doing.” Hailing the people for supporting the government, he said: “This means they have adopted the projects as theirs and are convinced that they are for their own good. Once we finish elections, there is no more party or partisan politics. There can never be better politics than the politics of development and this is what we have seen in Ogun State.”

•Fashola (middle); Okunnu (third left); Sasore (third right); Ayeni (second right); Mrs. Basorun; Oluwa (second left) and Samuel (left)...yesterday. PHOTO:OMOSEHIN MOSES

Okunnu, five others on Lagos National Conference delegation R ENOWNED lawyer and former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN) and former Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice Supo Sasore (SAN) are two of the six delegates to represent Lagos State at the proposed National Conference. Others are Prof. Tunde Samuel; Mrs. Funmilayo Bashorun; Mr. Waheed Ayeni and Mr. Rabiu Oluwa. The delegates were received yesterday by Governor Babatunde Fashola at the State House in Alausa, Ikeja. Fashola said the state would present its positions on issues affecting it and the country strongly at the conference with a view to getting solutions to them. He said the state’s positions on the review of the revenue sharing formula, creation of state police and special sta-

•’Fiscal federalism, state police on our agenda’ By Oziegbe Okoeki

tus for the state, if considered, would impact positively on the state and promote national development. Fashola said he had strong belief in the delegates’ ability to “deliver”, describing them as “accomplished Nigerians, who have contributed immensely to the country’s development”. He said: “I am confident that they will do their best with their knowledge and disposition. I doubt if we can have a better set of people than this. Our position in the Southwest is to allow our people who want to express themselves to do so. This will be different from what the political tendencies will be.

“As I have said, without trying to prejudge what your recommendation will be, there are positions that we agitated for earlier. They were contained in the material prepared and presented at the reform conference during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. These and the report that emanated from the conference will serve as resource materials for the committee. “Very soon, committees from other states will contact you to see areas of common interest, which can later be translated into national interest and presented at the conference.” Speaking for the delegates, Okunnu thanked the govern-

ment for finding them worthy and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them. He listed the state’s position at the conference during Obasanjo’s administration as independent candidacy, true federalism and a review of the revenue allocation formula. Okunnu said: “The grey areas where I hope we will have the opportunity to discuss the position of Lagos State are: Revenue allocation, this is very central to Lagos, and the recognition of independent candidates in elections. I believe that if anyone chooses not to belong to any political party, he or she can contest election and can be voted for. We had it in Nigeria before. It was the modern system that

Osun accepts Truth Panel’s White Paper

HE Osun State government has accepted the White Paper of the committee set up to look into the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The government accepted the 85-page report at a State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Shortly after assuming office, Aregbesola set up a commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Samson Uwaifo, to

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

review cases of human rights abuses in the state from May, 2003, to November 27, 2010. Mr. Nurudeen Ogbara was the secretary. The commission was to examine the claims and counter claims of aggrieved citizens and reconcile parties. It submitted a 285-page report, which was compressed into 85 pages by a White Paper committee headed by the

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Afolabi. A four-man committee was set-up to prepare the White Paper, which was accepted at the SEC meeting. The SEC recommended the setting up of another committee to suggest the amount to be paid as compensation to victims of various abuses during the said period. It approved a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) signed with the City Waiters Limited on the management of the Hassan Olajokun Memorial Park. The government leased the main hall, its extension, conference room, viewing centre and guest chalets to the firm for five years, after which the agreement would be reviewed. It was agreed that the lease period should not exceed 20 years, after which the government will take ownership.

Promote traditional institution, senator urges govt ENATOR Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central District) has urged governments at all levels to promote the traditional institution. She said the role of the traditional institution cannot be underestimated in the attainment of peace and growth. Mrs. Tinubu spoke at the Lagos Island Local Government Secretariat, Zappa House, at a ceremony where some Baales (village heads) and chiefs in the district were rewarded for their contributions to the development of their communities. She disbursed cash and food items, including bags of

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

rice and cartons of groundnut oil, to over 130 chiefs. Mrs. Tinubu, who was represented by the Lagos Island Local Government Chairman Wasiu Eshinlokun Sani, said the chiefs deserved to be rewarded for maintaining a harmonious relationship within the state. She said: “That was why we decided to celebrate custodians of the African culture in this district, that is, the Baales and the chiefs. They have helped to maintain peace in their various communities. They are key to the security of their communities. They know their com-

‘They have helped to maintain peace in their various communities. They are key to the security of their communities’ munities more than any government official. It is in recognition of this that we have distributed about N4 million to the over 130 Baales and chiefs in the district. “Last week, we disbursed about N20 million to Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Commit-

tees (CDCs) in the district.” The CDAs got N50,000 each and CDCs N100,000 each. The Baale of Medewe in Makoko, Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Chief Stephen Aji, called for the provision of transformers and other electricity installations in his community to facilitate power supply, adding: “The provision of electricity will empower more residents.” The Baale of Oro-Oke in Eti-Osa Local Government, Alhaji Rasak Folami, thanked the senator for the gifts and urged her to embark on capital projects that would develop the district.

wiped it out. We are not starting afresh; this country has its foundations. “The exclusive legislative list has been growing yearly and there is need to revisit some of the key things in it. For instance, housing is a residual structure, but the agitation from Nigerians made it a federal structure. Land is also a residual structure. They are not in the exclusive list but I know the military acquired the power and took away the residual power of the state. It was restored, but the application of the constitution has not made it work effectively.” Okunnu said the team would interact with delegates from other Southwest states to forge a common position at the conference, which begins in March.

Corps member’s killer to die by hanging

N Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ikere-Ekiti yesterday sentenced Theophilus Pius (26) to death by hanging for the murder of a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Anthonia Okeke. Pius, a commercial motorcyclist, colluded with others on December 19, 2008, to kidnap and later murder Anthonia. It was learnt that the late Anthonia, who was serving as a corps member at the time in Ilawe-Ekiti, hired Pius to take her to the motor park in Ikere, where she planned to board a vehicle to the east for the Christmas celebration. Justice Adegoriola Adeleye also handed Pius a 10-year sentence for kidnapping the late Anthonia, which led to her death in the hands of ritual killers. The late Anthonia, a Chemical Engineering graduate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, was from Umuno Ndiuno in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Justice Adeleye said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The late Anthonia’s elder brother, Mr. Obinna Okeke, said: “The verdict has proved that those with criminal intentions cannot have their

‘The verdict has proved that those with criminal intentions cannot have their way as long as the government is determined to apply relevant laws against them in a diligent manner’ From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

way as long as the government is determined to apply relevant laws against them in a diligent manner.” Okeke thanked the Ministry of Justice, police, human rights groups and NYSC for pursuing the case to “a meaningful end”. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Adeleye Familoni, said the judgment was “a victory of light over darkness and of good against evil doers”, adding that those who desire to make money by any means would always meet a dead end.

NEWS

THE NATION TUESDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2014

Erubami, don, ruler advocate value orientation

PSYCHOLOGIST, Dr. Sunday Olawale, has said unless there is value orientation and people with vision, integrity and commitment are allowed to pilot the society’s ship, the country may be heading for disaster. Olawale spoke yesterday at the Ogbomoso South Local Government Secretariat at the presentation of his book: Salvaging a battered nation. The book was written in honour of the Onipetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oyediran, Lagbami Osekun 111. Olawale said: “It is sad to say that ours has become a society where the normal tends to become the abnormal, where honesty and integrity are disenfranchised, where might is always considered right and where falsehood is popularised. “It is apparent that there are cracks in the national bond, which were caused by widespread indiscipline, corruption, corroded values, religious bigotry, pretence, violence, bad leadership and governance. “While these vices perni-

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

ciously serve as a sub-structure, the society is gladly, comfortably and proudly marching into total decay, anarchy and disintegration. The solution lies in value reorientation, personal evaluation, cognitive restructuring, social re-engineering and political overhauling. This is how and when our battered nation can be salvaged.” He described the Onipetu as “a godly man with a good reputation.” Oba Oyediran said the disconnection between the people and the government was the root of insurgencies in the Northeast, Southeast and Niger Delta. He said: “Elections as witnessed recently in Delta and Anambra states have become bloody battles, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) becoming an accomplice in the brazen rigging that characterised those elections. “As a matter of fact, if morning determines the day, the abracadabra that the Anambra State poll was por-

tends grave danger for this nation in 2015. This is because the people are fed up with inept and wicked leadership, which feeds fat on people’s ignorance and cowardice. “The reforms in the education sector show systemic lack of ideals and focus by our leaders, a situation whereby reforms revolve round the number of years spent in a school rather than the quality of syllabus and the content of courses.” Reviewing the book, a rights activist, Moshood Erubami, said good character and values were the solutions to corruption, violence and other challenges. He advised Nigerians who have attained the voting age not to be complacent or mortgage their conscience for people who have no business in governance, adding: “Your vote is your right against bad governance and brazen impunity. Voters should abstain from taking bribes from politicians of questionable character. Vote conscientiously so that you can hold elective officers accountable for lapses.”

Oyo residents cry out against dust

ESIDENTS of Oyo town have complained about the dust emanating from the reconstruction of the Owode/Isokun and Owode/Akesan roads, saying it is affecting their health. They told reporters yesterday that although the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration should be appreciated for its urban development, the process adopted by the firms handling the projects was

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

making residents ill. Urging the governor to come to their aid, their spokesman, Mr. Biyi Olaoluwa, said the dust was responsible for many ailments, such as cough, runny nose, asthma, among others. Olaoluwa said: “Besides these hazards, some areas on the road have become impassable, making movement of vehicles difficult. Driving through Owode is

an uphill task. Traders, whose shops are affected, are hanging in the balance for their daily bread. The Ministry of Health, which should direct the firms to wet the roads during construction, has neglected its responsibilities. “Many residents, who cannot afford the cost of treating infections caused by the dust, are using herbs. Several others are at the mercy of quacks. We urge the governor to take action.”

Two ‘ritual killers’ held in Oyo

HE Oyo State security joint task force, Operation Burst, has arrested two suspected ritual killers at Magaji in Atiba Local Government Area. The suspects were apprehended following complaints by residents about their “suspicious activities.” Aliyu Mohammed, officer in charge of the task force, told our correspondent at its base in Kosobo that a shrine, two huts, cutlasses, knifes and other weapons were found with the suspects. Mohammed said his men were on the trail of the group’s leader, who is at large.

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

He said two suspected Indian hemp dealers were nabbed in Oyo and were taken to its headquarters in Ibadan, where they will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Mohammed debunked rumours that his men were molesting indecently dressed ladies, saying: “We did not molest anyone. Addressing indecent dressing is not within the purview of our assignment. Our duty is to go after ritual killers, armed robbers, kidnappers, Indian hemp dealers and smokers, etc.

Ogun trains drivers on first aid

HE Ogun State government has trained commercial drivers on how to administer first aid treatment to accident victims. The programme, with the theme: Anyone can save an accident victim, was organised by the State Ambulance Services, in partnership with KBL Healthcare Limited. Commissioner for Health Olaokun Soyinka said commercial drivers were usually the first to get to accident scenes, adding that the training would enable them

save lives before the arrival of health workers. Soyinka said: “Since commercial drivers constitute a vital and major force in our road transport system, especially with their high vulnerability to accident, it is important that they are given prominence in any design aimed at reducing accidents. The need to educate them on how to resuscitate and assist accident victims cannot be emphasised enough.” The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Dr. Daisi Odeniyi, said hu-

man errors, such as lack of awareness, poor judgment and recklessness, among others, were responsible for most accidents and hoped the programme would address these problems. Odeniyi urged participants to put all they learnt at the training to good use and always obey traffic rules. Managing Director, KBL Healthcare, Mr. Timothy Adediji said his organisation aims to reduce the 1.5 million deaths caused by road accidents across the country yearly.

BUSINESS

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

At the moment, there is an average of about 18 hours per day of constant power supply to different parts of the country. This feat was brought about by the implementation of the integrated power sector reform programme anchored on the power roadmap. - Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

TCN targets 15,000MW evacuation capacity

T • Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Finance, Dr. Abdulmumin Jibril (right); Deputy Chairman, Abayomi Ogunnusi and a member Sheik Umar Abubakar during a meeting of the committee with Revenue generating Agencies at National Assembly Abuja ... yesterday. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

NCC fines MTN, Airtel, Glo N647m

HE Nigerian Commu nications Commission (NCC) has imposed fines totalling N647,500,000 million on three of the four global system for mobile (GSM) comunication service providers in the country. The affected operators are Airtel, Globacom and MTN. They are being sanctioned for failing to meet the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for quality of service in the month of January this year. Consequently, the three companies have been barred from further sale of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards with effect from next month. They are also barred from all promotions on their networks until they improve on the failed KPIs for which they are sanctioned. According to a statement, the details of the sanction showed that Airtel Network Ltd, and MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd, are to pay a fine of N185 million each while Globacom Ltd is to pay N277,500. In addition, each of the operators must pay the sanction amount on or before March 7 failure upon which

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

• Bars them from SIM cards sale By Lucas Ajanaku

each will be liable to pay N2,500,000 per day as long as the contravention persists. The sanctions, which were communicated to the three operators in a letter signed by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah, said the Commission will carry out an audit of the three companies on March 1 and March 31 to ensure that no sale of new SIM cards takes place in any of the three networks within the period. The letter made reference to an earlier directive of December 10 last year which warned the operators that “if the quality of service does not improve by 31st December, 2013, the Commission will be compelled to direct operators to, among others, suspend the activation of new SIMs and subscribers until such an operator can prove that it has met the KPIs specified in the regulations”. According to Dr. Juwah, “ the Commission after careful collation of statistics from the Network Operating Centres (NOC) of all major networks

operators for the month of January, has concluded that the service provided by some of the operators during the period fell below the KPIs published by the Commission in the Quality of Service Regulations, as amended.” While the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and Association of Licensed Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON) have insisted that sanctions will not address the service quality problem, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has said the benefit of sanctions should go to subscribers. Its President, Deolu Ogunbanjo said such compensation for poor service quality could come by way of free air time to the subscribers. “The government earns revenue from the calls we make. The fines are paid to the coffers of the government without any direct benefits to the subscribers who suffer from the inadequacies of the operator,” he said. NCC added that the service providers shall not churn or

Govt promises OPS better operating environment

OORDINATING Min ister of the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has assured the organised private sector (OPS) that government will continue to put the appropriate policies in place that will allow the growth of the maunfacturing sector. Speaking during an interactive session with the OPS under the auspices of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos yesterday, she said government is mindful of her responsibilities to the OPS and is poised to implement favourable policies that would enable industries to flourish. She said the manufacturing sector holds the key to employment generation and a robust economy, adding that its role could nto be wished away.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

She said government would soon implement a social security protection platform for women and children who are vulnerable disadvantaged and therefore require strategic policies targeted at them as a buffer. On a possible ripple effect of the suspension of the CBN governor, Mrs OkonjoIweala assured that the government is going ahead with all relevant policies such as the tightening of the fiscal and monetary policies, stressing that it would in no way affect any sector of the economy. The minister said the government would reappraise over 196 tariff lines, make locally manufactured goods internationally competitive and exportable in order to lift the sector.

delete inactive or (none revenue generating SIMs) from their networks during the period of March 1 to 31, warning that “any deviation or alteration of provisioning pattern (in terms of average daily number of provisioning) in the remaining days of February this year compared to the regular provisioning rates by the concerned service providers shall be construed as a breach to the directive.

• Rolls out 18 priority areas

HE Board of the Trans mission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reviewed its 10,000mega watts(Mw) five-year target to 15,000Mw evacuation capacity. It has also rolled out 18 areas of priorities it intends to pursue over the next few years. TCN is under the management contract of Manitoba Hydro International ( MHI). TCN board chairman, Ibrahim Waziri, said the firm is to focus on the 18 priorities. Among them, according to the overview of the milestone deliverable reports prepared by the MHI, TCN has a five-year plan of rehabilitating and upgrading of the transmission system. TCN has also set out to address the base year for all performance measures through a performance benchmark monitoring system which sets out the performance standards for measurement and reporting. According to the document obtained yesterday by The Nation, it added that

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

there is a focus on handover of the management to TCN itself or successor firms. Therefore, the final priority of the company is a management revision plan of the MHI contract. TCN board has also harped on the company’s organisation and human resources with relation to reorganisation of the company and staffing. There are also plan, according to the document, to focus on the review of market operating procedures and generation adequacy. TCN has targeted the review of the market operating procedures in relation to the trading of wholesale electricity. The company has in its priority to focus on system operator (SO) Operating Procedures. It is also to work on ‘Generation Adequacy’. TCN is also to focus on Transmission System Provider (TSP) operating procedures and the operating procedures and loss study.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

BUSINESS NEWS

SCPZs to grow national economy with N1.4tr

HE Staple Crop Processing Zones will add additional N1.4 trillion to the gross domestic product (GDP), the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has said. It will also help to create 250,000 jobs across the country, with Cargill; the world’s number one food company investing N33 billion. Adesina said the government hoped to earn N24 billion from groundnut processing, adding that it will target 1.8 million farmers to produce 120, 000 metric tons of groundnut grains which will be supplied to small, medium and large scale processors. He said the project will be implemented in 15 states of Northeast, Northwest and North Central geopolitical zones in order to revive the groundnut value chain. The states are: Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina,

• Govt eyes N24b from groundnut value chain

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara. He spoke at the launch of the Groundnut Value Chain in Abuja. He said: “When Nigeria found oil, it abandoned agriculture in general and groundnut production suffered. Nigeria’s exports of shelled groundnuts plummeted from 502,000 MT in 1961 to 291,000 MT in 1970 and to zero by 1980; the groundnut pyramids disappeared. “Nigeria will succeed in reviving its lost glory in groundnut. The groundnut value chain will produce 120,000 metric tons of groundnut grains valued at N24 billion and supplied to small, medium and large processors.

“We are trying to revive the groundnut pyramids we used to have in this country. This particular program will begin to revive those efforts. We expect to do over 200, 000 of metric tons shelled groundnut from this work. We expect that farmers will earn over N24 billion naira from this work. It will create a lot of businesses, a lot of jobs for those that are processing groundnut oil and groundnut cakes. “The project will be imple-

mented directly in 15 states. All the states will play active roles in the groundnut revival strategy which is the groundnut value chain work that we have launched today. Our goal is to reach 1.8 million farmers.” Speaking during the inauguration of the Executive Leadership of the Nigerian Agri Business Group, the minister said food import bill, which has dropped from N2.3 trillion down to N1.8 trillion within the past two years will

continue to decline through local production, processing and value addition, adding that agriculture will no longer be treated as a development programme, but as a business. He said: “We have been very clear from the beginning, that agriculture will not be treated any longer as a development programme, but as a business. We will no longer manage poverty with agriculture. We will use agriculture to create the future millionaires and billionaires of Nigeria. We are determined to change the fortunes of our farmers, for the pov-

erty we see today must give way to wealth all across our rural areas, as we make agriculture a business that helps to lift millions of farmers out of poverty. “Four weeks ago, we launched the SCPZ in Alape, Kogi State. The Alape SCPZ is expected to become a centre of excellence in processing of cassava fresh roots into starch, sweeteners and sorbitol. Next week, we are launching the SCPZs in Niger and Kano states, to be followed by SCPZs in Enugu/Anambra, Lagos and River states.”

NEDEP: first batch of cooperatives set to get funding

HE Federal Govern ment has said the first batch of cooperative bodies set up under the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) will get approved funding before the end of this month. The approval for award of funds was obtained after the cooperatives’ business plans successfully passed the requisite assessment and evaluation of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigerian (SMEDAN) and the Bank of Industry (BoI). The scheme, which was kicked off by President Goodluck Jonathan two weeks ago, is the flagship programme of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, which is domiciled in SMEDAN, BoI and Industrial training Fund (ITF) for implementation. Speaking in Lagos, the Director-General of

By Toba Agboola

SMEDAN, Bature Umar Masari said NEDEP entails the implementation of the One Local Government One Product (OLOP) programme which is based on a borrowed idea from Japan which has seen the country develop economically.

• From left: Amb D. Edobor, Council Member of Chartered Institute of Loan & Risk Management of Nigeria, Chief O.A. Bailey, President/Chairman of Council; former Commissioner, NAICOM; Alhaji A. D. Bafarawa; former Executive Governor of Sokoto State and Mr Uzombah Innocent, Registrar/CEO of the institute during Grand Patron/Hon. Fellowship Award of the former governor in Sokoto.

‘Outcome of Senate probe ‘ll determine kerosene subsidy’s fate’

HE Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Sen. Sunny Ugbuoji, has said the outcome of ongoing Senate investigation into kerosene subsidy will determine the future of subsidies on petroleum products in the country. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday that the investigation would show whether

the masses actually benefited from subsidies on petroleum products or not. The senator said “the whopping funds” being expended on subsidising petroleum products would have served better purposes if they were channelled into critical sectors of the nation’s economy. “That should not be and that would not be allowed to continue. This also will give

us the opportunity to decide if we truly still need subsidy or not. “As it stands today, what is being spent on subsidy on petroleum (products) in Nigeria is more than the capital budget of the country. “No wonder, the economy is not being stimulated. The masses that actually need this subsidy don’t benefit from it. “This is because some few individuals corner this

money (subsidies) and use it for their personal gains,” he said. Ugbuoji further assured Nigerians that the delay in the passage of the amendment to the Electoral Act would not affect INEC’s conduct of the 2015 general elections. He stressed that it was legal for INEC to continue working with the existing electoral law which empowered it to conduct elections, anytime, without having to wait for the passage of the amendments.

“(If) INEC is asking for any amendment whatsoever in the existing Electoral Act, they are not supposed to just stay there without doing anything. “Suppose that the National Assembly is unable to conclude this bill and the National Assembly thinks otherwise that the extant laws are good enough to conduct the 2015 elections? “So, it is good that they are asking for amendment and it’s also good that they are saying that it is better not to be taken unawares.”

How we won 2.3GHz spectrum, by VDT chief

HE Managing Director of VDT Communica tions, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi has said divine intervention made the firm to win the 2.3 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum auctioned last week by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). It also expressed gratitude to the regulator and Globacom for the opportunity. He said: “Our victory was by divine providence. We are also grateful to NCC for its integrity, transparency, and observation of fair rules in the bidding process and for promoting a healthy communication industry. “We also thank Globacom as our big brother in the industry for giving us a chance and supporting the growth of younger players in the industry.” VDT Communications Limited is a member of the Bitflux Communications Limited consortium which also has Bitcom Systems Limited and Superflux International Lim-

ited as members. Bitflux Communications Limited emerged the winner of the keenly contested 2.3G spectrum bid at Transcorps Hilton Abuja last week. About 20 operators in the telecom industry including MTN, Airtel Nigeria, Zinox Telecommunications, Etisalat, Mobitel and Spectranet showed interest in the bid. The initial good news came when the NCC announced Bitflux Communications Ltd and Globacom as the only bidders that were able to scale the prequalification hurdle including the payment of non-refundable $2.3 million bid deposit. “But this came with a mixed feeling when we considered our chances of having to bid against Globacom, a second national operator with huge financial strength. Yet we summoned the courage to participate in the auction. With the minimum reserved price pegged at $23 million, Bitflux emerged the higher bidder and winner at $23,251,000,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

14 USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. The public may easily contact KAROTA for breakdown of vehicle(s), traffic congestion, accidents, and illegal/wrong parking on – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, and 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833, and 08191778888.

137TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING PREPARED BY COUNCILAFFAIRS DIRECTORATE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO.

aintaining its characteristic commitments to serve and deliver dividend of democracy to the State citizens, the Kano State Executive Council held its one hundred and thirty-seventh (137 th) sitting today Wednesday 19 th February 2014 (12 th Rabi’ul Thanni 1435 AH) under the Chairmanship of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Typically, all the submitted, deliberated and approved memoranda were for the execution of projects, policies and/or programs that would positively touch on the lives of the citizenry in Kano State as promised in the Campaign and Inauguration speeches of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. Thus, what are being seen on the ground dotting the State was not haphazardly decided but were planned strategically to transform the State towards modernization and development. The administration has a vision and an agenda for its implementation and achievement. Nothing is happening by chance or due to political exigencies. This administration is one of the most organized, planned and prepared in the country and this explains the reason why it surpasses other States in the Federation in the implementation of beneficial programs and projects. Consider the fact that in just over two years, the administration has built thousands of classrooms for primary and secondary schools, provided free feeding to Primary schools students and free education to all, renovated all the major hospitals and health centers, implemented novel maternal and healthcare policies, free healthcare provisions to the pregnant women, rejuvenated the physical assets of the State from roads, buildings to construction of super flyovers and pedestrians bridges, introduced modern land administration through the establishment of Kano Geographical Information System (KANGIS) to the introduction of important milestones in agriculture, sports, youths empowerment/employment, fiscal discipline, and prudent management of resources, improved Internally Generated Revenue, pioneered tax incentives, brand new urban mass transit policies and transportation facilities, innovative reform of the civil service for better performance and service delivery, and ground-breaking policies in traffic management, public safety, and other inventive rational management of urban infrastructure, which saw the establishment of institutions such as Kano Road Transport Authority (KAROTA) and Kano Roads Maintenance Agency (KARMA). This is not to mention the administration’s enviable track record in the establishment of 21 new institutions for skills acquisition and development of youths and other talents in the State, public housing such as the establishment of new housing estates such as Kwankwasiyya, Amana, and Bandirawo housing estates. In addition, one needs to consider the phenomenal achievements of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in higher education, from the renovation/equipping of facilities to the establishment of new policies in order to build up best practices in higher education management. Consider, for example, the fact that he is the founder of the State’s only non-Federal universities, namely the Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil (which he established in his first term period of 1999-2003) and the Northwest University, which has admitted its second set of students. This is besides the sponsorship of hundreds indigenous youths to study undergraduate and postgraduate courses overseas. In addition to the normal award of sponsorship to students to study in public universities within the nation, this administration has sponsored hundreds of students to study in private universities of Bells University Ota, Igbinidion University, Crescent University and American University Of Nigeria, Yola. Definitely, these programs and projects could not just come out of the blues. However, as usual before tabling the memoranda for the 137th sitting, Council reviewed the deliberations and approvals of the 136 th sitting. At that sitting, (13) MDAs submitted (47) memoranda of which (13) were approved for execution with an expenditure of N1,600,966,837.46 covering (12) projects. After this review, Council tabled and deliberated on the fiftyfive (55) memoranda submitted by thirteen (14) MDAs of which (26) were approved for execution with an expenditure of N2,818,179,043.89 covering (18) projects and the remaining ones are on various policy issues as follows: 1.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT This Office submitted (28) memoranda for deliberation by Council on behalf of the Chairman including other MDAs. Eight (8) memoranda were approved for execution, which are as follows: a ) Presentation of report from the implementation Committee on Tiga-Challawa Hydroelectricity Project Council recalled that of all the major projects approved and being executed by this administration none is attracting the attention of the citizenry than the decision of generating hydroelectricity power from Tiga-Challawa Dams. This project is so gigantic, funds consuming and specialists based/biased that most pessimists are expressing doubt whether the Government is serious on the project. This led to some citizens’ doubt of the possibility of the State to generate electricity in order to improve electricity supply in the State within the remaining months of its second term. However, citizens are now so sure that when the Governor promised or declared an intention; he meant it. This project was conceived at the first term of this administration (1999-2003) and the immediate past government spent eight (8) years without making efforts to put the idea into fruition due to lack of political will and sincerity of purpose. The seriousness of this administration in the execution of the project led to the award of the contract at the sum of N14, 228,852,600.00, which will be funded jointly by the State and the 44 Local Government Councils. Thus, with this investment, Government has taken a

giant stride towards the generation of independent electricity for the State. Agreement has already been signed with the contractor for the project and a down payment of 30% mobilization fees has been paid. With the mobilization of the Contractor to site, the Governor inaugurated a high-powered Committee with the Secretary to the State Government as the Chairman to be deputized by the Managing Director, Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority. Other members include: i) Hon. Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport ii. Hon. Commissioner for Projects Monitoring and Evaluation iii. Representative, Ministry of Land and Physical Planning iv. Representative, Ministry of Water Resources v. Representative, Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority vi. Project Consultants, and vii. Secretary, Office of the Secretary of the State Government The two dams are expected to generate 35MW of electricity for the State, viz: a) Tiga Dam will generate 10MW at the contract sum of N4, 228,825,600.00 b) Challawa Dam will generate 25MW at the contract sum of N10, 000,000,000.00 The decision of the Council is for the State/Local Governments to fund the project without recourse to Bank Loan over a period of sixteen months. Upon completion, the facility would be dedicated to the State Water Board whose annual expenditure on diesel consumption for Water works/supply to the State is in the sum of N720, 000,000.00 annually. This means that within 5 years the investment could be recouped. This brings us to the basis of this memorandum submitted by the Committee under the Secretary to the State Government established to oversee the execution of the project, which contents were on the modalities fashioned out for its assignment. Council acknowledged the progress recorded by the implementation Committee pertaining to: (a) Articulation of Project Schedule of activities/implementation of the project; (b) Opening of Letter of Credit, which is necessary in this kind of projects; (c) Grant access to the site to the contractor as well as clearance for the conduct of Penstock Inspection and underwater survey; (d) Provision of Data/information on the two (2) dams; (e) Issuance of Land title for the projects sites; and (f) Securing of Custom Duty Waiver. Council appreciated the report and the decision of the Committee to visit the sites twice per week and sit every Monday to deliberate on its findings. Council acknowledged that the Committee has completed plan for a date to be selected for the foundation laying ceremony of the project by the Governor. b) Presentation of Report on Study Tour by Students of Senior Course 36 (Senior Military Officers) of the Command and Staff College, Jaji Kaduna State:The continued commitments of the present administration towards the development of both human and material resources across the State had been well commended by the Military angle who recently visited the State. The content of this memorandum was from the Special Services Directorate through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, which informed Council that the State hosted a successful and memorable study tour by the students of the Senior Course 36 (Senior Military Officers) of the Command and Staff College, Jaji from Sunday 26th January to Saturday 1st of February, 2014. The Team was in the State to conduct a study tour with a theme “Revenue Generation: A Viable Option for Economic Development,” as a requirement towards fulfillment of their courses. During the visit, the Team visited various MDAs such as the Ministry of Works, Housing & Transport, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths , Sports and Culture, History & Culture Bureau, the Emirate Council, The Board of Internal Revenue, Ministry of Budget & Economic Planning, Dala Local Government and the Kano Corporate Security Training Institute, Gabasawa where presentations on the functions and developmental projects and programmes of the present administration were made by each Head of the Government Ministries and Agencies visited. The Team Leader of the visitors, Brigadier General A.A Momoh, on behalf of the Team appreciated the various developmental projects, women/youths empowerment programmes and upliftment of the standard of Education as well as the revenue generation methods adopted in the State. c) Request for Excursion Visit to Kano State from the Union of Sudanese Female Students of Omdurman Islamic University Khartoum, Sudan:Council recalled the recent official working trip made by the Council Committee comprising the Honourable Commissioners for the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and that of Special Duties Directorate to Sudan to visit Kano State sponsored students studying Medicine and Pharmacy in various Universities in the country. The Committee report informed Council that during their visit to Omdurman Islamic University, Khartoum, they met with the University’s Union of Sudanese Female Students who graciously expressed their interest of visiting Kano among the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation. Accordingly, thirty (30) members of the Union were expected to visit the State in order to see how to revive and promote Arabic Language among speakers of the Arabic Language as second language through holding of Seminars, Workshops and Paper Presentations, Excursions and other trips as means of attaining the set out objectives. Council considered and approved hosting the thirty (30) Students of the Union of Sudanese Female Students of Omdurman Islamic

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso University, Khartoum on excursion visit to the State at a planned date and directed the Protocol Directorate to provide accommodation, feeding and transport to the thirty (30) students while in the State. d) Presentation of Report on the Annual Salary Produced by State Computer Center:Since the inception of the present administration, it has taken decisive measures towards knowing the total number of legitimate Staff serving in the State Civil Service. This led to the Government’s directive for a biometric data exercise across the MDAs in order to ensure the total number of Staff strength in the State. In view of the above development, the Ministry of Finance forwarded a report informing Council on the Annual Salary Report produced by the State Computer Center, which contains details on the aggregate monthly personnel enrolment paid from January – December, 2013 that covers staff strength, basic salary and allowances, total deductions, pension contribution by Government, pension contributed by staff, net and gross payments as per breakdown below: S/N i. ii. iii. iv.

Appointment Regular Staff Contract Staff Non Regular Staff Consolidated Staff Total

Staff 39,283 17,842 10,593 437 68,155

Gross Pay N34,190,052,691.18 N1,268,940,784.90 N247,021,513.15 N411,888,441.71 N36,117,903,430.94

Net Pay N25,594,834,397.55 N1,163,985,467.46 N218,626,591.77 N328,947,706.17 N27,306,394,162.95

Council noted the report and directed for a new biometric data exercise across the State and the Local Governments.

a ) Request for Funds for the Payment of Allowances and Procurement of Laptops to Four (4) Indigenous Students Studying at the National Metallurgical Training Institute, Onitsha Anambra States:The contents of this memorandum is from the State Youth Directorate for Economic Empowerment for the request of the sum of N700,000.00 to enable the procurement of four (4) Laptop Computers and settlement of allowances to each of the four (4) Kano State Indigenous Students studying at National Metallurgical Training Institute, Onitsha, Anambra State. Council approved the request. b) Request for Funds for the Sponsorship of 192 Kano State Indigenous Candidates to India Under 502 Postgraduate Scheme:In its effort to provide more opportunities to its teeming population, especially to those interested in pursuing postgraduate courses but unable to do so because of financial constraints, the present administration initiated a program for their sponsorship to study abroad and within Nigeria. In line with this demonstrative effort, the Ministry of Higher Education in collaboration with the Consultants Firm secured another admission slots for 192 Kano State Indigenous Candidates under the 502 Scheme to study in India. Already 69 students had left last month and have resumed their studies. Based on that, Council noted and approved the release of the sum of N968,281,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for the processing/procurement of visa, flight tickets, tuition fees, accommodation, upkeep and other logistics for the selected students educational pursuit. c) Presentation of the 6th Periodic Report from the Animal Traction, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee This memorandum was submitted by the Animal Traction, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, which highlighted the findings made on five (5) Local Government Areas of Gwarzo, Karaye, Tarauni, Municipal and Fagge. The report indicated that in the three (3) metropolitan Local Governments of Fagge, Municipal and Tarauni the beneficiaries failed to purchase the animals or implements and where the items were purchased they were sold out by the beneficiaries. Similar things happened in Gwarzo Local Government where the beneficiaries failed to purchase the animals. But the 25 beneficiaries from Karaye Local Government bought the animals, ploughs and the implements, which are being utilized for that specific purpose. However, out of the 25 beneficiaries from Gwarzo Local Government 10 of them defaulted by diverting the funds to personal use. This applied to Fagge Local Government with 8 defaulters out of the 10 beneficiaries. Tarauni and Municipal Local Government have the highest numbers of defaulters as the beneficiaries either failed to purchase the items or sold everything after purchase and utilized the funds. This programme is amongst those initiated by this administration to empower youths to be self-reliant. Therefore, this administration will not fold its arms to see to the abuses being perpetrated by the beneficiaries. Council directed the Ministry of Justice to look into the matter. d) Presentation of Report from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach Programme for the Period of February – December, 2013:The Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach is amongst the social policies initiated by the present administration for the provision of free healthcare to the teeming population, especially in the rural areas. The aim of the programme is to treat and provide

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 drugs to sundry patients suffering from different sorts of uncomplicated diseases. The content of this memorandum indicated that an expenditure of the sum of N63,513,245.84 was incurred for the stated purposes: i. Drugs ii. Training of the crew members iii. Allowances to crew members iv. Publicity v. Medical stationeries, and vi. Other sundry activities Council noted and in a nutshell approved the release of the sum of N63,513,245.84 to enable the settlement of the expenditure incurred. 1. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING & TRANSPORT Six (6) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Works, Housing & Transport out of which three (3) were approved for execution. Thus: a ) Request for Funds for the Settlement of Additional Works for the Construction of Kofar Na’isa City Gate with Traditional Outlook Incorporation:The content of this memorandum was on the reconstruction of traditional design on Kofar Na’isa City Gate. The idea for a Traditional Outlook Incorporation on the Gate was introduced in accordance with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments directives. Therefore, the Ministry requested Council approval for the payment of the additional works done on the Gate to the tune of N8,948,717.00. Council considered and approved the revised contract sum to N21,258,503.75 and the release of the sum of N8,948,717.00 to facilitate the settlement of the additional works. b) Request for Funds for the Provision of Minimum Requirement for the Full Take – Off of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute at Dawakin Tofa:It could be recalled that the present administration has made tremendous effort towards the establishment of twenty-two (21) Institutions in the State, such as the Sports Institute at Karfi, Film Academy at Bagauda, Livestock Institute at Bagauda, Fisheries Institute, Irrigation Institute, Poultry Institute, Farm Mechanization Institute, Informatics Institute, etc. all with a view to enhancing skills acquisition and empowerment of the teeming State youths. The contents of this memorandum solicited the kind attention of Council members to recall its related directives on the need to provide a minimum requirement for the take – off of the Institutes established by the present administration. It is against the background of the foregoing, that the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport recommended the sum of N51,915,264.60 for the execution of the remaining requirements, structural/equipment for the take–off of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute at Dawakin Tofa. The request was approved. c) Request for Funds for the Construction of Multi – Storey Car Park and Bus Terminus at Shahuchi Kano City:The proposed Ultra – Modern Car Park Complex at Shahuci to provide a terminus for buses and taxis is the content of this memorandum. The purpose for such a project is to provide lasting solutions to traffic congestions and overcrowding of the streets occasioned by the flagrant display of goods by traders. This project will boost economic development within the metropolis. When completed the Multi-Storey Car Park complex will turn the State into a mega city comparable to its peers globally. It will in the same vein, foster and coordinate the accelerated and infrastructural development of the State through the provision of modern edifice to curtail, arrest and even dislodge slumps and backwardness within the environs. In the light of the foregoing, the Ministry of Works inspected the proposed site, appraised the extent of works required with a view to actualizing the project and came up with a Bill of Quantities to the tune of N877,055,748.27. Council noted the request, approved the project and the release of the sum of N886,626,594.97. The project will be executed and financed by the State Government and the eight (8) Metropolitan Local Governments. The State Government will contribute 20% and the participating 8 Local Governments will contribute 10% of the contract sum each for the execution of the project. 2. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Three (3) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Education, which were approved for execution. Thus: a ) Request for Funds for the Construction of a Mosque at GSS Madobi:It is quite obvious that the present administration has taken giant strides in the resuscitation of the decaying educational sector of the State by rehabilitating old structures, construction of new ones, provision of equipment, construction of staff quarters and the employment of qualified staff. In addition, the administration has put more emphasis on the training and retraining of staffs, introduced School feeding in our Primary School, provides uniforms, and of recent introduced the policy of free education at all levels in the State. Although it is the desire of this administration to provide qualitative education, it also considered it imperative to equally develop the moral standings of the students. This brings us to the content of this memorandum requesting the provision of a mosque and other necessary policies that will inculcate moral values as well as the necessary Islamic virtues in the young ones. It is on the basis of the foregoing development that, the Ministry of Education recommended the release of the sum of N5,730,376.16 for the construction of a mosque at GSS Madobi. The request was approved. b) Joint Request for Funds for the Accommodation of the Teachers and Medical Personnel from Egypt by the Ministries of Education and Health:The memorandum solicited the attention of the members of the Council to recall its sitting held on 23 rd October, 2013 where approval was granted for the Ministries of Education and Health to execute the following: i. Employ nine (9) medical doctors and four (4) teaching staff for the Hospitals, Nursing Colleges and Secondary Schools; ii. Ensure that the two (2) Universities; Mansoura and Elshams send ten (10) Nursing Instructors on quarterly basis for the Kano State College of Nursing; iii. Sponsor 25 – 30 Nurses from Kano State to undergo Bsc Nursing (Instructor) course at Egypt. iv. Pay transportation and salary of employed staff from Egypt: • Specialist Doctors • Nursing

15 v. Provide free accommodation and return air ticket (Kano – Cairo – Kano) to the employed staff. It is also interesting to note that the memorandum further explained to Council that based upon this, eight (8) medical doctors and a Principal have arrived Kano on 1 st January, 2014 and assumed duty. As such, they were accommodated at Meyatti Guest House and Durbar Hotel. The two (2) Ministries, therefore, recommended the total sum of N36,599,682.00 being cost of Hotels bills, amount to rent four (4) Bedrooms Flats for the Doctors as well as the amount for the renting of the ten (10) three (3) bedrooms flats to accommodate the ten (10) tutors. Accordingly, Council considered and approved the release of the sum of N36,599,682.00 to cater for the successful implementation of the said exercise. 3. Report on Abubakar Muhammed Ado (502) Student to SRM University Chennai India who absconded from his studies This memorandum was a report submitted by the Ministry of Higher Education on one of the students, Abubakar Muhammed Ado who was sponsored to study in India at SRM University Chennai. However, the student after collecting the sum of N1,652,000.00 as his upkeep, accommodation and registration allowance decided to abscond and return unofficially to Nigeria with the intent of duping the Government. In fact, an additional sum of N270,000.00 was spent on his tickets and another N15,000:00 on his visa. This brings the sum spent on this person to N1,932,000.00. Council was so displeased with the behavior of such a person and directed his prosecution so that the amount spent on him be recouped and returned to the State Treasury. Government will not take such kind of behaviors lightly and warned citizens sponsored against such. 4. MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES The Ministry submitted three (3) memoranda out of which two were approved for execution. Thus: a ) Request on the Need to Repair/Rehabilitate the Collapsed Access Bridge to Control Tower of Tomas Dam, Rehabilitate Gully Eroded Embarkment and Access Road to Tomas Irrigation Project:The contents of this memorandum drew the kind attention of the esteemed Council members on the unfortunate incident that occurred on Sunday 5th January, 2014 at Tomas Dam Danbatta/ Makoda Local Government where a commercial vehicle conveying farm produce across the dam, skipped off the road and hit the access bridge to control tower of the dam, which ultimately led to its collapse. In a related development, the memorandum further explained that the downstream embarkment of the dam is seriously devastated by the effect of the gully erosion. The stability of the dam rest on the embarkment and the erosion is a serious danger to motorists. It is in line with the above, the Ministry of Water Resources recommended the sum of N2,254,542.85 for the execution of the project on direct labour basis. Council approved the request. b) Request for funds for the payment of diesel supplied to Kano State Water Board The contents of this memorandum informed Council the increase in diesel consumption by some regional Water Schemes Stations due to the boost in the stations’ loads coupled with the failure of PHCN to supply electricity to the plants. This explains the basis for the submission of the memorandum soliciting State intervention for the settlement of diesel consumed from 31st October 2013 to 31st January 2014 amounting to the sum of N97,440,000.00. The reason offered by the Water Board was that the amount being collected as revenue could not cover such huge expenditure and at the same time accommodate other essential requirements. Council deliberated and approved the intervention. 5. MINISTRY OF HEALTH Request for Funds for the Construction of Additional Structures at Kwankwaso New Cottage Hospital:The contents of this memorandum drew the kind attention of the Council members to recall that at the inception of this administration in 2011 series of approvals were granted for the rehabilitation, construction of new structures, retouching of existing structures, construction of staff quarters, equipping and furnishing works at the total sum of N224,500,000.00 for the upgrading of Kwankwaso Primary Healthcare Center to Cottage Hospital. The memorandum also highlighted that the awarded contract of rehabilitation, construction, equipping and furnishing have been completed satisfactorily and appropriate staff have been deployed to the hospital with the commencement of partial medical services. It is against the background of the foregoing, the Ministry of Health proposed on the need for additional structures to enable the smooth take–off of full services and subsequent commissioning and recommended the sum of N38,765,336.61 as cost for execution of the project. Council approved the release of the sum of N38,765,336.61 to facilitate the execution of the project. 6. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE Presentation of Appreciation letter From the Joint Consultative Forum of Kano State Tertiary Institutions (JCF) and the Joint Action Committee of Senior Staff Associations of Kano State Tertiary Institutions (JAC):Since the inception of this administration, there is harmonious relationship between the Labor Unions and the State Government for its workers’ welfare programs. Workers have never had it so good. This administration has satisfied all their requests majority of them without even asking or struggling for them. This is unlike the preceding administration whose era was that of unfulfilled promises leading to numerous strikes and closures of institutions, etc. This administration implemented the minimum wage, sold houses to the civil servants occupying them, restores car/motorcycle loans, retrains and sponsors staff for further education, etc. There were no establishment policies approved/proposed by the Federal Governments or requested by recognized workers’ associations on the welfare of their members that were not implemented by this administration. Of recent, the administration granted an approval for 10% salary enhancement for the staff of Tertiary Institutions in addition to execution of various projects in most of the institutions. This memorandum was an appreciative letter from the stated Unions presented to Council by the Office of the Head of Civil Service for this administrative effort to implement all agreements and welfare requests of workers. Accordingly, Council noted the presentation and appreciated their support to the Government. Council assured the Unions that the administration is ready to implement progressive ideas for the development of the nation. 7. MINISTRY OF RURAL & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Request for Funds for the Replacement of 500KVA Transformer

at High Court, Miller Road and the Rehabilitation of Electrical Installation at GGASS Danzabuwa in Bichi LGA:Council acknowledged the continual support of the present administration towards the provision of rural electrification across different communities in the State under the supervision of the State Ministry of Rural & Community Development. This is yielding positive results as more rural areas are being electrified thereby affecting their lives. The content of this memorandum was from the Rural Electricity Board informing Council on the need for the replacement of transformer at High Court on Miller Road at the sum of N4,143,921.00 and rehabilitation of electrical installation at G.G.A.S.S. Danzabuwa at the cost of N4,397,696.00 totaling the sum of N8,541,617.00. Council considered and approved the release of the sum of N8,541,617.00 to the State Rural Electricity Board (REB) to facilitate the implementation of the two projects. 8. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Memorandum on the Request of Funds for the Payment of Compensation for structures affected by the construction of Wuju – Wuju Road at Jakara Kwarin Gogau:The construction of Wuju-Wuju road on Jakara River is one amongst the numerous major projects being executed by this administration. The project is estimated to cost over N6 billion. This project will open, modernize the old city and transform the socio-economic activities of the environs. The project when completed will go a long way in providing infrastructural development, urban beautification, reduce social menace and traffic congestion. However, in the process of effecting the construction of the road some structures, such as houses, shops, land owned by private individuals will have to be demolished. The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning recommended the sum of N289,813,022.00 for the payment of compensation to some part of structures affected at Ayagi, Sani Mai Nagge and Warure by the construction of the said road under the Phase I of the project. Accordingly, Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N289,813,022.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the payment of compensation to the beneficiaries directly.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 137TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SITTING PRESENTATION OF AWARD(S) AWARD OF EXCELLENCE BY NIGERIA ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS Council witnessed the presentation of award by the Social Workers Association of Nigeria to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for his immense contribution in the areas of Paternal and Maternal Welfare, Youths Empowerment and Infrastructural Development. AWARD BY THE AREWA CONSULTATIVE FORUM (ACF) Council noted the inauguration of the new leadership of the Forum. The Deputy Governor represented the Governor at the inauguration. At the occasion, the Forum appreciated the effort and hard work of the present administration under the leadership of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in transforming various sectors in Kano State. In view of the above, the Forum sent a Gift to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankaso containing Memorable Quotes from the late Sardauna of Sokoto and First Premier of the Northern Region, Alhaji (Sir) Ahmadu Bello. AWARD BY THE INTERNATIONAL AVIATION CENTRE, SOUTH AFRICA Council witnessed an award presentation to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso by the International Aviation Centre, South Africa for his efforts of sponsoring 100 students to undergo aviation training overseas. The Centre recognized him as the only Governor in the World to sponsor 100 students to study aviation courses (Piloting, etc). SIGNING OF 2014 BUDGET Council witnessed the signing of the 2014 Budget Tagged ’’Budget of Consolidation ’’ by Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The total estimated expenditure of the budget is N225,148,755,955.00. The budget has a capital expenditure of N151,27,330.235 and recurrent expenditure of N71,121,425.720 on a ratio of 67% capital and 33% recurrent. This was the first time the public were involved in the preparation of the State budget. The State House of Assembly held public hearing sessions for the State citizens to make inputs on the budget. The sessions were well attended and the views of the citizenry were considered in the final outcome of the budget.

COURTESY VISITS TO GOVERNOR RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO VISIT BY THE UNITED STATES ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR AFRICA AND U.S AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA Council noted the courtesy visit by the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Madam Linda Thomas Greenfield and U.S Ambassador to Nigeria to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. During the visit, they pledged to support the State government in the fight against terrorism. They also congratulated the Governor on his numerous projects and programmes. VISIT BY THE MANAGEMENT OF GEZIRA UNIVERSITY, SUDAN Council noted the official visit to the Governor by the management of Gezira University, Sudan led by the Vice Chancellor. During the visit, discussions were held on the way forward and possible signing of Mou. The visitors also met the Honorable Commissioner for Higher education, the management of Northwest University and Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education. GRADUATION OF 89 ARTISANS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Council noted the Graduation Ceremony of 89 artisans chaired by the Governor. The State Government in collaboration with GEMS (DFID Funded) sponsored the skills acquisition training of the participants in various trades, such as plastering, plumbing, concreting, tiling, carpentry and woodwork etc. The programme is aimed at upgrading the skills and builds the capacity of the artisans in line with the vision of the present administration. During the Graduation Ceremony, each artisan was given a donation of N10, 000 by the Governor.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture, Kano State

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

TRANSPORTATION

E-mail:ynotaderibigbe@gmail.com

Vandals have taken their illicit trade to the railways, where they are wrecking trains, tracks and properties. Their action is threatening the smooth operation of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC),writes ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE.

•Some of the suspects.

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Vandals threaten train service

AFANCHAN is a major economic hub in the southern part of Kaduna State. Notable for its agrarian economy, Kafanchan’s allure is its confluence of cultures, as the train has made it possible for people of all tribes to co-habit. It is home to many Nigerians who live in the agrarian but peaceful Sahelean community. The train does not only bring people to Kafanchan, its railway station is a convergence point and the hub of commerce, with people thronging the station to trade. But this is only one side of Kafanchan. The town has become home, too, to economic saboteurs, who exploit its sleepy nature to vandalise the train tracks. Seven of such vandals were caught early this month. Parading the suspects at the Railway Police Command Headquarters in Lagos, last week, the Commissioner of Police, Nyats Jatau, said they were caught following a tipoff, after cutting the train’s iron tracks. The suspects, whose ages range from 25 to 32, would leave Kafanchan and operate in the deserted and sleepy villages only to return to the town, where they sell their loot. Jatau said: “Luck ran against the seven men on February 9, when returning from Barkin Kogi in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where they had gone to vandalise new rail irons. “They were caught on their way back to Kafanchan following a tip-off, in an unregistered Fiat Bus, which was used to convey the irons, which have been cut to size. Items recovered from the suspects, Jatau said, were one unregistered Fiat bus, one Tiger TG 2700 Tiger Generator, a cutting ma-

chine, one spanner and two ark-saw with four blades. Others were one extension wire, two screw drivers and four filing stones. The leader of the vandals, who identified himself as Ibrahim, a bus driver, said they had borrowed the cutting machine and generator from his elder brother, who is a welder in Kafanchan. “Our intention is to bring the iron rods to town and look for buyers for them before we were caught by the police,” he told reporters. He, however, denied knowledge of the worth of the iron lines, as, according to him, it was his first time out. At the Enugu station of the corporation, a similar incident took place last November; a member of the staff of the corporation was allegdly involved. The staff member, Mr. John Chukwudi Otenyi, was accused by a suspect, Ifeanyi Onwudiegwu, as being the mastermind of a bust deal. Onwudiegwu, who denied the allegation, said he only bought vandalised rail items, which included steel sleepers and track irons. He said he was approached by Otenyi to buy 350 pieces of tracks for N400,000. He paid for them, but could not collect the receipt and the covering papers for the sold materials before the police foiled the deal. He said: “I was working at my scrap dump in Onitsha, Anambra State, when Otenyi contacted me. He said he was a senior railway official and wanted to sell some unwanted scraps; so he invited me to his office in Enugu. “On getting to Enugu, he told me the cost of 350 pieces was N400,000, so I paid him in cash and got a vehicle to transport the scraps

back to Onitsha. We were loading the truck when I went to buy the gas the driver requested for. I had not gone far when Otenyi called to tell me not to come back to his office as policemen were around. “I was surprised because I thought the transaction was legal, but when he insisted, I ran back to Onitsha, where I reported the incident to members of my union. When they heard my story, they handed me over to the police,” Onwudiegwu said. Otenyi, however, denied being a criminal, saying he had masterminded the arrest of the thieves based on a tip-off by residents. Otenyi, 49, a tracks sectional officer, who said he has been working for the NRC for 24 years, denied ever knowing Onwudiegwu. He said his reports and regular alerts and briefings to his superiors up till the eve of the arrests can attest to his dedicated service to the corporation. Though he pleaded with the police not to believe the ‘criminals’, Otenyi could not say how the suspect knew his name and phone number. “That is what is still a shock to me,” he told reporters during the parade. This is not the first time the Enugu station in the Southeast will suffer from the activities of economic saboteurs. Four vandals were arrested in May, last year, by a vigilante group at Amaodu,Nkanu-West Local Government Area of Enugu State. The Eastern Regional District Manager (ERDM), Mr. Felix Njoku said: “Our tracks, weighing 80 pounds each, were vandalised at Amaodu in Nkanu. The culprits were arrested by the vigilante group in the community and handed over to the Nigeria Railway Police. ”The vehicles they used in the operation were

a trailer and a pick-up van.” The four vandals are in police custody. In Lagos, a large quantity of railway irons, which was stolen in Apapa, was recovered at Orile by the police on February 12. The recovery, the police said, led to the arrest of four suspects. Stressing that the activities of the saboteurs, were thwarting the revamping agenda of the government for the railway, Jatau said the nipping of their nefarious activities was a result of the Railway Police Command’s strategies to provide adequate security for workers and properties of the corporation. One major strategy, Jatau said, is the cooperation and understanding between the police and stakeholders, especially residents of communities on the rail lines. “We have gone round all the communities, villages and towns where the railway has properties, whether rail line or physical properties, to help us police the facilities. In many places, there are vigilantes and we have urged such groups to help police the equipment and report any incident of theft to their village heads, or the police. “This is paying off across the country as we swoop on vandals, as soon as they were suspected to be on ground, before carrying out their nefarious activity, even before they could think up an escape route,” Jatau said. This was restated by Njoku, who admitted that the strategy worked the magic wand that led to the arrest of the Enugu suspects. “The success recorded in apprehending the culprits is attributable to the visit we made to the heads of the communities early this year, calling on them to help us in protecting Railway materials that pass through their communities,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

‘Pay more attention to maritime’

• Chairman, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu; Managing Director Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport Mr. Nebolisa Emordi at NIWA conference in Onitsha, Anambra State.

NPA’s equity stalls Lekki Port construction T

• ‘Why we have not paid’

HE construction of the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos State is being delayed by the alleged failure of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to pay its 20 per cent equity for the project, The Nation has learnt. The project has a 60-20-20 financing ratio splint among the foreign investors, the Federal and Lagos State governments. The Federal Government is being represented by NPA. The shareholders’agreement was signed by the sponsors, Tolaram Group, NPA and the Lagos State government in December 2012. It was learnt that it took Tolaram Group eight years to complete the market, engineering and impact studies of the port. A senior official of the company, who pleaded for anonymity, said NPA’s failure to provide the 20 per cent equity funding may affect the 2016 completion and operational date of the project. Last week, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, was said to intervene to allay the

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda Maritime Correspondent

fear of the concessionaire and resolve the equity problem. The Nation learnt that at a meeting of representatives of NPA and the concessionaire, Umar chided the authority for toying with the ports audited account submitted to it by Tolaram over two years ago. The minister, sources said, was worried that the N11 billion approved for the port in NPA’s last year’s budget had not been accessed. The minister, it was learnt, said it was unwise not to utilise the money because it would be mopped up by the end of next month and returned to coffer. The concessionaire is said to have invested heavily in the port and the balence of its equity paid into a bank. The Lagos State Government has monetised its 20 per cent equity through the choice land it gave for the project. But NPA, a source said, has not provided any technical support, nor contributed a dime to the develop-

ment of the port since the Federal and Lagos State governments signed an agreement on the project to complement the Tin Can and Apapa ports. NPA, the source said, has not done enough to pay the N20 billion for the realisation of the project, despite the challenges facing the Apapa ports, such as limitation of draught, small storage area and insufficient equipment. Explaining why NPA has not paid its equity, its Executive Director, Engineering and Technical, Mr Mohammed Saleh, told the visiting Senate Committee on Marine Transport last week that the authority needed a technical auditor to confirm the amount the concessionaire had spent. NPA, Saleh said, wanted to be sure of the $60million the concessionaire claimed to have spent so far before it puts in its money. “Some amount was appropriated in the 2013 budget but before NPA can commit funds, we have to be sure of the availability of their own fund and the verification of claims that they have injected $60 million and they have a balance of $152 million on ground,” he said.

LCCI blames Customs for delay in goods clearance T HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has attributed the delay in goods clearing at the ports to the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). The chamber said the delay was adding to the cost of doing business. Its President, Mr Remi Bello said the delay was a major cause for concern for importers. He urged the Customs, shipping firms and terminal operators to waive the accumulated demurrage for those concerned because

the delays “were not caused by importers and it would be unfair if they are compelled to pay for what is not their fault”. “Persistent delays in the clearance of cargo at the Lagos ports have become a major cause for concern for the business community. One of the major shortcomings of the investment environment in Nigeria is the speed of cargo clearance at the ports; the 48-hour target set by the government is far from being achieved,”

Bello said. He listed the implications of the current situation to include high demurrage charges and disruption of production schedules, as raw materials were not delivered in good time to factories. Others are high risk of corruption at the ports; risk of exacerbation of inflation; and high cost of borrowed funds by importers. Others, according to him, are frequent breakdown of the server of the Nigeria Customs Service, delays in cargo release from shipping lines, and tight deadlines for cargo examination booking.

HE Federal Government has been urged to give greater at tention to to the sector. The President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, said the government should ensure that more facilities to improve revenue generation were put in place at the ports. He said the problem of access roads to the Onne Port, which was generating billions of naira, should also be resolved. “There is the need to enhance the welfare of the goose that lays the golden eggs. There should be efforts to do intervention in the maritime sector like in the aviation,’’ he said. The ANLCA chief said the Cabotage Fund would have been used to improve inland water transportation if it had been disbursed last year. He said the fund would have enabled indigenous shipping firms to key into shipping business while waiting for products to be able to buy ocean going vessels. Shittu appealed to the government to carry stakeholders along while formulating policies that affect them. “Government’s policy on used vehicles will have adverse effects on the economy if not properly handled. “We need to let the government know how many of our members will lose their jobs and how smuggling will increase if nothing is done on the policy,’’ he said. Shittu said 90 per cent of the imports of the terminals built for Roll- on-Roll-Out (RORO) were for used vehicles. He said since the price of imported vehicles had risen by 100 per cent, people would have no choice than to smuggle in vehicles. This, he said, would affect revenue generation by the ports, especially the Tin Can Port, Lagos where touts and ‘port rats’ are disturbing people. Shittu said many unwanted persons enter the port daily despite the recent efforts by Customs.

He said the call became necessary because the sector was seen as the second largest source of revenue for the country after the oil and gas industry. Besides, he said multinationals and others pay taxes or duties and import charges to the government. He said poor facilities, sea piracy and insecurity could scare away investors and hamper ports operations. He said importers and clearing agents were not left out of the menace as many of them have also suffered. He said huge traffic on the major roads to and within the ports and insecurity are some of the major problems that need to be addressed by the Federal Government intends to sustain investment growth in the sector. “The high level of insecurity in the nation’s seaports has become so widespread that every importer must have at one time or the other experienced losses arising from theft within or on the roads that lead to the ports. As a Nigerian, I think it is not too much to ask the government to secure our ports,” he added. In another development, maritime lawyers have urged the Federal Government to put policies in place to promote the industry. Speaking with reporters in Lagos, the lawyers said the dearth of human and material capacities has become a source of worry in the sector. They called on relevant government agencies at the ports to complement stakeholders’ efforts in capacity-building, noting that businesses blink first in the event of any government’s policy breakdown. A maritime lawyer and consultant, Mr. Frank Simpson, said the dream of the youth, who seek employment, is only realised through job creation via the sector and human capacity building. He said the country could be the number one maritime nation in Africa, if human capacity building was taken seriously.

Monitoring team generates N110m

HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Headquarters Monitoring Team, Idiroko axis, between December 5 last year and February 8, this year, seized contraband goods worth N110,660,500. The illegal goods intercepted under Assistant Comptroller Yahaya Biri Usman included 9,513 bags of 50kg rice with a value of N47,565,000 and duty of N53,321,500, with DPV of N99,886,500.

Other items are 4,938 cartons of frozen poultry products; 3,997 cartons of fake pharmaceutical drugs and multivitamin; vehicles, bales of textiles materials, large quantity of used tyres and vegetable oil. The Controller of the unit, Nuhu Isa Mahmoud, in a chat with reporters spoke well about the commitment of the team and advised its members to remain resilient in the war against smuggling.

Senate Committee gives NIMASA pass mark

HE Senate Committee on Marine Transport has given the Nigerian Maritime Safety Administration Agency (NIMASA) a pass mark over what it called the successful implementation of its last year’s budget. Speaking at the agency’s Headquarters in Lagos, its Chairman, Hajia Zaynab Kure, said they were happy that the management of NIMASA did well on the projects it embarked upon last year, urging its Director-General, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi to keep the good job. Briefing the Senators, Akpobolokemi said the agency had a good working relationship with the military and other security agencies to reduce piracy, oil theft and stem the cycle of

criminalities on the nation’s territorial waters. “We have awarded contract for the installation of radars and GNPS in our entire domain, and in the next few months, we should be able to capture vessels that operate in our maritime domain and that will increase our anti piracy war, oil theft campaign and help stop all illegalities in our maritime domain,” he said. NIMASA, Akpobolokemi said, has also given about N5 billion to four universities for establishment of maritime training institutions and that they have started operating apart from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN),S where he said, internal wrangling is affecting the take-off of the programme.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION Who should be appointed aviation minister? Stakeholders are rooting for a technocrat. Will President Goodluck Jonathan accede to their demand? KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports.

Who should be appointed aviation minister?

F aviation stakeholders have their way, a technocrat will be appointed minister. But they are worried by plans by some people to influence the appointment of a non-technocrat for the job. Last week, they sent a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan following a meeting of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the Aviation Roundtable , National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers( NAAPE), National Union of AirTransport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Cabin Crew Association, among others. The letter, according to AON Chairman Captain Nogie Meggison, is based on the stakeholders’ position on the criteria Jonathan should use in making the appointment. He said the government’s failure in the past to appoint somebody with the know-how is responsible for the sector’s slow growth. He said though the stakeholders have not endorsed anybody for the position, they know of technocrats that can deliver the industry by offering professional leadership when called upon. Meggison said the professionals came together to urge Jonathan to appoint an expert as minister because of the sensitive nature of the industry,which should not be left in the hands of amateurs. The failure to appoint a professional as minister, he said, would take the industry several years back, arguing that previous ministers could have performed better if they had sufficient knowledge of the sector. Citing other areas, such as health and justice, where it has become the tradition to appoint seasoned professionals as ministers, he said the President shoud, as a matter of urgency, consider appointing an aviation professional as minister. “It is not yet late, there is still sufficient time to correct the mistakes of the past ... If previous ministers of aviation had aviation background, the industry would have moved forward,” he emphasised. NAAPE President Isaac Balami, said aviation stakeholders were poised to ensure the President listens to their agitation and immediately appoint an aviation professional as minister.He said stakeholders wouldw not succumb to any threat or blackmail until the President appoint an expert as minister. Balami said stakeholders resolved to ensure that the government appoints an aviation expert as minister, who will hit the ground running without requiring too much time to learn on the job. “The mistakes we have made in the past are enough. We cannot continue in the old fashion of recycling politicians to oversee the aviation sector. This time around, stakeholders insist that an industry expert must be appointed as minister of aviation Failure to do that will take the industry backwards,” he said.

•From left: Balami; Meggison and ART Secretary-General Mr Sam Akerele, at a briefing.

A few days after the letter was dispatched to the Presidency, some unnamed persons were said to have started lobbying to be made minister. The Nation learnt from a reliable source that a certain airline operator and head of an aviation agency are allegedly the arrow heads of the new move to latch on the letter to make way for themselves. The source hinted that rather than work towards achieving the objective of the letter, some people without the requisite experiance are positioning themselves for the ministerial seat. President, Aviation Roundtable, Captain Dele Ore, said such move is against stakeholders’ resolve to move the industry forward. He said: “Now that aviation has a supervising minister, he should be allowed to clear the mess left behind at the ministry by Princess Stella Oduah. The so called aviation professionals clamouring to be appointed to replace her are being sponsored to cover her tracks,” he alleged, adding: “ We have not got to a stage where names are being suggested.” Ore said the same so-called professionals agitating to be considered to replace Oduah are those that misadvised her and are being sponsored for the “big cover-up”. Ore insisted that the letter that the stakeholders signed genuinely calling for the appointment of an industry expert as minister was a genuine call, which the group had made over the years. He, however, expressed regrets that “our letter is fraudulently being used to promote the interest of people agitating to be appointed

The mistakes we have made in the past are enough. We cannot continue in the old fashion of recycling politicians to oversee the aviation sector. This time around, stakeholders insist that an industry expert must be appointed as minister of aviation Failure to do that will take the industry backwards when they are not honourable enough for such highly exalted office.” Ore added: “The same experts that have misadvised the former minister so as to perpetrate what they called continuity and remodeling of the airports are the same half-baked aviation professionals that are lobbying to be appointed as minister.” Such moves, he said, might throw the sector into crisis.

But the former president of National Cabin Crew Association of Nigeria ( NACCAN), Mr Olumide Ohunayo, hold a different view. To him, the stakeholders are missing the point since what the ndustry needs is someone with the courage to move the sector forward. His words: “The recent call by unions and some stakeholders calling for the appointment of an industry expert to head the ministry and their pseudo submission of nominees is self severing and not a true reflection of recent achievements and genuine yearning of the industry in totality.” Ohunayo also argued that the unions ‘ threat to shut down the industry if a technocrat is not appointed, is unneccessary. According to him, having a technocrat as minister is not the panacea to the problems facing the aviation industry. He pointed out that the last technocrat that headed the ministry only facilitated the increment of Nigeria Airways pilots’ remunerations and, thereafter, nothing happened again till he handed over. “The president must not be compelled by threats; rather, he should be left alone to make his choice, putting in perspective the federal character principle as enshrined in the constitution. What we need is an administrator and entrepreneur, who will supervise the agencies, and also attract investors into the sector. ‘’He or she will correct the lapses therein and complete on-going projects considering the time frame of this administration,” he argued.

‘Our letter is fraudulently being used to promote the interest of people agitating to be appointed when they are not honourable enough for such highly exalted office. The president must not be compelled by threats rather, he should be left alone to make his choice’

US guidelines on helicopter operation

HE United States’(US) Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has issued a final rule that requires helicopter operators, including air ambulances to adhere to stricter flight rules and procedures. The rule represents the most significant improvement to helicopter safety in decades and responds to government’s and industry’s concern over continued risk in helicopter operations. “This is a landmark rule for helicopter safety,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, said, adding: “These improvements will better prepare pilots and better equip helicopters, ensuring a higher level of safety for passengers and crew.” All U.S. helicopter operators, including air ambulances, are required to use stricter flying procedures in bad weather. This will provide a greater margin of safety by reducing the probability of collisions with obstacles or other aircraft. Within 60 days, operators will be required to use enhanced procedures for flying in challenging weather, at night, and when landing in remote locations. Within three years, helicopter air ambulances must use the latest on-board technology and equipment to avoid and obstacles, and within four years, they must be equipped with flight data monitoring systems. “This rule is a significant advancement in helicopter safety,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, adding: “This rule will help reduce risk and help pilots make good safety decisions through the use of better training, procedures, and equipment.” Since August 2004, the FAA has promoted initiatives to reduce risk for helicopter and air ambulance operations. While accidents did decline in the years following that effort, 2008 proved to be the deadliest year on record with five accidents that claimed 21 lives.

SAA to launch Airbus A330-200 SOUTH African Airways (SAA) is planning to operate a newer aircraft, the Airbus A330-200 on scheduled flights between London Heathrow and Johannesburg from March 28, this year. The new aircraft replaces A340600 used on the route and will operate on SA235, the first of SAA’s two daily departures GM, South African Airways, Gary Kershaw said: “We’ve listened to feedback from our corporate customers and voyager members around the aspects of their journey that are important to them. “We’re delighted to announce these changes to our summer schedule to strengthen our growing reputation for quality.” SAA Business customers can enjoy smaller, more personal cabins and forward facing seats in a twotwo-two configuration, as well as a 74" seat pitch, 180 per cent flat beds and 12" on demand widescreen technology. Business travellers can also relax and enjoy departure and arrivals lounges at both London Heathrow and Johannesburg, including the unique SAA arrivals lounge at Jg

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Electoral Offences Tribunal

•US’ timely reminder of the Uwais panel’s recommendation

HE clamour for a law to establish Electoral Offences Tribunal, in Nigeria, before the 2015 general elections, got a boost last week. The latest support came from the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mrs. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who led a 23-man team to the third meeting of the Nigeria-US Bi-National Commission, in Abuja. According to the under-secretary, her interactions with Nigerians show that many of them are in support of such a tribunal. She promised that the commission is working to make the 2015 election ‘the most peaceful, free, fair and credible election’ in Nigeria’s history. This is one intervention by a foreign official that we identify with. So, we urge

‘This is one intervention by a foreign official that we identify with. So, we urge the National Assembly to hearken to the umpteenth call for the passage of the law, to establish this important tribunal. To ignore the urgency for the tribunal will amount to playing the ostrich, considering the tension in the polity’

the National Assembly to hearken to the umpteenth call for the passage of the law, to establish this important tribunal. To ignore the urgency for the tribunal will amount to playing the ostrich, considering the tension in the polity. Indeed, in the country’s history, electoral malfeasance has never been as worse as in the current democratic dispensation, particularly during the 2007 general elections. We recall that it was the condemnation that greeted that electoral fraud that led late President Umaru Yar’Adua, to establish the Justice Muhammad Uwais panel, which among other recommendations, suggested the need for an electoral offences tribunal. Regrettably, the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, which is a direct beneficiary of the electoral malfeasance of the 2007 elections, has shown lukewarm interest in the creation of this body. Also, members of the National Assembly, some of whom benefitted from that electoral brigandage to climb to national prominence, appear uninterested in ensuring that the recommendations of the Uwais panel become law. This joint interest in the benefits of electoral philandering, is perhaps why we needed a reminder from a foreign diplomat, of the importance of such a piece of legislation. It must be borne in mind that when partisans threaten violence against electoral brigandage, it is an indication of frustration with the absence of justice in the electoral process. So, while condemning

threats of post-election violence, we believe the best antidote is to allow the will of the people to prevail. This will be achieved by ensuring that elections are transparently conducted, and where there are infractions, that the culprits are effectively brought to justice. No doubt, the persistent failure to bring past election riggers to justice over the years helps to embolden potential riggers. Indeed, if the National Assembly is determined to give Nigerians a free, fair and credible election, the bill can be given a top priority to ensure its expeditious passage, before this year’s Ekiti and Osun elections. We consider the two elections a prelude to the 2015 general elections. We are also worried that if the two elections are tainted by rigging, the political parties, and the electorates will become distraught of the process going into next year’s election. The consequences will be that the loser may be unwilling to accept defeat, and that could lead to violence. With the seething security crisis that has engulfed the north eastern part of the country; every effort must be made by the executive and legislative authorities, to ensure that election- induced crisis is not added to the combustible mix. So, we expect that President Jonathan and the leadership of the National Assembly will find wisdom in the need to urgently pass the electoral offences tribunal law, in the interest of our nation. They must realise that there is no gaming on this score, unless of course they do not care about the country.

A forgotten source

•Oloibiri’s neglect is part of the neglect of history, including in schools

T is possible that not many Nigerians have heard of Oloibiri before; even of those who have, not many know its historical or economic importance. Curiously, in Nigeria, that is not new. A few years ago, some pupils in a primary school in Ikenne, Ogun State, the birthplace of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, knew next-to-nothing about the man, Obafemi Awolowo. When they were asked whether they knew anyone by that name, they said no. The only Obafemi they know is the football star, Obafemi Martins! The fault is not in them, it is in our warped educational curriculum that has relegated such persons and places of rich historical value in the country to the background. It is also because we no longer teach history to our children in primary and secondary schools. Oloibiri, in Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State; came into prominence with the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities in the place in 1956. This discovery ended a 50-year fruitless search for oil in Nigeria and launched the country into the limelight of oil-producing nations, with the attendant petro-dollars. An appreciative country ought to accord Oloibiri the attention befitting such a community. Unfortunately, Oloibiri’s tale is like that of other oil-bearing communities in the country. At least that is the impression one gets if Chief Amangi Daniel’s claim is anything to go by. Daniel had regretted that in spite of the community’s peaceful nature that made oil production uninterrupted for years, development has eluded it. He told the visiting

Mr Jay Naidoo, a former Minister of Development in South Africa in Ogbia that it was regrettable that “the area has nothing to show for its historic role in the nation’s economy’’. Naidoo said that he was in Nigeria to see and feel the pulse of the Niger Delta communities as well as assess the level of development in the region. Like most other visitors to the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, he too was disappointed not just by what he was told but also by what he saw. Even the renowned environmentalist, Mr Nnimmo Bassey and the Country Director of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Mr Larry Umunna, who accompanied Mr Naidoo must have been equally flabbergasted by the eye saw that the community has become. Indeed, Naido was so disappointed that he recommended that “the communities should organise and seek further assistance from the United Nations as well as draw the attention of shareholders of oil multinational firms to the negative impact of their operations on the people.” We agree with this view even as we also support the position of Mr Basssey that it is imperative that not just Oloibiri but the entire Niger Delta region must be cleared of the relics and pollution associated with oil exploration that are evident in the communities. However, unlike his view that the government integrates environmental issues into political discourse, we want to suggest, based on experience, that it should not be left to the government alone. As Chief Daniel told the visitors, our governments are usually tall in speaking but miserably short in action. Most of the promises that successive governments

made to better the lot of Oloibiri community have remained largely unfulfilled. Therefore, it is the civil society and the communities themselves that should ensure that their plight is brought to the front burner of national discourse. They should even externalise it if necessary. If successive governments had been responsible and fair to the oil-bearing communities, things should have improved in those areas since the days of Isaac Boro and the late Ken Saro-Wiwa. In the particular case of Oloibiri, it should not just be developed; the community should be made a tourist attraction to serve as eternal reminder of its importance to the country’s development. If we got so much from Oloibiri, the least we can do is to give back to it part of what we took from it. That is what corporate social responsibility is all about.

‘In the particular case of Oloibiri, it should not just be developed; the community should be made a tourist attraction to serve as eternal reminder of its importance to the country’s development. If we got so much from Oloibiri, the least we can do is to give back to it part of what we took from it. That is what corporate social responsibility is all about’

War, Peace and the Law

RIME Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan is getting dangerously close to altering a cornerstone of the national Constitution through his own reinterpretation rather than by formal amendment. Mr. Abe wants to pass a law allowing the Japanese military to act offensively and in coordination with allies outside Japanese territory, even though it is accepted that the Constitution allows only a defensive role on Japanese territory. He has moved aggressively to bolster the military after years of cuts. And, like other nationalists, he rejects the pacifism exemplified by an article in the Constitution. “The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes,” it states. Successive governments have agreed that a constitutional amendment would be required before the Japanese could take a broader role. The civil servants of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau in the Office of the Prime Minister, which checks the constitutionality of new laws to prevent the abuse of power, have agreed with this interpretation. To help push the bureau to reverse that position, Mr. Abe broke normal procedure in August and appointed as the agency’s chief an outsider, Ichiro Komatsu, a Foreign Ministry official sympathetic to the idea of collective defense. A group of experts picked by Mr. Abe is expected to back him up when an opinion on the matter is released in April. In Parliament recently, Mr. Abe implied that the people could pass judgment on him in the next election, but that is an erroneous view of constitutionalism. He could, of course, move to amend the Constitution. That he finds the process too cumbersome or unpopular is no reason for him to defy the rule of law. If Mr. Abe were to persist in forcing his view on the nation, the Supreme Court, which has long abstained from taking a position on the Constitution’s pacifist clause, should reject his interpretation and make clear that no leader can rewrite the Constitution by personal will. – New York Times TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

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THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: The Yoruba say people may feel hunger same way, but may not feel same way deep down about issues, events, and occurrences. Thus, those who made illicit wealth during the presidency of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ), due to which Nigeria is in debt and deficit financing, will remember him as the best thing that happened to them. He is currently in bribing spree, visiting traditional rulers and religious leaders, countrywide. Even ordinary citizens will hardly visit such people empty handed; so it goes without saying that he is bribing them. How will ordinary Nigerians remember GEJ? Very many Nigerians will remember him for driving

make that our modus vivendi, towards order, equity, peace, stability, and progress. Political opporSEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF tunism, such as GEJ availed himNOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. self can never work; it worked for GEJ who became President, but too E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net many Nigerians are still dying, both terrorism and corruption are on rampage; Nigeria is in shambles. I told the former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to forget about Many Christian leaders were and them to join him to truncate rotaa single term of four years? Yes, becoming Nigeria’s President, and are bribed to shout against the Mustional presidency, which led to tersome bribed northerners are still simply face his private University, lim north; the confusion is second rorism, properly so-called, for the behind him, but that is because they because we want zonal rotational only to Nigeria’s civil war. Is it the first time ever in Nigeria. Churches are bribed and they are corrupt. presidency, and we don’t want anyMuslim north that asked GEJ to trunthat had existed for many years In the name of God and for the body who built private university cate rotational presidency; and to were bombed with people worsake the nation’s Civil War, I apfrom corruption. divide and rule Nigeria’s Govershipping inside them; many peal to all well-meaning Nigerians Being nice is good. General nors’ Forum? Is it the Muslim north Imams, other Muslim leaders, and to give peace a chance and vote for Muhammadu Buhari was Petrothat is now asking GEJ to deny that near innumerable Muslims were rotational presidency; 2015, northleum Minister, Finance Minister, he promised to spend no more than also killed and are still being killed. west; 2019-2027 southeast, etc. Let’s and Head of State; in none did he mess-up. By the grace of Almighty God, he will win the 2015 election and teach us to straighten our pedoubt, careless in his remarks about House of Assembly, Chief Judge, troleum and other accounts. He will what he described as the present rePresident of Customary Court of bility to nominate a representative not seek a second term, because we ality in Edo State in which Benin Appeal, Chief of Staff, Civil Service to the board of NDDC and not himdon’t want another civil war; it will people have been marginalised. Commission, House of Assembly self as a Senator. He may also not be the turn of the southeast; southThose remarks, false as they are, Service Commission, Accountantadmit (but it is curiously coincidenwest and south-south will wait for were designed to whip up ethnic General of the State, etc are in Edo tal) that his defection was influenced their second round as we rotate sentiments and put a wedge between South. No one has complained of by the carrots dangled before Senafrom zone to zone, north-south. Benin people and other sections of marginalisation against the governtors and Representatives including Edo state. It is unfortunate this Yes, if chosen,Governor Rotimi ment of Edo State. The attention of cash and automatic tickets by the Uzamere chose to disparage a sysAmaechi will work well with Senator Uzamere should be directed ruling PDP. How else can one detem and people whose homogeneBuhari, his peers have confidence to the lack of federal presence in Edo scribe the sudden eulogy he is now ity is and never will be in doubt. State generally and his senatorial in him as Chairman of the Goverpouring on the PDP whose ticket he The present administration in Edo district in particular. nors’ Forum. described as "worse than the ZimState has been fair to all in the distriThe Edo South Senator should adbabwean Dollar'' less than four Yes, University of Cape Coast, bution of appointments and projects mit it that the real reason for his years ago? We wonder if the ZimGhana, is looking favorably into including Edo South. Aside the Govdefection is his inability to push babwe dollar is not worse off today my Masquerade Studies proposal. I ernor (Edo North), Secretary to the through his personal assistant as than it was when Uzamere joined am highly hopeful. With God, all State Government (Edo North) and nominee for the same NDDC state the APC almost four years ago. things are possible. Head of Service (Edo Central), all representative position. He has reother major positions starting with fused to face the reality that it is the • Blessing Yakubu, • Oyeniran Abioje, Deputy Governor, Speaker of the state government that has responsiYenagoa, Bayelsa, State Ilorin

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG

How Nigerians will remember Jonathan

Uzamere’s defection blues

IR: I had considered whether or not to write this reply for a few days before bringing myself to the realisation that to keep silent in the face of the obvious lack of reasonable care on the part of Senator EhigieUzamere that is representing Edo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, would amount to a disservice not only to the people he represents but to Edo state and Nigeria in general. Senator Uzamere had advertised in the Vanguard Newspaper of Wednesday February 12, 2014, a letter announcing his defection from Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on which platform he was elected to the Senate in 2011 to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Addressed to ''My dear people of Edo South Senatorial District'', Senator Uzamere's letter was titled ''THIS HOUSE IS NOT OUR HOME. IT IS TIME TO GO (AMALAWA). In returning to the PDP which he left in 2011, Senator Uzamere exercised his constitutional right of freedom of association. I do not think anyone can or should quarrel with that. It is his right to seek out and associate with persons who he thinks can add value to his life and politics. It is instructive to note that Uzamere secured ACN ticket to go back to the Senate , not because there were no better qualified aspirants in the ACN but because the progressive party deemed it imperative to compensate him for the support he gave to the ACN government in Edo State. Senator Uzamere was, no

Brouhaha over oil revenue

IR: I have followed, with keen interest, the controversy surrounding the unaccounted federation account funds involving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). It will be recalled that the CBN Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi caused a stir when he raised an alarm in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan that the NNPC failed to remit crude oil proceeds amounting to $49.8 billion into the Federation Account from January 2012 to July 2013. However, when he was summoned before the Senate Commit-

tee on Finance in December to give insight into the letter he wrote on the controversial missing money, Sanusi recanted saying $12 billion, and not $49.8billion, was the amount discovered not to have been remitted to the account within the period. That was after a joint reconciliation committee, of which he was part, had resolved the figure to $10.8 billion. Now, the CBN Governor’s position has changed again. This time, he has put the figure at $20billion. Between the vociferous rebuttals of the NNPC and the disturbing inconsistencies of the CBN, there is need to reach a middle point. Since

the CBN and NNPC have continued to be at loggerheads, with the one insisting on $20 billion as funds yet to be accounted for, and the other vigorously asserting that it has accounted for virtually all the funds, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy (CME), Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, has graciously recommended that the best way to get to the truth and reassure Nigerians who have been expressing strong opinions on the issue would be to set up an independent body that would do a forensic audit of all the documents and claims. Evidently, this should provide

Nigerians with a definitive verdict on the controversy. We would recall that a similar forensic audit was deployed to investigate subsidy claims and this yielded good results and a better tighter process against fraud. With this firm stance on fairness, transparency and accountability maintained by the Finance Minister, we can rest assured that the reconciliation process will be completed with honesty and integrity, devoid of undue encumbrance from partisan interests. • Olusola Daniel, Kwara state.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

COMMENTS

the Senate finance committee HERE is a Yoruba saying that probe, that another US $20 bilstates an elder worth his or her lion (more than the 2014 name crunches kola nut with reckbudget) could also have vanless abandon. ished! Now, that was not a CBN It is not just the African dictatorship of governor grandstanding at a the elderly that entitles the elder to such press conference. That was a reckless crunching, the sort that could CBN governor, using hard evieven jerk awake a light sleeper. It is dence, to make a presentation rather his or her moral impregnability before parliament, in the best — that heavy responsibility that earns Olakunle tradition of open societies. the exalted privilege of elderly impuBut today, there is no satislordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola nity. factory answer to that query — This is, of course, no expose on African though the probe continues. tradition. It is rather linking African Jonathan’s classical response mores to the Jonathan presidential suswas to kill the messenger, with pension (read sacking, with a sleight of the fond hope the bad message hand) of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would disappear! It is a moot point if that query would die Whereas the president of the Federal Republic appears to Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. hug, like a second skin, opacity in state matters, the CBN govwith Sanusi’s illegal sack. But again, Jonathan has proved Mallam Sanusi had earlier rebuffed a presidential threat to ernor would appear sold on transparency, at least when the himself a champion of opacity, whose body language is mad “resign”, insisting — and rightly so — that by Section 11(2)(f) issue is alleged humongous stealing of oil money, using the at probity but frolics with fiscal iniquity. of the CBN Act of 2007, only a presidential request, backed by ever-opaque Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation two-thirds of the Senate, could sack him. To counter the missing US $20 billion charge, the Jonathan (NNPC) as conduit. Of course, in the immediate post-sack hubbub, the law and Presidency would appear to have initiated its own charge of Still, the you’re-shielding-oil-money-thieves Vs you-spendits intendment have fallen prime victims. Outside the grey N168 billion, which the Sanusi CBN administration allegedly CBN-money-recklessly controversy, which led to Sanusi’s sack area between sack and suspension, the infusing of the Nigerecklessly spent. The presidential whistle-blower is the Fithrough the back door, somewhat echoes the inimitable Fela rian presidency with a Kabiyesi [Yoruba for unquestionable] nancial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), which findings Anikulapo-Kuti, in one of his ever memorable numbers: “You syndrome appears on the ascendancy, no matter what the law suddenly jumped into the fray, like some Deus-ex-machina in a be thief/I no be thief; You be rogue/I no be rogue, You be armed says or does not say. Greek tragic play. robber/I no be armed robber ... argument, argument, argu; argument, If Sanusi must continue to blow the whistle on the governFor all you know, there could be substance to the anti-Sanusi argument, argu ...” ment, why didn’t he resign, goes the emotive query. To be allegation. But the circumstances of its making, combined But even if the argument is between two camps of rogues, as sure, that is not unreasonable, if morality were to be the issue: with the reported threat of a Sanusi trial, all point to a not-tooJonathan’s presidential spinners are slanting the Sanusi sack a whistle blower is, after all, a “traitor” exposing a peer. Fine unfamiliar tactic of muddying the waters and bandying threats. saga, it is perhaps cold comfort that one roguish camp is at morality! All that portrays the Jonathan Presidency as a dog that barks, least transparent in its claims! But the Jonathan camp can’t But if a probable crime had been committed, and the law to not out of strength but out of fear. But it would take its chances, even claim that credit — which is a pity! Not for the Jonathan which all the parties concerned had sworn to protect insists on that not a few would fall for such cheap bluff and bluster. Presidency the Caesar code: Caesar’s wife must be above sussomebody squealing? Which one trumps the other: the moMallam Sanusi has many faults. He is a gadfly; and he is a picion! rality of silence or the legality of squealing? tad too voluble when taciturnity would do just fine. Besides, Mallam Sanusi has cried himself hoarse there is alleged sysBut let’s even assume (without conceding, as the lawyers playing CBN governor-activist in a sleaze-rich administratematic stealing of oil money, which scale this country had would say) that morality prevailed; and President Goodluck tion is tantamount, to parody that tennis term of unforced never witnessed, even with its A++ record in public graft, unJonathan, incensed by (im)moral outrage — the law be error, to unforced fatality. der the Jonathan Presidency. damned! — moved to sack the CBN governor, why the virtual But he has been consistent on government transparency as At the beginning of the end, Sanusi wrote Jonathan a secret tip-toe in doing it? the Jonathan crowd has been on opacity. He therefore appears memo that there was a “crater” of US $49.8 billion in the naWhy didn’t the president, like the iconic African elder, crunch to have put the fear of God in the Jonathan ensemble. tion’s purse, and pointed fingers at some smart alecs at NNPC. his kola loud enough by announcing the sack with a flurry, It is a classic match-up between powerless conscience and Jonathan did nothing — until former President Olusegun with the CBN governor in-situ? Why watch on tip-toe, like a conscienceless power! Still, history has shown conscience is Obasanjo, fighting his own battle of relevance, included the conspiratorial Tom, the CBN governor safely away in Niger not so powerless, as not to eventually trounce conscienceless allegations in his ill-tempered letter to the president. Republic, before announcing his ouster? Perhaps a classic study power. Predictably, Jonathan’s ire was not at those who allegedly in presidential cowardice? short-changed the treasury, but at Sanusi who raised the query. After the Justice Ayo Salami saga, the Sanusi case is yet anboy who once upon a time had no shoes has become a man other red alert at the clear and present danger of an opaque “With all these allegations of sleaze The comfy with alleged humongous stealing, that may condemn presidency, particularly when the issue is alleged mindless and negative presidential reactions, millions of current and future Nigerian kids to be shoeless! exchequer raid. But when asked to probe these allegations, eventually some reconciliation was done, between US President Jonathan gets grumpy! can you entrust your exchequer to When $10.8 billion (NNPC’s claim) and US $ 12 billion (Sanusi’s claim) Fortunately however, election times are nigh. With all these this man for four more years? It is still remained unaccounted for — except for some hocus-pocus allegations of sleaze and negative presidential reactions, can that NNPC used to explain it away! you entrust your exchequer to this man for four more years? no time to sit on the fence!” The end of the end came with the Sanusi allegation, before It is no time to sit on the fence!

epublican ipples

Jonathan, Sanusi and opacity

ENTION the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and what is etched in your memory is an institution charged with the regulation and control of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria. Embedded in this mindset are the imageries of interception and burning of fake and adulterated drugs, shutdown of drug markets in Onitsha, Kano, Lagos and elsewhere in the country. Of course, you are also sensitised to the frenzy with which NAFDAC confronts these enormous challenges. The administration and control of drugs might be top in the charge handed over by the Federal Government to NAFDAC; it has an equally enormous responsibility to control and regulate food in Nigeria. The NAFDAC Act (as amended) is unequivocal about its control and regulation of manufacturing, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and consumption of food. The high visibility of the agency in the control and administration of drugs across the country is being replicated in the manufacturing, importation, distribution and sales of food also. Dr Paul B. Orhii, who recently won the confidence boosting second-term as director-general of the agency is stepping up the drive to achieve this objective. This is the context I situate the novel creation of the Food and Applied Nutrition Directorate of the agency as well as equipping it with seasoned and sophisticated food scientists and nutritionists to confront and deliver on food fortification. The imperative of this stepped up action on food safety in the country become clearer after a recent gory prognosis of global food safety by Raymond C. Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America: “Across the globe, particularly in developing countries, far too many people are consuming more and more unhealthy food.” And you are likely to get the bang effects of the prognosis after perusal of the 2013 food index ranking from Oxfam, the international relief and development organization. The survey, which covers 125 countries, ranked them on the availability, quality and affordability of food and dietary health. It also looked at the percentage of underweight children, food diversity and access to clean water, as well as negative health outcomes such as obesity and diabetes. As to be expected, while Netherlands was ranked first as the country with the most nutritious, plentiful and healthy food in the world, African nations were predominant in the bottom 30 countries with Chad maintaining the rear. Good food - food rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, protein, iodine, iron, zinc, folic acid - is no doubt meant to help nourish the human body to provide it with energy, good sight, effective and efficient reproductive ability, sustainable mental alertness, dynamic and reliable intelligent quotient; they are also meant to enrich the blood, enhance efficient respiratory and metabolic activities, to mention but a few. The relevance of nutritious food to the human body cannot be underplayed. Food

NAFDAC’s drive for national food safety By Martins F.O. Ikhilae is therefore, not merely consumed for the fun of it, rather it is intended to fulfill a multiplicity of vital functions in the human body system. In July 2011, the Federal Government inaugurated the National Food Safety Management Committee (NFSMC) and charged it with the responsibility for food safety and quality control measures as well as management of the process of ensuring food safety from farm to table. We could elongate the charge of the committee by saying it should also be concerned with food security, which is all about a people having access to sufficient, adequate, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. The agency is expected to play a pivotal role in the realization of the above objective. And towards this end, it has taken it upon itself the task of ensuring the preparation and storage of food in ways that prevent food-borne diseases. Doing this efficiently would mean promoting safety between industry and the market, and then between the market and the consumer. Specifically with regards to industry to market practices, food safety considerations must target the origins of food, as well as policies on biotechnology and food and guidelines for the management of governmental import and export inspection and certification systems for foods. And in considering market to consumer practices, the concern has always been that food ought to be safe in the market. The emphasis here is the safe preparation and delivery of food to the consumer. The agency has developed the competencies in all of these areas. Mention must be made of the elaborate campaign and intensive enforcement operations of the agency, which are aimed at eradicating the use of Potassium Bromate as baking flower/ dough enhancer in bakeries across the country owing to its link with cancer disease. Its dogged determination at attaining the nation’s comprehensive salt iodization programme is commendable. Iodine deficiency is traced as the main cause of preventable brain damage and reduced IQ in children worldwide. Similarly it has also been established globally that the absence of iodine in salt/meals is responsible for a neck deforming ailment tagged goiter. Generally, people need additional sources of iodine as it is found in relatively small amounts in the diet. The international drive for universal salt iodization, that is the fortification with iodine of all salt used for human

consumption, was recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as the main strategy for eliminating iodine deficiency. The adoption of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), a systemic preventive approach to food safety and biological, chemical, and physical hazards in production processes that can cause the finished product to be unsafe, and designs measurements to reduce these risks to a safe level, in NAFDAC operations, is part of its efforts to maximize the fortification of food for human consumption. The HACCP system can be used at all stages of a food chain, from food production and preparation processes including packaging and distribution. NAFDAC is strenuously working to ensure that food products for public consumption have the required nutrients through well tested enrichment processes. Among the food vehicles/ products being maximally enriched with the needed nutrients are sugar, flour, vegetable oil, etc. The agency has keyed into the Jonathan administration‘s Transformation Agenda, especially in the agricultural sector with emphasis on using it to diversify the nation’s economy and to serve as additional foreign exchange earner for Nigeria. In furtherance of this, it has stepped up its commitment to boosting the quality of the nation’s exportable agricultural produce such as cashew nuts, cocoa, cassava, sorghum, melon seed etc. NAFDAC is very active in the national campaign to use local cassava flour as substitute to wheat in the baking of bread, cakes, etc. Hygiene is indeed a critical factor in the efficient and effective fortification of food products. This is why NAFDAC is compelling fast food companies, restaurants, bakeries etc to embrace good hygienic practices. Heavy sanctions are usually visited on defaulting companies. Ideally fortified nutritious food products help the human body to adequately develop anti-bodies, which in turn help it to successfully wade off attacks. There is no doubt that NAFDAC is promoting a healthy and safe food culture in Nigeria, since a healthy nation, is indeed a wealthy nation. • Ikhilae, is a Lagos-based public affairs analyst.

‘Hygiene is indeed a critical factor in the efficient and effective fortification of food products. This is why NAFDAC is compelling fast food companies, restaurants, bakeries etc to embrace good hygienic practices. Heavy sanctions are usually visited on defaulting companies’

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

COMMENTS

“When you sit with President Jonathan himself, he appears a nice, simple person who is trying to do his best…His greatest failing obviously is that he is surrounded by people who are extremely incompetent, who are extremely fraudulent and whom he trusts.’

HAT was Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank on Nigeria on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Not a few Nigerians would be surprised that the former boss of Nigeria’s apex bank could have some nice things to say about the president given his strident criticism of the administration, especially its lack luster fight against corruption. I am a bit surprised myself but then I remember this wasn’t the first time I would be hearing such a comment being made about the president. I’ve heard from quite a number of people who are very close to him or have access to him that Dr Jonathan is a very good person who meant well for this country but is surrounded by bad people. And each time I hear this I get annoyed. Why should a good man surround himself with bad people? Being soft spoken, courteous and nice to people are part of the qualities of a good person, but being good goes beyond that. The ability to attract good people to oneself is also a sign of goodness. You know a man’s character by the kind of company he keeps. Show me your friend, the cliché goes, and I will tell you who you are.

‘We’ve heard so much about how good and nice President Jonathan is, but people are not coming out to talk about his unforgiving spirit. I heard he doesn’t forgive. If you are in doubt ask former Bayelsa Governor Timi Silva or his namesake Timi Alaibe the former NDDC boss’

So, Jonathan is nice? True, according to Shakespeare there is no art in knowing the mind’s construction from the face, but then if one was deceived by the blandness or innocence of the face it shouldn’t take too long for a good man to discover the bad or rotten person around him. It has been a while now that President Goodluck Jonathan has mounted the saddle as Nigeria’s president and leader, and from day one, he has surrounded himself with some characters that not a few Nigerians are not comfortable with, yet he found them good company. What does that say of the president himself? Take the example of the former Minister of Aviation Madam Stella Oduah. I am not sure if there is anybody in this country who does not know that Stella was and still is Goodluck’s friend and it was mainly on the strength of that friendship that she was made a minister of the Federal Republic. She was so good to Jonathan particularly through her ‘Neighbour-to-Neighbour’ organization in the run up to the president’s election that he just had to compensate her for being there for him and she was made a Minister. Nothing wrong in that I guess, after all you work well with people that you know and trust. But not too long after, this woman became a square peg in a round hole and almost everybody except the president saw this and complained; to Jonathan, Stella could do no wrong. Even the President didn’t see anything wrong when the two BMW limousine scandal involving the former Minister and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) broke out. Not even the House of Representatives’ or the Presidency’s administrative panel indictment was enough to convince him to drop his friend.

UCH has been written and said in the media about Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, immediate past Minister of Aviation; I consider this piece a necessary input to the various perspectives on her tenure since her appointment which dates back to July 2011 and exit in early February 2014. I intend to focus on her efforts at turning around both the aesthetics and performance of the sector and more on her pet dream for the industry – the aerotropolis. Judging from the immediate niche she carved for herself soon after her appointment, one is tempted to guess that she probably had a pre-knowledge of what was coming her way from Aso Rock. It is on record that she contributed immensely to the success of Mr. President in her home state, Anambra and it was proper that she was compensated with that juicy appointment. Her official photograph (which has been removed from the ministry and its parastatals) was outstanding after enhancement, depicting a woman with dreamy eyes, yet having the sun in her face, features that made her bewitching and with ethereal beauty. Thus it was an enhanced Stella Oduah that commenced the remodelling/enhancement of our Airports and other structures connected with Aviation in Nigeria. Those who have been to airports in several of our cities attest to the fact that there has been tremendous transformation. It has been said by many from her ruling People’s Democratic Party that her ‘giant strides’ in aviation is in tandem with the Government’s Transformation Agenda. A few days before her exit, she placed an eight-page supplement that was replete with pictures in major daily newspapers so that the majority that do not travel by air could have the privilege to see her Midas touch. That action must have been informed by the wisdom that, if a picture is worth a thousand words, the talk and reverberation that would trail the more than 20 photographs in that advertorial will be better imagined. If Ms. Oduah’s goal of transformation of our aviation sector was largely realised, especially when the myriad or favourable comments are considered, an aspect of her ambition – the aerotropolis has not come to fruition. Aerotropolis, now a buzzword in major cities and economies around the world, is interpreted to mean airport city. It is an initiative of Prof. John D Kasarda, Director, Center for Air Commerce, University of North Carolina. According to him, it is a “new urban development form comprising aviation-intensive businesses and related enterprises extending up to 25 kilometres outward from major airports.” He further stated that, “Airports will shape economic activity and urban development in the 21st century as much as highways did in the 20th century, railroads in the 19th, and seaports in the 18th.” The concept of an aerotropolis assumes the availability of air connectivity, urbanization and local accessibility. Avail-

When he eventually did a couple of weeks ago, many believe it was just a desperate measure to rescue his seemingly doomed second term ambition; not out of conviction to fight corruption. The allegations against Madam Oduah are weighty enough to have warranted her immediate removal or suspension from office but the President chose not to act until he discovered that leaving Stella in office would be an unnecessary baggage that could jeopardize his re-election in 2015. Reluctantly, Stella had to go and for now scotfree. If Jonathan is such a good man as we are being told, then he shouldn’t have surrounded himself with the likes of Madam Oduah. Yes, nothing has been proven against the former Minister yet but the President would help Nigeria and his cause by releasing the report of the administrative panel that probed the car scandal and allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to handle the case and any other alleged cases of corruption involving her without any pressure or interference. If the President is such a good person then why is he still keeping Deziani AllisonMadueke as Minister of Petroleum with alleged cases of monumental corruption going on in that industry especially within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). We’ve heard about 20 billion USD oil money reportedly missing for which the suspended CBN Governor was apparently being punished. Forget about the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria report on Sanusi’s CBN, it was just a convenient excuse to ease out a pain in the arse. Why wait till now to act on the council’s report that had

been ready since March. This is not excusing Sanusi from accounting for his tenure as CBN Governor. If he had done anything wrong, particularly fraudulent, he should be punished. I am not one of his fans, but why punish him now after blowing the whistle on the missing oil money? And why not all those people involved in the missing money as well? The fraud in the oil industry dates back to the discovery of oil in Nigeria and has seemingly defied all actions taken by successive administrations to curb it. Most if not all of Jonathan’s predecessors are guilty, but then none of them has been described as nice the way Jonathan is being portrayed. So, if he is a nice and good person, then he should get rid of those bad people in our oil industry; he should start from his cabinet. If Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the coordinating Minister for the Economy as well as Finance Minister (whatever that meant) is sitting there comfortably with all these fraud allegations flying around, then I am afraid, she too had joined them. May be she is one of those bad people surrounding our ‘nice’ President. There are still many of them like that parading the corridors of power in Abuja. But like I asked earlier, why should a good person surround himself with bad people? The answer is simple, he too must be bad because like minds work together. Today we speak well of the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Alhaji Ahmadu Bello even after they are no more because of the good things they did when they were in power or had access to power. They didn’t achieve all those good things alone, they were helped by the good people they invited into their government. So, if Jonathan cannot attract or invite good people into his government, then he himself is bad. Shikena. One last thing to add. We’ve heard so much about how good and nice President Jonathan is, but people are not coming out to talk about his unforgiving spirit. I heard he doesn’t forgive. If you are in doubt ask former Bayelsa Governor Timi Silva or his namesake Timi Alaibe the former NDDC boss. Both are from Bayelsa State like President Jonathan. What a nice man!

Aerotropolis: What fate after Oduah’s exit? By Eric Johnson able statistics suggest the contribution to the economy of any city that will implement it: there are seven times more high value job growth in Aerotropolis than traditional downtowns; 3000 jobs are directly and indirectly supported by each regularly scheduled long haul service; 10 % passenger volume increase results in 2 % regional job growth while 1 in 6 people live within 20 minutes of an airport in developed countries. Several countries have already cued into aerotropilis, and at present, several cities in Europe, the United States and Asia are aerotropolis. There is no doubt that the success of the airport cities in these countries and the future prospects of the venture motivated Princess Oduah to work towards actualising it in Nigeria. It was a daring move and one that would have put Nigeria in the rank of leading countries with aerotropolis. Information available concerning this project which was extensively marketed by the Ms. Oduah before her oust er revealed that: Aerotropolis was an important part of her Master Plan for the Nation’s civil aviation sector and, it was to commence with extensive airport remodeling programme and the establishment of 13 cargo terminals, some of them designated for perishable goods. A Manager has been appointed to ensure that the Nigerian Aerotropolis project moves from the drawing board to reality. For the first time, the government in a bid to actualize the project appointed a Director of cargo services for the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Commercial hubs such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt are being prepared to host the aerotropolis. In Lagos, there is a plan to develop a 5-star hotel close to Murtala Mohammed International Airport. Princess Oduah envisioned Nigeria’s aerotropolis to evolve from some of our present Airports to Airport Cities and then to Aerotropolis; the project would be driven by the private sector with government support, and would create diverse opportunities for local and foreign investors. At the 13th Airport Cities World Conference and Exhibition (ACE) in Ekurhuleni, South Africa, Prof. Kasarda who was chairman of the conference, advised governments on how to actualize their aerotropolis dreams. Also at the event where experts commended Princess Oduah’s vision for Nigeria’s aviation industry, FAAN Managing Director, George Uriesi made a

presentation which was well received. The Nigerian team later had an audience with Prof. Kasarda to get his input on the project. Aerotropolis is real. It has taken root and presently blossoms in several cities of the world as airports in such cities are no longer just staging points for arrivals and departures of passengers and aircraft. Amsterdam's Schipol Airport, is the world's first airport city with more than 58,000 people working daily within the airport grounds; it is a modern transport hub integrating not just people and businesses but also information and entertainment. There are other cities like Dubai, Stockholm, Munich and Changi (in Singapore) where the gains of aerotropolis are being enjoyed and where its future possibilities appear limitless. There is no doubt that the immediate past minister of Aviation who is widely travelled because of her wealth and business visited several choice cities before and during her tenure, and must have been acquainted with the latest in aviation. Now that she is no longer in charge, doubt has been put on the aerotropolis project. As the country awaits her replacement, it is not clear whether the incoming minister of Aviation will pursue the revival of the sector especially, the issue of aerotropolis and its myriad of predicted gains, with equal or greater fervour. What is beyond contest is that there was at least one Nigerian who in the opinion of many tried to translate her personal charm into a sector that was near comatose before her advent. •Eric write from Asaba

‘There is no doubt that the immediate past minister of Aviation who is widely travelled because of her wealth and business visited several choice cities before and during her tenure, and must have been acquainted with the latest in aviation. Now that she is no longer in charge, doubt has been put on the aerotropolis project’

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

•Abwo

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

’ One is tempted to ask if the president has some other things he would not want Sanusi to reveal should he stay in office a day longer.

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

See page 26

President Goodluck Jonathan's suspension of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has raised what lawyers perceive as "knotty legal issues." Some argue that the president can suspend Sanusi, others say he does not have such power. PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports.

NE way or the other, something was bound to give. And it happened last week. President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido, who had last month ignored his advice to resign. Since he suspended Sanusi, questions have been raised on the legality of his action since the CBN Act is silent on "suspension". It only speaks of "removal", which must be with the senate's approval. Although the president hinged Sanusi’s suspension on a 13-page report from the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), which many, including Sanusi believe was politically motivated. Reason: the suspension came in the midst of Sanusi’s allegations of ‘‘monumental corruption in the oil sector’. Last year, Sanusi raised the alarm over an alleged unremitted $49.8 billion to the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which the corporation denied. He later put the figure at $12 billion while NNPC said it was $10.8 billion. The matter did not end there. Sanusi went public again, putting the figure at $20 billion. Since then, the relationship between Jonathan and Sanusi, seemed to have gone sour, with both men barely tolerating each other.

Allegations against Sanusi

‘‘(1) A person shall not remain a Governor, Deputy Governor or Director of the Bank if he is- (a) a member of any Federal or State legislative house; or (b) a Director, officer or employee of any bank licensed under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act. “(2) The Governor, Deputy Governor or Director shall cease to hold office in the Bank if he-(a) becomes of unsound mind or, owing to ill-health, is incapable of carrying out his duties; (b) is convicted of any criminal offence by a court of competent jurisdiction except for traffic offences or contempt proceedings arising in connection with the execution or intended execution of any power or duty conferred under this Act or the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act; (c) is guilty of a serious misconduct in relation to his duties under this Act; (d) is disqualified or suspended from practising his profession in Nigeria by order of a competent authority made in respect of him personally; (e) becomes bankrupt; (f) is removed by the President: Provided that the removal of the Governor shall be supported by two-third majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed... “ This requirement, in the words of the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja, Monday Ubani, speaks volume and ‘‘a serious matter that cannot be handled in a lackadaisical manner as President had purported to act. It is patently illegal, not well thought out and one pregnant with severe political and economic backlash that will certainly hurt this government for a very long time. The focal applicable law is Section 11(1) and (2) of the CBN Act which according to a lawyer, Modupe Odele, have varying interpretations- from Public Policy and Relations to moral and legal codes. Odele argued that the situation gets a bit dicey at the term suspension. He noted that the removal and suspension both envisage a cessation of office, ‘‘albeit in the latter this cessation is expected to be temporary; for example: until a final disciplinary decision is reached. I will concede to the fact that it is a very arguable point that Sanusi’s suspension is tantamount to a removal as he is no longer in office either way; however I will like to state two general principles of interpretation of statutes and Section 11 of the Interpretation Act of the FRN: ‘‘1. A statute is to be interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the language except where this interpretation will lead to some absurdity (Literal rule); 2. A statute should be construed in line with what the spirit (intention) of the statute is; 3. Section 11 of the Interpretation Act – ”Where an enactment confers a power to appoint a person either to an office or to exercise any functions,... the power includes- (a) power to appoint a person by name or to appoint the holder from time to time of a particular office; (b) power to remove or suspend him”… From the interpretation Act, Odele conceded that the words ‘remove’ and ‘suspend’ mean different things as a result of the disjunctive particle ‘or’ used between them. ‘‘Technically, it seems like the President has acted within his powers as defined by statute’’. However, looking at the ‘appointers’ of a CBN governor as enshrined in the CBN Act, Odele said Jonathan has no such unilateral powers to suspend Sanusi. ‘‘Since the CBN Act does not provide for ‘suspension’ it is essential to look at the Interpretation Act; essentially he who has power to appoint also has the power to remove and suspend. According to Section 8 of the CBN Act, the President does not have a one-sided power to appoint a Governor of the CBN as whatever selection he makes is subject to an approval by the Senate. Constitutional lawyer, Norrison Quakers, (SAN) said the President by the provisions of Section 11(2)(f) of the CBN Act, can remove the CBN Governor only with the approval of two-third majority of the Senate.

THE BIG QUESTION

The Presidency argues that Sanusi’s suspension was not connected with his revelations on the monumental fraud in the petroleum sector. It claimed that following a query raised by Jonathan on the CBN’s financial statement for 2012, and Sanusi’s response, documents were forwarded to FRC around May 2013. Listing some of the alleged ‘sins’ of Sanusi, the Presidency noted the persistent refusal and negligence to comply with Public Procurement Act (PPA) in the procurement practices of the CBN; unlawful expenditure by the CBN on intervention projects across the country; deployment of huge sums of money as the CBN did under Sanusi’s watch without appropriation and outside the CBN’s statutory mandate, among others. The FRC alleged that Sanusi incurred unbudgeted purchases running into billions of Naira and failed to comply with Section 15(1)(a) of the PPA, which says that all procurement of goods, works and services carried out by the Federal Government of Nigeria and all procurement entities must do so in consonance with the provision. The council accused the CBN of unlawful expenditure on intervention projects across the country with over N163 billion committed on 63 projects; inability to prepare financial statement using applicable International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which sends wrong signals to investors; non-establishment of Board of Trustees (BOT) to manage Banking Resolution Sinking Funds provided for in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CBN and Deposit Money Banks (DMB) in 2010. He was also alleged to have, contrary to Section 34(b) of the CBN Act, 2007, acquired seven percent (7%) shares of International Islamic Management Corporation of Malaysia to the tune of N0.743 billion in 2010, without the approval of the President nor board; aided CBN staff to evade tax by not implementing the provisions of the Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Act 2007; 3.“Had an additional expenses brought forward to General Reserve Fund of N16.031 billion in 2012, but proceeded on a voyage of indefensible expenses with inexplicable increases in some heads of expenditure during the year such as N3.086 billion on promotional activities in 2012 against N1.084 billion in 2011; claimed to have expended N20.202 billion on ‘legal and professional fees’ in 2011 beyond all reasonable standards of prudence and accountability; as well as N1.257 billion in 2012 on expenses on private guards and lunch for policemen . “ 4. “While Section 6(3)(c) of the CBN Act 2007 provides that the board of the CBN is to make recommendations to Mr. President on the rate of renumeration to auditors, the bank has consistently observed this provision in breach and even went to the extent of changing one of the Joint External Auditors without notifying the office of the President. 5. “In the explanations offered by the CBN pursuant to presidential directives, it offered a breakdown of ‘Currency Issue Expenses’ for 2011 and 2012. Interestingly, it claimed to have paid N38.233 billion to the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited (NSPMC) in 2011 for ‘Printing of Banknotes.’ Paradoxically however, in the same 2011, NSPMC reported a total turnover of N29.370 billion for all its transactions with all clients (including the CBN); 6. “It is significant to note that the external audit revealed balances of sundry foreign currencies without physical stock

Can Jonathan suspend CBN Governor Sanusi? of foreign currencies in the CBN Head Office; questionable write-off of N40 billion loans of a bank.”

Issues for determination

Who has the power to remove a serving CBN Governor and what are the procedures for such removal? What is a suspension and does the President have such powers going by the allegations against the suspended official? Are the allegations of financial recklessness enough to occasion a suspension when he has not been pronounced guilty by a court of law? Do you think this is a worrisome precedent, giving that a President who has a grouse with a CBN governor can simply suspend him on the basis of an accusation of financial recklessness? Should there be a further review of the CBN Act to take care of any such lapse?

What does the law say?

Perhaps, the CBN Act, 2007 did not envisage a situation whereby a President will move to suspend the bank’s governor. Accordingly, the Act only made provisions that the president has powers to remove a CBN Governor, which is subject to the approval of two-third majority of the Senate. But the Constitution in Part D, under the Public Service of the Federation (Sections 169 to 172), gives power to the President to appoint or remove any public servant as well as the conformity and observance of the Code of Conduct by all public officers. However, the CBN Act under cessation of office, states thus:

Lawyers react

Since the suspension was announced, lawyers have had differing opinions on the legality of Jonathan’s action. While some have maintained that the president was right and did not bridge any law since he did not ‘remove’ but suspended ‘his employee’, others argued that the suspension is a nullity because Jonathan has no such powers. A professor of International Law, Akin Oyebode, Chairman, NBA, Ikeja Branch, Monday Ubani, former Chairman, NBA, Ikorodu Branch, Prince Kazeem Adebanjo, Lagos Lawyer, Iwilade Akintayo and Activist Lawyer, Debo Adeniran •Continued on page 26

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

LAW COVER CONT’D

Can Jonathan suspend CBN Governor Sanusi?

•Jonathan

•Sanusi

•Prof. Oyebode

•Continued from page 25 differed with the President over the suspension of the CBN Governor, Sanusi. But the likes of Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Rotimi Ladi-Williams (SAN), argued that Jonathan acted within his purview, going by the fact that Sanusi was suspended and not removed. Conceding that the CBN Act does not provide for suspension by the president, they noted that it also did not say the president, being Sanusi’s boss cannot ask him to step aside for an investigation to be conducted. Oyebode posited that the President, by his action, has only shot himself in the foot since there would certainly be political costs arising therefrom, aside from other unintended consequences... But Quakers argued that a governor is expected to furnish the president with information as regards the affairs of the bank and the

budget of the government pursuant to Section 8(5)(a), just as he noted that Sanusi’s suspension or sack was not unconnected with the act of whistle blowing on his part and by extension embarrassed the government and the office of the President. To Ozekhome and Williams, the suspension was long overdue following Sanusi’s errant behaviours and gross insurbodination. Ozekhome said the exchange rate of naira to dollar hit its poorest between N165 to N175 per dollar under Sanusi’s tenure. “Constitutionally and legally, what the president did is correct and he does not require the consent of the National Assembly to do so. Anyone who is an employee has to know that he is answerable to his employer. You cannot bite the finger that feeds you. “People should look at this from all sides, it is easy for people to say Sanusi’s suspension was because he revealed some issues, but no, this is not it,” argued Ozekhome. Constitutional lawyer, Fred Agbaje, wondered whether the allegations against Sanusi were weightier than the issue of gross corruption in the NNPC particularly, the issue of non accounted 20 billion dollars. “The CBN and its staff including its Governor are governed by the CBN Act. Has the President complied with the CBN laws in taking his decision? No. Therefore, what the president has done amounts to a constitutional nullity and a gratuitous violation of the CBN Act, as well as a threat to the rule of law around which our democracy revolves. Two third majority as demanded by the CBN Act is to guarantee separation of powers and avoid abuse of powers,” he said. Ubani remarked that the immediate nomination of another candidate for screening by the Senate when the president was purported to have suspended Sanusi, gave the president and his advisers away as having acted illegally. ‘‘If it is suspension as they want us to believe pending conclusion of investigation, why the hurry to screen a successor? If it is true that Sanusi has committed financial recklessness as alleged, then the security agencies ought to have been invited to investigate, and if they found any shred of evidence against him, then his prosecution should have commenced immediately. That EFCC, ICPC or the Police is not invited to investigate these monumental allegations of financial impropriety as alleged beats my imagination or is the presidency saying it has no confidence in the security agencies by its action? ‘‘If this is allowed to stand, it sets a dangerous precedent as any governor of Central Bank can be so accused and chased out of the seat at any time. The President has tried it with the former president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami (rtd) and got away with it and he has tried it now with the governor of CBN and he should not be allowed to get away with this. It is a dangerous precedent,’’ he said. Former chairman, NBA, Ikorodu Branch, Prince Kazeem Adebanjo said the suspension of Lamido as the CBN Governor was not only unprocedural, but illegal in view of the clear provision of the CBN Act. The President was simply being clever by half by announcing ‘suspension’ rather than ‘removal’. The relevant law gives no room for suspension. He argued that the draftsmen of the law clearly foresaw the plausibility of the current situation wherein the President becomes political in his dealings with the CBN (which symbolises the Nation’s commonwealth). Assuming but not conceding that the erstwhile Governor actually committed the ‘crimes’ (weighty ones for that matter) as alleged by the President, one expects him to have proceded by way of instituting a probe panel, which would have afforded Nigerians the opportunity of deciding whether or not to trust Lamido with any public office in the future more so in view of the latter’s recent revelation on the NNPC. This, he said, the President has failed to do, leaving us to wonder if the CBN can be dealt with as a personal estate of any President. As bad as this appears precedence-wise, it is not the first of its kind in the lifetime of this administration as he recalled

with regrets, the circumstances that led to the ouster of the immediate past President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Issah Ayo Salami. Lagos lawyer, Iwilade Akintayo argued that the provisions of Section 11 (2) of the extant CBN Act clearly contemplates tenure certainty for a CBN Governor- subject of course to the proviso that he may only be removed by the President, upon the concurrence of ‘twothirds’ majority of the Senate. It thus stands to reason that whatever will tamper with a CBN Governor’s tenure of office, whatever semantic coinage anybody chooses to adopt, should first be tabled before the Senate for approval on a ‘two-thirds’ majority basis. In the present case, it is mischievous to argue that ‘suspension’ does not amount to ‘removal’ within the contemplation of the said Section 11(2) of the CBN Act. They are one and the same. Iwilade pointed out that it was obvious, from a cumulative reading of the CBN Act, the Legislature contemplated an independent CBN and a Governor, directly answerable, not to the President of Nigeria per se, but to the Bank’s Board in the day to day discharge of his duties. “While the Act did not aim to create an autocratic or sovereign CBN Governor within a sovereign nation, it provided for a stringent and open process of bringing any erring CBN Governor to account by mandating that his removal shall be with the approval of twothirds majority of the Senate. Clearly, the manner Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was removed (though disingenuously termed ‘suspension’ which in effect also means removal, even if temporary), clearly runs foul of this legislative intention”, he said. He said the proper approach that accords with the rule of Law would have been for the President to submit the report, of the allegations of “various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct” leveled against the governor, to the Senate and with a formal request that the Senate should consider the report and approve Mr. Sanusi’s suspension as being proposed by the President. That way, the intention of openness, institution building and noninterference intended by Section 11(2) of the CBN Act would have been complied with. Even at that, if the Senate considers the allegations unfounded or that the CBN Governor was wrongly indicted, then the request for his suspension will be rejected while he will remain validly in office and vice-versa. Activist lawyer, Debo Adeniran said Jonathan has proven he is above the law by not approaching the Senate first or waiting for its confirmation before taking actions against Sanusi for his alleged offences. ‘‘One is tempted to ask if the president has some other things he would not want Sanusi to reveal should he stay in office a day longer. President Jonathan was so quick to suspend the CBN Governor, levelled grievous allegations against him and immediately sought a replacement. ‘‘Sanusi’s suspension indicates the plight of an average whistleblower in the country. The regime takes joy in dealing roughly with the few upright ones still associated with it. Even if there are allegations of financial recklessness against the man, why not wait until he is found guilty by the court of law? ‘‘It is worrisome that the president who could not monster enough courage to suspend erring officials in his cabinet could just develop strength overnight...It is absurd that the country glorifies its worst and disgraces its best.

The way out

From the diverse legal interpretations opinions that have followed the President’s action, it has become clear that there is a lacuna in the extant laws, which either sides apply to suit their desire. Hence, the need for either an amendment of the CBN Act or a Supreme Court judgment on the issue to forestall future controversies has been recommended. Ubani called for the review of the Central Bank Act, adding that annual expenditure of the CBN should be appropriated by the National Assembly at all times. ‘‘The issue of disciplining the CBN governor should be well spelt out to avoid situation like

‘ ‘

the President, by his action, has only shot himself in the foot since there would certainly be political costs arising therefrom, aside from other unintended consequences

•Sagay

•Ubani

what just happened. The Central Bank Governor’s job is a secured one for obvious reasons. No matter what is the situation, the procedures prescribed by law should be followed religiously in taking action against whosoever is occupying that position, including a mad man, even if the system is stupid enough to have allowed a mad man into that position in the first place,” said Ubani. Agbaje said there is need for the National Assembly to further amend the CBN Act to make the CBN Governor subjected only to the control of two third majority of the Senate so as to insulate the governor from undue executive interference. To Odele, it was unexpected of the president in a democracy to explore the ‘‘little lacunas in laws. It is the duty of the courts to interpret the scope of that section, however in a democratic society exploiting lacunas in laws is unexpected of a legitimate leader’’. Prince Adebanjo hoped that the National Assembly would rise to the occasion by refusing to approve in advance the appointment of a new Governor. “They cannot afford to fail in this patriotic duty once again. Discerning Nigerians are left in no doubt that Lamido was more of an activist while in office but are more convinced that the President’s action was less than altruistic”. Iwilade pointed out that the issues here go beyond anybody’s love or hatred for the ‘suspended’ Governor’s guts or the usual political harvest hunting by politicians who are hardly better than incumbents they purport to criticise or replace. To him, “if there are genuine allegations of Statutory infractions against the Governor, same should be fairly and very impartially investigated. “But the misinterpretation of Section 11(2) of the CBN Act must be definitively decided and the rule of law made to triumph since it goes to the heart of Nigeria’s imperative of building its institution. “ Nigeria lost an opportunity to assert the full independence of the Judiciary with the embarrassingly sad inconclusiveness of Justice Salami’s case till he reached his statutory retirement age. One hopes some useful lessons were learnt from that. But now that the opportunity to assert the independence of the apex financial institution is again here, we hope the institution will eventually be saved for today, and the next generation”. Adeniran said the Act should be reviewed to address the lapses.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

CASE OF THE WEEK

Paying the price for murder

Fashola, Ajumogobia, Osibajo, others for Etomi lecture

•Court sentences wife killer to death

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State Prof. Yemi Osibajo (SAN) and other notable Nigerians will on Friday in Lagos, discuss the life of Nigeria without oil. Governor Fashola will be the keynote speaker at the lecture titled: “Life without Oil’, which forms part of the events marking the 30th anniversary of the law firm of George Etomi & Partners (GEP). The event will hold at Agip Recital Hall of Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. A panel of persons from different fields of human endeavour will discuss the topic from their unique perspectives. The panellists include Mr. Ajumogobia, Mr. Bode Agusto, Mr. Atedo Peterside, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe and Prof. Osibajo. The founder and Principal Partner of the firm, Mr. George Etomi will present a book: ‘An introduction to commercial law’, which gives a panoramic view of commercial law in Nigeria. The book, which is recommended for students and practitioners alike, contains about 600 pages of information to serve the readers well. Etomi was the pioneer Chairman of the Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association and is known to have contributed immensely to continuing legal education in Nigeria.

E held on to a Bible in the dock with his lips moving silently in prayers as Justice Lateefa Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court in Lagos delivered judgment on his case. Clad in a white short sleeve shirt and a pair of black trousers, Akolade Arowolo collapsed in the dock when Justice Okunnu sentenced him to death for the murder of his banker wife, Titilayo Omozoje. Arowolo, according to an autopsy report, stabbed Omozoje 76 times till she died. As he fell in the dock, he started shouting “Jesus, why? I did not do it. What would happen to Olamide? The couple, who was said to have had a thorny marital life less than two years into their marriage before the unfortunate incident of June 24, 2011 at their 8, Akindeinde Street, Isolo, Lagos residence, had a child, Olamide. Reports have it that the deceased had, on over 10 occasions, moved out of Arowolo’s house to her parents’ after each assault, but each time she went back to her husband who usually pleaded for her return. Unable to control his anger that fateful day, which incidentally was his birthday, the convict inflicted multiple injuries on his wife’s chest and abdomen with a knife. From the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, including a cotenant, Adewale Adeyemi and the security man, Saidu Husseni, Arowolo had blood stains on him and was seen washing them off before he drove out in his car. Unlike other murder cases that took years to be concluded, Arowolo’s matter ended in 31 months. The trial, which had 15 prosecution and five defence witnesses, was on seven different occasions stalled; five at the instance of the prosecution and two as a result of hitches from the defence. It started with his first arraignment at a Yaba Magistrates’ Court on July 7, 2011, and was subsequently remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). By December 21, 2011, the case was transferred to Justice Okunnu’s court, where he was arraigned on one count charge of murder, which Arowolo pleaded not guilty. Following the gravity of the offence and the overwhelming evidence against him, the court refused to grant him bail and adjourned the matter for trial. The case was stalled on January 17, 2012, as a result of the absence of the deceased’s father, George Oyakhire, who was the first prosecution witness. Justice Okunnu begun trial on February 7, 2012, with Oyakhire and

Stories by John Austin Unachukwu

•Arowolo... last Friday. By Precious Igbonwelundu

the deceased’s sister, Ijeh, disclosing that the union of Arowolo and the late Titilayo had been full of domestic violence. The court was told of how the deceased’s father, who resides in Kano, had warned the late banker never to return to Arowolo’s house after she came back home for the last time before her death. While testifying, Adeyemi told the court how he heard a loud noise and also saw the convict rushed out of the house with a deep cut on his palm. The couple’s landlord, Julius Akinloye disclosed that another tenant told him that he saw Arowolo jumping from the balcony of his apartment on the day of the incident. In the course of the trial, the deceased’s step mother, Adetoun Oyakhire testified that the deceased was planning to divorce her husband before she was killed. One of the deceased’s sisters, Folake, also testified how she discovered Titilayo’s lifeless body. Justice Okunnu admitted exhibits such as kitchen knife, four mobile

phones and crime scene photographs from the prosecution with another witness, Titus Ogbonna, from the Homicide Section, State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Panti, Yaba, telling the court how a N100 note, stained with blood, was recovered from Arowolo’s Honda Car and tendered as exhibit. Admitted also, were blood soaked pair of jeans short; blood soaked bed sheet and a pillow case; hammer; frying spoon; a spatula and Arowolo’s MTN call log between June 1 and July 26, 2011. By November 29, 2012, the prosecution had closed its case and the defence opened theirs. The defendant’s father, Mudasiru Arowolo, who commenced testimony for the defence, claimed his son did not kill Titilayo as alleged. He said the deceased had once threatened to kill her husband and herself during a quarrel, which happened when they visited him. He also accused the deceased’s parents of undue interference in the couple’s marriage. In her testimony, the convict’s mother, Mrs. Bolanle claimed that

Titilayo was rude and troublesome while her son was God-fearing. After five witnesses had testified in favour of Arowolo, the convict was put in the witness dock to give his side of the story. He claimed that ego and immaturity ruined his home. He claimed he did not kill his wife, adding that she died after an accidental fall on a knife she used in stabbing him. At the end of trial, both the prosecution and defence adopted their final written addresses. While the prosecution prayed for Arowolo’s conviction, the defence counsel urged the court to dismiss the charge. However, Justice Okunnu in her judgment held that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and subsequently sentenced Arowolo to death. She based her judgement on three key issues, which are whether the victim was dead; whether the accused person was responsible for the act and whether he carried it out intentionally and found him guilty of all.

Research fellows for national conference

HE Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) as the nation’s apex legal research Institute has deployed about 20 research professors to boost the secretariat of the proposed National Conference recently announced by the Federal Government. A statement from the DirectorGeneral of the institute, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) states that the management of the Institute decided to avail the conference of the services of its outstanding faculty members to demonstrate its unflinching support for the national dialogue. Consequently, a minimum of 20 research fellows will be deployed to support the secretariat of the National Conference as volunteers. This we believe is part of the social responsibility of the Instituted as a government agency that is renowned for integrity, efficiency and quality assurance in conference services.

Hijab: Muslim students insist on trial

HE Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos Council, has urged an Ikeja Lagos High Court, to proceed with the hearing of its case against the state government on the wearing of hijab by female students in public schools. The society made the request through its counsel Mr. Gani Adetola-Kazeem (SAN) before Justice Modupe Onyeabo. At the resumed hearing, counsel to the MSSN, Mr. Adetola-Kasim (SAN), argued that the state had

By Adebisi Onanuga

several times requested for time to work out settlement terms, but nothing was forthcoming. He submitted that prior to the yesterday’s date, he had written to the state Attorney-General to intimate him of the matter, but there was no response. He, therefore, asked the court to proceed on hearing the case, since according to him, the state government had not responded to a pro-

posal for terms of settlement sent since last year when the matter was filed. Adetola- Kazeem urged the judge to let the case proceed to hearing in next adjourned date as it affects the fundamental rights of the students and of high public interest, which cannot wait any longer. The government through its counsel, Mr. Samuel Ajanaku, had pleaded with the court to grant further adjournment to settle out of court with the society over the ban on wearing of Hijab by female

Muslim students in primary and secondary schools. Mr. Samuel Ajanaku told the court that the delay from the government to work out a reasonable term of settlement and present same to the court was due to bureaucracy in the system. He, therefore, urged Justice Onyeabo to grant further adjournment to enable both parties conclude on the settlement terms. Justice Onyeabo granted the request of the state and adjourned the case till April 24, 2014.

The Muslim Student Society of Nigeria(MSSN) had dragged the state government to court over the ban of hijab in public schools in the state. In the suit they argued that the ban by the state violates their fundamental human rights. The applicants are also contending that banning female students from using Hijab on or outside the premises of any educational institution in Lagos State “is wrongful and unconstitutional”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

LEGAL OPINION A paper presented by CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA (SAN) at the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Law School.

50 years of legal education in Nigeria: A critique •Continued from lastweek Law students in Nigerian faculties of law, to complete the package, also register for elective courses outside their faculties. The courses are to be found in Faculties of: · Arts, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Sciences It is expected that by the time a law student completes five sessions at a faculty of law, he or she is equipped to deal with the rigours of the Nigerian law school. (ii) The Nigerian Law School The Nigerian Law School is the institution responsible for the training of law graduates from the various accredited faculties of law. The Institution has been in existence for roughly half a century. It was established pursuant to the Legal Education Act with its location at Igbosere in Lagos and its first Director was an Englishman, Mr. G. Rudd, who served from 1962 to 1967. He was followed in succession by Dr. Olakunle Orojo from 1968 to 1976, a period during which the Law School Campus was also moved from Igbosere to Victoria Island (in 1969). Mr. Justice J.O. Sofolahan served as Director from 1976 to 1978 and Babatunde Ibironke, SAN, from 1979 to 1993. Mr. Ibironke was succeeded by Chief John Kayode Jegede, SAN, who headed the Nigeria Law School with the new title of Director-General. Chief Dr. Kole Abayomi, SAN, became Director-General after Chief Jegede and ran the school from October 2004 to November 2005 when Dr. Maman Tahir succeeded him. In between these administrative changes, the Law School’s main campus was moved from Victoria Island to Bwari, Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory in1997. The Campus on Victoria Island thus ceased to be the main campus of the Law School and is now the Lagos Campus. Subsequently, other campuses were added such as the Enugu and Kano in 2005 and the Yola and Yenogoa Campuses in 2010. All Campuses except Abuja, which is the Headquarters, are headed by Deputy Directors-General. The Director-General heads the Headquarters and is the overall administrative head of the Nigerian Law School. The Nigerian Law School plays a very fundamental role in the development of a lawyer in Nigeria. Although it must be stated from the start that the education of a lawyer starts properly at the University. There are over 30 faculties of Law in Nigeria from which students are admitted by the Nigerian Law School, sometimes annually. The content of the course of study leading to the award of a law degree whether from a Nigerian or foreign University must be approved by the Council of Legal Education, which runs the Nigerian Law School. Only foreign Universities in common law countries or teaching common law courses are approved by the council, which usually insists that the subjects taken must include Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Law of Contract, Tort, Land Law, Equity and Trust, Commercial Law and Law of Evidence. Admission into the Nigeria law School is also open to persons who have passed the final Bar Examinations of the English, Scottish or Irish Bar or the Solicitor’s Final Examinations of England, Scotland or Ireland. Today, persons educated in foreign countries can only practice law in Nigeria after being trained at the Nigeria Law School. For this purpose, the course is broken into two parts. The first part, Bar Part I, is designed for persons educated in foreign countries. The courses taken include: · Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Nigeria Legal System, Nigerian Land Law The second part, Bar Part II is for all students whether trained in Nigeria or not. The courses taken include: · Civil Litigation, Corporate Law Practice, Criminal Procedure, Law in Practice, Property Law Practice For the students trained outside Nigeria therefore, they must first take and pass the Bar Part I examinations before they can join the students trained in Nigeria for the Bar Part II course. These courses are taught by the academic staff of the Nigeria Law School and outside experts (Judges, Senior lawyers and accountants) are called in to deliver lectures from time to time. Persons who have completed the professional training offered by the Nigerian Law School are entitled by Section 4 of the Legal Practitioners Act to be formally called to the Nigerian Bar and are issued a certificate authorizing them to practice law in the country by the Body of Benchers. This certificate can be withdrawn by the same Body for reasons usually related to gross misconduct and fraud24. The Nigerian Law school is unique in the sense that a student’s lowest grade is what is used as that student’s final assessment. In other words, if a law student gets 4 As and one C in his Bar Finals, his lowest grade becomes his overall grade. The idea is for the student to be good at all subjects, thus potentially making him a good lawyer. Overall, the Law school’s primary objective is to ensure that lawyers in Nigeria are properly trained in the highest standards of the Bar. 5.PROBLEMS OF LEGAL EDUCATION IN NIGERIA At first glance it appears as though we have a fool-proof system but empirical evidence has shown that this is far from the truth. This is not to say that it is all gloom and doom as far as the Nigerian Legal Profession is concerned; I have merely highlighted the problems because I believe our Legal Education system has the potential to be much better than it is presently. I have separated the problems experienced by both institutions because while they might experience similar problems in some cases, more often than not, these problems are peculiar to each one of them. (i) PROBLEMS OF NIGERIAN FACULTIES OF LAW Faculties of law in Nigeria suffer from the following problems, among others;

(a) Too many Students There is no gain stating the fact that Nigerian Faculties of law admit too many students. It is quite understandable that faculties of law seek to make Legal Education available to all and sundry but the downside of this desire is that the Nigerian faculties of law end up exceeding their quota at the Nigerian law school (each faculty of law is allowed to sell Law School forms to a particular number of its students).Some Universities are allowed to sell over one hundred (100) Law School forms to their students while others do not get more than 50 forms. The availability of these forms is dependent on how highly the said Faculty of Law is rated by the Council of Legal Education. Some Nigerian Faculties of law, despite the said rating, still admit more than their prescribed quota so we have instances where a particular faculty of law is entitled to say, 50 Law School Forms every year, but ends up graduating 250 students! Invariably, there is a backlog of students who eagerly await their respective turns to obtain Law School Forms. We therefore have instances where some students wait for as long as five years after graduation before they are allowed to go on to the law school. These are fallouts from the initial problem of admitting far more students than the faculty can cater for or is entitled to. (b) Lack of synergy with the Law School Following closely on the heels of the problem of too many students is a lack of synergy with the Nigerian Law school. The bulk of what is taught in Nigerian Faculties of law is substantive law which tells us what law ought to be (de lege ferenda) instead of procedural law which deals with what law is (lex lata). When students arrive at the Nigerian Law School, from Nigerian Universities, they are immediately faced with the remarkable difference or distinction between what is taught by both institutions of learning. This makes for an awkward transition for the law students. In some cases, a good number of them never quite grasp the complexity of what they are facing since it all seems so surreal. It is therefore a common sight to see students who had excelled in the University, having problems at the Nigerian Law School. It could, at first glance, be attributed to the intelligence (or lack of it) of the students involved but when an exceptional student’s academic career takes a sudden and inexplicable downturn, one would be advised to lay the blame where it belongs; at the feet of the faculties themselves. The truth is that while the Council of Legal Education, in a bid to build a synergy between the Nigerian Law School and Nigerian faculties of law, has stipulated the courses to be offered and taught in Nigerian Universities, a couple of Nigerian faculties of law still offer some decidedly strange law courses which are not approved by the Council of Legal Education and which do not positively influence the making of a Nigerian Lawyer. A lot of Nigerian Universities have no room in their curriculum for the practical aspect of law, which is what is taught at the Nigerian Law School. Indeed, many Nigerian law students graduate from the University without having visited any Nigerian court. It is even far-fetched in some cases to assume that they would have seen some practice-related documents like Motions, Certificates of Incorporation, Writ of Summons, Charge sheets, etc. For such students, the Law School represents a totally different brand of education. This is a primary reason for the mass failure that usually characterizes the release of results by the Nigerian Law School. This is in addition to the fact that a good number of those who pass the Bar exams still struggle to adapt to the demands of legal practice which, despite the very best efforts of the law school, are very high. (c) Lack of adequate Funding It is no secret that despite concerted efforts by the State and Federal Governments alike, our Universities and by extension, our faculties of law still suffer from lack of adequate funding, a situation that has led to the various Unions (Academic and Non-Academic Staff) going on strike intermittently to lodge their protest. The Universities require funds to make available the most basic of facilities and cater for the large population they harbour. (d) Inadequate facilities This problem, a fallout of the earlier stated “lack of adequate funding” is one that pervades Nigerian Universities collectively, and by extension their faculties of law. There is a need for Nigerian Faculties of Law to conform to the ever increasing standards of legal practice, setbacks like poor funding; lack of basic infrastructure; poor power supply, lack of standard lecture halls, lack of Information Technology equipment and poorly equipped libraries, inadequate accommodation and transport system, and in some cases, management problems, tend to crop up every now and then. This is a rather disturbing trend as faculties of law in other parts of the world (even in nearby Ghana and Benin Republic) have somehow managed to present an appreciable solution to these problems. Many Nigerian Faculties of law however helplessly accept these conditions and have somehow attuned themselves to them instead of thinking outside the box. Thus, we have Law Students who are not I.T Compliant, due to no fault of theirs, but because the system has not allowed them to be so. It is generally believed that learning in a conducive environment enables a student to assimilate much faster. When a student is taught in an environment where he has no access to information, relevant books, good lecture halls, basic amenities like electricity or water, he/ she inevitably spends more time attending to issues well outside the ambit of what he is taught in school. Sadly, this is the lot of a good number of law students, particularly those who attend public schools. The effect such poor facilities have on Nigerian law students can be better imagined when one considers how well they perform when they travel abroad for further studies. It is thus obvious that Nigerian law students

•Gadzama

are held back from fully developing their potentials by poor facilities. (e) Incessant Industrial Actions Like all institutions, it is inevitable that Nigerian Universities would experience industrial actions once in a while but what we have in Nigeria is a situation in which industrial actions have become the norm rather than the exception. A cursory look at the history of strikes undergone by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would reveal some appalling statistics. In 1999, Nigerian Universities were closed for five months, in 2001, for three months, in 2003, for six months, 2007 for three months, 2009 for four months, in 2010 for five months, in 2011 for three months and currently as we speak, Nigerian Universities are on strike with the said strike having entered its fourth month. The negative effects of these strikes are better imagined than stated but suffice it to state that it has become acceptable for parents to mentally add a couple of extra years to the number of years their wards are expected to spend in the Universities upon admission. If a Nigerian Student were to gain admission into a University for instance, it would be wise to anticipate about 2 extra years to the 5 years that the student is expected to spend in the University. One could only imagine the effects that 2 extra years would have on a future lawyer. Some even go out of touch and only barely manage to pass exams. Apart from the facts highlighted above, the major effect of such strikes is that the victims lose their much coveted parity with their mates in private Universities. Beyond that however, law is a course that requires regular contact with books and a situation whereby a law student spends in total, about 2 years away from his books does not bode well for the student or the profession that he plans to join. (f) Insecurity This problem of insecurity in Nigerian faculties of law is only limited to some Northern parts of the country where Universities and other institutions of learning have either been attacked or have come under the threat of attack at some point. By and large, universities in Nigeria need a lot of work to conform to international standards. Consequently, faculties of law in Nigeria also need a lot of work in order to produce the kind of lawyers that the society needs. Having addressed the problems faced by Nigerian faculties of law, we shall proceed to the Law School itself which is the final bus stop for law graduates who desire to wear the wig and gown. (ii) PROBLEMS OF THE NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL The Nigerian Law school which represents the pinnacle of Legal Education in Nigeria suffers from the following problems; (a) Disparity in sale of Forms The Nigerian Law school issues Law School forms to Nigerian faculties of law depending on their standing with the Council of Legal Education. It is not uncommon for established faculties of law like the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Faculty of Law to have twice as many forms as less established faculties of law. In the past, this disparity in the sale of Law School forms was justifiable but in recent times these “less prestigious” faculties have also recorded outstanding performances at the Nigerian Law School. It is therefore no longer tenable for a faculty of law to rest on past laurels and the disparity needs to be revisited because the Law School owes a duty to ensure that the best students are admitted at all times. If one of the not so illustrious faculties of law has been performing well over a period of time, then it goes without saying, that the number of forms available to such a faculty must be increased while those of low or non-performing faculties of law should be reduced to prevent a situation whereby the Law School would have too many law graduates to manage. •To be continued next week

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

PAGE 29

‘We’re repositioning KEDC for efficiency’ •PAGE 30

180 vehicles for SURE-P taxi scheme

•Jonathan

•PAGE 34

•Shettima

Council chief donates buses to schools

•Destruction by Boko Haram insurgents

•PAGE 34

As Boko Haram insurgents continue to wreak havoc on Borno State, the people seem to have given up on the Joint Task Force (JTF) to protect them. They are asking the Federal Government to seek foreign military assistance to curb the menace. BONDUNRIN KAYODE (Maiduguri) reports.

‘Seek foreign military assistance’

HEY do not know what may happen the next minute. Whether guns will boom or not , they do not know. Neither are they sure which village, town or installation will be attacked by Boko Haram insurgents. They are constantly praying for their safety. This is the lot of residents of Borno State who seem to have lost hope in the Joint Task Force (JTF) protecting them. The many killed by Boko Haram, especially in the first two months of this year. This didn’t go down well with the relations of those who are indigenous to Borno State who were killed by Boko Haram in the first two months of this year, the bereaved families are calling on the Federal Government to seek external military assistance in fighting the insurgents. In tears, one of them told reporters in Maiduguri, the Borno State

From Bodunrin Kayode, Maiduguri

capital, that the JTF was unable to protect her two sisters who were taken away by the insurgents. “As it is now, I do not know whether they are dead or alive. These

people are like vipers that drink blood. How would those girls survive under them? “I think the situation is beyond the soldiers sent to counter these people. Something must be done urgently to save our girls from being captured as

I think the situation is beyond the soldiers sent to counter these people. Something must be done urgently to save our girls from being captured as prisoners of war and impregnated in their camps

prisoners of war and impregnated in their camps,” said Aisha. Serving and retired military officers and others expressed similar sentiments. A retired military officer Yusuf Barma, whose brother was killed in Bama, decried what he described as “obvious lack of capacity” on the part of the JTF in Borno State. Others observe that the morale of the soldiers is low. Some who spoke to our correspondent in confidence said the only way the crisis could be resolved is for the Federal Government to ask for urgent military assistance from the Americans or any of its friends within the African sub-region. Some respondents say the military was not sensitised enough to deal with the Boko Haram insurgency be•Continued on page 30

Council boosts fish, onion farming

•PAGE 32

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC), which was sold to private investors by the Federal Government, is yet to be handed over to its owners. In this interview with TONY AKOWE, its Managing Director, Mallam Mohammed Idris Mohammed, speaks on the firm’s prospects.

‘We’re repositioning KEDC for efficiency’ W

HAT are the challenges you face in the course of doing business in the states covered by the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company that you think should be addressed before it is handed over to its owners? We are fully prepared for the take-over of the company by the new owners. However, let me announce to our customers what we intend to do for their benefit before the new owners take over. First, last year, the KEDC had the best financial report. By December last year, our cash collection was N1.070 billion which is the highest in the history of revenue generation of the company. Also, as cash collection recorded the highest peak, power generation also reached its peak. By December 2013, power generation reached 114 MWs. The effect was that there was corresponding increase in cash collection because of the availability of power. We would not have achieved that without the support of the media. We had a lot of challenges during the year and we had to prepare strategies to overcome those challenges. Some of the greatest challenges we had were those of public enlightenment, especially on the status of power supply, on the need to prevent vandalisation of our equipment, the need for our customers to appreciate the services that we are providing by making them pay their electricity bills as and when due, and also appealing to our customers to ensure they do not bypass our electricity meters. However, through the commitment of members of the press, we were able to overcome those challenges and they contributed to our attaining the highest performance in December. Nonetheless, for us in KEDC, there is hope that we will realise our dream. We are hoping that before the handover of the company to the new investors, we should be able to meet our settlement invoice, to pay our market requirement by the end of the month. Meeting our settlement invoice means that our bills would have been successfully collected, the running cost for the month successfully settled and be able to pay salaries without recourse to help from anywhere. We are hoping to collect N1.5 billion before the new owners take over its operation. That would mean that we will be able to pay for the cost of electricity, pay our salaries and post some profits. By the time we succeed in doing these, KEDC will be the first investors’ delight and also be like Ikeja and Eko Distribution Companies that are doing very well. How prepared are you for its eventual take over by the new owners? From the strategies we have lined up for this year, we will realise our target. One of our strategies is to bring our services closer to our customers wherever they are and to do that, we have created five additional business units. They include Zaria City, Birnin Gwari, Jaji, Zuru and Kachia business units. The creation of these units was borne out of necessity to improve the quality of service for our customers. While the quality of service is improving in Kaduna, drastic efforts must be made by management to ensure that the same quality of

First, I am happy to announce that last year, KEDC had the best financial report. By December, our cash collection was N1.070 billion, the highest in the history of revenue generation of the company. Since cash collection recorded the highest peak, power generation also reached its peak service is enjoyed in all nook and cranny of the states under our control. With the additional units, our services will now be closer to the people and our customers will have direct access to members of management at our response and complaint centres. It will be like responding to any form of fault within 24 hours. We are also going to inaugurate •Continued from page 29 cause of the obvious low level of morale of the soldiers. While some felt that the Presidency was doing its best, Hajia Muslima Kolo whose business was ruined by the insurgents in Barga last year said President Goodluck Jonathan is deliberately punishing the people of the state. Her words: ”Doyin Okupe should stop blabbing about what he does not know. These people destroyed my fish business and killed so many of my friends and relations. They claim the military is on top of the situation. Is the military on top of the situation and 500 people were killed in less than two months? “If our soldiers can’t do the job, let the President seek help elsewhere. They should give arms to the civilian JTF and see what these boys would do,” she said. Hajia’s friends corroborated her views, saying “the President should know that Maiduguri is not safe. What is happening here can never be compared to what happened in the Niger Delta creeks where insurgents were compensated later through the amnesty programme.” According a member of the Nigerian Legion who pleaded anonymity, there was nothing embarrassing as seeking for help elsewhere because the soldiers were not trained in this kind of warfare. They have

•Mallam Mohammed

some products for the benefits of our customers. Just like the telecom companies where you buy recharge cards to recharge your phones, our customers can now buy recharge cards with which, from the comfort of their homes and offices, recharge their electricity meter and light becomes available. With this special card, our customers will be satisfied because sometimes when the customers

come here, there are long queues. Sometimes as a result of network problem and breakdown in communication, the customers are unable to recharge their meters. With the introduction of the electricity cards, one can buy the cards and keep in one’s home, in one’s wallet and whenever one runs out of electricity at home, one would recharge one’s meter anywhere there is network service on one’s

phone. The second product we have is also interesting. If one has airtime in one’s handset and one wants to recharge one’s meter with the airtime in one’s phone, one can do that. It is the most interesting product that our customers will enjoy this year. As long as there is power supply, you will not have disruption. In addition to that, we are also introducing web-based recharge system. You can go to our website and log on to the site where you want to recharge your meter and with your ATM card, you can recharge your meter. This you can do anywhere you have internet service. We are going to extend our services to ATM in all the banks so that our customers can go to any bank with their ATM cards and recharge their meters. When these products are made available to our customers, quality of service will improve, even as customer’s will derive maximum satisfaction. This, invariably, will improve the revenue base of the company which will help us to realise our targets. We have a world-class customer service office. It is comparable to any customer care unit anywhere in the world. We hope that before the end of the year or before the hand-over, we would have a banking service here in the office which will serve as a one-stop centre. When that is in place, the customer care unit will take care of customers’ needs till the handover. These are some of the activities we will embark on this year before the handover to the new owners who we know are waiting. We are ready for them and we believe that they will be happy with the company they have invested in. You spoke about improved revenue collection, but no mention was made about the debt being owed the company by consumers. Does that mean your customers are up-to-date in their payment? What we should be more concerned with is the level of improvement in our performance. By January last year when we came in, the response rate to our bills was about 35 per cent. But as at today, we have •Continued on page 32

‘Seek foreign mil If our soldiers can’t do the job, let the President seek for help elsewhere. They should give arms to the civilian JTF and see what these boys would do demonstrated gross inefficiency in managing the problem so far. He said the situation is akin to that of Al-Qaeda whose activities are still on in Afghanistan. “I strongly believe that the real soldiers are all retired. What we have now are boys who do not know their left from their right. That is why they allow these people to disgrace us the way they do,” our source said. Governor Kashim Shettima had recently accused the Presidency of in-

•Another scene of destruction

sensitivity to “the sorrowful plight” of the people judged by the fact that almost 500 lives have been lost this year alone. His frustration was in response to

comments by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe over Shettima’s views on the military in its fight against the insurgents. He

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT

Igbo community in Kano loses leader

HE Igbo community in Kano has been in pains over the death of its leader who was the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state, Chief Tobias Michael Onyemaechi Idika who died last month. Chief Idika, a social critic and crusader of Igbo Presidency, died at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia Abia State during a brief illness. His death, our correspondent gathered, has created a vacuum in the leadership structure of the Igbo in the commercial city of Kano as well as their struggle for self-recognition as a people. Chief Idika has been associated to a number of struggles geared towards promoting the socio-economic well-being of Ndigbo and indeed, non-indigenes resident in Kano. Apart from confronting authorities on policies and programmes that negatively affect his people, Chief Idika was also noted for his sustained opposition to the Boko Haram terrorist attacks that had taken a dangerous toll in the northern part of the country. In many occasions, the late Chief Idika had openly condemned the activities of the Islamic sect and consistently urged government and security agencies to evolve lasting solution to the attacks that claimed hundreds of lives and properties worth billions of Naira. Speaking to our correspondent on the death of the foremost Igbo leader, Chief Uche Megwalu, the chairman of the state Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders in Council, described the late Chief Idika as a “big masquerade and strong Iroko tree that fell suddenly without warning.” Chief Megwalu recounted the life and times of the late Idika and concluded that it would be near difficult to get somebody like him in the Igbo community in Kano. “We lost a shining star and we pray Almighty God would give us someone who can lead us with such commitment and selflessness which Chief Idika displayed while alive,” he said.

We lost a shining star and we pray that Almighty God will give us someone who can lead us with such commitment and selflessness which Chief Idika displayed while alive…The late Chief Idika was a dogged fighter. He fought for the social and economic wellbeing of our people From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Also speaking on Chief Idika’s death, the paramount traditional ruler of Ndigbo in Kano, His Royal Highness Igwe John Chiejina Nnaji described the late Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftain as a patriotic leader who had the interest of his people at heart. “The late Chief Idika was a dogged fighter. He fought for the social and economic well-being of our people. I worked with him and I can tell you he was one man who did not go to sleep while his people were in pains. We will miss him and I pray God to grant him eternal rest,” he stated. In a statement from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo secretariat made available to our correspondent, preparations are on to honour Chief Idika in Kano. The statement, signed by the state secretary of the Igbo apex socio-cultural group, Prince Chris Oha further stated that all Igbo sons and daughters resident in Kano are expected to gather at No. 2, New Road,

•The late Idika

Sabon Gari, secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Kano where cultural fanfare will be held preparatory to the final journey of the late Igbo leader. Oha further stated that high profile Igbo sons are expected to storm Kano from all parts of the world to honour Chief Idika who he described as the voice of the voiceless. Born on October 27, 1962 to the family of the late Chief Michael Uke Idika (Agwara 1 of Amuru Abam) in Arochukwu Local Government Area, Abia State, Onyemaechi Idika had his primary education at Amuru Abam Community School from 1968 to 1974. Upon completion of his primary education, he proceeded to Onyerubi Commercial School in Abiriba, a neighbouring town to Arochukwu. In 1979, Idika, who could not further his education owing to lack of fund, left the shores of Eastern Nige-

ilitary assistance’

•Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah

had said the Presidency was unfair. Okupe had recently dismissed Shettima’s assessment and reminded the governor that the war against the insurgents was not conventional in

nature, insisting that there was evidence that the Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies are on top of the situation in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

But in a statement in Maiduguri , Shettima’s media aide, Isa Gusau said: “The statement was rather unfair and insensitive to the sorrowful plight of the people and the government of Borno State. It is an irony that Okupe didn’t find it worthy to sympathise with the people of Borno State and to join in condemning the horrible serial attacks that left nearly 300 innocent citizens killed in February alone. “Governor Kashim Shettima has the highest regard for President Goodluck Jonathan and appreciates his continued efforts in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency. “Governor Shettima equally holds the Nigerian Armed Forces in very high esteem. “The Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Security feels the same way of the Shettima administration.” “As most Nigerians would testify, Shettima had been very patient before he opened up to Mr President and the sole aim was for Nigerians to appreciate the situation in the state. May be Dr. Okupe wanted Governor Shettima to tell lies or to conceal the truth by deceiving Nigerians, or perhaps he wanted the people of Borno State to die in silence. rcumstance he found himself.

ria for Kano State where he began his business in palm oil. For about a decade, Idika made waves in palm oil business. He later ventured into auto-spare parts business. He brought many youths from his community to Kano and introduced them to the booming spare parts business. In 1992, Idika had become successful in life. He had been able to empower a number of his younger ones economically. To actualise his dream of attaining a certain standard in western education, Idika enrolled into International Correspondence Institute (ICI) based in Brussels, Belgium where he studied General Education and later bagged Associate of Art Degree. He also did a certificate course in Theology also from ICI and was also awarded a certificate in Theology. Over the years, Idika progressed Reacting to the call for foreign military assistance, an impeccable source at the Defence Headquarters said calling the Americans or mercenaries to assist us in fighting Boko Haram may be inimical because the mercenary can equally work for the other side if the right fees are paid. The source believes that the military has its problems like every other institution but was not unmindful of the problems on ground which includes extreme lack of personnel to counter the massive recruitment being carried out by the insurgents. He said: ”I do not think this is the time to call on the Americans or any foreign anti-terrorist troop to fight our own war because it goes with a huge prize. It would mean compromising in some areas and you do not want that to happen to us at this trying time. “It is not as easy as the people perceive it because the issue raised could actually cause the compromise of our sovereignty. All we regard as our secrets would be compromised because of the conditionality they will attach to this if we allow them. If they are allowed to interfere in our sovereignty, this may surely spell doom for us. “On desertion of soldiers, I don’t agree that any soldier who was trained by us may have defected to Boko Haram as alluded. If the people are •Continued on page 32

in politics and public life. On arrival in Kano in 1979, he joined the youth wing of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Also in 1992, Idika was elected as the Kano State Assistant Secretary of National Republican Convention (NRC), making history as the first non-indigene to occupy such a high political position. He was later appointed Secretary, State Legal Committee of the party. In the wake of the fourth Republic in 1998, Idika joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he played a major role in the election of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. At the end of Kwankwaso’s first tenure, Idika was appointed Secretary, Security/Reconciliation Committee Fagge Local Government Area of the state. He was appointed as chairman, state Appeal Panel of the PDP in Kano State; a position ordinarily reserved for retired High Court Judges. But Idika headed the panel whose membership comprised lawyers. During the period, he delivered 48 verdicts within 24 hours. He was finally appointed as a member of the Kano State History and Culture Bureau Board by Governor Kwankwaso administration. He served as acting chairman of the board for six months. Onyemaechi Idika holds the traditional title of Atumah Na’ Eri Ibeya (the shark that devours others). He was among the red–cap chiefs who played major role in the restoration of peace and order in Igbo Community Association (ICA), Kano when some people tried to cause trouble. He served as Secretary, Concerned Igbo People’s Forum (CIPF). Also, Idika was among men of integrity who formed the Igbo Patriots, a platform he served as chairman. Idika was also the Secretary-General of Igbo Welfare Union (IWU). Atumah Na’ Eri Ibeya was one of the Special Advisers to Eze Ndigbo in Kano, Chief John Chiejina Nnaji, Eze Di Ora Mma IV, (Agu Na Eche Ibe 1 of Neke, Onye Ndu Ndigbo I in Kano). Idika used his time and resources to fight for the socio-political liberation of non-natives living in Sabon Gari, Kano. He was among the frontline community leaders who agitated for the creation of more wards for Sabon Gari in Fagge Local Government Area. This led to his arrest and detention for days by state authorities. But he was not deterred by the development as his unbending struggle led to the creation of East and West Wards in Sabon Gari. An author of several pamphlets on philosophical and general quotations, Idika was a prolific writer and a friend of journalists. Along with some visionary leaders, he fought and brought Maikwantashi Secondary School to Sabon Gari Kano, a secondary school solely meant for nonindigenes in Kano State. It was Chief Idika who designed the first and only Sabon Gari map, a tool which is used by security agencies today to combat crime within the community. Tourists and visitors also fall back on the map to move around the enclave of non-indigenes in Kano. Before his death, Chief Idika was the President-General of Leaders of Ethnic Communities Resident in Kano and President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Kano State chapter. Chief Idika’s unparalleled contributions to the well-being of humanity and growth of the society are not unappreciated as he was recipient of numerous awards including Nwanne Ka Ibeya (2004) by Abia State Community in Kano; Peace Merit Award (2008), an exceptional honour bestowed on him by Kano State government at the instance of the Special Adviser to former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau on Inter-community Relations; prestigious African Ambassador for Unity Award (2009), by African Unity Forum. He will be buried in his home town Arochukwu in Abia State on March 1.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT

‘We’re repositioning KEDC for efficiency’

‘Seek foreign assistance’

•Continued from page 31

•Continued from page 31 saying that our soldiers are fighting on the side of Boko Haram, I do not agree on that. “Any soldier that turns his back on a battle is committing a crime. You are asking the Chief of Army Staff to go and stay in Maiduguri. That is not possible. “There must be a central point of co-ordination in case other flash points trigger. So, if the Niger Delta region is triggered again, they expect the Army Chief to move down again to show how effective he is. That does not make sense to us,” he posited. Meanwhile, social life has been completely paralysed in the state as most people close their shops and businesses as early as four in the evening to avoid being caught up in the curfew which may last longer than expected.

•Cars and other properties destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents

Council boosts fish, onion farming

ISH and onion farmers in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State have been assured of government’s assistance in order to improve their capacity for large-scale production. The Chairman of the council Alhaji Bala Usman Mohammed stated this in an interactive session with journalists who visited the local government. He stated that considering that fish farming is one of the most important farming activities in the area, his council had ensured that Yauri fish farmers formed co-operative groups and societies in order to benefit from the incentives from the local government as well as loan facility from Bank of Agriculture. “The first thing we did was to make sure that fish farmers in Yauri formed co-operative groups or societies and select their leaders. We then provided them with incentives

The first thing we did was to make sure that fish farmers in Yauri formed co-operative groups or societies and select their leaders. We then provided them with incentives to boost their production. We are also aware that Bank of Agriculture will release N84, 000 to each farmer as loan facility From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi

to boost their production. We are also aware that Bank of Agriculture,

•Onions

through the forms we distributed to the farmers, will release N84, 000 to each farmer as loan facility. All the farmers have been instructed to open account with the bank,” he said. The council chief further said onion farming in Yauri was

flourishing. In the circumstances, he said, the local government has given each onion farmer two bags of fertiliser and irrigation machine with the view to sustaining continuous onion farming to achieve large-scale production.

•From left: The Chairman, Dekina Local Government Area, Comrade Mohammed Ali; Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, the Deputy Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Omaebije and the Commissioner for Rural Development, Barrister Umar Mohammed during the flag-off of rural electrification projects.

increased that to 52 per cent which shows that we are making progress. The debt profile as at today stands at about N40 billion, but it would have been more than this if we had not been able to put things in place to ensure that we get more response from our customers. Majority of the defaulters are the residential customers who, by consumption, take away about three quarters of our energy. With the new facilities being introduced to help customers pay their bills, we are optimistic that it will be much easier for them to respond to our bills. With the metering programme currently available, we are confident that prepaid meters are well accepted by customers. We are expecting about 40,000 meters from the World Bank which will be installed in Kaduna. The places to benefit from these meters have been earmarked and the installation of these meters will help us tackle the debt profile of the company. Recently, you said that the company would need about N5. 7 billion to procure prepaid meters. How far have you gone on this? The National Electricity Regulatory Commission has come up with a mid-solution. Since the government cannot provide that fund, NERC has said if anyone has money to procure meter on his own account without waiting for free meters from government, the person can pay to certain vendors accredited by NERC and within five weeks, the person will have a new meter. Currently, that scheme is in place and some customers have gotten their meters in less than four weeks. So, the issue of metering is left for the customer to decide. That scheme is working and the meters are available because investors have invested in it. The Kaduna State Water Board has blamed your company for the erratic water supply in the state. How true is this? Between Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company and Kaduna State Water Board, it is a matter of your word against mine. We know that they have heavy equipment that require constant and regular power supply to power them in order to provide water for customers in every part of the metropolis. Sometimes, due to system fluctuation, we are not able to give them the required energy that can power their machines to provide that service. We also advised them that if they want to have adequate power supply, they need to run special dedicated high voltage line that will power their equipment. When they were going to buy those equipment, we expected that we will work together so that the angle of power supply for those equipment will be addressed. During the visit of the Minister of Power to the company last year, you complained that one of the contractors handling the NIPP plants in the zone was not performing. What is the situation now? I did say that about eight of the projects are suffering from abandonment. Interestingly, out of those eight projects, the contractors handling three of them are back to site. One of those projects here in Kaduna will be inaugurated soon. That project was one of the eight that I mentioned and once it is inaugurated, it will take care of a large chunk of areas that experience low voltage, load shedding and all kinds of low quality service. This will improve the power supply situation.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Page 33

•Some of the vehicles on display

180 vehicles for SURE-P taxi scheme

HE Eagle Square in Abuja, is popular venue for local and international events. It recently hosted the launch of the 180 new vehicles for the second batch of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Subsidy ReInvestment Programme Taxi Scheme. Senate President, David Mark performed the launch. The FCTA had banned rickety buses from the roads in a bid to sanitise the transportation sector of the FCT. Announcing the ban, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed said his administration would float decent transportation scheme befitting of Abuja as a federal capital city. He subsequently inaugurated the first batch of the scheme, the recent inauguration of the 180 taxi cabs has brought the number of taxis plying Abuja roads to 340. At the launch of the 180 vehicles, Senator Mark, who was represented by the Senate Deputy Leader and Chairman of Senate Committee on SURE-P, Senator Abdul Ningi hailed the FCTA for making good its pledge to alleviate the pains associated with the ban on rickety buses that ply roads in the FCT. His words: “Yours is indeed, an administration that identifies with the plight of the people. I commend you for listening to the citizens. The foundation of every successful democracy is dialogue and giving ear to the voice of the

Yours is indeed, an administration that identifies with the plight of the people. I commend you for listening to the citizens. The foundation of every successful democracy is dialogue and giving ear to the voice of the people From Grace Obike

people.” The Senate President also assured that the Senate would expedite action on the Bills for the establishment of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Board of Internal Revenue and the FCT Property Tax. He reiterated that quick consideration of the bills would enable the FCT to leverage its revenue base with a view to funding its key infrastructure and public service programmes. Speaking at the launch, Senator Mohammed said: “Today’s launch of 180 taxis is the second phase of the scheme to prove a point that the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan is, indeed, working in the FCT. He revealed that it was yet another important milestone in the fulfilment of the pledge made to

the people; adding that “with this, we have succeeded in introducing 340 taxis into the system.” The minister further said the ban on the operation of mini-buses on roads of Abuja was necessitated by the need to sanitise the public transportation system with a view to bringing it at par with global best practices. He said: “We have recorded significant reduction in crimes, road accidents, pollution and other socioeconomic consequences that had hitherto hindered the development of the city.” Senator Mohammed emphasised that the FCT transportation sector has received significant investments under the SURE-P intervention programme. “My administration has so far released N1 billion to the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited for the rehabilitation of its

•Mark buses as well as the purchase of new ones,” he said. He further disclosed that the sum of N1 billion was also released to the Abuja Investment Company Limited to enable it to float the FCT SURE-P Taxi Scheme, in addition to the injection of 300 high capacity buses by the Federal Government in 2012. The minister also said discussion between the FCT Administration and some banks had reached advanced stage for the funding of additional 500–700 taxis to ply all the nook and cranny of the Federal Capital Territory. He commended the Group Managing Director of Abuja Investment Company and his crop of professionals for playing effective role in anchoring private sector participation in the transformation of the FCT. He said: “We have engaged nearly 4,000 participants, mainly women and youths, into various departments and agencies. These include the Abuja Environmental

Protection Board, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Parks and Recreation as well as the six area councils of the FCT.” Also speaking, the Group Managing Director, Abuja Investment Company Limited, Dr. Musa Ahmed Musa said the implementation of the FCT SURE-P/AICL Taxi Scheme, on behalf of the FCT Administration commenced in May last year with the release of N500 million by the FCT SUREP. Dr Musa revealed that the first batch of the scheme comprising 160 vehicles were procured at a unit cost of N2. 7 million covering the cost of vehicle; one year comprehensive insurance; GPS tracking system; registration/ number plate as well as painting and branding. According to him, each of the vehicles was given out to the beneficiaries based on three-year lease period with 10 per cent subsidy on the total cost of the vehicle.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW Council to help fire victims

HE Chairman of Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Daniel Ibrahim has donated 17 buses to junior secondary schools in the area council. The buses, which were inaugurated in Kwali by the Minister of State for the FCT and supervising Minister of Police Affairs Olajumoke Akinjide, were presented to Principals of the 17 junior secondary schools. The buses were not only meant to promote administrative convenience in the schools but will also augment the transportation arrangements for students on excursion, among other purposes. While inaugurating the buses, Akinjide said: “The need for school buses, in the running of academic institutions, cannot be overemphasised. Transport facilities are needed to attend inter-school debates, symposium, sports competition and other outside engagements. School buses also promote the brand of a school.” “I urge other area councils to emulate this exemplary initiative by contributing towards the creation of enabling learning environment for school pupils in their various area councils. “These children are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also the entire future of our society. Whatever values we cultivate in them today is what they will grow up with.” She commended the Chairman for his thoughtfulness, even as she urged the school authorities to devote the buses to the purpose for which they have been procured and to ensure their effective maintenance.

From Gbenga Omokhunu

•Chairman, Kwali Area Council, Hon. Ibrahim Daniel (left), Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda and member, House of Representatives, Hon. Isa Igadobi, during the inauguration and presentation of 17 buses to junior secondary schools in Kwali Area Council, in Abuja. PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

Council chief donates buses to schools From Grace Obike

In his speech, Hon. Ibrahim explained that the 17 buses were for the schools while one extra bus was

for the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Kwali branch. Continuing, he said: “Similarly, scholarship of about N10.5 million was paid to Mr. Daniel Gamu a pilot student of International Pilot

School, Ilorin. “I still have the desire to procure more buses for the senior secondary schools in no distant time so that the problem of lack of buses for schools will be laid to rest.

Herbal mixtures that cure all ailments

‘Kilankwa market ‘ll open up Kwali’ From Gbenga Omokhunu

OST times, when people gather at a spot in major markets like the Wuse, Kubwa and others, it must not necessarily be scenes of accidents or an accident victim in need of help. When one gets closer to know what the matter is, one is disappointed to see someone in the middle of the crowd trying to explain to people the uniqueness and efficacy of his herbal drugs. They may be dark-looking mixtures in bottles or few green leaves that the practitioner claims can cure all ailments. A particular herbal marketer sets up a stand by the gate of the Wuse Market. As usual, his display attracts people who gathered to listen to him. The pictures he displays are scarylooking sores and growths. One is sure to find pictures of people with breast cancer that might have gotten to stage four and bone and skin cancers. His duty is to convince his listeners that the seemingly incurable illnesses has a solution. He chants his over-rehearsed lines to the crowd all the time. You will hear, for instance such statements as these “as a man, you may claim that you are strong but if you stand up from the bed with a woman and she dresses before you, my brother, it is the weak semen that we are talking about. If your wife touches you at night and you always claim that you are tired, that is what you are suffering from. Women with fibroid, painful menstruation or toilet diseases have come to their last bus stop.” The technique of sales is different in most satellite towns. For instance, the self-acclaimed herbal practitioners in Kubwa put up a huge makeshift board with equally gruesome looking pictures beside the market which attracts their northern brothers as they scream into speakers in Hausa about the efficacy of their drugs and how people who refused their medical treatment ended up being like people in such pictures.

•A crowds listening to the explanations of harbal practtioner

‘I do not doubt the efficacy of herbal medicines because I take them sometimes. But I’m just particular about what I buy and under what condition it is prepared. I don’t believe that one bottle of drug can cure all the diseases that some of these people claim because it just doesn’t make sense’ From Grace Obike

Some drive from one street to the other, advertising their drugs that cure pile, malaria, weakness of the body, itching, toilet diseases and infertility, among others diseases. They assure their Hausa patrons that their drugs are work. They give guarantee that a prospective customer could come back for a refund if the medicine did not work. They also scream out the dosage which is usually after every meal or

HE Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Abubakar Giri, has promised to collaborate with the FCT Administration to help people affected in the Dobi International Yam Market fire disaster. Giri, who made the pledge while inspecting the extent of damage caused by the fire incident, expressed dismay at the level of destruction. He urged the victims not to lose hope. It was gathered that over 60 shops were razed while farm produce, cash and property worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the incident. Narrating his ordeal, Mohammed Yusuf, a yam seller, stated that he lost about N3 million in the fire incident, even as he thanked the chairman for his visit and his encouragement. Also speaking, the District Head of Dobi, Alhaji Sule Dobi, stated that the disaster which was suspected to have been caused by bush burning, was the worst he ever witnessed. Dobi called on government to assist the victims through provision of yam seedlings for the farming season as yam was the major cash crop for people in the community. While sympathising with the victims, the Head of Agriculture in the council, Dr Ahmed Abdullahi, urged government to assist its department to carry out fire tracing which will help cordon off farm produce sites from bush burning. This, according to him, will help prevent future occurrence of such incident.

twice daily and is taken with pap or tea. Most of their Hausa customers in each area run after the cars to buy from them. Some of the medications are as cheap as N50. A few try to make their drugs more presentable through fine packaging and have marketers standing around a company bus in a traffic or busy area that blares out all the ailments that the single bottle cures. Isaiah Dogo, who works in Wuse, said people that gather around those who market their drugs are simply

lazy. “I believe those people listening to that man close to the Wuse Market are jobless and lazy. If you have a job, I can’t imagine you going to stand their listening to his stories. I just do not see how those abgo or dogoyaro leaves that he always has beside him will cure all those ailments shown in the pictures. “I believe that most of those people there are probably aware of it and simply enjoy listening to him talk,” he said. Hajiya Binta, a resident of Nyanya said: “I do not doubt the efficacy of herbal medicines because I take them sometimes. But I’m just particular about what I buy and under what condition it is prepared. I don’t believe that one bottle of drug can cure all the diseases that some of these people claim because it just doesn’t make sense.”

HE Chairman of Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Ibrahim Daniel has said that the proposed Kilankwa International Market will open up the council to economic development when completed. Daniel, who was speaking in an interview recently, also stated that the market will boost internally-generated revenue for the council. “When the market comes on board, it will help in the issue of internal revenue and waiting on the federal allocation will be a thing of the past. It is close to Gwagwalada and also along the highway. It will be of great help for all the traders that are coming along Onitsha and Lagos as the market will serve as a warehouse where they can keep their goods and go to town to sell,’’ he said. He stated that the council had already advertised for private public partnership (PPP) arrangement for the market, adding that it has started discussing with investors for the market project to commence. ‘’We are already discussing with investors. So many people submitted their bid for development of the market. However, we have to study them critically so that the private sector does not take advantage of government in making it lose revenue accruable to it. “We are already moving ahead of other area councils in terms of modern market. We did advertise for PPP arrangement about Kilankwa International Market. That is a gateway to Kwali Area Council and that is the reason the council is rehabilitating some roads. If you want to engage people on the market and the communities around it are not having motorable roads, it won’t be a success,’’ he said. On making the market in Kwali town a daily one, Daniel stated that before this can be realised, the market may have to undergo reconstruction and redesigning where such structures like conveniences will be built to aid cleanliness

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW

•Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, James Faleke, (seated middle) Council Leaders, Ikeja Local Government, Samuel Aragbonfoh (seated left)Ojodu Local Council Development Area ,Tajudeen Bello, Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area Wahab Akerele and other councillors during their visit to the National Assembly to observe proceedings PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•From left: Former Minister of Commerce, Adamu Waziri (left), Publisher Press Gallery Newspaper, Isiaka Mustapha (middle) and Chairman Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chuks Ehirim during the 5th Press Gallery Annual Lecture in Abuja PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Senators Ali Ndume(left) Uche Chukwumerije and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa after a session at the National Assembly PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, Solomon Adeola, (left) a member, Gafar Amere Akintayo (right) and Director-General, National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii after a meeting on N6.4 billion missing in transit from Service Wide Vote Account at National Assembly. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, Solomon Adeola, (middle) members, Pally Iriase (right) and Ossai Nicolas Ossai after a meeting at the National Assembly PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

Kwali gets committee on health insurance scheme

•From left: General Manager Operations, Bank of Industry, Joseph Babatunde (left), Executive Director, Business Development, Waheed Olagunju and General Manager Risk Management Division, Ezekiel Oseni during a public hearing on the disbursement of public funds by the Bank of Industry under the Power and Airlines Intervention Fund (PAIF) at National Assembly. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

BOARD of Trustees and Management Committee have been set up by the Kwali Area Council to manage and coordinate the affairs of the Community-Based Health Insurance Scheme. This will enable residents have access to the scheme. Membership of the boards, which consisted of the chairman, secretary and public relations officer, were selected from the 50 communities in the area after each community sent two representatives. The meeting was organised by the Coordinator of CBHIS in the FCT, Dr. Grace Aganaba in Kwali Area Council. Aganaba said the steps taken by CBHIS to take the health insurance scheme to the grassroots is in line with the presidential mandate, that by 2015, every Nigerian should be carrying an insurance card which will give them access to health, saying that the only way all Nigerians can have access to healthcare is by health insurance. “Fifty communities in Kwali are to enjoy this community-based health insurance scheme, and where there is no clinic, the malafia mobile truck is already available, and by March 1, they will

From Gbenga Omokhunu

start marching into these communities until we give them health centres. So many health centres will be renovated and help is coming from Shell, NHIS, PFIB, USAID and others. “But one assurance we want is the co-operation of the communities to get this through. That is why we are selecting few committee people among the communities to take charge of the management of the programme. After getting them, we will call all of them together from all the area councils and train them on what the scheme is all about. “The government is so much keen on improving the health standard of people at the grassroots so that they will be healthy. This is so because a healthy community is a developed community and a sickly community cannot achieve anything tangible in terms of development,” she said. The chairman of Kwali Area Council Mr. Ibrahim Daniel, praised the management of the CBHIS for the gesture in reaching out to the people at the grassroots to improve their health standard.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW

THERE is no doubt that rats, cockroaches and other household insects are very destructive and carriers of some deadly diseases. These must have informed the support of President Goodluck Jonathan in wiping them out from all human habitation in Nigeria through committed efforts to give Nigerians decent homes to live in. It is, however, not too clear if the dislodging rats from houses in Nigeria will really go down well with the ethnic groups in Nigeria that enjoy rats as delicacy. If they are gotten rid of from homes, they may face total extinction or continue to flourish in the bushes. While inaugurating 270 flats built by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria at the Aviation Village and the National Housing Fund electronic card in Abuja this month, the President declared that all Nigerians deserve to live in decent houses as he vowed to do everything to improve the living standard of Nigerians. To adequately tackle the housing deficits in the country, he said his government is facilitating access to affordable houses through long-term financing and creating enabling environment through appropriate policies. He stressed the need for estate developers in the country to concentrate more on delivering high quality houses rather than flooding everywhere with substandard, rats and cockroachesinfested mass housing estates. President Jonathan said: "I will always advise real estate developers not to begin to think about money for 10,000 or 20,000 units, but small estates that you can manage so that when people go there, they will know that they are in a place where human beings will live and not where human beings will compete for space with rats and cockroaches." Reacting to the remark by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Adulwaheed Omar concerning his friends' fears that the 270 flats were too small for a President to inaugurate, President Jonathan said:

Jonathan's decent houses for Nigerians What will transform this country are policies that are workable and sustainable. So, it is not going to be one mega city and the inauguration of a housing estate of thousands of units that will transform a country, but your ability to recreate and replicate these small units across the country "When my comrade President mentioned that his friend was worried

From the Villa By Augustine Ehikioya

that Mr. President was coming to inaugurate an estate of only 270 housing units, in fact, as he was saying it, I laughed because a number of people don't know that what makes changes is not the big things we do but the little things we do and do very well.

"What will transform this country are policies that are workable and sustainable. So, it is not going to be one mega city and the inauguration of a housing estate of thousands of units that will transform a country, but your ability to recreate and replicate these

Monarch sues for peace

•From left: Senate Leader, Senator Nduma Egba, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwueremadu, Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi and VicePresident, Namadi Sambo during the condolence visit of the Senate Leadership to the VicePresident over the death of his Special Adviser on Special Duties at the Presidential Villa. PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN.

From Gbenga Omokhunu

HE Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, has advised the newly installed traditional ruler of Rimba community in the council, Alhaji Abubakar Jiya, to ensure that peace reigns among farmers and Fulani herdsmen in the area. Yunusa, who gave the advice while turbaning Abubakar Jiya at his palace as the new Etsu of Rimba community, said he would not hesitate to summon the traditional ruler to his palace any time there is clash or misunderstanding between farmers and Fulani herdsmen at the community. He advised the monarch to ensure that his subjects, especially youths, acquire both western and Islamic education so that they would compete with others in the society, adding that it is necessary for the monarch to abide by any rules and regulations that guide the traditional institution of the palace and that of the government. He also advised the traditional ruler to intensify efforts in ensuring that he provides job opportunities for youths of the community and hands/ skills acquisition as well as trading in order to divert their attention from social vices that may dent the image of the community. The monarch, however, urged the traditional ruler to always ensure he operates an open door policy so that his people would have a free mind to present any useful advice that will always enhance peace, progress and development of the community. “I want to inform you that this palace will not take no notice of any person conferred with any chieftaincy title that slaps or assaults his people even his wife. You should never molestanybody. Any time we receive report that you molested or slapped any of your subjects, we will not hesitate to remove your turban,” he warned. Also speaking, the Secretary of Local Education Authority (LEA) of the council, Alhaji Hassan Suleiman who attended the turbaning ceremony, commended the kingmakers of the community for unanimously selecting one of their sons as their village head. He described the newly installed Etsu Rimba as a humble and hard working person that has worked under him for over 10 years. He expressed his optimism that the new monarch will, no doubt, withstand the challenges of leadership to achieve peace in the community.

small units across the country." While it is not bad to make sure that rats and cockroaches have no place in new houses being built for Nigerians, it is worth mentioning here that another killer insect in many Nigerian homes which requires the urgent attention of Mr. President, are mosquitoes. Even though so much money has been spent on malaria drugs and on insecticide-treated mosquito nets under different programmes, many Nigerian children are still dying from the disease while many production hours are still lost when workers are down with malaria. Many countries, including Malaysia, have been able to eliminate malaria from their societies. One hopes that real attention will also be paid towards eliminating the disease in Nigeria.

Royal father pleads for early provision of fertiliser

HE Hakimi of Dutse in Bwari Area Council, Alhaji Abubakar Bako, has called on the government to make early provision of fertilisers and seedlings to farmers a top priority. Bako, who spoke in an interview with our correspondent, stated that early distribution of fertilisers will make farmers achieve bumper harvest next year. ‘’The present government wants to motivate the farmers. The issue of

From Gbenga Omokhunu

fertiliser and seeds are very important. As farmers, they are always sources of challenge. If government will give us fertilisers before February or March, that will assist farmers a lot,” he said. He stated that fertilisers were mostly needed by FCT farmers who, according to him, were finding it hard to practise shifting cultivation due to the land use system.

‘’With the growing number of inhabitants and government taking over lands for residential and commercial purposes, there is no land for shifting cultivation again. ‘’They talk about getting our manures from refuse dumps but that involves money. What if you don’t have money to evacuate the refuse to the farm because of lack of fund? The only solution is to provide us with fertilisers early enough so that it will boost our farm products,’’ he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

LAW PERSONALITY In the past, law enforcement agencies blamed their inability to investigate and prosecute corrupt judges on lack of approval by the National Judicial Council (NJC) or Chief Judges of the states where the judges serve. In this interview with PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN) says no such permissions are required. He also speaks on corruption in the judiciary and judicial officers receiving gifts, among others.

‘Police, EFCC, ICPC, others do not need permission to probe judicial officers’

ments they delivered for money. If a judge is gifted to write, it is good because I know a particular sitting judge in Ogun State. A fantastic judge and auhor; sometimes, I wonder how he has been done regarding serving judicial offic-finds the time to write. He has written several ers receiving gifts. Is that not corruption? books, but has never done a book launch. His Of course, it is corruption and an infractionbooks are available in court premises and at on Paragraph 6 of the Code of Conduct for pub-notable bookshops. lic officers. If a judge is found to have bridged He is not even involved in the sale of the his oath of allegiance, he can be sanctioned. Thebooks. He writes them and gives them to pubCode of Conduct Bureau is responsible for pros-lishers to sell. There is also a judge of a Court of ecuting such a judge because he is a public of-Appeal who is also an author. He is a professor ficer. The challenge we have is that the agenciesof law, highly cerebral, but has never launched responsible for prosecution are not living up toany of his books. their responsibilities. But some judges have developed the habit of When an allegation of corruption is made, wedoing a compendium of the judgments they have have agencies to investigate and once there isdelivered and organise a book launch. Those overwhelming fact at the completion of investi-judgments being put together, either by the gation, the agency should have the judge arrested.judges or those who did it in their honour, do not I was in court on a certain day before a judge andbelong to the judges especially for sitting judges. a lawyer told her to her face “I have done a peti- As public officers, they are being paid salation against you. You cannot proceed with thisries with tax payers’ money to conduct proceedmatter.” Traditionally, it is unheard of. The lateings and deliver judgments. Whatever they Justice Kayode Eso once said that during theircome up with belong to the state and cannot be time, when a lawyer makes far-reaching allega-given out without the permission of the state. tions against a judge, he is sent to prison, but to- But at retirement, a judge can do a book launch day, when a lawyer makes far-reaching allega-for posterity in which some of his judgments tions against a judge, the judge says “go to hell”. may be reproduced. People like Lord Denin and So, what that suggests to us is that there isa few others did, though not the way we now provision for a platform for a lawyer to makemake it appear. such an allegation. In as much as I do not agree As a people, we like to abuse things in this with the conduct of being confrontational withcountry. It is not out of place for a retired judge a judge, but for any lawyer who says such things,to launch a book, nor is it out of place for a perhaps he spoke from an informed position ofserving judge to write a book. It is in avoidance what must have transpired between them. of infractions of the provisions of law that is It is a known fact that the prosecution agen-why public officers are discouraged from encies cannot arrest any judge without the ap-gaging in such activities. proval of the National Judicial Council (NJC) Former President Olusegun Obasanjo started or the permission of the Chief Judge of a statethis practice while in office with the launch of his where the judge works. So how will these agen-presidential library with corporate giants, who cies operate? made public donations in attendance. It is very We must remind ourselves that the Chiefwrong, and clearly an infraction of the constituJudge is an administrative head of a court. Thetion. But nothing was done about it. Who will go agencies of government saddled with the re-for instance, to arrest the then president that sponsibility to investigate do not need theirlaunched a presidential library? The corporate approval to investigate judges. All that is re-giants that donated at the event were people who quired is a notification that complain has beenordinarily had no business being there because made against a judge and the enforcement agency is investigating that judge. The outcome of that investigation is also not Those judgments begiven to a Chief Judge, but to the NJC to take ing put together, either disciplinary measures such as dismissal or suspension against the judge. For a judge indicted by the judges or those for corruption or criminal offence, his punishwho did it in their ment is double- first he will face the NJC’s administrative punishment of either a suspenhonour, do not belong sion or dismissal and then, he also faces prosecution by law enforcement agencies. to the judges especially Prosecutorial agencies act mainly on complain for sitting judges and so, once these complains are made to them, it is done with utmost confidentiality until the facts are unraveled. Is it right for a serving judge to write and launchsome of them were contractors to the governa book or launch one written in his/her honourment, but what happened? Our laws are being such that politicians/litigants with matters be-abridged with impunity and no one does anyfore them attend and make public donations? thing about it. Whatever is given to a representaFollowing the provisions of the Constitution,tive of an institution while in office, according to it is wrong. Books written or launched in theirthe Code of Conduct, belongs to that institution. honour are gifts and as stated earlier, the Code Would you say there is no head way in fightof Conduct for public officers frowns at it. Ifing corruption in the judiciary? you launch a book, the tendency is that you will I won’t say there is no head way in addressing not be able to draw the line between those whocorruption in the judiciary. When we talk about have matters before you and those who do not,the judiciary, we should not limit it to judges. except for notorious cases. If that is the case,There are three major stakeholders in the adthen, it is not out of place to allege compromise.ministration of justice. They are judges, lawWhat is the essence of the maiden of justiceyers and prosecutorial agents. wearing a blindfold? It is to dispense justice We must not isolate the judges in alleging without fear or favour. corruption. Now, who corrupts the judges? You What if you have a matter before you andcould have a situation where a judge is inhersuddenly realise that one of the parties in theently corrupt, no doubt. But who fuels the corsuit was perhaps the highest donor during yourruption? It is either a lawyer or an enforcement book launch? What happens? Ordinarily, theagency/agent that fuels the corruption. rule of natural justice says a judge should let However, it is not as bad as it used to be. We are go of a matter he has an interest in. But asnot there yet, but the current Chief Judge of Nigehuman beings can a judge shut his eyes toria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar has done quite a lot. someone who attended his book launch andMind you, corruption has been institutionalised gave him money? in our system and it is not what an individual can That is why that provision is there to ensureclear. She has done her bit by trying to sanitise the that under no circumstance should a public of-system. Under her watch, many judges are being ficer accept gifts in connection to the perfor-investigated, some have been shown the door mance of duty. So, I think it is wrong. and also lawyers have been disciplined. In addition to the book launch issue, it is also So, I won’t say corruption in the judiciary wrong for judges to compile and publish judgORRUPTION in the judiciary has been a burning issue for a long time with many judges facing probe. But nothing

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has continued unabated. It is difficult to completely eradicate corruption, but it can be managed and reduced to the barest minimum. What I think is happening now is the more you look, the less you see. How do we solve the problem? What I think we should do is strengthen the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the law enforcement agencies. Also, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) needs to set up a strategy that will be responsible for keeping the court under some watch. There is a young man (lawyer) who has been trying to keep the system under some watch through his magazine. Rightly or wrongly, some of us have come to also see some of those things he has been blowing whistles about. Irrespective of how stakeholders in the judiciary see him, the question to ask is if his work is effective. I think he has not done badly. Because once the young man is around certain quarters, people are mindful of the things they do or say. We need to have a watchdog of the judiciary so that once something goes wrong, there are whistle blowers who will give the information to appropriate quarters. Once such a facility is put in place, people will sit up and confidence will return to the judiciary. Are you saying people do not have confidence now? I can say the society still has confidence in the judiciary. In some cases, you have judges who are fearless and allow justice take its cause. But my fear is because of the allegations of corruption and the role the NJC is playing by accepting all kinds of petitions, some judges are now afraid of doing justice for fear of petition. A lawyer loses a case before a judge, instead of filing an appeal; such a lawyer writes a petition against the judge to the NJC. However, I would not say the situation is completely bad. The CJN at her swearing in, I remember, said corrupt judges would be investigated and handed over to prosecution agencies and I think she has been living up to her words. You and I know that a man is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Once the facts are established after thorough investigation, the persons involved would be handed to the enforcement agencies since the NJC does not have prosecutorial powers. Is there a law forbiding judges from fraternising? There is no particular law per say, but there are judicial ethics and rule for judicial officers in terms of interaction. That is where the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and the NJC come in. Part of the training and re-orientation of judges is to inculcate those values in them. In the past, you do not find judges in social circles because it is part of their training and orientation. They imbibe these things at the NJI and they also have Code of Conduct of judicial officers handed down from the institute. When a lawyer is appointed a judge, the first place he is sent to is the NJI to imbibe those values. With the way judges are seen at social gatherings and dinners with some of them drinking or fraternising, will it be wrong to say those rules are no longer handed over to them? We must understand that judicial officers are also humans. Though, once a lawyer is elevated to a judicial officer, he/she is expected to make sacrifices, one of which is not being sociable. It is a price they pay for being judicial officers. It is personal, inherent and a self decision that must be made by each individual elevated to a judicial officer, whether as a magistrate or a judge. Some of us cannot go to the bench because of our nature. We know who we are. Once you take and accept that decision of being a judicial officer and swear the oath of office, a line is drawn and you have selected to live an isolated life. The only people that can relate with you are probably your family and very close friends. You must be far from the social circles because you do not want to be influenced when you find yourself in such gatherings. A cousin of mine once said she saw a friend of hers (Justice Nwodo of blessed memory) at a function and she noticed the judge was isolated from the crowd. It was a social function, but justice Nwodo did not interact. My cousin said out of curiosity, she walked up to her and asked if she was a judicial

•Quakers officer and she said yes. It was a gathering to honour their close friend, but she was just secluded and eventually left unannounced in the course of the ceremony. That is a judicial officer. Those who are garrulous and friendly, I cannot on the basis of the conduct of a particular judge; say what they are doing is wrong. It amounts to who you are. Can you draw the line? There are people like Justice Uwais, who can be smiling and at the same time insist on his position. You cannot on the basis of your friendship with him, influence him. With a smile, he will tell you no. Then, for some of them, it is only now that they are retired that they interact with the society as a whole. For me, the vices in the judiciary these days are more of human errors than the laws. So how do we address these vices? I think those who observe the excesses should report and let the NJC and NJI recall the judges for refresher courses. The judicial office is like a tunnel and the journey through the tunnel cannot be cut short at the middle. The officers must work through the tunnel to the end and must be very sensitive, sensible and extremely careful. Like I said earlier, we need to have whistle blowers, not necessarily for the purpose of punishment, but as corrective measures. We cannot afford to continually showcase our judiciary to the worlds as being corrupt because it will drive away investors. Monitors should be put in place to nip in the bud those who fuel corruption or influence judges. Do you think it is right for politicians to play a role in the appointment of judicial officers? In so far as the executive plays a role in the appointment of judges, there will always be loyalty problems. There is a human element involved. If someone is responsible for my elevation, as a human being, I will be eternally grateful to that person. Some politicians will do it and not want a favour in return, whereas, others will do it and use it as an avenue to achieve their selfish aims. It still boils down to the kind of people we are. We must learn to do things without expecting a reward or benefit. We are in a very vindictive society such that someone can take advantage of his or her position to do another wrong. When a politician is influential to a judge’s appointment and needs a favour from the said judge, once the judge declines, the politician starts looking for a way to pull the judge down. I think it is time we stopped the executive from playing any role in the appointment of judges, but the constitution will have to be amended in order to achieve that. We also need to cage human tendencies, until we get to a point where a judge can look a litigant in the eye and do justice, no matter who he is, we have a long way to go.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 2014

FROM THE COURT

Lawyers petition CJN over appointments in Abuja High Court

group, the League of Solicitors Against Injustice and Official Victimisation, has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar over alleged promotion of ethnicity in the appointment of administrative and judicial staff by the Chief Judge of Abuja High Court, Justice Ibrahim Bukar. The group urged the CJN to set up a committee to urgently investigate all the fundamental issues raised in their petition. In the petition dated December 5, 2013, the group alleged that the Federal Character provision in Sections 13 and 14 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was not followed in the appointments made by the Abuja Chief Judge. Sections 13 and 14 of the 1999 Constitution states that: “It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive, judicial powers to conform to, of serve and apply the provisions of this chapter on this constitution. And that, “The composition of the government of the federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the Federal Character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or any of its agencies.” Justice Bukar, the group alleged, acted in a way to show that he is oblivious of or insensitive to the provisions of the constitution in his recent appointments of staff of the judiciary. The lawyers listed 10 departments

By Adebisi Onanuga

in the FCT High Court where most of the appointments reflected people from one geo-political part of the country. In the petition signed by its executive secretary, Mr. Bamidele Ogundele, the group pointed out that only two of the departments, Planning, Research and Statistics and Litigation are headed by southerners while the remaining eight departments are manned by northerners. The petition gave the identity of the departments held by northerners to include Finance and Supply; Administration; Abuja Multi-Door Court; Magistracy; Return Cases; Probate; Information Technology and Library. The group alleged that the Chief Judge retained the Director of Finance, Alhaji Ibrahim Buba, a retired civil servant because he is on contract. They claimed that the only reason for not allowing a serving civil servant to be in that position is because the person who would have occupied it was from the south. “Most importantly, the above was the position of things until November 21, 2013, when a new department was created by the Chief Judge from the existing litigation department. The Chief Judge promptly made Hajiya Zainab Mohammed Fufore the head of that department. She is also a northerner. “But the fact that she is a northerner is not the problem. The problem is that Hajiya Zainab Mohammed Fufore is not the most senior person to occupy that position. She is on Grade Level 15 as an Assistant Chief Registrar 1 at the FCT High Court when there are more than six people who are senior to Hajiya Zainab Mohammed Fufore and who are on Grade Level 16 as Deputy Chief Registrars”.

The petition was copied to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character; his House of Representatives counterpart; the National Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); all members of the National Judicial Council; the Executive Secretary, Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) and the President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR). It posed three questions: - What are the criteria for the appointment of contract staff when there are highly competent staffers in the service? - What are the criteria for the appointment of Hajiya Fufore over six highly dedicated senior staffers that had been working tirelessly, relentlessly and assiduously over the years and - Why the incumbent Chief Judge appears to have continued in the ethnic policy of his former boss (names with-held)? When contacted, the Public Relation Officer (PRO), FCT High Court, Mrs. Tabita Kangiwa confirmed the existence of the petition, but stressed that the issues raised in it are not new and are baseless. Kangiwa said the court would prefer not to comment on the petition since it is before the NJC and await the outcome of NJC’s handling of the petition. An NJC official, who sought not to be named, confirmed that the petition was before the NJC, but advised that all parties should await NJC’s decision on it. “NJC will look at the issues raised by the petitioners, call for respnse from the FCT High Court’s management, and reach a decision one way or another. “Until that happens, there is nothing I can say about the matter,” he said.

•Participants at the Meeting of Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF) held at the NUT Conference Centre, Kaduna at the weekend.

Internet fraud: Court orders seizure of undergraduate’s cars

N Ikeja High Court in Lagos has granted an order for an interim forfeiture of three expensive cars belonging to a 28year-old undergraduate, Lawrence Orimogunje. Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo granted the order while ruling on an ex parte application brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The exotic cars are a Nissan Infinity G35 with registration number EP150 ABJ, a Chrysler 300 with registration number OLD – 01 and a Range Rover Sport with registration number OLD-03. The EFCC had charged Orimogunje with forgery and possession of false documents. In his ruling, the judge held that

By Adebisi Onanuga

Orimogunje’s lifestyle was not commensurate with what he was earning as a student of Lead City University, Oyo State. Lawal-Akapo said no conclusive proof is needed for the order to be granted. This, according to him was because “Sections 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act of 2004 empower the commission to confiscate any property suspected to have been acquired through fraudulent means. The judge consequently directed the EFCC to seize the cars pending the conclusion of the trial. The EFCC counsel, Mrs Anita Imo, who moved the application for the forfeiture of the properties of the

defendant, had earlier said it was brought pursuant to Sections 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act. Imo argued that the cars were acquired through suspected Internet fraud activities and urged the court to grant the forfeiture order. Orimogunje was arraigned on February15, on a 16-count charge of forgery and possession of false documents. The EFCC said the accused was arrested on December 24, 2012 in Lagos for being in possession of various documents used for facilitating internet fraud. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted a N1 million bail, with two sureties in like sum. Justice Lawal-Akapo, however adjourned the matter till March 18, 2014.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Between President Jonathan and Gov Chime BEFORE President Goodluck Jonathan’s hammer on the Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, I was hoping to write on the Enugu state Governor Sullivan Chime’s offence against section 190 of the 1999 constitution, as amended; by his handing over the reigns of power in the state, as alleged, to his secretary of government, instead of the deputygovernor, before travelling abroad for medical check-up. While I affectionately sympathize with the governor, over the alleged relapse of his health, if it is true, it is not justifiable, that yet again, the state is exposed to negative press by such an unconstitutional conduct. If the rumour his media officials prefer to leave important issues to rumour - that, he was rushed out of the state is correct, then, the secretary to the state government has no basis in law, to act in his stead. After all, we are not talking of the private affairs of Governor Chime here, and the Governor, a very distinguished lawyer before his foray into politics, knows this. Also the state Attorney General, Barrister Anthony Ani, SAN, knows that the governor has no such latitude to play cronyism with constitutional matter. I recall that when the Governor without notice, went off the radar for months last time, due to ill-health, I was among those that publicly insisted that he should be given a benefit of doubt, by his political opponents. My argument then was that based on his antecedent, as a ranking serious public official in Nigeria, that whatever may have prompted his long absence from his duty post was not likely within his contemplation, before he left the country. But now, there is an alleged repeat. If that is true, then the cliché, once beaten, twice shy, applies here. Interestingly, when the Governor came back the last time, he held a press conference, where he admitted that he did not plan to stay away for that long; but he wrongly tried to just the opacity surrounding his unfortunate ill-health and long stay abroad for treatment, on the ground that it was a private matter. It was not, and it is not, now. So, let the secretary to the state government, Mr. Amaechi Okolo, the ambitious chief of staff, Ifeoma Nwobodo, the cerebral state Attorney General, Anthony Ani, and the kitchen cabinet of Governor Sullivan, obey the spirit and clear intent of the constitution, by allowing the deputy governor, live his position. If the secretary to the state government should pretend that he is averse to common sense and continue to pretend that he has powers to act on behalf of the governor, then the state legislature and all state officials should ignore his directives. More effectively, should the governor stay away for the next twenty-one days from the day he left the country; the state assembly should pass the required resolution, to make the deputy Governor, the Acting Governor of the state, in accordance with the provisions of section 190(2) of the 1999 constitution as amended. But let’s hope the Governor is up and running; and all the rumour concerning his health, remains that. After all, while I disagree with some of the policies of Governor, I do not wish him ill, or a political crisis in the state. Last Thursday, as many had predicted, the President unlawfully sacked the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, using the euphemism, ‘suspension’, over alleged financial recklessness. This column had written on the claim by Sanusi that a humongous sum of $49.8 billion was not remitted by the national oil company, and the counter-claim by the oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, that, the erstwhile Governor was ignorant of the financial receipts of the federation. Then, I held the position that if truly such an amount is unaccounted for, it was enough to warrant the impeachment of President Jonathan; but conversely that if the Governor goofed, he was grossly incompetent. Sanusi, unfortunately later accepted that the missing sum was $10.8 billion, before raising it again to $20 billion. While the inconsistency may have affected the credibility of the actual sum missing, there is acceptance by the finance ministry that at least $10.8 billion is unaccounted for, under the watch of President Jonathan; and this can not be dismissed with a wave of hand. So I join other well meaning Nigerians to ask for a probe. Interestingly, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, a distinguished federal Minister under former President Obasanjo, has alerted the country that an audit by an international auditing company is not enough. She argues that what is needed by our dear country is a probe by international experts, as international auditors, like their counter parts her, can be influenced by the huge purse of the oil conglomerate. With respect to the debate, whether the President has powers under the Central Bank Act to suspend the Governor, let me say, that, the President has no such powers. While the act explicitly requires twothird majority of the Senate to sack the Governor, it did not envisage that a President could through the back door seek to subvert the provision of the CBN Act, by substituting sack with suspension. But having said that, Sanusi should have resigned his position as Governor, long before the sack, considering the allegations he raised and those against him. For our common good, Sanusi has however served a public purpose, as a whistle blower. What is left is for Nigerians to collectively pursue our missing billions of dollars, while he answers to the allegations of financial recklessness, against him. But what about the officials under whose watch, the $10.8 billion allegedly got missing? For reactions: 08033054939 (sms only)

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

LAW & SOCIETY

Institute partners Cyberspace to enhance legal education

HE Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), last week at its University of Lagos, Akoka, campus, Lagos agreed to partner with a foremost e-learning technology experts, Cyberspace Limited, for the advancement of legal education. Cyberspace demonstrated how elearning technology works at the Ayo Ajomo Auditorium, NIALS Lagos campus and at the institute’s library and how to incorporate the library into the virtual learning solution powered by the firm. A research fellow at NIALS, Mr. Kelechi Amadi described the portal as platform for bring people together. He said it represented an education based service point, providing various services related to learners on–line education. The platform, according to him, included an interface that enables the learners to locate course contents and perform a mixture of other course related functions. “E- Learning portals or systems are developed to serve both virtual and traditional educational institutions. It aids the assessment of educational curriculum outside the traditional classroom. In most cases it refers to a course, programme or degree delivered online. With technological advancements and the convenience of online learning, e Learning has become a much needed and required addition to learning,” he said. Kelechi said the instute, which is the country’s apex institution for research and advanced studies in Law, went into partnership with Cyberspace and developed the online platform in fulfilment of its mandate as the centre for advanced legal research. This, he said, was done in order to continue a tradition of excellence in training knowledgeable, skilled and highly trained legal practitioners. He added that it would create an accessible, user friendly web environment to support E- Learning and enable delivery of course materials and testing requirements of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies”. In a chat, the Director-General NIALS, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) said the institute would continue to upgrade and update its facilities with the techniques of teaching that will obviously stand the test of time. “We are in a modern era and the only way we can compete favourably with institutions outside this country is for us to do some of the things that obtain outside this country and even better. “ It is unfortunate that in Nigeria we don’t have any university among the first 100, 200, or 300. But the challenge is that with little drops of water a lot can be achieved. In the past, we had boasted that we had the best law library in Africa, but that seems to be in the past. “And if we continue living in the past, then the future will be bleak for the Institute, so we conceptualised the idea of trying to broaden our horizon and our catchment area in the sense that more often than not, only people who can find time out of their crowded schedule in the office can find time to be in the Institute for continuing legal education whether in the postgraduate courses or may be trying to look at some specialised courses,” he said. The NIALS Director-General said the only way the institute would continue to reach out to its teeming participants or would be participants is to device a means whereby the idea of electronic learning or distance learning would be introduced to effectively capture interested participants from Ghana, the Gambia, Senegal and other people from all parts of the world. “Consequently we got in touch with Cyberspace group, who are experts in their own rights and knowledgeable enough, because they had done similar thing for the National Open University and we are trying to drive the process at a cost we con-

•From left: Former Director of Research, NIALS, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, Prof. Azinge SAN and CHief Mike Agbamuche.

•Dr Arewa

•From left: Mrs. Sena Jerry Imaghiagbe, Dr. Emmanuel Okon, Dr. Chinyere Ani and Vivian Madu.

‘ •From left: Institute Secretary, James Bathnna, Prof. Paul Idornigie and Acting Librarian, Mrs. Uwen Etem. By John Austin Unachukwu

sider very affordable and reasonable. He said the e-learning was an opportunity for people to avail themselves with. “We feel that this is the best thing that will happen to the Institute at this point in time, being able to beam whatever we are doing to all parts of the globe and more importantly, to Nigerian, so that people can access what we are doing and at a very cheap rate. “They will know that in the legal community in Nigeria, a lot of work is being done comparable to other places and that Nigerian lawyers and scholars will stand their place anywhere in the world, that we should not be treated as if we are just second class people, but we are as good as the best anywhere, ” he said. Cyberspapce Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Olusola Bankole said the plan was to take NIALS to the global village, adding that since the whole world is now talking about globalisation. “Nigeria cannot be an exception. What we are saying is that through this system, we want to make education available to everybody in Nigeria and beyond, we want to make it accessible, the traditional way of teaching and passing information today is through the four walls of the classroom,” he said. The system, he said, is not about eradicating that method, but to compliment the solution. “It is Indeed, all about accessibility and availability. So in terms of the internet challenge, Nigeria cannot remain what it was, since things are changing now.

We are part of that change process, thinking ahead of time, using technology to drive education access and availability,” he said. On how prospective lawyers can access and benefit from the system, Bankole said: “It is very simple as a student. Currently the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies has students domiciled only in Nigeria, what this system will do is to make learning available to students, who are outside the country as well, even within the country, a situation where a student has to fly into Lagos or Abuja or Port Harcourt from Maiduguri to take lectures is unpalatable, the risks are high, the cost is becoming unbearable, but now right there in your bedroom, in your convenience you can log unto the class, read your books, write your tests and get results,” he said. On how the library would be part of the innovation, the Cyberspace Marketing Manager, Mr. Chris Oyesanmi said a platform has been developed for the library and that it is in three components viz: the library automation, management and the e-resources. “Right now we have the library automation going on and we have the e- learning platform already, so what we need to do is to create a link from the e-learning platform to link up the library so that from the e-learning platform, you can link up with the library. And the next thing to do is to create a reciprocity server where all the e-books will be stored and the people will have access to them. According to him, the e-learning is also a source of revenue. “It is an Internally Generated Revenue

Nigeria cannot be an exception. What we are saying is that through this system, we want to make education available to everybody in Nigeria and beyond, we want to make it accessible, the traditional way of teaching and passing information today is through the four walls of the classroom

LEGAL DIARY NBA commissions projects By John Austin Unachukwu

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source for the institution where the institution can generate revenue by allowing people to have access to most of their resources,” he said. Bankole listed the benefits of the solution powered by Cyberspace to include easy creation of educational content; easy and free installation on web hosting solutions; tracking of users results; allowing for methodology improvements; clean interface; letting user focus on learning; synchronous and asynchronous communication channels; many tools allowing for all learning types both visual, audio; practical; serious games; extensive documents management capabilities; an embedded social networking feature allowing students and users to increase their desire to learn and real-time-controlled examination if required. Others are e-learning leverages; Internet advantages; allowing updating; storing; recovering; distributing and sharing of information and training. “Learning is not over when training is finished, environment and relationships assure customers and suppliers that they have chosen the right partner to help them exceed in their objectives,” he said.

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ado-Ekiti branch, will on Thursday at the Prosperous Royal Hotels Limited, Prosperous Avenue, Opposite Pathfinders Hotels, Kilometer 4, Iworoko Road, Ado-Ekiti, commission a number of projects specially designed to elevate the status of the branch among the comity of branches of the NBA and enhance the professional efficiency, competence and proficiency of its members A statement from the branch chairman, Mr J. O. Adewunmi states that the Deputy Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly and former chairman of NBA Badagry Lagos branch of the NBA, Hon. A.T. Orisalade will chair the event. He will be assisted at the occasion by a number of specially invited special guests of honour. The projects to be commissioned include: group accident insurance cover for the branch, opening of the branch website, presenting a customized diary for the branch and presentation of the branch 2014 calendar. On why he introduced the the group accident insurance cover, Mr. Adewunmi said: “The truth is that the practice of the legal profession shares its own hazards, like some other professions. Thus, the importance of providing for the future uncertain risks associated with the practice of the profession in particular and life in general cannot be over emphasized, hence, the decision to practically ensure, through this scheme, that the future of members, as humanity possible, is protected”.

Group holds negotiating programme March 24 Nigerian Conciliation and Mediation Group (NCMG) will hold an International negotiation training programme for lawyers in Nigeria and abroad. The programme scheduled for March 24, will hold at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos at 9 a.m.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

LAW & SOCIETY

Manager accuses colleagues of threat to life •Company denies allegation W HY will co-employees threaten to eliminate a colleague with whom their employer had, in the interest of peace, entered an out-of court settlement in an employment related dispute? This question forms the kernel of a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) by a manager with the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Authority (OGFTZA), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Funmilayo Omosule. Omosule said he had sued his employer and its board of directors when he was unlawfully suspended without pay, shortly after he discovered fraud in the company’s Abuja office. He said by the advice of the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja and others, an out-of court settlement arrangement was agreed on by parties. He said while he considered resuming back at the office, some of his colleagues, who were behind the fraud he uncovered, and had instigated his suspension, have threatened to eliminate him should he return to office. Omosule, in the petition titled: ”Threat to life”, filed earlier this

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

month, alleged among others, that about four senior officials of the organisation (names withheld) have threatened to eliminate him if he return to work after a peaceful resolution of the court case between him and his employer. The 47-year old man said his trouble started when in 2011, he uncovered fraud in the company’s Abuja office and informed the Managing Director (MD), who promised to take prompt action. He alleged that rather than allow the MD look into the fraud related issues, those who were uncomfortable with his position, connived with the company’s leadership to raise a spurious allegation of certificate forgery against him. The petitioner stated that he was consequently suspended without pay, an action which he said, contravened Public Service Rules. “The above led me to sue the authority and Board Chairman, to enforce my fundamental human right

to fair hearing, before the Federal High Court, Abuja. “The new MD, Victor Alabo, a gentleman, approached me to settle the case out of court. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) also advised in the same vein,” he said. According to him, he would have returned to work after the settlement, but four members of staff of the organisation, (whose names he included in the petition), who he accused of being the masterminds of the criminal and illegal acts that led to the crisis, are manipulating the MD and openly threatened him not to dare to return. Omosule said his four colleagues resorted to threatening his life to avert his resumption and thereby, prevented their arrest and prosecution for their alleged roles in the fraud uncovered. His lawyer, Vera Leslie has written to the Minister of Police Affairs on the matter. A copy of the letter dated

•MPPP's leader Prince Owolabi Odebudo, National Chairman Oludare Falade and their lawyer Daniel Aghadigbo after hearing of their case against INEC at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Man petitions Embassy over failed business

Lagos-based businessman, Mr Amobi Patrick Emekwuo has petitioned the Commercial Attachee of the Turkish Embassy, Abuja, over a soured business relationship between him and his Turkish partner, which runs into thousands of dollars In a petition through his Nnewi, Anambra State based lawyers, Okeke, Okeke &Co. Mr Emekwuo requested the Embassy to intervene in the failed contract for supply of Bubble Baby Diaper or complete refund of $38, 870.00 allegedly paid to the partner, Mr Taylan Alaca for the supply of the goods since May 2013,

as the goods are no where to be found after several failed promises to supply the goods. Emekwuo said the business, which showed no signs of disappointment earlier, having successfully done one or two previous businesses with Mr Alaca, turned sour when after the payment of $38, 870.00, the supplier allegedly bolted away, stopped taking calls and not replying any of his mails. “Emekwuo informed his lawyers that Mr Taylan has, up till date, defaulted in shipping the said container of Bubble Baby Diaper purchased and has not refunded the amount paid to him. It is more

worrisome that Mr Taylan Alaca has not given tangible reasons for his default and he has been evading telephone calls and e-mails meant for him,“ Emekwuo’s lawyer said. In a separate petition to the Head of Senate Committee on Trade through Honourable Christian Azubogu, representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituemcy, the petitioner said it had become necessary as his banks were already on the verge of instituting actions for recovery of the said sum sent to Mr Alaca.

African law firm attains UK Law Society highest practice standards

B & David, a West Africa based law firm with head office in Accra, Ghana, has become the first African law firm to secure the Law Society of England and Wales International Law management quality mark, “Lexcel”. Lexcel is a recognised international accreditation scheme for law firms and in-house legal departments only awarded to those who meet the highest management and customer care standards.

Lexcel accredited practices undergo rigorous independent assessment every year to ensure they maintain required standards of excellence. Nicholas Fluck, President of the Law Society said: ”Gaining and maintaining Lexcel is no mean feat. As business becomes increasingly global so does our profession. Law firms and their clients demand the same high standards of practice.... We are delighted to see the first Af-

rican Law Firm to join the list of international Lexcel firms” AB & David is a multi-specialist business law firm dedicated solely to advising businesses and governments in Africa. It has affiliates in several African countries including Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Zambia. The new West Africa head office is meant to consolidate its cross-border West Africa Practice.

January 22 this year, was sighted by The Nation at the weekend. Omoosule wants the IGP to invite the four members of staff of the organisation to “sign an undertaking that my life is no longer under threat and set up a very high powered investigative team to look into the remote cause of the crisis and prosecute whoever is criminally liable to serve as a deterrent to others.” However, the management denied that any of its staff members has threatened to eliminate Omosule. A senior official at the company’s Abuja office, who wished not to be named, told The Nation that the petitioner’s suspension was informed by his alleged disobedience of a directive by the company’s board. He denied any threat to Omosule’s life. The official said he thought the issue had been put to rest after a team

of policemen from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, investigated an earlier petition by Omosule. The company’s position on the issue was captured in a counter affidavit deposed to by Racheal Osibu of the firm of Paul Erokoro & Co. Osibu, who said she got her information from OGFTZA’s Company’s Secretary, Abdul-wasiu Sule, to the effect that Omsosule was suspended pending his compliance with directive to produce and submit his original certificates, which he has allegedly failed to do. She said under the company’s rules, disobedience is a serious misconduct, punishable at the discretion of the company’s board of directors. Omosule’s memo of February 7, 2011 forwarding the certified true copies of the certificates, she said, “did not state his reason for not submitting his original certificates as instructed.”

Mother, son ask court to vacate caveat on Will

N Ikeja High Court in Lagos has been asked to vacate the caveat placed on the Will of the late Harry Afolabi Lardner (SAN). Mrs. Elizabeth Oladunni Lawrence and her son, Oladipo Harry Lardner, made the request through their counsel , Jitobo Akanike at the resumed hearing of a suit before the court presided over by Justice I. Harrison They told the court that the late Harry Afolabi Lardner’s Will was read without the knowledge of Oladipo Harry Lardner, who is claiming to be the son of the deceased. The claimants, through their counsel, Akanike, made this known at the resumed hearing of the suit. They are, therefore, asking the court to vacate the caveat placed on the Will of the late Lardner. They are also seeking for an order of injunction restraining the second, third and fourth defendants from acting and administering the Estate of the Late Lardner or in any way meddle with his Estate until letters of Administration and proper probate are jointly granted to the second claimant and either of the two of the second, third and fourth defendants. Joined as defendants are the Probate Registrar, High Court of Lagos State, Mrs. Harriet Ann Omobolanle Adesola; Mrs. Rosamond Vera Cruz and Barrister Tokunbo Ayanniyi. Mrs. Lawrence, who told the court that she is the mother of the second complainant, Oladipo, said the first defendant, the Probate Registrar, neglected to notify her son of the date fixed for the reading of the Will. The claimants aver that as soon as the Will was read the second and third defendants furnished the first defendant with the second claimant’s contact address to serve him notice of caveat placed on none entry of the Will to the probate. They claimed that sometime in May 2008, the claimants applied to the first defendant requesting to search for the Will of the late SAN.

By Adebisi Onanuga

He said after their application to search the file, it was discovered that the second and third defendants, through their counsel, had placed a caveat restraining the grant of probate or Certified True Copy of the Will. In a 34-paragraph statement of claim, they are asking the court for a declaration that the second claimant, who is the child and the only son of the late Lardner, is a beneficiary of the Estate of the late SAN and is well known to the second and third defendants. An order from the court directing the first defendant to admit the Will of the late Lardner into Probate in favour of the second claimant, second and third defendants being the beneficiaries named in the Will. The claimants, further urged the court to direct the second and third defendants to give a full and detailed accounts of all monies and Real Estate of the late SAN. The claimants also said the fourth defendant, a legal practitioner, who worked with the late SAN, joined as executor in the said Will of late Lardner. However, the defendants, through their counsel C. Joseph (SAN), denied each and every claim in the statement of claim. The defendants averred that the claimants are not the wife and child of the late Lardner. The defendants admitted paragraph four of the statement of claim only to the extent that a supposed Will of late Lardner was read to them by the first defendant in February 2009. With particular reference to paragraph three of the statement of claims, the defendants averred that their father had no male issue in his life time and that their father was only survived by the second and third defendants only. They also denied placing caveat against the supposed Will of their father in the custody of the first defendant and also denied a statement of claim put on the claimants to the strictest proof thereof.

Law firm appoints new partners

HE firm of Babalakin & Co. has announced the admission of three of its lawyers to partnership positions. They are Mobolaji Olusegun Kuti, Oluseun Adeniyi Awonuga and Kehinde Adeyemi Daodu. According to a release by the firm Kuti attended the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria where he obtained an LL.B (Hons). Second Class (Upper Division), in his class in 1988. He attended the Nigerian Law School where he made

By John Austin Unachukwu

a Second Class (Upper Division) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. Awonuga attended the University of Ibadan, Nigeria where he obtained an LL.B Hons. in 2001 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2003. He joined the firm in 2006. Kehinde attended the University of Ilorin, Nigeria where he obtained an LL.B Hons in 2001 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2003.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

POLITICS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TRUE FEDERALISM The local government system is at crossroads. Since the restoration of civil rule in 1999, it has been at the centre of acrimony between the federal and state governments. The 1999 Constitution is not clear on its status within the lopsided federal structure. There are 774 councils listed in the constitution. Their functions are critical to the welfare of the local areas. But, many of them are not living up to expectation as vehicles for effective grassroots democracy and development because they are handicapped by certain constraints which have retarded their growth. Apart from the lack of consensus on the status of the local government, there is no unified system. In some states, the elected council enjoys a three year-tenure. In others, chairmen and councillors are elected to serve for two years. Also, the debate for council autonomy has polarised the polity. The local government is a creation of the state government, but both federal and state governments flex muscles over the power of financial control. Can the local government be repositioned for effective service delivery at the grassroots? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU revisits its prospects, constraints and critical areas requiring additional reforms.

Fragile councils groaning under fledgling federalism

•President Jonathan

T is the closest to the grassroots. But, in terms of service delivery, it has not sufficiently lived up to its billings as the beacon of hope for rural dwellers. Although local governments are created for the purpose of easy administration at the local area, many of them are always struggling to perform their statutory functions due to financial constraints. As the appendage of the state government, the structure is under-developed. Not only are councils performing below expectation across board, its prospects as an autonomous unit of administration is slim. As stakeholders converge on the City Hall, Lagos today for a critical review of the local government system, the problems of the supposedly third tier of government are on the front burner. The theme of the workshop organised by the Lagos State Gubernatorial Advisory Council chaired by the foremost scholar, Prof. Adebayo Williams, is: ‘Reforming Local Council for service delivery’. Discusssions will focus on the public perception of councils in Lagos State, the role of the legislative arm of local goverment, management of public funds and expectations of Lagosians from local governments. Expected at the workshop are council chairmen, their deputies, secretaries, council treasurers, managers and councillors. There are puzzles: Why is the council underfunded? Why do state governments perceive the local government, not as a tier of government, but more or less an extension of the state ministries and departments at the local level? Why are structures for function performance weak at the council? Why is the impact of the local government not felt? In the last 65 years, councils have operated under various nomenclatures as rural governments, urban councils, local authorities, district councils, town councils, local governments, municipal councils or local council development areas. Either under the military regime or civilian dispensation, local governments have always been relegated to the background. A political scientist, Boniface Ayodele, described the local government as a victim of the lopsided federal arrangement. He recalled that while councils were grappling with challenges of growth in the First Republic under the regional arrangement, their challenges multiplied under the military rule, despite the reforms introduced by successive administrations. “The constitution has not specified that

•Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

•Ekweremadu

•Asiwaju Tinubu

the council is a third tier, unlike what we have in India and other countries. Here, it appears that they mere local agencies of the state administration for the purpose of interface with the countryside”, he said. Under the military regime, local governments were created by the Federal Government. In 1999, the existing 774 councils were listed in the constitution. Since then, it has been difficult for the state government to create additional councils. When new councils were created by the Lagos State Government through the instrumentality of the House of assembly, they were not listed in the constitution. The Supreme Court did not condemn the process. But, it pointed out that they were incohate. Currently, money is allocated to the councils by the federal government from the Federation Account. This is irksome to the states, which is vested with the power to create or dissolve the councils under the constitution. Last year, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, called for the upgrading of the council into the third tier, based on the clamour for council autonomy by some stakeholders. But, pro-federalism crusaders opposed the suggestion, saying that only two tiers, a central government and states, which are coordinate with the central government as component units, constitute the making of a true federation. There was future over the reduction of the tenure of the elected local government from three to two years by some governors. In some states, governors even indicated that they would appoint supervisors, advisers and other aides for new council chairmen. The channels for disbursing council funds have also become a bone of contention. When money is allocated to the councils, it does not go directly to the councils. It is deposited in the State/Local Government Joint Accounts (JAC). At the JAC Committee meeting, the council is a junior partner. There are allegations by local government workers that governors indulge in

diverting council allocation through controversial deductions. The illegal deduction compelled President Goodluck Jonathan to suggest the separation of the State and Local Government Accounts. But, the move was criticised by the governors and their commissioners. According to experts, the modern local government system is an engendered specie. Unlike the councils of pre and independence eras, local governments have grossly failed to generate employment. It has not stemmed the rural/ urban migration by youths due to the absence of economic, social and recreational facilities. Also, the council has become an avenue for private accumulation by elected chairmen and councillors. According to the United Nation’s Office of Public Administration, local government is “a political sub-division of a nation or state, which is constituted by law and has substantial control of local affairs, including the powers to impose taxes or to exact labour for prescribed purposes. The governing body of such an entity is elected or otherwise locally selected”. But, renowned political scientist Prof. Godwin Odenigwe, pointed out that this grassroots structure is meaningful, if council really becomes the closest unit to the people in the true sense of the word. He argued that governance at local level means “communities and towns organised to maintain laws and order, provide some limited range of social services and public amenities and encourage the cooperation and participation of the inhabitants in joint endeavours towards the improvement of their living”. The “1976 Guidelines for a reform of local government in Nigeria” defined local government as the “government at local level exercised through representative councils established by law to exercise specific powers within defined areas. These powers should give the council substantial control over affairs as well as the staff and institutional and financial powers to initiate and direct the provision of services and to determine and imple-

ment projects so as to complement the activities of the state and federal government in their areas and to ensure, through devolution of functions to these councils and through active participation of the people that local initiative and response to local needs and conditions are maximised” Justifying the need for a viable local government, the former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, the late Major General Sheu Musa Yar’Adua, submitted that, “if stability at the national level is to be guaranteed, a firm foundation for a rational government at the local level is imperative”. Many analysts have noted that local government can be a solution to the participation crisis. It means an increase in the structures of participation and responsibility. However, this argument may be reduced to the elite’s cravings for more access to power and state resources. The foundation of local government system was erected on the colonial policy of indirect rule by the British. Up came the Colonial Native Authorities in rudimentary forms from 1890s to 1930s. To rule the colonised tribes through the existing chiefs and community elders under the emerging system was costeffective. The approach was very successful in the northern part of the country where subjects defer to their Emirs and chiefs in an atmosphere of stratification, and class and caste system. In the West, it was partially successful because the rulers’ actions were moderated by age-long checks and balance procedures, which prevented the exercise of absolute power. In the East, it was almost a failure. It was difficult to identify the traditional authorities in the essentially traditional kingless society Thus, chiefs-in-council was established in the 30s and 40s. However, a university don, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, pointed out that the Native Authorities encountered a number of problems. The size of each native authority was small and its closed-door recruitment policy and lean resources made it difficult for them to attract qualified staff. There was no evidence that the Native Authorities, including the Sole native Authorities, Chief-In Council, Chief-andCouncil and Federated Authorities, were democratic in nature. Thus, it was very difficult to evolve a common approach to local government development. Since the colonial masters appointed them, the participation of

‘There are puzzles: Why is the council underfunded? Why do state governments perceive the local government, not as a tier of government, but more or less an extension of the state ministries and departments at the local level? Why are structures for function performance weak at the council? Why is the impact of the local government not felt?’

•Continued on page 44

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

POLITICS

Why councils are under-performing •Continued from page 43

educated nationalists in those structures was delayed. Also, since they lacked trained staff, specialised functions, especially the provision of water supply and education, became difficult. However, between 1950 and 1955, the trend changed. Elected councils emerged in Lagos, Eastern and Western Regions. The East set the pace, followed by the West in 1952, with the promulgation of the Local Government Law, which introduced a tier structure of democratic government in the council composed of 25 per cent of traditional rulers. In those early days, when illiterate traditional rulers and young educated nationalists cohabited as councillors, misunderstanding brewed between the two classes. These tensions found expression in the protracted crises between the late Chief Bode Thomas and the Alaafin of Oyo, the late Alhaji Adeniran Adeyemi 11 in Oyo Council and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the Akarigbo of Remoland, the late Oba Williams Adedoyin, in Remo Council. Historically, it was the glorious era of council administration. The elected councils were given a measure of autonomy in financial and personal matters, and general administration. They had a wide range of functions, including primary education, health, police, and judiciary. In the West, council prisons also existed. To enhance performance, they had the power to levy education and general rates. In the North, the traditional rulers held sway for a longer period in the Native Authority, unlike in the South where the participation of educated citizens fostered pupilage in local administration. But in both North and South, corruption was rampant. Modern politicians who served as councillors, including Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and Adegoke Adelabu, were even arraigned before authorities to render accounts as councillors and heads of councils. Between 1960 and 1975, local government was on the decline in power and responsibility. Attention was focused on the federal, regional and state governments. In fact, local governments were reserved for failed House of Assembly and Representatives candidates. In the West, the new Local Government Law of 1960 abolished the council’s power to levy education and general levies. The grants promised by the regional government was not fully paid. Between 1964 and 1974, the local council in the country lost a number of major functions. These include local government police and prisons. In the East, councils lost power of control over primary education. The outbreak of the civil war also affected the operation of the local government system in the East. That was the situation until 1976 reforms which introduced the position of a ceremonial chairman working hollow along with the secretary, who was empowered as the chief executive. However, in 1989, presidential system was introduced at the local government, with the chairman becoming the chief executive presiding over an executive team of supervisors on one hand a team of councillors forming the legislative arm. Thus, there were checks and balances. The 2002 reforms undertaken by Obasanjo Administration more or less reinforced the 1976 input. However, while it is stipulated in the 1999 Constitution that democratically elected local governments are fully guaranteed, nearly half of the 774 local governments sharing allocations from the federal treasury are administered by caretaker bodies set up by governors. The governors’ second term ambition always shape the council polls as they often make sure that those elected as chairmen and councillors are lackeys who would coordinate their battle for second term at the grassroots. A sociologist, Prof. Peter Ekeh, highlighted many challenges confronting the local government system. The State University of New York, Buffalo, United States lecturer said that they are designed to “serve as receptacles of their allotted share of the largesse from petroleum oil revenues distributed from the Federation Account”. He frowned at the shrinkage of official responsibilities and lack of service-delivery culture, unlike the earlier era. Their viability, sustainability and survival are also in doubt. Ekeh observed that most local governments would collapse, if they do not receive regular allocations from the central government. Apart from under-funding, other challenges include identity and role crisis, constitutional crisis, poor administration, lack of economic viability, and inept council bureaucracy. However, none of these challenges invalidate the justification for grassroots government.

Former Secretary to Lagos State Government Olorunfunmi Basorun described the local government as the den of the deadwood. He lamented that some council engineers are mere technical employees. “Officers are ill-trained and there is lack of expertise. The councils are poorly managed, poorly monitored and poorly assessed,” he added. But, he conceded that if they are positioned for effective performance, they can satisfy local yearnings. “The federal and state governments are distant levels of administration, aptly insensitive to local concerns and expectations. It is the council government the people can call their own because it is expected that they should have more access to it. But, today, the functions of the council are hijacked by the federal and state governments in the areas of primary education refuse disposal and markets,” he stressed. Local government scholars have evolved three approaches for the study of the local government system. The exponents of “Democracy and Accountability School of Local Government” perceive the local government system in its democratic character. To them, procedures in it should be open, transparent, verifiable, result-oriented and accountable. Local government is viewed as a training ground for political leaders. Thus, it is believed that career politicians can use the local government as a lever for acquiring political training and leadership qualities by first contesting as councillors at the local government area. That scope of apprenticeship may have been widened with the introduction of presidential system at the council level. The implication is that councillors who have been exposed to the ‘know how’ of law making at the council level may proceed to the Houses of Assembly, Representatives and Senate. Lord James Bryce, who is a supporter of this school of thought, had this in mind when he remarked that local government is that school of democracy and the best guarantee for its success is the practice of local self-government. In the same vein, John Stuat Mill declared that local government is one of the free institutions which provide political education, especially the public education of citizens using the instrumentality of the council administration. This political education induces participation in the council affairs by people who are remote from the state and federal governments. Related to the democracy school of thought is the “Accountability and Control School of Thought”. When locals file out to cast their votes for the chairmen and councillors, they are participating in council affairs. It is incumbent on the local electors to elect men of proven ability, intellect and competence. If they elect the right people, there will be development in the council. If they elect fraudsters, they suffer under-development. How to use the voting right effectively as a weapon of choice, change and rejection of leadership is the sole pre-occupation of this school of thought. It is a free choice with lots of implications for the citizens and the local polity. For example, if corrupt men and women are elected, they will drain the council treasury. Ajayi said: “If inexperienced people are elected, they will hinge their lack of performance on learning on the job. If competent people and men and women of honour and integrity are elected, they will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people”. The third is the “Responsibility School of Thought”. As a structure very close to the locality, local councils should serve as essential instrument for the performance of basic services, which could be best administered locally, based on the intimate knowledge of the needs, conditions and peculiarities of the areas concerned. Among these are chieftaincy, marriage, markets, local schools, primary health care and refuse disposal. Owing to lack of expertise, working tools and enormity of the challenge, refuse disposal and construction of markets, have been taken over by some state governments. However, Prof. Ekeh attested to other specialised functions of the councils, which account for its peculiarity. These include sanitary inspection, town planning, water supply

•The late Ndayako

•General Abubakar

and market management by Town Councils, and local security, which is now prohibited by the constitution. Before their derailment, old town and city councils performed these functions creditably and with minimum difficulties. “The personnel of such high profile town governments as Lagos Town Council rivaled that of the Central Government in the quality of employees they attracted. Thus, such giants in the history of Nigerian public service as Dr Ladipo Oluwole and Chief Adegbeji Salubi were employees of the Lagos Town Council in the 1930s and 1940s. The three schools provide a further linkage of ideas. The people elect, retain and fire councillors and chairmen, thereby giving expressions to the democratic character of the councils. The elected men perform clearly stated functions and they should be accountable. This makes them, to earn the respect of the local polity which may decide to send them to the state or federal in furtherance of their services to the people. How are operative content accorded these linkages? The democratic foundation of the councils in this dispensation is doubtful. Ayodele pointed out that councils have become working tools in the hands of ambitious political leaders. Since chairmanship and councillorship candidates run on the platforms of competing political parties for elections, there is the tendency to impose them on the councils. Thus, those invariably elected are the candidates of political barons and godfathers, and not essentially the candidates of the people. As bastions of corruption, councils have often disappointed the people by their sheer ineptitude and lack of initiative. Council chairmen are usually overwhelmed by the resources at their disposal, although the funds are not enough, if they are development-conscious. To buttress this, a report by the Jide Jimoh House of Assembly Committee on Local Government Appropriation in Lagos State had harsh words for many council chairmen, who demonstrated lack of competence, to the detriment of the people they were elected to serve. Experts who have lamented the windowdressing approach to council administration stressed that the love of money, rather than the desire to serve, has been the motivation for jostling for chairmanship and councillorship seats at the councils. The poor quality of budgeting and project implementation by the councils attest to the poor standard of the councils across the country. Many chairmen and councillors lack the training to know these technicalities. While on tour of the Lagos councils, following his assumption of office in 2007, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), was confronted by the rot in many council areas. Frowning at the ineptitude, he suggested some targets, which he said the chairmen should aspire to meet so that they could deliver dividends of democracy to the people. Many have argued that the internalisation of service-delivery orientation could prepare council operators for higher tasks at state and federal levels. This is why local government

is viewed as a training ground for political leaders. A career politician is expected to use the lowest tier, or the third tier, as a lever for acquiring political training and leadership qualities by first contesting as councillors. In this regard, Lagos councils have served as training grounds for future leaders at regional, state and federal levels. They include Chief Rotimi Williams, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, the late Chief Mumuni Adio Badmus, Chief Ganiyu Dawodu, Chief Enoch Ajiboso, Chief Lanre Rasaq, Dr Tola Kasali, Hon. Toyin Hamzat, Hon. Sesan Olanrewaju, Senator Adekunle Muse and Senator Ganiyu Solomon. In the earlier dispensation, the late Awolowo, Bello, Ajasin, Chief Bode Thomas, Mazi Nbonu Ojike, Adegoke Adelabu, and Alhaji Shetima Ali Mongonu began their elective political careers as councillors. That was the bright side of the earlier councils. As elected agencies of the people, councils must be accountable to the people, who must continue to wield control over their functionaries. If corrupt men and women are not elected as chairmen and councillors, many corrupt politicians would be prevented from climbing the hierarchy of government at state and federal levels. However, the hands of the state governors have been heavy on the councils. The governors always postpone local government elections. Since the law says there should be elected councils, it is illegal to postpone it or refuse to hold it on time. Also, since it is the governor that will constitute the local government electoral commission, council elections are held in an atmosphere of minimal electoral reforms, making the opposition parties to be edged out of the local electoral process. The first step in decentralisation of power, for the pupose of reaching out to the rural areas and connecting the countryside with the state and federal government, is through the local government system. Since the localities differ across the diverse country, the peculiarities come to the fore through the sheer performance of those critical local functions dictated by local interest. In this regard, five important factors cannot be compromised: • For local government to bring itself nearer to the people, the people must have input into the policy formulation and decision - making process at all times, either directly or through their representatives in the local legislature. • Local government reflects the character of self-government when indigenes and residents participate directly its administration, composition of functionaries, and general staffing. • Wider participation of the people in the affairs of the council should foster a sense of belonging. • Local government should encourage initiatives and development of leadership potentials from the grassroots. To that extent, it can become a training ground for future state and national leaders. • Local government can serve as a link or channel of communication between local communities and central authorities. The functions of local governments are not statutorily delegated by either the state or federal governments. However, there are instances where states and federal governments can collabotarate with councils in solving some probles facing some communities.

‘The federal and state governments are distant levels of administration, aptly insensitive to local concerns and expectations ... But, today, the functions of the council are hijacked by the federal and state governments in the areas of primary education refuse disposal and markets’

•To be continued

HEALTH

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF) unit has received a lift, 30 years after its establishment by two doctors, who ran it with their resources. OYEYEMI GBENGAMUSTAPHA writes.

O address infertility, the Federal Government has released funds for the upgrade of the In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF) unit at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to a clinic. The centre has been equipped with stateof-the-art facilities. In the 80s, LUTH pioneered IVF in West Africa, but the government did not prioritise reproduction through IVF and the unit almost closed shop. But Prof Osato Giwa-Osagie and Prof Oladapo Ashiru, reputed to be the brains behind the first In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF) in West Africa, did not give up. They pioneered the test tube baby procedure in Africa in 1984, and produced the first test tube baby in West Africa in 1989. The duo also set up a human sperm bank, the first in West Africa, East Africa and Central Africa. The duo set up the IVF unit as a research entity. IVF was obtained with about N80, 000.00. But now the estimated cost is about N250, 000 as against the over N500, 000 charged in most of the 35 private IVF centres in Nigeria. There are four IVF centres owned by the government. At the commissioning of the Assisted Conception Centre and Colposcopy Unit in LUTH, Prof Giwa-Osagie of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology said it was an important achievement. “When I gave my inaugural lecture, I said I was only waiting for one more thing; that is, for IVF to restart at LUTH. This is because IVF in the whole of East, Central and West Africa started in LUTH, under Prof Ashiru and me. There had been confusion over the years on evolution of IVF in Nigeria. Some 30 years ago, IVF kicked off in LUTH. It is a historical feat captured even in the hospital’s magazine. It is part of historical and institutional achievements of LUTH. I am a locus in the history of IVF in Africa; that was in the 80s,”Prof Giwa-Osagie said. The facility boasts of latest equipment with audio visual systems where the other partner can see the procedure, sitting outside the theatre and culture room, with advance technique, including physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection (PICSI),

•From left: Dr Awolowo-Dosunmu, Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof Akin Osibogun and Prof of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Prof Boniface Oye-Adeniran at the inauguration. Inset: Prof Giwa-Osagie. PHOTO: OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA.

Towards a cheaper IVF process

to treat male and female infertility, including pre-implantation genetic screening i.e. PGS. At LUTH IVF Centre, the issue on infertility is addressed as a “couple issue”. Both the mother and father to be, are holistically evaluated to provide the most workable treatment solutions in line with the latest medical advancements. The IVF Centre offers consultations, expertise, standardised and transparent care delivery protocols, diagnostic services, quality processes, handholding every step of the way from pre-conception to post delivery and treatment facilities. Not only that, Giwa-Osagie said, there is a sperm bank. “Why did we need a sperm bank? We needed a sperm bank because it allows you to store the sperm so that it can be used for the patient, if, for instance, her husband is not around. It allows you to use sperms that had been screened for people who cannot produce sperm just the way you use blood bank to serve people who need blood. Of course, when assisted conception became more advanced, sperm banking became imperative and because LUTH is putting in place a world class IVF centre, it was in-tandem,” he said. On what the centre will offer couples, Giwa-Osagie said: “A fertility challenged couple can benefit from IVF. It can help men with low sperm count or un-descending sperm or unexplained infertility. As this place kicked off, I can tell you it is going to be like a market. The administrative aspect of the IVF centre must be managed in tandem with the finance, so there could be a

• LUTH Centre gets govt support revolving fund. As the patronage increases, there would be financial holes which some people may be tapping into in order to defraud the hospital. Let every hand be on deck to ensure that this centre does not go down. “It is very important to us at the clinic and unit. And we are happy that the centre is kicking off again. We are going to run it effectively. More hands would be trained from the university and the unit will provide services to the clients and researches will also be done to meet all the reasons for establishing a teaching hospital. “Another advantage is for men with low sperm count or insemination. Here at LUTH/College, we had the first sperm bank in the whole of West Africa with over 2,000 babies produced from same before it was stopped. That is useful when a man has zero sperm count. When a man has low sperm count, one can take sample direct from his testicles. And through ICSI, one sperm to one egg one can achieve 30 to 35 per cent pregnancy success rate. With such a man, he can have biological children of his own, that was not possible some 30 years ago. “With this new centre, women with very bad ovaries, such as those with Turner Syndrome i.e they never menstruate at all, can benefit from. We have proven this in 2005 by taking eggs from women that menstruate, fertilised with the sperm from the husbands of the women with Turner Syndrome and introducing

same to such women (with Turner Syndrome). More opportunities now abound with this centre,” GiwaOsagie said. He said: “The first pregnancy we had in LUTH was in 1984. The first baby through IVF was in 1989. Since that time the knowledge and stimulation regime to get many eggs from a woman, and reintroduce back into her, with the understanding that not more than two embryos are transferred; pregnancy rate success then was 29 per cent, but now 35 per cent. Two sets of women can now benefit from IVF- older women and women with Turner Syndrome or issues with their reproduction. Age is no longer barrier in conception through IVF. “Even where a woman does not menstruate again, you can obtain egg from a lady below 30 years and put in the older woman; it is now done worldwide, even here in Nigeria. The oldest woman with such experience is 63 years. In Nigeria, the oldest age we have recorded is 56 years.” On why he did not give up on the LUTH IVF centre over the years, when many of his contemporaries had gone fully into private practice, Prof GiwaOsagie said in a society where there are priorities and interests, IVF tends to have low priority, because some people at the corridor of power believe diseases and infrastructure are more important compared to IVF. Aesthetically, they may be right and that paved the way for IVF to go fully private. “As of December last year, there

Pharmaceutical firm gives Nigeria N48m research grant

N the next three years, a pharmaceutical firm, AstraZeneca, will invest N48 million in research projects in Nigeria to build medical capacity and support scholars. At the launch of the research grant, the Country President for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, AstraZeneca, Karl Friberg said the firm’s intention is to fund five to seven projects yearly. The research will cost N16 million per year. The ‘Astra Zeneca Nigeria Research Grant’ is an initiative to facilitate research in both communicable and non-communicable dis-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

eases (NCDs) in West African country and followed closely on the recent successful launch of a comparable venture in Kenya earlier this year. “Prevalence/epidemiological, pharmaco-economic and health outcomes data are vital if we’re to understand the disease burden in Africa. The Grant will make possible the studies needed to provide such data,” said Friberg. The focus in Africa on infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria is now broadened to include non communicable diseases (NCDs) such as

cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (e.g. hypertension) and asthma. “We know these conditions are increasing rapidly in Africa, but we’re unable to quantify the extent of the problem. We need local data to know what we’re dealing with – so that we can partner with governments to address matters earlier in the disease process and avoid the higher downstream costs that come with treating advanced disease states,” he said. Friberg said his organisation was aware that the Nigerian government is especially concerned about the increasing NCD burden hence the decision by his organisation to make

available the research grant. “The Minister of Health is interested in establishing a national stroke and cardiovascular disease prevention programme, but is dependent on hospitals coming up with good-quality representative data on the prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors. Over and above the Grant, AstraZeneca is also funding a project run out of the capital, Abuja, to assess the prevalence of these risk factors. “The study involves 5, 000 subjects and is being undertaken in partnership with the National Hospital Abuja. It represents an investment of an additional US$100 000 and is cur-

were 37 IVF centres in Nigeria, of which LUTH; National Hospital, Abuja and University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), which we started and helped start, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Kwara and LASUTH by The Bridge Clinic, are in the public sector. IVF is very expensive. For a perfect IVF procedure, it cannot be less than N700, 000 per cycle. We all know what the minimum wage is. “From experience, some people in need go borrowing; sell their plots of land or houses just to do IVF. This is a procedure that has 30 to 40 per cent success rate. This is a fact. There is a 65 to 75 per cent rate of IVF not being successful. There is no 100 per cent success rate. The 30 per cent successes recorded are the fuel that keep IVF patronage. No one can say how successful any cycle would be. IVF is indispensable in Nigeria, whereby marriages break up easily due to infertility related issues. Any marriage without an issue is easily exposed to external influences. There are social and financial implications of IVF. So I pursued the funds to ensure LUTH IVF becomes a centre where subsidised IVF can be obtained,” he said. Giwa-Osato advised LUTH management on a gray area, which is, surrogacy. “The hospital must take a decision on surrogacy. Surrogacy is when a couple decides and agreed that another woman should carry a baby (pregnancy) for them. It is being practised world over, even here in Nigeria. Being a Federal hospital, the Ethics Committee must quickly arrive at a decision on surrogacy before the demands and patronages of the facility would peak,” he said. LUTH Management Board Chairman Dr Olatokunbo AwolowoDosunmu said: “This is to put LUTH in the centre of excellence in medicine in the committee of tertiary hospitals. Assisted conception centre, I believe would bring more joy and sense of completeness to many more homes. It is gladdening that LUTH is putting up a centre such as that up. It is a giant stride, a cutting edge in medicine.”

Firm wins award

HE Institute for Government Research and Technology Leadership (IGRTL) has named Pregnaid as the Best Anaemia and Iron Management Deficiency Product of 2013. It is a product of an indigenous pharmaceutical/healthcare company, Tyonex Group. Announcing the award in Abuja, the Institute’s Secretary, Technical/Event Organising Committee, Mahmud Ibrahim, an engineer, said Tyonex Pregnaid “outperformed others” in every department to clinch the honour. Pregnaid, which is Tyonex’s leading primary healthcare product, was praised for being a product of high quality, good track record, value creation and efficacy. It is acceptable, affordable and available.” The Institute said Pregnaid is hygienically processed and safe and it passed quality tests. It noted that the product is fortified with finest ingredients including vitamins, iron, etc” while “conforming to global quality and beats other brands.” Compliance with professional codes, government regulatory laws and ethical standards, the institute said, enabled Pregnaid to emerge tops in a crowded and competitive field of similar pharmaceutical products. Tyonex Group’s Managing Director/ CEO, Emmanuel Agba said he was delighted by the award. “It is a recognition of our demonstrable commitment to high quality products produced in hygienic and safe environment that meet global standards. Going forward, our goal is to strive to exceed the standards that have brought us such honours,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Despite decades of fruitless search for oil in the Chad Basin, the Federal Government still strongly hopes to find oil there, writes Assistant Editor EMEKA UGWUANYI

Fed Govt resumes oil search in Chad Basin A

FTER a lull, the Federal Government has resumed the search for oil in the Chad Basin in Borno State, despite the security challenges there. Public Affairs Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Dr. Kennie Obateru, who spoke on behalf of the Group General Manager, Mr Fidel Pepple, said “seismic acquistion activities” have resumed in the Basin. NAPIMS is a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), responsible for upstream investment. Obateru said the project was being handled by Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) a subsidiary of NNPC, in partnership with BGP, a subsidiary of the China National Petroleum Corporation. The project is part of a 12-phased 3D seismic data acquisition programme covering 3,550 Sq.Km of which Phase 5 covers 252 Sq.Km has just been concluded. Currently, Phase 6 of the programme covering 266 Sq.Km has begun. Obateru said: “From Phase 1 to date, a total of 1,437 Sq.Km of seismic data has been acquired. Of this, 1,096 Sq.Km of seismic data has been duly processed and is ready for interpretation. Preliminary seismic data interpretation has produced some leads that will be further investigated to establish drillable prospects. “The seismic acquisition activities were carried out with due regard to environmental protection and in accordance with international standards and best practices. In this regard, NNPC contracted the University of Maiduguri to undertake an Environmental Baseline Studies (EBS) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which will be a guide in the current and future exploration activities in the region. “As a responsible corporate

citizen, NNPC has embarked on sustainable developmental projects for her host communities in the areas of infrastructure, health and education. NNPC has also undertaken projects such as provision of potable water through sinking of boreholes as well as refurbishing of classroom blocks in primary schools in the area.” The current exploration in the Basin started over three years ago and has covered five seismic acquisition phases. Obateru said: “Our current strategy is to continue Phase 6-12 to enable us complete acquisition & interpretation prior to further drilling activities in the area. Effort is also being intensified to complete interpretation of the acquired aeromagnetic surveys across the six inland basins as part of the aggressive exploration agenda for increasing our country’s reserve base, he said.” Despite decades of fruitless searches by the Halliburton and Schlumberger, NNPC remain hopeful of finding oil in commercial quantity in the Basin. Halliburton and Schlumberger have since given up in the search. According to records, the multinational oil firms could only find two gas wells, with insignificant volumes; hence the abandon search for oil. NNPC’s hopes were renewed by reports of the discovery of oil on the other side of Lake Chad in Cameroon, Chad and Niger. In 2011, the government approved the execution of a comprehensive hydrocarbon mapping of Nigeria to activate the efficient search for oil and gas in the inland sedimentary basins including Chad Basin. This led to hiring of a renowned geophysicist and consultant to the United Nations, Prof. Deborah Ajakaiye, to lead a team of Nigerian and foreign geologists, geophysicists to undertake the project. Ajakaiye, a former President of the American Association of Pe-

‘Shell’s divestment plans make strategic sense’

EUTSCHE Bank has said it makes ‘strategic sense’ for Shell to sell off assets in the United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria, though its analysis doesn’t suggest they would be big money deals. According to Oil & Gas Wrap, the German bank said in a note to investors that the noise around potential divestments is building and it is becoming clearer which assets will go under the hammer. Deutsche Bank’s analyst, Lucas Herrmann said: “Quite aside from the need to raise cash, that Shell should be looking to scale back its position in often troublesome (Nigeria) and mature territories (UK) makes strategic sense. “Pushing into the assets available for sale, however, and what seems apparent is that the posi-

tions offered are relatively modest in value.” In the North Sea, according to Deutsche Bank, Shell is likely to be selling the Anasuria floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit and interests in the Nelson area and Sean gas field; together these assets yielded 19,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day last year. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, it says four licences are available for sale yielding around 26,000 barrels per day and would have a value of around $500 million. The analyst adds: “All told, our view is that come completion, the complexion of Shell’s forward portfolio will be marginally improved with the action itself of decided value to sentiment. Big money proceeds are not, however, likely to be forthcoming – from these divestments at least.”

troleum Geologists (Africa Region), had worked on similar prospects in Saudi Arabia, Chad, Sudan, Argentina and some other Latin America and African countries. Providing insight into the planned project, she noted that the exercise, which is programmed to include the aerial and ground survey of the country, was designed to pin-point areas of high potentials and identify most prospective oil and gas zone. “This project entails the comprehensive and systematic airborne geophysical surveys involving gravity, magnetic and electromagnetic surveys of the inland basins with state of the art equipment. It also involves detail integrated programme of geophysical, geological, petrological and geochemical studies,”

Ajakaiye said. She also noted that any commercial discovery based on the outcome of the project would foster the attractiveness of the basins for huge investment by the international oil companies (IOCs) with the attendant massive economic benefit for the host communities and the entire country. Based on team work’s government has been budgeting money yearly for exploration in the basin. Vice President Namadi Sambo believes that from the results of ongoing activities in the basin, the government expected that commercial exploration of oil and gas would begin there this year. He said the Chad Basin project took $75 million in 2012 and $100 million in 2013.

The Northern Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) and the African Finance Corporation (AFC) in 2008, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure continued oil exploration around the Benue Trough and the Chad Basin. The Nigerian Association of Petroleum Geologists ( NAPE) also believes that there may still be something in the basin, adding that countries that own other parts of the Chad Basin produce oil. “With new data, knowledge increases. I’m sure that there are people studying that basin and maybe with time, Nigeria would strike oil there. We have oil in the Agade Basin in Niger Republic and we have oil in Doba Boga Basin in Southern Chad, we believe oil may be found there someday,” the association said.

•From left:Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Management Board, Ernest Nwapa, Managing Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Mark Ward, Citibank representatives; Adeola David and Dennis Ayomoto at the launch of the ExxonMobil Contractor Finance Scheme in Lagos.

NUEE begins members’ verification for severance benefits

HE National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), an umbrella body for all junior workers in the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), said a verification has begun to ascertain the identities of its members that who either dead or alive. Speaking to The Nation, its National President, Mansur Musa said the development became necessary in order to know workers who are genuine or fake and further fight for their entitlements. Musa said the exercise would enable the body to be in a good position to demand for the rights of its workers. He said the exercise would be accompanied with pressures to compel the government to pay all the outstanding benefits owed its members. The body, Musa said, has watched events in the sector closely, and has

By Akinola Ajibade

come to the conclusion that the government is not interested in paying all the workers in the sector. He said the claims by the government that it has paid all the workers their entitlements were not correct, adding that some workers have not received their packages. He said: “We are verifying the names of members that are either dead or alive to get a good picture of them. It is not going to take eternity to fight and win the battle because we have facts intact. If there is nothing on ground after the expiration of the deadline given the government to address the issue of paying the entitlements of all the workers, we would come together and mount serious pressure on the government to acquiesce to our demands.” Musa said the development was informed by the perceived non-re-

sponsive attitude of the government towards the workers. He said the exercise would help in blocking any loopholes the government is trying to capitalise on to deny workers their entitlements. According to him, the need to settle the severance entitlements ranging from pension component, gratuity, retirement, death benefits and other labour issues once and for all is imperative for the growth of the sector. NUEE Secretary, Joe Ajaero said the 10 per cent equity shareholdings for workers collectively agreed upon has been jettisoned, while salaries and wages of the employees have been unilaterally reduced. Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, had said the government has paid the workers, arguing that they therefore, do not have right to disrupt the privatisation process.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com 08062722507

property@thenationonlineng.net muyiwalucas2002@yahoo.com

Curbing the menace of estate agents

OR three days, Toun Ogunsanya, a mother of two and trader in Oshodi market, Lagos locked up her shop. She did so not because of ill-health but she had in order for an estate agent in Mushin, who she gave money to help her, get a one-bedroom apartment. Unable to locate the “estate agent” after a three-day search, she returned to her business. Ogunsanya said she paid N150,000 to the agent, known simply as Baba Ibeji, after he showed her an apartment under renovation. She promised to balance, after taking possession of the apartment. To her surprise, she learnt that the property shown to her had been occupied by someone else through another agent. For now, Ogunsanya only lives on the hope of finding Baba Ibeji sometime in the future. Olumide Akintunde, who owns a property in Ojodu-Berger in Lagos State, would also not forget in a hurry the ugly experience he had with the estate agent managing his property. He recalled that for one year, the agent did not remit any money to him as rent collected on his property. So, on the last Saturday of November, last year, he visited the tenants himself. He said: “I was surprised when they all showed me their receipts for rent payment, some of them even till March 2014. It was then I realised that the agent in charge of the house had collected the rent but not remitted same to me.” For now, he has parted ways with the agent, while his money remains unpaid. His hope of getting his money has dimmed as the

Accommodation seekers dread them, but estate agents remain an evil they must live with. Many have fallen prey to them while searching for shelter. Now the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers(NIESV) appears set to curb their menace, writes Assistant Editor MUYIWA LUCAS

•Idudu agent has since relocated to an unknown area. The experiences of Ogunsanya and Akintunde are a few of the cases of fraudulent activities of estate agents across the country, which have left their victims helpless. These agents most times leave more to be desired. They have been blamed for the high

•Fashola cost of rent in some cases because of the commission they are paid on every transaction. Most times, against the wish of the property owner, estate agents cause a higher price to be paid for properties, especially in cities where there is high demand for houses Determined to stop this scourge, Governor Babatunde Fashola has established the Lagos State Real Estate Transactions Department (LASERETRAD). The functions of this body include sensitising the public about estate agency and attendant rules, risks and benefits; keep a register of qualified estate agency practitioners who voluntarily registered with the department; ensure protection of citizens from illegal trade practices; create a forum for affected members of society to lodge complaints against unscrupulous agents; monitor compliance with the state tenancy law and other legislation on land transaction; and prosecute agents suspected of having violated he applicable laws. Last year, an estate agent, Michael Olabameji was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by an Ikeja High Court for defrauding 100 accommodation seekers of N29.8 million. In the verdict, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo observed that the convict inflicted untold hardships on the victims, depriving them of their money under the pretence of getting accommodation for them. Last week, the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) took a bold initiative to regulate estate agency in the country. At its 20th yearly John Ekpenyong Memorial Lecture in Lagos, with the theme: “Estate Agency: Have we lost it”, the body noted that estate agency was an important aspect of NIESV work. Its President, Mr. O. J. A. Idudu, observed that the way quacks operate in the estate agency sub-sector of the industry calls for serious concern. “They are proud; they are unfriendly, impolite, insulting because they believe we are in competition. They are not trained, not disciplined, and some of them can be fraudulent, but the estate surveyor who is regulated by NIESV cannot do that,” Idudu said. Estate agency, Idudu continues, came into being through Decree 24 of 1975; and is an aspect of the profession under the supervision and regulation of NIESV. Therefore, he said, to practise as an estate agent, such a person is expected to register with the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON), failing which such a practitioner is portrayed as a quack. Several reasons also make it impossible for effective regulation of the profession. Olayinka Omotosho, in the blamed the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), which he contends, regards estate agency as a mere business concern by classifying it under general business practice. This, he reckons, has made it difficult for the NIESV and ESVARBON to put their feet down to control the activities of these quacks. Idudu said in May 2007, the Lagos State Estate Agency Regulatory Authority was established by law. He, however, observed that if the real professionals had taken the initiative early

•Eleh enough to control and regulate in all its ramifications, the profession of estate surveying, there would have been sanity and unscrupulous estate agents would not have had the chance to thrive. NIESV Registrar, Thomas Audu, reckons that the solution lies in the establishment of an estate agents association with the NIESV playing a prominent role in. This thinking obviously gave birth to the Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria, launched four months ago in Lagos by the NIESV. President, NIESV, Emeka Eleh told The Nation that estate agency is one of the things the Institution does, but which, unfortunately, tends to be the one that gives the body a bad name because housing is very key to man’s survival. Eleh agrees that estate agency business has been unregulated before now, making everyone to claim authority. “We have been concerned about this and before now we had established a new body known as Association of Estate Agent in Nigeria, it is a body to regulate activities in this area,” he noted. Eleh said the idea is that anybody can practice as an estate agent but such a person should go through a process that would ensure minimal training and certification to be a practitioner. This is how it is done globally. For the NIESV, this initiative is a consumer protection function considering that there is a need to protect the public because everyday people are being duped by agents, either by renting an uncompleted building to an unsuspecting client or eloping with one’s money. “Our idea is to standardise this aspect of our profession; the new body has been launched in Lagos and over a thousand agents have joined; it will also be launched in Abuja for the northern zone shortly. We have multiple agents body here but what we now have is a national body of estate agents that will use our own network all over the country that would ensure that our members are working with their agents to grow the practice. Our own idea is to develop the practice so that people can have confidence in an agent,” Eleh explained, adding that today, anyone dealing with an estate surveyor and valuer has the confidence that if anything goes wrong, the Institution will intervene and sanction its member if found wanting.” Laudable as this initiative is, it still appears to be a long walk to self actualisation for the NIESV. This was by Idudu in his lecture when he observed that there is an “external invasion” on the estate agency scene by way of practitioners from the United Kingdom, Dubai, France and the United States. These prospecting practitioners, he noted, check into some good hotels, advertise in newspapers their presence, and invite prospective Nigerian investors to visit them in their suites to “arrange” property investments abroad. This is the new challenge for NIESV.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT

24-2-14

Equities rebound with N132b gains

IGERIAN equities yesterday broke away from the negative overhang of the last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor. With several equities opening at their lows, bargain hunters responded with renewed momentum and raised the aggregate valuation of all quoted equities by 1.07 per cent. Aggregate market value of all equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rose by N132 billion from N12.301 trillion to N12.433 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI)- the benchmark index that tracks prices of all equities on the NSE, increased by 1.07 per cent to 38,707.14 points as against its opening index of 38,295.74 points. With 28 advancers to 18 decliners, the market situation showed relatively large bull-

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

ish rally, orchestrated mainly by increased demand for highly capitalised stocks. Dangote Cement, the most capitalised stock on the NSE, led the rally with a gain of N2.40 to close at N237.40. Nigerian Breweries, the second most capitalised stock, followed with addition of 93 kobo to close at N145.93. Dangote Sugar Refinery rose by 85 kobo to close at N11.59. Zenith Bank gained 65 kobo to close at N20.55. FBN Holdings added 59 kobo to close at N12.58. United Bank for Africa chalked up 58 kobo to close at N7.28 while Oando added 52 kobo to close at N20.15 per share. Nigerian equities had lost N354 billion between Thursday and Friday following the announcement of the suspen-

sion of the CBN Governor. Prior to the suspension, aggregate market value of all equities at the NSE had witnessed sustained rally between Monday and Wednesday. It opened the week at N12.427 trillion and built up successively to N12.528 trillion, N12.530 trillion and N12.655 trillion on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Meanwhile, turnover stood at 337.31 million shares valued at N3.11 billion in 5,079 deals yesterday. Financial services stocks accounted for 295.36 million shares valued at N2.30 billion in 3,271 deals. Access Bank was the most active stock with a turnover of 56.79 million shares worth N437.12 million in 260 deals. On the downside, Guinness Nigeria led the decliners with a loss of N6.29 to close at N162.61. Cadbury Nigeria followed with a loss of N4.53 to close at N86.25. UACN Property Development Company lost 40 kobo to close at N19.60. Access Bank dropped by 27 kobo to close at N7.64. Dangote Flour Mills of declined by 24 kobo to close at N9.26 per share.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 24-2-14

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

MONEYLINK

Nigeria leads $750b global leasing accounts N

IGERIA remains a leading player in the African leasing industry, contributing significantly to the $750 billion annual turnover for the subsector, Chairman, Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria (ELAN) Kehinde Lawanson has said. Speaking at a stakeholders’ conference organised by the Partnership Initiatives for Niger Delta Development (PIND), he said the industry, globally, accounts for an annual turnover of about, and the largest external source of finance for capital investment. He said ELAN is committed to empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria, a practice, he said remains an essential element in growth strategy of most

sector. “These initiative notwithstanding, MSMEs, are still incapacitated by the paucity of finance. It must be pointed out that the various attempts aimed at ensuring adequate funding for the MSME sector have continued to focus on the traditional sources of finance,” it said. Continuing, he said the provision of capital assets is crucial to the success of any productive venture and in our peculiar circumstances, it is imperative that reasonable access to credit is at least guaranteed. Lawanson stated that “Globally

Stories by Collins Nweze

economies. He regretted that in spite of the relevance of MSMEs to economic development, the sector continued to be plagued by numerous challenges, key among which is poor access to finance. “The sector attracts little share of lending from financial institutions. Latest statistics indicate that only five per cent of total lending of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) gets to MSMEs. This is perhaps due to the high risks associated with lending to MSMEs,” he said. He said that in order to address the fundamental issue of inadequate funding in the sector, government at all levels initiated various intervention programmes geared at enhancing development in the

Owerri, Stanley Akwara, represented by Mr. Charles Oguibe, Business Manager, Waast Avenue branch, said the bank remains a partner with the subsector. Continuing, the lender is not just providing financial services to MSMEs, but creating value for them. “When we help MSMEs build their capacity, they will be able to run their organisations better, make profit and do more business with us. That way we can jointly impact society more effectively,” it said. “Diamond Bank has heavily invested in the MSME sector and we are among the few banks that support small businesses with loans. Till date, we have given out about N120 billion to 60,000 customers and most of these loans were given without collateral. We are about the only bank doing this,” he added. Speaking on the impact of the

BusinessXpress seminars, Adaeze Ume, Segment Head, Micro Enterprises and Business Development Services, Diamond Bank PLC, explained that capacity building has been a strong focus of the bank in building value for MSMEs and that customer feedback has been commendable.

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

MANAGED FUNDS Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

-2.11

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8

2-5-14 2-3-14

245.6422

-2.57

400m

399.9m

155.7

1-29-14

209.2910

-1.51

Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

BANK (S/N)

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

(S/N)

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

Parallel Market

153.0000

UBA DANGSUGAR FBNH DIAMONDBNK UBCAP SKYEBANK TRANSCORP WEMABANK NEM HONYFLOUR

6.70 10.74 11.99 6.10 2.50 3.30 3.66 0.95 0.73 3.50

C/PRICE 7.28 11.59 12.58 6.40 2.62 3.45 3.82 0.99 0.76 3.64

CHANGE 0.58 0.85 0.59 0.30 0.12 0.15 0.16 0.04 0.03 0.14

Feb. ’14

July ’11

Feb ’14

MPR

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate

8.50%

9.50%

4.50%

5.50%

30.00%

Cash Return Rate

1.00%

2.00%

Inflation Rate

7.8%

7.9%

Deposit Rate

Liquidity Ratio

LOSERS AS AT 24-02-14

SYMBOL CONTINSURE JAPAULOIL GUINNESS COSTAIN ACCESS INTENEGINS DANGFLOUR NAHCO UAC-PROP STANBIC

O/PRICE 1.09 0.53 168.90 1.73 7.91 0.62 9.50 5.58 20.00 19.50

C/PRICE 1.04 0.51 162.61 1.67 7.64 0.60 9.26 5.44 19.60 19.40

CHANGE -0.05 -0.02 -6.29 -0.06 -0.27 -0.02 -0.24 -0.14 -0.40 -0.10

6-2-14 N13.07tr 40,766.16

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

DISCOUNT WINDOWx

O/PRICE

NSE CAP Index

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 24-02-14

SYMBOL

400m

Date

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NIGERIA INTER OBB Rate Call Rate

Onasanya, the choice of Oni is in line with the bank’s commitment to sustaining the on-going corporate transformation, as well as deepening specialisation and strengthening the corporate governance culture of the lender. “His track record typifies our bank’s value system hinged on dependability, entrepreneurship, integrity and resilience and I have no doubt that he will make the expected impact as we make progress with the bank’s focused transformation for sustainable growth and development,” he said. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCTI) .Mr. Oni is an experienced banker with over 20 years’ professional practice under his belt. He is an Accounting graduate of the University of Ilorin and holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

IRST Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Adenrele Oni, as the Managing Director of its subsidiary FBN Mortgages Limited. In a statement, the bank said prior to his appointment, Oni was the Chief Representative Officer for the FirstBank’s South African office and President South Africa Nigeria Chamber of Commerce. He is also, on the Board of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in South Africa (NIDO SA). As the Managing Director of FBN Mortgages, he will be required to provide complete vertically integrated mortgage and real estate solutions for individuals and businesses in the country thereby improving the quality of residential and commercial accommodation choices in the state and the nation at large in line with the bank’s philosophy of national development. According to the Group Managing Director of FirstBank, Bisi

•Diamond Bank CEO Alex Otti

FGN BONDS

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

economy. The fact that leasing facilitates long and convenient access to capital equipment goes to show the unique role of leasing in building and supporting productive ventures especially to those that do not have significant asset base. Thus, a company can conserve its funds for other productive purposes rather than spending heavily on the purchase of assets,” he said. Mr Lawanson called on MSMEs to maximise the varying products opportunity of leasing, to meet their equipment needs thereby promoting their businesses and contributing to the growth of the entire nation. ELAN is prepared and willing to facilitate the easy access to the required equipment.

FBN Mortgages gets MD

Diamond trains SMEs on budgeting

IAMOND Bank Plc has through its Diamond BusinessXpress seminar provided training in cash budgeting for entrepreneurs. In a statement, the bank said the exercise is parts of its efforts at increasing the capacity of Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSME) in running profitable businesses. The seminar, which held in Owerri, Imo State, marks the 40th edition of the bank’s BusinessXpress Seminar, a monthly capacity building workshop aimed at building managerial capacity and institutionalized processes within the sector. It said the topics discussed at the session included: Failing to Plan, Finding and retaining Customers, Strategic Planning, What is Business Really About? and ZeroOne. The bank’s Regional Manager,

leasing has been recognised and established as a creative financing alternative that provides an innovative means for delivering increased domestic investment within the economy”. He said that in Nigeria, leasing is even more relevant, given the tough economic conditions where access to productive assets is increasingly difficult especially to MSMEs. Indeed, leasing has become the single most important source of external finance for micro, small and medium enterprises and has been regarded in most quarters as the last resort to MSMEs. “The whole essence of leasing therefore is to enhance the planning, improvement and development of any

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012

7 Days

9.0417

30 Days

9.6667

Rate (Currency) Movement 6, Mar, 2012

Offer Price

Bid Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 0.72 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 172.15 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.10 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.72 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.72 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,617.65 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 FBN HERITAGE FUND 115.83 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 KAKAWA GUARANTEED INCOME FUND 143.11 LEGACY FUND 0.78 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,856.44

0 171. 9 1. 1. 0. 0. 1. 1,613. 1,000.00 115. 100. 1. 1. 142. 0. 1,857.

• ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE OPEN BUY BACK

10.17% 11.46%

60 Days

11.2917

11.96%

150 Days

12.1250

12.54%

Bank P/Court

Current

04 July, 2012

07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

CITYBEATS

Award for Fashola, wife

LAGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola and his wife, Abimbola will be inducted as patron and matron of Eko Nite of Music, Culture and Awards on March 29. Chief Executive Officer of Jim Tim Nig Ltd, organisers of the award, Olusegun Olutimehin, said it would hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos between 4pm and 10pm. The event will feature the recognition of Lagos’ heroes and the induction of past Lagos governors into the Eko Hall of Fame. The Asoju Oba of Lagos Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas will chair the event; former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu is chief host. Olutimehin said the event is supported by the Council for Arts and Culture, Ministry of Information & Strategy and LTV among others.

Market leader buries mum

ALL is set for the burial of Mrs. Debora Victoria Ezenwobi (Nee Nnolim), mother of the President of New Tyre Market Union, Onitsha, Chief Sunday Ezenwobi. It will hold at her home, Ihulu, Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. Her remains will be buried on Friday after a Catholic mass at the Queen of All Hearts Catholic Church, Aguluzigbo. Ezenwobi said the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor, would preside at the mass, adding that the ceremony which starts on Thursday, with a Christian service of songs will end on March 2, with a thanksgiving service at the Queen of Hearts Parish.

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Residents panic as gunmen invade community

ESIDENTS of Shanle in Ikorodu on the outskirts of Lagos are living in fear as unknown gunmen have been terrorising the community since February 17. The gunmen were said to have stormed the community from Jajo, a neighbouring town, demolishing buildings under construction and threatening to kill whoever dared them. Sources alleged that the gunmen are working for some land grabbers who are bent on taking over people’s land forcefully. The secretary of the Ogunbashe/ Odunekan royal family, Balogun Sonubi, 85, who said the land belongs to his family, said: “On February 16, I came home and found a paper from the Area ‘N’ Police Command that I was wanted at the station. I went there and I was told that I was under arrest over alleged possession of gun and cocaine. The police told me that people from Jajo alleged that I was threatening their lives. I was shocked and embarrassed. I denied it, but I was detained and later granted bail. “The next day, I was at home when some boys with machetes and other dangerous weapons stormed my house. They told me that they were from a man, Lamina a.k.a Sir K, who is claiming ownership of Shanle. The hoodlums were led by one traditional ruler from Jajo. I was shocked because this land belongs to our great grandparents and we have been living here for over 500 years now. Jajo community shares boundary with us, but there has never been any problem until last week when some people came to claim our land. For a week now, we have been living in fear as they kept shooting anyhow.” Sonubi said he reported the matter at the Federal Special Anti-Robbery

By Jude Isiguzo

Squad (FSARS) at Adeniji Adele, Lagos. He expressed hope that the police would arrest the trouble makers. A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said he was considering relocating because of the threats, adding: “I have been living in this community since 2003. Everywhere was peaceful until some gunmen started terrorising us. On February 22, some armed men on motorcycles stormed my house and stopped the renovation going on there. They flogged the work men, claiming to be the new owners of the town.” The traditional ruler, Mr Salau Bakare, said over 50 invaders stormed his house on February 17, threatening to kill him.

“The armed men stole my Toyota Camry car. They have been going around collecting money from people building houses, terrorising others. They set construction sites ablaze. They claimed to own Shanle. But the traditional ruler of Jajo told me the elders of Jajo did not send the armed men. We implore the government and the police authorities to come to our rescue to stop this reckless behaviour of these senseless men.” Lamina said: “I have not been around in the last one month. I did not send gunmen to take over any community. I am innocent of all the allegations.” Commissioner of Police Umar Manko said officers from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, would be deployed in the commu-

• Manko nity to restore order. “I will direct SARS policemen to go there and arrest any trouble maker,” Manko said.

Court defers verdict on demolition case

UDGMENT in a suit filed by residents of Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, challenging the demolition of their houses was yesterday stalled at a Federal High Court in Lagos. Justice Ibrahim Buba, who adjourned the matter till February 27, ordered the opposing counsel to address him on jurisdiction before judgment is delivered. The order followed an averement by the claimants in their originating process that there was a subsisting suit before the Badagry High Court. The suit was filed under the Fundamental Human Rights procedure on behalf of Atinporome Community residents who are seeking N100 million from the federal and Lagos State government agencies for “unlawful demolition” of their houses and N5 million as cost. Joined as respondents in the suit are:

Inspector-General of Police; Lagos State Police Commissioner; Commander, Area ‘K’ Police Command; Ministry of Police Affairs; Lagos Task Force on Environment and Special Offences Unit; Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development;Lands Bureau and the Attorneys-General of the Federation and Lagos. The claimants said on December 14, last year they received a letter from the police, ordering residents to vacate the land. They said while their community is located at Araromi Extension and Mowo Phase II, the letter from the police specifically mentioned Agemowo and Agelado Mowo, Badagry. “We contacted our solicitors who drafted a letter to clear the air that

our communities were at Atiporome; but all our efforts to serve the letter on the respondents were rebuffed as they chased us away,” they claimed. They said they were surprised on December 16, last year, at 4.30am, when over 100 armed policemen from the Lagos Task Force, laid siege to the community and began to pull down their houses with bulldozers. They said over 1,500 houses were demolished, while a six-month-old baby was killed in one of the houses. The applicants claimed that they were not allowed to pick anything from their houses before the demolition, while many residents and youths were indiscriminately arrested. They are praying the court for a declaration that the forceful demolition of their houses by the respondents was wicked, oppressive and unconstitutional.

• Mrs Olajide

• Pa Kasumu

So, we decided to buy him a house in Abeokuta, although it was an unfinished building, costing about N2 million. So, all we needed to do was to complete the house, get the wiring and plumbing works done, among other things. So, you may have spent about N3 million? It’s more than that. In fact, his son has all the details because he keeps updating. It was like building a house all over. This is a building which, in Lagos State, could have cost between N7 million and N10 million. As the coordinator of the fund-raising, would you say the public should not donate towards his cause any more? People can still help him, if they want to. But at least, he is better than before. More importantly, we should just continue to pray for him. Will there be a formal ceremony when Pa Kasumu will be moving into his new place in Abeokuta? There is this set of people, called Team Save Pa Kasumu, that we have

used to boost the fund-raising campaign. They said they normally organise what they call ‘Appreciation Night’ in situations as this and that they will want to stage the same show for him. But there is no money for that now, so we are not sure if it’s going to happen or not. However, Pa Kasumu will be visiting the governor two days after arriving at his new house in Abeokuta, to say a big ‘Thank you’ to him for his support. After getting him settled in his new place, what next? Definitely, something will come out because the governor has said that the government will be paying him in instalments, which perhaps began with the N2 million earlier donated to him. Maybe he will get the second instalment when next we see the governor because he currently has no money. So, we are looking up to God for help. But if his colleagues can still call him up for an acting job that won’t be too stressful for him, that will also go a long way in buying his medications and feeding. That’s the situation for now.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

Why we’re treating Pa Kasumu in Nigeria, by consultant Mrs Idowu Olajide, a medical laboratory scientist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, coordinates the fund-raising for top Yoruba actor Kayode Odumosu (a.k.a. Pa Kasumu). She spoke with Entertainment Editor VICTOR AKANDE on Pa Kasumu’s health, among other issues.

READ your letter of appreciation, explaining that it is no longer necessary to fly Pa Kasumu abroad for treatment. Could you tell us about his present state of health? Actually, what we were thinking, in the first place, was to fly him abroad to seek a better treatment. But eventually, the doctors said it is no longer advisable, since he is not going for surgery. I’m also a medical person-I work as a medical laboratory scientist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Ikeja. What the old man (Pa Kasumu) is suffering from is a stroke. It is a medical condition that has no remedy, so all that should be done is to manage his condition. Are you sure this did not suddenly arise because the N1 million you proposed could not be raised? Not quite! Of course, if there was enough money, he could have gone abroad for treatment, since the medication over there will be better. But his condition is such that requires better management. From the beginning, we tested everything concerning his health condition, including the environment he currently lives in, and we found out that the environment is pathetic. You will be alarmed that a man of his calibre is living in such an environment. Even then, there was no money for his medication. So, we thought of seeking a better treatment for him abroad

and the need to rehabilitate him afterwards. At what point did that plan change? The doctors, including the medical consultants sent in by the Lagos State governor, were calling me, saying it wasn’t necessary to fly him abroad. They advised that we should rather use the money to rehabilitate him by getting him a conducive accommodation, dietician and physiotherapist. It is believed that when he is happy, his Blood Pressure (BP) can be controlled, thereby he can live longer, instead of going to waste the money abroad. And that was why Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola gave us just N1.5 million. So, how is he responding to treatment now? As you will observe, he has been responding well. His BP has gone down and he talks better now. He even told me that his memory is coming back. Some people are even saying that he is blind and that he can’t talk. But that’s not true. At least, you spoke with him on the phone and you can

People can still help him, if they want to. But at least, he is better than before. More importantly, we should just continue to pray for him.

confirm that he now communicates well. I am not saying that he is completely okay, but he is better than he was about three months ago. Now, he can even move around, unlike before. So, how are you planning to rehabilitate him? We have bought him a house in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and he may be moving over in the next two weeks. Why did you prefer Abeokuta? We decided to buy him a house in Abeokuta because the governor of Ogun State was (still is) interested in his case. Incidentally, Pa Kasumu is from Ogun State. That way, he can actually get closer to the governor. This is because when I spoke with the SSG to Governor Ibikunle Amosun initially, it was for them to help get him an accommodation. But they told us that they don’t have any accommodation for now. So, we bought him a three-bedroom bungalow from the money realised from his health donations. We also bought the gadgets for his physiotherapy and medications. The dietician comes and we pay the physiotherapist N120, 000 per month. At least, for now, he is okay. By the time he moves to Abeokuta, I’m sure he will be happy and that will help better. How much did you buy the house, of the N6.1 million realised? Initially, we wanted to rent an apartment for him here in Lagos, but the rent was too high. They were going to charge us N1.2 million for two years.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

NEWS

Women protest PDP rally in Imo •Vow to stop party from reclaiming power

•Okorocha

OMMERCIAL activities were paralysed in Owerri, Imo State, yesterday when thousands of ‘broom-waving’ women barricaded roads, protesting the statements by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the Governor Rochas Okorocha administration. The women, who stormed Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri venue of the PDP rally at the weekend, at 7a.m, said the PDP leaders came to the state to provoke and mock the people after misruling Imo for over 12 years. The protesters, who chanted songs, swept the streets, saying they were sweeping away the footprints of PDP leaders and members. As they swept, they swore that the PDP, which they accused of mismanaging the state’s resources for 12 years, would not rule the state again. Addressing reporters, the women’s leader, Mrs. Josephine

PDP battles to reclaim Imo

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has re-launched efforts to reclaim Imo State during a mega rally at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. At the event, national leaders of the party gathered to correct what they described as the mistakes, which cost the party the governorship election in 2011. During the rally attended by President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice President Namadi Sambo; National Chairman of the party Adamu Mu’azu; Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih; Senate President David Mark; PDP governors and founding members of PDP in the state, who left the party over alleged injustice, returned to the fold. They are former Governor Chief Achike Udenwa; Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, the lawmaker representing Imo East; Senator Chris Anyanwu; Mike Ahamba (SAN); among others. At the rally, the speakers, including President Jonathan, said the party would reclaim Imo State. The Chairman of PDP Governor’s Forum, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, said the return of the members meant that the party had recovered its winning streak and would regain power in 2015. “We are not just here to receive the returnees, but also their supporters. With what we have seen, PDP will recapture Imo State. The will of God is that in 2015, PDP’s flag will be hoisted again in Imo Government House.” The Senate President said Imo had been a PDP state and was on the verge of returning to the fold, adding: “Whatever happened in past was already history. In fact, Imo has returned to the PDP fold. We have made a strong statement by the turnout From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Udorji, said PDP leaders reminded Imo people about the scars of their 12 years of misrule, expressing surprise that President Goodluck Jonathan could attend such a rally to receive those who had no electoral value. She said they protested to tell the PDP that it should allow the All Progressives Congress (APC), which had transformed the state in a short time, to continue.

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

of people today.” His deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, said the party was poised to win Imo governorship election. Said he: “In 1999, we controlled Southeast states until Imo and Anambra were ‘captured’ by the opposition. But we have come to reclaim Imo.” Anenih said he hopedPDP would regain power in the state next year. He said: “With the return of our members, the job is done. All we need do now is to play the politics of inclusion. Nobody should be left behind. We should avoid the mistakes of the past and unite to achieve our goal. Our coming here to receive the returnees has shown the importance of the project to reclaim Imo.” Mu’azu said: “The journey to recapture Imo has begun and the new leadership of the PDP is committed to reclaiming the states we have lost, following internal problems.” According to him, “at the commencement of this democratic dispensation, PDP won elections in Imo, but due to internal wrangling, we could not hold on to power. Even incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha was a PDP member. “Now that we have found answers to our problems and with the returnees, I want to assure you that Imo State has been reclaimed.” He appealed to the aspirants that “this is a new PDP and only our best will be fielded during the next poll.” House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, one of the likely governorship aspirants, said: “Imo is a PDP state and today we have begun the journey to reclaim the state. We made mistakes in the past, but we are back. We

Mrs. Getrude Oduka said they allowed the PDP rally to hold because the President attended, warning that they would not allow such distraction again. Mrs. Tina Adike said the women, who had benefited from the achievements of the Okorocha administration, felt pained that the same people, who held the state hostage for years, were desperate to return to power. She added: “Why are they planning to return to power when they have nothing to

show for the years they spent in office? It is an insult to the women of this state, who are the greatest beneficiaries of the Okorocha administration.” The women, drawn from the 27 local governments, also marched on the Government House in solidarity with the Okorocha administration. The Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Chief Uche Nwosu, thanked them for their support. He said APC would continue to promote people-oriented policies.

Ngige: dismiss applications of INEC, Obiano, APGA

HE Anambra State Election Petition Tribunal, led by Justice Ishaq Bello, will, on Friday, decide whether or not to strike out paragraphs of a motion by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief Willie Obiano and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Last week, INEC’s counsel Ahmed Raji urged the tribunal to strike out some paragraphs in their motion. Senator Chris Ngige’s lawyers Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu and Chief Emeka Ngige were given time by the tribunal to reply to the application yesterday. At the resumed sitting, Emeka Ngige urged the tribunal to dismiss the application by INEC. His grounds were; whether the paragraphs are pre-election matters and whether the issue of the voter register was also a pre-election matter. Also, whether the documents pleaded with the schedule of the polling stations, electoral wards and local governments could be described as vague. Another ground is whether the background facts by the REC as duly pleaded were preelection matters or unrelated grounds to the petition and whether a casual reference to a polling unit in a paragraph should result in the entire paragraph being struck out. According to him, “we are inviting you my lords in considering the grounds of the petition and see see that none of the paragraphs attacked in the petition merits the relief to be struck out.” Emeka Ngige argued that election was not what happened on election day, rather a process as described by the Supreme Court in one of its judgments. Akeredolu, replying to Obi-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

ano’s application, described the motion as incompetent, adding that it did not indicate under what order it was brought. “Paragraphs 14A, B, C, D, E, F, among others, do not exist in our petition as claimed by the respondents, which they have asked to be struck out. My lords will see that what we have in the address are 14(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and 4(A), among others, and not what they claimed. “The paragraphs they want struck out deal with the voter register. The case of Mimiko and Akeredolu settled the matter in this instance.” Michael Lanor, who replied to the APGA application, said a court could not grant a relief not sought, adding that what the respondents were seeking did not exist. On whether Obiano was qualified to contest the election abnitio, Lanor said it was only the tribunal that had the right to determine it and whether INEC had the power to postpone an election without any reason. Counsel to Obiano, Ken Mozie, said parties were bound by their pleadings, especially where they complained about the particulars of the voter register. Chief Adegboyega Awomolo said it was the nature and character of pleadings in a petition that would determine whether the issue of voter register was a pre-election or postelection matter. Today, the trbunal will rule on some of the motions raised by Dr. Chike Obidigbo and APGA against Chief Willie Obiano and APGA . Ruling will also be delivered on the other matter involving Tony Nwoye, INEC and others where INEC was seeking to strike out some paragraphs of the petition.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

have been following your newspaper question and answer forum and it is really interesting and educating for people. At 28, I am still a virgin. I am happy about it and I treasure it. I am not in a relationship yet but I want to make love without losing my virginity. Is there anything to help or what can I do? Thank you – Jennifer Dear Jennifer, I can understand the dilemma you are faced with but you need to be honest with yourself. As an adult woman, you have sexual urges that need to be fulfilled. You cannot eat your cake and have it. It is either you become sexual or you remain a virgin. But you cannot have a sex life and still be a virgin. Of course there are other ways you can pleasure yourself through the use of sex toys like vibrators without actually having sex with another human being. But if what you want is sex with another adult while still remaining a virgin, that is not possible. The dictionary definition of a virgin is a man or woman who has not yet had sex. So you need to make a choice – Uche My problem is that I easily get wet before sex most times when I am kissing or romancing. I really feel bad about it – Elizabeth Elizabeth some women lubricate well when aroused. You don’t have to feel bad about it. If you experience full blown female ejaculation while still kissing, that is another matter entirely. Many women complain about vaginal dryness and the sexual pain it causes them during sex but you never have to worry about that and you also don’t have to bother spending money on lubricants. So it seems to me that you are the lucky one. If you get wet during an intimate affair, just clean up afterwards – Uche What drugs do I need for maximum sperm count (quality and quantity)? Also what do I need for penis enlargement that will be permanent? Please I need the best of available drugs for this. Are they herbal by nature? – Solomon

All the supplements we recommend to people are herbal because they are safer and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. Secondly,to boost sperm quality, increase semen quantity and enlarge the penis, you will need three different supplements. My advice is to take two supplements and a sex toy for enlargement. Sometimes, drugs don’t interact very well when you are taking different types for different things. So for increase in sperm quality, look for Fertil Aid or Repro Aid Supplement. For increase in semen quantity, get Max Load or Explosion Supplement. And for your penis enlargement, get the Bull Fighter Penis Enlargement Pump – Uche Please I need a multi-purpose dildo Linda Linda you can get the Deluxe Ball Gag with Dildo. It can be strapped around your partners mouth during use or you can detach it and use it as a hands free dildo. Another option is the Garter Belt Strap –On. It can be used as a strap on around your partner’s waist or you can also detach it and use it as a dildo/vibrator –Uche Do you offer any kind of maintenance service for penis pumps? I have been using mine now for seven months and the rubber in front is tearing. I really like this pump. It has enlarged my organ more than I ever imagined and I don’t want to throw it away – Ibe Ibe if it is the pump sleeve that is torn, yes replacement sleeves are available– Uche I used the LS Male Desensitizing Cream for premature ejaculation. I like it. I didn’t expect it to work - Chris You are welcome. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 07086754515 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS 19 killed in Iraq violence

THEEL al-Nujaifi, governor of Iraq’s Nineveh province and the parliament speaker’s brother, yesterday survived the third attempt on his life this month as violence killed 19 people, AFP reported. Two roadside bombs exploded near Nujaifi’s convoy in Nineveh’s capital of Mosul, wounding two provincial councilors, police said. Attacks also killed three civilians and two army officers in Nineveh yesterday, while 11 militants died during an assault on an army position in the province.

Egyptian Christians killed execution-style in eastern Libya

IBYAN police have found the bodies of seven Egyptian Christians, who were killed execution-style on a beach in eastern Libya, Reuters reported, citing officials and local residents. A police officer said yesterday the bodies were found with gunshots to the head outside Benghazi in the east. Assassinations, kidnappings and car bombs are common in the area, where Islamist militants are active.

Bomb kills two outside Iranian consulate in Pakistan

USPECTED suicide bomb attack outside the Iranian consulate in the Pakistani city of Peshawar killed two paramilitary soldiers and wounded ten others yesterday, AFP reported, citing officials.

Ugandan: Museveni signs anti-gay bill

GANDA’s leader has signed into law a bill toughening penalties for gay people but without a clause criminalising those who do not report them. A proposed sentence of up to 14 years for first-time offenders has also been removed. US President Barack Obama had cautioned the bill would be a backward step. Mr Museveni had previously agreed to put the bill on hold pending US scientific advice. Homosexual acts are already

illegal in Uganda. In December, a gay rights campaigner spoke of her fears about the legislation The new law allows life imprisonment as the penalty for acts of “aggravated homosexuality” and also criminalises the “promotion” of homosexuality”. The bill passed by parliament in December made it a crime not to report gay people - in effect making it impossible to live as openly gay - but this clause has been removed from the legislation signed by the president.

Lesbians are covered by the bill for the first time. Gay activists say they will challenge the new laws in court. The bill originally proposed the death penalty for some homosexual acts, but that was later removed amid international criticism. Government officials clapped after Mr Museveni signed the bill at a news conference at State House. The BBC’s Catherine Byaruhanga, in Uganda, says it is rare for the president to assent to bills

Crisis: Russia steps up Ukraine rhetoric

USSIA has stepped up its rhetoric against Ukraine's new Westernleaning leadership as tensions rise over the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych. Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev said interim authorities in Kiev had conducted an "armed mutiny". And the Russian foreign ministry said dissenters in mainly Russian-speaking regions faced suppression. Earlier, Ukraine's interim interior minister said an arrest warrant had been issued for Mr Yanukovych. MPs voted to remove Mr Yanukovych on Saturday. His whereabouts are unknown but he was reported to have been in the Crimean peninsula on Sunday. Russia has already recalled its ambassador to Ukraine for consultation.

Unrest in Ukraine began in November when Mr Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. Mr Medvedev, quoted by Russian news agencies, suggested that Western countries that accepted Ukraine's new authorities were mistaken. "The legitimacy of a whole number of organs of power that function there raises great doubts," he said. "Some of our foreign, Western partners think otherwise. This is some kind of aberration of perception when people call legitimate what is essentially the result of an armed mutiny." He added: "We do not understand what is going on there. There is a real threat to our interests and to the lives of our citizens." Ukraine's foreign ministry

•Medvedev

quickly responded to Mr Medvedev's comments on Russian citizens in Ukraine, saying his concerns were "unfounded". However, Russia's foreign ministry also issued a strongly worded statement saying a "forced change of power" was taking place in Ukraine and accused interim leaders of passing new laws "aimed at infringing the humanitarian rights of Russians and other ethnic minorities".

so publicly. But the anti-gay bill has become so controversial that the media were invited to witness its signing, she says. Earlier, government spokesman Ofwono Opondo told the Reuters news agency Mr Museveni wanted “to demonstrate Uganda’s independence in the face of Western pressure and provocation”. The sponsor of the bill, MP David Bahati, insisted homosexuality was a “behaviour that can be learned and can be unlearned”. “Homosexuality is just bad behaviour that should not be allowed in our society,” he told the BBC’s Newsday programme. But a gay rights activist in Uganda told the programme that he was “very scared” about the new bill. “I didn’t even go to work yesterday [Monday]. I’m locked up in the house. And I don’t know what’s going to happen now.” Our correspondent says although Mr Museveni had been apprehensive about signing the bill, he could not convince his party, religious groups and many of his citizens that it was not needed. His signature is an apparent U-turn from a recent pledge to hold off, pending advice from the US. In a statement, Mr Museveni had said: “I...encourage the US government to help us by working with our scientists to study whether, indeed, there are people who are born homosexual. “When that is proved, we can review this legislation.”

New department to oversee Vatican finance

NEW Vatican department will be created to supervise all the city state’s economic and administrative affairs, Reuters reported. Pope Francis is setting up the new body in the wake of a scandal at the Vatican’s main banking arm, formally known as the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR). Australian Cardinal George Pell will head the department. APSA, the department which manages the Holy See’s financial holdings, will become the Vatican central bank. The change will not immediately affect the status of the IOR.

Indonesia: 11 killed in landslides

ORRENTIAL rains triggered floods and landslides that killed at least 11 people in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua, AP reported. Two people are still missing after the landslides hit three locations in the provincial capital of Jayapura, according to Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. More than 50 houses have been damaged in the landslides and flooding due to incessant rains that began Saturday night. Rains caused three rivers in the city to overflow.

NEWS Sanusi: Jonathan orders audit of CBN’s accounts Continued from page 6

porting Council that will look into those grey areas. And if Sanusi has no case to answer, how will you prosecute somebody that has no case to answer. “But if he has a case to answer; it depends on the nature of the case. In the public service, there are some cases that if it is not criminal in nature, it is either act of negligence or probably miskick a process he was supposed to follow, he may not necessarily be prosecuted. There may be other sanctions or indictment. So, everything does not end up with prosecution. “Prosecution can only come if a clear fraud is established. But if a fraud is not established, maybe somebody does not follow due process, or some other issues that are not clearly fraudulent, we may not necessarily prosecute him, even though the person is guilty. So, Nigerians should wait; they should not just talk about prosecution. He added: “Forget whether it is Goodluck Jonathan, whether the President of Nigeria by virtue of the Constitution of Nigeria has power to suspend the governor of CBN, I will tell you yes, the President has absolute powers to suspend the CBN Governor. “The CBN is not even well defined in the Nigerian constitution. If you look at the Nigerian Constitution, Section 153 talks about executive bodies, like Federal Character Commission, Civil Service Commission, Independent

National Electoral Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, about 14 of them and the Code of Conduct. These are clearly defined. The President appoints but the Senate must clear. For the president to remove anybody, he must go through the Senate. The President has oversight over the CBN; so if anybody tells you that the CBN is a different country, it is not true because for the CBN to change the colour of the Naira, the President must approve.” “And what happens, for the CBN account, because normally when you audit the CBN, you publish it. So, for you to even publish the CBN audited account, the President must approve it. That means the President must accept the CBN’s audited account.” According to Jonathan, suspension came in because the CBN Act is somehow anomalous. “We have similar issues with other organisations, not just the CBN, where the CBN Governor is also the Chairman of the CBN Board, the CBN governor is the Chief Executive of CBN and, at the same time, the chairman of the CBN Board. So, if there are allegations about the CBN governor, it becomes a problem for you to look into it,” the President said. He went on: “So, no President will just wake up and a decision, especially when the CBN is involved, whether suspension or removal … you need to consult, you have to do all what it takes and make sure. Probably, I would have even stayed longer than now but when I just realised that in fact February 2013 that the CBN governor sent

me the report of the 2012 audit, because the audit report is supposed to be published in the first quarter of the year. So from that time through April there has been correspondence to and fro. He said he suspended Sanusi when he did because the 2013 audit report is supposed to be published this quarter, “but we have not even finished with 2012”. In fact, I had to give provisional approval to audit 2013 report because we have not finished with 2012". Jonathan said he sent the name of Sanusi’s successor immediately, because it is “one of the things we have to do to stablise the system” and to tell the international community that the succession is already there. The suspension coincides with Sanusi’s alarm that $20billion oil money was missing. The President said: “In terms of if the time is appropriate, there is no time that is even appropriate to suspend anybody. But if you need to be suspended, definitely you really have to be suspended.” The issue of $20 billion, well if you look at the issues, it started from February till now, so it is not as if something just came up now because Sanusi spoke about $20 billion. First of all, he spoke about $49.8 billion; everybody was alarmed. Finally, Sanusi said it was $12 billion; later on he said $20 billion. “Whether it is $49.8 or $12 billion, but whatever, even if is one kobo or one dollar that has disappeared from NNPC, we will find out. That I guarantee you, but while doing that, we must follow the due process.” On the National Conference,

Jonathan said key officials of the conference would be announced on March 3. The conference will start on March 10. “By our thinking, March 3, we will announce the names of the chairman, the deputy chairman and the secretary and, of course, we will also engage the administrative staff that will work with them and they will start work for at least a week before we invite others to join. And then, I will formally inaugurate it,” Jonathan said. He also spoke about the country’s centenary celebration, which he said is solely funded by the private sector, except that he would host visiting heads of state. “The purpose is definitely not to prevent disintegration. Nigeria will not disintegrate,” he said. On the Boko Haram insurgency and insecurity in the country, Jonathan said security agents should get kudos, rather than knocks. On Borno Governor Shettima’s statement – that the Boko Haram fighters are better equipped and motivated – he said: “The statement is a little bit unfortunate because you don’t expect a governor to make that kind of statement and if the governor of Borno State feels that the Nigerian Armed Forces are not useful, he should tell Nigerians. I will pull them out for one month; whether he will stay in that his Government House; just one month, but I will fly back to take over the state. “But if what he said is correct, I will pull out the military from Borno State for one month and I will go back and take over the state. A governor should be

mindful of what he says. “Yes, there are issues. No matter how frustrated you are, you don’t make this kind of statement. He said he is not aware that a military administrator was to be sent to Borno State. On kerosene subsidy, Jonathan said: “I don’t need to be briefed because I was involved. I was the Vice President to the late President (Umaru) Yar’Adua. At about 2008/2009, the international crude oil price dropped significantly; it was 48 dollars and we realised that at that time, the pump price of PMS was 70 to the litre. Of course, kerosine had been 50. And we realised that if we pulled out, Nigerians at that time would have bought PMS at 50 to 60 per litre. And we agreed that we were going to pull out, completely deregulate because if we had pulled out then, the pump price would have dropped. And if the pump price drop, no body will protest. And that is the best time. So those approvals were given. But along the line, the labour leaders were even the people who said, ‘look, this may be shortlived; let’s wait for another six months and if it is stable, then government can pull out’. Yar’Adua made those approvals; so, we decided to just leave it that way. The petroleum law does not recognise the President but only the minister. “So, what happened is that instead of keeping the pump price at N70, the President now brought the pump price from 70 to 65. If you look at the whole history, that was the first time the pump price of petrol was brought down. Nigerians

•Sanusi

would have probably been buying at 60 or 62. But the President brought it at 65 and it was announced and gazzetted. “When people talk of kerosene that President approved, they would have also talked of PMS. Those are memos from the principal secretary to the President to commence authorising the minister to act. The president has no powers based on the law. But we know that before the minister will effect it, the President must give clearance. So, since the labour people came, every body left it at that stage. The law guiding the price of petroleum products, very clear, for you to increase or decrease the price of any petroleum product, the law says that you must advertise and inform Nigerians in some daily newspapers, state the date and time. If you listen very well, if we want to change the price of petrol, we may say Sunday night so that by Sunday 12 midnight, every station will change. So, somebody going to fill and getting photocopy of documents that were forgotten and starts circulating, I don’t know those issues. To answer your question, kerosene subsidy still remains. I don’t need to be briefed; there was a time that we announced that government had completely deregulated. It was not removed.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

NEWS EFCC chairman, ex-Chief of Army Staff, others in air incident

CONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Ibrahim Lamorde and a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau and more than 50 passengers were yesterday involved in a near plane mishap at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Also on board were the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Osita Chidoka, Alhaji Imam Imam, who is the Special Adviser on Media to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and six other aides. The passengers, who boarded an Arik flight from Lagos to Abuja, were held hostage in the air for about 35 minutes following diffi-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

culty in landing by the pilot. The development forced most of the passengers to cover their faces and engaged in intense prayers. According to a source on board, the plane which took off at 3.15pm behind the schedule time had a smooth flight until it was time to land. The source said: “Five minutes to landing, the pilot had prepared our mind. As we were about to land, we observed that the plane suddenly took off to our consternation. He jerked up the plane in an emergency manner. “The pilot told us that he could not land because he had challenges with some control buttons. We were all instantly lost. We were unsure of the next step.” Another passenger said:

“The difficulty in landing made the plane to hover for about 35 minutes. We were all sweating because we were held hostage in the plane. “Most of us resorted to prayers in preparation for either a crash-land or emergency landing. Some were really crying during the ordeal. “Eventually, the plane succeeded in landing in a breath-taking manner with most of us traumatised.” A third source added: “Upon landing, some of us bombarded the cockpit to ask questions from the crew. “The pilot changed his tone again when he told us that he could not land because he was seeing some danger signals on the tarmac. “We hope the aviation authority will assist us to investigate this incident to avert any disaster in this sector.”

N100 bribe: Policeman to die by hanging

RIVERS State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced a police officer to death and two others to life imprisonment for the death of two civilians, while struggling with a bus driver over N100 bribe. Police Corporal Auwalu Kwale was sentenced to death by hanging, while Sergeants Ali Bello and Clement Indyel are to serve life. Justice Biobele Georgewill yesterday said the convicts conspired to murder Chinyeaka Kamalu and Ugochukwu Harcourt on

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

January 17, 2010. He said the convicted policemen, who were serving under the State Police Command, were charged for felony, murder and conspiracy for the murder of the victims, who were among the passengers attacked by the convicted officers over N100 bribe. Justice Georgewill said with the evidence presented by the court and the arguments of both counsel, the suspects conspired to

murder the civilians on the bus because the driver refused to pay them N100. He said the autopsy conducted on Kamalu and Harcourt showed that they were shot with AK47 rifles. Mrs. Chinyere Ideoha, sister to the late Kamalu, said justice was served even ifthe judgment would not bring her late sister back. She said: “It is sad that my sister was among those who died but the judgment is a victory for the dead.” Justice Georgewill also ordered the police commissioner to re-arrest other officers, who were suspects.

Pay before assuming control, BPE warns DISCO owners

HE Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Benjamin Dikki, has reminded the new owners of Afam Power Plc and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) to pay before assuming control. According to a statement, while inaugurating the Transitional Committees (TCs) of the two companies in Abuja yesterday, Dikki said the Bureau initiated the TCs concept to allow the core investors to interact with the management and to enable them have first-hand information on the companies to prepare to implement the Post Acquisition Plan (PAP). He also said it was aimed

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

at allowing the investors to interface with the management for a smooth transition from a public-oriented enterprise to a private sectordriven one and to engage them to understand the challenges and peculiarities of the company. However, the director general emphasised that they would not assume full ownership of the companies until full payment was made. “You are only allowed access to information and to acquaint yourselves with the working of the company but not decision-making. You should also not engage in any

turf war with the management,” he said. Dikki said the practice was novel in the privatisation history in Nigeria and that the Bureau initiated it because of the complex nature of the power transaction. He hoped that the two committees would also be beneficial to the core investors. On February 21, last year, after a meeting with the Federal Government, management of the successor companies and the preferred bidders, it was resolved that after the payment of the initial 25 per cent deposit by the bidders, they would have the right to access the company facilities and participate in a Transitional Committee.

Shettima gives N300m to Bama victims

ORNO State Governor From John Ofikhenua, Abuja Kashim Shettima has visited Bama to assess He instructed an eightman committee set up by the carnage in the town, him to rebuild destroyed which claimed 100 lives. houses, schools and other He also released N300 public buildings. million for the rebuilding of The committee led by the destroyed town. Jidda Shuwa, a retired Shettima said the Bama permanent secretary, was attack did not only reflect the directed by the governor to lunacy of Boko Haram, but “boycott all bureaucratic an “assault on the pride and bottlenecks to ensure speedy integrity of our people.” rebuilding of the town.” The governor’s visit came “We want you all to at the time residents of Malari apply a direct approach in in Konduga local rebuilding the destroyed government were burying schools and people’s homes; two farmers killed on no money or contract should Saturday by Boko Haram be given to an individual. But gunmen. first concentrate on the Shettima, who spent five schools so that our children hours in Bama inspecting the can go back to school; while destruction, said the people doing that ensure all the needed prompt assistance.

schools now have a kitchen so that the pupils and students can have at least a meal a day,” he said. The Shehu of Bama, who conducted the governor round the town, pleaded for his fleeing subjects to return home as government was putting all strategies in place to prevent a recurrence. The monarch threatened to force open all the homes of rich residents, who had fled to Maiduguri and Abuja in order to allow residents who had lost their homes occupy them. He said doing so would serve as a punishment for their unpatriotic desertion of their towns in times of difficulties only to return in time of politics.

THE NATION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Desperate president, haughty prince

‘

•Dr Jonathan

•Sanusi

to work up to the most intrusive and titillating detail an alleged dalliance between Sanusi and a female executive at CBN they said he had employed without following the rules. From intercepted text messages the twain were alleged to have exchanged, you could almost hear the moan of ecstasy and the joy of conquest. The Department of Dirty Tricks blanketed the media with these salacious reports, hoping that the public would rise in indignation, declare any public official involved in such conduct guilty of “moral turpitude” and unfit to hold high public office. There were indeed those who reacted in exactly that manner. Some even went one better, demanding that Sanusi be hauled before the nearest Sharia court, tried summarily and sentenced to public flogging or lapidation. But by and large, the stories gained no trac-

RIPPLES i DON’T HANDLE GUNS, I ONLY BREAK ATMs–Robbery suspect

For now, Sanusi is gone. But the issues he raised will not go away until they are addressed forthrightly. Of these, none is more urgent than an answer to the insistent question: What happened to $20 billion in oil receipts?

’

tion in the media or in public discourse So, the authorities fell back on the bureaucratic expedients of audits and queries. That didn’t work either. With his accustomed hauteur, Sanusi disputed the competence and authority of the sources of the queries that did reach him and refused to respond. Nor would he resign as President Jonathan requested. He says he heard of but was never served with the documents released after his ouster charging him with reckless and incompetent management of public funds and hinting darkly at big-time sleaze. That is hardly surprising. Abuja had had more than enough. It was time to unsheathe the sword of presidential power; time for the formerly shoeless boy from the creeks to teach the haughty prince from Kano who has never

HARDBALL

WAHEED ODUSILE

lacked for anything a lesson in realpolitik he seems to have forgotten: Power will always find a way. Didn’t Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna Sokoto, and premier of Northern Nigeria depose and banish to Azare, in what was then Bauchi Province, the now former CBN governor’s iconoclastic uncle, Muhammadu Sanusi, who served as Emir of Kano between 1954 and 1963? Did the heavens fall? So who or what can stand in the way of a President vested with the powers of a leviathan in his resolve to dismiss an official he can no longer work with? The Constitution only says the official cannot be dismissed without the consent and approval of the Senate. It does not say that you require any such approval to suspend him. So, go at him, and do so with petulant vindictiveness. Humiliate him on the world stage; suspend him from office while he is conducting business in Niamey, in Niger Republic, on the nation’s behalf. Such shabbiness harks back to what military president Babangida did to Prince Tony Momoh. For weeks, rumours of a cabinet shuffle had been swirling, and Momoh, the regime’s Minister of Information, was one of those being mentioned as likely casualties. So, before setting out at the head of a delegation to represent Nigeria at ceremonies marking the end of slavery in the Caribbean nation of Guyana, Momoh had gone to Babangida to ask whether he should proceed, in view of rumours that he was going to be dropped in the impending cabinet shuffle. “You believe that?” Babangida remonstrated. “Common, Tony. How can we drop our resident philosopher from the Federal Executive Council?’’ Whereupon he wished Momoh a pleasant trip. Momoh’s plane was streaking across the Atlantic when Dodan Barracks announced that he had been dropped from the Federal Executive Council. By the time the plane touched down, he had been stripped of all authority to transact any business on behalf of the Federal Government. Sanusi’s media acolytes and retainers unwittingly contributed to his present grief when they dared Dr Jonathan to dismiss him and face dire consequences. Their taunts did little to restrain Dr Jonathan and may well have emboldened him. For now, Sanusi is gone. But the issues he raised will not go away until they are addressed forthrightly. Of these, none is more urgent than an answer to the insistent question: What happened to $20 billion in oil receipts? •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

PDP: Impunity is all you know, and all you need to know ...

So what do you think you are? A SAINT?

NO.2,770

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

“H

E had it coming.” “It serves him right.” “About time.” “De man too do, sef” The subject of these sentiments and many more of like vintage, expressed again and again across media platforms, is of course Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was sent packing from the gubernatorial suite at the Central Bank of Nigeria last week by President Goodluck Jonathan. Sanusi had planned to leave that powerful office on his own terms. In the manner of royals used to determining when they come and when they go and how long they stay, he had served notice that he would not seek an extension of the statutory term of five years. He might well have thought that, by that singular stroke, he had at once positioned himself to assert the autonomy that goes with the position and insured himself against the abject groveling and the shabby compromises that public officials often have to make to hold on to their jobs. He did not grovel. But he carried on in the manner of someone who could not be touched, said his numerous critics. He was all too ready to express an opinion on every subject under the sun and even beyond. He talked far more than he listened. It was as if he was conducting a crusade against the Establishment of which he was a part. He turned a purely technocratic job into a political forum and invested it with power and authority that went far beyond what its creators envisaged. He reveled in controversy. He dispensed public funds as if he was stricken with the Mansa Musa syndrome. Sometimes, it was as if he saw the CBN and its sprawling bureaucracy as an extension of the Kano emirate court. All in all, his numerous admirers countered, he has been a breath of fresh air in the mouldy corridors of high finance. He called attention to issues the authorities would rather conceal, such as the extortionate salaries and allowances legislators appropriated unto themselves under the table, and the opacity of the reporting system on oil export earnings. He spent public money judiciously, for beneficent ends. Above all, his numerous admirers said, he had rescued the banking sector from the grip of a powerful mafia that had since the time of military president Ibrahim Babangida turned the industry into an organised racket. Sanusi had three months left on his term. To Abuja which had been chafing under his strictures, three months seemed like an eternity. If he could not be removed, surely he could be neutralised and kept so busy fighting for his name and honour that asking inconvenient questions would be the last thing of his mind? So, they got the Department of Dirty Tricks

VOL.9

‘We’ve heard so much about how good and nice President Jonathan is, but people are not coming out to talk about his unforgiving spirit. I heard he doesn’t forgive.’

ONCLUDING his famous “Ode on a Grecian Urn”, Romantic English poet, John Keats (1795-1821), wrote: “Beauty is truth, truth beauty, — that is all/Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know”. Keats wrote at a period of intense anguish, almost ennui; when the greens of Britain made way for the grey of industry, and the romantics, ever, ever wary of change, rued the sure and steady disappearance of the green they had known; and all but predicted doom for a future greenless-ness. Keats himself was battling intense personal and family tragedies, before succumbing to consumption (tuberculosis) at mere 26. So, in the Grecian Urn’s eternal beauty and happiness, he located, in startling contrast, his own eternal woes, though his life was but a fleeting wind! Well, this is no excursion into Keats’s poetry; or even the English romantic genre. It is rather noting some parallels between Keats’ England and contemporary Nigeria. Keats’s England was all anxiety over the

future, even if its government’s industrial revolution was charting a course that would secure the future, even if the curse of greenless-ness (as feared by the poetic Romantics) would come back to plague the globe. Today’s Nigeria is all anxiety over its future. Though spinners of President Goodluck Jonathan insist the President is doing the necessary envisioning to secure a better Nigeria, the ennui of not quite a few is that the president is at sea. So, as the hearts of Keats’s romantics skipped a bit, there was evidence that the loss they mourn would breed a future good. In Nigeria’s case, it would appear a double jeopardy: everything is topsy-turvy yet there is hardly any guarantee it would end in any future good. But then, the public are a great one for pessimism, let them! That, as the Pentecostals would mouth, is not the portion of the President and his men. Talking about the president, he was in especially boisterous mood the other day in Owerri, when addressing the PDP tribe gathered there. An upbeat president, flush from his impunity of Sanusi-slaying, told the “mammoth” crowd gathered, and warned

PDP defectors to retrace their steps, or forfeit their pecking order in the party. Not for the president the genesis of their grievances, not for him the emotional dislocation, not for him even the collateral damage for the democratic polity, of a ruling party, unravelling because of its penchant for systemic injustice. All the president knew, and all he and his party needed to know, was the language of threat, the language of impunity. Conform, or else ... Ah, the other day, Jonathan Rivers ManFriday, the wike-wike-talking Nyesom Wike, was threatening that should his Oga-at-the-top, Jonathan, win in 2015, Governor Rotimi Amaechi would be arrested and post-haste thrown into the slammer! But what if he does not win? That, to him, is no option. So, Amaechi, start shivering and trembling! And even old man, Bamanga Tukur, now in a rehabilitative railway camp, was also all threat until the party nearly collapsed on his head! But then, impunity is what they know, and need to know ...

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